Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Depression and Quality of Life in Persons with Hiv Infection in Nigeria

Objective: Despite the fact that two-thirds of all the people with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about the emotional state and quality of life (QOL) of subjects with HIV in this region. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between clinical depression and quality of life in a group of HIV sero-positive subjects in Nigeria. Methods: Subjects with HIV infection (n=87) completed a questionnaire detailing sociodemographic and HIV related variables. The subjects were assessed for the diagnosis of depression using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and their subjective health related quality of life (QOL) was assessed using the short version of the WHO quality of life scale (WHOQOL-BREF). Results: There were 25 (28.7%) subjects with diagnosis of depression. Lower educational level correlated with poorer QOL in all the domains of WHOQOL-BREF except the “social relationship” domain. Also, poor social support correlated with poorer QOL scores on domains of “physical health” and “social relationship” and presence of medical problems was significantly associated with poorer scores on domains of “physical health” and “psychological health. ” Diagnosis of depression was significantly correlated with poorer QOL in all domains except the “social relationship” domain. Conclusion: Poorer health related QOL in Nigerian subjects with HIV was associated with depression, lower educational and socioeconomic levels, and poor social support. Early identification and referral of patients with depression needs to be incorporated into intervention programs designed for HIV infected individuals in this region.
South African mental health care service user views on priorities for supporting recovery: implications for policy and service development

Purpose: The paper documents the views of South African mental health care service users on policy directions and service developments that are required to support their recovery. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with forty service users and service user advocates. A framework analysis approach was used to analyse the qualitative data. Results: Service user priorities included addressing stigma, discrimination and disempowerment, and the links between mental health and poverty. They suggested that these challenges be addressed through public awareness campaigns, legislative and policy reform for rights protection, development of a national lobby to advocate for changes, and user empowerment. Users suggested that empowerment can be facilitated through opportunities for improved social relatedness and equitable access to social and economic resources. Conclusions: This study suggests three strategies to bridge the gap between mental health care service users rights and needs on one hand, and unsupportive attitudes, policies and practices on the other. These are: giving priority to service user involvement in policy and service reform, creating empathic alliances to promote user priorities, and building enabling partnerships to effect these priorities. Implications for Rehabilitation People living with psychosocial difficulties have a right to involvement in policy and service development, and their involvement has value for their recovery. The range of priorities people living with psychosocial difficulties identify as policy and service priorities to support their recovery requires policy makers and practitioners to work within a development, not an illness-focused approach. Policy implementers and practitioners need support to transform their ideological and practice framework from that of expert to that of enabler of service user involvement in treatment decisions, and public policy research and service development.
Systematic review of the effectiveness of stage based interventions to promote smoking cessation

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions using a stage based approach in bringing about positive changes in smoking behaviour. Design Systematic review. Data sources 35 electronic databases, catalogues, and internet resources (from inception to July 2002). Bibliographies of retrieved references were scanned for other relevant publications, and authors were contacted if necessary. Results 23 randomised controlled trials were reviewed; two reported details of an economic evaluation. Eight trials reported effects in favour of stage based interventions, three trials showed mixed results, and 12 trials found no statistically significant differences between a stage based intervention and a non-stage based intervention or no intervention. Eleven trials compared a stage based intervention with a non-stage based intervention, and one reported statistically significant effects in favour of the stage based intervention. Two studies reported mixed effects, and eight trials reported no statistically significant differences between groups. The methodological quality of the trials was mixed, and few reported any validation of the instrument used to assess participants' stage of change. Overall, the evidence suggests that stage based interventions are no more effective than non-stage based interventions or no intervention in changing smoking behaviour. Conclusions Limited evidence exists for the effectiveness of stage based interventions in changing smoking behaviour.
Cellular Phones, Public Fears, and a Culture of Precaution

1. Introductory chapter: themes, influences phones and risk 2. The mobile 'revolution' 3. Mobile discontents and the origins of microwave fears 4. Radiating uncertainty 5. Diffusing anxiety: international dissemination and national responses to mobile fears 6. The culture of precaution 7. Problems of precaution and responsibility.
Selecting the Lag Length for the MGLS Unit Root Tests with Structural Change: A Warning Note for Practitioners Based on Simulations

This is a simulation-based warning note for practitioners who use the M G L S unit root tests in the context of structural change using different selection lag length criteria. With T = 100 , we find severe oversize problems when using some criteria, while other criteria produce an undersizing behavior. In view of this dilemma, we do not recommend using these tests. While such behavior tends to disappear when T = 250 , it is important to note that most empirical applications use smaller sample sizes such as T = 100 or T = 150 . The A D F G L S test does not present an oversizing or undersizing problem. The only disadvantage of the A D F G L S test arises in the presence of M A ( 1 ) negative correlation, in which case the M G L S tests are preferable, but in all other cases they are very undersized. When there is a break in the series, selecting the breakpoint using the Supremum method greatly improves the results relative to the Infimum method.
7 Cellular Level Imaging of the Retina Using Optical Coherence Tomography

Low-coherence interferometry was first demonstrated, in the early 1990s, in imaging the eye due its tissue transparency and minimal attenuation of the input light. For this reason, ophthalmic imaging is the most successful application of optical coherence tomography (OCT). Since its first demonstration, advancements in technology and OCT designs have resulted in higher resolution images of the retinal layers including retinal photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thus improving the potential for early diagnosis, the understanding of disease pathology, as well as the assessment of therapeutic response. This chapter will mainly discuss improvements in OCT systems over time, particularly developments towards cellular level imaging and their clinical applications in ophthalmology in the present and in the future.
Fifteen years of research on preventing HIV infection among injecting drug users: what we have learned, what we have not learned, what we have done, what we have not done.

OBJECTIVE Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was formally identified among injecting drug users (IDUs) in 1981, and research on preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among drug injectors began shortly thereafter. At the time this research was begun, there was a general assumption that drug user (who were called drug abusers at that time) were too self-destructive and their behavior too chaotic for them to change their behavior to avoid infection with HIV. This chapter reviews the history of research on implementation of programs for prevention of HIV infection among IDUs. METHODS Reviews of both research and program implementation research were conducted. Consultative discussions of issues and findings were conducted with researcher in the United States and other countries. RESULTS An extremely large amount of useful information has accumulated during the pat 15 years. We now know that the great majority of IDUs will change their injecting behavior in response to the threat of AIDS and that these behavior changes are effective in reducing HIV transmission among drug injectors. Additional insight is needed regarding the apparent insufficiency of some prevention programs to control HIV, the transmission dynamics of rapid HIV spread, and the persistence of moderate to high incidence of HIV infection in high seroprevalence populations. Despite the current research knowledge base, implementation of effective prevention programs in may countries is nonexistent to incomplete. CONCLUSIONS The most important barrier to reducing HIV transmission among drug injectors is not a lack of knowledge but the failure to implement effective prevention programs in may parts of the world.
Co‐stimulation of human breast cancer cells with transforming growth factor‐β and tenascin‐C enhances matrix metalloproteinase‐9 expression and cancer cell invasion

Transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), tenascin‐C (TN‐C) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been demonstrated independently to be associated with disease progression and poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer. The present study explored effects of TGF‐β and TN‐C on MMP‐9 expression and cancer invasion. An experimental study was designed to analyse MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells, known for their high invasiveness, after stimulation with TGF‐β1 and/or TN‐C. TGF‐β1 stimulated TN‐C expression in the cells. Co‐stimulation of MDA‐MB‐231 cells with TN‐C and TGF‐β increased MMP‐9 expression at both the gene (28‐fold) and the protein levels. The in vitro invasion also increased (4‐fold). GM6001 inhibited the invasion induced by the co‐stimulation. The combined effect of TN‐C and TGF‐β resulted in enhanced MMP‐9 expression and cancer invasion in vitro.
Small for size: Laboratory perspective

1. Small-for-size syndrome (SFSS) is the main cause of liver failure after extensive liver resection or partial orthotopic liver transplantation. 2. The pathophysiology underlying SFSS remains largely unknown. 3. The “over perfusion” theory, combining high portal pressure and decrease hepatic artery flow may contribute to SFSS, but other mechanisms may also play a major role as shown in several human and rodent studies. 4. A deficiency in liver regeneration is the main cause of SFSS with a block at the p21 checkpoint. 5. Several strategies have shown success to reverse SFSS in animal models, such as agonists of the nuclear receptor CAR (constitutive androstane receptor), which induces liver regeneration with improved animal survival.
Physicians' negative views of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA): the international evidence grows.

Aim To study Finnish physicians' opinions of direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs (DTCA) and other drug information sources for patients. Method A survey was sent to all working-aged physicians (n=16,698; response rate 85%). Results Almost all physicians were against full DTCA, but half would allow advertising indirectly via patients organisations or healthcare units; 18% were against all types of DTCA. Thirty-six percent generally considered drug advertisements to patients and consumers to be harmful or useless. Conclusion Further discussion of DTCA and other means of disseminating drug information are needed. Direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs (DTCA) is currently allowed in two developed countries—New Zealand and the United States (US). In New Zealand, the banning of DTCA has been discussed. Canada currently prohibits DTCA, but consumers receive DTCA across the border from the US. The European Commission (EC) proposed in July 2001 to allow DTCA, initially in selective diseases; however, the proposal was rejected in June 2003. DTCA has been defended by its supporters who claim that it increases patients' participation in their healthcare, and they also give the difficulty in preventing and controlling ‘hidden’ DTCA as a reason. Meanwhile, critics have said that DTCA is uninformative, creates demand via consumers, increases medicalisation, deteriorates the doctor-patient relationship, and increases (irrational) prescribing and drug costs. The Standing Committee of European Doctors holds a negative position towards the EC proposal for DTCA, but no representative data are available on what practising physicians in Europe think of DTCA. We carried out a survey on Finnish physicians’ opinions of DTCA and other drug information sources for patients.
LA DISPONIBILIDAD DE LUZ BAJO EL DOSEL DE LOS BOSQUES Y MATORRALES IBÉRICOS ESTIMADA MEDIANTE FOTOGRAFÍA HEMISFÉRICA

La radiacion disponible influye en numerosos procesos fisiologicos, morfogeneticos y reproductivos de plantas y animales, y afecta de forma muy significativa al funcionamiento del ecosistema. Sin embargo, la informacion sobre la luz disponible en los ecosistemas ibericos es muy escasa. Dado que la gestion del bosque es en buena medida la gestion de la luz, la comprension de la luz como factor ecologico tiene directas aplicaciones practicas. En este trabajo se presentan resultados sobre la intensidad de la radiacion disponible en el sotobosque de 28 bosques y matorrales ibericos estimada mediante el analisis de un minimo de 50 fotografias hemisfericas, metodo que representa un buen compromiso entre precision y esfuerzo de muestreo. La contrastada fisonomia de los matorrales y bosques estudiados dio lugar a un amplio rango de luminosidades en el sotobosque, con una radiacion global en el sotobosque (GSF) entre un 3 y un 66% de la radiacion disponible fuera del bosque. Se distinguieron tres grupos principales de formaciones significativamente diferentes en funcion de GSF: i) retamares y jarales con valores de GSF mayores o iguales al 50%, ii) abedulares, tejedas, acebedas y hayedos con valores de GSF iguales o inferiores al 10%, y iii) un grupo de formaciones intermedias con valores de GSF de un 1030% constituido por encinares, alcornocales en explotacion, choperas, diversos tipos de matorral y pinares. En ningun caso el valor de GSF minimo supero el 5%, indicando que aun en las formaciones mas abiertas existen rincones oscuros. Los componentes indirecto o difuso y directo de la radiacion estuvieron correlacionados con la radiacion global total. Diversos rasgos no estudiados de la arquitectura del dosel de cada formacion hizo que ni la cobertura ni la altura del dosel estuvieran claramente relacionadas con la radiacion del sotobosque. Aunque la menor altura de los matorrales frente a los bosques dio lugar a sotobosques en general algo mas luminosos, la relacion altura-interceptacion de radiacion no fue significativa. Y lo mismo ocurrio con la cobertura, con la mayoria de las especies con coberturas comprendidas entre el 30 y el 70% dando lugar a un amplio rango de GSF. Las diferencias observadas en GSF se acentuaron cuando se calculo la radiacion fotosinteticamente activa (PAR) disponible bajo el dosel de cada formacion. Mientras en el sotobosque de abedulares y hayedos la radiacion disponible en el solsticio de verano fue de apenas 1 mol de fotones por metro cuadrado y dia, en las formaciones mas abiertas de retamar fue de mas de 27 moles de fotones por metro cuadrado y dia, tanto como a cielo abierto en localidades atlanticas.
Readmission Rates, Reasons, and Risk Factors in Elderly Patients Treated With Lumbar Fusion for Degenerative Pathology

Study Design. Retrospective database review. Objective. To determine readmission rates after 1 to 2 level, primary, elective lumbar spinal fusion surgery for degenerative pathology and elucidate risk factors that predict increased risk of 30-day readmission Summary of Background Data. Early postoperative readmissions after spine surgery represent a significant source of increased cost and morbidity. As the elderly population represents a demographic with a growing need for spine surgery, readmissions within this population are of significant interest. Methods. Medicare data (2005–2012) from an insurance database was queried for patients who underwent primary 1 to 2 level posterolateral lumbar spine fusion surgeries for degenerative lumbar pathology. After applying specific exclusion criteria to select for elderly patients (65–84 yr) undergoing mostly elective procedures, 52,567 patients formed the final study population. Readmission rates for medical, surgical, and all reasons were calculated within 30 days, 90 days, and 1 year postoperatively. Risk factors for medical, surgical, and all 30-day readmissions were also determined. Results. Within 30 days, 90 days, and 1 year, 1510 (2.9%), 2776 (5.3%), and 6574 (12.5%) patients were readmitted, respectively. At 30 days, surgical diagnoses constituted 50.1% of all readmissions. Wound infection was the reason for readmission in 25.8% of all readmissions within 30 days. Diagnoses of chronic pulmonary disease (OR 1.41 95% CI 1.22–1.63), obesity (OR 2.20 95% CI 1.90–2.54), and positive smoking history (OR 1.33 95% CI 1.15–1.54) were associated with increased risk of surgical readmission. Conclusion. Elderly patients undergoing lumbar spine fusion experience 30-day, 90-day, and 1-year readmission rates of 2.9, 5.3, and 12.5% for both medical and surgical reasons. Surgical site infection and wound complications are the most common surgery-related reasons for readmission. Medical diagnoses are more predominant during later readmissions, highlighting the comorbidity burden present in elderly patients. Level of Evidence: 4
The Role of Glu192 in the Allosteric Control of the S2′ and S3′ Subsites of Thrombin*

Thrombin is an allosteric protease controlled through exosites flanking the catalytic groove. Binding of a peptide derived from hirudin (Hir52–65) and/or of heparin to these opposing exosites alters catalysis. We have investigated the contribution of subsites S2′ and S3′ to this allosteric transition by comparing the hydrolysis of two sets of fluorescence-quenched substrates having all natural amino acids at positions P2′ and P3′. Regardless of the amino acids, Hir52–65 decreased, and heparin increased thek cat/K m value of hydrolysis by thrombin. Several lines of evidence have suggested that Glu192 participates in this modulation. We have examined the role of Glu192 by comparing the catalytic activity of thrombin and its E192Q mutant. Mutation substantially diminishes the selectivity of thrombin. The substrate with the “best” P2′ residue was cleaved with ak cat/K m value only 49 times higher than the one having the “least favorable” P2′ residue (versus 636-fold with thrombin). Mutant E192Q also lost the strong preference of thrombin for positively charged P3′ residues and its strong aversion for negatively charged P3′ residues. Furthermore, both Hir52–65 and heparin increased thek cat/K m value of substrate hydrolysis. We conclude that Glu192 is critical for the P2′ and P3′ specificities of thrombin and for the allostery mediated through exosite 1.
Bioengineering Novel Chimeric microRNA-34a for Prodrug Cancer Therapy: High-Yield Expression and Purification, and Structural and Functional Characterization

Development of anticancer treatments based on microRNA (miRNA/miR) such as miR-34a replacement therapy is limited to the use of synthetic RNAs with artificial modifications. Herein, we present a new approach to a high-yield and large-scale biosynthesis, in Escherichia coli using transfer RNA (tRNA) scaffold, of chimeric miR-34a agent, which may act as a prodrug for anticancer therapy. The recombinant tRNA fusion pre–miR-34a (tRNA/mir-34a) was quickly purified to a high degree of homogeneity (>98%) using anion-exchange fast protein liquid chromatography, whose primary sequence and post-transcriptional modifications were directly characterized by mass spectrometric analyses. Chimeric tRNA/mir-34a showed a favorable cellular stability while it was degradable by several ribonucleases. Deep sequencing and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction studies revealed that tRNA-carried pre–miR-34a was precisely processed to mature miR-34a within human carcinoma cells, and the same tRNA fragments were produced from tRNA/mir-34a and the control tRNA scaffold (tRNA/MSA). Consequently, tRNA/mir-34a inhibited the proliferation of various types of human carcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner and to a much greater degree than the control tRNA/MSA, which was mechanistically attributable to the reduction of miR-34a target genes. Furthermore, tRNA/mir-34a significantly suppressed the growth of human non–small-cell lung cancer A549 and hepatocarcinoma HepG2 xenograft tumors in mice, compared with the same dose of tRNA/MSA. In addition, recombinant tRNA/mir-34a had no or minimal effect on blood chemistry and interleukin-6 level in mouse models, suggesting that recombinant RNAs were well tolerated. These findings provoke a conversation on producing biologic miRNAs to perform miRNA actions, and point toward a new direction in developing miRNA-based therapies.
Joint Estimation of Camera Pose, Depth, Deblurring, and Super-Resolution from a Blurred Image Sequence

The conventional methods for estimating camera poses and scene structures from severely blurry or low resolution images often result in failure. The off-the-shelf deblurring or super-resolution methods may show visually pleasing results. However, applying each technique independently before matching is generally unprofitable because this naive series of procedures ignores the consistency between images. In this paper, we propose a pioneering unified framework that solves four problems simultaneously, namely, dense depth reconstruction, camera pose estimation, super-resolution, and deblurring. By reflecting a physical imaging process, we formulate a cost minimization problem and solve it using an alternating optimization technique. The experimental results on both synthetic and real videos show high-quality depth maps derived from severely degraded images that contrast the failures of naive multi-view stereo methods. Our proposed method also produces outstanding deblurred and super-resolved images unlike the independent application or combination of conventional video deblurring, super-resolution methods.
Separate Time Behaviors of the Temporal and Frontal Mismatch Negativity Sources

It has been proposed that mismatch negativity (MMN) is generated by temporal and frontal lobe sources, the former being associated with change detection and the latter with involuntary switching of attention to sound change. If this switching of attention is triggered by the temporal cortex change-detection mechanism, one would expect that the frontal component of MMN is activated later than the temporal one. This was studied by using 64-channel electroencephalography (EEG) and 122-channel magnetoencephalography (MEG) with realistically shaped head models to determine the source current distribution in different lobes as a function of time. Minimum-norm estimation (MNE) was performed, constraining the solution to the reconstructed cortical sheet. The results support the hypothesis that the frontal MMN generator is activated later than the auditory cortex generator.