Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive Pediatric Human Immunodeficiency Virus Care and Treatment in Constanta, Romania: Implementation of a Program of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in a Resource-Poor Setting

Background: Relatively few human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children worldwide have access to care and treatment. The Romanian-American Children’s Center, a collaborative project of a U.S. health care institution and the Romanian government, has established a comprehensive program of highly active antiretroviral therapy for children in Constanta, Romania. Objectives: To describe the design and outcomes of a program of pediatric HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) care and treatment in a resource-poor setting. Setting: Outpatient center providing comprehensive primary and HIV/AIDS specialty care and treatment to all known HIV-infected children living in Constanta County, Romania. Outcomes: As of August 2003, a total of 452 children were receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy. Therapy has been well-tolerated, with ~90% of children continuing to receive treatment after a median duration of follow-up of 67 weeks. Normal weight and height growth velocities have been observed among treated children. Marked decreases have been observed in rates of hospitalization and mortality. The mean change in CD4+ lymphocyte count for 173 children who have both a baseline count and at least 1 follow-up count is +284 cells/μL (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Highly active antiretroviral therapy can be administered safely and effectively to children in a resource-poor setting, with outcomes comparable with those observed in U.S. pediatric antiretroviral clinical trials.
Incidence of HAV and HBV Infections and Vaccination Rates in Patients With Autoimmune Liver Diseases

OBJECTIVES:Hepatitis A virus (HAV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) superinfection is associated with an increased mortality in patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD). Despite official recommendations, it was reported that the vaccination rate against HAV is low in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. To evaluate the situation in patients with autoimmune liver diseases, we conducted a retrospective cohort study.METHODS:Susceptibility to HAV and HBV infections, course of HAV and HBV infections, vaccination rates against HAV and HBV, and efficacy of hepatitis A/B vaccines were evaluated by antibody testing in 225 patients with autoimmune liver diseases during 1,677 person-years.RESULTS:Susceptibility to HAV/HBV infection was 51/86%. Incidence of HAV/HBV infection was 1.3/1.4 per 1,000 person-years. One HAV infection occurred, but the patient recovered spontaneously. Two patients were HBV-infected after receiving an anti-HBc-positive (antibody to hepatitis B core antigen) donor graft during orthotopic liver transplantation, and one of them developed chronic HBV infection. Vaccination rates were 11% (HBV) and 13% (HAV), respectively. Seventy-six percent of the vaccinated patients (HBV vaccine) developed anti-HBs (antibody to hepatitis surface antigen) ≥10 UI/L. Ten out of 13 vaccinated patients, showing a low or nonresponse to hepatitis B vaccine, had concomitant immunosuppressive therapy. Anti-HAV was detectable in all patients after administration of HAV vaccine.CONCLUSIONS:Patients with autoimmune liver diseases have a high susceptibility to HAV and HBV infections. Vaccination rates are low in this patient cohort and efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine is reduced due to immunosuppressive therapy. Improving adherence to vaccine recommendations is essential to prevent HAV and HBV infections in patients with autoimmune liver diseases.
Influence of implant design and bone quality on stress/strain distribution in bone around implants: a 3-dimensional finite element analysis.

PURPOSE A 3-dimensional finite element analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of implant type and length, as well as that of bone quality, on the stress/strain in bone and implant. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two types (screw and cylinder) and 4 lengths (9.2, 10.8, 12.4, and 14.0 mm) of titanium implants were buried in 4 types of bone modeled by varying the elastic modulus for cancellous bone. Axial and buccolingual forces were applied to the occlusal node at the center of the abutment. RESULTS Regardless of load direction, maximum equivalent stress/strain in bone increased with a decrease in cancellous bone density. Under axial load, especially in the low-density bone models, maximum equivalent strain in cancellous bone was lower with the screw-type implant than with the cylinder-type implant. It was also lower with the longer implants than with the shorter implants. Under buccolingual load, equivalent stress/strain was influenced mainly by bone density. DISCUSSION This study confirms the importance of bone quality and its presurgical diagnosis for implant long-term prognosis. Implant length and type can also influence bone strain, especially in low-density bone. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that cancellous bone of higher rather than lower density might ensure a better biomechanical environment for implants. Moreover, longer screw-type implants could be a better choice in a jaw with cancellous bone of low density.
Early gastric carcinoma in Japanese patients under 30 years of age

The clinicopathological characteristics of early gastric carcinoma (EGC) in 23 Japanese under 30 years of age were reviewed and the findings compared with data on 53 patients over age 70. In the young patients, there was a female preponderance, a macroscopic solitary lesion and the cancer was of the poorly differentiated type without intestinal metaplasia in the surrounding mucosa. In the old patients, there was a male preponderance; about half the number of patients had macro‐scopically elevated lesions and 10 of the 53 had a multifocal gastric carcinoma. Here, most lesions were well to moderately differentiated types with intestinal metaplasia in the surrounding area. Growth patterns of EGC in the young patients were analysed. Curative operations with dissection of regional lymph nodes were done in all the young patients. Metastases to the regional lymph nodes were present in only 2 of 23. Twenty of twenty‐three followed for 5 years or longer are well.
Thromboxane and the thromboxane receptor in cardiovascular disease

Abstract Thromboxane A2 (TXA2), the primary product of COX-I-dependent metabolism of arachidonic acid, mediates its biological actions through the TXA2 receptor, termed the TP. Irreversible inhibition of platelet COX-I-derived TXA2 with low-dose aspirin affords protection against primary and secondary vascular thrombotic events, underscoring the central role of TXA2 as a platelet agonist in cardiovascular disease. The limitations associated with aspirin use include significant gastrointestinal toxicity, bleeding complications, potential interindividual response variability and poor efficacy in some disease states. This, together with the broad role of TXA2 in cardiovascular disease beyond the platelet, has refocused interest towards additional TXA2-associated drug targets, in particular TXA2 synthase and the TP. The superiority of these agents over low-dose aspirin, in terms of clinical efficacy, tolerability and commercial viability, remain open questions that are the focus of ongoing research.
Expression of the histo‐blood group B gene predominates in AB‐genotype cells

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that the 43‐bp minisatellite sequence in the 5′ region of the ABO gene plays an important role in its transcriptional regulation. It was determined in previous investigations that the structure of the minisatellite enhancer was specific to A, B, and O alleles.
The Novel NF-κB Activation Inhibitor Dehydroxymethyl-Epoxyquinomicin Suppresses Anti-Thy1.1-Induced Glomerulonephritis in Rats

Abstract Background: NF-κB participates in the transcriptional regulation of numerous genes, and many studies have confirmed the activation of NF-κB in inflammatory renal diseases. Therefore, NF-κB is a promising target for the treatment of these diseases. We tested the effects of dehydroxymethyl-epoxyquinomicin (DHMEQ), a novel NF-κB activation inhibitor, on anti-thy1.1 antibody-induced glomerulonephritis (Thy1.1 GN). Methods: Thy1.1 GN was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats (6/group) by intravenous injection of anti-thy 1.1 antibody. The effects of DHMEQ (8 mg/kg/day) on the glomerular disease were evaluated using periodic acid-Schiff and Masson trichrome stains, immunohistochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen, fibronectin and CD45 (leukocyte common antigen) and TUNEL staining. NF-κB activation was analyzed by a fluorescent electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Results: On day 7, DHMEQ treatment resulted in marked inhibition of NF-κB, decreased proteinuria (223.2 ± 42.3 vs. 434.8 ± 16.5 mg/kg/day, p < 0.05), preserved creatinine clearance (1.93 ± 0.38 vs. 1.07 ± 0.29 l/day, p < 0.01), decreased glomerular cell proliferation (15.8 ± 1.2 vs. 31.2 ± 0.8 nuclei/glomerular cross-section) and mesangial matrix deposition, and an increase in glomerular and tubular apoptosis without inducing any obvious adverse effects. Conclusion: DHMEQ inhibited NF-κB and thereby suppressed the inflammatory renal responses in rats with Thy1.1 GN.
Coagulase-negative staphylococci: Emerging pathogen in central nervous system shunt infection

Central nervous system (CNS) shunts are commonly used to treat patients with hydrocephalus. Its placement is associated with increased risk of infection. The study was intended to evaluate infection rate associated with CNS shunt surgeries and identify risk factors for shunt infection. The frequency and characterisation of aetiological agents along with their antibiotic resistance pattern were also studied. A prospective study of 86 patients who underwent 97 surgeries over a period of 18 months was conducted. One hundred seventy-six cerebrospinal fluid samples and 44 shunt tips obtained were processed using standard microbiological techniques. Of 86 patients, 39 (45.35%) operated for shunt revision were infected while 47 patients operated for shunt insertion were not found to be infected. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis was the predominant isolate. 57.58% isolates of Staphylococci were found to be biofilm producers. Mortality of 15% was observed among infected patients. Shunt infection remains a serious issue in the patients undergoing shunt surgery. Accurate diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infection are essential in such patients.
Immunohistochemical localization of metabotropic glutamate receptors, mGluR7a and mGluR7b, in the central nervous system of the adult rat and mouse: A light and electron microscopic study

The distributions of two alternative splicing variants of metabotropic glutamate receptor mGluR7, mGluR7a and mGluR7b, were examined immunohistochemically in the rat and mouse by using variant‐specific antibodies raised against C‐terminal portions of rat mGluR7a and human mGluR7b. Many regions throughout the central nervous system (CNS) showed mGluR7‐like immunoreactivities (LI). The distribution patterns of mGluR7‐LI in the rat were substantially the same as those in the mouse, although some species differences were observed in a few regions. Intense mGluR7a‐LI was seen in the main and accessory olfactory bulbs, anterior olfactory nucleus, islands of Calleja, superficial layers of the olfactory tubercle, piriform cortex and entorhinal cortex, periamygdaloid cortex, amygdalohippocampal area, hippocampus, layer I of the neocortical regions, globus pallidus, superficial layers of the superior colliculus, locus coeruleus, and superficial layers of the medullary and spinal dorsal horns. The distribution of mGluR7b was more restricted. It was intense in the islands of Calleja, substantia innominata, hippocampus, ventral pallidum, and globus pallidus. The medial habenular nucleus also showed intense mGluR7a‐LI in the rat but not in the mouse. For both mGluR7a‐ and mGluR7b‐LI, localization in the active zones of presynaptic axon terminals was confirmed electron microscopically at synapses of both the asymmetrical and symmetrical types. It is noteworthy that mGluR7a‐LI is seen preferentially in relay nuclei of the sensory pathways and that both mGluR7a‐ and mGluR7b‐LI are observed not only in presumed glutamatergic axon terminals, but also in non‐glutamatergic axon terminals including presumed inhibitory ones. Thus, mGluR7 may play roles not only as an autoreceptor in glutamatergic axon terminals, but also as a presynaptic heteroreceptor in non‐glutamatergic axon terminals in various CNS regions. J. Comp. Neurol. 393:332–352, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transfer of DDT used in malaria control to infants via breast milk.

The transfer of p,p'-DDT (1,1,1-tricholoro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane) and its metabolites to infants via breast-feeding was studied in an area of KwaZulu, South Africa, where DDT is used to interrupt malaria transmission. Samples of whole blood were collected from 23 infants, together with samples of breast milk from their respective mothers. The mean sigma DDT (total DDT) in the whole blood was 127.03 micrograms.l-1 and that in the breast milk, 15.06 mg.kg-1 (milk fat). The % DDT (% DDT of sigma DDT) was significantly higher in the infant blood than in the breast milk (P less than 0.05). A multiplicative regression analysis indicated that sigma DDT increased significantly (P less than 0.01) in infant whole blood with infant age. Multiple regression showed that 70.0% of the variation in sigma DDT was due to the variation in parity of the mother, age of the infant, and the sigma DDT in breast milk. These variables accounted also for 76.3% of the variation in p,p'-DDE but only for 38.2% of that in p,p'-DDT. Organochlorines were therefore largely transferred to the infant from the mother, with DDT in the environment playing a secondary role.
KONVERGENSI PENERIMAAN DAN PENGELUARAN PEMERINTAH PROVINSI DI INDONESIA: PENDEKATAN DATA PANEL DINAMIS SPASIAL

The study analyse sigma and beta convergence of provincial government revenues and expenditures in Indonesia (APBD) by using panel data 30 provinces over the period 2000-2012. The variables used in this study consists of real income per capita and the revenues and expenditures variables in the APBD. The study also included a spatial weights matrix to analyse dependency among provinces. Spatial weights matrix used consists of two types of weights, the real income per capita and the geographical distance. Testing for the presence of spatial dependency performed using Moran’s I. The model used in this study are spatial autoregressive model (SAM) and the spatial error model (SEM). The models are estimated using panel least squares, fixed effects, random effects, as well as both GMM first difference (GMM-DIFF) and system GMM (GMM-SYS). Based on sigma convergence approach, the results of the study showed that during the period of 2000-2012 occurred convergence on total revenue, income, tax, fund balance, total spending, employee spending, and goods spending, but not for the real income per capita. Estimation with beta convergence approach conducted on four variables as each sample (in per capita value), namely: total income, tax, total spending, and goods spending. Estimation with beta convergence is done by using additional explanatory variables which include: economic growth, the degree of openness, as well as economic growth. Based on the beta convergence approach, the study results indicate the occurrence of convergence on total income, tax, total spending, and goods spending. Estimates also lead to the conclusion that there are spatial dependencies between provinces either use distance and income per capita weight. Keywords: Sigma and Beta convergence, spatial weights, panel data, revenue and expenditure, the provincial budget (APBD) JEL Classification: H7,R1
The Relationship Between the Clinical Presentation and Spread of Colon Cancer in 315 Consecutive Patients: A Significant Trend of Earlier Cancer Detection From 1982 Through 1988 at a University Hospital

We systematically analyzed the relationship between 47 clinicoepidemiologic parameters and stage of colon cancer in 315 patients who underwent colon cancer surgery from 1982 through 1988 at the Robert Johnson University Hospital. A history of hemorrhoids was correlated with early cancer, possibly because of earlier self-referral (odds ratio = 18.2; χ2 = 10.4; degrees of freedom = 1; p < 0.001). However, anemia was correlated with advanced cancer (odds ratio = 0.21; χ2 = 13.7; degrees of freedom = 1; p < 0.0002). Anemia may result from chronic bleeding due to a longstanding cancer. Prior studies have suggested that intensive screening programs may produce earlier colon cancer detection; this study demonstrated for all patients at a medical center a significant trend from 1982 through 1988 of detecting colon cancer at an earlier pathologic stage and with a better differentiated histologic grade (for first half of study period 44.4% had Dukes' stage A or B cancer, second half of study period 58.6% had Dukes' stage A or B cancer; odds ratio = 0.56; χ2 = 5.8; degree of freedom = 1; p < 0.02). Possible explanations for this phenomenon are earlier self-referral because of increased patient awareness of cancer warning signs, and earlier physician detection because of greater use of colonoscopy and polypectomy and because of increased screening and surveillance. This earlier detection may herald a future significant decrease in colon cancer mortality at this hospital because prognosis is closely related to cancer stage. Further studies are required to determine if this is part of a national trend.
Prescribing of smoking cessation medication in England since the introduction of varenicline.

AIMS To estimate the effect of the introduction of a new smoking cessation medication, varenicline, and the publication of guidance related to its use, on trends in prescribing of smoking cessation medications in England. DESIGN Interrupted time series analysis of primary care data on prescribing of smoking cessation medication using autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) modelling. SETTING A total of 446 general practices included in The Health Improvement Network (THIN), a database of UK electronic primary care records. PARTICIPANTS All primary care patients registered with a THIN practice in England. MEASUREMENTS Monthly rates of prescribing of varenicline, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and bupropion per 100 000 patients registered with a THIN practice between June 2000 and June 2009. FINDINGS NRT was the most commonly prescribed stop smoking medication, and bupropion the least frequently prescribed. After its introduction in December 2006 varenicline rapidly became the second most commonly prescribed drug. There was no statistically significant change in overall prescribing for smoking cessation medications after its introduction (P = 0.760), or after the publication of the related guidance in July 2007 (P = 0.134). CONCLUSIONS Soon after being introduced in England, varenicline was widely prescribed; after nicotine replacement therapy it was the most commonly prescribed cessation medication. However, this does not appear to have increased overall rates of prescribing for smoking cessation medication.
Investor Pessimism and the German Stock Market: Exploring Google Search Queries

Abstract We analyze the relationship of retail investor sentiment and the German stock market by introducing four distinct investor pessimism indices (IPIs) based on selected aggregate Google search queries. We assess the predictive power of weekly changes in sentiment captured by the IPIs for contemporaneous and future DAX returns, volatility and trading volume. The indices are found to have individually varying, but overall remarkably high explanatory power. An increase in retail investor pessimism is accompanied by decreasing contemporaneous market returns and an increase in volatility and trading volume. Future returns tend to increase while future volatility and trading volume decrease. The outcome is in line with the conjecture of correction effects. Overall, the results are well in line with modern investor sentiment theory.
Curcumin improves regulatory T cells in gut-associated lymphoid tissue of colitis mice.

AIM To explore the probable pathway by which curcumin (Cur) regulates the function of Treg cells by observing the expression of costimulatory molecules of dendritic cells (DCs). METHODS Experimental colitis was induced by administering 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)/ethanol solution. Forty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal, TNBS + Cur, TNBS + mesalazine (Mes) and TNBS groups. The mice in the TNBS + Cur and TNBS +Mes groups were treated with Cur and Mes, respectively, while those in the TNBS group were treated with physiological saline for 7 d. After treatment, the curative effect of Cur was evaluated by colonic weight, colonic length, weight index of the colon, and histological observation and score. The levels of CD4(+)CD25+Foxp3(+) T cells (Treg cells) and costimulatory molecules of DCs were measured by flow cytometry. Also, related cytokines were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Cur alleviated inflammatory injury of the colonic mucosa, decreased colonic weigh and histological score, and restored colonic length. The number of Treg cells was increased, while the secretion of TNF-α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12 p40, IL-17 and IL-21 and the expression of costimulatory molecules (CD205, CD54 [ICAM-1], TLR4, CD252[OX40 L], CD256 [RANK] and CD254 [RANK L]) of DCs were notably inhibited in colitis mice treated with Cur. CONCLUSION Cur potentially modulates activation of DCs to enhance the suppressive functions of Treg cells and promote the recovery of damaged colonic mucosa in inflammatory bowel disease.
Use of microcalorimetric monitoring in establishing continuous energy balances and in continuous determinations of substrate and product concentrations of batch‐grown Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Energy balance calculations were performed for different physiological states during batch growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with glucose as carbon and energy source. For the different physiological states, energy recoveries close to one were obtained, which permitted a continuous control that the constantly changing growth process was quantified accurately. During the respiro‐fermantative phase of growth, during which glucose served as the carbon and energy source, a low‐heat‐yield value (ΔQx) of −8.6 kJ/g dry biomass formed was obtained. This low‐heat‐yield value was due to the mainly fermentative metabolism during the middle of this phase of growth. After a transition phase, the ethanol produced during the respiro‐fermentative growth was respired. During this respiratory phase, the heat yield values increased markedly, resulting in a lowest value of −42.7 kJ/g. The low‐heat‐yield values of the respiro‐fermentative growth is not a reflection of the most efficient metabolism of S. cerevisiae. On the contrary, during the middle of this phase, 74% of the energy input was dissipated as ethanol, 6% was dissipated as heat, and the energy conserved as biomass was just 13%, while during the early respiratory phase, 69% of the energy input was dissipated as heat, and 22% of the energy input was conserved as biomass. By mathematical modeling and direct monitoring on‐line of the rate of heat production, continuous calculations of (1) glucose consumption, and (3) biomass production were performed, and were shown to correlate closely with measured values for the continuously changing growth process.