Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subclinical carotid atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk factors in HIV-infected patients.

BACKGROUND HIV infected patients, especially those treated with antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, show an increased risk and incidence of cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries, expressed as the value of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and the amount of atherosclerotic plaques, and to analyze the correlation between cIMT and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in a cohort of HIV infected patients. METHODS The analysis included 72 HIV infected patients, mean age 39.4 years, and 27 healthy HIV negative individuals, matched for age and sex. The data collected included evaluation of the infection, ARV treatment, past cardiovascular events, assessment of traditional and nontraditional risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, cIMT measurements and amount of atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid arteries. RESULTS HIV infected patients show more advanced subclinical atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries (cIMT and plaques incidence). The cardiovascular risk profile of the HIV infected patients is significantly different from HIV negative people. Among the HIV positive group lower body mass index (BMI) and higher waist/hip ratio (WHR) are observed. The concentration of all cholesterol fractions is lower, whereas the concentration of triglycerides is higher. Cigarette smoking is more common among HIV-infected individuals. A strong statistical correlation between cIMT and age, hypertension, non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol and ARV time were found. Total and LDL cholesterol, and lifetime smoking exposure also affect the cIMT. The relationship between cIMT and current HIV RNA may indicate the impact of the current infection status on the cIMT dynamics in this subpopulation.
Virologic and Immunologic Events in Hilar Lymph Nodes During Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: Development of Polarized Inflammation

Lymphoid tissues are sites of soluble and cell-associated antigen sampling of peripheral tissues, and they are key compartments for the generation of cellular and humoral immune responses. Hilar lymph nodes (HiLNs), which drain the lungs, were examined to understand the effects of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection on this compartment of the immune system. Histologic and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression profiling approaches were used to determine the numbers, types, and distributions of SIV viral RNA+ cells and to identify differentially expressed genes in HiLNs during SIV infection. SIV RNA+ cells were found to be primarily CD68− and localized to paracortical and medullary regions early in infection, whereas they resided mainly in paracortex during AIDS. As SIV infection progressed, CXCL9, CXCL10, interferon-γ, and Toll-like receptor 3 levels all increased. In contrast, CCL19 increased early in infection but decreased during AIDS, whereas CCL21 decreased progressively throughout infection. Finally, local levels of cellular activation were increased throughout infection. Taken together, these findings indicate that SIV infection leads to an inflammatory environment in lung-draining lymph nodes that is characterized by type 1 cytokines and chemokines and likely has an impact on the nature and strength of immune responses to pulmonary pathogens.
Extrapulmonary tuberculosis, clinical presentation and outcome.

OBJECTIVE To identify patterns, features, and outcome of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in a tertiary care setting. METHODS A retrospective case-series was carried out of all cases diagnosed and treated as extrapulmonary tuberculosis during 1991 through to 2000 at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH and RC), Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and outcome data were abstracted from medical records. RESULTS Over a 10-year period, 394 cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis were diagnosed and treated at KFSH and RC. Isolated extrapulmonary tuberculosis was identified in 339 (86%) patients, 55 cases (14%) had both pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Mean age was 45-years, and 188 patients (47%) had co-morbidities, most commonly diabetes mellitus in 14.2% of patients. Laboratory confirmation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis was available on 386 patients. The most frequent site involvement was lymphadenopathy in 41% of the time. Chest x-ray was normal in 75% of patients. Among 298 patients with follow up data, 10 (3.4%) had documented relapse and 50 (16%) died. Death was related to tuberculosis in 24 (48%) patients. CONCLUSION A high level of clinical suspicion is essential for early diagnosis and treatment of extrapulmonary tuberculosis to reduce the significant morbidity and mortality.
Generalization of adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems

The paper aims at several objectives. The adaptive network-based fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS) of Jang is extended to the generalized ANFIS (GANFIS) by proposing a generalized fuzzy model (GFM) and considering a generalized radial basis function (GRBF) network. The GFM encompasses both the Takagi-Sugeno (TS)-model and the compositional rule of inference (CRI)-model. A local model, a property of TS-model, and the index of fuzziness, a property of CRI-model define the consequent part of a rule of GFM. The conditions by which the proposed GFM converts to TS-model or the CRI-model are presented. The basis function in GRBF is a generalized Gaussian function of three parameters. The architecture of the GRBF network is devised to learn the parameters of GFM, since it has been proved in this paper that GRBF network and GFM are functionally equivalent. It is shown that GRBF network can be reduced to either the standard RBF or the Hunt's RBF network. The issue of the normalized versus the nonnormalized GRBF networks is investigated in the context of GANFIS. An interesting property of symmetry on the error surface of GRBF network is investigated in the present work. The proposed GANFIS is applied for the modeling of a multivariable system like stock market.
How willing are men who have sex with men in China to be circumcised for the sake of protecting his female sex partner?

INTRODUCTION The HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) is increasing sharply in China. Many MSM have female sexual partners, representing a bridge of transmitting HIV to the general population. Circumcision reduces the risk of HIV prevention via heterosexual intercourse. AIM The study investigated the prevalence and factors related to willingness to undergo circumcision when MSM were informed that circumcision could reduce risk of heterosexual HIV transmission. METHODS An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted in Jiangsu, China. A total of 157 MSM with bisexual behaviors in the last six months were recruited using snowball sampling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Self-reported circumcision status and foreskin conditions were recorded. HIV-related knowledge, risk perceptions, risky sexual behaviors, cognitive and behavioral intention factors regarding circumcision were assessed. RESULTS Among all respondents, 5.7% were circumcised. In the uncircumcised subsample, the willingness to be circumcised increased from 8.1% to 35.1% after they were informed about the 50% risk reduction effect of circumcision regarding heterosexual HIV transmission. Risk behaviors, uncertainty about the prevalence of HIV among MSM, perception of overly long foreskin, peer's suggestion, disagreement with the statements "MSM in general are not willing to be circumcised" and "circumcisions are for children, not for adults" and self-efficacy for circumcision were significantly associated with willingness for circumcision given the hypothetical risk reduction effect (OR = 2.37 and 3.11, respectively, P < 0.05). Perception of overly long foreskin, self-efficacy, and having used a condom in the last episode of sex with a woman remained significantly associated with the conditional willingness for circumcision in the multivariate analysis (OR = 3.03, 2.84 and 2.42, respectively, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Interventions promoting circumcision among bisexual MSM, based on the risk reduction effect on heterosexual HIV transmission, are likely to be successful. Such programs should focus on increasing self-efficacy and may consider utilizing a peer educator approach.
Purification and characterization of mouse mast cell proteinase‐2 and the differential expression and release of mouse mast cell proteinase‐1 and ‐2 in vivo

Background Gastrointestinal nematode infection is associated with mucosal mast cell (MMC) hyperplasia. In the mouse, this is accompanied by the release of substantial quantities of the chymase mouse mast cell proteinase‐1 (mMCP‐1) into the gut lumen and peripheral bloodstream. Expression of mMCP‐1 is largely restricted to intraepithelial MMC and is thought to play a role in the regulation of epithelial permeability. MMCs also express mouse mast cell proteinase‐2 (mMCP‐2), but less is known about the expression or biological function of this proteinase.
Fibronectin mRNA alternative splicing is temporally and spatially regulated during chondrogenesis in vivo and in vitro

Fibronectin, a component of the extracellular matrix in a variety of tissues, participates in many critical cellular processes, including differentiation, adhesion, and migration. A positive correlation exists between the presence of fibronectin and the onset of chondrogenesis, the differentiation of mesenchyme into cartilage. Heterogeneity in the structure of fibronectin is largely due to the alternative splicing of at least three exons (IIIB, IIIA, and V) during processing of a single primary transcript. We have previously shown that the fibronectin mRNA splicing patterns change during chondrogenesis (Bennett et al. [1991] J. Biol. Chem. 266:5918–5924). All of the fibronectin mRNAs from prechondrogenic chick limb mesenchyme contain exons IIIB, IIIA, and V (B + A + V +), whereas all of the fibronectin mRNAs from chick cartilage contain exons IIIB and V but do not contain exon IIIA (B + A − V +). In this study, we show that fibronectin mRNAs containing exon IIIA (FN‐A) and/or the mRNAs containing exon IIIB (FN‐B) are expressed in a specific and different spatiotemporal manner in the developing chick limb in vivo, as well as in limb mesenchymal cells undergoing chondrogenesis in vitro. Specifically, in situ hybridization reveals that FN‐B mRNAs are present throughout the various stages (HH 20–30) of limb cartilage development in vivo, whereas FN‐A mRNAs disappear following the condensation phase of chondrogenesis and are absent from the resulting cartilage. Chick limb cartilage fibronectin mRNAs are therefore B + A −, as in other embryonic cartilage tissues. Furthermore, limb mesenchymal cells undergoing chondrogenesis in vitro lose FN‐A mRNAs immediately following condensation, recapitulating the events that occur during chondrogenesis in vivo. These results suggest an important role for fibronectin mRNA alternative splicing during chondrogenic differentiation. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Families with limited English proficiency receive less information and support in interpreted intensive care unit family conferences*

Objective:Family communication is important for delivering high quality end-of-life care in the intensive care unit, yet little research has been conducted to describe and evaluate clinician-family communication with non-English-speaking family members. We assessed clinician-family communication during intensive care unit family conferences involving interpreters and compared it with conferences without interpreters. Design:Cross-sectional descriptive study. Setting:Family conferences in the intensive care units of four hospitals during which discussions about withdrawing life support or delivery of bad news were likely to occur. Participants:Seventy family members from ten interpreted conferences and 214 family members from 51 noninterpreted conferences. Nine different physicians led interpreted conferences and 36 different physicians led noninterpreted conferences. Measurements:All 61 conferences were audiotaped. We measured the duration of the time that families, interpreters, and clinicians spoke during the conference, and we tallied the number of supportive statements issued by clinicians in each conference. Results:The mean conference time was 26.3 ± 13 mins for interpreted and 32 ± 15 mins for noninterpreted conferences (p = 0.25). The duration of clinician speech was 10.9 ± 5.8 mins for interpreted conferences and 19.6 ± 10.2 mins for noninterpreted conferences (p = 0.001). The amount of clinician speech as a proportion of total speech time was 42.7% in interpreted conferences and 60.5% in noninterpreted conferences (p = 0.004). Interpreter speech accounted for 7.9 ± 4.4 mins and 32% of speech in interpreter conferences. Interpreted conferences contained fewer clinician statements providing support for families, including valuing families’ input (p = 0.01), easing emotional burdens (p < 0.01), and active listening (p < 0.01). Conclusions:This study suggests that families with non- English-speaking members may be at increased risk of receiving less information about their loved one’s critical illness as well as less emotional support from their clinicians. Future studies should identify ways to improve communication with, and support for, non-English-speaking families of critically ill patients.
Redefining the risks of prenatally ascertained supernumerary marker chromosomes: a collaborative study

Background: A marker chromosome is defined as a structurally abnormal chromosome that cannot be identified by routine cytogenetics. The risk for phenotypic abnormalities associated with a marker chromosome depends on several factors, including inheritance, mode of ascertainment, chromosomal origin, and the morphology, content, and structure of the marker. Methods: to understand the karyotype-phenotype relationship of prenatally ascertained supernumerary de novo marker chromosomes, we combined data from prenatal cases obtained from 12 laboratories with those from studies in the literature. We were able to obtain cytogenetic and phenotypic data from 108 prenatally ascertained supernumerary de novo marker chromosomes to refine the phenotypic risk associated with these markers. Because of the growing number of cases and because more techniques are available to delineate marker morphology, we have been able to group risk estimates into subcategories, such as by marker type and whether there are ultrasound abnormalities. Results: If a de novo supernumerary marker chromosome is found prenatally, our data suggest there is a 26% risk for phenotypic abnormality when there is no other information defining the marker (such as chromosomal origin or information about the existing phenotype). However, if high resolution ultrasound studies are normal, this risk reduces to 18%. Conclusions: Our findings strongly support the value of additional genetic studies for more precisely defining the risk in individual cases involving marker chromosomes.
Social Networking Addiction among Health Sciences Students in Oman.

OBJECTIVES Addiction to social networking sites (SNSs) is an international issue with numerous methods of measurement. The impact of such addictions among health science students is of particular concern. This study aimed to measure SNS addiction rates among health sciences students at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) in Muscat, Oman. METHODS In April 2014, an anonymous English-language six-item electronic self-reporting survey based on the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale was administered to a non-random cohort of 141 medical and laboratory science students at SQU. The survey was used to measure usage of three SNSs: Facebook (Facebook Inc., Menlo Park, California, USA), YouTube (YouTube, San Bruno, California, USA) and Twitter (Twitter Inc., San Francisco, California, USA). Two sets of criteria were used to calculate addiction rates (a score of 3 on at least four survey items or a score of 3 on all six items). Work-related SNS usage was also measured. RESULTS A total of 81 students completed the survey (response rate: 57.4%). Of the three SNSs, YouTube was most commonly used (100%), followed by Facebook (91.4%) and Twitter (70.4%). Usage and addiction rates varied significantly across the three SNSs. Addiction rates to Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, respectively, varied according to the criteria used (14.2%, 47.2% and 33.3% versus 6.3%, 13.8% and 12.8%). However, addiction rates decreased when work-related activity was taken into account. CONCLUSION Rates of SNS addiction among this cohort indicate a need for intervention. Additionally, the results suggest that addiction to individual SNSs should be measured and that work-related activities should be taken into account during measurement.
Proliferation of Lactobacillus plantarum in Solid‐State Fermentation of Oats

In an attempt to introduce probiotic functionalities to breakfast cereals and similar food products, the technique of solid‐state fermentation (SSF) was applied to cultivate Lactobacillus plantarum (NCIMB 8826) on oat bran and spent oats after lipid extraction by supercritical CO2 extraction. When compared to the frequently favored submerged processes for bacterium incubation, SSF presents not only the potential of simple downstream processing but also a more natural growth environment for the target bacterium. Preliminary studies confirmed that oat bran contained balanced nutrients to support a 25‐fold bacterium propagation within a range of moisture content from 50% to 58% after a 36‐h cultivation. Limited hydrolysis of the raw materials by the enzyme complex from submerged incubation of Aspergillus awamori and A. oryzae to increase nutrient accessibility extended the exponential growth phase and enhanced bacterial growth by over 183‐fold. The process with the most potential, however, was to simultaneously grow both fungi aerobically on the raw materials in solid state to achieve sufficient hydrolysis, followed by controlled fungal autolysis at 65 °C prior to anaerobic bacterium incubation. Following this process bacterium population reached a maximum of 7.3 × 109 cells in each gram of the fermented solids, corresponding to a 1653‐fold increase from the point of inoculation.
The regulatory effect of polychromatic (visible and infrared) light on human humoral immunity

The immunological effects of visible and infrared light from laser and non-laser sources have remained insufficiently studied, which has restricted the use of light in the treatment of diseases associated with immune system disorders. The present randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind trial was designed to study changes in the humoral immunity of a large group of volunteers after exposure of a small body area to polychromatic visible and infrared polarized (VIP) and non-polarized (VInP) light (400–3400 nm, 95% polarization, 40 mW cm^−2, 12 J cm^−2 and 400–3400 nm, no polarization, 38 mW cm^−2, 11.2 J cm^−2, respectively). Serum immunoglobulins (Ig) M, A, and G were determined turbidimetrically, and the immune complexes (ICs) by precipitation with 5% polyethylene glycol and subsequent spectrophotometric analysis. A single VIP irradiation induced an average rapid rise in serum IgM levels of 13% ( p < 0.05). By the end of the 10 day course, it had exceeded the baseline level by 26%, with an increase in IgA levels of 17 and of 12% ( p < 0.05) one week after the last session. In subjects with a high IC content, it decreased rapidly to the normal level. A single exposure of volunteers to VInP light rapidly produced changes similar to those observed on VIP irradiation, but with an increase in IgM 2.3 to 3 times lower, independent of the initial levels. On the other hand, VInP light exposure decreased the IC content more than VIP light.
[Procalcitonin in pediatric emergencies: comparison with C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and interferon alpha in the differentiation between bacterial and viral infections].

OBJECTIVE Procalcitonin concentration increases in bacterial infections but remains low in viral infections and inflammatory diseases. The change is rapid and the molecule is stable making it a potentially useful marker for distinguishing between bacterial and viral infections. PATIENTS AND METHODS Procalcitonin (PCT) was determined with an immunoluminometric assay on plasma collected at admission in 436 infants and children hospitalized for bacterial or viral infection. It was compared with C reactive protein, interleukin-6 and interferon-alpha measured on the same sample. RESULTS PCT was 41.3 +/- 77.4 micrograms/l in children with septicemia or bacterial meningitis (n = 53), 0.39 +/- 0.57 microgram/l in children with viral infection (n = 274) and 3.9 +/- 5.9 micrograms/l in children with a localized bacterial infection who had a negative blood culture (n = 109). PCT was > 1 microgram/l in 126 children with a localized or systemic bacterial infection (sensitivity 78%). PCT was < 1 microgram/l in 258 children with a viral infection (specificity 94%). For differenciation between viral and bacterial infections, CRP value > or = 20 mg/l, IL-6 > 100 pg/ml and interferon-alpha > 0 Ul/ml have 85, 48 and 76% sensitivity and 73, 85 and 92% specificity respectively. CONCLUSIONS In this study, a PCT value of 1 microgram/l or greater had better specificity, sensitivity and predictive value than CRP, IL-6 and interferon-alpha in children for distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections. PCT may be useful in pediatric emergency room for making decision about antibiotic treatments.
Automated 3D ultrasound elastography of the breast: a phantom validation study

In breast cancer screening, the automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) was introduced as an alternative for mammography since the latter technique is less suitable for women with dense breasts. Although clinical studies show promising results, clinicians report two disadvantages: long acquisition times (>90 s) introducing breathing artefacts, and high recall rates due to detection of many small lesions of uncertain malignant potential. Technical improvements for faster image acquisition and better discrimination between benign and malignant lesions are thus required. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate if 3D ultrasound elastography using plane-wave imaging is feasible. Strain images of a breast elastography phantom were acquired by an ABVS-mimicking device that allowed axial and elevational movement of the attached transducer. Pre- and post-deformation volumes were acquired with different constant speeds (between 1.25 and 40.0 mm s−1) and by three protocols: Go–Go (pre- and post-volumes with identical start and end positions), Go–Return (similar to Go–Go with opposite scanning directions) and Control (pre- and post-volumes acquired per position, this protocol can be seen as reference). Afterwards, 2D and 3D cross-correlation and strain algorithms were applied to the acquired volumes and the results were compared. The Go–Go protocol was shown to be superior with better strain image quality (CNRe and SNRe) than Go–Return and to be similar as Control. This can be attributed to applying opposite mechanical forces to the phantom during the Go–Return protocol, leading to out-of-plane motion. This motion was partly compensated by using 3D cross-correlation. However, the quality was still inferior to Go–Go. Since these results were obtained in a phantom study with controlled deformations, the effect of possible uncontrolled in vivo tissue motion artefacts has to be addressed in future studies. In conclusion, it seems feasible to implement 3D ultrasound quasi-static elastography on an ABVS-like system and to reduce scan times within one breath-hold (~10 s) by plane-wave acquisitions.