Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Danish PEP Registry: Experience With the Use of Postexposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Following Sexual Exposure to HIV From 1998 to 2006

Background: Studies indicate that antiretroviral postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) after sexual exposure to HIV reduce the risk of infection considerably. Since 1998 PEP after sexual HIV exposure within the preceding 24 hours, has been available in Denmark. PEP can only be prescribed at clinical centers with specialists experienced in HIV treatment. The objective of this study is to describe the use of PEP after sexual exposure from 1998 to 2006. Methods: The Danish PEP registry collects data from all cases of PEP use in Denmark after exposure to HIV through a structured questionnaire. Results: There were 374 cases of PEP use after sexual exposure. The incidence increased from 5 cases in 1997 to 87 in 2006. PEP was used by heterosexuals (40%) as well as men who have sex with men (57%). The HIV-status of the source was unknown in 41% of the cases of which 90% involved a source belonging to a high risk group, and 63% involved exposure by receptive anal intercourse. PEP was administered within 24 hours in 95% of the cases and the median time to initiation (N = 225) was 11.0 hours (range 0.5–60.0). PEP was completed by 65%. Conclusions: This nationwide study showed a steady but moderate increase in the use of PEP after sexual HIV-exposure from 1998 to 2006. Time to initiation of PEP was low and the PEP prescription practice was targeted toward high risk exposures.
Mapping illegal domestic waste disposal potential to support waste management efforts in Queensland, Australia

Illegal disposal of waste is a significant management issue for contemporary governments because of the hazards posed to both human and ecosystem health. Understanding the complex distribution pattern of illegal waste and the range of economic, environmental and social factors influencing this distribution is valuable for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of waste management efforts. This article examines the applicability of mapping illegal waste disposal in the Sunshine Coast (Queensland, Australia) through the identification and integration of predictive spatial data in a geographic information system. A statistical model of illegal waste disposal was developed using a binary logistic regression analysis to identify explanatory variables suitable for predicting the distribution of illegal waste. Five statistically significant explanatory variables were identified through this analysis: population density, primary land use, distance to the nearest road, waste facility and roadside amenity. The generated statistical model had a predictive success of 86.1% with all indicators suggesting good model fit (χ2 = 474.3, P = 0 with df = 22) across the study area. Standardised spatial data on each explanatory variable were combined using a weighted linear combination analysis and the results were classified into five categories from very low to very high illegal waste disposal potentials using the equal interval method. The resultant mapping identified 6.9% of the study area as having very high illegal waste disposal potential, and subsequent validation indicated that 32.9% of known illegal waste disposal sites were located within these areas.
COMPLETELY POSITIVE MAPS INDUCED BY COMPOSITION OPERATORS

We consider the completely positive map on the Toeplitz operator system given by conjugation by a composition operator; that is, we analyze operators of the form C∗ φTfCφ We prove that every such operator is weakly asymptotically Toeplitz, and compute its asymptotic symbol in terms of the Aleksandrov-Clark measures for φ. When φ is an inner function, this operator is Toeplitz, and we show under certain hypotheses that the iterates of Tf under a suitably normalized form of this map converge to a scalar multiple of the identity. When φ is a finite Blaschke product, this scalar is obtained by integrating f against a conformal measure for φ, supported on the Julia set of φ. In particular the composition operator Cφ can detect the Julia set by means of the completely positive map.
Differentiation of virulent and non-virulent strains of Newcastle disease virus within 24 hours by polymerase chain reaction.

Fast diagnosis of Newcastle disease is a prerequisite for confining outbreaks. Diagnosis implies the differentation of virulent and non-virulent Newcastle disease viruses (NDV). However, conventional methods, i.e. isolation of the virus and determination of the intracerebal pathogenicity index, take at least 5 days. Therefore, we investigated whether diagnosis can be performed by using the reverse transcrip-tase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on RNA isolated directly from tissue homogenate. Two oligonucleotide primers, representing the sequence at the cleavage site of the F protein of either virulent or non-virulent NDV strains, respectively, were used to differentiate NDV. Using the RT-PCR we were able to differentiate 15 NDV reference strains, 11 of which were virulent and 14 non-virulent. The RT-PCR was further validated by using homogenate of brain, trachea, lung and spleen from 12 chicken flocks and one turkey flock suspected of Newcastle disease. The RT-PCR detected virulent NDV in samples of seven flocks and non-virulent NDV in two out of three flocks in agreement with conventional methods. However the RT-PCR failed to detect virus in 1/3 flocks from which non-virulent virus was isolated. The results are discussed. We conclude that the RT-PCR described can be used to confirm diagnosis of Newcastle disease within 24 h using RNA isolated directly from tissue homogenate.
A retrospective analysis of 334 cases of hemoptysis treated by bronchial artery embolization.

OBJECTIVES To analyze the safety and efficacy of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) in the management of hemoptysis. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of 334 patients who had undergone BAE for hemoptysis from January 2007 to July 2013. Our study included 255 (76.3%) males and 79 (23.7%) females with an age range from five to 81 years old. All relevant arteries were evaluated but only those arteries that showed hypertrophy and significant blush were targeted. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was used in all patients and gel foam was used in combination with PVA where there was significant shunting. RESULTS Mild hemoptysis was seen in 70 patients, moderate in 195 patients, and severe in 69 patients. On imaging, right side disease was seen in 101 patients, left side involvement in 59 patients, and bilateral involvement in 174 patients. Post-tubercular changes were the predominant pathology seen in 248 patients. Among 334 patients (386 procedures), 42 patients underwent the procedure twice and five patients underwent the procedure thrice. A total of 485 arteries were attempted of which 440 arteries were successfully embolized. Right intercosto-bronchial was the most common culprit artery present in 157 patients, followed by common bronchial (n=97), left bronchial (n=55), and right bronchial (n=45). We embolized a maximum of four arteries in one session. Immediate complications such as dissection and rupture occurred in only nine sessions (2.3%). Twenty-five procedures (6.5%) were repeated within two months, which were due to technical or clinical failure and 27 procedures (7%) were repeated after two months. CONCLUSIONS BAE is a safe and effective procedure with a negligible complication rate. Our approach of targeting hypertrophied arteries was effective.
Critical Role of the Linker Region between Helix D and Strand 2A in Heparin Activation of Antithrombin*

The binding of pentasaccharide heparin to antithrombin induces a conformational change that is transmitted to the reactive center loop and increases the rate of inhibition of factor Xa by ∼300-fold. The mechanism of such transmission is not known. To test the role of residues 134–137, which link helix D to β-sheet A, in this signal transduction, we created variant antithrombins in which we removed amino acids 134–137 stepwise and cumulatively. Although the deletions did not compromise the fundamental ability of antithrombin to bind to heparin or to inhibit target proteinases thrombin and factor Xa, they did largely decouple conformational changes in the heparin-binding site from conformational activation of the reactive center loop. Because the variant with only Ala134removed was as compromised as variants with larger deletions, yet the variant with Ser137 removed was normal, we concluded that the length of the linker is less important than the precise interrelationship between residues in this region and other residues involved in conformational activation of antithrombin.
Constitutive Expression of IL-7 Receptor α Does Not Support Increased Expansion or Prevent Contraction of Antigen-Specific CD4 or CD8 T Cells following Listeria monocytogenes Infection1

Expression of IL-7Rα (CD127) has been suggested as a major determinant in the survival of memory T cell precursors. We investigated whether constitutive expression of IL-7Rα on T cells increased expansion and/or decreased contraction of endogenous Ag-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells following infection with Listeria monocytogenes. The results indicate that constitutive expression of IL-7Rα alone was not enough to impart an expansion or survival advantage to CD8 T cells responding to infection, and did not increase memory CD8 T cell numbers over those observed in wild-type controls. Constitutive expression of IL-7Rα did allow for slightly prolonged expansion of Ag-specific CD4 T cells; however, it did not alter the contraction phase or protect against the waning of memory T cell numbers at later times after infection. Memory CD4 and CD8 T cells generated in IL-7Rα transgenic mice expanded similarly to wild-type T cells after secondary infection, and immunized IL-7Rα transgenic mice were fully protected against lethal bacterial challenge demonstrating that constitutive expression of IL-7Rα does not impair, or markedly improve memory/secondary effector T cell function. These results indicate that expression of IL-7Rα alone does not support increased survival of effector Ag-specific CD4 or CD8 T cells into the memory phase following bacterial infection.
Legibility of doctors' handwriting: quantitative comparative study

Concern has been expressed that poor legibility of doctors' handwriting may lead to prescription errors1 and problems with referral letters.2 Using computer technology to assess handwriting in an objective manner, we compared doctors' handwriting with that of administrative staff and other healthcare professionals in a Welsh health district. We contacted the staff in three main settings—the health authority headquarters, an accident and emergency department, and various departments in another hospital—and asked them to complete a form that contained boxes for the respondent's name, the 26 letters of the alphabet, and the digits 0-9. They were told that examples of handwriting were needed to test computer software for optical character recognition and were asked to write as neatly as possible. All 92 staff present in the three settings were asked to …
Automotive 130 nm smart-power-technology including embedded flash functionality

In this paper a 130 nm BCD technology platform is presented. The process offers logic-devices, flash-devices and high voltage devices with rated voltages up to 60 V. There are HV analog devices with variable channel length and HV power devices with low on-resistances. To ensure the safe operation of the power devices, a superior robustness against high energetic pulses of different length and repetitions could be achieved. The isolation of the different voltage stages is ensured by deep trenches and highly doped buried layers.
Statistical evaluations of time-domain EMI measurements

In this paper we discuss the advantages and limitations of broad-band time-domain measurement techniques for electromagnetic interference (EMI). The digital processing of EMI measurements allows to emulate in real-time the various modes of conventional analogous equipment, e.g. peak-, average-, RMSand quasi-peak-detector modes. It is also possible to introduce new concepts of analysis, e.g. phase spectra, short-time spectra, statistical evaluation and FFT-based time-frequency analysis methods. Since timedomain techniques allow to process the amplitude and phase information of the whole signal spectrum in parallel, the measurement time may be reduced by at least one order of magnitude and the information obtained goes far beyond the information obtained with conventional analogue measurement systems. A time-domain electromagnetic interference (TDEMI) measurement system is presented. The signal processing algorithms and the results obtained with the system are discussed.
Proliferation‐associated differences in the spatial and temporal expression of gap junction genes in rat liver

After a 70% partial hepatectomy (PH), the steady‐state levels of Connexin (Cx)32, Cx26, and Cx43 messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts each displayed unique patterns of temporal expression. Within 1 hour after surgical resection, increased expression of all three Cx mRNAs was observed. Subsequently, the level of Cx32 mRNA transcripts transiently decreased to a nadir at 12 hours. Comparisons of the spatial changes with previously reported hepatocyte proliferation kinetics induced by PH demonstrated that hepatocytes before Sphase “remodel” their GJs. Within 1 to 5 hours post‐PH, midzonal hepatocytes exhibited diffuse membrane staining different from the normal punctate distribution. Subsequently, midzonal hepatocytes expressed colocalized punctate Cx32 and Cx26 immunostaining. Because the changes occurred in midzonal hepatocytes before 24 hours post‐PH, near the peak of hepatocyte DNA synthesis, these findings indicate that Cx26 is enhanced in hepatocytes before the onset of S‐phase. In contrast to the restricted expression of Cx43 in Glisson's capsule in adult liver, Cx43 protein and mRNA were enhanced specifically in proliferating bile duct and perisinusoidal cells post‐PH. PH performed during continuous administration of 2‐acetylaminofluorene (AAF) prevented changes in Cx32 and Cx26 staining observed in the absence of AAF. Proliferating oval cells were found to express diffuse Cx43 immunoreactivity. On day 11 post‐PH and AAF, basophilic hepatocytes displayed both punctate Cx32 and Cx26 staining, whereas bile ducts and perisinusoidal cells expressed Cx43. These findings indicate that alterations in Cx32 and Cx26 expression occur rapidly in hepatocytes stimulated to proliferate and that several nonparenchymal liver cell types upregulate Cx43 expression when induced to proliferate. Differentiation of oval cells into basophilic hepatocytes resulted in their expression of Cx32 and Cx26. (HEPATOLOGY 1995; 22:202–212.)
Distinction between Planned and Unplanned Readmissions following Discharge from a Department of Internal Medicine

Abstract Readmission rate is often used as an indicator for the quality of care. However, only unplanned readmissions may have a link with substandard quality of care. We compared two databases of the Geneva University Hospitals to determine which information is needed to distinguish planned from unplanned readmissions. All patients readmitted within 42 days after a first stay in the wards of the Department of Internal Medicine were identified. One of the databases contained encoded information needed to compute DRGs. The other database consisted of full-text discharge reports, addressed to the referring physician. Encoded reports allowed the classification of 64% of the readmissions, whereas full-text reports could classify 97% of the readmissions (p <0.001). The concordance between encoded reports and full-text reports was fair (kappa = 0.40). We conclude that encoded reports alone are not sufficient to distinguish planned from unplanned readmissions and that the automation of detailed clinical databases seems promising.
Immunohistochemistry of the liver and biliary tree in extrahepatic biliary atresia.

BACKGROUND Progressive destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts may determine outcome in extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) despite successful portoenterostomy. The aim of this study was to characterize the inflammatory infiltrate of a large series of cases of biliary atresia and relate these findings to clinical outcome. METHODS Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on frozen tissue sections of extrahepatic biliary tree and liver biopsies obtained (August 1996 to March 1998) from 28 infants with EHBA and 8 liver biopsy specimens from age-matched controls with other cholestatic liver disorders. A semiquantitative scoring system was designed to evaluate the staining with a panel of antibodies to the CD4, CD8, CD25, CD56, CD68, CD71 antigens and to HLA-DR, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin and LFA-1. The infants then underwent followup prospectively and divided into 2 prognostic groups at 12 months postoperatively: those who had cleared their jaundice (graded as a good outcome [n = 19]), and those who required liver transplantation or who had failed to clear their jaundice (defined as > 50 micromol/L; graded as poor outcome [n = 9]). RESULTS CD4(+) lymphocytes and CD56(+) (NK cells) predominated in the liver of infants with EHBA as compared with controls. The infiltrating cells exhibited marked proliferation (CD71 expression) and activation (particularly LFA-1 but also CD25 expression). A smaller subpopulation of the cells also expressed VCAM and E-selectin. HLA-DR was strongly expressed on Kupffer cells and to a lesser extent on proliferating bile ducts and sinusoidal endothelium. Expression of the majority of markers was lower in the remnant bile duct tissue than in the liver of EHBA (P <.05) with only HLA-DR and LFA-1 (on infiltrating cells) and ICAM (on endothelium) expressed strongly in the remnant bile duct tissue. Although quantitatively less pronounced, all of these immunohistochemical features also were noted in non-EHBA cholestatic liver tissue. A good outcome at 12 months was associated with lower CD68 (macrophage) expression in both the liver (P <.05) and biliary tree (P <.05) and with reduced expression of ICAM-1 (P =.05) on infiltrating cells in the biliary remnant. CONCLUSIONS Immunohistochemical patterns of immune-mediated liver injury and inflammation were prevalent features at the time of portoenterostomy. They were neither exclusive to nor characteristic of EHBA. A reduction in the expression of the macrophage marker (CD68) within the liver and biliary remnants and reduction of ICAM-1 expression on infiltrating cells in the biliary remnants appear to be associated with a better postoperative prognosis.
Bioguided investigation of the antimalarial activities of Trema orientalis (L.) Blume leaves

Malaria remains a major public health concern which affects millions of people, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The need for the development of alternate treatment means has become critical because of the emergence of resistance to nearly all antimalarial drugs (Kim and Schneider, 2013). Trema orientalis (L.) Blume (Ulmaceae) is used locally for the treatment of malaria. This study was designed to determine the anti-plasmodial activity of the acetone extract of T. orientalis and carry out a bio-guided separation of the extract. Acetone extract of T. orientalis leaves was investigated for its antimalarial activity in a mouse model of Plasmodium berghei using the 4 day suppressive test. Bioguided investigation was carried out by using column chromatographic fractions for in-vivo antiplasmodial screening. Preliminary spectroscopic profile of the most active fraction was obtained. Treatment with graded doses (100 to 800 mg/Kg) of acetone extract of T. orientalis resulted in significant chemosuppression of parasite growth that ranged from 44.0 to 83.8%. The most active fraction which was identified as M6 showed significant schizontocidal activity (P < 0.001). 1H NMR and Infrared spectra data indicated that the most active fraction contained flavonoids. This study justified the folkloric use of T. orientalis. Compounds from this plant could be a potential source of antimalarial agents. Key words: Antimalarial, PCV, Plasmodium berghei, anaemia, Trema orientalis.
A study of extrathyroidal conversion of thyroxine (T4) to 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) in vitro.

An in vitro model has been employed to study the nature of the process of peripheral monodeiodination of thyroxine to triiodothyronine (T3) and the factors capable of modulating it. Thyroxine (T4, 5μg/ml, 6 × 10-6M) was incubated in 0.15M phosphate buffer (pH 7.35) with various rat tissue homogenates (approximately 0.13 g-equivalent) for 2 h at 37 C, and the T3 generated during incubation was measured by a specific immunoassay of an ethanol extract of the homogenate. The liver and kidney homogenates produced more T3 than various other tissues; the kidney was more active than the liver. The T4 to T3 converting activity in the liver homogenates was influenced by the concentration of the homogenate, duration of incubation, substrate (T4) concentration, pH of incubation and temperature of incubation. It was unaffected by large concentrations of several agents including methimazole, hydrocortisone, sodium iodide, mono- or diiodotyrosine, 3,5-diiodothyronine, thyronine and methylated and halogenated analogues o.
Prospective Surface Marker‐Based Isolation and Expansion of Fetal Endothelial Colony‐Forming Cells From Human Term Placenta

The term placenta is a highly vascularized tissue and is usually discarded upon birth. Our objective was to isolate clinically relevant quantities of fetal endothelial colony‐forming cells (ECFCs) from human term placenta and to compare them to the well‐established donor‐matched umbilical cord blood (UCB)‐derived ECFCs. A sorting strategy was devised to enrich for CD45−CD34+CD31Lo cells prior to primary plating to obtain pure placental ECFCs (PL‐ECFCs) upon culture. UCB‐ECFCs were derived using a well‐described assay. PL‐ECFCs were fetal in origin and expressed the same cell surface markers as UCB‐ECFCs. Most importantly, a single term placenta could yield as many ECFCs as 27 UCB donors. PL‐ECFCs and UCB‐ECFCs had similar in vitro and in vivo vessel forming capacities and restored mouse hind limb ischemia in similar proportions. Gene expression profiles were only minimally divergent between PL‐ECFCs and UCB‐ECFCs, probably reflecting a vascular source versus a circulating source. Finally, PL‐ECFCs and UCB‐ECFCs displayed similar hierarchies between high and low proliferative colonies. We report a robust strategy to isolate ECFCs from human term placentas based on their cell surface expression. This yielded much larger quantities of ECFCs than UCB, but the cells were comparable in immunophenotype, gene expression, and in vivo functional ability. We conclude that PL‐ECFCs have significant bio‐banking and clinical translatability potential.