Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serological profile of incidentally detected asymptomatic HBsAg positive subjects (IDAHS).

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the serological profile of patients with incidentally detected positive hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg) and to asses the risk factors. DESIGN An observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY This study was conducted at Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad from 1999 to 2003. PATIENTS AND METHODS All patients who presented to gastroenterology clinic of Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad with positive HbsAg, detected incidentally, were tested for alamine transaminase (ALT), hepatitis Beantigen (HbeAg) and in certain cases hepatitis-B virus DNA (HBV DNA) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Their risk factors for acquisition of infection were assessed with specific questions. RESULTS A total of 224 patients were examined. One hundred sixty-four (73.2%) were male and 60 (26.8%) female. Mean age fo all the subjects was 32.45 -/+ 11.85 years. Out of 224 patients, 48 (21.4%) were positive for HBeAg and 176 (78.6%) were negative. Out of 48 subjects who were positive for HBeAg, 36 underwent HBV DNA determination and 32 (88.8%) were positive for HBV DNA. Out of 176 subjects who had negative HBeAg, 46 had elevated ALT and in those HBV DNA was performed and 14 had positive HBV DNA. Most common risk factors detected in these patients were intramuscular injections and surgery, however, in a large number, risk factors were unknown. CONCLUSION Twenty-one percent asymptomatic subjects with positive HBsAg were found to be HBeAg positive. A large number of subjects with negative HBeAg had HBV DNA positive suggesting presence of precore mutants. Intramuscular injections and surgery were noted to be frequent risk factors in these subjects.
Joint degeneration following closed intraarticular fracture in the mouse knee: A model of posttraumatic arthritis

Posttraumatic arthritis is one of the most frequent causes of disability following joint trauma. The objective of this study was to develop a model of a closed articular fracture in the mouse knee joint to quantify the temporal sequence of joint degeneration in a model of posttraumatic arthritis. Closed intraarticular fractures were created in the tibial plateau of adult mice (C57BL/6) using a computer‐controlled materials testing system and a custom‐built indenter tip. Tibial plateau fractures were classified and imaged over time using high‐resolution digital radiography. Animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, 8, and 50 weeks following fracture, and the experimental and contralateral control limbs were harvested for histology and micro‐computed tomography (microCT) analysis. By radiographic analysis, tibial plateau fractures closely resembled clinical fractures. More complex and comminuted fractures correlated to significantly higher fracture energies. Histologic analysis demonstrated progressive joint degeneration as measured by a modified Mankin scale, with fibrillation and loss of proteoglycan in the articular cartilage. Subchondral bone thickening was also observed in experimental joints. The induction of a closed intraarticular fracture of the mouse tibial plateau generated a reproducible and clinically relevant joint injury that progressed to osteoarthritis‐like changes by histologic and microCT evaluations. The ability to induce joint degeneration without an osteotomy or open arthrotomy provides a valuable new model for studying the natural sequelae of posttraumatic arthritis. Notably, the use of a murine model will facilitate the use of genetically modified animals for the investigation of specific genes implicated in the pathology of posttraumatic arthritis. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:578–592, 2007
Analysis of Long-term Survivors After Surgical Resection for Pancreatic Cancer

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of surgical resection for pancreatic cancer and to characterize the clinicopathologic features of actual long-term survivors. Methods: Of the 789 pancreatic cancer patients, we retrospectively analyzed 242 patients who underwent an operation between 1985 and 1999. Surgical resection with curative intent was performed in 123 patients. We analyzed the overall results of surgical treatment, compared the clinicopathologic features between long-term and short-term survivors, and reevaluated the histological slides of the long-term survivors. Results: Median survival and cumulative 5-year survival rate after surgical resection were 14.8 months and 12.1%. Tumor size, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage, resection margin involvement, and lymph node metastases were the significant prognostic factors. Eleven patients survived for more than 5 years. Some patients with poor prognostic factors such as lymph node metastasis and big tumor size survived for more than 5 years. Histological reevaluation in the long-term survivors revealed 4 cases of variant adenocarcinoma (anaplastic carcinoma, mucinous noncystic adenocarcinoma [n = 2], and undifferentiated carcinoma). Conclusions: Active surgical resection should be attempted even in patients with poor prognostic factors. As there were various types of pathology among the long-term survivors, typical ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas might have a poorer survival rate.
An FPGA-based Sudoku Solver based on Simulated Annealing methods

The Sudoku Simulated Annealing Solver -SSAS is a probabilistic Sudoku solver. The general design is capable of solving a Sudoku board of order up to fifteen (15×15×15×15). It has been designed and fully implemented on a Xilinx Virtex II Pro - based Digilent XUP board. The solver has a serial-port interface to download problems and upload results to a personal computer, according to the specifications of the relevant competition of the 2009 International Conference on Field Programmable Technology (FPT). The SSAS has solved in actual hardware Sudoku puzzles of up to order 12 within the competition-imposed time limits.
Enriched nudges lead to stronger password replacements … but implement mindfully

People usually respond to enforced changes caused by password expiry by making each successive password weaker. This is because the effort involved in memorising a password cannot be amortised over a period of time. To ensure retention they use a password they know they will not forget. This paper explores the password-changing behaviour of the participants exposed to an enriched nudge intervention. The enriched nudge combined a traditional nudge (manipulation of the “choice architecture” (user interface)) with a carrot (utility offered by a variable password expiry period, depending on the strength of the password) and a prod (frequent reminders). A longitudinal study discovered that, contrary to expectations and usual practice, participants chose stronger passwords when they replaced them. This finding suggests that changing passwords is more cognitively demanding and effortful than the memorising of a single strong password. Moreover, allowing people to engage in the latter to avoid the former has the effect of improving password strength overall. The paper concludes with an admonition for implementers to be aware of the burden imposed on users by password aging, and urging them to apply it only when the risk justifies imposing this burden.
Calorimetry of an ultracold Bose gas and cavity quantum electrodynamics with an optical nanofibre

In this Thesis we present experiments involving laser cooled alkali atoms. We perform calorimetry experiments with a harmonically trapped Bose gas of 87Rb atoms. Starting from a Bose-Einstein condensate confined in an optical trap, we transfer a precise and known amount of energy to the system using one of two independent methods. Following a rethermalisation period within the trapping potential, we measure the resulting temperature of the atoms through absorption imaging. Comparisons of experimental data to various theoretical models show that the thermodynamic behaviour of the system is well described by a Hartree-Fock model for an interacting gas. In a separate experiment we have utilised a nanofibre, a section of optical fibre that has been tapered to a subwavelength diameter waist, as a tool for interfacing 133Cs atoms with the guided optical mode of the fibre through an evanescent field. The tight transverse confinement of the guided mode allows for efficient light–matter interactions at the few photon level. We enhance these interactions by forming an all-fibre ring geometry cavity containing a nanofibre section, and perform cavity quantum electrodynamics experiments with an ensemble of laser cooled caesium atoms. Due to a collective enhancement of the coupling rate by the ensemble of atoms, we observe well-resolved vacuum Rabi splitting of the cavity transmission in the weak driving limit. Additionally, we investigate the power dependence of the atom–cavity transmission on resonance, and observe saturation of the atoms at higher driving strengths. We also present a simple theoretical model to describe the behaviour of this system. Finally, modern cold atom experiments demand a high degree of control and reproducibility, which can be best provided through computer control. We present our implementation of a computer interface for the experiment, as well as various custom built hardware interfaces which are integrated into our control scheme. Our system allows for scripting of an experimental sequence, adjustment of experimental settings, and the ability to collect and analyse experimental data from a central computer.
Factors essential for successful all-ceramic restorations.

BACKGROUND The use of all-ceramic crowns is increasing, and this trend will continue. However, all-ceramic systems are not all the same. They differ considerably in their relative esthetic potential, their physical properties and evidence base relative to longevity. The use of an all-ceramic system does not guarantee outstanding esthetics. CONCLUSIONS Some all-ceramic systems can provide superior esthetic results compared with metal-ceramic restorations. Zirconia-cored crowns are the strongest all-ceramic system and may provide improved esthetic results compared with metal-ceramic crowns. No all-ceramic restoration has been shown to have a life span equivalent to that of metal-ceramic restorations. Further clinical trials are needed. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Clinicians should choose appropriate all-ceramic restorations on the basis of their patients' needs. Currently available evidence indicates that clinicians should not use all-ceramic crowns on molars; in addition, posterior fixed partial prostheses fabricated with all-ceramic materials have a high likelihood of failure.
Two Populations of Axonally Transported Tubulin Differentiated by Their Interactions with Neurofilaments

Abstract: In the sensory fibers of the rat sciatic nerve (fibers of the dorsal root ganglion cells), two components of tubulin transport were observed that differed in the rate of transport, solubility in Triton, and subunit composition. The faster component, migrating ahead of the neurofilament proteins, was soluble in 1% Triton. The slower component, migrating with the neurofilament proteins, was insoluble in 1% Triton and contained a unique polypeptide, “NAP,” in the tubulin region that was not present in the faster component. “NAP” was not a subspecies of tubulin as evidenced by peptide mapping. It seems to be a neurofilament‐associated protein. When a complete separation of the main tubulin wave from the neurofilament wave was achieved in the motor axons of the same nerve (axons of the ventral motoneurons) under the effect of ββ‐iminodipropionitrile, a portion of tubulin was still found associated with the retarded neurofilament wave. The subunit composition of this portion was similar to the slower, neurofilament‐associated component in the sensory fibers under normal conditions, i.e., enriched in “NAP” and the most acidic subtype of (β‐tubulin. It is suggested that two populations of transported tubulin exist that are differentiated by the extent of their interaction with neurofilaments.
Exposure to Man-Made Mineral Fibers: A Summary of Current Animal Data

The inhalation of asbestos fibers (crocidolite, chrysotile and amosite) has been implicated in the development of a number of lung disorders including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. The mechanism responsible for these effects is not well characterized but is generally thought to be related to the fibrous nature of these materials. Therefore, concerns have also been raised as to the potential health impact of other fibrous materials including man-made mineral fibers. Man-made mineral fibers are being used as substitutes for asbestos in a wide range of products. However, relatively little data are available on the potential health impact of these fibrous materials. Epidemiology and clinical studies have served as an important source of information on the effect of various environmental pollutants, but have not been sufficient to date to fully address the potential health impact of man-made mineral fibers. This is due in part to the relatively recent introduction of a number of these materials, the long latency period before the onset of clinical symptoms, and in general, the lower exposure levels associated with these materials. Therefore, a number of animal studies have been performed to predict or confirm the toxicity of various man-made mineral fibers in humans. Both fibrosis and mesothelioma have been induced in experimental animals exposed to man-made mineral fibers although no disease has been consistently observed in occupationally exposed workers. While little is known about the mechanism of this response, information from animal and cell culture experiments indicate that dose, fiber dimension, and fiber durability are the most important factors in determining the biological activity of these materials. The purpose of this summary will be to review these and other properties of man-made mineral fibers from animal and in vitro cellular experimentation in an attempt to address the potential health impact of these materials. Particular attention will be placed on the route of exposure, fiber type and morphology, and species tested. Recommendations will be made as to future research needs.
Endocrine and Neurobehavioral Abnormalities Induced by Propofol Administered to Neonatal Rats

Background:The authors studied whether neonatal propofol anesthesia affects development of the endocrine and neural systems. Methods:Sprague–Dawley rats were anesthetized using intraperitoneal propofol for 5 h on postnatal days (P) 4, 5, or 6. Pups that received either saline or intralipid, but not those in the negative control groups, were also maternally separated for 5 h. Serum levels of corticosterone were measured immediately after anesthesia and in adulthood after prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle testing (≥P80), followed by measurement of hippocampal neuronal activity. Results:Propofol acutely increased corticosterone levels to 146.6 ± 23.5 ng/ml (n = 6) versus 16.4 ± 3.5 ng/ml (n = 6) and 18.4 ± 3.2 ng/ml (n = 6) in saline- and intralipd-treated pups, respectively. In adulthood, the propofol group exhibited exacerbated endocrine responses to stress in a form of increased corticosterone levels (1,171.58 ± 149.17 ng/ml [n = 15] vs. 370.02 ± 36.01 ng/ml [n = 10] in the saline group). The propofol group had increased the frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents in CA1 neurons of male and female rats, but reduced prepulse inhibition of startle was detected only in males. The Na+–K+–2Cl− cotransporter inhibitor bumetanide, administered to pups before propofol injection, alleviated long-term endocrine and prepulse inhibition abnormalities. Exogenous corticosterone, administered to naive pups, induced synaptic and endocrine but not prepulse inhibition effects, similar to those of propofol. Conclusion:Propofol-caused acute increases in corticosterone levels and &ggr;-aminobutyric acid type A receptor–mediated excitation at the time of anesthesia may play mechanistic roles in development of exacerbated endocrine responses to stress and neurobehavioral abnormalities.
Prediction of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation using nonlinear analysis of the R-R interval dynamics before the spontaneous onset of atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND New methods based on nonlinear theory have been developed to give more insight into complex heart rate (HR) dynamics. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that altered HR dynamics, as analyzed with complexity and fractal measures, may precede the spontaneous onset of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Secondly, the difference in the temporal change of these measurements between the different types of atrial fibrillation (AF) was assessed. METHODS AND RESULTS From 105 Holter tapes in which PAF was recorded, 44 PAF (>or=5 min) episodes in 33 patients (22 men, 58 +/- 12 years), preceded by sinus rhythm for more than 1 h, were selected and submitted to time-and frequency-domain HR variability analyses, along with detrended fluctuation analysis, approximate entropy (ApEn) and sample entropy (SampEn). The 60 min before the onset of AF were divided into 6 10-min periods and studied using repeated measures ANOVA. PAF episodes were divided into 3 subgroups: an increased HF component and decreased L/H ratio (vagal type, n=20); increased L/H ratio and decreased HF component (sympathetic type, n=14); and non-related type (n=10). None of the time- or frequency-domain parameters showed any significant change before AF in any type of AF. The alpha(1) showed a tendency to decrease before the onset of AF and the change in alpha(1) was divergent according to the AF type. The ApEn decreased before the onset of AF (1.005+/-0.046, 60-50 min before AF to 0.894+/-0.052, 10-0 min before AF; p=0.032). The SampEn also decreased progressively before the start of AF (1.165 +/- 0.085, 60-50 min before AF to 0.887 +/- 0.077, 10-0 min before AF, p=0.003). The decrease in both the ApEn and SampEn was irrespective of the AF type. CONCLUSIONS A reduction in the ApEn and SampEn, which reflects the nonlinear complexity of HR variability, is a hallmark of altered HR dynamics preceding the spontaneous onset of AF.
ADHD Symptoms and Cognitive Abilities in the Midlife Cohort of the PATH Through Life Study

Objective: ADHD is a lifelong condition, but it remains understudied in older adults. We examined the effects of ADHD-related inattention and hyperactivity symptoms on cognitive abilities in middle-age adults. Method: ADHD symptoms and cognitive abilities were accessed in a population-based sample (N = 2,091). Multiple regression analyses evaluated the effect of dimensional and categorical measures of ADHD on performance in cognitive tests. Results: ADHD symptoms are negatively associated with measures of reaction time, processing speed, task-switching, mental flexibility, and an aggregate measure of cognition. Inattention and hyperactive symptoms have reciprocal effects on performance in some cognitive tasks. Significant subclinical effects are present. Conclusion: Our demonstration that cognitive effects of ADHD symptoms are present in the middle-age population provides the impetus to investigate whether these effects contribute to cognitive decline in late age and whether identification and treatment of ADHD symptoms in middle age might be effective in reducing late-age cognitive decline.
Obesity, overweight, and underweight among urban Nigerians.

BACKGROUND Disease burden from communicable and noncommunicable diseases is a significant health challenge facing many developing nations. Among the noncommunicable diseases, is obesity, which has become a global epidemic associated with urbanization. OBJECTIVE The aim was to evaluate the prevalence of weight abnormalities, their pattern of distribution and regional differences among apparently healthy urban dwelling Nigerians. METHODS A cross-sectional community-based descriptive survey was carried out in five urban cities, each from one geo-political zone of Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedures were used to select participants using the World Health Organization STEPS instrument. Ethical approval and consents were duly and respectively obtained from the Ethics Committee in the tertiary centers and participants in each of these cities. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 20 (IBM Corp., Amonk, NY; released 2011) with P value set at < 0.05. RESULTS A total of 5392 participants were recruited; of which, 54.5% and 45.5% were males and females respectively. Mean (standard deviation) age and body mass index (BMI) were 40.6 (14.3) years and 25.3 (5.1) kg/m 2 . Obesity, overweight, and underweight were found in 17%, 31%, and 5% of participants respectively. Significantly, while underweight declined with increasing age, overweight, and obesity increased to peak in the middle age brackets. Age of ≥ 40 years was found to confer about twice the risk of becoming overweight. The prevalence of obesity and mean BMI were significantly higher both among the females and the participants from southern zones. CONCLUSION Obesity and overweight are common in our urban dwellers with accompanying regional differences. Attainment of middle age increases the likelihood of urban dwelling Nigerians to become overweight/obese. There is therefore the need to institute measures that will check development of overweight/obesity early enough, while improving the nutritional status of the few who may still be undernourished.
Struggles for Control: the Social Roots of Health and Healing in Modern Africa

This paper is a general interpretation of the social determinants of health and health care in Africa over the past century. The evolution of health cannot be separated from the broader story of social change. The political and economic forces which shaped the continent's history also established the framework within which patterns of diagnosis and treatment, health and disease, emerged. The implication of this is that healers of all kinds—whether doctors or “traditional healers”—have been less influential than we commonly think in shaping states of health or in healing the sick. This position opens up a range of difficult problems which are addressed in the following pages. What is the exact nature of the link between the broad political-economic forces and the distribution of health or disease? Which of these forces have driven therapeutics along its historical path, and by what means? What role do healers actually play? The body of the paper is divided into three main sections. The first explores the micro-sociology of changing treatment of illness. In most African communities several kinds of healers work side by side: physicians or medical assistants, specialists in sorcery or spirit possession, Christian or Muslim religious healers, and others. Multiple authorities co-exist, and therefore no one healer decides the cause or cure of illnesses in a way which others accept as beyond challenge. But treatment cannot exist without coordination. Someone must decide on a course of action when lives are threatened.
Multiple Strains of the Parasitic Dinoflagellate Amoebophrya Exist in Chesapeake Bay

Abstract Small subunit rRNA sequences were amplified from Amoebophrya strains infecting Karlodinium micrum, Gymnodinium instriatum and an unidentified Scrippsiella species in Chesapeake Bay. The alignable parts of the sequences differed from each other and from the previously reported rRNA sequence of the Amoebophrya strain infecting Akashiwo sanguinea in Chesapeake Bay by 4 to 10%. This is a greater degree of difference than sometimes found between sequences from separate genera of free-living dinoflagellates. These sequence differences indicate that the Amoebophrya strains parasitizing dinoflagellates in Chesapeake Bay do not all belong to the same species. In spite of their relative dissimilarity, the sequences do group together into a single clade with high bootstrap support in phylogenetic trees constructed from the sequences.