Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor Resistance and the Role of the Second-Generation Agents

OBJECTIVE To review the current state of nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) resistance, discuss the promising role of second-generation NNRTIs, and provide insight into their clinical utility. DATA SOURCES Articles were identified through searches of MEDLINE (May 2000-August 2009) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (May 1998-August 2009), using the key words etravirine, rilpivirine, TMC125, TMC278, diarylpyrimidine, NNRTI, and resistance. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION Clinical trials, resistance studies, and pharmacokinetic data were selected for review. DATA SYNTHESIS NNRTIs are an integral class of antiretroviral agents utilized for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. These agents have become preferred therapy options for treatment-naïve individuals per treatment guideline recommendations and have gained increased popularity over protease inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy. However, available NNRTIs possess inherent characteristics, such as low genetic barrier to resistance and high degree of cross-resistance, that limit their use in HIV therapy. Due to the growing utilization of this highly efficacious antiretroviral class and the increased capability for resistance development, many HIV-infected patients have experienced treatment failure of an NNRTI. Cross-resistance makes other first-generation NNRTI agents unavailable for future use. Etravirine and rilpivirine are second-generation NNRTIs that are not significantly hampered by cross-resistance and possess potent antiretroviral activity against current NNRTI-resistant viral strains. These agents provide new and important therapy options for many HIV-infected patients. CONCLUSIONS NNRTI resistance is an increasing problem that may impair the chances for therapeutic success in HIV-infected patients. Novel agents such as etravirine and rilpivirine provide new, sensitive options for patients and significantly improve the rate of virologic suppression when appropriately applied.
Security and privacy in RFID systems. (Sécurité et protection de la vie privée dans les systèmes RFID)

Vu que les tags RFID sont actuellement en phase de large deploiement dans le cadre de plusieurs applications (comme les paiements automatiques, le controle d'acces a distance, et la gestion des chaines d’approvisionnement), il est important de concevoir des protocoles de securite garantissant la protection de la vie privee des detenteurs de tags RFID. Or, la conception de ces protocoles est regie par les limitations en termes de puissance et de calcul de la technologie RFID, et par les modeles de securite qui sont a notre avis trop forts pour des systemes aussi contraints que les tags RFID. De ce fait, on limite dans cette these le modele de securite; en particulier, un adversaire ne peut pas observer toutes les interactions entre tags et lecteurs. Cette restriction est realiste notamment dans le contexte de la gestion des chaines d’approvisionnement qui est l’application cible de ce travail. Sous cette hypothese, on presente quatre protocoles cryptographiques assurant une meilleure collaboration entre les differents partenaires de la chaine d’approvisionnement. D’abord, on propose un protocole de transfert de propriete des tags RFID, qui garantit l’authentification des tags en temps constant alors que les tags implementent uniquement des algorithmes symetriques, et qui permet de verifier l'authenticite de l’origine des tags. Ensuite, on aborde le probleme d'authenticite des produits en introduisant deux protocoles de securite qui permettent a un ensemble de verificateurs de verifier que des tags “sans capacite de calcul” ont emprunte des chemins valides dans la chaine d’approvisionnement. Le dernier resultat presente dans cette these est un protocole d’appariement d’objets utilisant des tags “sans capacite de calcul”, qui vise l’automatisation des inspections de securite dans la chaine d’approvisionnement lors du transport des produits dangereux. Les protocoles introduits dans cette these utilisent les courbes elliptiques et les couplages bilineaires qui permettent la construction des algorithmes de signature et de chiffrement efficaces, et qui minimisent donc le stockage et le calcul dans les systemes RFID. De plus, la securite de ces protocoles est demontree sous des modeles formels bien definis qui prennent en compte les limitations et les contraintes des tags RFID, et les exigences strictes en termes de securite et de la protection de la vie privee des chaines d’approvisionnement.
Letter: a prospective real life comparison of the efficacy of adalimumab vs. golimumab in moderate to severe ulcerative colitis

SIRS, Effectiveness of subcutaneous anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-a antibodies, adalimumab (ADA) and golimumab (GOL), in the treatment of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC), was shown in two randomised trials. 2 However, to our knowledge, no direct comparison of the two drugs has been published, while network meta-analyses have reported variable results. We agree with the results of the meta-analysis published by Stidham et al., where infliximab (IFX), ADA and GOL were all effective in UC. We report our experience on the efficacy of ADA and GOL in patients with moderate to severe UC. From June 2015 until April 2016, we prospectively evaluated 40 patients: 21 treated with ADA at the induction dosage of 160/80 mg followed by 40 mg every other week, 19 treated with GOL at the induction dosage of 200/ 100 mg followed by 50 or 100 mg, according to body weight, every 4 weeks. Patient characteristics, Mayo score and main results are shown in Table 1. Nineteen patients were na€ıve to anti-TNFa treatment: fourteen and five in the ADA and GOL group, respectively. Twenty-one patients had been previously treated with IFX: eleven discontinued for adverse events, eight for no response or loss of response, and two for previous remission. At 8 weeks, clinical remission was achieved in 15/40 patients (37.5%): 9/19 (47.3%) na€ıve and 6/21 (28.5%)
Effect of dietary supplementation of protected organic acids on ileal microflora and protein digestibility in broiler chickens.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of 3 diets containing different levels (0, 0.2 and 0.4%) of protected organic acids (formate and propionate) on the gut microflora and ileal protein digestibility in broiler chicks. One hundred and fifty six broilers in a completely randomized design with three treatments and four replicates for each treatment were employed. The experiment lasted for 42 days. Ileal pH and gut microflora at 24 and 42 days of age and ileal protein digestibility on day 42 were determined. The result showed that different levels of protected organic acids had no significant effects on ileal protein digestibility. The acidity of ileal digesta, colony count of Lactobacillus and Coliforms were significantly affected by protected organic acids (p<0.05). On days 24 and 42, increasing the level of protected organic acids, significantly decreased pH of digesta flow in ileum (p<0.05). Organic acids significantly (p<0.05) increased colony count of Lactobacillus and decreased colony count of Coliforms in digesta at 24 and 42 days of age. Colony counts of Lactobacillus and Coliforms were higher on day 42 compared to 24. The results showed that dietary supplementation of 0.2% of protected organic acids can improves proliferation of useful microflora and diminishes population of harmful bacteria in poultry gut contents.
Interference between leucine, isoleucine and valine during intestinal absorption.

1. The reciprocal interference between l-leucine, l-isoleucine and l-valine during absorption was studied in rats both in vivo and with an everted-sac preparation in vitro. 2. After feeding with the amino acids alone there was a considerable increase in their concentration in the intestinal lumen followed by a rapid disappearance, indicating efficient absorption. Absorption was reflected by a high concentration of the respective amino acids in the portal plasma. Isoleucine and valine inhibited the absorption of leucine, and leucine inhibited the absorption of isoleucine and valine. Inhibition of absorption by the interfering amino acid was generally partly overcome after 30-60min. , probably through the absorption of the interfering amino acid. At that time the rise in the concentration of the amino acid in portal plasma began. 3. These results were confirmed by experiments in vitro: isoleucine and valine inhibited the absorption rate of leucine, and leucine that of isoleucine and valine. 4. Active absorption of amino acids was rapid at low concentrations and depressed at higher concentrations.
Comparing techniques for measuring corticosterone in tadpoles

Glucocorticoids play a key role in mediating stress responses in vertebrates. Corticosterone (CORT) is the main glucocorticoid produced in amphibians, birds, and reptiles, and regulates several metabolic functions. The most common methods for quantifying CORT are competitive binding immunoassays: radioimmunoassay (RIA) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA). RIA has been broadly used since the 1980’s but it requires radioactivity. Commercial EIA kits permit quantifying hormone levels without radioactivity although the requirement for a larger sample volume may be a strong limitation for measurements involving larval amphibians. Here we used Xenopus laevis tadpoles to compare the performance of three commonly used procedures for determination of CORT: RIA on a chloroform extract of whole-body homogenate, EIA on plasma, and EIA on supernatant of whole-body homogenate. We treated tadpoles with exogenous CORT at 0, 25, 50, and 100 nM. RIA could distinguish between 0 and 25 nM, and EIA on plasma between 0 and 50 nM, whereas whole-body homogenate EIA only detected significant differences between 0 and 100 nM. Each procedure presents advantages and disadvantages regarding sensitivity, the use of radioactivity, sample size, handling time, and economic cost. RIA is preferred when studying small-bodied animals from which blood samples cannot be obtained. When CORT level differences are intermediate and blood sampling is possible, EIA on plasma is a good non-radioactive alternative. EIA on whole-body homogenates may be useful to assess qualitative changes in CORT levels when considerable differences are expected. Finally, we discuss our findings in the context of previous studies on CORT in amphibians [Current Zoology 61 (5): 835–845, 2015].
Sensorimotor Learning in Ideomotor Apraxia

Sensorimotor learning ability in patients with ideomotor apraxia was investigated, using as subjects, eight patients with ideomotor apraxia, 8 with aphasia without ideomotor apraxia, and 8 normal controls. The aphasia, apraxia, and normal control groups were matched for age, sex, and education. The aphasia and apraxia groups were chosen to control for lesion size and scores on Kimura's recurring figure test, the Token test, and intelligence. The mirror-aiming test was performed and the learning effect in terms of decreases in total time, the number of errors, and the times for errors were examined. There was no statistically significant difference between the learning effect of the apraxic group and that of the aphasic group for total time, the number of errors, and the times for errors; however, there were group differences on each trial for number of errors and the times for errors. These results suggest that patients with ideomotor apraxia have some difficulties in motor performance rather than disturbance of learning.
Study of levosimendan during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with LV dysfunction: A double-blind randomized study

Objectives: Levosimendan is a calcium sensitizer drug which has been used in cardiac surgery for the prevention of postoperative low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) and in difficult weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). This study aims to evaluate perioperative hemodynamic effects of levosimendan pretreatment in patients for off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCABG) surgery with low left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF < 30%). Materials and Methods: Fifty patients undergoing OPCABG surgery with low LVEF (<30%) were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly divided in two groups: Levosimendan pretreatment (Group L) and placebo pretreatment (Group C) of 25 each. Group L, patients received levosimendan infusion 200 μg/kg over 24 h and in Group C Patients received placebo. The clinical parameters measured before and after the drug administration up to 48 h were heart rate (HR; for the hour after drug infusion), cardiac index (CI), and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). The requirement of inotropes, intraaortic balloon pump (IABP), CPB, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and hospital stay were also measured. Results: The patients in group L exhibited higher CI and PCWP during operative in early postoperative period as compared to control group C. Group L also had a less requirement for inotropes, CPB support and IABP with shorter ICU stay as well as hospital stay. Conclusion: Levosimendan pretreatment (24 h infusion) in patient for OPCABG with poor LVEF shows better outcomes and hemodynamics in terms of inotropes, CPB and IABP requirements. It also reduces ICU stay.
Molecular genetics of the caveolin gene family: implications for human cancers, diabetes, Alzheimer disease, and muscular dystrophy.

Because of space limitations, we were unable to cite many important primary references. This work was supported by National Institutes of Health FIRST Award GM-50443 (to M.P.L.) and by grants from the Charles E. Culpeper Foundation (to M.P.L.), the G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Charitable Foundation (to M.P.L and P.E.S.), and the Sidney Kimmel Foundation for Cancer Research (to M.P.L.). P.E. S. was supported by a grant from the Pfizer Corporation, a pilot grant from the Diabetes Research and Research Training Center of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and a research grant from the American Diabetes Association. T.O. is supported by National Institutes of Health FIRST Award MH-56036 and the Prentiss Foundation. J.A. E. was supported by National Institutes of Health Medical Scientist Training Program grant T32-GM07288. C.M. was supported by Italian Telethon grant 1111. R.G. P. was supported in part by National Institutes of Health grants R29CA70897, RO1 CA75503, and P50-HL56399 and is a recipient of the Ira T. Hirschl award and an award from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
ON BODY CONCEALED WEAPON DETECTION USING A PHASED ANTENNA ARRAY

The detection and identiflcation of metal items and, in particular weapons, of linear size ‚ 10cm, concealed upon the human body, is demonstrated as being entirely feasible by using a phased array of suitably ultra wide band transceivers. The complex natural resonances and especially the fundamental resonance, are excited by ultra wide band, stepped frequency continuous wave illumination of the target, using a phased array of antennae to focus the radiation. Broadband illumination of the target with microwave radiation of suitable frequency range (Typically 0.3{3GHz for handgun sized objects) excites low order complex natural resonances and the late time response of the concealed item can be spatially located using phased array imaging techniques. Further processing of the late time response enables classiflcation of the concealed object, based on the complex natural resonant frequencies of the object, so that threat items such as handguns and knives can be difierentiated from benign items such as mobile phone handsets and cameras.
Effect of Halothane on the Guanosine 5′ Triphosphate Binding Activity of G-Protein &agr;i Subunits

Background Receptor-mediated increases in the force produced by airway smooth muscle are attenuated by anesthetics such as halothane. Guanosine 5′-triphosphate (GTP) binding protein &agr; subunits (G&agr;i) are known to participate in the regulation of force in airway smooth muscle. The authors hypothesized that halothane would inhibit the ability of G&agr;i subunits to bind a nonhydrolyzable analog of GTP (GTP&ggr;S). Methods The effect of halothane on both GTPase-specific activity and [35S]GTP&ggr;S binding were assayed using purified, recombinant G&agr;i1. In separate experiments, [35S]GTP&ggr;S binding to G&agr;i in crude airway smooth muscle membrane preparations was assayed using an immunoprecipitation technique in the presence and absence of halothane. Results The steady state GTPase-specific activity of the recombinant G&agr;i1 was 0.033 ± 0.018 (mean ± SD) mole Pi mole G&agr;i1−1 min−1 under control conditions and 0.035 ± 0.015 mole Pi mole G&agr;i1−1 min−1 in the presence of 1.1 ± 0.2 mm halothane, a difference that is not significant. The mole fractions of recombinant G&agr;i1 bound to [35S]GTP&ggr;S were 0.49 ± 0.02 and 0.60 ± 0.02 at 10 and 20 min, respectively. The addition of halothane (1.26 ± 0.07 mm) did not significantly change these values. Halothane did not affect the binding of [35S]GTP&ggr;S to G&agr;i subunits in membrane fractions of airway smooth muscle as measured using immunoprecipitation. Validity of the assays was confirmed using suramin, an inhibitor of GTP binding. Conclusion These results suggest that halothane, which inhibits receptor-activated G&agr;i-coupled pathways in intact airway smooth muscle, must functionally target a component of the G protein–coupled receptor complex other than G&agr;i.
The effect of early discharge and other factors on readmission rates of newborns.

OBJECTIVE To assess the relationship between early discharge, breast feeding, and other factors on hospital readmission of newborns. DESIGN Retrospective record review. SETTING An urban, private community hospital. PATIENTS All newborns born over a 1-year period who were readmitted to the hospital within the first 3 weeks of life (n=117). The control group consisted of a systematic sampling of newborns born over the same period who were not readmitted (n=147). RESULTS Early discharge, defined as discharge when younger than 24, 36, or 48 hours of age, does not seem to contribute to readmission. However, newborns whose initial stay was longer than 72 hours were at significantly lower risk for readmission (P=.02, chi(2)). Factors in the initial hospitalization associated with readmission included vaginal delivery and length of stay less than 72 hours (difference, 12 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4% to 20%; P=.005), need for performance of a complete blood count (CBC) (difference, 16 percentage points; CI 6% to 26%; P=.002), presence of jaundice (difference, 17 percentage points; CI, 5% to 29% P=.005), and gestational age 37 weeks or less (difference, 10 percentage points; CI, 2% to 18%; P=.02), discharge weight less than 3 kg (difference, 11 percentage points; CI, 0 to 22%; P=.05). However, almost all newborns delivered vaginally were discharged within less than 72 hours, so our ability to comment on the independent effect of delivery mode on readmission is limited. A trend toward significance was noted between breast-feeding and readmission (difference, 9 percentage points; CI, 0% to 18%; P=.07). However, when only vaginal deliveries were considered, this association was statistically significant (difference, 13 percentage points; CI, 4% to 22%; P=.02). A significant association was noted between breast-feeding and jaundice or dehydration. Of babies admitted with jaundice or dehydration, 94% were breast-fed, compared with 67% of babies admitted with neither jaundice nor dehydration (difference, 27 percentage points; CI, 13% to 41%; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS These findings strongly suggest that early discharge (at younger than 24, 36, or 48 hours of age) from the hospital is not associated with hospital readmission within the first 3 weeks of life. Factors associated with readmission included breast-feeding, vaginal delivery and length of stay less than 72 hours, jaundice or need for a CBC, gestational age of 37 weeks or less, and discharge weight less than 3 kg.
Elevated Leg Systolic Pressures and Arterial Calcification in Diabetic Occlusive Vascular Disease

Systolic occlusion leg and brachial pressures were determined using a Doppler ultrasonic method in 24 diabetic subjects with either past or evolving gangrene due to arterial occlusive disease of the lower extremities. The leg-brachial ratios were correlated with x-ray determined leg vascular calcification. Ratios above 1.10 were invariably associated with heavy continuous calcification of the tibial vessels; lesser degrees of arterial calcification had normal or depressed leg-brachial ratios. Medial calcification might be causally related to the abnormally elevated leg systolic pressures not infrequently noted in diabetic patients. Based on the observed occurrence of reamputation in association with normal or elevated leg-brachial ratios, it appears that a Doppler pressure index above 0.90 is not a reliable indicator of adequate blood flow in severe diabetic occlusive arterial disease.
SIEDY scale 3, a new instrument to detect psychological component in subjects with erectile dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION We previously developed and validated a structured interview (SIEDY) dealing with the organic (Scale 1), relational (Scale 2), and psychological (Scale 3) components of erectile dysfunction (ED). AIM To identify a pathological threshold for SIEDY Scale 3 and to analyze Scale 3 score with biological and psychological correlates in subjects with sexual dysfunction. METHOD A pathological threshold of SIEDY Scale 3 score in predicting subjects with a medical history of psychopathology and using psychiatric drugs was identified through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis in a sample of 484 patients (Sample A). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Sensitivity and specificity, along with possible interactions with biological and psychological (Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire, MHQ-score) correlates were verified in a further sample of 1,275 patients (Sample B). RESULTS In sample A, 39 (8%) and 60 (12.4%) subjects reported a positive medical history for psychiatric disturbances or for the use of psychotropic medication, respectively. The association with both conditions was present in 28 (5.8%) subjects. ROC curve showed that SIEDY Scale 3 score predicts psychopathology with an accuracy of 69.5 ± 5.9% (P<0.002), when a threshold of 3 was chosen. When the same threshold was applied in Sample B, it identified a higher ranking in MHQ-A (free-floating anxiety), MHQ-S (somatized anxiety) and MHQ-D (depressive symptoms) subscales, even after adjustment for age and Σ-MHQ (a broader index of general psychopathology). In the same sample, we also confirmed that pathological Scale 3 score was related to a higher risk of psychopathology at medical history or to the use of psychotropic drugs as well as with risky lifestyle behaviors, including smoking and alcohol abuse, and elevated BMI. CONCLUSIONS SIEDY represents an easy tool for the identification of patients with a relevant intra-psychic component who should be considered for psychological/psychiatric treatment.