Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A prospective, blinded study of diagnostic esophagoscopy with a superthin, stand-alone, battery-powered esophagoscope

OBJECTIVES:A more widely available, well-tolerated, and cost-effective technique is needed to screen a broad population at risk for esophageal cancer. An ideal solution might be to perform unsedated esophagoscopy with an entirely self-contained, small-caliber endoscope. In a prospective, blinded study in three phases, we compared the feasibility, patient tolerance, and diagnostic accuracy of esophagoscopy performed with a prototype, superthin, battery-powered esophagoscope (BPE) with standard video esophagogastroduodenoscopy (SVE). METHODS:In phase I, 10 healthy volunteers underwent both peroral and transnasal esophagoscopy with BPE to evaluate the technical feasibility of the examination. For phases II and III, patients were recruited to have BPE before SVE. In phase II, both procedures were performed with conscious sedation. In phase III, the BPE was performed with only topical anesthesia. Two endoscopists assessed the technical performance of the endoscope and patient tolerance and recorded the esophageal findings independently.RESULTS:In phase I, all endoscopists reported adequate visualization of the esophagus in the 10 volunteers. A total of 181 patients were evaluated in phases II and III (89 in phase II, 92 in phase III). The sensitivity for detecting columnar lined esophagus was 94% in phase II and 95% in phase III. The sensitivity for all esophageal findings was 87% and 86% in phases II and III, respectively. The technical performance of the endoscope was significantly worse for BPE compared with the SVE. The patient tolerance as evaluated by the endoscopist was similar for both procedures. Ninety-five percent of the patients undergoing unsedated BPE were willing to have the procedure repeated under similar circumstances.CONCLUSIONS:Unsedated esophagoscopy with a 3.1-mm, battery-powered, stand-alone esophagoscope is feasible, well tolerated, and accurate in detecting esophageal pathologies. It might be an efficient and cost-effective screening tool for the detection of columnar lined esophagus.
Hepatocellular mitochondrial alterations in patients with chronic hepatitis C: ultrastructural and biochemical findings

OBJECTIVE:Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with increased lipoperoxidation, which may lead to interference with mitochondrial function with possible depletion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). We correlated the ultrastructural findings of liver biopsy specimens with the lipoperoxidation markers and contents of mtDNA in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with a different HCV genotype.METHODS:Liver biopsy samples obtained from 75 CHC patients were processed for histological and electron microscopic examination. Twenty-two subjects without known liver disease served as controls. Hepatic glutathione in its reduced (H-GSH) and oxidized (H-GSSG) forms were determined from biopsy specimens by high-performance liquid chromatography. Plasmatic and lymphocytic GSH and erythrocytic malonyldialdehyde (MDA) were also determined, along with the ratio between mtDNA and nuclear DNA (nDNA). RESULTS:Ultrastructural alterations of the mitochondria were documented in 23 patients with genotype 1b, compared with 15 patients with genotype 2a/2c (p= 0.020) and seven patients with genotype 3a (p < 0.001). A significant depletion of H-GSH and lymphocytic GSH, an increase of H-GSSG and MDA, and a reduction of the mtDNA/nDNA ratio were documented in patients with genotype 1b, compared with patients with genotype 2a/2c and 3a and with controls.CONCLUSIONS:In patients with genotype 1b frequent ultrastructural alterations of the mitochondria may be observed, and the depletion of mtDNA in these patients may represent the expression of a greater impairment of the process of oxidative phosphorylation. An increased production of free radicals in patients with genotype 1b may influence the evolution of the liver disease by enhancement of the cytopathic effect of HCV.
Biogeography of mutualistic fungi cultivated by leafcutter ants

Leafcutter ants propagate co‐evolving fungi for food. The nearly 50 species of leafcutter ants (Atta, Acromyrmex) range from Argentina to the United States, with the greatest species diversity in southern South America. We elucidate the biogeography of fungi cultivated by leafcutter ants using DNA sequence and microsatellite‐marker analyses of 474 cultivars collected across the leafcutter range. Fungal cultivars belong to two clades (Clade‐A and Clade‐B). The dominant and widespread Clade‐A cultivars form three genotype clusters, with their relative prevalence corresponding to southern South America, northern South America, Central and North America. Admixture between Clade‐A populations supports genetic exchange within a single species, Leucocoprinus gongylophorus. Some leafcutter species that cut grass as fungicultural substrate are specialized to cultivate Clade‐B fungi, whereas leafcutters preferring dicot plants appear specialized on Clade‐A fungi. Cultivar sharing between sympatric leafcutter species occurs frequently such that cultivars of Atta are not distinct from those of Acromyrmex. Leafcutters specialized on Clade‐B fungi occur only in South America. Diversity of Clade‐A fungi is greatest in South America, but minimal in Central and North America. Maximum cultivar diversity in South America is predicted by the Kusnezov–Fowler hypothesis that leafcutter ants originated in subtropical South America and only dicot‐specialized leafcutter ants migrated out of South America, but the cultivar diversity becomes also compatible with a recently proposed hypothesis of a Central American origin by postulating that leafcutter ants acquired novel cultivars many times from other nonleafcutter fungus‐growing ants during their migrations from Central America across South America. We evaluate these biogeographic hypotheses in the light of estimated dates for the origins of leafcutter ants and their cultivars.
Transcending GIPA : towards an Ubuntu framework for mainstreaming participation of South African people living with HIV (PLHIV) in social change communication for HIV prevention.

iii LIST OF TABLES . x LIST OF FIGURES. xi LIST OF PANELS . xii LIST OF APPENDICES. xiii ACRONYMS . xiv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . xv INTRODUCTION . xviii Why this study? xix Research procedures and key findings . xxiv Organisation of work . xxviii Understanding the study in its proper context: A note on terminology. xxx PART I . 1 CONTINUED SEARCH FOR EFFECTIVE RESPONSES TO THE UNABATING HIV EPIDEMIC . 1 CHAPTER ONE . 2 LOCATING PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV IN THE HIV/AIDS DISCOURSE . 2 Current situation regarding the HIV epidemic . 2 HIV transmission risk behaviours of PLHIV. 4 Voices from below: PLHIV challenging marginalisation . 6
Diet, smoking and cardiovascular risk in schizophrenia in high and low care supported housing

SUMMARY Background – People suffering from schizophrenia have markedly increased physical morbidity and mortality. A poor diet and sedentary lifestyle make a significant contribution to this ill health. Healthcare professionals need to include assessments of diet and to promote a ‘healthy living’ lifestyle. Aims – To describe the dietary habits and cardiovascular risk factors of people with chronic schizophrenia living in supported accommodation and to audit the provision of cardiovascular health screening in this population. Method – The dietary habits of 69 people with chronic schizophrenia living in community settings were assessed. Tobacco smoking, body mass indices and waist circumference were also measured. The dietary behaviour of patients living in high care settings with care staff present every day was compared with those in low care settings. Results – Residents in both levels of care made poor dietary choices. Patients in high care were consuming more fast food than those in low care. The dietary habits of men and women in both levels of care were worse than reported by surveys of the general population in England. All patients had seen their GP in the previous year though only 3 had received diabetes screening and fewer than half had lipid profiles. Conclusions – People with schizophrenia do not improve their diet just by the provision of healthy food as was the case in high care settings. Secondary care services must address physical health monitoring as well as mental health if the increased mortality of patients with schizophrenia is to be addressed effectively. More effective interventions are necessary to improve and sustain a healthy diet. Declaration of Interest: Nothing to declare.
MR arthrography of the shoulder, hip, and wrist: evaluation of contrast dynamics and image quality with increasing injection-to-imaging time.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to investigate the contrast dynamics and the relationship between visualization of intraarticular structures and time elapsed between intraarticular injection of contrast agent and MRI in symptomatic patients referred for MR arthrography of the shoulder, hip, and wrist. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Our local ethics committees and the national drug administration approved this multicentric study. We prospectively studied 11 shoulders, 11 hips, and 10 wrists. After the intraarticular gadolinium injection, patients underwent a baseline MR arthrography protocol (time point [TP] 1) and subsequent MRI at another four time points (TP 2-TP 5) up to 240 minutes. The course of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) over time was calculated. Three observers assessed the degree of visualization of different intraarticular structures and the overall image quality at each time point using a 3-point scale and a 5-point scale, respectively. RESULTS For all joints, CNR measurements showed peak CNR at TP 1 (21 minutes) and TP 2 (45 minutes) with a subsequent, near-logarithmic decline of CNR values over time. Visualization of different anatomic structures decreased over time. Overall image quality was insufficient for diagnostic purposes at TP 3 (96 minutes) in three (27%) of 11 shoulders and in three (27%) of 11 hips. In two (20%) of 10 wrists, image quality was insufficient at TP 2 (45 minutes). CONCLUSION For MR arthrography, the degree of visualization of intraarticular structures depends on the time elapsed between contrast injection and MRI. MR arthrography of the shoulder and hip should be performed within 90 minutes, and MR arthrography of the wrist should be performed within 45 minutes, after intraarticular injection.
Comparison of Two Highly Discriminatory Molecular Fingerprinting Assays for Analysis of Multiple Aspergillus fumigatus Isolates from Patients with Invasive Aspergillosis

ABSTRACT Two highly discriminatory fingerprinting assays, short tandem repeat typing and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), were compared to determine the genetic relatedness between 55 isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus obtained from 15 different patients suffering from proven invasive aspergillosis. Both techniques showed that interpatient isolates belonged to different genotypes and that intrapatient isolates from deep sites were all of the same genotype. By contrast, multiple genotypes were found among isolates originating from respiratory samples. Both techniques have specific advantages and disadvantages. AFLP is more universally applicable, but short tandem repeat analysis offers better discriminatory power and should be the preferred method for standardizing typing of clinical isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus.
Methyl-coenzyme M reductase of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum delta H catalyzes the reductive dechlorination of 1,2-dichloroethane to ethylene and chloroethane

Reductive dechlorination of 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA) to ethylene and chloroethane (CA) by crude cell extracts of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum delta H with H2 as the electron donor was stimulated by Mg-ATP. The heterodisulfide of coenzyme M (CoM) and 7-mercaptoheptanoylthreonine phosphate together with Mg-ATP partially inhibited ethylene production but stimulated CA production compared Mg-ATP alone. The pH optimum for the dechlorination was 6.8 (at 60 degrees C). Michaelis-Menten kinetics for initial product formation rates with different 1,2-DCA concentrations indicated the enzymatic character of the dechlorination. Apparent Kms for 1,2-DCA of 89 and 119 microM and Vmaxs of 34 and 20 pmol/min/mg of protein were estimated for ethylene and CA production, respectively. 3-Bromopropanesulfonate, a specific inhibitor for methyl-CoM reductase, completely inhibited dechlorination of 1,2-DCA. Purified methyl-CoM reductase, together with flavin adenine dinucleotide and a crude component A fraction which reduced the nickel of factor F430 in methyl-CoM reductase, converted 1,2-DCA to ethylene and CA with H2 as the electron donor. In this system, methyl-CoM reductase was also able to transform its own inhibitor 2-bromoethanesulfonate to ethylene.
Multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis in Los Altos, Selva and Norte regions, Chiapas, Mexico.

OBJECTIVES To analyse the proportion of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in cultures performed during the period 2000-2002 in Los Altos, Selva and Norte regions, Chiapas, Mexico, and to analyse MDR-TB in terms of clinical and sociodemographic indicators. METHODS Cross-sectional study of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) from the above regions. Drug susceptibility testing results from two research projects were analysed, as were those of routine sputum samples sent in by health personnel for processing (n = 114). MDR-TB was analysed in terms of the various variables of interest using bivariate tests of association and logistic regression. RESULTS The proportion of primary MDR-TB was 4.6% (2 of 43), that of secondary MDR-TB was 29.2% (7/24), while among those whose history of treatment was unknown the proportion was 14.3% (3/21). According to the logistic regression model, the variables most highly associated with MDR-TB were as follows: having received anti-tuberculosis treatment previously, cough of >3 years' duration and not being indigenous. CONCLUSIONS The high proportion of MDR cases found in the regions studied shows that it is necessary to significantly improve the control and surveillance of PTB.
Regulation of FcεRI Expression during Murine Basophil Maturation: The Interplay between IgE, Cell Division, and FcεRI Synthetic Rate

Expression of FcεRI on basophils and mast cells is modulated by IgE Ab. Previous studies have noted in vivo receptor expression dynamics that are discordant with expectations derived from in vitro studies. The current study presents a formal hypothesis to explain the discordant observations and tests two assumptions that underlie a proposed model of receptor dynamics. After first showing that a murine model of receptor expression on basophils recapitulates observations made using human basophils, the effect of changes in IgE on basophil egress rates was examined. In the proposed model, egress rates from bone marrow (BM) were assumed to be unaffected by changes in IgE concentration. Egress was tested by examining the labeling of BM and peripheral blood (BL) basophils at various times after injection of BrdU with and without injection with IgE. The IgE Ab did not alter the appearance of BrdU label in peripheral BL basophils. In addition, BM and BL basophils were responsive to the elevations in IgE, with receptor expression increasing on BM basophils before BL basophils. It was also noted that BL basophils expressed ∼50% of the receptor density of BM basophils. There was a 3-fold greater synthetic rate of FcεRI on BM basophils that readily explained the difference. These results provide support for the proposed hypothesis of rapid changes in receptor expression being controlled by cell replacement. The studies also support a model whereby receptor expression is limited by cell division and that basophils, once mature, slow their rate of receptor synthesis.
Logistical Factors Influencing Cold Ischemia Times in Deceased Donor Kidney Transplants

Background Prolonged cold ischemia time (CIT) is associated with a significant risk of short- and long-term graft failure in deceased donor kidney transplants across the world. The aim of this prospective longitudinal study was to determine the importance of logistical factors on CIT. Method Data on 1763 transplants were collected prospectively over 14 months from personnel in 16 transplant centers, 19 histocompatibility and immunogenetics laboratories, transport providers, and National Health Service Blood and Transplant. Results The overall mean CIT was 13.8 hours, with significant center variation (P < 0.0001). Factors that significantly reduced CIT were donation after circulatory death (P = 0.03), shorter transport time (P = 0.0002), use of virtual crossmatch (XM) (P < 0.0001), and use of donor blood for pretransplant XM (P < 0.0001). The CIT for transplants that went ahead with a virtual XM was 3 hours shorter than those requiring a pretransplant XM (P < 0.0001). There was a mean delay of 3 hours in starting transplants despite organ, recipient, and pretransplant XM result being ready, suggesting that theater access contributes significantly to increased CIT. Discussion This study identifies logistical factors relating to donor, transport, crossmatching, recipient, and theater that impact significantly on CIT in deceased donor renal transplantation, some of which are modifiable; attention should be focussed on addressing all of these.
Acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients: challenges and solutions

Nearly all women who receive radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer experience some degree of radiation dermatitis. However, evidence describing the appropriate management of radiation dermatitis is often lacking or contradictory. Here, we summarize the available literature regarding radiation dermatitis causes, the presentation and timing of symptoms, methods for dermatitis assessment and prevention, and review evidence-based management strategies.
Managing resistance in cognitive behavioural therapy: The application of motivational interviewing in mixed anxiety and depression

While cognitive behavioural therapy is highly effective in the treatment of anxiety and depression, a substantive number of individuals either refuse treatment, fail to respond to treatment or respond only partially. Arguably, ambivalence about change or about engaging in treatment tasks may in part be related to incomplete recovery rates in cognitive behavioural therapy. Motivational interviewing is a client-centred, directive treatment originally developed in the addictions domain whose goal is to enhance motivation for change by understanding and resolving ambivalence. This method has consistently received support for enhancing outcomes in the addictions domain, particularly when used as an adjunct to further treatment. As yet, motivational methods have not been generalized to the treatment of prevalent mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. The present paper presents the application of a treatment targeting motivation (motivational interviewing adapted for anxiety and depression) to the management of resistance in cognitive behavioural therapy for 3 clients with mixed anxiety and depression. Motivational interviewing is conceived as an adjunct to highly effective traditional cognitive behavioural therapy methods, which is indicated for use with clients resistant to and significantly ambivalent about change-based techniques for managing anxiety or alleviating depression.
Are All Conservatives Alike? A Study of the Psychological Correlates of Cultural and Economic Conservatism

The author addresses the question of whether cultural and economic conservatism differ among American citizens in their relation to measures of epistemic beliefs and motives, dogmatism, death-related anxiety, and the tendency to exhibit dogmatic aggression against those who hold beliefs and values that diverge from one's own. Data from this study suggest that these types of conservative attitudes exhibit different correlational patterns with the aforementioned measures. Research participants who held more culturally conservative attitudes were more likely to score higher on measures of the belief that knowledge is certain, dogmatism, need to evaluate, and fear of death. They also scored lower on need for cognition than did their less conservative counterparts. Moreover, participants who scored higher on cultural conservatism were more likely to exhibit dogmatic aggression. Economic conservatism was largely unrelated to measures of epistemic beliefs and motives, fear of death, dogmatism, and aggressiveness. Ancillary regression analyses revealed that belief that knowledge is certain and dogmatism were the strongest predictors of cultural conservatism. Cultural conservatism, fear of death, and need for structure were significant predictors of dogmatic aggression.
Effect of different preservation solutions on adenine nucleotide content and metabolism in human kidney transplantation

Differences in purine metabolism produced by three preservation solutions were studied by determining the adenine nucleotide (ATP, ADP, AMP, and IMP) and nucleoside (adenosine, inosine, and hypoxanthine) levels in human kidney cortical biopsies. Forty kidney allografts were studied using University of Wisconsin (UW) solution (n=20), Euro-Collins (EC) solution (n=12), and modified EC solution with mannitol (M;n=8). No significant differences were found between the three solutions studied with regard to ATP, ADP, or AMP changes. The mean ATP level (nmol/mg prot±SEM) at the end of preservation in the UW group was 2.7±0.3 nmol/mg, in the EC group 3.8±0.7 nmol/mg, and in the M group 2.3±0.4 nmol/mg. ATP 30 min after reperfusion in the UW, EC, and M groups was 5.7±0.8 nmol/mg, 6.4±1.0 nmol/mg, and 4.6±0.5 nmol/mg, respectively. However, an important difference appeared in the catabolic products determined. Kidneys perfused with UW solution had a significantly higher level of adenosine (2.6±0.6 nmol/mg), inosine (11.8±2.2 nmol/mg), and hypoxanthine (18.1±2.1 nmol/mg) at hypoxanthine of cold storage than those perfused with EC (0.4±0.1 nmol/mg, 2.0±0.8 nmol/mg, and 7.1±1.4 nmol/mg) and M solutions (0.2±0.05 nmol/mg, 0.5±0.1 nmol/mg, and 5.2±0.6 nmol/mg; P<0.05). These levels returned to initial values 30 min postreperfusion and there were no differences with the EC or M solution groups at that time. Thus, the adenosine present in UW solution does not appear to be useful in recovering the adenine nucleotide pool at reperfusion. Moreover, it produces a marked increase in degradation products. Our findings do not support the beneficial metabolic effect of UW solution in terms of adenine nucleotide metabolism in comparison with simpler and less expensive preservation solutions like EC.
US stock returns: are there seasons of excesses?

This article explores the existence of seasonality in the tails of stock returns. We use a parametric model to describe the returns, and obtain a proxy of the innovation distribution via a pre-processing model. Then, we develop a change-point algorithm capturing changes in the tails of the innovations. We confirm the good performance of the procedure through extensive Monte Carlo experiments. An empirical investigation using US stocks data shows that while the lower tail of the innovations is approximately constant over the year, the upper tail is larger in Winter than in Summer, in 9 out of 12 industries.