Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Evaluation of Coverage and Compliance of Mass Drug Administration 2006 for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis in Endemic Areas of Gujarat

Background: Mass drug administration (MDA) means once-in-a-year administration of diethyl carbamazine (DEC) tablet to all people (excluding children under 2 years, pregnant women and severely ill persons) in identified endemic areas. It aims at cessation of transmission of lymphatic filariasis. Objective: What has been the coverage and compliance of MDA in Gujarat during the campaign in December 2006? Study Design: Cross-sectional population based house-to-house visit. Setting: Urban and rural areas in Gujarat identified as endemic for filariasis where MDA 2006 was undertaken. Study Variables: Exploratory - Rural and urban districts; Outcome - coverage, compliance, actual coverage, side effects. Analysis: Percentage and proportions. Results: Twenty-six clusters, each comprising 32 households from six endemic districts, yielded an eligible population of 4164. The coverage rate was 85.2% with variation across different areas. The compliance with drug ingestion was 89% with a gap of 11% to be targeted by intensive IEC. The effective coverage (75.8%) was much below the target (85%). Side effects of DEC were minimum, transient and drug-specific. Overall coverage was marginally better in rural areas. The causes of poor coverage and compliance have been discussed and relevant suggestions have been made.
Outbreaks of stringhalt in southern Chile

BLOOD. D. C. & RADOSTITS, 0. M. (1989) Veterinary Medicine. A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Sheep, Pigs. Goats & Horses. 7th edn. London, Bailliere Tindall. p 612 BREWER, D. B. & KOTERBA, A. M. (1988) Eqtinle Veterinars-v Jouirtnal 20, 18 DARIEN, B. J. (1993) Equii,te Veterito,si-v Edtrcaotioni 5, 33 DARIEN. B. J. & WILLIAMS, A. M. (1993) Eqtiiner Veteii,ti-av Ldio(hoticati 5, 19 McDONNELL, S. M., LOXVE, C. C., MARTIN, B. B., REEF, V. B. & KENNEY. R. M. ( 1992) Jouniral oJ tdie Americtan Veteritiars Medico) Issrciationl 200, 954 MADIGAN, J. E. (1996) Large Animal Internal Medicine. Ed B. P. Smith. St Louis, Mosby. p 391 MORRIS, 0. D. (1988) The Veterinary Cliics of North Amiierica Equine Practice: Management of Colic. Ed S. M. Stover. Philadelphia. W. B. Saunders. p 115 PALMER, J. E. (1985) The Veterinary Clinics of North America Equine Practice: Neonatal Equltine Disease. Ed J. Beech. Philadelphia, W. B. Sauniders. p 151 REEF, V. B. (1992) Current Therapy in Equine Medicine. Ed N. E. Robinison. Philadelphia. W. B. Saundeis. p 381 SISSON, D. D. & THOMAS. W. P. (1995) Textbook of Veterinary Internial Medicinie. Ecds S. J. Ettinger, E. C. Feldman. Philadelphia. W. B. Saunders. p 995 TRAUB-DARGAIZ, J. L. & JONES, R. L. (1993) The Veterinary Clinics of North Amierica Eclitle Practice: tpdate on Infectious Diseases. Ed J. L. TraubDargatz. Philadelphia. W. B. Saunders. p 411 TRIPLETT, E. A. , O'BRIEN, R. T. , WILSON, D. G. , STEINBERG, H. & DARIEN, B. J. (1996) Jouit-snal of Veetsrinarv 1ternial Medicine 10, 330 URQUHART, K. (1981) Eqliitie Practice 3, 22 WHITLOCK, R. H. (1975) Proceedings of the Anniual Meeting of the Amiierican Associationiof Equine Practitioners. Bostcm, Massachusetts. p 30(1
Therapeutic vaccines and immunological intervention in HIV infection: a paradigm change

Purpose of reviewThe purpose is to review current knowledge of immunological interventions in HIV infection and discuss strategies for the establishment of functional cure and/or HIV eradication. Recent findingsTherapeutic vaccines and cytokines have been historically the immunological interventions developed with the objective to enhance the HIV-specific cell-mediated immune responses and to suppress virus replication. Both these interventions have shown only partial antiviral effects. The recent identification and generation of human broad neutralizing antibodies provides potent immunological intervention associated with effective suppression of virus replication in the absence of antiretroviral therapy. Furthermore, the identification that the major HIV cell reservoir containing replication competent and infectious virus is composed by programed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) positive memory CD4+ T cells offers the opportunity to target directly the HIV cell reservoir with anti-PD-1 antibodies. Anti-PD-1 antibody therapy may be also critical to prevent exhaustion of CD8+ T cells. SummaryThe availability of a diverse armamentarium of immunological intervention offers the opportunity to investigate the efficacy of the combined use of different immunological interventions in inducing prolonged virus suppression in the absence of antiretroviral therapy and functional cure HIV or HIV eradication.
Noise in a minimal regulatory network: plasmid copy number control

1. Introduction 2 2. Plasmid biology 3 2.1 What are plasmids? 3 2.2 Evolution of CNC: cost and benefit 4 2.3 Plasmids are semi-complete regulatory networks 6 2.4 The molecular mechanisms of CNC for plasmids ColE1 and R1 6 2.4.1 ColE1 7 2.4.2 R1 7 2.5 General simplifying assumptions and values of rate constants 9 3. Macroscopic analysis 11 3.1 Regulatory logic of inhibitor-dilution CNC 11 3.2 Sensitivity amplification 12 3.3 Plasmid control curves 13 3.4 Multistep control of plasmid ColE1: exponential control curves 14 3.5 Multistep control of plasmid R1: hyperbolic control curves 16 3.6 Time-delays, oscillations and critical damping 18 4. Mesoscopic analysis 20 4.1 The master equation approach 20 4.2 A random walker in a potential well 23 4.3 CNC as a stochastic process 24 4.4 Sensitivity amplification 26 4.4.1 Single-step hyperbolic control 26 4.4.2 ColE1 multistep control can eliminate plasmid copy number variation 28 4.4.3 Replication backup systems – the Rom protein of ColE1 and CopB of R1 29 4.5 Time-delays 30 4.5.1 Limited rate of inhibitor degradation 30 4.5.2 Precise delays – does unlimited sensitivity amplification always reduce plasmid losses? 32 4.6 Order and disorder in CNC 33 4.6. 1 Disordered CNC 34 4.6. 2 Ordered CNC: R1 multistep control gives narrowly distributed interreplication times 34 4.7 Noisy signalling – disorder and sensitivity amplification 37 4.7. 1 Eliminating a fast but noisy variable 38 4.7. 2 Conditional inhibitor distribution: Poisson 39 4.7. 3 Increasing inhibitor variation I: transcription in bursts 40 4.7. 4 Increasing inhibitor variation II: duplex formation 41 4.7. 5 Exploiting fluctuations for sensitivity amplification: stochastic focusing 44 4.7. 6 A kinetic uncertainty principle 45 4.7. 7 Disorder and stochastic focusing 46 4.7. 8 Do plasmids really use stochastic focusing? 47 4.8 Metabolic burdens and values of in vivo rate constants 48 5. Previous models of copy number control 49 5.1 General models of CNC 49 5.2 Modelling plasmid ColE1 CNC 49 5.3 Modelling plasmid R1 CNC 52 6. Summary and outlook: the plasmid paradigm 53 7. Acknowledgements 56 8. References 56 This work is a theoretical analysis of random fluctuations and regulatory efficiency in genetic networks. As a model system we use inhibitor-dilution copy number control (CNC) of the bacterial plasmids ColE1 and R1. We chose these systems because they are simple and well-characterised but also because plasmids seem to be under an evolutionary pressure to reduce both average copy numbers and statistical copy number variation: internal noise.
Radiographic Analysis of Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion for the Treatment of Adult Isthmic Spondylolisthesis

The radiographs of 35 consecutive adult patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis who underwent a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with one or two Brantigan carbon fiber cages and pedicle screw instrumentation were evaluated. Anterolisthesis, disk space height, and slip angle were measured in preoperative and postoperative standing neutral radiographs. Anterolisthesis was reduced and disk space height was increased with the TLIF procedure. Average slip angle, however, was not significantly altered. The restoration of lordosis across the listhetic disk space correlated with a more anterior placement of the interbody cage within the disk space. The TLIF technique, performed with the Brantigan cage and pedicle screw instrumentation, appears to be able to restore disk height and reduce forward translation in patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis, but improvement in sagittal alignment is dependent upon anterior placement of the interbody device.
Molecular and clinical pathways to neuroprotection of dopaminergic drugs in Parkinson disease

During the last 20 years, an enormous research effort and hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent attempting to develop and prove that drugs may slow the rate of progression of Parkinson disease (PD). At the time of writing, no drug has yet satisfied the rigorous criteria set by clinicians and licensing authorities for a neuroprotective agent. Despite this apparent failure, numerous important lessons have been learned, and some areas for optimism have emerged. Dopaminergic drugs have, for 40 years, been the basis for the treatment of the predominant early motor features of PD. Several of these drugs have also demonstrated an ability to protect cells, including neurons, against a range of toxins that are of relevance to the pathogenesis of PD. Some have entered clinical trials for neuroprotection, and a few have produced a positive result according to the endpoint selected. The interpretation of these trials is the subject of some debate. A pattern has emerged in these and other clinical trials, which has lead to a novel concept for neuroprotection, and that is simply to treat early rather than delay. The basis for this may lie in the support of basal ganglia compensatory mechanisms and the restoration of normal dopaminergic transmission.
c-Cbl-Mediated Selective Virus-Receptor Translocations into Lipid Rafts Regulate Productive Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Infection in Endothelial Cells

ABSTRACT During target cell entry and infection, many enveloped and nonenveloped viruses utilize cell surface receptors that translocate into lipid rafts (LRs). However, the mechanism behind this translocation is not known. Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) interacts with the human microvascular dermal endothelial (HMVEC-d) cell surface heparan sulfate (HS), integrins α3β1, αVβ3, and αVβ5, and the amino acid transporter x-CT protein and enters via c-Cbl-bleb-mediated macropinocytosis (Veettil et al., J. Virol. 82:12126-12144, 2008; Veettil et al., PLoS Pathog. 6:e1001238, 2010). Here we have demonstrated that very early during infection (1 min postinfection), c-Cbl induced the selective translocation of KSHV into the LR along with the α3β1, αVβ3, and x-CT receptors but not αVβ5. Activated c-Cbl localized with LRs at the junctional base of macropinocytic blebs. LR-translocated α3β1 and αVβ3 were monoubiquitinated, leading to productive macropinocytic entry, whereas non-LR-associated αVβ5 was polyubiquitinated, leading to clathrin entry that was targeted to lysosomes. c-Cbl knockdown blocked the macropinocytosis and receptor translocation and diverted KSHV to a clathrin-lysosomal noninfectious pathway. Similar results were also seen by LR disruption with MβCD. These studies provide the first evidence that c-Cbl regulates selective KSHV-α3β1, -αVβ3, and -x-CT receptor translocations into the LRs and differential ubiquitination of receptors which are critical determinants of the macropinocytic entry route and productive infection of KSHV. Our studies suggest that interventions targeting c-Cbl and LRs are potential avenues to block KSHV infection of endothelial cells.
Dynamic bit selection in mixed-ADC cloud-RAN systems

We propose a new mixed-analog-to-digital convertor (mixed-ADC) architecture for cloud-RAN (C-RAN) systems. The RRH is equipped with a mixed-ADC pool that includes multiple ADC units with various resolutions. In this pool, the RRH selects the appropriate ADCs and connects the selected ADCs to each antenna to quantize the received signals, thereby each antenna can have a different resolution ADC. The quantized signals are sent to a centralized baseband unit (BBU) via a capacity limited fronthaul pipe. To maximize the spectral efficiency of the considered system in a single-user uplink phase, we formulate an optimization problem for ADC selection by exploiting an approximation of the generalized mutual information (GMI). Subsequently we propose a solution. The simulations show the improvement in the GMI by using the proposed ADC selection. Our major findings are: i) In a C-RAN with limited fronthaul capacity, the proposed mixed-ADC makes more efficient use of the fronthaul capacity. ii) In selecting ADCs, assigning a high resolution ADC to a strong channel is beneficial.
Extraction and purification of the zwitterions cylindrospermopsin and deoxycylindrospermopsin from Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii

The hepatotoxin cylindrospermopsin (CYN) has been isolated from the cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (C. raci.). Efforts to study this toxin have been hampered by the time‐consuming requirement to extract it from cultures of the organism. It is usually extracted from lyophilized cells collected from a laboratory culture. Our preliminary work suggested far more of the toxin is available in solution in the culture media than in the cells collected. We have therefore investigated the use of commercially available solid phase extraction sorbents to extract CYN from culture media in which C. raci. has been grown. A range of reverse phase and ion‐exchange sorbents were tested across a range of pHs for their ability to retain CYN without success. Subsequently, graphitized carbon cartridges were found to retain CYN strongly. Elution with 5% formic acid in methanol allowed the CYN to be regained for final purification by HPLC. Deoxy‐CYN, an analog of CYN can also be extracted using this procedure. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Environ Toxicol 16: 391–396, 2001
Autocrine growth factors in human periodontal ligament cells cultured on enamel matrix derivative.

OBJECTIVE Enamel extracellular matrix proteins in the form of the enamel matrix derivative EMDOGAIN (EMD) have been successfully employed to mimic natural cementogenesis to restore fully functional periodontal ligament, cementum and alveolar bone in patients with severe periodontitis. When applied to denuded root surfaces EMD forms a matrix that locally facilitates regenerative responses in the adjacent periodontal tissues. The cellular mechanism(s), e.g. autocrine growth factors, extracellular matrix synthesis and cell growth, underlying PDL regeneration with EMD is however poorly investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS Human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells were cultured on EMD and monitored for cellular attachment rate, proliferation, DNA replication and metabolism. Furthermore, intracellular cyclic-AMP levels and autocrine production of selected growth factors were monitored by immunological assays. Controls included PDL and epithelial cells in parallel cultures. RESULTS PDL cell attachment rate, growth and metabolism were all significantly increased when EMD was present in cultures. Also, cells exposed to EMD showed increased intracellular cAMP signalling and autocrine production of TGF-beta1, IL-6 and PDGF AB when compared to controls. Epithelial cells increased cAMP and PDGF AB secretion when EMD was present, but proliferation and growth were inhibited. CONCLUSION Cultured PDL cells exposed to EMD increase attachment rate, growth rate and metabolism, and subsequently release several growth factors into the medium. The cellular interaction with EMD generates an intracellular cAMP signal, after which cells secrete TGF-beta1, IL-6 and PDGF AB. Epithelial cell growth however, is inhibited by the same signal. This suggest that EMD favours mesenchymal cell growth over epithelium, and that autocrine growth factors released by PDL cells exposed to EMD contribute to periodontal healing and regeneration in a process mimicking natural root development.
Previous iodinated contrast anaphylaxis in blunt abdominal trauma: management options

A 34-year-old man presented with significant intra-abdominal and orthopaedic injuries following a high-speed motorbike crash. The man had a history of an anaphylactic reaction to iodine. As a result, the gold standard CT of the abdomen with contrast was unable to be performed to ascertain the exact nature of the intra-abdominal injuries. After stabilisation, an MRI of the abdomen was performed which localised the injuries. The previous contrast anaphylaxis delayed full assessment of the patient and subsequent management. This case discusses the current literature and the management guidelines in a patient with previous anaphylaxis to contrast.
Mouse Large Can Modify Complex N- and Mucin O-Glycans on α-Dystroglycan to Induce Laminin Binding*

The human LARGE gene encodes a protein with two putative glycosyltransferase domains and is required for the generation of functional α-dystroglycan (α-DG). Monoclonal antibodies IIH6 and VIA4-1 recognize the functional glycan epitopes of α-DG that are necessary for binding to laminin and other ligands. Overexpression of full-length mouse Large generated functionally glycosylated α-DG in Pro-5 Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and the amount was increased by co-expression of protein:O-mannosyl N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1. However, functional α-DG represented only a small fraction of the α-DG synthesized by CHO cells or expressed from an α-DG construct. To identify features of the glycan epitopes induced by Large, the production of functionally glycosylated α-DG was investigated in several CHO glycosylation mutants. Mutants with defective transfer of sialic acid (Lec2), galactose (Lec8), or fucose (Lec13) to glycoconjugates, and the Lec15 mutant that cannot synthesize O-mannose glycans, all produced functionally glycosylated α-DG upon overexpression of Large. Laminin binding and the α-DG glycan epitopes were enhanced in Lec2 and Lec8 cells. In Lec15 cells, functional α-DG was increased by co-expression of core 2 N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1 with Large. Treatment with N-glycanase markedly reduced functionally glycosylated α-DG in Lec2 and Lec8 cells. The combined data provide evidence that Large does not transfer to Gal, Fuc, or sialic acid on α-DG nor induce the transfer of these sugars to α-DG. In addition, the data suggest that human LARGE may restore functional α-DG to muscle cells from patients with defective synthesis of O-mannose glycans via the modification of N-glycans and/or mucin O-glycans on α-DG.
Relationship between serum concentrations of boron and in fl ammatory markers , disease duration , and severity of patients with knee osteoarthritis in Sulaimani city Naza

Background: Many trace elements in the biological system, including boron, are involved in various vital processes related to health and diseases. Boron has been proved to have a role in decreasing inflammatory pain, joint stiffness, and other disabling symptoms associated with osteoarthritis (OA). Aims and Objective: To evaluate the relationship between serum concentrations of boron with inflammatory markers, disease duration, and severity in patients with knee OA. Materials and Methods: A total of 43 patients with knee OA were clinically evaluated and serum boron concentrations were measured in addition to erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and total white blood cell (WBC) count; the results were compared with that of healthy controls. Boron levels were correlated with ESR, WBC, disease duration, and severity. Result: Serum boron levels were significantly lower in patients compared with controls, and found to be significantly correlated with disease duration and severity. No correlation was reported between boron and the inflammatory markers. Conclusion: Serum boron levels were significantly lower in patients with knee OA, and negatively correlated with the duration and severity of the disease.
Effects of surgical or chemical delaying procedures on the survival of proximal pedicled venous island flaps: Am experimental study in rats

To increase the survival of proximally pedicled venous island flaps, which are known to be safe only when small, we used surgical and chemical delaying procedures both individually and in combination for 7, 14, and 21 days. Survival was 1% in those flaps designated as controls, in which there was neither surgical nor chemical delay. However, it was 3%, 31%, and 68% at 7, 14, and 21 days, respectively, when surgical delay was used and 16%, 56%, and 86%, at 7, 14, and 21 days, respectively, when chemical delay was used. Survival was 32%, 84%, and 87%, at 7, 14, and 21 days when both chemical and surgical delays were used. We conclude that chemical delay is more effective than surgical delay in increasing survival of proximally pedicled venous island flaps, but the use of combined chemical and surgical delay may reduce the time required for delay.
Why Attend Tradeshows? A Comparison of Exhibitor and Attendee’s Preferences

Tradeshows and conventions continue to thrive in the twenty-first century, both for information exchanges and direct selling, but numerous forces have meant changes in show operation and in participants’ selection criteria for attendance. A study of more than 2,500 tradeshow exhibitors and attendees document a clear bifurcation in the reasons for attendance in these two groups. Exhibitors are primarily focused on business and contact development, whereas participants seek a unique experience and are motivated heavily by educational goals. Successful tradeshows will need to satisfy both of these complementary sets of goals. The effects of social media and mobile technology on tradeshows are noticeable but still in flux, as many shows increasingly use virtual methods for information exchange and contact development. Environmental sustainability has become important to both exhibitors and attendees, and budgetary constraints continue to be an issue. Not only are there differences in relative preferences of exhibitors and attendees, but subgroups within each category also show different tradeshow criteria, based on age, frequency of tradeshow visits, career stage, and their technology readiness.
Effectiveness of patient safety training in equipping medical students to recognise safety hazards and propose robust interventions

Objectives In an effort to improve patient safety attitudes and skills among third-year medical students, two patient safety training sessions were added to their curriculum, complementing a previously implemented second-year curriculum on quality improvement, patient safety and teamwork. Methods Safety attitudes and skills were assessed before and after students completed the medicine clerkship training and were compared with historical controls. Students identified and reported on observed safety events, with their reports matched to event type and harm score with contemporaneous safety reports from University of Missouri's Patient Safety Network (PSN). Comparisons were assessed by five internal safety experts using criteria for report submission “worthiness”, blame tone, target of blame and presence/strength of proposed solutions. Results Students completing the third-year safety booster conferences expressed statistically higher comfort levels with identifying the cause of an error than did the student control group (p<0.05). Medical students proposed safety interventions that were more robust than those suggested by event reporters regarding similar events within our health system (p<0.0001). The worthiness and blame tone of medical student reports were not statistically different than event reports in PSN. Conclusions Completion of two 1-h patient safety booster conferences in the third year of medical school led to increased student comfort in safety event analysis. Students documented stronger resolution robustness scores, suggesting similar training should be offered to PSN reporters. Medical students represent an underutilised resource for identifying and proposing solutions for patient safety issues.