Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuropsychiatric Toxicity of Antiviral Treatment in Chronic Hepatitis C

Dose-dependent, reversible neuropsychiatric toxicity is reported in up to 30–40% of chronic hepatitis C patients treated with 6–12 months of interferon-α or interferon-α plus ribavirin combination therapy. Although risk factors remain poorly defined, neuropsychiatric side effects may be severe and dose-limiting in as many as 10–20% of treated patients. Diagnosis relies upon the detection of clinically apparent neuropsychiatric symptoms and the emerging use of self-administered mood inventories and questionnaires. The current stepwise approach to management includes evaluation and treatment of systemic side effects, early use of adjuvant medications, and interferon-α and ribavirin dose reduction or cessation with psychiatric referral in selected cases. Although the cellular basis of the neuropsychiatric toxicity of interferon-α remains unknown, several hypothesis involving changes in central adrenergic, seratonergic, opioid and neuroendocrine pathways have been proposed. Recognition and management of the neuropsychiatric side effects of antiviral therapy will be of growing clinical importance as additional patients with chronic hepatitis C are treated and longer durations of therapy are utilized.
Positive output multiple-lift push-pull switched-capacitor Luo-converters

Micro-power-consumption technique requires high-power-density dc/dc converters and power supply source. Voltage lift technique is a popular method to apply in electronic circuit design. Since a switched capacitor can be integrated into a power IC chip, its size is small. Combining switched-capacitor and voltage lift technique can construct dc/dc converters with small size, high power density, high-voltage transfer gain, high power efficiency, and low electromagnetic interference. This paper introduces a new series of dc/dc converters-positive output multiple-lift push-pull switched-capacitor dc/dc Luo-converters.
Assessing Tear Film on Soft Contact Lenses With Lateral Shearing Interferometry

Objectives: Evaluating precorneal tear film is one of important clinical measurements for assessing health of anterior eye. Contact lens wear is known to influence the quality of tear film. The aim was to evaluate the applicability of lateral shearing interferometry technique in the noninvasive assessment of the effects of contact lens replacement modality and its water content on tear film stability. Methods: Sixteen regular soft contact lens wearers took place in the study. Lateral shearing interferometry measurements, in suppressed blinking conditions, were taken in the mornings and afternoons, after a minimum of 5 hours of lens wear for the daily lenses, and after 2 weeks and 1 month for the fortnightly and monthly lens replacement modalities, respectively. Results: Significant differences (paired bootstrap-based Behrens-Fisher test, P < 0.05) in the tear film surface quality were found between all considered pairs of replacement modalities except for the daily and fortnightly lenses measured in the afternoon of the first day of wear. Significant worsening (paired bootstrap-based Behrens-Fisher test, P < 0.001) of tear film quality was found for the low water content materials. Conclusions: Lateral shearing interferometry is a powerful method for the noninvasive assessment of tear film surface quality on soft contact lenses that may find, in future, its use in the clinical assessment of anterior eye's health.
Relationship between medication adherence and treatment outcomes: the COMBINE study.

BACKGROUND Within the alcoholism field, there is mounting evidence supporting an important relationship between medication adherence and drinking outcomes. Little is known however, about the complex relationships between medication and treatment variables and drinking outcomes. The present paper reports on the differential impact of medication adherence and treatment factors on drinking outcomes. Data derived from the COMBINE Study was used to investigate the interrelationships between medication adherence, combination treatments and drinking outcomes. METHODS Twelve hundred and twenty-six patients were randomized to 1 of 8 different combination treatments involving 2 medications--naltrexone and acamprosate and placebo, and 2 behavioral treatments--medical management (MM) and combined behavioral intervention (CBI). Two primary drinking outcomes were percent days abstinent (PDA) and time to first heavy drinking day. Medication adherence was defined as a proportion that reflects the number of pills taken by the maximum number of pills expected to be taken over the course of the trial. A generalized linear mixed model was used to estimate the effects of adherence on PDA while proportional hazards model was used to examine similar co-variate effects on time to first heavy drinking day. RESULTS Concerning time to first heavy drinking day, a significant three-way interaction was found between medication adherence, CBI and naltrexone (p = 0.0160). Within the MM only plus placebo group (no CBI), significant differences were found in "recovery" (i.e., no heavy drinking days) rates between adherers and nonadherers (40% vs. 10%, p < 0.0001). Such differences became nonsignificant (p = 0.12) when CBI was introduced into the relationship. CBI did not add any such advantage to naltrexone-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS CBI might serve a protective function for nonadherers in the placebo group; the median relapse time was reduced when these nonadherers were exposed to the alcohol specialty intervention. CBI offered little additional benefit to nonadherers in the naltrexone group. Among nonadherers in the naltrexone group, relapse rates appear to be more a function of inadequate exposure to the active medication and less influenced by CBI.
Functional imaging of the cerebral olfactory system in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Background: Olfactory dysfunction is a frequent non-motor symptom in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and is considered to be an early manifestation of the disease. Objective: To establish the cortical basis of olfactory function in patients with PD. Method: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to investigate brain activity related to olfactory processing in patients with hyposmic PD at mild to moderate stages of the disease (n = 12, median Hoehn and Yahr stage 2.0) and in healthy, age-matched controls (n = 16) while passively perceiving a positively valenced (rose-like) odorant. Results: In both patients with PD and healthy controls, olfactory stimulation activated brain regions relevant for olfactory processing (ie the amygdaloid complex, lateral orbitofrontal cortex, striatum, thalamus, midbrain and the hippocampal formation). In controls, a bilateral activation of the amygdala and hippocampus was observed, whereas patients with PD involved these structures in the left hemisphere only. Group comparison showed that regions of higher activation in patients with PD were located bilaterally in the inferior frontal gyrus (BA 44/45) and anterior cingulate gyrus (BA 24/32), and the left dorsal and right ventral striatum. Conclusions: In patients with PD, results obtained under the specific conditions used suggest that neuronal activity in the amygdala and hippocampus is reduced. Assuming an impact on olfactory-related regions early in PD, our findings support the idea that selective impairment of these brain regions contributes to olfactory dysfunction. Furthermore, neuronal activity in components of the dopaminergic, cortico-striatal loops appears to be upregulated, indicating that compensatory processes are involved. This mechanism has not yet been demonstrated during olfactory processing in PD.
Why and how antipsychotic drugs are used in 40 Sydney nursing homes

For decades there has been a high use of antipsychotic medication in nursing homes, though recently the use of typical antipsychotics has reduced while use of atypical antipsychotic medication has increased. The Australian government subsidises use of the latter in management of schizophrenia, and since April 2005 has subsidised use of risperidone (but still not the other atypicals) in cases of dementia with behavioural disturbance. This study was designed to examine the pattern of, and reasons for, antipsychotic use in a range of Sydney nursing homes.
A phenomenological model for the flow resistance over submerged vegetation

The bulk velocity Ub in streams is conventionally estimated from Manning's equation, but difficulties remain in parameterizing the roughness coefficient n when the streambed is covered with vegetation. A two‐layer velocity model is proposed to determine n and Ub for the submerged vegetation case. The modeled n is derived as a function of flow and vegetation properties that can be inferred from remote sensing platforms, such as canopy height, leaf area density, and flow depth. The main novelty in the proposed formulation is that the shear stress is related to the mean velocity profile by considering both ejective and sweeping motions by dominant eddies. The proposed model is tested against a large data set from the literature and is shown to perform well, particularly for rigid vegetation. Poorer model performance for flexible vegetation can be partially attributed to the shape of the assumed mean velocity profile. The roughness coefficient n is found to be robust to variations in the average spacing between canopy elements, allowing the model to be applied to heterogeneous canopies.
HEAT-SHOCK PROTEIN 72 IN HUMAN OSTEOSARCOMA: T-Lymphocyte Reactivity and Cytotoxicity

Heat-shock proteins (hsp) have been shown to be involved in tumor immunity. The expression of hsp72, the inducible form of the 70-kDa family, is increased in human osteosarcoma and correlates with a good response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. It is selectively expressed on the surface of osteosarcoma cell lines where it acts as a target molecule for natural killer cells. Because hsps are strongly immunogenic, this study investigates the role of hsps as antigens in human osteosarcoma. Osteosarcoma cells and infiltrating T lymphocytes were isolated from osteosarcoma specimens from 3 patients with high-grade osteosarcoma. Two of the tumors immunohistochemically expressed hsp72, whereas one did not. T-cell lines isolated from both hsp72-positive osteosarcomas had a significantly proliferative response upon stimulation with recombinant human hsp72, whereas the T lymphocytes from the hsp72-negative osteosarcoma did not recognize hsp72. The lines had a significantly proliferative response upon stimulation with autologous osteosarcoma cells and exerted cytotoxicity. Cytotoxicity and proliferation could be increased by heat treatment of the target cell in the hsp72 responsive lines. These results demonstrate that hsp72 is involved in the interaction of T lymphocytes and osteosarcoma cells in a specific group of osteosarcomas expressing hsp72. Because of the cytotoxic potential of these T lymphocytes, induction of hsp72 in osteosarcomas might lead to an increased immune response and rejection of the osteosarcoma.
Extensive periacetabular osteolysis presenting as a mass on rectal examination. A case report.

Osteolysis following total hip arthroplasty may be a cause of aseptic loosening of a component and may be associated with periprosthetic bone resorption and granuloma formation. We present the case of an eighty-two-year-old man with a total hip prosthesis in whom a rectal mass was detected during a routine annual physical examination by his primary care physician. Subsequent evaluation demonstrated a large cystic intrapelvic mass consistent with osteolysis resulting from polyethylene wear debris. An elderly man with degenerative arthritis of the hip underwent a left primary total hip arthroplasty in 1987. The patient received a fully porous-coated AML ingrowth femoral stem (DePuy, Warsaw, Indiana) and an Andersen uncemented acetabular component (Joint Medical Products, Stamford, Connecticut). He had excellent postoperative pain relief and was extremely satisfied with the result of the arthroplasty. Since he was asymptomatic, he declined subsequent routine follow-up examination for several years. In 1992, he began experiencing vague pain in the left thigh, which slowly progressed over the ensuing year. By 1993, he was having constant pain with weight-bearing and at the extremes of motion. Radiographs showed progressive osteolysis in the superolateral aspect of the acetabulum. The cup had migrated to a more vertical orientation, and the peripheral screws had broken ( Fig. 1 ). Fig. 1: Radiograph made before the first revision, of the loosened threaded acetabular component. Note the broken screws …
Kinetics of the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube test during treatment of patients with sputum smear-positive tuberculosis in relation to initial TST result and severity of disease

Abstract The QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube test (QFN) measures interferon-gamma production in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens. Our aim was to assess the kinetics of the QFN and initial tuberculin skin test (TST) result in relation to severity of disease in a tuberculosis (TB) endemic area. Smear-positive TB patients (n = 71) were recruited at Gondar University Hospital, Ethiopia. The TST, QFN, CD4+ cell count and clinical symptoms (TB score) were assessed and followed up during treatment. From baseline to 7 months after treatment, there was a significant decrease in QFN reactivity (93.8% to 62.5% in HIV-negative/TB; 70.3% to 33.3% in HIV-positive/TB patients) down to a level comparable to a control group of blood donors (51.2%). The agreement between TST and QFN was poor in TB patients compared to healthy controls. A negative TST correlated to more advanced TB in contrast to a negative QFN test. We conclude that the QFN reactivity is significantly reduced at the end of treatment against active TB to the background level of healthy blood donors, and that the agreement between TST and QFN is poor including correlation to the severity of disease.
Position Sense of the Hemiparetic and Non-Hemiparetic Ankle after Stroke: Is the Non-Hemiparetic Ankle also Affected?

Background and Purpose: Researchers have shown an increased interest in proprioception deficits of the paretic side in hemiplegic patients. However, far too little attention has been paid to the proprioception sense of the non-hemiparetic side. The objective of this research was to determine whether the position sense of the ankles, especially of the non-paretic side, is affected in stroke patients. Methods: 20 inpatients with stroke and 10 healthy control subjects were evaluated using an isokinetic dynamometer. Proprioceptive error scores (in degrees) for passive reproduction of joint position tests (PRJPTs) were measured. Results: Error values of PRJPT for 5° plantarflexion, 10° plantarflexion, and 15° dorsiflexion were significantly higher in patients on both the paretic and non-paretic side compared with the control group dominant side. Conclusion: The impaired results of PRJPT in both the paretic and non-paretic ankles of stroke patients are surprising when one expects that the non-paretic side would be preserved under the control of the healthy hemisphere.
[Evaluating multislice computed tomography for imaging coronary atherosclerosis].

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was the evaluation of multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) for the assessment of atherosclerotic coronary artery vessel wall changes. METHODS In an ex vivo study, 17 human hearts were scanned with MDCT and results were compared to histopathology. Morphologic imaging criteria of MDCT for various plaque-types were developed. In a following in vivo study, 94 coronary MDCT angiograms (MDCTA) of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) were reviewed retrospectively, assessing the diagnostic value of the coronary MDCTA, and determining the number and correlations of the various plaques types as described in the ex vivo study. Additionally, volumetry of calcified and noncalcified plaque components was performed. RESULTS In the ex vivo study, MDCT showed a high sensitivity for calcified and non-calcified plaques. Comparing the results with histopathology, characteristic image criteria could be determined for lipid-rich, fibrous and calcified plaque components. Reviewing the contrastenhanced in-vivo MDCT coronary angiographies, presence of noncalcified plaques was proven in 38% of the patients. In 5 patients with a calcium score of 0, presence of coronary atherosclerosis was proven in the contrastenhanced scan. CONCLUSIONS MDCT is able to differentiate various plaque components in an ex vivo setting as well as invivo. Contrastenhanced MDCT of the coronary arteries allows for the detection of noncalcified plaques. In vivo volumetry of noncalcified plaques is feasible.
Connexin43 Mimetic Peptide Improves Retinal Function and Reduces Inflammation in a Light-Damaged Albino Rat Model.

PURPOSE Drugs that regulate connexin43 (Cx43) gap junction channels can reduce the spread of injury and improve functional outcomes after nervous system trauma. In the eye, Cx43 expression increases in the choroid following light damage. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Cx43 hemichannel block could preserve retinal function postinjury. METHODS Light damage was induced by exposure of adult albino Sprague-Dawley rats to 2700 Lux light for 24 hours. Intravitreal injections of a Cx43 mimetic peptide hemichannel blocker, Peptide5, or sham were administered 2 hours after the onset and at the end of the light damage period. Retinal function was assessed by electroretinogram and inflammatory responses in the choroid and retina were assessed using immunohistochemistry (ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 [Iba-1], leukocyte common antigen [CD45], glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]). RESULTS Light-damaged rat eyes had (1) reduced neuronal responses in both the rod and cone pathways and (2) marked inflammatory responses in the choroid and retina. Peptide5 significantly preserved function of photoreceptoral and postphotoreceptoral neurons in these animals. This was evident 24 hours after injury and 2 weeks later, as shown by improved mixed a-wave and mixed b-wave amplitudes, isolated rod PII and PIII amplitudes, and cone PII responses when compared with sham-treated controls. Retinal thinning and inflammation were also significantly reduced in Peptide5-treated eyes when compared with sham-treated controls. CONCLUSIONS Blocking Cx43 hemichannels after light damage can significantly improve functional outcomes of neurons in both the rod and cone photo-transduction pathways in the light-damaged animal model, likely by reducing choroid inflammation and suppressing the glial-mediated inflammatory response. These data may have relevance for the treatment of conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
A Status on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review

Removed all headings and made it as one paragraph as suggested by reviewer. Impaired glucose tolerance is the most common complication during pregnancy. The prevalence of gestational has increased all over the world recently and especially in Saudi Arabia. The gestational diabetes causes many problems to both mother and the fetus. The objective of this systematic review is to assess the GDM prevalence rate, its risk factors and its outcome in Saudi Arabia. One electronic data base called PubMed was searched by using appropriate key words and filters were applied in all possible ways to find the relevant literature. The language was limited only to English. The database identified 113 records out of which only 29 were relevant and unable to find full text in 6 articles. Only 9 articles were included in the systematic review. The prevalence of gestational diabetes ranges from 10.5% to as high as 51% and risk factors for gestational diabetes were increased maternal age, higher body weight & BMI, Previous history of GDM and Macrosomia. Most studies reported GDM increased the risk of cesarean section in mothers and hypoglycemia, higher birth weight, hyperbilirubinaemia and NICU admissions in fetus. The gestational diabetes remains a major public health problem in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and it highlights the need for further research. Considering the burden of GDM early screening of pregnant women is highly recommend to reduce the maternal and neonatal complications.
Refugees are not a burden but an opportunity

When nearly a million Vietnamese “boat people” fled their country in the late 1970s and early 1980s and sought refuge elsewhere, they were typically seen as a burden and often turned away. Eventually, many were allowed to settle in the US. Most arrived speaking little or no English and with few assets or relevant job skills. Yet Vietnamese refugees are now more likely to be employed and have higher incomes than people born in the US.
Essays in Banking Regulation

The banking theory and in particular the theories of banking regulation have focused on the riskiness of banks' portfolio. The risk-taking behavior of banks and different situations of moral hazard problem have been the main concentration. This thesis is a collection of three essays which apply a different perspective to questions in the literature of banking regulation. Chapters two and three analyze the risk-taking behavior of a bank which can choose between two regimes of operation. Chapter four adds the regulator into the setup and surveys the banking theories for regulating not only an individual bank but also systemic risk-taking among banks. In the first two chapters, two portfolios different in their expected return and the risk level are available to the bank. When the bank changes the portfolio it is called regime switching. Both chapters study the bank's risk-return preferences in the absence of outsider intervention. While in chapter two the relationship between the cash-flow and the regime choice is investigated in a continuous time setup, in chapter three the analysis is carried out a discrete time setup. The regime choice is examined with respect to the capital level in static and also dynamic setups. Moreover, chapter three questions the standard theory of “gambling for resurrection". Chapter four covers regulatory policies to control a bank's risk of failure and collects macro-prudential regulatory proposals for different risk-taking issues in a banking system.