Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased regional cerebral perfusion by 99mTc hexamethyl propylene amine oxime single photon emission computed tomography in post-traumatic stress disorder.

OBJECTIVE Because of the treatment resistance and chronic affective lability of many post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients and the hypothesized association of these behaviors with temporal and limbic structures, a study was conducted to determine whether these patients would exhibit alterations in regional cerebral perfusion in the temporal and limbic regions compared with age-matched normal volunteers at rest. METHOD We studied 17 patients using 99mTc hexamethyl propylene amine oxime single photon emission computed tomography. Seven of the patients were on a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, five were on a tricyclic antidepressant, and five were on no medication at the time of the study. Patients were compared with eight age-matched normal controls. RESULTS All PTSD patients showed a relative increase in regional cerebral perfusion in the anterior and posterior cingulate regions bilaterally, the right temporal and parietal regions, the right caudate/putamen region, and the left orbital and hippocampal regions compared with the control group. When the group of PTSD patients who were free of medication were compared with the control group, increased regional cerebral perfusion was found in the right and left caudate/putamen regions and the right orbital and anterior cingulate cortex bilaterally. CONCLUSIONS PTSD is associated with increased regional blood flow in limbic areas and the right temporal and parietal cortex compared with age-matched normal volunteers.
Persistent expression of cytokine in the chronic stage of viral myocarditis in mice.

BACKGROUND Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the most frequent causes of heart failure of unknown origin. One possible cause of DCM is considered to be a sequel to myocarditis. However, the mechanism of progression from viral myocarditis to DCM is still not clear. METHODS AND RESULTS The expression of the immunoregulatory cytokines interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-2 and the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in the heart tissue was studied in a murine model of postmyocarditis DCM induced by encephalomyocarditis virus. IFN-gamma, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha mRNA increased 3 days after virus inoculation. IL-2 mRNA was detectable 7 days after inoculation. The peak expression of all cytokine genes examined was seen 7 days after inoculation. The expression of these cytokine genes decreased thereafter but persisted 80 days after inoculation. IL-1 beta gene expression in the chronic stage was relatively high compared with other cytokines and was correlated with the ratio of heart weight to body weight and the extent of fibrotic lesions. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that some of the mononuclear cells, endothelial cells, and interstitial macrophages were positive for IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha and fibroblasts were positive for IL-1 beta in the heart tissue of mice 80 days after inoculation. CONCLUSIONS Persistent expression of cytokines was seen in a murine model of postmyocarditis DCM. These cytokines may have important implications in the pathogenesis of DCM.
Comparison of Early Surgical Experience and Visual Outcomes of DSAEK and DMEK

Purpose: To compare the outcomes of 2 different endothelial keratoplasty (EK) techniques [Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK)] sequentially learned by a corneal fellow. Methods: This is a retrospective comparative audit of all patients undergoing EK by 1 surgeon (M.G.) during fellowship. Surgical and functional success of both procedures were compared. Surgical success was evaluated by comparing short-term complications, and functional success by comparing visual outcomes in patients with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (FED). Results: Twenty-six patients were included in the review (DSAEK 12 and DMEK 14). Phacoemulsification was combined with EK in 14 patients (DSAEK 6 and DMEK 8). The average follow-up duration was 3.5 months. Partial detachment requiring rebubbling was slightly more common in the DMEK group (DSAEK 1 and DMEK 5); total detachment requiring repositioning was less in the DMEK group (DSAEK 2 and DMEK 1). Only 1 patient experienced primary graft failure due to complicated graft insertion, and this patient underwent DMEK. Functional analysis included 14 patients with FED (DSAEK 7 patients, preoperative 6/18, postoperative 6/12; DMEK 7 patients, preoperative 6/12, postoperative 6/6). Average visual improvement was greater in the DMEK group (3.3 lines) than in the DSAEK group (1.3 lines; P = 0.047). In DMEK patients, the average postoperative endothelial cell count was 1612 cells per square centimeter. Conclusions: Contrary to common expectation, there were similar rates of surgical success while learning DMEK and DSAEK. Visual improvement in patients with FED undergoing DMEK was significantly better at this early point of comparison.
Theoretical rationale for the use of sequential single-drug antiretroviral therapy for treatment of HIV infection

Background: Subpopulations of HIV with mutations associated with resistance to antiretroviral drugs often have reduced replicative capacity, so virus with resistance mutations for all existing and new antiretroviral drugs is likely to be appreciably impaired. Issues of toxicity, quality of life and economics mean that the simultaneous use of all these drugs in combination is unrealistic. We aimed to explore the use of sequential monotherapy regimens using a mathematical model of quasi-species dynamics, to see if these could take advantage of the poor replicative capacity of highly resistant virus. Methods: We assume for each of seven drugs that a single mutation is associated with the ability to replicate (effective reproductive ratio, R > 1) in the presence of that drug as monotherapy. Parameters included were drug efficacy, the cost of resistance mutations and the number of new target cells arising daily. Results: The use of seven drugs in a daily/weekly sequential monotherapy cycle led to substantial viral suppression (in the presence of all resistant viral subpopulations) for a wider range of parameter values than a continuous five-drug regimen. Although on any one day/week there is a viral subpopulation with R > 1 (e.g. that with resistance only to the current drug), this subpopulation does not have time to grow sufficiently during the short period when that drug is being taken. Conclusion: These results provide a rationale for trials of sequential regimens, using as wide a number of drugs with different resistance-associated mutations as possible, as a potential ‘resistance-proof’ strategy for achieving significant viral load suppression.
Comparison of operator performance in a mineral processing plant

The operator of an industrial process plant has a major impact on the overall efficiency of the operation and the quality of the product. However, the differences between the operators and the underlying causes leading to the efficiency and quality are rarely known explicitly. In this study, data from key process variables of a mineral processing plant are grouped according to the operator on duty. The grouped data are analyzed using a rank-based statistical test (Kruskal-Wallis) and pairwise comparisons to determine differences between the operators. The results show statistically significant differences between groups in most of the process variables. Analysis of the results indicate differences in the operators' control strategies and skills, which can be utilized in further research of efficient operating principles.
Effect of intron mutations on processing and function of Saccharomyces cerevisiae SUP53 tRNA in vitro and in vivo

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae leucine-inserting amber suppressor tRNA gene SUP53 (a tRNALeu3 allele) was used to investigate the relationship between precursor tRNA structure and mature tRNA function. This gene encodes a pre-tRNA which contains a 32-base intron. The mature tRNASUP53 contains a 5-methylcytosine modification of the anticodon wobble base. Mutations were made in the SUP53 intron. These mutant genes were transcribed in an S. cerevisiae nuclear extract preparation. In this extract, primary tRNA gene transcripts are end-processed and base modified after addition of cofactors. The base modifications made in vitro were examined, and the mutant pre-tRNAs were analyzed for their ability to serve as substrates for partially purified S. cerevisiae tRNA endonuclease and ligase. Finally, the suppressor function of these mutant tRNA genes was assayed after their integration into the S. cerevisiae genome. Mutant analysis showed that the totally intact precursor tRNA, rather than any specific sequence or structure of the intron, was necessary for efficient nonsense suppression by tRNASUP53. Less efficient suppressor activity correlated with the absence of the 5-methylcytosine modification. Most of the intron-altered precursor tRNAs were successfully spliced in vitro, indicating that modifications are not critical for recognition by the tRNA endonuclease and ligase.
How Prevalent is Downward Rigidity in Nominal Wages? Evidence from Payroll Records in Washington State

For more than 80 years, many macroeconomic analyses have been premised on the assumption that workers’ nominal wage rates cannot be cut. The U.S. evidence on this assumption has been inconclusive because of distortions from reporting error in household surveys. Following a British literature, we reconsider the issue with more accurate wage data from the payroll records of most employers in the State of Washington over the period 2005-2015. For every one of the 40 four-quarters-apart periods for which we observe year-to-year wage changes, we find that at least 20 percent of job stayers experience nominal wage reductions.
Gemcitabine/dexamethasone/cisplatin vs cytarabine/dexamethasone/cisplatin for relapsed or refractory aggressive-histology lymphoma: cost-utility analysis of NCIC CTG LY.12.

BACKGROUND The NCIC CTG LY.12 study showed that gemcitabine, dexamethasone, and cisplatin (GDP) were noninferior to dexamethasone, cytarabine, and cisplatin (DHAP) in patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive histology lymphoma prior to autologous stem cell transplantation. We conducted an economic evaluation from the perspective of the Canadian public healthcare system based on trial data. METHODS The primary outcome was an incremental cost utility analysis comparing costs and benefits associated with GDP vs DHAP. Resource utilization data were collected from 519 Canadian patients in the trial. Costs were presented in 2012 Canadian dollars and disaggregated to highlight the major cost drivers of care. Benefit was measured as quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) based on utilities translated from prospectively collected quality-of-life data. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS The mean overall costs of treatment per patient in the GDP and DHAP arms were $19 961 (95% confidence interval (CI) = $17 286 to $24 565) and $34 425 (95% CI = $31 901 to $39 520), respectively, with an incremental difference in direct medical costs of $14 464 per patient in favor of GDP (P < .001). The predominant cost driver for both treatment arms was related to hospitalizations. The mean discounted quality-adjusted overall survival with GDP was 0.161 QALYs and 0.152 QALYs for DHAP (difference = 0.01 QALYs, P = .146). In probabilistic sensitivity analysis, GDP was associated with both cost savings and improved quality-adjusted outcomes compared with DHAP in 92.6% of cost-pair simulations. CONCLUSIONS GDP was associated with both lower costs and similar quality-adjusted outcomes compared with DHAP in patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma. Considering both costs and outcomes, GDP was the dominant therapy.
Mortality Caused by Bath Exposure of Zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) 1 Larvae to Nervous Necrosis Virus is Limited to the fourth Day Post-2 Fertilization . 3 Running title : Susceptibility of Zebrafish larvae to NNV 4 5

25 Nervous necrosis virus (NNV) is a member of the Betanodavirus family that causes 26 fatal diseases in over 40 species of fish worldwide. Mortality among NNV-infected 27 fish larvae is almost 100%. In order to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the 28 susceptibility of fish larvae to NNV, we exposed zebrafish larvae to NNV by bath29 immersion at 2, 4, 6 and 8 days post-fertilization (dpf). Here, we demonstrate that 30 developing zebrafish embryos are resistant to NNV at 2 dpf due to protection afforded 31 by the egg chorion and, to a lesser extent, by the perivitellin fluid. The zebrafish larvae 32 succumbed to NNV infection during a narrow time “window” around the 4 th dpf, while 33 6and 8-day-old larvae were much less sensitive, with mortalities of 24% and 28%, 34
Bone mass and biochemical markers of bone turnover in children and adolescents with chronic immune thrombocytopenia: Relation to corticosteroid therapy and vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms

Optional drug therapy in refractory chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) includes standard oral, pulsed high-dose steroid therapy, intravenous gamma globulin, anti-D, and immunosuppressive therapy or thrombopoietin receptor agonists. This work aimed to study the bone mass in children and adolescents with chronic ITP in relation to biochemical markers of bone turnover, cumulative steroid therapy, and the possible modulating effect of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms. Thirty-six children and adolescents with chronic ITP were recruited from the Hematology Clinic, Children's Hospital, Ain Shams University and the Hematology Clinic of the National Research Centre in Egypt and compared with 43 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. The total cumulative dose of steroids was calculated. Bone markers (serum osteocalcin (OC) and propeptide I precollagen (PICP) and urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) excretion), analysis of VDR gene distribution, and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at lumbar and hip regions were performed for patients and controls. Compared to controls, chronic ITP patients had higher body mass index (BMI) and lower height for age standard deviation score (SDS). Chronic ITP patients had lower levels of OC and C-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP) and higher urinary DPD excretion, and bone mineral density (BMD) was significantly lower for both spine and hip z-score (<0.001). BMD was inversely correlated with urinary DPD excretion, age, BMI, and cumulative steroid dose. There was significant negative correlation between cumulative oral steroid dose and BMD (r = −0.4, P = 0.01 and r = −0.45, p = 0.001 for spine and hip z-scores, respectively), but the correlation was non-significant in relation to cumulative pulsed steroid therapy. FokI polymorphism was significantly related to BMD for both spine and hip z-score (p = 0.015 and p = 0.008, respectively), but there was no relation between BMD and Bsm1 polymorphism. FokI gene polymorphism may be one of the contributing factors in bone loss in patients on chronic steroid therapy. High cumulative doses of corticosteroids increased bone resorption in young chronic ITP patients. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the effect of different steroid protocols on bone turnover. Protocols of therapy of chronic ITP should restrict corticosteroid use in growing children and favor alternative less harmful therapies.
Blockade of nuclear factor-kappaB signaling inhibits angiogenesis and tumorigenicity of human ovarian cancer cells by suppressing expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin 8.

We determined whether blockade of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB/relA activity in human ovarian cancer cells can suppress angiogenesis and growth in an orthotopic nude mouse model. The human ovarian cancer cells SKOV3ip.1 and HEY-A8 were transfected with a mutated IkappaBalpha (IkappaBalphaM), ie. , resistant to phosphorylation and degradation, and hence blocks NF-kappaB activity. NF-kappaB signaling blockade significantly inhibited in vitro and in vivo expression of two major proangiogenic molecules, vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin 8, in cultured cells and in cells implanted into the peritoneal cavity of nude mice. The decreased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin 8 directly correlated with decreased tumorigenicity, decreased vascularization of lesions, decreased formation of malignant ascites, and prolonged survival of mice. These findings suggest that inhibition of NF-kappaB/relA activity in ovarian cancer cells can suppress angiogenesis and progressive growth.
Totally intracorporeal robot‐assisted radical cystectomy: optimizing total outcomes

We performed a systematic literature review to assess the current status of a totally intracorporeal robot‐assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) approach. The current ‘gold standard’ for radical cystectomy remains open radical cystectomy. RARC has lagged behind robot‐assisted prostatectomy in terms of adoption and perceived patient benefit, but there are indications that this is now changing. There have been several recently published large series of RARC, both with extracorporeal and with intracorporeal urinary diversions. The present review focuses on the totally intracorporeal approach. Radical cystectomy is complex surgery with several important outcome measures, including oncological and functional outcomes, complication rates, patient recovery and cost implications. We aim to answer the question of whether there are advantages to a totally intracorporeal robotic approach or whether we are simply making an already complex procedure more challenging with an associated increase in complication rates. We review the current status of both oncological and functional outcomes of totally intracorporeal RARC compared with standard RARC with extraperitoneal urinary diversion and with open radical cystectomy, and assess the associated short‐ and long‐term complication rates. We also review aspects in training and research that have affected the uptake of RARC. Additionally we evaluate how current technology is contributing to the future development of this surgical technique.
Concurrent sexual partnerships and HIV prevalence in five urban communities of sub-Saharan Africa

ObjectiveTo estimate parameters of concurrent sexual partnerships in five urban populations in sub-Saharan Africa and to assess their association with levels of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). MethodsData were obtained from a multicentre study of factors which determine the differences in rate of spread of HIV in five African cities. Consenting participants were interviewed on sexual behaviour and at four of the five sites also provided a blood and a urine sample for testing for HIV and other STI. Data on sexual behaviour included the number of partnerships in the 12 months preceding the interview as well as the dates of the start and end of each partnership. Summary indices of concurrent sexual partnerships – some of which were taken from the literature, while others were newly developed – were computed for each city and compared to HIV and STI prevalence rates. ResultsA total of 1819 adults aged 15–49 years were interviewed in Dakar (Senegal), 2116 in Cotonou (Benin), 2089 in Yaoundé (Cameroon), 1889 in Kisumu (Kenya) and 1730 in Ndola (Zambia). Prevalence rates of HIV infection were 3.4% for Cotonou, 5.9% for Yaoundé, 25.9% for Kisumu and 28.4% for Ndola, and around 1% for Dakar. The estimated fraction of sexual partnerships that were concurrent at the time of interview (index k) was relatively high in Yaoundé (0.98), intermediate in Kisumu (0.44) and Cotonou (0.33) and low in Ndola (0.26) and in Dakar (0.18). An individual indicator of concurrency (iic) was developed which depends neither on the number of partners nor on the length of the partnerships and estimates the individual propensity to keep (positive values) or to dissolve (negative values) on-going partnership before engaging in another one. This measure iic did not discriminate between cities with high HIV infection levels and cities with low HIV infection levels. In addition, iic did not differ significantly between HIV-infected and uninfected people in the four cities where data on HIV status were collected. ConclusionWe could not find evidence that concurrent sexual partnerships were a major determinant of the rate of spread of HIV in five cities in sub-Saharan Africa. HIV epidemics are the result of many factors, behavioural as well as biological, of which concurrent sexual partnerships are only one.
The Evolution of Wage Formation and Inequality in Jordan, 2010–2016

This chapter investigates wage formation and inequality in Jordan. It takes stock of the main distributional features of the Jordanian wage structure focusing on population subgroups by gender, sector, occupational skill-level, industry, geographic location, and level of education as well as low-wage earners. It explores mobility within the distribution and to provide some explanation for the evolution of inequality, it estimates the returns to education, as well as sector-based and gender-based wage differentials. The results show a rise in real wages and a decline in inequality. Wages across different subgroups display compression from both ends of the distribution, with fewer Jordanians falling below the low-wage earnings line, and wages for the highest-paid groups declining. Rises in median wages hold across the population, even among more disadvantaged groups, for example the illiterate. Declining incremental returns to education and narrowing sector-based and gender-based wage differentials are consistent with the overall decline in wage inequality.
Synergistic behavioral interaction between ethanol and clonidine in rats: role of alpha-2 adrenoceptors.

Activation of central alpha-2 adrenoceptor leads to a sleep-like state. The present study investigated the effect of ethanol on the loss of the righting reflex (LORR) and hypotension evoked by clonidine in Sprague-Dawley rats. Clonidine at 30 micrograms/kg had no effect on righting reflex, but a higher dose (60 micrograms/kg) elicited variable LORR that averaged 6.5 +/- 4.1 min. Similarly, 0.5 g/kg of ethanol elicited little effect (0.17 +/- 0.17 min), but a higher dose (1 g/kg) produced 2.5 +/- 1.1 min of LORR. Ethanol (0.5 g/kg), combined with the lower dose of clonidine, still had little effect on LORR, but when combined with the higher dose of clonidine the LORR (34.8 +/- 6.5 min) became significantly (P < .01) greater than the sum of the individual effects. Similarly, rats that received a combination of the higher dose (1 g/kg) of ethanol and lower dose (30 micrograms/kg) of clonidine exhibited significantly (P < .01) greater LORR (18.6 +/- 2.5 min) than the sum of individual effects. These findings suggest a synergistic interaction that is dose-related. The alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (1 mg/kg), or a mixed antagonist of imidazoline and alpha-2 adrenoceptors, idazoxan (60 micrograms/kg), counteracted the synergistic interaction between ethanol and clonidine on LORR; yohimbine was more effective than idazoxan, but the difference was not significant. Ethanol counteracted the hypotensive effect of clonidine and significantly (P < .05) increased blood pressure to levels higher than preclonidine and corresponding control values. Therefore, the synergistic interaction on LORR cannot be accounted for by an enhanced hypotensive response to clonidine. Furthermore, idazoxan counteracted the hypotensive response to clonidine more effectively than did yohimbine. Taken together, the findings suggest: 1) ethanol differentially influences the sedative (synergistic interaction) and hypotensive (antagonistic interaction) effects of clonidine; 2) the synergistic behavioral interaction is dose-related and involves, at least in part, central alpha-2 adrenoceptors; and 3) the hypotensive effect of clonidine is primarily mediated via imidazoline receptors.