Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Variants Associated With Uncontrolled Blood Pressure on Thiazide Diuretic/β‐Blocker Combination Therapy in the PEAR (Pharmacogenomic Evaluation of Antihypertensive Responses) and INVEST (International Verapamil‐SR Trandolapril Study) Trials

Background The majority of hypertensive individuals require combination antihypertensive therapy to achieve adequate blood pressure (BP) control. This study aimed to identify genetic variants associated with uncontrolled BP on combination therapy with a thiazide diuretic and a β‐blocker. Methods and Results A genome‐wide association study of uncontrolled BP on combination therapy was conducted among 314 white participants of the PEAR (Pharmacogenomic Evaluation of Antihypertensive Responses) trial. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used. Genetic variants meeting a suggestive level of significance (P<1.0E‐05) were tested for replication in an external cohort, INVEST (International Verapamil‐SR Trandolapril study). We also examined genome‐wide variant associations with systolic and diastolic BP response on combination therapy and tested for replication. We discovered a single nucleotide polymorphism, the rs261316 major allele, at chromosome 15 in the gene ALDH1A2 associated with an increased odds of having uncontrolled BP on combination therapy (odds ratio: 2.56, 95% confidence interval, 1.69–3.88, P=8.64E‐06). This single nucleotide polymorphism replicated (odds ratio: 1.86, 95% confidence interval, 1.35–2.57, P=0.001) and approached genome‐wide significance in the meta‐analysis between discovery and replication cohorts (odds ratio: 2.16, 95% confidence interval, 1.63–2.86, P=8.60E‐08). Other genes in the region surrounding rs261316 (ALDH1A2) include AQP9 and LIPC. Conclusions A single nucleotide polymorphism in the gene ALDH1A2 may be associated with uncontrolled BP following treatment with a thiazide diuretic/β‐blocker combination. Clinical Trial Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT00246519.
High thoracic epidural analgesia reduces the risk of long-term depression in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND High thoracic epidural analgesia (HTEA) has been shown to reduce psychological morbidity in the early period following coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Our aim was to identify whether the effect persists in the longer term. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients from a previous randomised study of HTEA for CABG were followed up 6 months to 3 years following surgery. The cardiac depression scale (CDS) was used to identify severity of depression. RESULTS Sixty-one of the original 78 patients were able to participate in the study. Eight point three percent of patients had CDS scores >100, consistent with severe depression (1 epidural patient, 4 control patients, P=0.353). After adjustment for time of follow-up, the CDS scores in patients who received HTEA were significantly lower (66+/-3.5) than patients who received intravenous morphine analgesia (79+/-3.5) P<0.05 CONCLUSION The use of HTEA results in a lower risk of depression 6 months or more following CABG.
Enhanced Q double resonant active sensor for humidity and moisture effect elimination

In this paper, high-resolution ultra-high Q double resonant sensor is developed to eliminate humidity and moisture effect in microwave chemical sensing in uncontrolled environment. Double uncoupled split-ring resonators with close resonant frequencies are assisted with active circuitry to increase their quality factor from 51 and 54 up to 150k and 210k at 1.365 GHz and 1.6 GHz, respectively. The purpose of the second resonator is set to calibrate the erroneous effect of ambient humidity and sand moisture in measurement. Based on the proposed technique, root of mean-square-error of processed results of measuring water in humid air was significantly reduced from 169k down to 27k. Material detection with wet-sand surrounding was verified successfully and the materials impacts are completely distinguished from that of the wet sand.
One Car, Two Frames: Attacks on Hitag-2 Remote Keyless Entry Systems Revisited

Since 2006, many papers were devoted to the analysis of the security of the Hitag-2 algorithm in the context of vehicles access control. While this algorithm was proven to be cryptographically broken, it is still in use in the car industry. Recently, new vulnerabilities regarding Hitag-2 based Remote Keyless Entry systems have been exposed, leading to the design of an attack allowing to unlock a vehicle and requiring the capture of four to eight radio packets. However, in this study, it will be shown that specific implementations of Hitag-2 based RKE systems exist, which apply interesting countermeasures and thus are not vulnerable to the aforementioned attack. Furthermore, a detailed black box analysis of such system, from the physical layer up to the rolling code implementation will be proposed. Finally, a new cryptographic weakness will be exposed, which can be exploited to forge valid packets without retrieving the cryptographic key and to open the target vehicle, requiring the capture of only two radio packets.
Exploring the Ecology of Canada’s Publicly Funded Residential Long-Term Care Bed Supply*

RÉSUMÉ Malgré l'augmentation de la population des personnes âgées au Canada, et la variation de stratégies de soins de longue durée (SLD) que les provinces ont mis en place, peu de recherches ont porté sur la compréhension de la mesure dans laquelle l'approvisionnement de lits des SLD résidentiels financés par l'État varient parmi les provinces, ou les facteurs influençant cette variation. Notre étude a porté sur une analyse dans laquelle nous avons examiné l'association de trois caractéristiques juridictionnelles sélectionnés avec la fourniture des lits LTC: la démographie de l'âge de la population, les ressources économiques des provinces, et les investissements provinciaux dans les soins à domicile. On n'a pas trouvé de l'écologie interjuridictionelle importante ni d'interrelation entre la variation de l'approvisionne-ment de lits des SLD avec aucune des variables étudiées. La variation entre les provinces pour le disponibilité de lits n'a également pas influencé statistiquement du jour à l'autre le niveau de soins spécifiques pour l'attente des SLD, ce qui suggère que ces jours ne sont pas influencés simplement par des différences dans l'approvisionnement de lits des SLD, et que d'autres facteurs au niveau provincial étaient en jeu. ABSTRACT Despite Canada’s increasing population of seniors and the varying long-term care (LTC) strategies that provinces have implemented, little research has focused on understanding the extent to which publicly funded residential LTC bed supply varies across provinces, or the factors influencing this variation. Our study involved an analysis in which we examined the association of three select jurisdictional characteristics with LTC bed supply: population age demographics, provincial wealth, and provincial investments in home care. No significant cross-jurisdictional “ecology” or inter-relatedness was found between the variation in LTC bed supply and any of the examined variables. Interprovincial variation in bed supply also did not statistically influence alternate level of care days specific to LTC waits, suggesting that these days were not influenced simply by differences in LTC bed supply and that other provincial-level factors were in play.
Does the depth of gastric ulceration influence a modified dual therapy with amoxicillin and lansoprazole for Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric ulcer?

PURPOSE To clarify whether the depth of ulceration evaluated by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) influences a modified dual therapy with amoxicillin and lansoprazole for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori-positive patients with gastric ulcer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-two consecutive cases of gastric ulcer (nine superficial ulcers and 13 deep ulcers) in H pylori-positive patients were studied. Ten of 22 patients received a two-week eradication therapy with amoxicillin 1500 mg/day, lansoprazole 30 mg/day and a new antiulcer agent with features in common with sucralfate, ecabet sodium, 2.0 g/day. They continued to receive the same doses of lansoprazole and ecabet sodium for the next six weeks. The other 12 patients received the same therapy except for those who underwent the four-week amoxicillin treatment. All patients underwent EUS both at the start of the study and eight weeks later. They then received ecabet sodium alone for the next six months as a maintenance therapy, followed by a six-month interval with no treatment. The final endoscopy was done one year after H pylori eradication therapy was completed to evaluate H pylori status and ulcer recurrence. RESULTS The rates of endoscopic healing and H pylori eradication in the nine patients with superficial ulcer were 100%, irrespective of the period of amoxicillin treatment. In contrast, the rates of endoscopic evidence of healing and H pylori eradication in the 13 patients with deep ulcer were different for each period of amoxicillin treatment; that is, the rates of reduction in ulcer determined by echo and H pylori eradication in the four patients treated with the two-week amoxicillin course were significantly lower (P=0.03) than those in the nine patients treated with the four-week course. CONCLUSION Ulcer depth is likely to influence the success of amoxicillin treatment for H pylori-positive patients with gastric ulcer.
Analytical Thresholds and Sensitivity: Establishing RFU Thresholds for Forensic DNA Analysis ,

Determining appropriate analytical thresholds (ATs) for forensic DNA analysis is critical to maximize allele detection. In this study, six methods to determine ATs for forensic DNA purposes were examined and compared. Four of the methods rely on analysis of the baseline noise of a number of negatives, while two utilize the relationship between relative fluorescence unit signal and DNA input in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) derived from a dilution series ranging from 1 to 0.06 ng. Results showed that when a substantial mass of DNA (i.e., >1 ng) was amplified, the baseline noise increased, suggesting the application of an AT derived from negatives should only be applied to samples with low levels of DNA. Further, the number and intensity of these noise peaks increased with increasing injection times, indicating that to maximize the ability to detect alleles, ATs should be validated for each post‐PCR procedure employed.
Salvage chemotherapy with rituximab DHAP for relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A phase II trial in the North Central Cancer Treatment Group

The aim of this study was to learn the toxicity and efficacy of adding 4 doses of rituximab to a standard platinum-based salvage regimen for relapsed CD20+ B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Patients were treated with rituximab 375 mg/m2 days 1,8,15, 22 (cycle 1 only); cisplatin 100 mg/m2 over 24 h on day 3, cytosine arabinoside 2 g/m2 IV every 12 h × two doses on day 4, dexamethasone 40 mg PO/IV days 3–6, and G-CSF days 5–14. The ORR was 82% (47/57) with 33% (19/57) complete remissions and 49% (28/57) partial remissions. The duration of response (DR) for the 47 responders was 10.5 months (95% CI: 5.3–16.8). The median time to progression (TTP) was 10.3 months (95% CI: 5.3–14.0), the median event-free survival (EFS) was 5.3 months (95% CI: 3.9–11.0), and the median overall survival was 30.5 months (95% CI: 17.8–60.6). We conclude that rituximab can be safely added to standard DHAP.
Learning Discriminative Correlation Subspace for Heterogeneous Domain Adaptation

Domain adaptation aims to reduce the effort on collecting and annotating target data by leveraging knowledge from a different source domain. The domain adaptation problem will become extremely challenging when the feature spaces of the source and target domains are different, which is also known as the heterogeneous domain adaptation (HDA) problem. In this paper, we propose a novel HDA method to find the optimal discriminative correlation subspace for the source and target data. The discriminative correlation subspace is inherited from the canonical correlation subspace between the source and target data, and is further optimized to maximize the discriminative ability for the target domain classifier. We formulate a joint objective in order to simultaneously learn the discriminative correlation subspace and the target domain classifier. We then apply an alternating direction method of multiplier (ADMM) algorithm to address the resulting non-convex optimization problem. Comprehensive experiments on two realworld data sets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method compared to the state-of-the-art methods.
Extrinsic Muscle Activity, Foot Motion and Ankle Joint Moments During the Stance Phase of Walking

This study examined stance phase foot kinematics, kinetics and electromyographic (EMG) activity of extrinsic muscles of 18 healthy males. Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data were obtained via video analysis of surface markers and a force plate. Ankle joint moments are described about orthogonal axes in a segmental coordinate system. Kinematic data comprise rearfoot and forefoot motion, described about axes of a joint coordinate system, and medial longitudinal arch height. Surface EMG was obtained for tibialis anterior, soleus, gastocnemius medialis and lateralis, peroneus longus and peroneus brevis and extensor digitorum longus. It was concluded that the demands on the controlling muscles are greatest prior to foot flat and after heel rise. Tibialis anterior restrained rearfoot plantarflexion from heel contact to 10% stance, and eversion between 10% stance and footflat. Activity in peroneus longus was consistent with its role in causing eversion after heel contact, then as a stabiliser of the forefoot after heel rise. Activity in peroneus brevis suggested a role in restraining lateral rotation of the leg over the foot, late in stance.
Quantitative HPLC Analysis of Rosmarinic Acid in Extracts of Melissa officinalis and Spectrophotometric Measurement of Their Antioxidant Activities

The students prepare tea samples using different quantities of lemon balm leaves (Melissa officinalis) and measure the rosmarinic acid contents by an HPLC–DAD method. The antioxidant properties of the tea samples are evaluated by a spectrophotometric method using a radical-scavenging assay with DPPH· (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). Finally the students are asked to correlate the measured antioxidant properties of the different teas with their contents in rosmarinic acid.
Phylogenetic relationships of the genus Paramecium inferred from small subunit rRNA gene sequences.

The genus Paramecium includes species that are well known and very common in freshwater environments. Species of Paramecium are morphologically divided into two distinct groups: the "bursaria" subgroup (foot-shaped) and the "aurelia" subgroup (cigar-shaped). Their placement within the class Oligohymenophorea has been supported by the analysis of the small subunit rRNA gene sequence of P. tetraurelia. To confirm the stability of this placement and to resolve relationships within the genus, small subunit rRNA gene sequences of P. bursaria, P. calkinsi, P. duboscqui, P. jenningsi, P. nephridiatum, P. primaurelia, and P. polycaryum were determined and aligned. Trees constructed using distance-matrix, maximum-likelihood, and maximum-parsimony methods all depicted the genus as a monophyletic group, clustering with the other oligohymenophorean taxa. Within the Paramecium clade, P. bursaria branches basal to the other species, although the remaining species of the morphologically defined "bursaria" subgroup do not group with P. bursaria, nor do they form a monophyletic subgroup. However, the species of the "aurelia" subgroup are closely related and strongly supported as a monophyletic group.
Strand-Specific Postreplicative Processing of Mammalian Telomeres

Telomeres are specialized nucleoprotein structures that stabilize the ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes. In mammalian cells, abrogation of telomeric repeat binding factor TRF2 or DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) activity causes end-to-end chromosomal fusion, thus establishing an essential role for these proteins in telomere function. Here we show that TRF2-mediated end-capping occurs after telomere replication. The postreplicative requirement for TRF2 and DNA-PKcs, the catalytic subunit of DNA-PK, is confined to only half of the telomeres, namely, those that were produced by leading-strand DNA synthesis. These results demonstrate a crucial difference in postreplicative processing of telomeres that is linked to their mode of replication.
Sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic ultrasound in the diagnosis of phrenic neuropathy

Editors' Note: In response to the comments by Merino-Ramirez and Bolton, Boon et al. argue that with basic training, ultrasound of the diaphragm is not technically difficult and has good reliability. Dersch and Stich reviewed their data on serial CSF examination in patients with tuberculosis meningitis and did not detect a therapeutic paradox as described by Ramesh et al. Finally, we are usually sensitive to the needs of readers who may not be expert in certain areas, but we missed this one. Thanks to Dr. Gilbert for taking the time to write about this. Biomarkers of a …
Alterations in levels of CD28-/CD8+ suppressor cell precursor and CD45RO+/CD4+ memory T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of multiple sclerosis patients

A comprehensive peripheral blood immunophenotype analysis of 16 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients was performed by three-color flow cytometric analysis, and the results were compared with those for age-matched healthy controls. The cell subsets quantified included T cells (CD3+), B cells (CD19+), NK cells (CD56+), CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, cytotoxic (CD28+) and suppressor precursor (CD28-) CD8+ T cells, CD45RA+ and CD45RO+ T cells (CD4+ and CD8+), and CD5+ T and B cells. Analysis of MS patients' peripheral blood revealed essentially normal levels of total T, B, and NK cells. In agreement with results obtained by other investigators, it was found that MS patients had an increased CD4/CD8 ratio, primarily due to a decrease in CD8+ T cells. MS patients were found to have a significantly decreased level of suppressor precursor (CD28-) CD8+ T cells compared with that of controls but to have normal levels of cytotoxic (CD28+) CD8+ T cells. These data indicate that MS patients do not have a general decrease in CD8+ T cells but that they have a specific decrease in the suppressor precursor subset only and normal levels of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. MS patients also had a significant increase in memory (CD45RO+) CD4+ T cells and displayed a trend towards a decrease in naive (CD45RA+) T cells in the peripheral blood.
Neurological disorders during HIV‐1 infection correlate with viral load in cerebrospinal fluid but not with virus phenotype

Objectives:To verify the compartmentalization of HIV-1 within the central nervous system (CNS) and to define whether viral phenotype of HIV-1 isolates from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples and CSF viral load correlate with the presence and type of neurological disorders. Methods:A total of 33 HIV-1-infected patients with and without neurological disorders were included in the study. HIV-1 isolation from paired CSF and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples was attempted by a standard cocultivation technique; the biological phenotype of HIV-1 isolates was assessed by the MT-2 cell assay. CSF and plasma HIV-RNA levels were measured by a quantitative reverse transcripase–polymerase chain reaction. Results:The rate of HIV-1 isolation from CSF and PBMC was 66% (22 isolates) and 85% (28 isolates), respectively. Seventeen out of 22 (77%) CSF HIV-1 isolates were characterized as non-syncytium-inducing, and 15 out of 28 (68%) isolates from PBMC were typed as syncytium-inducing (SI). The presence of SI isolates in CSF was limited to patients with HIV-1-, cytomegalovirus- or JC virus-related disorders and was often associated with high levels of HIV-1 RNA in the CSF. Discussion:Our results demonstrate a correlation between high levels of HIV RNA in CSF and the presence of neurological disorders thus indicating a possible role for HIV-1 RNA in the CSF as a biological marker of neurological disease. The finding of viruses with a different phenotype in paired CSF and PBMC indicates that HIV-1 may evolve differently in the brain and in the blood. This suggests compartmentalization of HIV-1 within the CNS.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMPENSATION AND EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY

Labour unrest in the form of strike actions in both public and private corporate organizations underscore the importance employees attach to the issue of compensation. As a result, the human resource functions of many corporate organizations are challenged to develop and implement effective compensation schemes which will lead to the achievement of organizational goals. This study seeks to examine the relationship between compensation and productivity in the banking industry in Ghana. Using case study approach, a descriptive survey was carried out to collect data from employees of Ghana Commercial Bank in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Data was analysed in terms of descriptive statistics. Pearson chi square was used to test the significance of relationship between employee compensation and productivity. The results indicated a significant relationship between compensation and productivity.
Differences in prolactin elevation and related symptoms of atypical antipsychotics in schizophrenic patients.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the degree and frequency of prolactin (PRL) elevation and related symptoms in patients treated with 3 different atypical antipsychotics: clozapine, olanzapine, and risperidone. METHOD Twenty-eight patients receiving clozapine, 29 patients receiving olanzapine, and 18 patients receiving risperidone (all meeting DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia, schizophreni-form disorder, or schizoaffective disorder) were studied. The median daily dose was 400 mg of clozapine, 10 mg of olanzapine, and 3 mg of risperidone. Fasting morning blood samples were analyzed for PRL, and the occurrence of hyper-prolactinemic symptoms in the patients was evaluated. RESULTS Elevated PRL levels were found in 16 (89%) of the patients receiving risperidone and in 7 (24%) of the patients receiving olanzapine, but in none of the patients receiving clozapine. In addition, there was a significant difference in median PRL level among the treatment groups (p < .0001), in that the PRL level was higher both in the patients treated with risperidone and in the patients treated with olanzapine, compared to those treated with clozapine. Moreover, hyperpro-lactinemic symptoms-menstrual disturbances, galactorrhea, impotence, oligospermia, and decreased libido-were reported in 8 (44%) of the risperidone-treated patients and in 1 (3%) of the olanzapine-treated patients, but in none of the clozapine-treated patients. CONCLUSION Treatment with risperidone was frequently associated with hyperprolactinemia and related symptoms, whereas the occurrence of PRL elevation and related symptoms was modest in patients receiving olanzapine and nonexistent in those receiving clozapine. Thus, atypical anti-psychotics in therapeutic doses differ with regard to effect on PRL secretion.