Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Atypical infectious mononucleosis with leukopenia

3.0% (2 ⁄ 66) of nurses – had been vaccinated during the winter 2008–2009. Interestingly enough, during the winter period 2009–2010, the vaccination coverage rate against A ⁄ H1N1 influenza was 21.5%, while the respective rates against seasonal influenza increased to 34.2% (13 ⁄ 38) among doctors and 9.09% (5 ⁄ 55) among nurses. This increase can be partially attributed to the increased awareness of the paediatric staff of the benefits of the vaccination against influenza during the winter 2009–2010. It is worth noticing that at the beginning of this winter only 42.9% of the healthcare workers were aware of the significance of their vaccination for their patients’ protection, while the respective rate at the end of the winter was 91.9–100% among medical staff and 60% among nurses (Table 1). In contrast to the previous years, at the beginning of this winter, oral presentations by experts on the benefits of the vaccination against seasonal and A ⁄ H1N1 influenza were performed in both hospitals, where all nursing and medical staff was invited. Moreover, a scheduled non-mandatory vaccination programme for all staff from different departments was designed and the vaccine against seasonal influenza was available free of charge to all staff with easy access in parallel with the vaccine against A ⁄ H1N1 influenza. As it has been previously described by other researchers (2,3), these additional strategies, including better information and education of the paediatric staff and free, easy and scheduled access to the vaccination, definitely led to a significant increase of the vaccination coverage against seasonal influenza of the paediatric staff in both hospitals. However, despite the increased coverage rate during the winter 2009–2010, it was still inadequately low and this raises questions how to promote the Hippocratic duty of the healthcare workers ‘not to harm’ their patients. Further improvement of the coverage rate against influenza among Greek paediatric health care workers is a significant goal that has definitely to be accomplished on the occasion of a new influenza pandemic.
Tacrolimus Monotherapy Without Steroids After Liver Transplantation – A Prospective Randomized Double‐Blinded Placebo‐Controlled Trial

Early steroid withdrawal after liver transplantation (LT) is desirable in order to reduce steroid side effects. Between February 2000 and August 2004, 110 patients after LT were included in this prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Randomization was performed before LT. In all patients, tacrolimus was used without induction therapy. All patients received methylprednisolon for 14 days, thereafter a double‐blinded medication containing either placebo (n = 56) or methylprednisolon (n = 54) for 6 months, which was completely stopped thereafter. End points were patient and graft survival, acute and chronic rejection, and incidence of steroid side effects during the first year after LT. One‐year patient survival was 85.7% (placebo) and 88.8% (steroid) (p = 0.572). Twenty‐seven (48.2%) and 19 (35.2%) patients experienced acute rejection (placebo versus steroid, respectively; p = 0.116). Two patients in the placebo group but none in the steroid group experienced chronic rejection (p = 0.257). The rates of side effects were (placebo versus steroid, respectively): CMV infection 25% versus 33% (p = 0.336), post‐transplant diabetes 30% versus 53% (p = 0.024), hypertension 39% versus 52% (p = 0.248), hypercholesterolemia 10% versus 41% (p = 0.002) and hypertriglyceridemia 32% versus 54% (p = 0.046). In conclusion, early steroid withdrawal after LT is feasible under tacrolimus monotherapy without increased rejection rates and with a lower rate of side effects.
Integrating Web 2.0 technologies into face-to-face PBL to support producing, storing, and sharing content in a higher education course

In this article we present and discuss the process of developing and implementing a PBL-based course entitled Moving Images in Teaching and Learning that was held at the University of Lapland, Finland. In the course of the project, this fairly traditional face-to-face course was redesigned into a blended PBL course by integrating Web 2.0 applications into the course. The pedagogical rationale was to support students’ meaningful learning in various phases of the PBL process, and to enable easy storage and sharing of the ideas produced by the students. In addition, the rationale was to create more opportunities for students to report on their process during their independent knowledge acquisition phase and for the teacher to monitor and support students’ information searching processes. We focus mainly on students’ experiences of the implementation and conclude with ideas about our next steps.
Effect of Passive Immunization or Maternally Transferred Immunity on the Antibody Response to a Genetic Vaccine to Rabies Virus

ABSTRACT A plasmid vector, termed pSG5rab.gp, expressing the glycoprotein of rabies virus was tested in young adult or neonatal mice in the presence of maternally transferred immunity or passively administered antibodies to rabies virus for induction of an antibody response. Mice born to rabies virus-immune dams developed an impaired antibody response to genetic immunization at 6 weeks of age, as had been previously observed upon vaccination with an inactivated viral vaccine. Similarly, mice passively immunized with hyperimmune serum showed an inhibited B-cell response upon vaccination with the pSG5rab.gp vector, resulting in both cases in vaccine failures upon challenge with a virulent strain of rabies virus. In contrast, the immune responses of mice vaccinated as neonates in the presence of maternal immunity or upon passive immunization to rabies virus with the pSG5rab.gp construct were only marginally affected.
Real exchange Rate misalignments and economic peRfoRmance foR the g 20 countRies

We evaluate the growth effects of real effective exchange rate misalignments for the G20 countries over the period 1980-2006. To this end, we first estimate real effective equilibrium exchange rates relying on the behavioral approach BEER, from which misalignments are derived. Second, we estimate a dynamic panel growth model in which among the traditional determinants of growth, our measure of misalignments is included. Our findings put forward some important differences between developed and emerging economies. The magnitude of the misalignments is more pronounced in the case of emerging countries, and the speed of convergence towards the estimated equilibrium exchange rate is slower for industrialized ones. Turning to our growth regression analysis, we find that misalignments have a negative effect on the economic growth. As a consequence, an appropriate exchange rate policy would close the gap between real exchange rates and their equilibrium level. JEL Classification: C23; F31; O47.
Demyelinating diseases

A diagnosis of demyelination carries important therapeutic and prognostic implications. In most cases the diagnosis is made clinically, and involvement of the histopathologist is largely confined to postmortem confirmation and clinicopathological correlation. However, every now and then, accurate diagnosis of the presence or cause of demyelination before death hinges on the histopathological assessment. Recognition of demyelination depends on an awareness of this as a diagnostic possibility, and on the use of appropriate tinctorial and immunohistochemical stains to identify myelin, axons and inflammatory cells. In biopsy specimens, the critical distinction is usually from ischaemic or neoplastic disease, and the types of demyelinating disease most likely to be encountered are multiple sclerosis, acute-disseminated encephalomyelitis, progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy and extrapontine myelinolysis. Interpretation of the pathology has to be made in the context of the clinical, radiological and biochemical findings. Freezing of a small amount of fresh tissue allows for later virological studies, and electron microscopy is occasionally helpful for demonstration of viral particles.
Regulation of carbon dioxide fixation in the chemoautotroph Xanthobacter flavus

Autotrophic bacteria and plants are able to convert the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, CO2, into cell material. Although there are a number of metabolic pathways supporting autotrophic growth, the Calvin cycle is the most widely distributed of these. CO2 fixation requires a large amount of energy which originates from light or chemical oxidation, supporting respectively photoautotrophic or chemoautotrophic growth. Zie: Chapter 7
Indirect comparison of lixisenatide versus neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin as add-on to metformin and sulphonylurea in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: There is currently a lack of evidence from direct comparisons of treatment outcomes with lixisenatide versus neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH)-insulin in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with suboptimal glycaemic control with oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs). Hence, the current analysis indirectly compared available evidence on the risk of hypoglycaemia and weight change between lixisenatide and NPH-insulin based on randomized controlled trial (RCT) data with exenatide, insulin glargine and placebo as common references. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane database and clinical registries identified English- and German-language articles published from January 1980 to October 2012 reporting data from RCTs. Only publications of trials that reported outcomes from 24 to 30 weeks comparing glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists or basal insulin versus another antidiabetic agent or placebo were included. Hypoglycaemia, patients at glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) target and discontinuations due to adverse events (AEs) were treated as binary variables, with risk ratios and odds ratios (ORs) calculated. HbA1c and body weight were treated as continuous variables with difference in mean change from baseline (MD) calculated. Meta-analyses were performed with random effects models and indirect comparisons were performed according to Bucher’s method. Results: Seven RCTs (n=3,301 patients) comparing the efficacy and safety of lixisenatide, exenatide, insulin glargine and NPH-insulin with different antidiabetic treatments in adult patients with T2DM were included in the final analysis. In the adjusted indirect comparison, there was a significant difference in symptomatic hypoglycaemia (OR = 0.38; 95% CI = [0.17, 0.85]) and in confirmed hypoglycaemia (OR = 0.46; 95% CI = [0.22, 0.96]) favouring lixisenatide over NPH-insulin and comparable changes in HbA1c from baseline (MD = 0.07%; 95% CI = [–0.26%, 0.41%]). In contrast to NPH-insulin, there was a significant reduction in body weight with lixisenatide (MD = –3.62 kg; 95% CI = [–5.86 kg, –1.38 kg]) at study completion. The number of discontinuations due to AEs numerically favoured NPH-insulin over lixisenatide (OR = 2.64; 95% CI = [0.25, 27.96]), with a broad confidence interval. Conclusions: Lixisenatide treatment was associated with a lower risk of hypoglycaemia and a greater weight loss compared with NPH-insulin. Glycaemic control with lixisenatide treatment was comparable with NPH-insulin. These data suggest that lixisenatide is a beneficial treatment option for T2DM patients with inadequate glycaemic control on OADs, and is associated with reduced risk of hypoglycaemia and weight gain.
Correlates of Sleep Abnormalities in Systemic Lupus: A Cross-Sectional Survey in an Urban, Academic Center

BackgroundSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease that is associated with poor health-related quality-of-life outcomes. ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to identify correlates of the domains of the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Sleep Scale in SLE and to determine the factors most associated with overall sleep quality. MethodsSleep in 118 SLE patients was assessed using the self-administered MOS Sleep Scale. Bivariate correlations were determined between each of 6 MOS Sleep subscale scores and each sociodemographic, clinical, or psychological predictor variable. Serial hierarchical multiple regression analyses were computed to identify the variables associated with the individual sleep domains and the overall Sleep Problems Index. ResultsThe MOS Sleep Scale scores of patients with SLE were poorer than the US general population. Depression moderately correlated with 5 (all P < 0.01) and anxiety with 4 subscale scores (all P < 0.05). The SLE Disease Activity Index did not significantly correlate with any of the subscale scores. Results of a multivariate regression model showed that sleep adequacy and sleep disturbance were independently associated with depression (&bgr; = −0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.37 to −0.32; and &bgr; = 0.80; 95% CI, 0.15–1.45; respectively). Daytime somnolence was significantly associated with daily prednisone dosage (&bgr; = 0.54; 95% CI, 0.29–0.80) and anxiety trait (&bgr; = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.41–1.21). Snoring independently correlated with anxiety (&bgr; = 1.64; 95% CI, 0.80–2.29). When demographic, clinical, and psychological variables were simultaneously regressed on the Sleep Problems Index, pain trended toward association with overall sleep problems (&bgr; = 0.17; 95% CI, −0.02 to 0.36). ConclusionsPatients with SLE have greater sleep problems relative to the general population. Psychosocial factors, particularly depression and anxiety, are important determinants that are significantly associated with sleep abnormalities in SLE.
Knowledge about the research and ethics committee at Makerere University, Kampala.

BACKGROUND All research involving human participants should be reviewed by a competent and independent institutional research and ethics committee. Research conducted at Makerere University College of Health Sciences should be subjected to a rigorous review process by the ethics committee in order to protect human participants' interests, rights and welfare. OBJECTIVE To evaluate researchers' knowledge about the functions and ethical review process of the College of Health Sciences research and ethics committee. METHODS A cross sectional study. 135 researchers consented to participate in the study, but 70 questionnaires were answered giving a 52% response. RESULTS Age ranged between 30 to 61 years, majority of participants 30-39 years. Most of the respondents do agree that the REC functions include Protocol review 86%, protection of research participants 84.3%, and monitoring of ongoing research. During ethical review, the RECpays special attention to scientific design [79.7%] and ethical issues [75.3%], but less to the budget and literature review. More than 97% of the respondents believe that the REC is either average or very good, while 2.8% rank it below average. CONCLUSION Respondents knew the major functions of the committee including protection of the rights and welfare of research participants, protocol review and monitoring of on going research, and the elements of protocol review that are given more attention include ;scientific design and ethical issues. Overall performance of the REC was ranked as average by respondents. The committee should limit delays in approval and effectively handle all functions of the committee.
Homocysteine-lowering therapy does not lead to reduction in cardiovascular outcomes in chronic kidney disease patients: a meta-analysis of randomised, controlled trials

The efficacy of homocysteine (Hcy)-lowering therapy in reducing the risk of CVD among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to determine whether pooling the data from the few small randomised, controlled trials that address this topic would improve the statistical power of the analysis and resolve some of the inconsistencies in the results. Randomised, controlled clinical trials (RCT) were identified from MEDLINE, EMBASE, www.clinicaltrials. gov, the Cochrane Controlled Clinical Trials Register Database and Nephrology Filters. Independent extraction of articles was performed using predefined data fields. The primary outcome was relative risk (RR) of CVD, CHD, stroke and all-cause mortality for the pooled trials. A stratified analysis was planned, assessing the RR for cardiovascular events between the patients on and not on dialysis. Overall, ten studies met the inclusion criteria. The estimated RR were not significantly different for any outcomes, including CHD (RR 1·00, 95 % CI 0·75, 1·31, P = 0·97), CVD (RR 0·94, 95 % CI 0·84, 1·05, P = 0·30), stroke (RR 0·83, 95 % CI 0·57, 1·19, P = 0·31) and all-cause mortality (RR 1·00, 95 % CI 0·92, 1·09, P = 0·98). In the stratified analysis, the estimated RR were not significantly different for cardiovascular events regardless of dialysis or in combination with vitamin B therapy or the degree of reduction in Hcy levels. Our meta-analysis of RCT supports the conclusion that Hcy-lowering therapy was not associated with a significant decrease in the risk for CVD events, stroke and all-cause mortality among patients with CKD.
Treatment of Murine Fusariosis with SCH 56592

ABSTRACT Doses of 10 to 100 mg of the azole antifungal agent SCH 56592/kg of body weight/day were studied in immunocompetent mice as therapy for systemic infection by Fusarium solani. Treatment was begun 1 h after intravenous infection and continued daily for 4 or 13 doses. Prolongation of survival and organ clearance were dependent on both the dose and the duration of SCH 56592 therapy, with the best results seen at 50 and 100 mg/kg/day. The results at the highest doses of SCH 56592 used (50 or 100 mg/kg/day) were comparable to those obtained with amphotericin B at 1 mg/kg/day. SCH 56592 has potential for therapy of systemic infections caused byF. solani.
A survey of bereaved family members to assess quality of care on a palliative care unit.

BACKGROUND More U.S. hospitals are adopting palliative care programs, prompting inquiry about the relationship of palliative care to patient and family satisfaction. This study compares the impact of palliative care units, palliative care consultation, and usual care on bereaved families' perceptions of care quality. METHODS Using the Bereaved Family Survey we conducted interviews with family members of patients who died at Mount Sinai Medical Center between March 2012 and March 2013. RESULTS Of 108 completed surveys, 31 were in the palliative care unit group, 28 in the consultation service group, and 49 in the usual care group. Family members of patients who died on the palliative care unit were more likely to report that their loved one's end-of-life medical care had been "excellent" as compared to family members of patients who received palliative care consultation or usual care (adjusted OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.17-3.61). Family members of palliative care unit patients also reported greater satisfaction with emotional support before the patient's death (adjusted OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.01-2.90). We found no significant differences between the consultation service and usual care. CONCLUSION Family members of patients who died while receiving care in a dedicated palliative care unit report higher overall satisfaction and emotional support before death as compared to the consultation service or usual care.
Extract 4 D Patches from Light Field Simulate Coded Capture Network Rearrange Patches to form Reconstructed

Light field imaging is limited in its computational processing demands of high sampling for both spatial and angular dimensions. Single-shot light field cameras sacrifice spatial resolution to sample angular viewpoints, typically by multiplexing incoming rays onto a 2D sensor array. While this resolution can be recovered using compressive sensing, these iterative solutions are slow in processing a light field. We present a deep learning approach using a new, two branch network architecture, consisting jointly of an autoencoder and a 4D CNN, to recover a high resolution 4D light field from a single coded 2D image. This network decreases reconstruction time significantly while achieving average PSNR values of 26-32 dB on a variety of light fields. In particular, reconstruction time is decreased from 35 minutes to 6.7 minutes as compared to the dictionary method for equivalent visual quality. These reconstructions are performed at small sampling/compression ratios as low as 8%, allowing for cheaper coded light field cameras. We test our network reconstructions on synthetic light fields, simulated coded measurements of real light fields captured from a Lytro Illum camera, and real coded images from a custom CMOS diffractive light field camera. The combination of compressive light field capture with deep learning allows the potential for real-time light field video acquisition systems in the future.
Studies on the combining sites of the protein antigen silk fibroin. III. Inhibition of the silk fibroin-antifibroin system by peptides derived from the antigen.

For the study of its combining sites with antibody, silk fibroin was prepared by solution in lithium bromide, followed by dialysis. The fibroin had a molecular weight of 50,000–60,000 and contained only a slight amount of contaminants by immunologic assay. The number of antigenic sites occupied by antibody at equivalence varied with the rabbit immune serum but in most cases ranged from 2.6 to 3.2. The peptides in the soluble fraction following chymotryptic hydrolysis of fibroin were able to produce essentially complete inhibition of the fibroin-rabbit-antifibroin precipitin reaction at a concentration of 130 to 160 μm N per ml. Dialyzable peptides possessed differential inhibitory activity as shown by testing fractions obtained by partition column chromatography.
Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Seed oil of Two Algerian Date Palm Cultivars (Phoenix dactylifera)

The fatty acid composition of date seed oil from two different date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cultivars, locally known as Degla-Baïdha and Tafezouine, were investigated. GC analysis revealed the presence of five dominant fatty acids: oleic C18:1 (46.51; 39.15%), lauric C12:0 (22.1; 28.5%), myristic C14:0 (10.7; 11.4%), palmitic C16:0 (9.6; 8.7%) and linoleic C18:2 (6.9; 6.1%). The oils was characterised by a low content of tocopherols (0.53; 1.41 μg/g). The antioxidant activity of the oils was investigated using the DPPH•(1,1-di-phenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl) scavenging assay. The oils had a weak bleaching effect on DPPH• free radicals. This study showed that the qualities of the tested oils are highly comparable with those of some commercial seed oils of other plants. Furthermore, a statistical analysis using the hierarchy ascendant classification method was conducted in order to highlight the similarities and/or the differences regarding the contents of the main fatty acids found in some common plants and in the five most famous cultivars of Phoenix dactylifera of south eastern Algeria (Tafezouine, Degla-Baïdha, Deglet-Nour, Ghars, Tamdjouhert).