Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oral manifestations of an HIV positive cohort in the era of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) in South London.

BACKGROUND Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is associated with oral manifestations of diagnostic and prognostic importance. With the advent of Highly Active Anti-retroviral Therapy (HAART) there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that the prevalence of oral lesions has declined. The number of prevalence studies, carried out in the era of HAART is, however, meagre. Our aim was to study the prevalence of the oral manifestations of HIV in a population, predominantly on HAART, attending a Genito-Urinary Medicine Centre in South London. METHODS This cross sectional study included 203 adult volunteers, comprising 76% males and 24% females. One third of the subjects were from the predominantly African or Afro- Caribbean ethnic minority groups resident in London. The relationship between the prevalence of oral lesions and demographic variables, therapeutic regimes, viral load and CD4 counts were evaluated. RESULTS One hundred (49%) of the patients had no detectable oral lesions. Oral lesions detected most frequently included oral hairy leukoplakia (9.9%), HIV associated periodontal diseases (9.9%) and oral candidiasis (4.9%). Three subjects had multiple papillomatous growths. Most cases (n = 17/20) of oral hairy leukoplakia were in individuals with a detectable (> 400 copies/ml) plasma RNA viral load. The majority (n = 8/10) of our patients with oral candidiasis had a plasma RNA viral load > 10,000 copies/ml and half (n = 5/10) had a CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3. Logistic regression analysis suggested that the presence of an oral lesion was not associated with any demographic features except for periodontal diseases which were associated with tobacco smoking (P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of so called 'strongly associated' oral lesions of HIV is low in this South London HIV-infected population on HAART, and the relative frequency is different from that cited in the literature from the pre-HAART era. The oral lesions detected were found mostly in people with low CD4 counts and high HIV-1 RNA viral loads, suggesting they were very immunocompromised, not on, or declining therapy, or that their therapy was failing.
Quantification of Transcriptome Responses of the Rumen Epithelium to Butyrate Infusion using RNA-seq Technology

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate, produced by gut microorganisms, play a critical role in energy metabolism and physiology of ruminants as well as in human health. In this study, the temporal effect of elevated butyrate concentrations on the transcriptome of the rumen epithelium was quantified via serial biopsy sampling using RNA-seq technology. The mean number of genes transcribed in the rumen epithelial transcriptome was 17,323.63 ± 277.20 (±SD; N = 24) while the core transcriptome consisted of 15,025 genes. Collectively, 80 genes were identified as being significantly impacted by butyrate infusion across all time points sampled. Maximal transcriptional effect of butyrate on the rumen epithelium was observed at the 72-h infusion when the abundance of 58 genes was altered. The initial reaction of the rumen epithelium to elevated exogenous butyrate may represent a stress response as Gene Ontology (GO) terms identified were predominantly related to responses to bacteria and biotic stimuli. An algorithm for the reconstruction of accurate cellular networks (ARACNE) inferred regulatory gene networks with 113,738 direct interactions in the butyrate-epithelium interactome using a combined cutoff of an error tolerance (ɛ = 0.10) and a stringent P-value threshold of mutual information (5.0 × 10−11). Several regulatory networks were controlled by transcription factors, such as CREBBP and TTF2, which were regulated by butyrate. Our findings provide insight into the regulation of butyrate transport and metabolism in the rumen epithelium, which will guide our future efforts in exploiting potential beneficial effect of butyrate in animal well-being and human health.
Fast and Slow Inactivation Kinetics of the Ca2+Channels ECaC1 and ECaC2 (TRPV5 and TRPV6)

The Ca2+ channels ECaC1 and ECaC2 (TRPV5 and TRPV6) share several functional properties including permeation profile and Ca2+-dependent inactivation. However, the kinetics of ECaC2 currents notably differ from ECaC1 currents. The initial inactivation is much faster in ECaC2 than in ECaC1, and the kinetic differences between Ca2+ and Ba2+ currents are more pronounced for ECaC2 than ECaC1. Here, we identify the structural determinants for these functional differences. Chimeric proteins were expressed heterologously in HEK 293 cells and studied by patch clamp analysis. Both channels retained their phenotype after exchanging the complete N termini, the C termini, or even both N and C termini, i.e. ECaC1 with the ECaC2 N or C terminus still showed the ECaC1 phenotype and vice versa. The substitution of the intracellular loop between the transmembrane domains 2 and 3 of ECaC2 with that of ECaC1 induced a delay of inactivation. Three amino acid residues (Leu-409, Val-411 and Thr-412) present in this loop determine the fast inactivation behavior. When this intracellular loop between the transmembrane domains 2 and 3 of ECaC1 was exchanged with the TM2-TM3 loop of ECaC2, the ECaC1 kinetics were analogous to ECaC2. In conclusion, the TM2-TM3 loop is a critical determinant of the inactivation in ECaC1 and ECaC2.
Correlations among Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores, multiple sleep latency tests and psychological symptoms

The aim of this study was to identify factors other than objective sleep tendency associated with scores on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). There were 225 subjects, of whom 40% had obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), 16% had simple snoring, and 4.9% had snoring with sleep disruption (upper airway resistance syndrome); 9.3% had narcolepsy and 7.5% had hypersomnolence without REM sleep abnormalities; 12% had chronic fatigue syndrome; 7.5% had periodic limb movement disorder and 3% had diurnal rhythm disorders. ESS, the results of overnight polysomnography and multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) and SCL‐90 as a measure of psychological symptoms were recorded. The ESS score and the mean sleep latency (MSL) were correlated (Spearman ? =−0.30, P<0.0001). The MSL was correlated with total sleep time (TST) and with sleep efficiency but not with apnoea/hypopnoea index. There was no association between the MSL and any aspect of SCL‐90 scores, except a borderline significant association with the somatisation subscale. The ESS was correlated with TST but not with sleep efficiency or apnoea/hypopnoea index. The ESS was correlated with all subscales of the SCL‐90 except psychoticism. An ESS≥10 had poor sensitivity and specificity as a predictor of MSL <10 min or MSL <5 min. We conclude that the MSLT and the ESS are not interchangeable. The ESS was influenced by psychological factors by which the MSL was not affected. The ESS cannot be used to demonstrate or exclude sleepiness as it is measured by MSLT.
Parallel Algebraic Multigrid Methods on Distributed Memory Computers

Algebraic multigrid methods are well suited as preconditioners for iterative solvers. We consider linear systems of equations which are sparse and symmetric positive definite and which stem from a finite element discretization of a second order self-adjoint elliptic partial differential equation or a system of them. Since preconditioners based on algebraic multigrid are very efficient, additional speedup can only be achieved by parallelization. In this paper, we propose a general parallel algebraic multigrid algorithm for finite element discretizations based on domain decomposition ideas which is well suited for distributed memory computers. This paper pays special attention to the coarsening strategy which has to be adapted in the parallel case. Moreover, a general framework of data distribution gives rise to a construction scheme for the prolongation operators. Results of numerical studies on parallel computers with distributed memory are presented which show the high efficiency of the approach.
[Establishment of a mouse model of biliary obstruction and its dynamic observations].

OBJECTIVE To establish a mouse model of biliary obstruction. METHODS Sixty-four Balb/c mice were divided into experimental group and control group. Obstructive jaundice was induced in the mice in the experimental group by common bile duct ligation. The level of the common bile duct diameter, WBC, LYM MID, LYM%, MID% and ALT, AST, TBIL, DBIL, IBIL, ALP and CHOL were measured 12 h and 1, 2 ,3, 4, 5, and 7 days after the ligation. The morphological changes in the liver were also observed. RESULTS The level of common bile duct diameter, WBC, LYM, MID, LYM%, MID% and ALT, AST, TBIL, DBIL, ALP and CHOL all underwent changes with time following certain patterns. CONCLUSION The jaundice manifestation of this model is similar to that of patients with biliary obstruction, and this model may provide a reliable model for studying the mechanism of obstructive jaundice.
Cerebellar Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) commonly affects the cerebellum causing acute and chronic symptoms. Cerebellar signs contribute significantly to clinical disability, and symptoms such as tremor, ataxia, and dysarthria are particularly difficult to treat. Increasing knowledge concerning the pathophysiology of cerebellar disease in MS from human postmortem studies, experimental models, and clinical trials has raised the hope that cerebellar symptoms will be better treated in the future.
Growth pattern and citrate production in organ cultures of adult rat ventral prostate

Prostate rudiments from Wistar rats were cultured in MEM supplemented with 15% FBS and insulin (2 μg/ml). In situ prostate acinar epithelium consists of tall columnar and low basal cells. Ultrastructure of the columnar cells is that of typical secretory cells; however, the basal cells are poor in cell organelle. During the first week of culture many secretory cells degenerated and were replaced by cuboidal or low columnar cells. In the presence of testosterone (2 μg/ml) the secretory cells remained viable for 8–10 days before undergoing necrosis. At the termination of the experiment the acinar epithelium consisted of low cuboidal cells. The cultures showed a pattern of citrate production which reached a maximum at 5 days and remained relatively constant thereafter. Ultrastructure of 1‐week cultures exhibited Golgi complexes with dilated cisternae. Although a paucity of cell organelle was found in 7‐day cultures, older cultures (19 days) exhibited morphologic characteristics of normal secretory cells.
Voice processing in human and non-human primates

Humans share with non-human primates a number of voice perception abilities of crucial importance in social interactions, such as the ability to identify a conspecific individual from its vocalizations. Speech perception is likely to have evolved in our ancestors on the basis of pre-existing neural mechanisms involved in extracting behaviourally relevant information from conspecific vocalizations (CVs). Studying the neural bases of voice perception in primates thus not only has the potential to shed light on cerebral mechanisms that may be—unlike those involved in speech perception—directly homologous between species, but also has direct implications for our understanding of how speech appeared in humans. In this comparative review, we focus on behavioural and neurobiological evidence relative to two issues central to voice perception in human and non-human primates: (i) are CVs ‘special’, i.e. are they analysed using dedicated cerebral mechanisms not used for other sound categories, and (ii) to what extent and using what neural mechanisms do primates identify conspecific individuals from their vocalizations?
The Benefits of Geographic Diversification in Banking

We estimate the benefits of intrastate and interstate geographic diversification for bank risk and return, and assess whether such benefits could be shaped by differences in bank size and disparities in economic conditions within states or across U.S. states. For small banks, only intrastate diversification is beneficial in terms of risk-adjusted returns but for very large institutions both intrastate and interstate expansions are rewarding. However, in all cases the relationship is hump-shaped for both intrastate and interstate diversification indicating limits for banks of all size. Moreover, we also find geographic expansion to reduce bank risk. Our results indicate that both small banks and very large banks could still benefit in terms of risk-adjusted returns from further geographic diversification. Disparities in economic conditions as measured by the dispersion in unemployment rates either across counties or states impact the benefits of diversification. At initially low levels of intrastate diversification, expanding in new markets allows small banks to further reduce their risk in the presence of higher economic disparities. However, when they get more diversified, this effect is reduced.
An Intraday Analysis of Exchange Traded Fund Markets

This study provides an intraday analysis of Exchange Traded Fund markets. We investigate trading implications surrounding the open and close, and compare price discovery and liquidity in a multi-market trading framework. In addition, we test whether the difference of ETFs with regard to market maker inventory management causes intraday spread patterns to differ from those of the underlying securities. We find that despite the small market share of trading volume, the AMEX contributes most to price discovery in all trading periods, especially at the open and close. However, the AMEX also charges the highest transaction costs for investors. This result is consistent with the market power hypothesis. We also find that the intraday spread patterns of ETFs are different from those of the underlying securities. This discrepancy is attributable to the fact that market makers use a different device than spread to control their inventory. JEL Classification: G14; G18
Is the Creation of Internet Beneficial to Humanity ?

Internet History In the late 60’s, the department of defense in the United States conducted an experimental project in wide-area-networking called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) [1]. In 1969, the first ARPANET computer connected to a node at UCLA and by the end of the year, three other schools were connected to the network [1] Stanford Research Institute, UCSB, and the University of Utah [2]. “All the computers used different operating systems and they were able to talk to each other across the network” [2]. As the years progressed, the network included research institutes, laboratories [1], and other schools [2]. ARPANET also adopted TCP/IP data transmission protocol and became an essential tool for communication [1].
Social Norms and Household Time Allocation

Economic theories of the household predict that increases in female relative human capital lead to decreases in female housework time. However, longitudinal and cross-sectional evidence seems to contradict this implication. Women`s share of home time fails to decrease despite increases in women`s relative earnings. The literature has proposed social norms on the household division of labor as an alternative explanation. We use the 2002-03 Spanish Time Use Survey (STUS) to explore the presence of social norms associated to the household division of housework and childcare. First, we observe that wives that earn more than their husbands still undertake more than 50% of housework and childcare. Second, we find that a woman`s relative share of housework decreases as her relative earnings increase, but only up to the point when she earns the same as her husband. Finally, independently of the definition of childcare, the relative time devoted to childcare does not vary with spouses` relative earnings. All these findings suggest that social norms might be an important factor in the division of household time.
In vitro Evaluation of Dentifrice with Low Fluoride Content Supplemented with Trimetaphosphate

One way to reduce dental fluorosis is by reducing the fluoride (F) concentration in dentifrice, but low-F dentifrice should be as effective as a standard dentifrice. This study evaluated in vitro whether the supplementation with sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP) of a dentifrice with low F content (500 μg/g) would provide a similar effect to that of a standard dentifrice. Bovine enamel blocks were submitted to a pH cycling regime incorporating daily exposures to a slurry of dentifrice: a low-F dentifrice with or without 0.1–3.0% TMP; an F-free, phosphate-free dentifrice (negative control), or a dentifrice with 1,100 μg/g F (positive control). The addition of TMP to dentifrice with or without F was associated with higher surface hardness and decreased loss of integrated subsurface hardness after pH cycling. The combination of 1% TMP and 500 μg F/g had a greater effect than the positive control dentifrice. It is concluded that the addition of TMP to the 500-μg F/g dentifrice allowed a similar or larger effect as compared with a standard dentifrice in this in vitro model.
Type-1 Gall Bladder Perforation: Rare Complication of Cholelithiasis

Sir, A 45-year-old female presented with a history of abdominal pain, distention, and bilious vomiting since last 1 week. She had a history of fever and constipation since last 5 days. She denied any history of jaundice, smoking, and alcoholism. On examination she was dehydrated and tachycardic with low blood pressure. Her abdomen was distended and revealed signs of peritonitis. An erect chest radiograph showed pneumoperitoneum and ultrasound abdomen showed gross free fluid with internal echoes. After resuscitation with intravenous fluids, an exploratory laparotomy was performed. On opening the abdomen, frank purulent fluid was found. On exploration of the hepatobiliary region, a big perforation was seen over the fundus of the gall bladder with gallstone within [Figure 1]. Because of dense adhesion, it was not possible for us to remove the whole gall bladder, and thus we opted for a partial cholecystectomy. In the post-operative period, the patient developed minor bile leak which was treated by conservative measures.
Histocompatibility and corneal transplantation.

BACKGROUND HLA typing and matching have been poorly implemented in corneal transplantation, mainly because of inconclusive or contradictory analytical results. Consequently, we studied the immune response of corneal transplant recipients to HLA histoincompatibilities in a large homogeneous study. METHODS All corneal transplantations were performed by a single surgeon in a single center between 1976 and 1996. Population genetic and other statistical analyses were performed. Simulation studies assessed the effects of HLA-DR mistypings on analytical results. RESULTS Mono- and multivariate analyses identified retransplantation, degree of vascularization, HLA-AB and -DR match grades, endothelial cell count, graft size, recipient gender, storage method and panel-reactive antibodies as significantly influencing the survival of corneal transplants. Simulation studies showed that the beneficial effect of HLA-DR matching is abrogated by HLA-DR mistypings. CONCLUSIONS Corneal transplant recipients have a normal immune response to HLA incompatibilities. Demonstration of that fact requires accurate HLA typings.
The low-dimensional dynamics of near-wall turbulence

Wall-bounded turbulent shear flows are perhaps the last area in ‘classical’ incompressible turbulence in which there still are open questions about basic physical mechanisms. There are two competing conceptual models. In the first one, wall turbulence is just a modification of ordinary shear turbulence occuring when the latter is a near wall, and is therefore dependent on the prior existence of an outside turbulent flow. In the second, it is an essentially different phenomenon which coexists with the outer flow and merges into it when the distance from the wall is large enough. Jiménez (1999) took the latter view and argued that the dynamics of near-wall turbulence is essentially different from the Kolmogorov (1941) mechanism. While the latter is fundamentally isotropic and the energy is dissipated locally by cascading to smaller length scales, wall-bounded flows are intrinsically inhomogeneous and anisotropic, and a substantial part of their energy diffuses from the wall into the outer flow, increasing, rather than decreasing, its length scales in the process. In this paper we examine the dynamics of the structures of the viscous and buffer layers in very simplified situations in which their interaction with the outer flow is severely restricted. Even natural flows scale in this region approximately in wall units, defined in terms of the kinematic viscosity ν and of the friction velocity uτ = (ν∂yU), where U is the mean velocity profile. In that approximation, and if we admit that near-wall turbulence is not a just a modification by the wall of the outside turbulent flow, only local quantities such as dimensionless distance to the wall, y = uτy/ν, should matter, while global parameters such as the Reynolds number of the flow should be irrelevant. In the reduced systems considered here, the outer flow is effectively removed, and the scaling in wall variables should be strict. No bulk Reynolds number may be relevant because no bulk turbulent flow exists. Since the local wall-normal Reynolds numbers are low, we may expect quasi-laminar structures whose behavior can be understood deterministically. In this sense this region corresponds to the Kolmogorov viscous range of isotropic turbulence, but we will see that, while the latter is a sink for the energy cascading from the larger scales, the structures studied here are not only self-sustaining, but actually export energy to the rest of the flow. The organization of this paper is as follows. The energy balance is briefly examined in the next section. The wall region and the numerical experiments undertaken to isolated it are described next. The results are then discussed, with emphasis on the low-dimensional behavior of the structures in the simplified flows and on how they evolve into a fully turbulent flow once the constraints are removed.
A View From Organizational Studies

This presentation highlights the dimensions that organizational studies scholarship would highlight as being critical to furthering knowledge translation research. Attention is drawn to a number of dimensions of organizational complexity: knowledge translation as a processual phenomena, the contestability of knowledge, the existence and influence of multiple actors in healthcare contacts, the influence of professional and cognitive boundaries and the active role of context. It is argued that inclusion of such dimensions may enhance the impact of Estabrooks' work.
Limit sets and switching strategies in parameter-optimal iterative learning control

This paper characterizes the existence and form of the possible limit error signals in typical parameter-optimal iterative learning control. The set of limit errors has attracting and repelling components and the behaviour of the algorithm in the vicinity of these sets can be associated with the undesirable properties of apparent (but in fact temporary) convergence or permanent slow convergence properties in practice. The avoidance of these behaviours in practice is investigated using novel switching strategies. Deterministic strategies are analysed to prove the feasibility of the concept by proving that each of a number of such strategies is guaranteed to produce global convergence of errors to zero independent of the details of plant dynamics. For practical applications a random switching strategy is proposed to replace these approaches and shown, by example, to produce substantial potential improvements when compared with the non-switching case. The work described in this paper is covered by pending patent applications in the UK and elsewhere.