Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Successful Treatment of Von Zumbusch Pustular Psoriasis with Infliximab

BackgroundVon Zumbusch pustular psoriasis is a severe, generalized form of psoriasis. Patients may also suffer from systemic complications, such as fever, arthropathy, congestive heart failure, and infections, which can ultimately prove fatal. Generalized pustular psoriasis can often be recalcitrant, making treatment difficult.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of infliximab in treating generalized pustular psoriasis.MethodsFour consecutively admitted patients with generalized pustular psoriasis were treated with infliximab 5 mg/kg intravenous infusion.ResultsAfter treatment with infliximab, white blood cell count, sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and vital signs normalized in all 4 patients within 24 h of the infusion. PASI scores on discharge had improved in all 4 patients.ConclusionAll 4 patients with generalized pustular psoriasis had rapid and positive responses to infliximab without any significant side effects. This experience adds support to the use of infliximab for generalized pustular psoriasis. SommaireAntécédentsLe psoriasis pustuleux de Von Zumbuch est une forme grave et généralisée de psoriasis. Les patients qui en sont atteints peuvent également souffrir de complications généralisées et potentiellement mortelles, telles que la fièvre, l’arthropathie, l’insuffisance cardiaque congestive et les infections. Vu son caractère souvent récalcitrant, le psoriasis pustuleux généralisé est difficile à traiter. ObjectifDémontrer l’efficacité de l’infliximab dans le traitement du psoriasis pustuleux généralisé. MéthodeII s’agit d’une étude rétrospective sur quatre patients souffrant de psoriasis pustuleux généralisé qui ont été traités au moyen d’infusions intraveineuses de 5 mg/kg d’infliximab. RésultatsDans les 24 heures suivant l’infusion à l’infliximab, les globules blancs, le taux de sédimentation, la protéine C réactive ainsi que tous les signes vitaux chez les quatre patients avaient atteint des taux normalisés. Le PASI s’était amélioré chez les quatre patients au moment de leur sortie de l’hôpital. ConclusionLes quatre patients souffrant de psoriasis pustuleux généralisé ont eu des réactions positives rapides à l’infliximab, sans effets secondaires significatifs. Cette expérience est une preuve supplémentaire en appui à l’utilisation de l’infliximab dans les cas de psoriasis pustuleux généralisé.
Meta‐analysis of the relationship between ACE I/D gene polymorphism and end‐stage renal disease in patients with diabetic nephropathy

Aims: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the major cause for end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) and the pathogenesis for DN developing into ESRD is not clear at present. Results from published studies on the relationship between angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) gene polymorphism and ESRD risk in DN patients are still conflicting. This meta‐analysis was performed to evaluate the association between ACE I/D gene polymorphism and ESRD risk in DN patients.
Rac1 Inhibits Myogenic Differentiation by Preventing the Complete Withdrawal of Myoblasts from the Cell Cycle*

The small GTPase protein Rac1 is involved in a wide range of biological processes, yet its role in cell differentiation is mostly unknown. Here we show that Rac1 activity is high in proliferating myoblasts and decreases during the differentiation process. To analyze the involvement of Rac1 in muscle differentiation, different forms of the protein were expressed in muscle cells. A constitutively activated form of Rac1 (Rac1Q61L) inhibited the activity of MyoD in promoting muscle differentiation, whereas a dominant negative form of Rac1 (Rac1T17N) induced the activity of MyoD in promoting muscle differentiation. Expression of Rac1T17N imposed myogenic differentiation on myoblasts growing under mitogenic conditions. In inquiring whether Rac1 affected the withdrawal of myoblasts from the cell cycle, we analyzed the expression of cyclin D1 and p21WAF1 and the phosphorylation state of the retinoblastoma protein. According to these markers and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, C2 myoblasts expressing Rac1T17N exited the cell cycle earlier than control C2 cells. Myoblasts expressing Rac1Q61L did not permanently withdraw from the cell cycle. An indication of the possible involvement of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in Rac1-mediated myoblast proliferation was obtained by the use of MAPK kinase inhibitors U0126 and PD098059. These inhibitors arrested C2-Rac1Q61L cell cycling. Taken together, our results show that Rac1 activation interferes with myoblast exit from the cell cycle via or in concert with the MAPK pathway.
Organic photovoltaic cell relying on energy transfer with over 20% efficiency in indoor lighting

Device optimization of a three-layer and fullerene-free organic photovoltaic device stack allowed us to achieve over 8% power conversion efficiency (PCE). Complementary small molecule absorbers enable a broad absorption up to 800 nm leading to short-circuit current density of 14.5 mA/cm2. Simultaneously an elevated open-circuit voltage of 1 V can be achieved as the third absorbers' contribution is harvested via exciton energy transfer. Under AM1.5G standard light conditions, the PV cell reaches a PCE of 8.4%. The simple structure, where three materials contribute in parallel to the photocurrent generation, motivated us to assess its performance in varying indoor lighting conditions, where it reaches a PCE of over 20% due to increase in responsivity and reduced series resistance.
Efficacy of intrathecal morphine for postoperative pain management following open nephrectomy

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intrathecal morphine (ITM) for postoperative pain control in patients with renal cell carcinoma undergoing open nephrectomy. Methods Forty-five patients scheduled for open nephrectomy were randomised to receive 300 µg ITM and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) (n = 22) or IV-PCA alone (n = 23) for postoperative analgesia. The numeric pain score (NPS), postoperative IV-PCA requirements and opioid-related complications including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, and pruritus were compared between groups. Results NPS was significantly lower in the ITM group up to 24 h postoperatively. Upon coughing, NPS at 24 h postoperatively was 50 (interquartile range (IQR) 30–60) in the ITM group and 60 (45–70) in the IV-PCA group. Cumulative morphine consumption at 72 h postoperatively was significantly lower in the ITM group compared with the IV-PCA group (20 (9–33) mg vs. 31 (21–49) mg, respectively). Opioid-related complications were similar in both groups with the exception of pruritus (ITM, 77% vs. IV-PCA, 26%). Conclusions ITM was associated with greater analgesia without serious complications in patients undergoing open nephrectomy.
PTetra, a Tool to Simulate Low Orbit Satellite–Plasma Interaction

A model is presented to numerically simulate the time-dependent interaction of satellites with space plasma. The approach is based on a fully kinetic description of the plasma using particle in cell modeling for all plasma species with physical charges and masses. The model also relies on a discretization of space with an unstructured tetrahedral mesh that is capable of representing complex boundaries and realistic spacecraft geometries. The code solves for the self-consistent electric fields, given calculated volume charges and charge deposition on the various satellite components. The model is purely electrostatic, but it does account for the effects of a possible constant and uniform background magnetic field.
Rickettsia parkeri in Gulf Coast Ticks, Southeastern Virginia, USA

We report evidence that Amblyomma maculatum tick populations are well established in southeastern Virginia. We found that 43.1% of the adult Gulf Coast ticks collected in the summer of 2010 carried Rickettsia parkeri, suggesting that persons living in or visiting southeastern Virginia are at risk for infection with this pathogen.
Comparison of the sociodemographic characteristics of the large NutriNet-Santé e-cohort with French Census data: the issue of volunteer bias revisited

Background A recurring concern in traditional and in Web-based studies pertains to non-representativeness due to volunteer bias. We investigated this issue in an ongoing, large population-based e-cohort. Methods The sample included 122 912 individuals enrolled in the Internet-based, nutrition-focused NutriNet-Santé study between May 2009 and March 2014, with complete baseline data. Participants were recruited via recurrent multimedia campaigns and other traditional and online strategies. Individuals aged 18+ years, residing in France and having Internet access, were eligible for enrolment. Their sociodemographic characteristics were compared with the corresponding 2009 Census data via χ2 goodness-of-fit tests. The effectiveness of statistical weighting of the e-cohort data was also explored. Results The sample exhibited marked geographical and sociodemographic diversity, including volunteers belonging to typically under-represented subgroups in traditional surveys (unemployed, immigrants, the elderly). Nonetheless, the proportions of women, relatively well-educated individuals and those who are married or cohabiting, were notably larger compared with the corresponding national figures (women: 78.0% vs 52.4%; postsecondary education: 61.5% vs 24.9%; married or cohabiting: 70.8% vs 62.0%, respectively; all p<0.0001). Conclusions There were notable sociodemographic differences between the general French population and this general population-based e-cohort, some of which were corrected by statistical weighting. The findings bear on the potential generalisability of future investigations in the context of e-epidemiology.
Lidocaine Blocks the Hyperpolarization-activated Mixed Cation Current, I h, in Rat Thalamocortical Neurons

Background: The mechanisms that underlie the supraspinal central nervous system effects of systemic lidocaine are poorly understood and not solely explained by Na+ channel blockade. Among other potential targets is the hyperpolarization-activated cation current, I h, which is blocked by lidocaine in peripheral neurons. I h is highly expressed in the thalamus, a brain area previously implicated in lidocaine's systemic effects. The authors tested the hypothesis that lidocaine blocks I h in rat thalamocortical neurons. Methods: The authors conducted whole cell voltage- and current-clamp recordings in ventrobasal thalamocortical neurons in rat brain slices in vitro. Drugs were bath-applied. Data were analyzed with Student t tests and ANOVA as appropriate; &agr; = 0.05. Results: Lidocaine voltage-independently blocked I h, with high efficacy and a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 72 &mgr;M. Lidocaine did not affect I h activation kinetics but delayed deactivation. The I h inhibition was accompanied by an increase in input resistance and membrane hyperpolarization (maximum, 8 mV). Lidocaine increased the latency of rebound low-threshold Ca2+ spike bursts and reduced the number of action potentials in bursts. At depolarized potentials associated with the relay firing mode (>−60 mV), lidocaine at 600 &mgr;M concurrently inhibited a K+ conductance, resulting in depolarization (7–10 mV) and an increase in excitability mediated by Na+-independent, high-threshold spikes. Conclusions: Lidocaine concentration-dependently inhibited I h in thalamocortical neurons in vitro, with high efficacy and a potency similar to Na+ channel blockade. This effect would reduce the neurons' ability to produce intrinsic burst firing and &dgr; rhythms and thereby contribute to the alterations in oscillatory cerebral activity produced by systemic lidocaine in vivo.
Diversity characteristics and the experiences of nursing students during clinical placements: A qualitative study of student, faculty and supervisors’ views

Abstract Background: Little is known about which diversity characteristics if any, impact on nursing students’ clinical placements or how these may affect the quality of their learning experiences. There is therefore a need to better understand these effects not only from the student’s perspective but also from the perspective of the staff who supervise them, in order to ensure students obtain maximal benefit from their placements. Aim: To describe the clinical experiences of nursing students and the diversity characteristics that affect this learning experience. Methods: Data were collected from a series of open-ended questions embedded within a larger anonymous web-based survey, from August 2011 to March 2012. Participants included first, second and third year undergraduate Bachelor of Nursing students (N = 704) and faculty members involved in the clinical learning environment (N = 165) from seven Australian universities. Findings: Qualitative findings were clustered into three main themes: differences, difficulty and discrimination, each with three subthemes. Conclusion: Findings suggest a need to offer appropriate support for nursing students who feel different because of diversity characteristics. Whilst some of the participant perceptions are confronting they provide valuable insights for universities developing curricula and the clinical placement facilities where students obtain their experience.
Verificação formal de protocolos de trocas justas utilizando o metodo de espaços de fitas

Os protocolos de trocas justas foram propostos como solucao para o problema da troca de itens virtuais, entre duas ou mais entidades, sem que haja a necessidade de confianca entre elas. A popularizacao da internet criou uma crescente classe de usuarios leigos que diariamente participam de transacoes de troca, como comercio eletronico (e-commerce), internet banking, redes ponto-a-ponto (P2P), etc. Com tal demanda por justica, e preciso garantir que os protocolos de trocas justas recebam a mesma atencao academica dedicada aos protocolos classicos. Neste contexto, fazem-se necessarias diretrizes de projeto, ferramentas de verificacao, taxonomias de ataques e quaisquer outros artefatos que possam auxiliar na composicao de protocolos sem falhas. Neste trabalho, apresentamos um estudo sobre o problema de trocas justas e o atual estado da arte das solucoes propostas, bem como a possibilidade de criar, a partir de tecnicas para a verificacao formal e deteccao de falhas em protocolos classicos, metodologias para projeto e correcao de protocolos de trocas justas Abstract
Critical success factors for effective knowledge sharing in Chinese joint ventures

Effective knowledge sharing is vital to the success of international joint ventures. To ensure that organizational knowledge in a joint venture can be smoothly communicated and exchanged between its employees in a multi-culture environment, the impact of culture on knowledge sharing needs to be well understood. This paper investigates the impact of culture on knowledge sharing in Chinese joint ventures. Using a multi-case study approach, this paper shows that effective communication, shared mindsets, training and leadership are the critical success factors for effective knowledge sharing in Chinese joint ventures. Such findings facilitate developing specific organizational culture that supports knowledge sharing and can lead to better organizational performance in the increasingly globalized economy.
Convergence of integral functionals of one-dimensional diffusions

In this paper we describe the pathwise behaviour of the integral functional $\int_0^t f(Y_u)\,du$ for any $t\in[0,\zeta]$, where $\zeta$ is (a possibly infinite) exit time of a one-dimensional diffusion process $Y$ from its state space, $f$ is a nonnegative Borel measurable function and the coefficients of the SDE solved by $Y$ are only required to satisfy weak local integrability conditions. Two proofs of the deterministic characterisation of the convergence of such functionals are given: the problem is reduced in two different ways to certain path properties of Brownian motion where either the Williams theorem and the theory of Bessel processes or the first Ray-Knight theorem can be applied to prove the characterisation. As a simple application of the main results we give a short proof of Feller's test for explosion.
Gene structure and expression of nanos (nos) and oskar (osk) orthologues of the vector mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus

The products of the maternal‐effect genes, nanos (nos) and oskar (osk), are important for the development of germ cells in insects. Furthermore, these genes have been proposed as candidates for donating functional DNA regulatory sequences for use in gene drive systems to control transmission of mosquito‐borne pathogens. The nos and osk genes of the cosmopolitan vector mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, encode proteins with domains common to orthologues found in other mosquitoes. Expression analyses support the conclusion that the role of these genes is conserved generally among members of the nematocera. Hybridization in situ analyses reveal differences in mRNA distribution in early embryos in comparison with the cyclorraphan, Drosophila melanogaster, highlighting a possible feature in the divergence of the clades each insect represents.
Signalling to and from the secretory pathway

For growth, survival, communication and homeostasis, cells transport a large number of proteins to the plasma membrane and the extracellular medium by using the secretory pathway. Consequently, to adapt to the surrounding environment and the different intracellular contexts, the secretory pathway needs to accommodate and respond to a plethora of endogenous and exogenous stimuli. It is now well established that several kinases, known to be activated by environmental stimuli, signal from the plasma membrane to the secretory pathway in order to remodel its architecture and modulate the cellular secretion capacity. By contrast, membranes of the early secretory pathway, similar to the endosomal system, can also initiate and modulate signalling cascades, thereby spatially organising cellular signalling and eliciting a different cellular outcome than when signalling is localised to the plasma membrane. This Commentary highlights recent contributions to our understanding of the mutual regulation of the secretory pathway and cellular signalling.
Regulation of Vibrio vulnificus virulence by the LuxS quorum‐sensing system

Vibrio vulnificus is a halophilic estuarine bacterium that causes fatal septicaemia and necrotizing wound infections. We tested whether V. vulnificus produces signalling molecules (autoinducer 1 and/or 2) stimulating Vibrio harveyi quorum‐sensing system 1 and/or 2. Although there was no evidence for signalling system 1, we found that V. vulnificus produced a signalling activity in the culture supernatant that induced luminescence expression in V. harveyi through signalling system 2. Maximal autoinducer 2 (AI‐2) activity was observed during mid‐exponential to early stationary phase and disappeared in the late stationary phase when V. vulnificus was grown in heart infusion broth containing 2.5% NaCl. V. vulnificus showed increased signalling activity when it was cultured in the presence of glucose (0.5%) and at low pH (pH 6.0). From a cosmid library of V. vulnificus type strain ATCC 29307, we have identified the AI‐2 synthase gene (luxSVv) showing 80% identity with that of V. harveyi (luxSVh) at the amino acid level. To investigate the pathogenic role of luxSVv, a deletion mutant of the clinical isolate V. vulnificus MO6‐24/O was constructed. The luxSVv mutant showed a significant delay in protease production and an increase in haemolysin production. The decreased protease and increased haemolysin activities were restored to the isogenic wild‐type level by complementation with the wild‐type luxSVv allele. The change in phenotypes was also complemented by logarithmic phase spent media produced by the wild‐type bacteria. Transcriptional activities of the haemolysin gene (vvhA) and protease gene (vvpE) were also observed in the mutant using chromosomal PvvhA::lacZ and PvvpE::lacZ transcriptional reporter constructs: transcription of vvhA was increased and of vvpE decreased by the mutation. The mutation resulted in an attenuation of lethality to mice. Intraperitoneal LD50 of the luxSVv mutant increased by 10‐ and 750‐fold in ferric ammonium citrate‐non‐overloaded and ferric ammonium citrate‐overloaded mice respectively. The time required for the death of mice was also significantly delayed in the luxSVv mutant. Cytotoxic activity of the organism against HeLa cells, measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay, was also decreased significantly by the mutation. Taken together, the V. vulnificus LuxS quorum‐sensing system seems to play an important role in co‐ordinating the expression of virulence factors.
Factors Influencing Practice of Optimal Dietary Intake of Alcoholics under Rehabilitation in Asumbi-Homabay, Kenya

Background: Optimal dietary intake in alcohol rehabilitation is a pathway that reflects self-care, commitment to staying sober and is a vital adjunct in effective alcohol rehabilitation. Objective: This qualitative study sought to elicit facilitators and barriers that influence the practice of optimal dietary intake during the three months of alcohol rehabilitation. Methods: A question guide was utilized to solicit information through in-depth interviews from 15 alcoholics and 5 health professionals until saturation point. Constant comparative approach was used to analyze verbatim transcripts obtained from in-depth interviews. This analysis entailed three stages including open, axial and selective coding. Results: Recuperating alcoholics’ appreciated the health benefits of practicing optimal dietary intake in restoring their health, with health professionals being significantly supportive which translated into increased self-efficacy to practice of optimal dietary intake during alcohol rehabilitation. Conclusions: The rehabilitation centres should have nutritionists besides other health professionals who can offer individualized nutrition services needed by the recuperating alcoholics.
Optimisation of ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration of sweet potato (Ipomea batatas) using response surface methodology.

BACKGROUND Sweet potato is a highly nutritious tuber crop that is rich in β-carotene. Osmotic dehydration is a pretreatment method for drying of fruit and vegetables. Recently, ultrasound technology has been applied in food processing because of its numerous advantages which include time saving, little damage to the quality of the food. Thus, there is need to investigate and optimise the process parameters [frequency (20-50 kHz), time (10-30 min) and sucrose concentration (20-60% w/v)] for ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration of sweet potato using response surface methodology. RESULTS The optimised values obtained were frequency of 33.93 kHz, time of 30 min and sucrose concentration of 35.69% (w/v) to give predicted values of 21.62, 4.40 and 17.23% for water loss, solid gain and weight reduction, respectively. The water loss and weight reduction increased when the ultrasound frequency increased from 20 to 35 kHz and then decreased as the frequency increased from 35 to 50 kHz. CONCLUSION The results from this work show that low ultrasound frequency favours the osmotic dehydration of sweet potato and also reduces the use of raw material (sucrose) needed for the osmotic dehydration of sweet potato. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.