Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risky behaviors of youth living in the slums of Kampala: a closer examination of youth participating in vocational training programs

ABSTRACT Obtaining formal education is associated with a decreased risk of HIV transmission among youth in sub-Saharan Africa. However, little is known about the role vocational skills training programs may have on risk behaviors linked to HIV transmission among vulnerable youth in sub-Saharan Africa. This study examined the characteristics and risk behaviors among vulnerable youth who receive vocational skills training by a community-based organization. Empirical analyses were conducted using a cross-sectional survey administered in 2014 to youth (ages 12–18 years) in the slums of Kampala (n = 1,134). Five multivariable logistic regression models were computed to determine the association between participating in a vocational training program and self-reported risk behaviors pertaining to alcohol use, lack of condom use, sex with multiple partners, and transactional sex. In our study, 29.6% of youth attended a vocational training program. Our findings show that youth who participated in vocational training were more likely to report often feeling hopeful (AOR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1, 3.0) and less likely to report alcohol use (AOR: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2, 0.7) than those not attending vocational training programs, in multivariable analyses. Overall, findings varied for males and females. These findings, while preliminary, indicate that self-reported behaviors associated with risk for HIV transmission vary in some respects for youth participating in vocational training versus those who do not. However, additional research is needed, as are evaluations of the benefits and potential impact of vocational training in both the short and long-term for vulnerable youth in resource-poor settings and with limited access to formal education.
Stress Compromises HSV-1-Specific Immunity in Latently Infected Sensory Ganglia

Recurrent HSV-1 ocular disease results from reactivation of latent virus in trigeminal ganglia (TG), often following immunosuppression or exposure to a variety of psychological or physical stressors. HSV-specific CD8+ T cells can block HSV-1 reactivation from latency in ex vivo TG cultures in part through production of IFN-γ. Here we establish that either CD8+ T cell depletion or exposure to restraint stress permits HSV-1 to transiently escape from latency in vivo. Restraint stress caused a glucocorticoid-associated reduction of TG-resident HSV-specific CD8+ T cells, and a functional compromise of those cells that survive, at least partly mediated by catecholamines. Together, these effects of stress resulted in an approximate 65% reduction of cells capable of producing IFN-γ, and impairment in the ability of those cells to release lytic granules, in response to reactivating virus. We also establish that restraint stress during the primary infection results in a 54% reduction of virus-specific IL-7Rα+ memory precursor cells in the TG at the peak of expansion. When mice stressed early were stressed again during latency, their T cell response may be further compromised. Our findings demonstrate persistent in vivo regulation of latent HSV-1 by CD8+ T cells, and strongly support the concept that stress induces HSV-1 reactivation from latency at least in part by compromising CD8+ T cell surveillance of latently infected neurons.
The 2004 WHO Classification of Non-Invasive Papillary Neoplasms of the Urinary Bladder (Also Referred to as WHO(2004)/ISUP)

The consistent use of the 2004 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of non-invasive urothelial papillary tumors should result in the uniform diagnosis of tumors diagnosis, stratified according to risk potential, and will facilitate comparative clinical studies, the incorporation of molecular data and the identification of aggressive, genetically unstable neoplasms. Until the 2004 WHO system is fully validated from the clinically and prognostically, point of view, tumors should be graded according to both the 2004 WHO scheme and the 1973 WHO system.
GIS-Based Modeling of Pinyon–Juniper Woodland Structure in the Great Basin

Pinyon-juniper woodlands are a dominant vegetation type across the Intermountain West, covering an estimated 30 million ha. Increases in density, cover, and aerial extent over recent decades have been associated with altered fire regimes, tree mortality, and reduced understory productivity. In our study we sought to determine how environmental factors influence woodland structure and to exploit such abiotic influences to improve our ability to model woodland structure from digital aerial photography. We developed and applied a methodology for automated tree canopy cover mapping using an object-oriented classifier. The resulting classification was used to scale up stand inventory measurements (0.1 ha) across 11 mountain ranges to a 3,250 km 2 area. Predictive models were compared with field-measured values from a validation sample for tree canopy cover, basal area, height, and stand density index. Linear mixed-effects regression models demonstrated consistent relationships between woodland structure attributes and environmental variables. More productive sites supported greater tree densities, whereas less productive sites supported fewer, larger trees. Relatively weak relationships for certain variables (e.g., tree height) suggest that woodland structure-environment relationships are partially obscured by natural disturbances and land use history. FOR . S CI. 55(1):1-12.
The ability of the n-alkane technique to estimate intake and diet choice of sheep

This study assessed the efficacy of the n-alkane technique to estimate intake and diet composition in animals given single foods or a choice of two. In the first experiment intakes of pelleted ryegrass and lucerne, given either alone or as a choice, were measured in lambs housed indoors in individual pens. Each of the three feeding treatments was given to 12 lambs at two degrees of maturity (0·30 and 0·45 of estimated mature sizes). The 12 lambs were constituted as three replicates of the two sexes of each of two breeds. The measured intakes were compared with those estimated using the n-alkanes C 31 and C 33 , found naturally in the foods, and C 32 , which was given as a dose. On the choice treatment diet composition was estimated using a non-negative least squares procedure and data on C 31 and C 33 alone. The agreement between actual and predicted intake was good: R 2 of 0·938 for log-linear regression with a residual standard deviation of 0·0845. Intake of lucerne when offered alone was slightly yet significantly over-predicted. The proportion of ryegrass in the diet was also accurately predicted ( R 2 of 0·950 and residual s.d. of 0·0398). Using the data on C 27 and C 29 , in addition to that on C 31 and C 33 , gave a poorer agreement with the observed diet compositions. The low and similar levels of C 27 in the two foods meant that this n-alkane provided little extra information that could be used to estimate diet composition. In a second experiment faecal samples were collected every 4 hours over a 24-h period in six lambs on ad libitum, and in six lambs on a restricted quantity, of pelleted ryegrass. There was no significant diurnal variation in the ratios of either C 31 or C 33 to C 32 on either ad libitum or restricted feeding. The time of faecal collection within a day should not therefore affect the reliability of the predictions. The study confirmed the value of using n-alkanes in methods to determine the intake of forages by sheep, and that the time of faecal collection within the day does not affect the reliability of these predictions. The results also confirm the utility of the n-alkane method for estimating diet choice, at least with two-component mixtures.
Polymicrobial Injection-Site Abscesses Associated with Contaminated Methylprednisolone Injections in Florida

Intramuscular injections have been identified as the cause of many infectious disease outbreaks in the United States. Identified sources include intrinsically contaminated product or a breakdown in infection control practices leading to extrinsic contamination of the product [1-5] In September 2012, a national outbreak investigation involving the New England Compounding Center (NECC), identified at least 61 deaths and 749 adverse events from intrinsically contaminated preservative-free Methylprednisolone acetate (pf-MPA) primarily injected through epidural or intraspinal sites [6-9]. In addition to the NECC outbreak as of 2012, 11 outbreaks are known to have occurred since January 2000 in which compounded products have resulted in an additional 207 infections and 17 deaths [10]. On May 28, 2013, the Main Street Family Pharmacy (MSFP) of Tennessee recalled all lots of sterile compounded products manufactured since December 1, 2012 [11]. On June 7, 2013, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that it had identified bacterial and fungal growth from two separate lots of unopened 80mg/ml, 10mL vials of pf-MPA from MSFP; lot 011413dan and lot 010913dan [12]. In total, 96 facilities in 17 states received sterile compounded products from MSFP, including pf-MPA [12]. Three of these facilities were located in Florida; however, only one of the Florida facilities received the recalled pf-MPA (80mg/ml, 10mL vials) and reported potential adverse events among injected patients. As of June 27, 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 26 individuals in four states had an infection suspected to be associated with exposure to the recalled MSFP products [11]. The majority of these individuals had localized skin and soft tissue infections at the site of the injection, and all affected individuals had been exposed to a preservative-free formulation of MSFP MP It was determined that among the three Florida recipient facilities, one facility received recalled pf-MPA from MSFP and reported potential adverse events among injected patients. On May 28, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) sent a team to the facility to investigate. The aims James Matthias*, Philip Cavicchia, Scott Pritchard and Robert Bernstein
Análisis y establecimiento de una jerarquía de valores del alumnado de ciclos formativos de grado medio-superior de formación profesional mediante un proceso de triangulación analítica

El objetivo de este estudio ha sido determinar la importancia que el alumnado del ciclo formativo de Grado Medio-Superior de la provincia de Granada (España), concede a un conjunto de valores. Mediante un estudio de encuesta se ha establecido una jerarquización axiológica validada mediante un proceso de triangulación analítica. La conclusión más relevante del estudio es el establecimiento de una jerarquización distribuida en cuatro grupos: en el primero de ellos, de muy alta relevancia, se sitúan ítems que denotan valores como: la afectividad, la empatía, la felicidad y la creatividad. En el segundo grupo, de alta relevancia, destacan valores como: la motivación, alimentación sana, ejercicio físico, medio ambiente, valorarse, capacidad de elección, resolución de conflictos, familia, etc. El tercer grupo, de relevancia moderada, está configurado por ítems que hacen alusión a: cambiar de puesto de trabajo, dejarse llevar por los instintos, sacar buenas notas, democracia, ser español, la política, diversidad de religiones, etc. El último grupo, de baja relevancia, está relacionado con valores como el deterioro del medio ambiente y la prospectiva de futuro.
Assessing the Association between PR and Different Clinico - Pathologic Breast Cancer Features

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in females and characterized by high morbidity and mortality. A plethora of data supporting the role of hormone receptors in breast cancer, exist. The majority of these data has focused on the roles of estrogen receptor (ER) and epidermal growth factor receptor (Her2). Data regarding the role of progestin receptor are not as prevalent as ER receptor. This study aims at assessing the association between PR and different clinico-pathologic breast cancer features. Methods: Clinicopathologic and demographic data from a cohort of 298 patients who referred to King Hussein Medical City (KHMC) between 2007 and 2014 were retrieved and analyzed. Results: The average age of the cohort under investigation was 51.2 years with most of the patients having intraductal tumors. Two hundred and three patients had PR positive tumors (68%). Patients with PR negative tumors were more likely to have lymphovascular invasion (χ2=4.6, p=0.03). Additionally, patients with PR positive tumors were more likely to have ER positive tumors (χ2=102.7, p<0.0001) and Her2 negative tumors (χ2=11.5, p=0.001). Interestingly patients with PR positive and negative tumors did not differ in age, tumor size or number of lymph nodes involved. Conclusion: Progesterone receptor status affects different clinico-pathologic breast cancer features. The exact role of PR and its impact on breast cancer progression should be assessed in a larger study.
Triceps Brachii Muscle Strength and Architectural Adaptations with Resistance Training Exercises at Short or Long Fascicle Length

The aim of this study was to investigate whether resistance training at short or long triceps brachii fascicle length induces different muscular strength and architectural adaptations. Nine young, novice, female participants, were trained for 6 weeks (two sessions/week) performing 6 sets × 6-RM (repetition maximum) unilateral cable exercises either with push-downs at short fascicle length (S) or overhead extensions with the contralateral arm at long fascicle length (L) of triceps brachii. Before and after training, 1-RM elbow extension and triceps brachii muscle architecture were evaluated. Muscle architecture was analyzed at 50% and 60% of the upper-arm length. Two-dimensional longitudinal muscle area of the triceps long head was also analyzed. The results indicated that 1-RM increased 40.1 ± 21.3% and 44.5 ± 20.1% (p < 0.01) after S and L, respectively. Muscle thickness at 50% length was increased 10.7 ± 15.3% (p < 0.05) and 13.7 ± 9.0% (p < 0.01) after S and L, while at 60% it was increased 15.5 ± 18.8% (p < 0.05) and 19.4 ± 16.3% (p < 0.01), respectively. Longitudinal muscle area increased similarly after S and L (p < 0.01). Fascicle angle and length were not altered with training. These results indicate that muscle strength and architecture of elbow extensors adapt similarly during the first six weeks of resistance training at either long or short fascicle length.
Supplemented Alkaline Phosphatase Supports the Immune Response in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: Clinical and Computational Evidence

Alkaline phosphatase (AP) is an enzyme that exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by dephosphorylating inflammation triggering moieties (ITMs) like bacterial lipopolysaccharides and extracellular nucleotides. AP administration aims to prevent and treat peri- and post-surgical ischemia reperfusion injury in cardiothoracic surgery patients. Recent studies reported that intravenous bolus administration and continuous infusion of AP in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiac valve surgery induce an increased release of liver-type “tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase” (TNAP) into the bloodstream. The release of liver-type TNAP into circulation could be the body's way of strengthening its defense against a massive ischemic insult. However, the underlying mechanism behind the induction of TNAP is still unclear. To obtain a deeper insight into the role of AP during surgery, we developed a mathematical model of systemic inflammation that clarifies the relation between supplemented AP and TNAP and describes a plausible induction mechanism of TNAP in patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. The model was validated against clinical data from patients treated with bovine Intestinal AP (bIAP treatment) or without AP (placebo treatment), in addition to standard care procedures. We performed additional in-silico experiments adding a secondary source of ITMs after surgery, as observed in some patients with complications, and predicted the response to different AP treatment regimens. Our results show a strong protective effect of supplemented AP for patients with complications. The model provides evidence of the existence of an induction mechanism of liver-type tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase, triggered by the supplementation of AP in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. To the best of our knowledge this is the first time that a quantitative and validated numerical model of systemic inflammation under clinical treatment conditions is presented.
Evaluation of an operational ice–ocean analysis and forecasting system for the Gulf of St Lawrence

Our ability to simulate and understand oceanic conditions of the Gulf of St Lawrence (GSL) has significantly increased in the last decade with the development of regional ocean models combining scientific knowledge, oceanographic data, and computing techniques. This has created opportunities for their integration with meteorological forecast models where the importance of sea ice–ocean dynamics in air–sea exchanges was recently demonstrated. In order to produce accurate initial conditions for coupled weather forecasts, a GSL ice–ocean ‘pseudo’ analysis (IOPA) system has been developed and implemented operationally at the Canadian Meteorological Centre (CMC). Based on prognostic ice–ocean model solutions the IOPA system has sufficient skill to produce realistic daily fields without flux correction or data assimilation of temperature and salinity. Using only a simple assimilation method for sea‐ice data, daily oceanic fields are obtained and can be used to initialize ice–ocean or coupled atmospheric forecasting systems.
The genetic association between apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism and Parkinson disease

Objective: Although the relationship between apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene polymorphisms and the risk of Parkinson disease (PD) has been established, the results were inconsistent and inconclusive. Methods: A comprehensive search examining the association between APOE polymorphisms and PD through PubMed, Embase, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Cochrane Library databases was performed without published year limited. Results: A total of 47 studies with 7533 cases and 14442 controls were included in present study. The results showed statistically significant association between risk factor ApoE &egr;4 allele and PD in Asian population (P = .003, odds ratio, OR [95% confidence interval, CI] = 1.43 [1.13,1.80]). Genotype &egr;2&egr;4 have significantly associated with PD in Asian population (P = .004, OR [95% CI] = 4.43 [1.62,12.10]). Genotype &egr;3&egr;4 was significantly associated with PD in Latin-American population (P = .01, OR [95% CI] = 1.44 [1.08,1.91]). In addition, the frequency of the genotype &egr;3&egr;4 is lower in PD group than that in the control group in Caucasian population, and the difference of genotype &egr;3&egr;4 is also statistically significant (P = .006, OR [95% CI] = 0.86 [0.77,0.96]). Although significant heterogeneity was observed among all studies, the results were shown to be stabilized by sensitive analysis. No publish bias was observed. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that the APOE &egr;4, but no &egr;2, might be a risk factor for PD in Asian population. Furthermore, the genotype &egr;2&egr;4 may be a susceptible factor for PD in Asian population, and the genotype &egr;3&egr;4 may be a susceptible factor for PD in both Caucasian and Latin-American populations.
A study to determine the knowledge of pharmacovigilance among pharmacy students from Mumbai university

Background: Pharmacovigilance (PV); also known as drug safety surveillance, is the science of enhancing patient care and patient safety regarding the use of medicines by collecting, monitoring, assessing, and evaluating information from healthcare providers and patients. Pharmacists are pivotal players in adverse drug event (ADE) monitoring and reporting. However, most pharmacists are unaware or not knowledgeable about the guidelines used by their respective countries’ drug regulatory bodies. It is the need of the hour to train pharmacy students on the concept of pharmacovigilance.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among pharmacy students from Mumbai University, India during May-June 2017. On the basis of the eligibility criterion 352 students were selected for the present study. Four hundred students were approached to participate in the study of which 201 agreed to participate (males: 179; females: 173). Pretested questionnaire was distributed and collected data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23.Results: Overall pharmacovigilance knowledge (44%) and perception (58%) was low among the participants of the present study. Seventy four percent of the participants felt that adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting should be made compulsory for healthcare professionals. And only 21% agreed that the topic of Pharmacovigilance is well covered in pharmacy curriculum.Conclusions: Pharmacy council of India, pharmacy teacher’s association and respective pharmacy college should take necessary steps to increase the knowledge and create awareness regarding pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction reporting among pharmacy students.
Educational Intervention to Foster Best Infection Control Practices Among Nursing Staff

Background: The continuous education of healthcare workers (HCW) is considered as one of the key components of infection control programs. Since nurses are the frontline healthcare staff; their optimal and periodic training in basic infection control practices is essential. Objectives: The current study aimed at assessing the pre-existing knowledge and evaluating the effectiveness of one day educational activities to improve the knowledge regarding infection control practices. Methods: A whole day educational activity comprising didactic lectures and hands-on training on routine infection control practices was conducted for a group of 34 nursing staff. Cognitive gain was assessed using a pre-validated, pre- and posttest questionnaire. The participants’ perceptions of the entire educational activity were scored based on a five-point Likert scale. Results: The average percentage of test score increased significantly from 19.71% (pretest score: 3.94 ± 2.3) to 76.69% (posttest score: 15.33 ± 2.4). The class-average normalized gain was 0.7097 (70.97%). The mode rating score of the participant’s perception increased from 3 (good) to 4 (very good). Conclusions: Educational intervention had a significant impact on the improvement in the knowledge of nursing staff. Similar periodic interventions should be encouraged to facilitate the learning of HCWs on the best infection control practices.
Delayed Ischemic Hyperintensity on T1-Weighted MRI in the Caudoputamen and Cerebral Cortex of Humans After Spectacular Shrinking Deficit

Background and Purpose—Transient internal carotid artery (ICA)–middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion caused by cardiogenic embolus can lead to spectacular shrinking deficit (SSD): sudden hemispheric stroke syndrome followed by rapid improvement. The aim of this study was to investigate sequential neuroradiological changes in the brains of patients after SSD compared with those after brief cardiac arrest and hypoglycemia, which we previously studied with the same methods. Methods—We serially studied CT scans and MR images obtained at 1.5 T in 4 patients with SSD. All 4 patients suffered from transient neurological deficits due to cardiogenic embolus in ICA-MCA. The symptoms began to disappear from 25 to 50 minutes after onset. Results—Repeated CT scans demonstrated no abnormal findings in the affected cerebral hemisphere in 3 of the 4 patients and a small cortical infarct in the remaining 1. In each patient, repeated MRI between day 7 and month 23 after stroke showed basal ganglionic and cortical lesions.