Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis B Virus Translocates across a Trophoblastic Barrier

ABSTRACT Mother-infant transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) accounts for up to 30% of worldwide chronic infections. The mechanism and high-risk period of HBV transmission from mother to infant are unknown. Although largely prevented by neonatal vaccination, significant transmission continues to occur in high-risk populations. It is unclear whether HBV can traverse an intact epithelial barrier to infect a new host. Transplacental transmission of a number of viruses relies on transcytotic pathways across placental cells. We wished to determine whether infectious HBV can traverse a polarized trophoblast monolayer. We used a human placenta-derived cell line, BeWo, cultured on membranes as polarized monolayers, to model the maternal-fetal barrier. We assessed the effects of placental maturity and maternal immunoglobulin on viral transport. Intracellular viral trafficking pathways were investigated by confocal microscopy. Free HBV (and infectious duck hepatitis B virus) transcytosed across trophoblastic cells at a rate of 5% in 30 min. Viral transport occurred in microtubule-dependent endosomal vesicles. Additionally, confocal microscopy showed that the internalized virus traverses a monensin-sensitive endosomal compartment. Differentiation of the cytotrophoblasts to syncytiotrophoblasts resulted in a 25% reduction in viral transcytosis, suggesting that placental maturity may protect the fetus. Virus translocation was also reduced in the presence of HBV immunoglobulin. We show for the first time that transcytosis of infectious hepadnavirus can occur across a trophoblastic barrier early in gestation, with the risk of transmission being reduced by placental maturity and specific maternal antibody. This study suggests a mechanism by which mother-infant transmission may occur.
Advanced phase chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in the tyrosine kinase inhibitor era – a report from the Swedish CML register

The primary goal in management of chronic phase (CP) chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is to prevent disease progression to accelerated phase (AP) or blast crisis (BC). We have evaluated progression rates in a decentralised healthcare setting and characterised patients progressing to AP/BC on TKI treatment.
The Kawa model: The power of culturally responsive occupational therapy

The Kawa (Japanese for river) model, developed by Japanese and Canadian rehabilitation professionals, presents an important and novel alternative to contemporary ‘Western’ models of rehabilitation. Rather than focussing primarily on the individual client, the Kawa model focusses on ‘contexts’ that shape and influence the realities and challenges of peoples' day-to-day lives. The first substantial model of rehabilitation practice developed outside of the West illuminates the transactional quality of human-environment dynamics and the importance of inter-relations of self and others through the metaphor of a river's flow. The model's reflection of Eastern thought and views of nature presents a useful point of comparison to familiar rational and mechanical explanations of occupation and well-being. In this article, the rationale for an alternative model in rehabilitation is presented, followed by an explanation of the structure and concepts of the Kawa model. Implications for culturally responsive practice as well as the model's significance to the advancement of culturally safe rehabilitation worldwide are discussed.
Maternal Depressive Symptoms Are Associated With Low Fearfulness in Preschoolers

The purpose of this study is to examine whether maternal depressive symptoms predict low positive emotionality and high temperamental fearfulness in preschool children. Maternal depressive symptoms were assessed prenatally and at 2, 6, and 36 months postnatally. Positive emotionality and temperamental fearfulness were assessed using laboratory observations in a large cohort of typically developing Dutch preschoolers (N = 799; 404 boys) at age 36 months (M = 37.53, SD = 1.50). Children exposed to elevated levels of maternal depressive symptoms in the first 3 years of life behaved less fearfully at age 3 years in a novel context that primarily elicited a startle response (B = −0.08, SE = 0.03, p = .01). The severity rather than timing of or change in maternal depressive symptoms accounted for the observed effect. In the present sample, maternal depressive symptoms were not associated with positive emotionality in the offspring (p > .05). Findings suggest a relation between maternal depressive symptoms and decreased offspring fearfulness in a low-risk community sample of young children.
When Should Physical Rehabilitation Commence after Stroke: A Systematic Review

Background Knowing when to commence physical rehabilitation after stroke is important to ensure optimal benefit for stroke survivors and efficient health care. The aims of this review were to: determine the effects on mortality, function and complications when physical rehabilitation commences ‘early’ (within seven days of stroke); and describe the effects of early transfer to rehabilitation wards/hospitals when sustained rehabilitation is unavailable in acute stroke units. Review summary From 3751 potential articles we included 5 randomized controlled trials and 38 cohort studies. Meta-analysis was performed with 3 randomized controlled trials involving 159 people to investigate the effects of commencing physical rehabilitation within 24 h of stroke compared to 48 h. Commencing physical rehabilitation within 24 h trended towards greater mortality (Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio 2·58; 95% confidence interval 0·98 to 6·79, P = 0·06), with no differences in complications or health outcomes. The cohort studies provided evidence of benefits when physical rehabilitation was commenced on the day of admission (n = 1), within 3 days of stroke (n = 3), or ‘sooner rather than later’ (3 of 4 studies). The effect of earlier transfer to rehabilitation was reported in 32 cohort studies. In 23/26 (88%) cohort studies that accounted for age and stroke severity, results favored earlier transfer for improving post-stroke function, with no consensus on timeframes. Conclusion In summary, the benefits of commencing physical rehabilitation within 24 h of stroke remain unclear from the current literature. Commencing physical rehabilitation or transferring to rehabilitation services ‘early’ may provide better functional outcomes.
Concurrent fatigue and potentiation in endurance athletes.

PURPOSE Countermovement jump (CMJ) and maximum running speed over a distance of 20 m were evaluated for examination of the concurrent fatigue and postactivation potentiation (PAP) in endurance athletes after an incremental field running test. METHODS Twenty-two endurance athletes performed two attempts of CMJ on a force plate and maximum running speed test before and following the Université de Montréal Track Test (UMTT). RESULTS The results showed an improvement in CMJ height (3.6%) after UMTT that correlated with the increment in peak power (3.4%), with a concurrent peak force loss (-10.8%) that correlated with peak power enhancement. The athletes maintained their 20 m sprint performance after exhaustion. Cluster analysis reinforced the association between CMJ and peak power increments in responders with a reported correlation between peak power and sprint performance increments (r = .623; P = .041); nonresponders showed an impairment of peak force, vertical stiffness, and a higher vertical displacement of the center of mass during the countermovement that correlated with lactate concentration (r = -0.717; P = .02). CONCLUSIONS It can be suggested that PAP could counteract the peak force loss after exhaustion, allowing the enhancement of CMJ performance and the maintenance of sprint ability in endurance athletes after the UMTT. From these results, the evaluation of CMJ after incremental running tests for the assessment of muscular adaptations in endurance athletes can be recommended.
Stochastic Optimization Methods Applied to Microwave Imaging: A Review

Stochastic methods are now very common in electromagnetics. Among the various applications, they have been recently proposed for solving inverse problems arising in radio-frequency and microwave imaging. Some of the recently proposed stochastic inversion procedures are critically discussed (e.g., genetic algorithms, differential evolution methods, memetic algorithms, particle swarm optimizations, hybrid techniques, etc.) and the way they have been applied in this area. The use of the ant colony optimization method, which is a relatively new method in electromagnetics, is also proposed. Various imaging modalities are considered (tomography, buried object detection, and borehole sensing). Finally, the main features making these approaches useful for imaging purposes are discussed and the currently considered strategies to reduce the computational load associated with stochastic optimization procedures delineated
Performance evaluation of face recognition algorithms on Asian face database

Human face is one of the most common and useful keys to a person's identity. Although, a number of face recognition algorithms have been proposed, many researchers believe that the technology should be improved further in order to overcome the instability due to variable illuminations, expressions, poses and accessories. In general, face databases for European and American such as CMU PIE (USA), FERET (USA), AR Face DB (USA) and XM2VTS (UK) have been used for training face recognition algorithms and testing the performance of those. However, many of the images in databases are not adequately annotated with the exact pose angle, illumination angle and illuminant color. Also, the faces on these databases have definitely different characteristics from those of Asian. Thus, we constructed the well-designed Korean face database (KFDB), which includes not only images but also ground truth information for facial feature points, and description files for subjects and exact capture environments. In this paper, we report the experimental results of face recognition performed using CM (correlation matching), PCA (principal component analysis) and LFA (local feature analysis) algorithms under various conditions on the KFDB.
Delayed clearance of serum HBsAg in compensated cirrhosis B: relation to interferon alpha therapy and disease prognosis

Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, prognostic factors and clinical significance of delayed clearance of serum HBsAg in compensated cirrhosis B.Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study of 309 consecutive white patients with biopsy-proved compensated cirrhosis type B.Results:During a mean follow-up of 68 months, HBsAg loss occurred in 32 patients, including 16 (8%) of 196 untreated patients (mean annual incidence 0.8%), 8 (10%) of 82 interferon (IFN) alpha–treated patients and eight patients who had been treated with other antivirals or steroids. The 5-yr probability of HBsAg loss was 4% and 16% for untreated and IFN-treated patients, respectively (p= 0.0001). Cox's regression analysis identified hepatitis B e antigen–positivity at entry as the sole independent prognostic factor for HBsAg loss. Of the 32 patients who lost HBsAg, one (3%) subsequently developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and died, whereas, among the patients who remained HBsAg-positive, 11% developed HCC and 20% had died. The probability of HCC appearance was lower (p= 0.0137) and survival was longer (p= 0.0006) in patients who cleared HBsAg compared with patients with HBsAg persistence.Conclusion:The incidence of HBsAg loss is about 0.8% in cirrhosis type B. Prognostic factors for clearance of HBsAg are initial HBeAg positivity and therapy with alpha interferon. Patients with cirrhosis type B, who lose HBsAg, have a low risk for liver cancer or liver-related death.
Earliest Sensor Detection Opportunity for Left Turn Across Path Opposite Direction Crashes

Left turn across path crashes with a vehicle traveling from the opposite direction (LTAP/OD) are a common and often fatal intersection crash scenario in the U.S. Intersection advanced driver assistance systems (I-ADAS) are active safety systems emerging in the vehicle fleet that are intended to help drivers safely traverse intersections. The objective of this study was to examine the earliest detection opportunity for I-ADAS in LTAP/OD intersection crashes. A total of 35 crashes were extracted for this study's analysis from the NASS/CDS crash database. EDR precrash records taken from each vehicle were then used to determine vehicle position with respect to time. Two scenarios are considered: one with and one without potential sight occlusions. The results suggest that, even if no sight obstructions are present, an I-ADAS that warns drivers of an impending collision will be greatly limited by perception–reaction time. Accordingly, systems that employ automated emergency braking are expected to be substantially more effective. Required detection distances and azimuth values are presented. The results highlight the need for careful tuning of sensor capabilities and the need to consider side-facing sensors for ensuring vehicle tracking prior to any potential collision conflict.
Vascular tenascin‐C regulates cardiac endothelial phenotype and neovascularization

Microenvironmental cues mediate postnatal neovascularization via modulation of endothelial cell and bone marrow‐derived endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) activity. Numerous signals regulate the activity of both of these cell types in response to vascular injury, which suggests that parallel mechanisms regulate angiogenesis in the vascular beds of both the heart and bone marrow. To identify mediators of such shared pathways, in vivo bone marrow/cardiac phage display biopanning was performed and led to the identification of tenascin‐C as a candidate protein. Functionally, tenascin‐C inhibits cardiac endothelial cell spreading and enhances migration in response to angiogenic growth factors. Analysis of human coronary thrombi revealed tenascin‐C protein expression colocalized with the endothelial cell/EPC marker Tie‐2 in intrathrombi vascular channels. Immunostains in the rodent heart demonstrated that tenascin‐C also colocalizes with EPCs homing to sites of cardiac angiogenic induction. To determine the importance of tenascin‐C in cardiac neovascularization, we used an established cardiac transplantation model and showed that unlike wild‐type mice, tenascin‐C−/− mice fail to vascularize cardiac allografts. This demonstrates for the first time that tenascin‐C is essential for postnatal cardiac angiogenic function. Together, our data highlight the role of tenascin‐C as a microenvironmental regulator of cardiac endothelial/EPC activity.
A retrospective evaluation of a treatment protocol for dental implant periapical lesions: long-term results of 39 implant apicoectomies.

PURPOSE The goal of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the efficacy of a treatment modality for a lesion at the apical portion of a nonmobile dental implant. MATERIALS AND METHODS All patients were treated with an intraoral treatment approach. A flap was elevated facial to the effected implant site, exposing the bone. A carbide bur was used to open a window in the bone. The bur was then used to cut the implant and completely remove the affected portion of the implant. The surgical site was then closed with interrupted vicryl sutures, and patients were prescribed. RESULTS Thirty-nine implants in 35 patients with a mean age of 58.3 years were identified clinically and radiographically with the presence of a periapical lesion. These 39 implants, which constituted 9.9% of implants (39 of 395) placed in these 35 patients, were consecutively treated using the intraoral apicoectomy procedure. Thirty-eight of the 39 implants (97.4%) treated with this technique remained stable and continued in function with no further complication. Follow-up time averaged 4.54 years; the longest follow-up time exceeded 15 years. CONCLUSION Based upon the results of this retrospective study, lesions in the apical region of implants can be treated successfully using an intraoral apicoectomy procedure.
Associations among breastfeeding, smoking relapse, and prenatal factors in a brief postpartum smoking intervention

Postpartum smoking contributes to child health problems and is a barrier to breastfeeding, which promotes child health. There is a risk of postpartum smoking relapse for smokers and they are less likely to breastfeed. Understanding of smoking–breastfeeding associations must be improved. Enhancing smoking cessation advice simultaneously with breastfeeding counseling could increase smoking abstinence and breastfeeding rates. A low income sample of 31 volunteer maternal smokers and ex‐smokers were recruited for this pilot intervention in an urban hospital's postpartum unit. Following pre‐intervention interview, participants received either smoking relapse prevention plus breastfeeding counseling, or smoking relapse prevention only counseling. At one‐month follow‐up, we hypothesized that breastfeeding duration would positively relate to 7‐day point prevalence abstinence rates and days to relapse and explored prenatal care and pregnancy smoking behavior associations with postpartum smoking and breastfeeding. Of the mothers, 75% completed follow‐up. Days to relapse was related to duration of breastfeeding (r = 0.92, p = 0.08); however, counseling group differences in one‐month smoking status were not significant. Earlier prenatal care initiation was associated with smoking abstinences at one month postpartum (χ2 = 4.87, p ≤ 0.05). Early prenatal care and breastfeeding is associated with postpartum smoking abstinence.
Fenamates as TRP channel blockers: mefenamic acid selectively blocks TRPM3

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Fenamates are N‐phenyl‐substituted anthranilic acid derivatives clinically used as non‐steroid anti‐inflammatory drugs in pain treatment. Reports describing fenamates as tools to interfere with cellular volume regulation attracted our attention based on our interest in the role of the volume‐modulated transient receptor potential (TRP) channels TRPM3 and TRPV4.
Influence of agonists on desensitization of glutamate receptors on locust muscle.

1. The desensitization, by ionophoretically and bath‐applied L‐glutamate and agonists, of excitatory post‐junctional receptor populations on locust extensor tibiae muscle was investigated. 2. The kinetics of onset of and recovery from desensitization were determined ionophoretically either with trains of glutamate/agonist pulses of different frequencies ('conditioning trains') followed by a single ‘test’ pulse at different intervals after cessation of the conditioning train or with trains of constant frequency drug pulses superimposed upon steady ‘conditioning’ doses. Both methods gave quantitatively similar results. 3. For approximately equipotent doses, L‐glutamate and agonists produced different rates of desensitization onset. Qualitatively similar results were obtained when changes in input conductance of single muscle fibres were measured during bath application of the amino acids. 4. The time courses of recovery from desensitization for receptor populations activated by glutamate and agonists could be described adequately by single exponentials and were independent of the concentration of amino acid except when desensitization exceeded ca. 90%. 5. The rate of recovery from desensitization was different for each agonist.
No blank slates: Pre-existing schemas about pharmaceuticals predict memory for side effects

Objectives: Attribution of symptoms as medication side effects is informed by pre-existing beliefs about medicines and perceptions of personal sensitivity to their effects (pharmaceutical schemas). We tested whether (1) pharmaceutical schemas were associated with memory (recall/recognition) for side effect information (2) memory explained the attribution of a common unrelated symptom as a side effect. Design: In this analogue study participants saw the patient leaflet of a fictitious asthma drug listing eight side effects. Main outcome measures: We measured recall and recognition memory for side effects and used a vignette to test whether participants attributed an unlisted common symptom (headache) as a side effect. Results: Participants who perceived pharmaceuticals as more harmful in general recalled fewer side effects correctly (rCorrect Recall = −.273), were less able to differentiate between listed and unlisted side effects (rRecognition Sensitivity = −.256) and were more likely to attribute the unlisted headache symptom as a side effect (rside effect attribution = .381, ps < .01). The effect of harm beliefs on side effect attribution was partially mediated by correct recall of side effects. Conclusion: Pharmaceutical schemas are associated with memory for side effect information. Memory may explain part of the association between pharmaceutical schemas and the attribution of unrelated symptoms as side effects.
Chronic liver failure in rats impairs glutamatergic synaptic transmission and long‐term potentiation in hippocampus and learning ability

Cognitive function is impaired in patients with liver disease by unknown mechanisms. Long‐term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus is considered the basis of some forms of learning and memory. The aims of this work were to assess (i) whether chronic liver failure impairs hippocampal LTP; (ii) if this impairment may be due to alterations in glutamatergic neurotransmission, and (iii) if impairment of LTP is associated with reduced learning ability. It is shown that liver failure in Wistar rats induces the following alterations in the hippocampus; (i) alters the phosphorylation of NMDA and AMPA receptors; (ii) reduces the expression of NMDA and AMPA receptors in membranes, (iii) reduces the magnitude of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) induced by activation of NMDA or AMPA receptors, and (iv) impairs NMDA receptor‐dependent LTP. Liver failure also impairs learning of the Morris water maze task. Impairment of glutamatergic synaptic transmission and NMDA receptor‐mediated responses may be involved in the alterations of cognitive function in patients with liver disease.
High-Resolution Genotyping ofCampylobacter Strains Isolated from Poultry and Humans with Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Fingerprinting

ABSTRACT For epidemiological studies of Campylobacterinfections, molecular typing methods that can differentiate campylobacters at the strain level are needed. In this study we used a recently developed genotyping method, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), which is based on selective amplification of restriction fragments of chromosomal DNA, for genetic typing ofCampylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter colistrains derived from humans and poultry. We developed an automated AFLP fingerprinting method in which restriction endonucleasesHindIII and HhaI were used in combination with one set of selective PCR primers. This method resulted in evenly distributed band patterns for amplified fragments ranging from 50 to 500 bp long. The discriminatory power of AFLP was assessed with aC. jejuni strain, an isogenic flagellin mutant, and distinct C. jejuni strains having known pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and fla PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism genotypes. Unrelated C. jejuni strains produced heterogeneous patterns, whereas genetically related strains produced similar AFLP patterns. Twenty-five Campylobacterstrains obtained from poultry farms in The Netherlands grouped in threeC. jejuni clusters that were separate from a C. coli cluster. The band patterns of 10 C. jejunistrains isolated from humans were heterogeneous, and most of these strains grouped with poultry strains. Our results show that AFLP analysis can distinguish genetically unrelated strains from genetically related strains of Campylobacter species. However, desirable genetically related strains can be differentiated by using other genotyping methods. We concluded that automated AFLP analysis is an attractive tool which can be used as a primary method for subtyping large numbers of Campylobacter strains and is extremely useful for epidemiological investigations.