Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic presentation and underlying mutations in carriers of β‐thalassaemia and α‐thalassaemia in the Danish immigrant population

Objective. The thalassaemia syndromes are the most common hereditary diseases in the world and now appear with relatively high frequency in non‐endemic regions. Guidelines recommend the use of mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) alone or in combination with mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in screening for α‐ and β‐thalassaemia. This article deals with the viability of MCV < 78 fL alone as screening parameter for thalassaemia in non‐endemic regions. Material and methods. Data from the Center for Haemoglobinopathies, Herlev University Hospital, consist of MCV measurements from 438 patients with α‐thalassaemia and 450 patients with β‐thalassaemia referred between 1996 and 2005, and simultaneously measured MCV and MCH measurements in 86 patients referred between November 2004 and November 2005. Results. In 450 β‐thalassaemia patients and 117 α0‐thalassaemia patients diagnosed between 1996 and 2005, only two β‐thalassaemia patients had MCV ⩾ 78 fL. All α0‐thalassaemia patients had MCV < 78 fL. In contrast, 38 % of patients with α+‐thalassaemia had MCV > 78 fL. When MCV and MCH were measured simultaneously, one patient with β‐thalassaemia was missed if MCV was used as a screening tool and one patient was missed if MCH was used. Forty‐four different β‐thalassaemic mutations were found. Conclusions. Our data support the notion that the use of MCV < 78 fL instead of MCH < 27 pg is acceptable as a screening criterion in a non‐endemic population. Only 0.5 % of the β‐thalassaemia patients were missed and all the patients with α0‐thalassaemia were diagnosed. Since the racial heterogeneity of the immigrant population in non‐endemic regions creates a scenario with a broad spectrum of mutations and haemoglobinopathy, laboratories should be equipped to detect a large variety of mutations.
Relative glycemic and insulinemic impact of rice and rice products

Purpose – Rice is considered a high glycemic index food. However, the overall glycemic response to whole foods differs based on the presence of co‐components, cooking or processing technique, starch composition, and amount of food consumed. The purpose of this paper is to observe the relative glycemic impact (RGI) of foods based on postprandial glycemic response to equal quantities of test foods and standard‐bread expressed as glycemic bread equivalent (GBE), using rice and its products.Design/methodology/approach – In total, five clinically healthy adult volunteers were fed 50 g test foods and bread on different days after an overnight fast. Blood sugar and insulin levels at fasting state and at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after consuming food were recorded and corresponding area under the curve was calculated.Findings – The GBE was highest for puffed rice at 107 g, whereas same amount of rice kheer and plain boiled rice induced glycemic response equivalent to 19.5 g and 11 g of bread, respectively. RGI of pu.
Unified Trajectory Planning Algorithms for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Navigation

This paper presents two efficient methods for obstacle avoidance and path planning for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). These methods take into account the dynamic constraints of the vehicle using advanced simulator of AUV considering low level control and stability effects. We present modified visibility graph local avoidance method and a spiral algorithm for obstacle avoidance. The algorithms were tested in challenged scenarios demonstrating safe trajectory planning.
Allergic Dermatitis in a Bull: A Case Report

A case of skin lesions in a 2 year old Kedah-kelantan cross bull was presented to the Large Animal unit of the University Veterinary Hospital, Universiti Putra Malaysia. Physical examination revealed that the vital parameters were all within the normal range. However, there were multiple circumscribed skin lesions (1-2cm) along the dorsal spine and on all the limbs. Examination of the farm house environment revealed marshy areas with Cullicoides infestations. The wound was dressed with diluted chlorhexidine and povidone iodine followed by topical application of dermapred (antibacterial + anti-inflammatory) agent. The bull was given intramuscular injections of chlorpheniramine melate 1ml/50kg, Penicillin 15mg/kg and flunixin meglumine1.1mg/kg. The haemogram showed lymphocytosis, monocytosis, eosinophilia, basophilia and neutrophilia with left shift. The farmer was advised to clear the bush and drainages around the farm. A follow up visit to the farm one week after the treatment showed a significant improvement as the wound had dried up and the lesions are healing.
Assembly of silver nanoparticles on nanowires into ordered nanostructures with femtosecond laser radiation.

In this work, we show that well-ordered structures of silver nanoparticles on nanowire substrates can be produced by irradiation with femtosecond (fs) laser pulses at fluences ranging from 10.3 to 15.9 mJ/cm2 if the direction of polarization is parallel to the long axis of the nanowire. Experimental results show that a uniformly spaced distribution of nanoparticles is more readily produced on nanowires with lengths L≤2λ, where λ=800 nm is the laser wavelength. The distribution of nanoparticles is found to become less well organized as L≥2λ. Finite element method simulations, combined with experimental observations, indicate that nanoparticles are initially distributed in response to the electric field along the clean Ag nanowire arising from optical excitation. This electric field is responsible for the attraction of nanoparticles to certain locations on the nanowire. We show how a fs-laser-driven assembly of nanoparticles on nanowires can be used in the development of a nanoscale optical logic processor. This method of creating periodic arrays of metallic nanoparticles on nanowire substrates then has many possible applications in electro-optics.
Sofosbuvir, a New Nucleotide Analogue, for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection

Objective: To evaluate the clinical role of sofosbuvir (Solvadi) in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Data Sources: A MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane search indexed from January 2000 to July 2014 was performed using the search terms GS-7977 and sofosbuvir. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Studies including humans subjects, published in English, and assessing efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir in management of chronic HCV were evaluated. Data Synthesis: Sofosbuvir, a nucleotide analogue NS5B polymerase inhibitor, competes with nucleotides within the hepatocytes resulting in chain termination and inhibition of RNA replication. Trials evaluating the efficacy of sofosbuvir combination therapy have demonstrated significant advantage in sustained virologic response (SVR) over previous therapies. Genotype 1, 4, 5, and 6 patients treated with peginterferon-α, ribavirin, and sofosbuvir for 12 weeks achieved SVR rates of 90%. Twelve-week peginterferon-free regimens have resulted in SVR rates of 90% in genotype 2 patients, whereas genotype 3 patients required 24 weeks of therapy to achieve similar results. Favorable SVR rates were also seen in previously difficult-to-treat patient populations including cirrhosis, HIV coinfection, and treatment-experienced. Sofosbuvir appears to be well tolerated and relatively safe, avoiding severe adverse drug reactions, laboratory abnormalities, and resistance issues associated with traditional HCV therapies. The biggest limitation of sofosbuvir is the high cost associated with therapy. Conclusions: Sofosbuvir is a safe and effective treatment option for patients infected with genotypes 1 to 6 HCV including previously difficult-to-treat populations. The shorter duration, oral route, minimal side effects, and decreased resistance potential makes it a welcome addition to the treatment of chronic HCV.
Social Tools for Networked Learning: Current and Future Research Directions

Sie, R. L. L. , Berlanga, A. J., Rajagopal, K. , Pannekeet, K. , Drachsler, H. , Fazeli, S. , & Sloep, P. B. (2012). Social Tools for Networked Learning: Current and Future Research Directions. In V. Hodgson, C. Jones, M. de Laat, D. McConnell, T. Ryberg, & P. Sloep (Eds.), Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Networked Learning 2012 (pp. 312-319). April, 2-4, 2012, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Opiate addicts in and outside of treatment; Different populations?

textabstractThe core of this study is related to the insight that the population of opiate addicls is quite an invisible group. Some paris of this group can be identified at treatment institutions and in prisons. However, a large pari of the opiate addicls is hard to detect. This is because their illegal activities are often hidden and because many of them move frequently from one place to another. Although some are easy to spot at public places, these are very hard to approach for research. For years stUdies have been performed in the different echelons. Researchers studied criminal behavior of addicts in prison. Others analysed factors that influenced treatment success of addicts in drug treatment settings. Again others described the life of the drug using subculture by participant observation. Each data set was used to answer the specific research questions and that was it. This study is a first step to a more holistic approach. Separated pieces of information do not satisfy anymore. What is needed is comparable information gained in all known subgroups of the population. Only in that way the most complete view on opiate addiction can be reached. The next step is to repeat these measurements in the different subgroups regularly. In that way a consequent monitoring of the population will become possible, of which policy makers, clinicians and researchers will benefit. In this thesis characteristics of opiate addicts who apply for a methadone programme, a clinical detoxification programme, a drug free therapeutic community and opiate addicts outside of treatment are described. A comparison is made of the nature, severity and extent of drug use and the accompanying medical, legal, employment, social and mental complex of problems. On the basis of this comparison the following questions will be discussed: Which factors are linked with the decision of opiate addicts to seek professional help? and Which factors are linked with the choice for a specific type of treatment? The study design and the results are presented in four sections, which are structured according to the central research questions they provide answers for. Each section contains three chapters. Section two describes the outline of the study and the methods used in detail. Section three presents problems with drug use and accompanying problems. Section four focuses on comorbid psychopathology (dual diagnosis). In section five processes of addiction and help-seeking behaviour are discussed. The final section six contains the conclusions, general discussion and a summary.
Attenuation of oxidative stress of hepatic tissue by ethanolic extract of saffron (dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L.) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats

Oxidative stress is an underlying mechanism of diabetes mellitus complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of saffron ethanolic extract on oxidative stress of hepatic tissue in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents were measured to assess free radical activity in the liver tissue. Hepatic antioxidant activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also determined. Wistar rats were made diabetic through single injection of STZ (75 mg/kg i.p). The rats were randomly divided into four groups of 10 animals each: Group 1, healthy control; Group 2, non-diabetics treated with 40 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection of saffron body weight (b.w.)/day extract; Group 3, diabetics; Group 4, diabetics treated with saffron extract (40 mg/kg b.w./day, i.p.) for 8 weeks. Liver MDA content in Groups 3 significantly increased as compared to group 1 (P < 0.05) and significantly decreased in Group 4 as compared to group 3 (P < 0.05). The GSH, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px contents of the liver in Group 3 significantly decreased as compared to groups 1 (P < 0.05) and significantly increased in Group 4 as compared to Group 3 (P < 0.05). This study showed that saffron has antioxidant properties and alleviates oxidative stress of hepatic tissue in experimentally induced diabetes. Key words: Crocus (Saffron), oxidative stress, diabetes mellitus, liver, rats.
Evaluation of the long-term effects of Urena lobata root extracts on blood glucose and hepatic function of normal rabbits

Urena lobata is one of the medicinal plants used to treat diabetes in Nigeria. Its hypoglycaemic and antidiabetic activities have been demonstrated. This study was designed to evaluate the long term effects of daily oral administration of aqueous extracts of U. lobata roots in normal rabbits. Parameters such as body weight, blood glucose and liver function tests were monitored at specific intervals in the serum for 24 weeks, and in the tissue. U. lobata significantly (P<0.05) reduced the body weight and fasting blood sugar of treated rabbits. Indicators of cholestasis, alkaline phosphatase and �-glutamyl transferase, as well as serum direct bilirubin concentration, were initially significantly (P<0.05) increased, these parameters returned to the levels of control before the 10th week of monitoring and tissue enzymes were not depleted, suggesting that the initial toxic response was not sustained. Markers of hepatocyte injury; alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase, were initially slightly elevated but subsequently returned to control levels. U. lobata root had no significant effects on serum total proteins, albumin and globulins. Regulation of dose and frequency of consumption of U. lobata extracts may reduce its toxic side effects.
Avaliação da completude das variáveis epidemiológicas do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade em mulheres com óbitos por câncer de mama na Região Sudeste: Brasil (1998 a 2007)

The study evaluates the data from the Mortality Information System in Espirito Santo, southeastern Brazil in the period from 1998 to 2007. It is a descriptive analytic study based on secondary data. The variables of sex, age, race/color, level of education and marital status in women who died of breast cancer were evaluated. The scores used were excellent (variable shows less than 5% of incomplete coverage), good (5% to 10%), fair (10% to 20%), poor (20% to 50%) and very poor (50% or higher). The linear trend equations were calculated using SPSS, version 15.0 for non-plenitude over time. It is essential to include in the education of health professionals, especially in undergraduate and postgraduate studies in medicine, content that develops skills and competencies for systematic registration of epidemiological data, so they can be included in the health information systems.
Combination of bofutsushosan (Kampo medicine) and voluntary exercise improves insulin sensitivity in Otsuka Long‐Evans Tokushima fatty rats

Previous studies have shown that the traditional Kampo medicine bofutsushosan (BTS) has an anti‐obesity effect. In the current study, we investigated the effects of BTS and voluntary exercise, and their combination on insulin sensitivity in Otsuka Long‐Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats.
An Atrial Activity Based Algorithm for the Single- Beat Rate-Independent Detection of Atrial Fibrillation

An Atrial Activity Based Algorithm for the Single-Beat Rate-Independent Detection of Atrial Fibrillation Steven J. Ladavich Jr. Supervising Professor: Dr. Behnaz Ghoraani Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is the cause of 15% of all ischemic strokes in the United States. In many cases, AF is episodic and/or asymptomatic and as a result, there is a strong need for algorithms capable of quickly and reliably detecting AF, even in cases where the heart rate is controlled through medication or with a pacemaker. Current RR interval (RRI)-based algorithms do not directly target atrial activity, cannot detect AF when the heart rate is controlled, and analyze relatively long intervals of the electrocardiography (ECG) to make an AF determination. This work proposes an algorithm for patient-specific, single-beat, rate-independent AF identification based on atrial activity (AA) analysis. The proposed algorithm develops a statistical model to describe the distribution of features extracted from AA during normal sinus rhythm (NSR). First, ECG segments preceding QRS complexes are identified potential P waves. A total of nine features three higher order statistics (HOS) features and six features obtained through downsampling are extracted from the P wave segment under consideration. The Expectation-Maximization algorithm is applied to a training set to create a multivariate Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) of the feature space. This model is used to identify P wave absence (PWA) and, in turn, AF. An optional post-processing stage which takes a majority vote of successive outputs is applied to improve classifier performance. To evaluate the performance of the classifier, the algorithm was tested on 20 records in the MIT-BIH Atrial Fibrillation Database. Single-beat classification showed a sensitivity(Se) of 91.98%, a specificity(Sp) of 86.18%, a positive predictive value(PPV) of 70.70% and an error rate(Err) of 13.02%. Classification combining seven beats showed a Se of 99.28%, a Sp of 90.21%, a PPV of 80.42% and an Err of 7.12%. The presented algorithm has a classification performance comparable to current RRI-based algorithms yet is rate-independent and capable of making an AF determination in a single beat.
Maturation of dendritic cells induced by nano-liposomes containing imiquimod

Background: Imiquimod (IMQ), a small-molecule immune response modifier of the imidazoquinoline family, has been shown to activate functional maturation of dendritic cells (DCs) through the Toll-like receptor (TLR)7- signaling pathway. IMQ has the potential to develop into a novel vaccine adjuvant. Currently, a topical cream of IMQ has been approved for the treatment of genital warts, superficial basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis. Objective: To develop nano-liposomes with encapsulated IMQ as a new vaccine adjuvant. Methods: Two types of nano-lipid particles containing IMQ which differed in their surface charge (i.e. positively and negatively charged liposomes) were prepared and characterized. Murine bone marrow derived DCs were cultured and treated with liposomal formulations. The surface marker expression of DCs was then determined by flow cytometry. Results: Both liposomes with IMQ encapsulated enhanced DCs maturation as determined by the surface marker expression of DCs (CD80, CD86, and MHC class II). Cationic liposomes induced high levels of surface marker expression of DCs in similar levels as those induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Conclusion: The novel IMQ formulation, nano-liposome, has the benefits of simplicity and it enhances the adjuvant effect of IMQ.
Adapting and Assessing the Feasibility of a Brief Psychological Intervention for Women Prisoners Who Self-Harm: A Pilot Study.

ABSTRACTBackground: The current literature concerning self-harm and suicide has shown firstly that self-harm is a major public health problem, secondly that people who self-harm are at increased risk of suicide and thirdly, that women prisoners have a higher rate of self-harm than women in the general population and than male prisoners. Women prisoners are therefore particularly high risk of self-harm and suicide and yet to date, no specific intervention has been developed for this group.Aims: This study intends to build on an intervention found to be effective in the community and to describe a methodology of conducting a therapeutic intervention in a prison environment.Method: The research utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods conducted over four phases. In Phase 1, semi-structured interviews were completed with women prisoners who self-harm and with prison staff. Data was analysed thematically. In Phase 2, the results from the analysis were then used to inform the modification of a Psychodynamic Interpersonal skills Therapy (PIT) model originally used in the community. During the third phase of the study, prison staff were recruited and trained to deliver the therapy. Finally, the fourth phase consisted of a feasibility and acceptability study with 64 women prisoners who had recently self-harmed. Thirty-two were randomized to the treatment group which consisted of four sessions of individual PIT therapy and 32 to the control condition which consisted of four sessions with a member of staff not trained in the therapy. Rates of self-harm were measured pre- and post-treatment. Standardized measures for depression, suicide intention, hopelessness and interpersonal skills were also administered. These data were further supported by interviews conducted with participants who completed the intervention, therapists and therapy supervisors. The methods used in the study were constantly evaluated and amended when required to describe a methodology suitable for this environment.Results: There was evidence of a lack of understanding of self-harm by prison officers. The trial phase of the study did not show evidence of efficacy for the intervention. There was an overall reduction in rates of self-harm pre- and post- treatment across the sample. Comparison of scores on outcome measures, pre- and post-intervention, showed a reduction on all tests in both treatment groups but this was not significant. It was not feasible to deliver the therapy as originally envisaged and substantial changes to the methods were needed. The results showed that prison staff had the skill and capacity to deliver PIT therapy but that the prison was not able to support such a role. As a result external therapists had to be brought in to the study.Conclusions: It is acknowledged that the study was not feasible as originally designed, but due to the small sample size we cannot say it was not effective and therefore, not worthy of further study.