Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Relevance of Blue Moods and Depression in the Context of Smoking and Natural Quitting Rates in People Living with HIV

Objective: Research suggests that smoking-cessation interventions are less successful among people living with HIV (PLWH). The factors influencing the limited success of evidence-based smoking-cessation interventions in this population are not well understood. Design: Longitudinal analyses (of the first 12-months of an ongoing cohort (“FILTERS”) sociodemographically matched sample of 160 PLWH and 180 without HIVcomprised of both smokers and non-smokers . Methods: Semi-annual visits include a detailed survey of smoking behaviors (e.g., type of cigarette, amounts) and cessation efforts (i.e., prior attempts to quit, interest in quitting). Additionally, a fasting blood sample was obtained to assess serum cotinine, biochemical, and viroimmune parameters. Results: Compared to seronegatives, PLWH were more likely to be smokers (OR=1.4; 95% CI: 1-2.2;p=0.05). The readiness-to-quit-stages assessment showed that only 45% of the participants in the PLWH group were in the preparation or ready-to-action stages.PLWH were less likely to express interest in quitting than HIV negatives (OR=0.6; 95% CI: 0.4-1;p=0.05). Analyses indicated that PLWH were twice more likely to report stress, depression and anxiety as causes of relapse in prior quitting attempts (OR=1.6; 95% CI: 1.5- 2.4;p=0.004). After a natural course of 12 months,subjects receiving antidepressants exhibited larger reductions in number of cigarettes smoked per day (-2.6 CPD, p=0.06), than those without treatment (-0.8 CPD, p=0.2). Conclusions: Our analyses indicated that negative moodsimpact quitting success rates, particularly among PLWH. Our findings suggest that evaluation and treatment of depression may be a critical component of a smoking cessation program.
Child maltreatment and household dysfunction in a British birth cohort

In this article, we assess the prevalence of child maltreatments, their co-occurrence and associations with household dysfunction in a large population cohort. Information from the 1958 British birth cohort on childhood abuse, neglect and household dysfunction recorded at 45 years and during childhood was used. Prevalence was calculated in three samples: individuals with each measure (n = 9310-15 583); 45-year-old participants (n = 9310); and all surviving to 45 years (n = 17 313) includes imputed data. A cumulative neglect score was derived. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was applied to establish the co-occurrence of maltreatments. In the three samples, 14.2 to 17.1 per cent of participants reported any form of abuse: psychological (10.0-12.5%), physical (6.1-9.0%), sexual (1.6-2.9%) and witnessing abuse (6.0-8.5%). A high neglect score (≥ 3; prevalence 25.9-32.1%) was positively associated with any form of abuse (30% increase/unit). LCA identified 8.2 per cent of participants at risk of both abuse and neglect, and 24.9 per cent at high risk of neglect 'only'. Measures of household dysfunction were associated with all types of child maltreatment, particularly with abuse and neglect. Approximately one-third of this population sample showed a high risk of child maltreatment; over one in ten reported any form of abuse. Those from dysfunctional family backgrounds were particularly vulnerable to both child abuse and neglect. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 'Those from dysfunctional family backgrounds were particularly vulnerable to both child abuse and neglect' Key Practitioner Messages What Is Known * Child abuse and neglect are common and likely to co-occur. * Measures of household dysfunction are associated with child maltreatment. What This Study Adds * Child maltreatments co-occur in the 1958 cohort: one in three had an increased risk of neglect, and of these 25 per cent were at risk of abuse. * Individuals from dysfunctional family backgrounds were at an increased risk of maltreatments in childhood. * Dysfunctional family background was more strongly associated with abuse and neglect together than neglect alone. Language: en
Sudden cardiac death and antipsychotics Part 2: Monitoring and prevention

Cardiac safety of antipsychotic drugs continues to be a concern for both typical and atypical antipsychotics. Risk appears greatest in those with pre-existing cardiac disease but many patients may have occult cardiovascular disease. In addition, several drugs appear to increase the likelihood of diabetes and weight gain, which may have an additive adverse effect. On the basis of risk of sudden cardiac death and risk of QTc prolongation we suggest considering antipsychotics in two categories – higher and lower risk. Of most concern is the use of large cumulative doses of antipsychotics that are sometimes given inadvertently by different prescribers. Clinicians need to be aware how to read an ECG, and how to monitor physical parameters and interpret the significance of QTc prolongation in relation to antipsychotic prescribing. We suggest provisional guidance on antipsychotic monitoring in relation to cardiac safety but acknowledge that future studies will help clarify which antipsychotic drugs and which concomitant risk factors are most important for those with and without established cardiac disease.
Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Communication Preferences of the General Public Regarding HPV

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States, causing genital warts, cervical cell abnormalities, and cervical cancer in women. To inform HPV education efforts, 35 focus groups were conducted with members of the general public, stratified by gender, race/ethnicity, and urban/rural location. Focus groups explored participants' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about HPV and a hypothetical HPV vaccine as well as their communication preferences for HPV-related educational messages. Audience awareness and knowledge of HPV were low across all groups. This, along with an apparent STD-associated stigma, served as barriers to participants' hypothetical acceptance of a future vaccine. Although information about HPV's high prevalence and link to cervical cancer motivated participants to learn more about HPV, it also produced audience fear and anxiety. This research suggests that HPV- and HPV-vaccine-related education efforts must be approached with extreme caution. Other practical implications are discussed.
Right Ventricular Myofilament Functional Differences in Humans With Systemic Sclerosis–Associated Versus Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Background: Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc)–associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have a far worse prognosis than those with idiopathic PAH (IPAH). In the intact heart, SSc-PAH exhibits depressed rest and reserve right ventricular (RV) contractility compared with IPAH. We tested whether this disparity involves underlying differences in myofilament function. Methods: Cardiac myocytes were isolated from RV septal endomyocardial biopsies from patients with SSc-PAH, IPAH, or SSc with exertional dyspnea but no resting PAH (SSc-d); control RV septal tissue was obtained from nondiseased donor hearts (6–7 per group). Isolated myocyte passive length-tension and developed tension-calcium relationships were determined and correlated with in vivo RV function and reserve. RV septal fibrosis was also examined. Results: Myocyte passive stiffness from length-tension relations was similarly increased in IPAH and SSc-PAH compared with control, although SSc-PAH biopsies had more interstitial fibrosis. More striking disparities were found between active force-calcium relations. Compared with controls, maximal calcium-activated force (Fmax) was 28% higher in IPAH but 37% lower in SSc-PAH. Fmax in SSc-d was intermediate between control and SSc-PAH. The calcium concentration required for half-maximal force (EC50) was similar between control, IPAH, and SSc-d but lower in SSc-PAH. This disparity disappeared in myocytes incubated with the active catalytic subunit of protein kinase A. Myocyte Fmax directly correlated with in vivo RV contractility assessed by end-systolic elastance (R2=0.46, P=0.002) and change in end-systolic elastance with exercise (R2=0.49, P=0.008) and was inversely related with exercise-induced chamber dilation (R2=0.63, P<0.002), which also was a marker of depressed contractile reserve. Conclusions: A primary defect in human SSc-PAH resides in depressed sarcomere function, whereas this is enhanced in IPAH. These disparities correlate with in vivo RV contractility and contractile reserve and are consistent with worse clinical outcomes in SSc-PAH. The existence of sarcomere disease before the development of resting PAH in patients with SSc-d suggests that earlier identification and intervention may prove useful.
Comparative Study of Magnified Oral Examination and Various Staining Techniques for Detection of Oral Cavity Lesions

19 www.npplweb. com/wjsr/content/2/5 Correspondence to: Prof. A.K. Khanna, Professor of General Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 221 005, India, Tel. : 0542-2309513, Cell No.: 09415201954, Email : akhannabhu@gmail.com. ©2013 Khanna AK et al. Licensee Narain Publishers Pvt. Ltd. (NPPL); Submitted: February 06, 2013; Accepted: March 20, 2013 Published: March 23, 2013 Original Article Open Access
Morphological characteristics of lectin labeled microglial cells in the ischemic rat spinal cord

Injury to the spinal cord leads to cellular changes not only in the affected neurons but also in adjacent resident microglial cells. This study examines the microglial response to transient spinal cord ischemia induced by 8, 10 and 12 min of aorta cross-clamping linked with blood volume reduction. The microglial cells visualized by Griffonia simplicifolia B4-isolectin (GSA I-B4HRP) were studied in vibratome sections from the lumbosacral spinal cord segments (L3-S2). A distinct type of morphological transformation of microglia characterized by both, increased lectin-binding and altered cell shape, was observed in all spinal cords subjected to transient ischemia. Our results show, that the activation of resident microglia, represented by their morphological transformation occurs in a graded fashion in response to different degrees of ischemic attack within 2–3 days of postischemic reperfusion. The response of microglia was, in addition, closely related to the neurological outcome examined at the end of the post-ischemic reperfusion period (1–7 days). We show that lectin labeling can serve for the continuous study of microglial morphological transformation under conditions of transient spinal cord ischemia.
Design methodology for the S/390 Parallel Enterprise Server G4 microprocessors

This paper describes the design methodology employed in the design of the S/390® Parallel Enterprise Server G4 microprocessors. Issues of verifying design metrics of area, power, noise, timing, testability, and functional correctness are discussed within the context of a transistor-level custom design approach. Practical issues of managing the complexity of a 7.8-million-transistor design and encouraging design productivity are introduced.
Distributed and Parallel Path Query Processing for Semantic Sensor Networks

As the sensor networks are broadly used in diverse range of applications, Semantic Web technologies have been adopted as a means to manage the huge amount of heterogeneous sensor nodes and their observation data. Large amount of sensor data are annotated with spatial, temporal, and thematic semantic metadata. As a consequence, efficient query processing over large RDF graph is becoming more important in retrieving contextual information from semantic sensor data. In this paper we propose a novel path querying scheme which uses RDF schema information. By utilizing the class path expressions precalculated from RDF schema, the graph search space is significantly reduced. Compared with the conventional BFS algorithm, the proposed algorithm (bidirectional BFS combined with class path lookup approach) achieves performance improvement by 3 orders of magnitude. Additionally, we show that the proposed algorithm is efficiently parallelizable, and thus, the proposed algorithm returns graph search results within a reasonable response time on even much larger RDF graph.
Microwave-Induced Structural and Functional Injury of Hippocampal and PC12 Cells Is Accompanied by Abnormal Changes in the NMDAR-PSD95-CaMKII Pathway

Recent studies have highlighted the important role of the postsynaptic NMDAR-PSD95-CaMKII pathway for synaptic transmission and related neuronal injury. Here, we tested changes in the components of this pathway upon microwave-induced neuronal structure and function impairments. Ultrastructural and functional changes were induced in hippocampal neurons of rats and in PC12 cells exposed to microwave radiation. We detected abnormal protein and mRNA expression, as well as posttranslational modifications in the NMDAR-PSD95-CaMKII pathway and its associated components, such as synapsin I, following microwave radiation exposure of rats and PC12 cells. Thus, microwave radiation may induce neuronal injury via changes in the molecular organization of postsynaptic density and modulation of the biochemical cascade that potentiates synaptic transmission.
Staging of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions: pathology of the time frame of MS.

Several processes take place during an attack of demyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS). The timing of these various processes, and thus of the attack in its entirety, is important if therapeutic stratagies are to be planned. Attempts have been made to introduce and investigate variables relevant to timing the disease processes, leading to staging systems for MS. Here, the terminology and the various parameters used are reviewed, including inflammatory cells, glial cells, axonal loss and myelin staining; then the different systems are compared, including the system put forward by Bo and Trapp, our own modification of that, the Bruck and Lassmann system and the recent consensus reached at a Vienna meeting. It is concluded that an ideal staging system does not yet exist, and that, more than anything else, the material dictates the choice for a staging system. The terminology of the Vienna consensus could be used as a reference to facilitate international comparison.
Methods to detect CNVs in the human genome

The detection of quantitative changes in genomic DNA, i.e. deletions and duplications or Copy Number Variants (CNVs), has recently gained considerable interest. First, detailed analysis of the human genome showed a surprising amount of CNVs, involving thousands of genes. Second, it was realised that the detection of CNVs as a cause of genetic disease was often neglected, but should be an essential part of a complete screening strategy. In both cases new efficient CNV screening methods, covering the entire range from specific loci to genome-wide, were behind these developments. This paper will briefly review the methods that are available to detect CNVs, discuss their strong and weak points, show some new developments and look ahead. Methods covered include microscopy, fluorescence in situ hybridization (including fiber-FISH), Southern blotting, PCR-based methods (including MLPA), array technology and massive parallel sequencing. In addition, we will show some new developments, including a 1400-plex CNV bead assay, fast-MLPA (from DNA to result in ∼6 h) and a simple Melting Curve Analysis assay to confirm potential CNVs. Using the 1400-plex CNV bead assay, targeting selected chromosomal regions only, we detected confirmed rearrangements in 9% of 320 mental retardation patients studied.
Preferred listening levels of personal listening devices in young teenagers: Self reports and physical measurements

Abstract Objective: To assess the potential risk of hearing loss to young listeners, due to the use of personal listening devices (PLDs). Design: The study included two parts: (1) A self-report questionnaire on music listening habits, and (2) Physical measurements of preferred listening levels, in quiet and in everyday background noise. Study sample: Young teenagers aged 13 to 17 years. Part 1 included 289 participants with mean age of 14 years. Part 2 included 11 and 74 participants (2A and 2B) with a mean age of 15 years. Eleven listened to PLDs in quiet conditions (2A) and 74 in everyday background noise (2B). Results: Questionnaire main findings indicated that most of the participants reported high or very high volume settings and demonstrated low awareness towards loud music listening consequences. Physical measurements corrected for diffuse field indicated mean preferred listening levels of: 82 (SD = 9) dBA in quiet, and 89 (SD = 9) dBA in the presence of background noise. The potential risk to hearing of PLDs users was calculated using the 8 hour equivalent level. Conclusion: More than 25% of the participants in the noisy condition were found to be at risk according to occupational damage risk criteria NIOSH, 1998.
Role of Transcription Factors in the Pathogenesis of Asthma and COPD

Abstract Inflammation is a central feature of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Despite recent advances in the knowledge of the pathogenesis of asthma and COPD, much more research on the molecular mechanisms of asthma and COPD are needed to aid the logical development of new therapies for these common and important diseases, particularly in COPD where no effective treatments currently exist. In the future the role of the activation/repression of different transcription factors and the genetic regulation of their expression in asthma and COPD may be an increasingly important aspect of research, as this may be one of the critical mechanisms regulating the expression of different clinical phenotypes and their responsiveness to therapy, particularly to anti-inflammatory drugs.
Radio-Frequency and Microwave Techniques for Non-Invasive Measurement of Blood Glucose Levels

This paper reviews non-invasive blood glucose measurements via dielectric spectroscopy at microwave frequencies presented in the literature. The intent is to clarify the key challenges that must be overcome if this approach is to work, to suggest some possible ways towards addressing these challenges and to contribute towards prevention of unnecessary ‘reinvention of the wheel’.
Computational and Game-Theoretic Approaches for Modeling Bounded Rationality

textabstractThis thesis studies various computational and game-theoretic approaches to economic modeling. Unlike traditional approaches to economic modeling, the approaches studied in this thesis do not rely on the assumption that economic agents behave in a fully rational way. Instead, economic agents are assumed to be boundedly rational. Abandoning the assumption of full rationality has a number of consequences for the way in which economic reality is being modeled. Traditionally, economic models are mostly of a static nature and have a strong focus on deriving equilibria. Also, models are usually analyzed mathematically. In models of boundedly rational behavior, dynamic elements play a much more prominent role and there is less emphasis on equilibrium behavior. Also, to analyze models of boundedly rational behavior, researchers not only use mathematical techniques but they also rely heavily on computer simulations. This thesis presents four studies into the modeling of boundedly rational behavior of economic agents. Two studies are concerned with investigating the emergence of cooperation among boundedly rational agents. One study focuses on cooperation among firms in a Cournot oligopoly market, while the other study examines cooperation in a spatial model of price-competing firms. The other two studies in this thesis are concerned with methodological issues in the use of evolutionary algorithms for economic modeling purposes. One study shows how evolutionary algorithms can be analyzed mathematically rather than using computer simulations. The other study criticizes the use of a so-called binary encoding in evolutionary algorithms.
Complete DNA sequence of the mitochondrial genome of the treehopper Leptobelus gazella (Membracoidea: Hemiptera)

Abstract The first complete DNA sequence of the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Leptobelus gazelle (Membracoidea: Hemiptera) is determined in this study. The circular molecule is 16,007 bp in its full length, which encodes a set of 37 genes, including 13 proteins, 2 ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and contains an A + T-rich region (CR). The gene numbers, content, and organization of L. gazelle are similar to other typical metazoan mitogenomes. Twelve of the 13 PCGs are initiated with ATR methionine or ATT isoleucine codons, except the atp8 gene that uses the ATC isoleucine as start signal. Ten of the 13 PCGs have complete termination codons, either TAA (nine genes) or TAG (cytb). The remaining 3 PCGs (cox1, cox2 and nad5) have incomplete termination codons T (AA). All of the 22 tRNAs can be folded in the form of a typical clover-leaf structure. The complete mitogenome sequence data of L. gazelle is useful for the phylogenetic and biogeographic studies of the Membracoidea and Hemiptera.
Clinical studies on seroprevalence of rubella virus in pregnant women of Cameroon regions.

A study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence of the rubella virus amongst pregnant women and the relationship it has with the duration of pregnancy, premature delivery, and past history of abortion in pregnant women visiting the Yaounde Gynecological, Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital (HGOPY). 211 pregnant women attending the prenatal consultation of mean age 27±5.99 years were randomly selected and screened for rubella IgG antibodies. 39.3% of them were in their third trimester of pregnancy while 25.6% and 35.1% were in their first and second trimester of pregnancy respectively. 11.73% of the women had a history of premature delivery and 40.3% had a history of at least one abortion. Spearman's correlation was calculated between antibody titre and age. 88.6% of pregnant women were seropositive while 9% (susceptible) were seronagative and 2.4% had equivocal results. The most susceptible women to rubella infection were in the age group 26E30 years while women in the age group 21E25 years band were the most seropositive. There was a strong correlation between the antibody titre and age (r=0.549 p<0.01). There was no statistical difference between the pregnancy in trimesters and antibody titres (p=0.0926) as well as between the number of previous abortions and the antibody titre (p<0.01, r=0.246). No correlations between antibody titre and pregnancy duration, or occurrence of premature births. There was a weak correlation between the antibody titre and number of previous abortions.
Cell Origin Dictates Programming of Resident versus Recruited Macrophages during Acute Lung Injury

&NA; Two populations of alveolar macrophages (AMs) coexist in the inflamed lung: resident AMs that arise during embryogenesis, and recruited AMs that originate postnatally from circulating monocytes. The objective of this study was to determine whether origin or environment dictates the transcriptional, metabolic, and functional programming of these two ontologically distinct populations over the time course of acute inflammation. RNA sequencing demonstrated marked transcriptional differences between resident and recruited AMs affecting three main areas: proliferation, inflammatory signaling, and metabolism. Functional assays and metabolomic studies confirmed these differences and demonstrated that resident AMs proliferate locally and are governed by increased tricarboxylic acid cycle and amino acid metabolism. Conversely, recruited AMs produce inflammatory cytokines in association with increased glycolytic and arginine metabolism. Collectively, the data show that even though they coexist in the same environment, inflammatory macrophage subsets have distinct immunometabolic programs and perform specialized functions during inflammation that are associated with their cellular origin.