Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Implementation of free cotrimoxazole prophylaxis improves clinic retention among antiretroviral therapy-ineligible clients in Kenya

Objective:To determine whether implementation of free cotrimoxazole (CTX) provision was associated with improved retention among clients ineligible for antiretroviral therapy (ART) enrolled in an HIV treatment program in Kenya. Design:Data were obtained from a clinical cohort for program evaluation purposes. Twelve-month clinic retention was compared among ART-ineligible clients enrolled in the time period before free CTX versus the time period after. Methods:Statistical comparisons were made using Kaplan–Meier survival curves, log-rank tests, and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. To exclude potential temporal program changes that may have influenced retention, ART clients before and after the same cut-off date were compared. Findings:Among adult clients enrolled between 2005 and 2007, 3234 began ART within 1 year of enrollment, and 1024 of those who did not start treatment were defined as ART-ineligible. ART-ineligible clients enrolled in the period following free CTX provision had higher 12-month retention (84%) than those who enrolled prior to free CTX (63%; P < 0.001). Retention did not change significantly during these periods among ART clients (P = 0.55). In multivariate analysis, ART-ineligible clients enrolled prior to free CTX were more than twice as likely to be lost to follow-up compared to those following free CTX [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 2.64, 95% confidence interval 1.95–3.57, P < 0.001]. Conclusion:Provision of free CTX was associated with significantly improved retention among ART-ineligible clients. Retention and CD4-monitoring of ART-ineligible clients are essential to promptly identify ART eligibility and provide treatment. Implementation of free CTX may improve retention in sub-Saharan Africa and, via increasing timely ART initiation, provide survival benefit.
The evolution of white dwarfs resulting from helium-enhanced, low-metallicity progenitor stars

Context. Some globular clusters host multiple stellar populations with different chemical abundance patterns. This is particularly true for ? Centauri, which shows clear evidence of a helium-enriched subpopulation characterized by a helium abundance as high as Y = 0.4 Aims. We present a whole and consistent set of evolutionary tracks from the ZAMS to the white dwarf stage that is appropriate for the study of the formation and evolution of white dwarfs resulting from the evolution of helium-rich progenitors. Methods. We derived white dwarf sequences from progenitors with stellar mass ranging from 0.60 to 2.0 M? and for an initial helium abundance of Y = 0.4. We adopted two values of metallicity: Z = 0.001 and Z = 0.0005. Results. We explored different issues of white dwarf evolution and their helium-rich progenitors. In particular, the final mass of the remnants, the role of overshooting during the thermally pulsing phase, and the cooling of the resulting white dwarfs differ markedly from the evolutionary predictions of progenitor stars with the standard initial helium abundance. Finally, the pulsational properties of the resulting white dwarfs are also explored. Conclusions. We find that, for the range of initial masses explored in this paper, the final mass of the helium-rich progenitors is markedly higher than the final mass expected from progenitors with the usual helium abundance. We also find that progenitors with initial mass lower than M ? 0.65 M? evolve directly into helium-core white dwarfs in less than 14 Gyr, and that, for larger progenitor masses, the evolution of the resulting low-mass carbon-oxygen white dwarfs is dominated by residual nuclear burning. For helium-core white dwarfs, we find that they evolve markedly faster than their counterparts coming from standard progenitors. Also, in contrast with what occurs for white dwarfs resulting from progenitors with the standard helium abundance, the impact of residual burning on the cooling time of white dwarfs is not affected by the occurrence of overshooting during the thermally pulsing phase of progenitor stars.
Paleolimnology as a Tool to Achieve Environmental Sustainability in the Anthropocene: An Overview

Lacustrine sediment accumulation provides meaningful and diverse long-term records of environmental change. This overview highlights the usefulness of the paleolimnological approach in evaluating the magnitude and direction of human-induced environmental change in lakes and their catchments. Because of the services they provide, freshwater ecosystems have always been significantly affected by human activities. However, the rate and extent of human-induced change in continental freshwaters and their catchments has considerably increased since the beginning of industrialization (mid-18th century), and are even more pronounced since the advent of the “Great Acceleration” (since the mid-20th century). Global change, including climate and landscape changes, loss of biodiversity, species introductions and the spread of pollutants, leave traces in lake sediment archives that provide valuable long-term information with which to evaluate and quantify past environmental changes. This paper outlines how the knowledge gleaned from an interdisciplinary paleolimnological approach can benefit the development of mitigation and adaptation measures to current global change at various latitudes.
GABRIEL TARDE AND BIG CITY MANAGEMENT

This text focuses on the wealth of insight that Tarde has to offer organization theory. It revolves around three pairs of concepts: imitation and invention, identity and alterity, custom and fashion; illustrating their relevance for understanding organizing by relating them to a study of big city management. Imitation, according to Tarde, is the main mechanism of sociality, the main mode of binding people (and things) to one another. If so, how can invention and innovation occur? Tarde answers that inventions occur because of imitation and fashion. Ideas, practices, or objects that became imitated and therefore widely spread are not fashionable anymore. An established fashion becomes its opposite—a custom or an institution. Fashion constantly renews itself, but it chooses among many inventions that are present at a certain time and place. Those chosen are allegedly superior, on the grounds of their qualities, or on the grounds of their provenience in time and place, or because they are well anchored and do not threaten the institutionalized thought structure. Yet, neither imitation not fashion leads to homogenization of social practices, as both are used by the social actors to construct their identity, but even more so to construct their alterity, or the difference. The main attraction of Tarde's thought for organization theory is the capacity of its metaphors to capture paradoxes typical for all organizing. Tarde managed to render a world that was populated with individuals—human and not—who were associated. Following his insights, it is possible to understand that each person employed in a company is much bigger and much more complex than the company itself, the latter being a collection of a repetition of one or few properties of its employees and machines. In the same vein, imitation and fashion—those basic mechanisms of sociality and therefore of its special case, organizing—can be given proper attention with Tarde as a valuable source of inspiration.
Paravertebral nerve block catheters using chloroprocaine in infants with prolonged mechanical ventilation for treatment of long‐gap esophageal atresia

Infants with long‐gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) undergo repeated thoracotomies for staged surgical repair known as the Foker process (FP). Associated prolonged mechanical ventilation results in exposure to high doses of opioids and benzodiazepines, and prolonged weaning times and ICU stays.
Assessment of Myocardial Function from Cine Cardiac MRI Using a Novel 4D Tracking Approach

A novel approach for assessing the myocardial function using 4D cine cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) is proposed. The myocardial function is assessed by estimating the left ventricle (LV) wall thickening based on a novel 4D tracking approach that tracks the LV wall during the cardiac cycle. Initially, the proposed 4D approach tracks the surface points on the LV wall by solving a 3D Laplace equation between each two subsequent LV surfaces. In order to remove inconsistencies and preserve the anatomy of the heart wall during the tracking process, the initial locations of the tracked LV surface points are iteratively adjusted through an energy minimization cost function using a generalized Gauss-Markov random field (GGMRF) image model. Using the iteratively adjusted solution of the 3D Laplace equation, the myocardial wall thickening is estimated by co-allocation of the corresponding points, or matches between the endocardium and epicardium surfaces of the LV wall. Experimental results on in vivo data demonstrate that our approach outperforms 2D wall thickening estimation approaches.
Transient Increase in Plasma Oxidized LDL During the Progression of Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E Knockout Mice

Background—Plasma level of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) is a risk marker for cardiovascular diseases. The behavior of plasma OxLDL before disease progression has not been studied previously. Methods and Results—In this study, we developed a sensitive ELISA procedure for detecting mouse circulating OxLDL using a monoclonal antibody that recognizes oxidized phosphatidylcholine and a rabbit antimouse apolipoprotein B-48 polyclonal antibody. Apolipoprotein E knockout mice were fed on a chow diet for 40 weeks. Oil red O–positive lesions developed gradually by 20 weeks, and the percentage area covered by the lesions increased dramatically after 28 weeks; it covers 33.4% of the surface area by 40 weeks. The OxLDL level, measured after LDL fraction was isolated from each mouse, at 10 weeks was 0.015 ng/&mgr;g LDL. It increased 3-fold at 20 weeks of age and then decreased to the basal level by 40 weeks of age, suggesting that OxLDL appears before the development of atherosclerotic lesions. The occurrence of lipid peroxidation products, acrolein and oxidized phosphatidylcholines, in aortic tissue were revealed by immunohistochemical staining as early as 10 weeks. Conclusion—These results suggest that OxLDL might be involved in the early stages of progression of atherosclerotic lesions.
Utility of the theory of planned behavior for understanding exercise during breast cancer treatment

Preliminary evidence indicates that physical exercise may be an effective strategy for helping cancer patients cope with the negative side‐effects of their treatment. The purpose of the present study was to examine the utility of the theory of planned behavior in understanding cancer patients’ motivation to exercise during treatment. A total of 164 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer within the previous 2 years participated in the study. A retrospective design was used wherein these women were asked to recall their beliefs and exercise behavior during cancer treatment using a self‐administered, mailed questionnaire. Results showed that: (1) the salient beliefs of breast cancer patients concerning exercise were different from those of the healthy population; (2) intention and perceived behavioral control were significant determinants of exercise during cancer treatment; and, (3) attitude and subjective norm were significant determinants of intention. It was concluded that the theory of planned behavior may be a viable framework on which to base interventions designed to promote exercise during cancer treatment. The results of this study are preliminary, however, and more sophisticated research designs to examine this question are warranted. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Social media as positive disruption in education e-learning and b-learning

Today, the preparation that learners receive in higher education often fails to meet the needs and demands of the world of work, research, and success. This chapter proposes that the changes social media is causing in the business world can be further leveraged in higher education to cultivate 21st century learners, primed for innovative thinking. A model is provided which scaffolds critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity and innovation through low cost/no-cost social media tools in educational and professional settings. At this time, social media’s capabilities and near ubiquitous access provide an essential infrastructure which has not been seen before. The chapter also presents specific strategies, valuable recommendations, and further direction for social media’s use. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61350-168-9.ch023
Negative Pressure Ventilation and Positive Pressure Ventilation Promote Comparable Levels of Ventilator-induced Diaphragmatic Dysfunction in Rats

Background:Mechanical ventilation is a life-saving intervention for patients with respiratory failure. Unfortunately, a major complication associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation is ventilator-induced diaphragmatic atrophy and contractile dysfunction, termed ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction (VIDD). Emerging evidence suggests that positive pressure ventilation (PPV) promotes lung damage (ventilator-induced lung injury [VILI]), resulting in the release of signaling molecules that foster atrophic signaling in the diaphragm and the resultant VIDD. Although a recent report suggests that negative pressure ventilation (NPV) results in less VILI than PPV, it is unknown whether NPV can protect against VIDD. Therefore, the authors tested the hypothesis that compared with PPV, NPV will result in a lower level of VIDD. Methods:Adult rats were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups (n = 8 each): (1) acutely anesthetized control (CON), (2) 12 h of PPV, and (3) 12 h of NPV. Dependent measures included indices of VILI, diaphragmatic muscle fiber cross-sectional area, diaphragm contractile properties, and the activity of key proteases in the diaphragm. Results:Our results reveal that no differences existed in the degree of VILI between PPV and NPV animals as evidenced by VILI histological scores (CON = 0.082 ± 0.001; PPV = 0.22 ± 0.04; NPV = 0.25 ± 0.02; mean ± SEM). Both PPV and NPV resulted in VIDD. Importantly, no differences existed between PPV and NPV animals in diaphragmatic fiber cross-sectional area, contractile properties, and the activation of proteases. Conclusion:These results demonstrate that NPV and PPV result in similar levels of VILI and that NPV and PPV promote comparable levels of VIDD in rats.
Cerebral microvascular endothelium and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases

Diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) pose a significant health challenge, but despite their diversity, they share many common features and mechanisms. For example, endothelial dysfunction has been implicated as a crucial event in the development of several CNS disorders, such as Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-associated neurocognitive disorder and traumatic brain injury. Breakdown of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) as a result of disruption of tight junctions and transporters, leads to increased leukocyte transmigration and is an early event in the pathology of these disorders. The brain endothelium is highly reactive because it serves as both a source of, and a target for, inflammatory proteins and reactive oxygen species. BBB breakdown thus leads to neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of CNS disease. Furthermore, the physiology and pathophysiology of endothelial cells are closely linked to the functioning of their mitochondria, and mitochondrial dysfunction is another important mediator of disease pathology in the brain. The high concentration of mitochondria in cerebrovascular endothelial cells might account for the sensitivity of the BBB to oxidant stressors. Here, we discuss how greater understanding of the role of BBB function could lead to new therapeutic approaches for diseases of the CNS that target the dynamic properties of brain endothelial cells.
The Combined Effects of Hypoxia, High K+, and Acidosis on the Intracellular Sodium Activity and Resting Potential in Guinea Pig Papillary Muscle

Several reports have shown that electrical and ionic changes occurring in acute myocardial ischemia can be closely mimicked by exposure of tissue to hypoxic, acid-, and glucosefree solutions at elevated [K+]o. In the present work, this approach was chosen to distinguish between the combined effects of hypoxia, substrate withdrawal, and acidosis, and the effects of two different levels of [K+]0, (4.7 mM and 11.5 mM) on intracellular sodium activity and resting membrane potential. Measurements were made with microelectrodes in isolated guinea pig papillary muscles. In normoxia at 4.7 mM [K+]o, intracellular sodium activity was 7.5 mM (±1.9 mM, SD) during stimulation at 1 Hz. Combined hypoxia, substrate withdrawal, and acidosis increased intracellular sodium activity significantly, by 3–4 mM in 4.7 mM [K+]o and by approximately 2 mM in 11.5 mM [K+]o, after 9–10 minutes. Increasing [K+]o in normoxic solution decreased intracellular sodium activity by 1.9 mM (±1.3 mM, SD). The transition from normal (4.7 mM [K+]O) Tyrode's solution to “ischemic solution” (hypoxia, acidosis, substrate withdrawal, 11.5 mM [K+]o) was associated with a small initial increase and a subsequent decrease of intracellular sodium activity. The steady state level after 12 minutes was not significantly different from the level in normal Tyrode's solution. The secondary decrease of intracellular sodium activity coincided with the gradual development of inexcitability and was absent in quiescent preparations. Combined hypoxia, acidosis, and glucose-withdrawal produced a depolarization by 7–10 mV at 4.7 mM and at 11.5 mM [K+]o, probably reflecting cellular potassium loss and extracellular potassium accumulation in the restricted extracellular space. Our results suggest that alteration of intracellular sodium in myocardial ischemia results from two opposing changes: (1) a partial inhibition of the sodium-potassium pump by hypoxia, glucose-withdrawal, and acidosis, and (2) a decrease of passive sodium influx following extracellular potassium accumulation. Moreover, the present results support previous findings that net cellular potassium loss from ischemic cells is not (fully) compensated by an equivalent gain of intracellular sodium.
Diagnostic Value of Acute Phase Proteins in Periodontal, Psychosomatic and Cardiometabolic Diseases: Response to Treatment

The host response to bacterial plaque biofilm on tooth surfaces initiates periodontal disease and its progression affecting the supporting structures of teeth. Stressor responses of the host to plaque biofilm result in markers of inflammation that are common to diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease (Pussinen et al 2007). These inflammatory markers are relevant to periodontitis, anxiety states, associated systemic diseases and their sequelae in a bi-directional manner. The extent and clinical significance of these associations have received increasing coverage in the literature. This is largely dependent on the scale of the inflammatory loading based on the severity of periodontal inflammation at the time of examination and the number of sites involved (Norse et al 2008). Response to periodontal treatment with decreased levels of serum markers is indicative of the importance of this source of systemic inflammatory loading. The impact of inflammatory loading from the periodontium as a significant source of systemic inflammation has been an area of debate. The extent and severity of periodontal inflammation in the presenting population determine its significance in this context. It has wider implications in the context of co-morbidities in periodontal patients. In addition to the commoner co-morbidities, coronary heart disease (CHD), diabetes mellitus and arthritis, other autoimmune conditions and anxiety states also show similar links. This chapter aims to provide such evidence, conflicting at times due to multifactorial presentations of clinical conditions and individual susceptibility. In relevant cases, given a sufficient impetus from inflammatory loading it highlights the importance of controlling periodontal disease in a systemically-ill population. Searches were done over the past 10-15 years, using keywords relevant to the title; subsequently limited to those representing key information focusing on inflammatory markers, their significance and relevance to periodontal, psychosomatic and cardiometabolic diseases with implications on treatment.
An FeIVO complex of a tetradentate tripodal nonheme ligand

The reaction of [FeII(tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, TPA)(NCCH3)2]2+ with 1 equiv. peracetic acid in CH3CN at −40°C results in the nearly quantitative formation of a pale green intermediate with λmax at 724 nm (ɛ ≈ 300 M−1⋅cm−1) formulated as [FeIV(O)(TPA)]2+ by a combination of spectroscopic techniques. Its electrospray mass spectrum shows a prominent feature at m/z 461, corresponding to the [FeIV(O)(TPA)(ClO4)]+ ion. The Mössbauer spectra recorded in zero field reveal a doublet with ΔEQ = 0.92(2) mm/s and δ = 0.01(2) mm/s; analysis of spectra obtained in strong magnetic fields yields parameters characteristic of S = 1 FeIVO complexes. The presence of an FeIVO unit is also indicated in its Fe K-edge x-ray absorption spectrum by an intense 1-s → 3-d transition and the requirement for an O/N scatterer at 1.67 Å to fit the extended x-ray absorption fine structure region. The [FeIV(O)(TPA)]2+ intermediate is stable at −40°C for several days but decays quantitatively on warming to [Fe2(μ-O)(μ-OAc)(TPA)2]3+. Addition of thioanisole or cyclooctene at −40°C results in the formation of thioanisole oxide (100% yield) or cyclooctene oxide (30% yield), respectively; thus [FeIV(O)(TPA)]2+ is an effective oxygen-atom transfer agent. It is proposed that the FeIVO species derives from O—O bond heterolysis of an unobserved FeII(TPA)-acyl peroxide complex. The characterization of [FeIV(O)(TPA)]2+ as having a reactive terminal FeIVO unit in a nonheme ligand environment lends credence to the proposed participation of analogous species in the oxygen activation mechanisms of many mononuclear nonheme iron enzymes.
Clinical Neuroscience for Rehabilitation

PART I: FUNDAMENTALS: THE RELATIONSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT OF STRUCTURES, AND THE BASIS OF THEIR COMMUNICATION 1. Basic Design and Development of the Nervous System 2. Regional Anatomy and Blood Supply 3. Cells of the Nervous System. 4. Cellular Neurobiology PART II: ANATOMY OF THE MAJOR REGIONS OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AND THEIR BLOOD SUPPLY 5. Spinal Cord and Brainstem 6. Diencephalon and Cerebellum 7. Cerebral Hemispheres and Vascular Supply PART III: SOMATOSENSORY AND MOTOR SYSTEMS FOR THE EXTREMITIES AND TRUNK 8. Introduction to Somatic Sensory and Motor Systems 9. Somatic Sensory Systems for the Extremities and Trunk 10. Peripheral Components of the Motor System 11. Central Components of Movement 12. Autonomic Nervous System PART IV: SOMATOSENSORY AND MOTOR SYSTEMS FOR THE HEAD AND NECK 13. Brainstem I: Cranial Nerves 14. Brainstem II: Systems and Pathways 15. Brainstem III: Organization, Blood Supply, and Clinical Correlates PART V: SPECIAL FUNCTIONAL SYSTEMS OF THE CNS: MOTOR AND SENSORY SYSTEMS 16. Pain and Its Modulation 17. Auditory and Vestibular Systems 18. Visual System 19. Cerebellum and Basal Ganglia 20. Voluntary Movement PART VI: SPECIAL FUNCTIONAL SYSTEMS OF THE CNS: COGNITIVE SYSTEMS 21. Cognition: Cortical and Subcortical Contributions 22. Emotion, Memory, and Language 23. Normal and Abnormal Aging of the Central Nervous System PART VII: INJURY, DISEASE, AND RECOVERY OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM FUNCTIONS 24. Cortical Strokes 25. The Brain's Environment and Brain Injury 26. Brain Plasticity: Injury, Recovery, and Rehabilitation APPENDICES Brain Imaging Electrodiagnostic Techniques in Clinical Practice Atlas of the Forebrain GLOSSARY INDEX