Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical Relevance of Minimal Residual Viremia during Long-Term Therapy with Nucleos(t)ide Analogues in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Background Successful therapy of chronic hepatitis B with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) has been defined by undetectable HBV-DNA determined with conventional PCR (lower limit of detection (LLD) 60–80 IU/mL) in clinical registration trials. However, current EASL guidelines recommend highly sensitive real-time PCR (LLD<10–20 IU/mL) and define treatment response by HBV-DNA<10 IU/mL. Aim We evaluated frequency and relevance of minimal residual viremia (MRV) during long-term NUC-treatment in a real-life setting. Methods Frozen serum samples (HBV-DNA negative by in-house PCR, LLD <73 IU/mL) were re-analyzed by real-time PCR (LLD<10 IU/mL, Abbott, Germany). MRV was defined by real time PCR positivity and conventional PCR negativity. Results 237 samples of six HBsAg carriers and 27 NUC-treated CHB patients were analyzed (treatment period 28 (11–111) months, different treatment regimens with mono- or combination therapy). MRV was detected in 31/33 individuals (n = 160/237 serum samples) and more frequent in HBsAg carriers (95%) and HBeAg positive (87%) compared to HBeAg negative patients (53%) (p<0.0001, respectively). Five HBsAg carriers, five HBeAg positive, and four HBeAg negative individuals were continuously HBV-DNA positive. MRV was not significantly more often observed during NUC-monotherapies compared to combination therapies. Concomitant immunosuppressive therapy was present in nine cases and did not influence the results. Viral resistance occurred in three immunocompetent patients with adefovir or lamivudine monotherapy. Conclusions MRV is frequently observed during long-term NUC-therapy. Adjustment of treatment with highly potent NUCs does not seem to be necessary in case of minimal residual viremia in a real-life setting.
Photonic Microwave Applications of the Dynamics of Semiconductor Lasers

In this paper, major photonic microwave generation and modulation methods are described. Their advantages and limitations are identified and compared through the analysis of the key characteristics relevant to practical photonic microwave applications. The focus of this paper is on the photonic microwave based on the nonlinear dynamics of optically injected semiconductor lasers. Both single-beam optically injected semiconductor lasers and dual-beam optically injected semiconductor lasers are considered. In particular, the three dynamic states of stable injection locking, period-one oscillation, and period-two oscillation are considered and demonstrated for photonic microwave generation, modulation, and conversion applications. Several prospects for future research and development in this area are discussed.
Azithromycin increases phagocytosis of apoptotic bronchial epithelial cells by alveolar macrophages

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with increased apoptosis and defective phagocytosis in the airway. As uncleared cells can undergo secondary necrosis and perpetuate inflammation, strategies to improve clearance would have therapeutic significance. There is evidence that the 15-member macrolide antibiotic azithromycin has anti-inflammatory properties. Its effects may be increased in the lung due to its ability to reach high concentrations in alveolar macrophages (AMs). The present study investigated the effects of low-dose (500 ng·mL-1) azithromycin on the phagocytosis of apoptotic bronchial epithelial cells and neutrophils by AMs. Flow cytometry was applied to measure phagocytosis and receptors involved in AM recognition of apoptotic cells. Cytokines were investigated using cytometric bead array. Baseline phagocytosis was reduced in COPD subjects compared with controls. Azithromycin significantly improved the phagocytosis of epithelial cells or neutrophils by AMs from COPD subjects by 68 and 38%, respectively, often up to levels comparable with controls. The increase in phagocytosis was partially inhibited by phosphatidylserine, implicating the phosphatidylserine pathway in the pro-phagocytic effects of azithromycin. Azithromycin had no effect on other recognition molecules (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, CD44, CD31, CD36, CD91, αvβ3 integrin). At higher doses, azithromycin decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Thus, low-dose azithromycin therapy could provide an adjunct therapeutic option in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Data Management and Preservation Planning for Big Science

‘Big Science’ - that is, science which involves large collaborations with dedicated facilities, and involving large data volumes and multinational investments – is often seen as different when it comes to data management and preservation planning. Big Science handles its data differently from other disciplines and has data management problems that are qualitatively different from other disciplines. In part, these differences arise from the quantities of data involved, but possibly more importantly from the cultural, organisational and technical distinctiveness of these academic cultures. Consequently, the data management systems are typically and rationally bespoke, but this means that the planning for data management and preservation (DMP) must also be bespoke. These differences are such that ‘just read and implement the OAIS specification’ is reasonable Data Management and Preservation (DMP) advice, but this bald prescription can and should be usefully supported by a methodological ‘toolkit’, including overviews, case-studies and costing models to provide guidance on developing best practice in DMP policy and infrastructure for these projects, as well as considering OAIS validation, audit and cost modelling. In this paper, we build on previous work with the LIGO collaboration to consider the role of DMP planning within these big science scenarios, and discuss how to apply current best practice. We discuss the result of the MaRDI-Gross project (Managing Research Data Infrastructures – Big Science), which has been developing a toolkit to provide guidelines on the application of best practice in DMP planning within big science projects. This is targeted primarily at projects’ engineering managers, but intending also to help funders collaborate on DMP plans which satisfy the requirements imposed on them.
Prevalence and stability of physical aggression between spouses: a longitudinal analysis.

Community couples (N = 272) were assessed in a longitudinal study of early marriage. More women than men reported physically aggressing against their partners at premarriage (44% vs. 31%) and 18 months (36% vs. 27%). At 30 months, men and women did not report significantly different rates of aggression (32% vs. 25%). However, using either the self-report or the partner's report, the prevalence of aggression was higher for women than men at each assessment period. Modal forms of physical aggression for both men and women were pushing, shoving, and slapping. Conditional probability analyses indicated that the likelihood of physically aggressing at 30 months given that one had engaged in such aggression before marriage and at 18 months after marriage was . 72 for women and . 59 for men. Furthermore, 25-30% of the recipients of physical aggression at all three assessment periods were seriously maritally discordant at 30 months.
Therapeutic Effects of Glycine Max ( Soybean ) : A Summary 1 Dr

The present generation is going through a major change in their approach to the idea of disease prevention where traditional medicine and medicinal foods are fastly replacing the conventional allopathic medicines. Soy rich food is one such example which is catching the attention of a common man as well as researchers due to its numerous health benefits.Soybeans is a rich source of isoflavones. Soy rich food and isoflavones are of great interest when it comes to medicinal foods . The various health benefits which are claimed by soybean consumption in any form includes as a Cholesterol lowering agent, as an Anticancer agent, for Prevention of bone loss in menopausal women, as an Antioxidant and chelating agent and prevention of Type 2 DM. Among all these beneficial effect, the most extensively researched upon properties are its cholesterol lowering effect ,its role in prevention of osteoporosis and its role as an anticancer agent . Other than this its role in cognition is also appreciated. This article provides a summary of various health benefits of soy consumption in diet while stressing upon the crucial ones in detail.
Risk Intelligence: Making Profit from Uncertainty in Data Processing System

In extreme scale data processing systems, fault tolerance is an essential and indispensable part. Proactive fault tolerance scheme (such as the speculative execution in MapReduce framework) is introduced to dramatically improve the response time of job executions when the failure becomes a norm rather than an exception. Efficient proactive fault tolerance schemes require precise knowledge on the task executions, which has been an open challenge for decades. To well address the issue, in this paper we design and implement RiskI, a profile-based prediction algorithm in conjunction with a riskaware task assignment algorithm, to accelerate task executions, taking the uncertainty nature of tasks into account. Our design demonstrates that the nature uncertainty brings not only great challenges, but also new opportunities. With a careful design, we can benefit from such uncertainties. We implement the idea in Hadoop 0.21. 0 systems and the experimental results show that, compared with the traditional LATE algorithm, the response time can be improved by 46% with the same system throughput.
Hypoxia/reoxygenation-mediated induction of astrocyte interleukin 6: a paracrine mechanism potentially enhancing neuron survival

To elucidate mechanisms underlying neuroprotective properties of astrocytes in brain ischemia, production of neurotrophic mediators was studied in astrocytes exposed to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R). Rat astrocytes subjected to H/R released increased amounts of interleukin (IL) 6 in a time-dependent manner, whereas levels of tumor necrosis factor and IL-1 remained undetectable. IL-6 transcripts were induced in hypoxia and the early phase of reoxygenation, whereas synthesis and release of IL-6 antigen/activity occurred during reoxygenation. Elevated levels of IL-6 mRNA were due, at least in part, to increased transcription, as shown by nuclear runoff analysis. The mechanism stimulating synthesis and release of IL-6 antigen by astrocytes was probably production of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs), which occurred within 15-20 minutes after placing hypoxia cultures back into normoxia, as the inhibitor diphenyl iodonium inhibited the burst of ROIs and subsequent IL-6 generation (blockade of nitric oxide formation had no effect on ROI generation or IL-6 production). Enhanced IL-6 generation was also observed in human astrocytoma cultures exposed to H/R. Survival of differentiated PC12 cells exposed to H/R was potentiated by conditioned medium from H/R astrocytes, an effect blocked by neutralizing anti-IL-6 antibody. In a gerbil model of brain ischemia, IL-6 activity was lower in the hippocampus, an area sensitive to ischemia, compared with IL-6 activity in the cortex, an area more resistant to ischemia. IL-6 antigen, demonstrated immunohistochemically, was increased in astrocytes from ischemic regions of gerbil brain. These data suggest that H/R enhances transcription of IL-6, resulting in increased translation and release of IL-6 antigen after the burst of ROI generated early during reoxygenation. Release of IL-6 from astrocytes could exert a paracrine neurotrophic effect in brain ischemia.
Does a therapist's reflective ability predict the accuracy of their self-evaluation of competence in cognitive behavioural therapy?

Abstract Accurately evaluating how competently one is performing can be a precursor to seeking training and supervision, therefore contributing to safe, effective practice. Little is known about what predicts accurate self-evaluation. Prior research findings are inconsistent, with overestimation of self-rated competence in some studies and underestimation in others. We aimed to explore the relationship between therapists' reflective ability and the level of agreement between self-rated competence and competence rated by an experienced CBT assessor. Thirteen trainees undertaking a postgraduate CBT diploma submitted a series of recordings accompanied by self-ratings using the Cognitive Therapy Scale – Revised (CTS-R) and related written reflective analyses. Independent assessors marked the written analyses using a standardized marking scheme and rated the therapy sessions using the CTS-R. Trainees tended to overestimate or underestimate their competence in comparison to the independent assessors. The level of agreement between the assessors' ratings and self-evaluation of competence tended to improve during training, while reflective ability did not. Reflective ability was significantly related to level of agreement between self-rated and assessor-rated competence. Trainees do not consistently demonstrate the bias for overestimating their competence previously found in qualified therapists. During training, the tendency of an individual to over- or underestimate their competence may not remain stable, but tends to become more consistent with ratings undertaken by an experienced CBT assessor. Trainees who were rated as more reflective, tended to agree more closely with independent assessors on evaluation of competence. Therefore, enhancing reflective ability may help therapists to more accurately self-evaluate their competence.
The contributions of resistin and adiponectin gene single nucleotide polymorphisms to the genetic risk for polycystic ovary syndrome in a Japanese population

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous group of disorders that occur fairly commonly in women of reproductive age and are characterized by a variety of clinical manifestations, including insulin resistance that is independent of obesity. Recent studies suggest that altered adipocytokine gene expression is closely associated with insulin resistance and that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) modulate the expression and/or function of these genes, thereby affecting insulin sensitivity. With that in mind, we investigated whether SNPs at position −420 of the resistin gene (RETN) and/or −11377 of the adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) modulate the susceptibility to PCOS. We evaluated the genotypes of 117 women with PCOS and 380 healthy fertile controls and measured the index of insulin resistance and hormonal profiles in the PCOS women. The RETN−420G/G homozygous variant genotype occurred significantly more frequently among the PCOS group than among the control group (15.4% vs. 8.4%, p = 0.035). PCOS women with the RETN−420G/G genotype also showed significantly higher BMIs and greater insulin resistance than those with RETN−420 C/C or C/G genotypes. The ADIPOQ SNP at −11377 showed no association with PCOS. We conclude that the RETN G/G at −420 genotype is associated with PCOS in Japanese women.
Managing E-mail Accounts through Stigmergy

The present work describes a novel model for managing e-mail accounts both by reducing the attachment failure and reply prediction. The prediction model is based on the property of social insects known as stigmergy. Stigmergy is a mechanism of (indirect) coordination through local modifications to a shared environment. Incorporating this innovative solution, certain promising results are presented and, finally, an effort has been made to develop a plug in automated software tool for managing an individual’s e-mail account. The further scope of research in this direction has also been addressed.
Challenges and current evidence on the management of bladder pain syndrome

Bladder pain syndrome (BPS) is an enigmatic condition, which can be debilitating for the patients, affecting their quality of life. Its prevalence is believed to have become markedly higher (100–300/100,000 women) than in previous years. Its etiology and pathogenesis remain unknown, and a number of theories based on clinical and experimental observations have been developed. It is difficult to be diagnosed and treated. There is a worldwide effort to standardize its nomenclature, definition, diagnosis, and treatment algorithm. The aim of this review is to critically appraise the current evidence on the diagnosis and management of BPS.
Towards self-repairing replication-based storage systems using untrusted clouds

Distributed storage systems store data redundantly at multiple servers which are geographically spread throughout the world. This basic approach would be sufficient in handling server failure due to natural faults, because when one server fails, data from healthy servers can be used to restore the desired redundancy level. However, in a setting where servers are untrusted and can behave maliciously, data redundancy must be used in tandem with Remote Data Checking (RDC) to ensure that the redundancy level of the storage systems is maintained over time. All previous RDC schemes for distributed systems impose a heavy burden on the data owner (client) during data maintenance: To repair data at a faulty server, the data owner needs to first download a large amount of data, re-generate the data to be stored at a new server, and then upload this data at a new healthy server. We propose RDC -- SR, a novel RDC scheme for replication-based distributed storage systems. RDC -- SR enables Server-side Repair (thus taking advantage of the premium connections available between a CSP's data centers) and places a minimal load on the data owner who only has to act as a repair coordinator. The main insight behind RDC -- SR is that the replicas are differentiated based on a controllable amount of masking, which offers RDC -- SR flexibility in handling different adversarial strengths. Also, replica generation must be time consuming in order to avoid certain colluding attacks from malicious servers. Our prototype for RDC -- SR built on Amazon AWS validates the practicality of this new approach.
Characteristics of venomous snakebites in Herzegovina.

AIM To investigate the degree to which primary and secondary care physicians in the Herzegovina region follow the protocols recommended in the literature for treatment of patients bitten by a venomous snake. METHOD We retrospectively examined hospital records of all patients treated at the Department of Infectious Diseases, Mostar University Hospital, for intoxication following a venomous snakebite in the 1997-2002 period. The data on demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, therapy protocols, and final outcome were collected for each patient. RESULTS From 1997 to 2002, 43 men (60.5%) and 28 women (33.4%) were treated at our Department for a venomous snakebite. The greatest number of snakebites occurred in persons older than 60 (chi-square=12.44, df=3, p=0.006) and during the summer months (chi-square=8.12, df=1, p=0.004). More than half of the patients (38, or 53.5%) were bitten on the hand. The commonest symptoms and signs of the local envenomation were pain (97.1%) and swelling (87.3%), whereas general symptoms were tachycardia (39.4%), nausea (33.8%), and vomiting (28.1%). Also, 56 patients (78.8%) experienced anxiety and fear. The primary care protocol recommended in the literature (antibiotics, tetanus antitoxin, snakebite antiserum, and immobilization) was given to only 2 patients (2%). However, there were no lethal outcomes. CONCLUSION Development of a precise evidence-based protocol for prehospital management of venomous snakebite is needed in the Herzegovina region, followed by educational efforts targeted at primary care physicians.
Separation of mouse crushed muscle extract into distinct mitogenic activities by heparin affinity chromatography

Extracts from gently crushed adult mouse skeletal muscles (CMEs) contain potent myoblast mitogens, and may be used as a model system to investigate myotrophic factors released by adult muscles following injury. CME was separated into four peaks of mitogenic activity by heparin affinity chromatography. The fraction of CME that did not bind to heparin contained transferrin (Tf). Three peaks of mitogenic activity were eluted from the heparin‐agarose columns at NaCl concentrations of 0.4 M, 0.9 M, and 2.0 M. A 46 kDa protein that shared antigenicity with the BB isoform of platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF‐BB) was present in the 0.4 M NaCl eluant. Mitogenic activity in the 2.0 M NaCl peak eluted identically to purified basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), did not act additively to saturating amounts of purified bFGF, and was neutralized by anti‐bFGF antibodies. The 0.9 M NaCl eluant acted additively to the combination of three known growth factors for myoblasts, bFGF, insulin‐like growth factor I, and epidermal growth factor, to stimulate C2 myoblast proliferation, suggesting this fraction contains a mitogenic activity which does not utilize (and hence compete for) receptors for the known mitogens for myoblasts. Additionally, the 0.9 M NaCl eluant did not stimulate proliferation of fibroblast‐like cells derived from muscle tissue. The unbound, 0.4 M NaCl, 0.9 M NaCl, and 2.0 M NaCl eluants from the heparin‐agarose column acted additively to one another to stimulate myoblast proliferation. Our data suggest that Tf, PDGF‐BB‐like molecules, bFGF‐like activity, and an uncharacterized heparin‐binding myoblast mitogen could be released after muscle injury and act to stimulate satellite cell proliferation. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modern, but not matrons.

WHEN THE idea of the 'modern matron' was first mooted in the NHS Plan, chief nursing officer Sarah Mullally called it a golden opportunity for 'sisters and charge nurses to reclaim the wards'. Southampton University Hospitals Trust (SUHT) is now a year into its modern matron pilot and senior nurses say the wards have indeed been reclaimed. It is a feat that only one year earlier would have seemed impossible. In spring 2001 the trust was facing a crisis its staff turnover was at 16 per cent. And, like many trusts in the south east, it is situated in an area of low unemployment and high housing costs.
Mutations in Hedgehog Acyltransferase (Hhat) Perturb Hedgehog Signaling, Resulting in Severe Acrania-Holoprosencephaly-Agnathia Craniofacial Defects

Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is a failure of the forebrain to bifurcate and is the most common structural malformation of the embryonic brain. Mutations in SHH underlie most familial (17%) cases of HPE; and, consistent with this, Shh is expressed in midline embryonic cells and tissues and their derivatives that are affected in HPE. It has long been recognized that a graded series of facial anomalies occurs within the clinical spectrum of HPE, as HPE is often found in patients together with other malformations such as acrania, anencephaly, and agnathia. However, it is not known if these phenotypes arise through a common etiology and pathogenesis. Here we demonstrate for the first time using mouse models that Hedgehog acyltransferase (Hhat) loss-of-function leads to holoprosencephaly together with acrania and agnathia, which mimics the severe condition observed in humans. Hhat is required for post-translational palmitoylation of Hedgehog (Hh) proteins; and, in the absence of Hhat, Hh secretion from producing cells is diminished. We show through downregulation of the Hh receptor Ptch1 that loss of Hhat perturbs long-range Hh signaling, which in turn disrupts Fgf, Bmp and Erk signaling. Collectively, this leads to abnormal patterning and extensive apoptosis within the craniofacial primordial, together with defects in cartilage and bone differentiation. Therefore our work shows that Hhat loss-of-function underscrores HPE; but more importantly it provides a mechanism for the co-occurrence of acrania, holoprosencephaly, and agnathia. Future genetic studies should include HHAT as a potential candidate in the etiology and pathogenesis of HPE and its associated disorders.