Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lamivudine monotherapy in HIV-1-infected patients harbouring a lamivudine-resistant virus: a randomized pilot study (E-184V study)

Objective:We compared the immunological and clinical outcomes of lamivudine monotherapy and complete therapy interruption in the treatment of HIV-1-infected patients harbouring lamivudine-resistant virus. Methods:This 48-week, open-label pilot study randomly assigned HIV-infected patients receiving lamivudine-containing HAART and harbouring the M184V mutation to monotherapy with lamivudine 300 mg once daily (lamivudine group) or the discontinuation of all antiretroviral drugs (TI group). The primary endpoint was the occurrence of immunological or clinical failure; immunological failure was defined as the first report of a CD4 T-cell count less than 350 cells/μl, and clinical failure as the occurrence of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grade B or C event. The data were analysed on the basis of the intention-to-treat principle. Results:By week 48, 20 of 29 patients in the TI group (69%; 95% CI 51–83%) and 12 of 29 in the lamivudine group (41%; 95% CI 26–59%) had discontinued the study because of immunological or clinical failure, which was significantly delayed in the lamivudine group (P = 0.018). Only patients in the TI group (6/29, 20.7%) experienced grade 3–4 clinical adverse events at least possibly related to HIV-1 (P = 0.02). The mean decline in CD4 cell percentage, viral rebound and recovery of HIV-1 replication capacity were significantly lower in the lamivudine group. The 24-week virological and immunological response after therapy resumption in patients who prematurely discontinued the study was similar in the two groups. Conclusion:In HIV-1-infected patients harbouring a lamivudine-resistant virus, lamivudine monotherapy may lead to a better immunological and clinical outcome than complete therapy interruption.
The video communications decade

Video entertainment in the home grew tremendously during the 1970s and 1980s, but the 1990s will be the video communications decade. The video material — coordinated images and sound — will move from mostly passive presentation to interactive origination and selection. The technology and infrastructure that already support all modern telecommunications will be used to communicate this video material to homes and businesses for personal, business, educational, and entertainment use. This paper provides an overview of some of the image- and sound-compression standards, components, and AT&T products and services that will enable the video communications decade to occur. Greater detail is presented elsewhere in this issue of the AT&T Technical Journal.
Evaluation of Red Blood Cell Deformability and Uterine Blood Flow in Pregnant Women with Preeclampsia or IUGR and Reduced Uterine Blood Flow Following the Intravenous Application of Magnesium

Objective: Red blood cell (RBC) deformability is one of the factors determining microcirculation. In preeclampsia (PE) and some cases of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), RBC deformability and, consequently, microcirculation appear to be impaired. Magnesium sulfate is administered to reduce the risk of seizures in PE. The aim of our study was to detect the effect of 24‐hour intravenous (IV) magnesium on RBC deformability and on uterine artery blood flow in pregnant patients with preeclampsia or IUGR and pathologic uterine blood flow. Methods: Magnesium IV (1 g/h) was administered to 25 pregnant women with reduced uterine blood flow for a period of at least 24 hours. The RBC deformability was measured by laser diffractoscopy, blood volume flow was measured by uterine artery Doppler. Measurements were taken before the start of magnesium therapy and 24 h later. Magnesium plasma levels were measured at the same time. Results: High plasma levels of magnesium improve RBC deformability from E = 0,109 (SD ± 0.023) to E = 0.115 (SD ± 0.021) after 24 h IV magnesium (p = 0.043). There is no correlation of E to the plasma magnesium level either before or after 24 h magnesium treatment. Blood volume flow in the uterine arteries increased significantly from 5.09 mL/s (SD ± 3.03) to 10.02 mL/s (SD ± 5.86) after 24 h magnesium (p = 0.0002). The differences in the resistance index do not significantly differ from 0 (p = 0.46). Conclusion: A high IV dosage of magnesium over a period of 24 hours dilates the uterine arteries of pregnant women with PE and/or IUGR, reduces uterine blood flow, and improves the deformability of RBC. Both parameters enhance the oxygen supply to the fetus, a critical parameter in these pregnancies. Thus magnesium might not only be effective as phrophylaxis against seizures but also in cases of IUGR with a reduced uterine blood flow. The clinically observed beneficial effect of magnesium in PE could be due to the improved blood supply for the fetus.
Caries experience in 7-, 12-, and 15-year-old schoolchildren in the canton of Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland, from 1992 to 2011.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the changes in caries experience and prevalence among schoolchildren of the canton of Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland, over the course of 20 years. METHODS A random sample of either schoolchildren aged 7, 12, and 15 years (in 1992) or aged 12 and 15 years (in 1997) or their respective school classes (2001, 2006 and 2011) was selected so that approximately 10% of schoolchildren could be examined. The children's dmft and DMFT scores were determined according to the WHO methodology and analyzed using cluster-adjusted ordinary multiple linear regression modeling. RESULTS For all age groups, the respective dmft/DMFT values decreased steadily from 1992 to 2006 but increased again in 2011. However, the observed differences were not statistically significant over the examination years from 2001 to 2011. Schoolchildren with a migrant background had approximately two- to threefold higher dmft/DMFT values. CONCLUSIONS In the years from 1992 to 2001, a steady decline in caries was observed in all age groups of schoolchildren examined in the canton of Basel-Landschaft. However, in the subsequent 10 years, this decline has leveled off. The mean dmft/DMFT values are comparable to those in other parts of Switzerland. Migrants are a caries-risk group; the mean dmft/DMFT values were higher in schoolchildren with a migrant background than in the comparable Swiss children.
Phosphoinositide 3‐kinase: a key biochemical signal for cell migration in response to chemokines

Chemokines can couple to distinct signalling pathways that have been demonstrated to mediate not only migration, but also cell growth and transcriptional activation. One particular signalling pathway, namely that controlled by the lipid kinase phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), has been the focus of much attention with respect to its activation by chemokine receptors and the role it plays in regulating cell migration. Identification of PI3K is arguably one of the most exciting recent developments in biochemical signalling. Pharmacological and genetic studies have now convincingly shown that both CC and CXC chemokines stimulate PI3K-dependent chemotaxis of inflammatory cells such as eosinophils, macrophages, neutrophils and T lymphocytes. This review considers the role of specific sub-classes of PI3Ks (e.g. the p85/p110 heterodimer, PI3Kgamma and PI3K-C2alpha) as well as their downstream effector targets in mediating chemokine-stimulated cell migration.
Changing trends of Candidemia and antifungal susceptibility pattern in a tertiary health care centre.

BACKGROUND Bloodstream infections (BSI) caused by various Candida spp. are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. An increasing proportion of device- related infections, particularly those involving the bloodstream and urinary tract, are being caused by Candida spp. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This study was conducted to evaluate the different species of Candida causing blood stream infections and their antifungal susceptibility. MATERIAL AND METHODS The present study was conducted on 12464 blood samples received for culture, the samples were incubated at 37ºC for overnight and inoculated on culture plate next day. The growth on culture plates was identified by standard microbiological techniques and their antifungal susceptibility was put up as per Centre for Laboratory Standard Institute guidelines. RESULTS Out of 12464 blood samples, isolation rate of Candida spp was 7.25%, which was higher in paediatric age group patients (89%) as compared to adults (11%). BSIs due to Candida spp. was significantly more common among ICUs (72%) than non-ICU settings (28%). C. tropicalis was the commonest (43%) species isolated followed by C. albicans (41%), C. krusei (9%) and C. parapsilosis (7%). All strains were 100% sensitive to Amphotericin B. CONCLUSION There is a changing trend of increased isolation of non albicans Candida spp. than Candida albicans. It was common in ICUs settings and in paediatric age group. All isolates were found 100% sensitive to Amphotericin-B, C.krusei was 100% resistant to fluconazole followed by C. tropicalis 32.6% and C. parapsilosis 28.58%.
Comparative simulations of hybrid systems with nonuniform MTLs via Wendroff and NILT based techniques

The paper is devoted to the comparison of two approaches for the simulation of hybrid systems which contain parts with both lumped and distributed parameters. A distributed part is represented by a multiconductor transmission line (MTL), nonuniform in general. As a framework for the solution a modified nodal analysis (MNA) is utilized to get initial equations. The first approach is based on a composition of a backward Euler scheme to solve differential-algebraic equations (DAE), resulting from the lumped part description, and Wendroff method to solve telegraphic partial differential equations (PDE), resulting from the MTL description. The second approach is based on a Laplace transformation which converts telegraphic PDEs to ordinary differential equations (ODE), and DAEs to purely algebraic ones. Then, after incorporation of boundary conditions a numerical inversion of Laplace transforms (NILT) is applied. Both approaches are compared from a point of view of computational efficiency and general applicability.
Effect of Diglucosamine on the Entrapment of Protein into Liposomes

Liposomes, which had entrapped bovine serum albumin (BSA), were modified with diglucosamine by two methods. The liposome was prepared by a freeze-thawing method in the presence of the disaccharide, or the disaccharide was added to the liposome prepared in advance without it. To examine the effects of diglucosamine, the morphology, mean particle size, and zeta potential of both liposomes were compared with those of BSA-entrapping liposome prepared without the disaccharide. Diglucosamine caused no remarkable change in shape and no aggregation of the liposome. The presence of the disaccharide was confirmed on the surfaces of modified liposomes, and the entrapment of BSA into the liposomes was increased by the disaccharide. The entrapment behavior was affected by the way the disaccharide was added, and the difference in the way the BSA was entrapped was also indicated.
The prevalence of iodine deficiency in women of reproductive age in the United States of America

Abstract Objective: To review the iodine status of women as assessed through National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 1971 to 2002. Design and Setting: National normative estimates of iodine status of the civilian, non-institutionalized population in the United States of America. Subjects: Women of reproductive age and pregnant women. Results: In the United States of America, iodine began to be added to the diet in the 1920s. An excessive iodine intake was documented by the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) in the 1970s which reported a median urinary iodine (UI) concentration of 320 μg l-1. In the NHANES III survey, conducted between 1988 and 1994, the median UI concentration had decreased to 145 μg l-1, while 14.9% of women aged 15-44 years and 6.9% of pregnant women had a UI concentration 50 μg l-1. The concentrations of serum T4 and thyroid-stimulating hormone of women with a low UI concentration did not, however, indicate an iodine deficiency. Conclusions: Further studies of the association between iodine excretion and biochemical and physiological changes should be undertaken to better understand women's needs for iodine and to develop criteria to monitor them in pregnancy. Because of the potential harm caused by iodine deficiency during pregnancy, we support the use of iodine supplements for all pregnancies while these data are being collected.
The effect of mandatory XBRL and IFRS adoption on audit fees: Evidence from the Shanghai Stock Exchange

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) on audit fees based on evidence from listed companies operating in an emerging economy. Whilst IFRS constitute high-quality accounting standards, XBRL represents a technology standard that can enhance the usability of IFRS and overall financial reporting transparency. Design/methodology/approach - – Multivariate analyses are used on a sample of 1,798 firm-year observations between 2000 and 2011 from companies listed in the Shanghai Stock Exchange that were subject to XBRL and IFRS adoption mandates. Findings - – The main results suggest that XBRL has a main negative effect on audit fees which is weaker for larger firms. Additionally, the authors find that IFRS increases audit fees for all companies. Whilst this effect is positive for firms of different sizes, it is weaker for larger firms. Research limitations/implications - – Whilst the findings are applicable to the selected sample and may or may not be generaliseable to other economies, they can provide important implications for both regulators and companies that are undertaking IFRS convergence and XBRL implementation projects in developing economies around the world. Originality/value - – This study offers a timely assessment of the economic consequences of IFRS and XBRL on listed companies operating in an emerging economy, in addition to providing an important basis upon which further research can be designed in order to extend the analysis.
Computed tomographic angiography for the evaluation of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVES Computed tomography (CT) followed by lumbar puncture (LP) is currently the criterion standard for diagnosing subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in the emergency department (ED); however, this is based on studies involving a limited number of patients. The authors sought to assess the ability of CT angiography (CTA), a new diagnostic modality, in conjunction with CT/LP to detect SAH. METHODS Consecutive patients presenting to the ED with symptoms concerning for SAH were approached. All patients had an intravenous catheter placed and underwent a noncontrast head CT followed by CTA. Patients whose CT did not reveal evidence of SAH or other pathology underwent LP in the ED. CTAs were read within 24 hours by a neuroradiologist blinded to the patient's history. RESULTS A total of 131 patients were approached, 116 were enrolled, and 106 completed the study. In six of 116 patients (5.1%), aneurysm was found on CTA with normal CT and positive findings on LP; three had a positive CTA with normal CT and LP findings (one of which had a negative cerebral angiogram), and there was one false-positive CTA. Follow-up of all 131 patients showed no previously undiagnosed intracranial pathology. In this patient population, 4.3% (5/116) were ultimately found to have an SAH and/or aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS In this pilot study, CTA was found to be useful in the detection of cerebral aneurysms and may be useful in the diagnosis of aneurysmal SAH. A larger multicenter study would be useful to confirm these results.
Intravenous Iron Therapy in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Iron Deficiency

In patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (iPAH), iron deficiency is common and has been associated with reduced exercise capacity and worse survival. Previous studies have shown beneficial effects of intravenous iron administration. In this study, we investigated the use of intravenous iron therapy in iron-deficient iPAH patients in terms of safety and effects on exercise capacity, and we studied whether altered exercise capacity resulted from changes in right ventricular (RV) function and skeletal muscle oxygen handling. Fifteen patients with iPAH and iron deficiency were included. Patients underwent a 6-minute walk test, cardiopulmonary exercise tests, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and a quadriceps muscle biopsy and completed a quality-of-life questionnaire before and 12 weeks after receiving a high dose of intravenous iron. The primary end point, 6-minute walk distance, was not significantly changed after 12 weeks (409 ± 110 m before vs. 428 ± 94 m after; P = 0.07). Secondary end points showed that intravenous iron administration was well tolerated and increased body iron stores in all patients. In addition, exercise endurance time (P < 0.001) and aerobic capacity (P < 0.001) increased significantly after iron therapy. This coincided with improved oxygen handling in quadriceps muscle cells, although cardiac function at rest and maximal V ͘ o 2 were unchanged. Furthermore, iron treatment was associated with improved quality of life (P < 0.05). In conclusion, intravenous iron therapy in iron-deficient iPAH patients improves exercise endurance capacity. This could not be explained by improved RV function; however, increased quadriceps muscle oxygen handling may play a role. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01288651)
Atypical localization of membrane type 1‐matrix metalloproteinase in the nucleus is associated with aggressive features of hepatocellular carcinoma

Membrane type 1‐matrix metalloproteinase (MT1‐MMP) is a versatile proteinase and recent studies indicated it could be internalized. Our earlier study found that it is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and could promote intrahepatic metastasis. The present study was conducted to examine its subcellular localization and its clinicopathological significance in HCC after curative partial hepatectomy. Localization of MT1‐MMP in 101 pairs of HCCs and their adjacent liver tissues, and 8 normal liver tissues was examined by the immunohistochemical method. MT1‐MMP protein was localized at membrane and cytoplasm of hepatocytes in the normal and tumor adjacent liver tissues. In contrast, the HCCs were highly heterogeneous with variable degrees of membrane, cytoplasmic, and even nuclear staining. Interestingly, patients with presence of nuclear MT1‐MMP were associated with poor overall survival (log‐rank test, P = 0.043) and large tumor size (>5 cm) (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.031). Subcellular distribution was further demonstrated by Western blotting and immunofluorescence with Hep3B stable transfectant overexpressing MT1‐MMP. Western blot analyses of subcellular fractions confirmed a differential partitioning of various post‐translationally modified MT1‐MMP in these fractions. Different antibodies corroborated the presence of MT1‐MMP in the nuclear fraction. Concomitant nuclear presence of MMP2 with MT1‐MMP further indicated its potential involvement in the nuclear functions. MT1‐MMP co‐localized with caveolin‐1 at the perinuclear region, suggesting nuclear translocation of MT1‐MMP via caveolae‐mediated endocytosis. In summary, the association of nuclear MT1‐MMP with aggressive tumor features including poor prognosis and large tumor expands its functional repertoire and further indicates a new functional role of MMPs within nuclei of tumor cells. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of Potassium-Channel Opener Therapy on Reperfused Infarction in Hypertrophied Hearts: Demonstration of Preconditioning by Using Functional and Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Effects of therapy with the potassium-channel opener and vasodilator nicorandil were studied in reperfused infarction of hypertrophied hearts by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), hemodynamic measurements, and histochemical staining. Aortic banding was performed on 22 Sprague-Dawley rats to induce left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy; 11 were the controls. Eight weeks later, the left coronary artery was occluded for 25 minutes in all 33 animals, followed by 3 hours of reperfusion. During occlusion, 11 rats with LV hypertrophy received nicorandil (0.1 mg/kg bolus and 1.5 mg/kg/h for 3 hours). The new necrosis-specific contrast agent Gadophrin-3 was administered to all animals to delineate infarction on multislice T1-weighted spin-echo MRI. Nicorandil increased ischemic tolerance of LV hypertrophy as shown by the reduction of infarction size from 19.3% ± 1.3% to 10.0% ± 2.5% LV (P= .005). Infarction size in treated animals was identical to control (9.3% ± 1.6%). Close correlation was found between MRI and postmortem findings. Functional MRI revealed an improvement in ejection fraction in nicorandil-treated hearts (48.5% ± 3.4% vs 38.1% ± 3.2%, P = .04). LV end-diastolic volume and pressure, aortic pressure, and peripheral vascular resistance were highest in untreated hypertrophied hearts. Brief ischemia caused severe injury in hypertrophied hearts. Infusing nicorandil increased the tolerance of hypertrophied hearts to ischemia. MRI is a suitable technique for the evaluation of new therapies in LV hypertrophy.
Data Transformation of the Histogram Feature in Object Detection

Detecting objects in images is very important for several application domains in computer vision. This paper presents an experimental study on data transformation of the feature vector in object detection. We use the modified Pyramid of Histograms of Orientation Gradients descriptor and the SVM classifier to form an object detection model. We apply a simple transformation to the histogram features before training and testing. This transformation equals a small change in the kernel function for Support Vector Machines. This change is much quicker than the χ2 kernel, but obtains better results. Experimental evaluations on the UIUC Image Database and TU Darmstadt Database show that the transformed features perform better than the raw features, and this transformation improves the linear separability of the histogram feature.
Seroprevalence of parvovirus B19 NS1‐specific IgG in B19‐infected and uninfected individuals and in infected pregnant women

Parvovirus B19 is the causative agent of erythema infectiosum in children, but the virus is associated with an increasing range of different diseases. These include acute and chronic arthritis, hydrops fetalis in pregnant women, aplastic anemia, and thrombocytopenia. The host's immune response is directed against the viral structural proteins VP1 and VP2. This study investigated the presence of IgG against the viral nonstructural protein NS1 using Western blot. Serum panels from healthy individuals, B19‐infected pregnant women, and various disease groups were tested. The disease groups included patients with symptoms that may be linked to parvovirus B19 infection. The results showed that IgG against the NS1 protein was present in 22% of healthy individuals with past B19 infection. In cases of persistent or prolonged B19 infections, the prevalence of NS1‐specific antibodies was as high as 80%. It is concluded that NS1‐specific IgG may be used as an indicator of chronic or more severe courses of parvovirus B19 infections. J. Med. Virol. 60:48–55, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.