Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cost-effectiveness of diagnostic-therapeutic strategies for paediatric visceral leishmaniasis in Morocco

Introduction Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected parasitic disease with a high fatality rate if left untreated. Endemic in Morocco, as well as in other countries in the Mediterranean basin, VL mainly affects children living in rural areas. In Morocco, the direct observation of Leishmania parasites in bone marrow (BM) aspirates is used to diagnose VL and meglumine antimoniate (SB) is the first line of treatment. Less invasive, more efficacious and safer alternatives exist. In this study we estimate the cost-effectiveness of alternative diagnostic-therapeutic algorithms for paediatric VL in Morocco. Methods A decision tree was used to estimate the cost-effectiveness of using BM or rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) as diagnostic tools and/or SB or two liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) regimens: 6-day and 2-day courses to treat VL. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, expressed as cost per death averted, were estimated by comparing costs and effectiveness of the alternative algorithms. A threshold analysis evaluated at which price L-AmB became cost-effective compared with current practices. Results Implementing RDT and/or L-AmB treatments would be cost-effective in Morocco according to the WHO thresholds. Introducing the 6-day course L-AmB, current second-line treatment, would be highly cost-effective if L-AmB price was below US$100/phial. The 2-day L-AmB treatment, current standard treatment of paediatric VL in France, is highly cost-effective, with L-AmB at its market price (US$165/phial). Conclusions The results of this study should encourage the implementation of RDT and/or short-course L-AmB treatments for paediatric VL management in Morocco and other North African countries.
Modulation of bacterial entry into epithelial cells by association between vinculin and the Shigella IpaA invasin

Shigella flexneri is the causative agent of bacillary dysentery in humans. Shigella invasion of epithelial cells is characterized by cytoskeletal rearrangements and formation of cellular projections engulfing the bacterium in a macropinocytic process. We show here that vinculin, a protein involved in linking actin filaments to the plasma membrane, is a direct target of Shigella during cell invasion. IpaA, a Shigella protein secreted upon cell contact, rapidly associates with vinculin during bacterial invasion. Although defective for cell entry, an ipaA mutant is still able to induce foci of actin polymerization, but differs from wild‐type Shigella in its ability to recruit vinculin and α‐actinin. Presumably, IpaA–vinculin interaction initiates the formation of focal adhesion‐like structures required for efficient invasion.
Properties of a Novel PBP2A Protein Homolog from Staphylococcus aureus Strain LGA251 and Its Contribution to the β-Lactam-resistant Phenotype*

Background: The recently isolated MRSA LGA251 has low resistance and carries a new mecA homolog. Results: PBP2ALGA, the protein product of the new mecA, showed a “preference” for penicillins and instability at 37 °C. mecALGA251 introduced into susceptible S. aureus allowed expression of high-level resistance. Significance: This study provides insights into the relationship between structure and function of PBP2A-like proteins. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains show strain-to-strain variation in resistance level, in genetic background, and also in the structure of the chromosomal cassette (SCCmec) that carries the resistance gene mecA. In contrast, strain-to-strain variation in the sequence of the mecA determinant was found to be much more limited among MRSA isolates examined so far. The first exception to this came with the recent identification of MRSA strain LGA251, which carries a new homolog of this gene together with regulatory elements mecI/mecR that also have novel, highly divergent structures. After cloning and purification in Escherichia coli, PBP2ALGA, the protein product of the new mecA homolog, showed aberrant mobility in SDS-PAGE, structural instability and loss of activity at 37 °C, and a higher relative affinity for oxacillin as compared with cefoxitin. The mecA homolog free of its regulatory elements was cloned into a plasmid and introduced into the background of the β-lactam-susceptible S. aureus strain COL-S. In this background, the mecA homolog expressed a high-level resistance to cefoxitin (MIC = 400 μg/ml) and a somewhat lower resistance to oxacillin (minimal inhibitory concentration = 200 μg/ml). Similar to PBP2A, the protein homolog PBP2ALGA was able to replace the essential function of the S. aureus PBP2 for growth. In contrast to PBP2A, PBP2ALGA did not depend on the transglycosylase activity of the native PBP2 for expression of high level resistance to oxacillin, suggesting that the PBP2A homolog may preferentially cooperate with a monofunctional transglycosylase as the alternative source of transglycosylase activity.
Bladder cancer and occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The association between occupational exposure to polycy‐clic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and bladder cancer development was investigated in a population‐based case‐control study carried out in the Bormida valley, Italy. One hundred and twenty‐one male cases and 342 male controls, matched by age were collected from local hospitals. Occupational exposure to PAH and aromatic amines (AA) was evaluated by means of a job exposure matrix, constructed specifically for this study. Subjects considered as sharing a “definite exposure to PAH” showed an increased risk even after adjustment for cigarette smoking and exposure to AA (OR = 2.14, 95% CL 0.82‐5.60). No elevation in risk was found for the category “possible exposure to PAH” (OR = 1.05, 95% CL 0.45‐2.44). The findings of this study are consistent with previous studies indicating PAH as a risk factor for bladder cancer. A possible residual confounding effect due to AA impurities is discussed.
Ensembles and Their Applications

Abstract : Classifiers are powerful tools that, given some predictor variables, make a prediction of which category a variable belongs. Linear Discriminant Analysis, k-nearest neighbor, and classification trees are a few of these classifiers. An ensemble attempts to iteratively apply a classifier to a data set to decrease the error rate over a single classifier. Ensembles were the focus of my research. I discussed three accepted, yet still developing, ensembles: Bagging, Arc-Boosting, and Ada-Boosting. Then I demonstrated that they usually decrease the error rate over a single classification tree. I also demonstrated that the k-nearest neighbor classifier rarely benefits from an ensemble. Thorough study of the three ensemble methods led to the exploration of a new ensemble-method that proved to reduce error rate on all the sampled data sets, but did not produce competitive results with the other ensemble methods. Most importantly, predictions on the Landsat Imagery Satellite data improve dramatically from all three of the ensembles, when a classification tree is the classifier. Some error rates were bettered by up to 25%, while others saw less significant reductions. However, there was at least a small reduction in error rate for nearly all of the data sets, so long as the single classifier performed slightly better than guessing.
Independent component analysis for biomedical signals

Independent component analysis (ICA) is increasing in popularity in the field of biomedical signal processing. It is generally used when it is required to separate measured multi-channel biomedical signals into their constituent underlying components. The use of ICA has been facilitated in part by the free availability of toolboxes that implement popular flavours of the techniques. Fundamentally ICA in biomedicine involves the extraction and separation of statistically independent sources underlying multiple measurements of biomedical signals. Technical advances in algorithmic developments implementing ICA are reviewed along with new directions in the field. These advances are specifically summarized with applications to biomedical signals in mind. The basic assumptions that are made when applying ICA are discussed, along with their implications when applied particularly to biomedical signals. ICA as a specific embodiment of blind source separation (BSS) is also discussed, and as a consequence the criterion used for establishing independence between sources is reviewed and this leads to the introduction of ICA/BSS techniques based on time, frequency and joint time–frequency decomposition of the data. Finally, advanced implementations of ICA are illustrated as applied to neurophysiologic signals in the form of electro-magnetic brain signals data.
Diferenciais Regionais de Competitividade Industrial do Brasil no Século 21

Este artigo analisa a competitividade setorial da industria brasileira considerando os aspectos regionais na distribuicao de sua produtividade. Estimam-se funcoes e fronteiras estocasticas de producao com dados das mesorregioes brasileiras, no periodo 2000-2006, para 22 setores. Os resultados indicam a permanencia do quadro concentrado da produtividade industrial, com aberturas para areas com especializacao em setores voltados a recursos naturais e uma presenca, ainda que tenue, de deseconomias de urbanizacao. Nao foram encontradas evidencias que suportem uma mudanca importante na concentracao regional, tanto da producao como da produtividade da industria brasileira, a partir da abertura da economia e de sua estabilizacao.
PTC & B Increased Regeneration Efficiency in Seed Derived Callus of Rice ( Oryza sativa L . )

In five cultivated rice varieties e.g., Nonabokra, PNR 381, Taipei 309, Koshika and TKM 11 the response in the initiation of callus and its size varied greatly among varieties, salt concentrations (NaCl and Na2SO4) and their interaction. Better regeneration ability of Nonabokra, Koshika and TKM 11 was found to be correlated to small size callus with a high concentration of Na2SO4. The regeneration ability found here was dependent on variety/genotype, callus type and size, source of salt and their concentration. Regeneration ability enhanced three tenfolds from Na2SO4 stressed callus compared to the control i.e. without Na2SO4. Vigorous rooting was also observed in the regenerated plants obtained from the calli induced in the medium containing Na2SO4. In NaCl supplemented medium, on the other hand, regeneration and rooting ability were poor. Introduction Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the most important and staple food crop of Bangladesh as well as 60% of the global population (Uchimiya et al. 2002). As the population in the world is increasing continued increase of rice production poses a major issue for world food security. Global rice production has increased, almost threefold over the past three decades (Christopher 2002), but further increase in yield and nutrition may only be possible using the biotechnological tools to meet the rising demand of the population. Recent advances in in vitro plant cell, tissue and organ culture as an additional method for crop improvement has been well augmented. Successful application of in vitro techniques of somatic tissue offers a wide scope of achieving somaclonal variants in regenerated plants from the rice calli. Seed derived calli of rice have been shown to be superior in efficient regeneration (Hiei et al. 1994). The regenerants could be obtained from calli under initial salt stress as a supplement to the callus induction medium (Kishor et al. 1999). *Author for correspondence. Email: nilufer_karim@yahoo.com 1Present address: Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Santosh, Tangail 1902, Bangladesh.
An Examination of the Role of Time in Ultra-High Frequency Data and its Impact on Price Revisions in News Corporation Stock

We consider a new class of time series models (introduced by Engle and Russell (1998)) used in statistical applications in finance. These models treat the time between events (durations) as a stochastic process and the corresponding durations are modelled using a theory similar to that of autoregressive processes. This new class of time series models is called Autoregressive Conditional Duration (ACD) models. We apply the theory to analyse the behaviour of an Australian Stock: News Corporation, using a high-frequency data set obtained from SIRCA.
Renal nitric oxide production is decreased in diabetic rats and improved by AT1 receptor blockade

Objective Diabetes mellitus is associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular complications. Lack of nitric oxide production may exacerbate these complications. We hypothesized that diabetes decreases renal nitric oxide (NO) production, an effect that is reversed via inhibition of angiotensin subtype-1 receptor. Methods We monitored changes in renal interstitial fluid nitric oxide by a microdialysis technique in the renal cortex of conscious Sprague–Dawley rats. Rats (n = 8 each group) were given streptozotocin 30 mg/kg intravenously to induce diabetes. Changes in renal interstitial fluid angiotensin II and NO were evaluated at baseline before and over 12 weeks during the development of diabetes and at 4 and 8 h after oral administration of the angiotensin subytype-1 (AT1) receptor blockers, losartan (30 mg/kg) or valsartan (10 mg/kg). Results Renal interstitial fluid angiotensin II significantly increased after development of diabetes. In contrast, basal renal interstitial fluid nitric oxide decreased significantly over 12 weeks after development of diabetes. Both losartan and valsartan caused a further increase in renal angiotensin II levels. Some 4 h after administration, there was significantly greater increase in renal nitric oxide after administration of valsartan than of losartan. At 8 h post- treatment, only valsartan caused a significant increase in renal nitric oxide levels. Conclusion These results demonstrate that diabetes mellitus is associated with an increase in renal production of angiotensin II, while renal production of nitric oxide is reduced. The decrease in renal NO is reversed by AT1 receptor blockade.
Exploratory analysis of differences between social experience design and user experience design

User experience design brought with it a new framework for computer and human interaction. It focused on the total user experience, and not the case-by-case on alternative user interfaces. The natural extension of this concept in connection with emerging social services leads to social experience design. In order to formulate the basis on which social experience design stands, the author performs an exploratory analysis of the differences between social experience design and user experience design. This comparison is a starting point for formulating a study of social experience design.
Purposeful Suppression and Reconstruction of White Light from LED for Improvement of Communication Properties

Visible Light Communication (VLC) technology uses white Light Emitting Diodes (LED) for providing illumination and communication at the same time. White LEDs have excellent illumination properties but their communication properties need improvement. This article proposes a way how to evade the communication limitations of white LEDs. A part of original white LED spectrum is suppressed by an optical filter. Then the suppressed part is replaced by another LED. The correct choice of suitable LED enables to reconstruct the original spectrum. This solution removes the limitations because the white LED emits continuously. Data are carried by the communication LED only. The evaluation of reconstruction of original white light is measurement of the colour coordinates x and y. Furthermore, the communication properties of this transmitter were tested and obtained results are shown in this paper. EVM parameter was measured.
The Incidence and Anatomic Site Specificity of Chromosomal Translocations in Primary Extranodal Marginal Zone B-cell Lymphoma of Mucosa-associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT Lymphoma) in North America

Several balanced translocations have been identified in extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) but there are few data regarding their frequency in different anatomic sites or the frequency of translocations involving BCL6 or κ or λ immunoglobulin light chain genes (IGK or IGL), particularly in patients from geographic regions other than Europe and Japan. One hundred thirty-three paraffin-embedded North American primary MALT lymphoma specimens from diverse anatomic sites were studied by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using probes for API2-MALT1, IGH-MALT1, IGH-BCL10, IGH-FOXP1, IGH, +/− centromeres 3, 7, 12, and 18, and a subset (n=74) were analyzed using FISH probes for IGK, IGL, and BCL6. Translocations were mutually exclusive and were detected in 26% of cases (17% API2-MALT1, 5% IGH-MALT1, 3% IGH-unknown translocation partner, and 1% IGH-BCL10). Aneuploidy was associated with IGH-MALT1 and IGH-BCL10 but only rarely with API2-MALT1. There was striking site specificity, with API2-MALT1 showing a marked predilection for lung and intestine, and IGH-MALT1 and IGH-BCL10 occurring almost exclusively in lung. Twenty-three percent of translocation-negative primary MALT lymphomas from diverse sites showed complete/partial trisomy 18. No MALT lymphomas with translocations involving IGK, IGL, BCL6, or FOXP1 were identified. This FISH panel detected cytogenetic abnormalities in half of all MALT lymphomas, and translocations arose preferentially in MALT lymphomas of the lung and gastrointestinal tract. Differences in incidence and anatomic site specificity of translocations between North American and non-North American cases may reflect geographic variability of infectious or other etiologic factors.
[Serum nitric oxide and D-dimer before and after administering antihypertensive drugs in essential hypertension].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship among serum nitric oxide, D-dimer, blood pressure, dangerous states and target organ damage in essential hypertension and to evaluate the effects of enalapril and terazosin. METHODS Fifty-five patients were randomized into the enalapril group and terazosin group, each group receiving enalapril and terazosin respectively for 8 weeks. Serum nitric oxide and D-dimer were measured before and after the treatment. RESULTS Serum nitric oxide was lower (P < 0.001) but D-dimer was higher (P < 0.01) in the hypertensions than those in the controls. Serum nitric oxide and D-dimer were related to different levels of blood pressure, dangerous states and target organ damage; Both enalapril and terazosin could reduce the level of blood pressure; Both could increase the serum nitric oxide (P < 0.001) and decrease the D-dimer(P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Endothelial dysfunction and microthrombin can be found in the early stage of essential hypertension. Both enalapril and terazosin could improve the endothelial function and prothrombotic state by promoting the synthesis of nitric oxide.
Acquired cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator dysfunction in the lower airways in COPD.

BACKGROUND Cigarette smoke and smoking-induced inflammation decrease cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) activity and mucociliary transport in the nasal airway and cultured bronchial epithelial cells. This raises the possibility that lower airway CFTR dysfunction may contribute to the pathophysiology of COPD. We compared lower airway CFTR activity in current and former smokers with COPD, current smokers without COPD, and lifelong nonsmokers to examine the relationships between clinical characteristics and CFTR expression and function. METHODS Demographic, spirometry, and symptom questionnaire data were collected. CFTR activity was determined by nasal potential difference (NPD) and lower airway potential difference (LAPD) assays. The primary measure of CFTR function was the total change in chloride transport (Δchloride-free isoproterenol). CFTR protein expression in endobronchial biopsy specimens was measured by Western blot. RESULTS Compared with healthy nonsmokers (n = 11), current smokers (n = 17) showed a significant reduction in LAPD CFTR activity (Δchloride-free isoproterenol, -8.70 mV vs -15.9 mV; P = .003). Similar reductions were observed in smokers with and without COPD. Former smokers with COPD (n = 7) showed a nonsignificant reduction in chloride conductance (-12.7 mV). A similar pattern was observed for CFTR protein expression. Univariate analysis demonstrated correlations between LAPD CFTR activity and current smoking, the presence of chronic bronchitis, and dyspnea scores. CONCLUSIONS Smokers with and without COPD have reduced lower airway CFTR activity compared with healthy nonsmokers, and this finding correlates with disease phenotype. Acquired CFTR dysfunction may contribute to COPD pathogenesis.
Compulsory voting in Australia: turnout with and without it

Using international evidence, Jonathon Louth and Lisa Hill argue that when compulsory voting is properly administered in a congenial setting (such as Australia), it is the best means for guaranteeing high and socio-demographically equal rates of voting participation. Without it, Australian democracy would be experiencing the same citizenship crises currently being experienced in most other industrialised, voluntary voting settings.
Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration.

We reviewed the clinical findings in 55 patients with cerebellar degeneration associated with the anti-Yo antibody (an anti-Purkinje cell antibody identified in this study by histochemistry and Western blot). The patients were all women, 26 to 85 years old. Fifty-two of them proved to have malignancies, almost exclusively breast or gynecologic cancers and usually confined to the involved organs and local lymph nodes. One woman had adenocarcinoma of the lung, and in three no malignancy has yet been identified. In 34 of 52 patients with cancer, the neurologic syndrome preceded the diagnosis of cancer and in many led to that diagnosis. Patients subacutely developed a pancere-bellar disorder that was substantially disabling in most, with 37 of 48 assessable patients being unable to walk or sit unassisted. Laboratory evaluation revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis in 35 patients, with eventual cerebellar atrophy on imaging studies in seventeen. The disabling neurologic syndrome generally did not respond to treatment, but the cancer was often successfully treated. The presence of the anti-Yo antibody in patients with cerebellar symptoms warrants an aggressive approach to diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cancer, as many are curable at the time neurologic symptoms develop.
Role of Hydroxamate-Based Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors (Hb-HDACIs) in the Treatment of Solid Malignancies

Hydroxamate-based histone deacetylase inhibitors (Hb-HDACIs), such as vorinostat, belinostat and panobinostat, have been previously shown to have a wide range of activity in hematologic malignancies such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Recent data show that they synergize with a variety of cytotoxic and molecular targeted agents in many different solid tumors, including breast, prostate, pancreatic, lung and ovarian cancer. Hb-HDACIs have a quite good toxicity profile and are now being tested in phase I and II clinical trials in solid tumors with promising results in selected neoplasms, such as hepatocarcinoma. This review will focus on their clinical activity and safety in patients with advanced solid neoplasms.