Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brazil: sex and self-worth.

An AIDS education project in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil has enabled male sex workers to discuss safe sex, sexual preference, and self-worth. The project, known as Pegacao ("Cruising"), is designed to establish personal contact with the male prostitutes. The educators most of whom are openly homosexual, and some of whom are former sex workers, operate out of 4 outposts in the city. In one such outpost, a popular restaurant, the educators wait for male sex workers (Miches, as they are called) to come and talk. The Miches come from several reasons. Some come to talk about life, other about sexuality, and others want to help in contacting a doctor or a psychologist. Pegacao now has contact with some 400-600 male prostitutes aged 14-23. Since most of the male prostitutes are illiterate, the education is based on discussion, not on printed materials. The discussions focus primarily on sexuality and sexual practices. Many of the Miches, who often come from the poor families, say that they are involved in prostitution as a temporary way of earning money. Most deny being homosexual, and many say that they have girlfriends and are thinking about getting married. The educators, however, suspect that many Miches hide their sexual preferenced and use prostitution as a way to express their repressed homosexuality. While the Miches admit penetrating their clients (identifying it with the "male" role), few acknowledge being penetrated (the "female" or "gay" role). But the high rate of sexually acquired infections in the rectum suggest that the Miches are engaging in receptive, unprotected anal intercourse more often that they care to admit. In addition to teaching them about safe sex, the educators try to help Miches develop a positive attitude towards their sexuality and develop a sense of self-worth.
Effect of Alzheimer caregiving stress and age on frailty markers interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and D-dimer.

BACKGROUND Elevated plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), and D-dimer belong to the biological alterations of the "frailty syndrome," defining increased vulnerability for diseases and mortality with aging. We hypothesized that, compatible with premature frailty, chronic stress and age are related in predicting inflammation and coagulation activity in Alzheimer caregivers. METHODS Plasma IL-6, CRP, and D-dimer levels were measured in 170 individuals (mean age 73 +/- 9 years; 116 caregivers, 54 noncaregiving controls). Demographic factors, diseases, drugs, and lifestyle variables potentially affecting inflammation and coagulation were obtained by history and adjusted for as covariates in statistical analyses. RESULTS Caregivers had higher mean levels of IL-6 (1.38 +/- 1.42 vs 1.00 +/- 0.92 pg/mL, p =.032) and of D-dimer (723 +/- 530 vs 471 +/- 211 ng/mL, p <.001) than controls had. CRP levels were similar between groups (p =.44). The relationship between caregiver status and D-dimer was independent of covariates (p =.037) but affected by role overload. Age accounted for much of the relationship with IL-6. After controlling for covariates, the interaction between caregiver status and age was significant for D-dimer (beta =.20, p =.029) and of borderline significance for IL-6 (beta =.17, p =.090). Post hoc regression analyses indicated that, among caregivers, age was significantly correlated with both D-dimer (beta =.50, p <.001) and IL-6 (beta =.38, p =.001). Among controls, however, no significant relationship was observed between age and either D-dimer or IL-6. CONCLUSIONS The interaction between caregiving status and age for D-dimer and IL-6 suggests the possibility that older caregivers could be at risk of a more rapid transition to the frailty syndrome and clinical manifestations of cardiovascular diseases.
A novel approach for handling sensitive data with deduplication method in hybrid cloud

The data storage management is the biggest problem in the cloud computing environment. To reduce the storing space and save the bandwidth share the data with others in cloud storage using public-key cryptosystems that produce constant-size cipher texts such that the active delegation of decoding rights for any set of cipher texts but it lead to many privacy problems. To avoid this problem the private and public cloud combine and form a hybrid cloud. In this the confidential data can be stored in private cloud and other data are stored in public cloud. Even though, the exponential growth of ever-increasing volume of data in the cloud has raised many storage challenges. To overcome these challenges we proposed a deduplication technique. It is specialized and resent data compression technique which eliminates redundant data as well as improves the cloud storage and bandwidth utilization. We also present several new deduplication constructions which are supporting authorized duplicate check in hybrid cloud architecture. To protect the confidentiality of sensitive data, where as supporting deduplication, the convergent encryption technique has been proposed to encrypt the data before outsourcing. To provide the highest data security, this paper makes the first attempt to formally address the problem of authorized data deduplication. We also proposed many new deduplication constructions supporting authorized duplicate check in hybrid cloud architecture, which incurs nominal overhead compared to conventional operation.
Aging activates adipogenic and suppresses osteogenic programs in mesenchymal marrow stroma/stem cells: the role of PPAR‐γ2 transcription factor and TGF‐β/BMP signaling pathways

Osteoblasts and adipocytes originate from a common progenitor, which arises from bone marrow mesenchymal stroma/stem cells (mMSC). Aging causes a decrease in the number of bone‐forming osteoblasts and an increase in the number of marrow adipocytes. Here, we demonstrate that, during aging, the status of mMSC changes with respect to both their intrinsic differentiation potential and production of signaling molecules, which contributes to the formation of a specific marrow microenvironment necessary for maintenance of bone homeostasis. Aging causes a decrease in the commitment of mMSC to the osteoblast lineage and an increase in the commitment to the adipocyte lineage. This is reflected by changes in the expression of phenotype‐specific gene markers. The expression of osteoblast‐specific transcription factors, Runx2 and Dlx5, and osteoblast markers, collagen and osteocalcin, is decreased in aged mMSC. Conversely, the expression of adipocyte‐specific transcription factor PPAR‐γ2, shown previously to regulate osteoblast development and bone formation negatively and to regulate marrow adipocyte differentiation positively, is increased, as is a gene marker of adipocyte phenotype, fatty acid binding protein aP2. Furthermore, production of an endogeneous PPAR‐γ activator(s) that stimulates adipocyte differentiation and production of autocrine/paracrine factor(s) that suppresses the osteoblastic phenotype are also increased. In addition, expression of different components of TGF‐β and BMP2/4 signaling pathways is altered, suggesting that activities of these two cytokines essential for bone homeostasis change with aging.
Significance of blood group and social factors in carcinoma cervix in a semi-urban population in India.

BACKGROUND To assess the significance of social factors as risk factors for carcinoma cervix and to determine the significance of blood group to prevalence of carcinoma cervix in a semi-urban population of Kolar, Karnataka, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred cases of carcinoma cervix were included in the study, along with 200 females of the same ages considered as controls. Case details were collected from the hospital record section regarding social factors and blood groups and the data were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods. RESULTS Blood group B showed the highest number of cases (55 cases) followed by blood group O (29 cases) in carcinoma cervix which was statistically significant (p<0.001). Age of marriage between 11 to 20 years showed highest number of carcinoma cervix cases (77 cases) and this also was statistically significant (p<0.001). Patients with rural background were 75 (p=0.112, odds ratio: 1.54), parity of more than or equal to two constituted 96 cases (p=0.006, odds ratio: 4.07) and Hindu patients were 95 in number (p=0.220, odds ratio: 1.89). CONCLUSIONS Blood group B and age of marriage between 11 and 20 years were significantly associated with carcinoma cervix in our population. Region of residence, parity and religion presented with a altered risk for carcinoma cervix.
Insulinlike Effects of Vanadate on Hepatic Glycogen Metabolism in Nondiabetic and Streptozocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

The effect of oral administration of sodium orthovanadate for 5 wk on hepatic glycogen metabolism was studied in control and streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes caused hyperglycemia (5-fold increase), hypoinsulinemia (85% decrease), and hyperglucagonemia (4-fold increase). There were also marked decreases in liver glycogen and activities of glycogen-metabolizing enzymes in liver. Although vanadate administration in control animals showed no significant effect on the various parameters measured except for a 70% decrease in plasma insulin, this treatment in diabetic rats restored these parameters to near control values. In diabetic rats, glycogen synthase a and the activity ratio (activity of glycogen synthase a divided by activity of total glycogen synthase) decreased to 30% of control levels and were restored to ∼70–80% of control values after vanadate administration. A similar pattern was observed for the activity of synthase phosphatase. The activities of glycogenolytic enzymes, i.e., phosphorylase (activity of phosphorylase a and activity of total phosphorylase), phosphorylase kinase, and protein kinase (in presence or absence of cAMP), were significantly decreased by 40–70% in diabetic rats. These enzyme activities were recovered to 70–100% of control values after vanadate treatment. Phosphorylase phosphatase was not altered by diabetes, but the vanadate treatment of both groups, i.e., control and diabetic rats, showed a 25% increase in its activity (P < 0.01). In conclusion, these results show insulinlike in vivo action of vanadate on various parameters related to hepatic glycogen metabolism.
Picornaviral VPg sequences are contained in the replicase precursor

It has previously been shown that the RNA replicase of encephalomyocarditis virus contains two virus-coded proteins, D and E, which are produced in two successive proteolytic steps: (i) C leads to D + ? ; and (ii) D leads to p22 + E. It is here shown (i) that virus protein H (molecular weight, 12,000) is the previously unidentified product of the first step and (ii) that VPg, a protein linked covalently to the virion RNA, yields two tryptic peptides found in protein C but not in protein D. The results suggest that VPg is derived by cleavage of protein C and that protein H may be intermediate. Preliminary experiments with VPg sequences in polioviral noncapsid protein 1b, the counterpart of encephalomyocarditis viral protein C, were inconclusive.
Use of antifungal agents for oral candidiasis: results of a national survey.

BACKGROUND Candida albicans is an opportunistic agent that colonizes the oral mucosa. OBJECTIVES To determine the attitude of Spanish dentists toward the oral treatment of candidiasis. METHOD Between May and November 2006, a questionnaire was circulated to a random selection of 1134 dentists obtained from the General Dental Council's main list. The survey consisted of a block of socio-demographic items followed by another block related to the diagnosis and treatment of oral candidiasis. Replies to the questionnaire were received from 840 (74%) dentists. RESULTS 50.4% of respondents were men, and 48.1% were female with a mean age of 38 and 12.2 years of professional experience. Miconazole was the most popular choice of antifungal agent prescribed (59.3%), followed by nystatin (57.7%) for topical use. Systemic antifungal agents were used by 30.20% of dentists, with a strong association between their use and the number of years in practice, gender and professional qualifications (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION Most Spanish dentists make clinical diagnosis and treat oral infections by C. albicans themselves with topical drugs (miconazole and nystatin) as a first choice. Systemic treatments are more commonly chosen by male dentists with long professional experience, especially by stomatologists.
Cytoprotective Effect of Lacritin on Human Corneal Epithelial Cells Exposed to Benzalkonium Chloride In Vitro

Abstract Purpose: Benzalkonium chloride (BAK) is the most commonly found preservative in eye drops, and has been shown to cause ocular surface inflammation and toxicity. Lacritin is a human tear glycoprotein secreted from the lacrimal glands that has been found to be cytoprotective. This study was designed to determine if the presence of lacritin confers protection to a cultured human corneal epithelial (HCE) cell line, CRL-11515, and primary HCE cells after exposure to the ocular preservative agent BAK. Materials and methods: Recombinant human lacritin was cloned into intein fusion vectors, expressed in E. coli, and purified on chitin beads and DEAE Sepharose. Metabolic curves were established using the MTT assay after exposure of sub-confluent CRL-11515 cells to BAK or lacritin. Western blot analysis of lipidated LC3 (LC3-II) provided a measure of autophagy in CRL-11515 cells exposed to lacritin and/or BAK. Results: BAK reduced CRL-11515 cellular metabolic activity in a time- and dose-dependent manner. BAK-induced cellular stress was evident by elevated autophagy that increased with rising concentrations of BAK compared to control (p < 0.05). Lacritin increased HCE cell proliferation at an optimal dose of 1 nM. Preconditioning HCE cells with 1 nM lacritin for 24 h prior to BAK exposure significantly dampened levels of LC3-II (p < 0.05) and promoted a significant increase in cellular metabolic activity (p < 0.01) compared to BAK alone. Conclusions: These results suggest lacritin protects cultured HCE cells stressed with BAK. Lacritin may have the potential to be used as a topical adjunctive therapy in eyes chronically exposed to BAK.
Serum n-6 and n-9 Fatty Acids Correlate With Serum IGF-1 and Growth Up to 4 Months of Age in Healthy Infants

Objective: The aim of this study was to study the relationship between insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), serum phospholipid fatty acids, and growth in healthy full-term newborns during infancy. Methods: Prospective observational study of a population-based Swedish cohort comprising 126 healthy, term infants investigating cord blood and serum at 2 days and 4 months of age for IGF-1 and phospholipid fatty acid profile and breast milk for fatty acids at 2 days and 4 months, compared with anthropometric measurements (standard deviation scores). Results: At all time-points arachidonic acid (AA) was negatively associated with IGF-1. IGF-1 had positive associations with linoleic acid (LA) at 2 days and 4 months and mead acid (MA) showed positive associations in cord blood. Multiple regression analyses adjusted for maternal factors (body mass index, weight gain, smoking, education), sex, birth weight and feeding modality confirmed a negative association for the ratio AA/LA to IGF-1. MA in cord blood correlated to birth size. Changes in the ratios of n-6/n-3 and AA/docosahexaenoic acid from day 2 to 4 months together with infants′ weight and feeding modality determined 55% of the variability of delta-IGF-1. Breast-fed infants at 4 months had lower IGF-1 correlating with lower LA and higher AA concentrations, which in girls correlated with lower weight gain from birth to 4 months of age. Conclusions: Our data showed interaction of n-6 fatty acids with IGF-1 during the first 4 months of life, and an association between MA and birth size when adjusted for confounding factors. Further follow-up may indicate whether these correlations are associated with later body composition.
Exhaustive mutation analysis of the NF1 gene allows identification of 95% of mutations and reveals a high frequency of unusual splicing defects

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is one of the most common autosomal dominant disorders and is caused by mutations in the NF1 gene. Mutation detection is complex due to the large size of the NF1 gene, the presence of pseudogenes and the great variety of possible lesions. Although there is no evidence for locus heterogeneity in NF1, mutation detection rates rarely exceed 50%. We studied 67 unrelated NF1 patients fulfilling the NIH diagnostic criteria, 29 familial and 38 sporadic cases, using a cascade of complementary techniques. We performed a protein truncation test starting from puromycin‐treated EBV cell lines and, if no mutation was found, continued with heteroduplex, FISH, Southern blot and cytogenetic analysis. We identified the germline mutation in 64 of 67 patients and 32 of the mutations are novel. This is the highest mutation detection rate reported in a study of typical NF1 patients. All mutations were studied at the genomic and RNA level. The mutational spectrum consisted of 25 nonsense, 12 frameshift, 19 splice mutations, six missense and/or small in‐frame deletions, one deletion of the entire NF1 gene, and a translocation t(14;17)(q32;q11.2). Our data suggest that exons 10a‐10c and 37 are mutation‐rich regions and that together with some recurrent mutations they may account for almost 30% of the mutations in classical NF1 patients. We found a high frequency of unusual splice mutations outside of the AG/GT 5¢ and 3¢ splice sites. As some of these mutations form stable transcripts, it remains possible that a truncated neurofibromin is formed. Hum Mutat 15:541–555, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of buprenorphine analgesia on post-operative recovery in two strains of rats

The objective of this study was to establish an effective post-operative analgesic regimen for Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Dark Agouti (DA) rats. Buprenorphine (0.01 or 0.05 mg/kg), a partial µ opioid agonist, was administered subcutaneously immediately on completion of a standardized surgical procedure, involving anaesthesia, laparotomy and visceral manipulation. Two of the four treatment groups and the saline control group received a second injection 9 h later. Behavioural observations by three independent observers provided no information in assessing pain in this model. All rats lost weight, consumed less food and water after surgery. On the first day, both SD and DA rats receiving buprenorphine lost less weight than untreated control groups. Using weight loss as an efficacy criterion, low-dose buprenorphine, given once or twice, provided effective analgesia in SD rats. A higher single dose provided no additional benefit and a second dose was detrimental, reducing body weight and food intake. In DA rats, the high dose, given twice, appeared to be more effective than the lower dose. All DA cage cohorts consumed <10% pre-operative food despite buprenorphine treatment, suggesting a higher dosage may be necessary. However, all SD and 80% DA rats who received no buprenorphine gained body weight on the second day, whereas most of the buprenorphine-treated rats continued to lose weight for another 2 days, despite increased food consumption by both strains. Buprenorphine may adversely affect intestinal function over a number of days due to its enterohepatic circulation; this effect may be more severe in DA rats. Adverse metabolic effects of buprenorphine and other opioids may preclude their use in the future if it can be shown that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provide equally effective analgesia.
The collection of indirect and nonmedical direct costs (COIN) form

There are limited data available regarding the cost of care in patients with androgen independent prostate carcinoma (AIPC), and there are no data on the impact of direct nonmedical and indirect costs (DNM/IC). This lack of data, along with the feasibility of collecting DNM/IC, was examined in patients with AIPC who took part in a randomized trial using a newly developed questionnaire, the Collection of Indirect and Nonmedical Direct Costs (COIN) form.
Return to Play After Infectious Mononucleosis

Context: Infectious mononucleosis is a disease primarily of adolescence and early adulthood. The risk of splenic injury and chronic fatigue make return-to-play decisions a challenge for the clinician caring for athletes with infectious mononucleosis. Evidence Acquisition: Data were obtained from the PubMed and MEDLINE databases through December 2012 by searching for epidemiology, diagnosis, clinical manifestations, management, and the role of the spleen in infectious mononucleosis. Study Design: Clinical review. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Results: Infectious mononucleosis is commonly encountered in young athletes. Its disease pattern is variable and can affect multiple organ systems. Supportive care is the cornerstone, with little role for medications such as corticosteroids. Physical examination is unreliable for the spleen, and ultrasound imaging has limitations in its ability to guide return-to-play decisions. Exercise does not appear to place the young athlete at risk for chronic fatigue, but determining who is at risk for persistent symptoms is a challenge. Conclusion: Return-to-play decisions for the athlete with infectious mononucleosis need to be individualized because of the variable disease course and lack of evidence-based guidelines.
Collection and analysis of peritoneal fluid from healthy llamas and alpacas.

OBJECTIVE To describe a technique for abdominocentesis in camelids and report peritoneal fluid biochemical and cytologic findings from healthy llamas and alpacas. DESIGN Prospective study. Animals-17 adult llamas and 5 adult alpacas. PROCEDURES Right paracostal abdominocentesis was performed. Peritoneal fluid was collected by gravity flow into tubes containing potassium-EDTA for cell count and cytologic evaluation and lithium heparin for biochemical analysis. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture into heparinized tubes at the same time. Cytologic components were quantified. Fluid pH and concentrations of total carbon dioxide, sodium, potassium, chloride, lactate, and glucose were compared between peritoneal fluid and venous blood. RESULTS All but 3 camelids had peritoneal fluid cell counts of < 3,000 nucleated cells/microL, with < 2,000 neutrophils/microL and < 1,040 large mononuclear cells/microL. All but 1 had peritoneal fluid protein concentrations of > or = 2.5 g/dL. Peritoneal fluid of camelids generally contained slightly less glucose, lactate, and sodium and roughly equal concentrations of potassium and chloride as venous blood. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Peritoneal fluid was collected safely from healthy camelids. Compared with blood, peritoneal fluid usually had a low cell count and protein concentration, but some individuals had higher values. Electrolyte concentrations resembled those found in blood. High cell counts and protein concentrations found in peritoneal fluid of some healthy camelids may overlap with values found in diseased camelids, complicating interpretation of peritoneal fluid values.