Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adipocytokines in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Hidden Link between Inflammation and Cardiometabolic Comorbidities

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting typically synovial joints and leading to progressive articular damage, disability, and reduced quality of life. Despite better recent therapeutic strategies improving long-term outcomes, RA is associated with a high rate of comorbidities, infections, malignancies, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Remarkably, some well-known pathogenic proinflammatory mediators in RA, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), may play a pivotal role in the development of CVD. Interestingly, different preclinical and clinical studies have suggested that biologic agents commonly used to treat RA patients may be effective in improving CVD. In this context, the contribution of adipocytokines has been suggested. Adipocytokines are pleiotropic molecules, mainly released by white adipose tissue and immune cells. Adipocytokines modulate the function of different tissues and cells, and in addition to energy homeostasis and metabolism, amplify inflammation, immune response, and tissue damage. Adipocytokines may contribute to the proinflammatory state in RA patients and development of bone damage. Furthermore, they could be associated with the occurrence of CVD. In this study, we reviewed available evidence about adipocytokines in RA, because of their involvement in disease activity, associated CVD, and possible biomarkers of prognosis and treatment outcome and because of their potential as a possible new therapeutic target.
Screening for HIV and linkage to care in adolescents: insights from a systematic review of recent interventions in high- versus low- and middle-income settings

Introduction Compared to adults, adolescents and young adults have a higher incidence of HIV infection, yet lower rates of HIV testing. Few evidence-based interventions effectively diagnose new HIV infections among adolescents while successfully providing linkage to care. Methods We conducted a systematic review of recent interventions to increase HIV testing among adolescents and young adults using data retrieved from PubMed and Google Scholar, and using abstracts presented at the International AIDS Society conferences and Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections published between January 1, 2015, and April 28, 2018. Results We identified 36 interventions (N=14 in high- income countries and N=22 in low- and middle-income countries) that were published in the literature (N=28) or presented at conferences (N=8). Interventions were categorized as behavioral/educational, alternate venue/self-testing, youth-friendly services, technology/mobile health, incentives, or peer-based/community-based interventions. The studies consisted of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective and retrospective observational studies, and quasi-experimental/pre–post evaluations with variable sample sizes. Study designs, populations, and settings varied. All categories showed some degree of acceptability, yet not all interventions were effective in increasing HIV testing. Effectiveness was seen in more than one RCT involving technology/mobile health (2/3 RCTs) and alternative venue/self-testing (3/3 RCTs) interventions, and only in one RCT each for behavioral interventions, community interventions, and incentives. There were no effective RCTs for adolescent-friendly services. Data were limited on the number of new infections identified and on the methods to increase linkage to care after diagnosis. Conclusion Future studies should include combinations of proven methods for engaging adolescents in HIV testing, while ensuring effective methods of linkage to care.
Ameliorative Effects of Helianthus Annuus Against Nephrotoxic, Cardiac, and Haematological Disorders in Alloxan-induced Hyperglycaemia in Albino Rats

Abstract Introduction The study evaluated the ameliorative effects of Helianthus annuus leaf extract on nephrotoxicity, cardiac, and haematologic disorders in alloxan-induced hyperglycaemic rats. Material and Methods The cold maceration method with 80% methanol was used in the preparation of H. annuus extract. Thirty alloxan-induced hyperglycaemic rats were randomly assigned to five equal groups (A–E). Groups A and B received 5% tween-20 solution in water (5 mL/kg) and glibenclamide (2 mg/kg), respectively; while groups C, D, and E received 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg of the extract, respectively, per os once daily for 21 consecutive days. The levels of serum urea, creatinine, haematological indices, and histopathological changes in the kidneys and heart were evaluated 24 h after the last treatment on day 21. Results The extract and glibenclamide significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the levels of serum urea and urea : creatinine ratio in diabetic rats when compared with the vehicle treated group. The extract and glibenclamide also ameliorated haematological disorders and kidney and cardiac damage induced by alloxan. Conclusion H. annuus extract produced nephroprotective, cardioprotective, and haematoprotective effects and might prevent the advancement of diabetic complications such as diabetic nephropathy and cardiovascular diseases in diabetic patients.
Rare Case of Bilateral Pure Facet Joint Dislocation of Upper Lumbar Spine without Facet Fracture: A Case Report

Introduction Bilateral facetal dislocation without facet fracture, although common in cervical spine, is a very rare entity in lumbar spine with <15 cases reported so far. Such injuries are very unstable involving all the three columns. Neurological insult and visceral affection are commonly associated with bilateral facetal dislocation. Case Report A 22-year-old gentleman presented with ASIA Aparaplegia following road traffic accident. Radiographs/computed tomography scan revealed pure facetal dislocation L1-L2 with no evidence of facet fracture. The patient also had liver laceration. The patient underwent open instrumented reduction along with left-sidedtransforaminal removal of damaged disc and inter body fusion. The patient improved significantly to ASIA C neurological status at 6-month follow-up. Conclusion Pure facetal dislocation, although rarely seen in lumbar region, is a very unstable injury. Prompt recognition and early intervention facilitate nursing care and neurological recovery. Recognition of associated injuries is also important.
Scleral buckle surgery in Ghana: a decade comparison of the anatomic and visual outcome

Purpose To compare the anatomic and visual outcome of scleral buckle (SB) surgery in Korle Bu Teaching Hospital between 2002 and 2005 and 2011 and 2014. Materials and methods In this retrospective comparative study, the medical records of patients who have undergone SB for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment from January 2002 to December 2005 (group A) and from January 2011 to December 2014 (group B) in Korle Bu Teaching Hospital were examined. The clinical history, surgical techniques, and outcomes of treatment were analyzed. The main outcome measures were primary anatomic success (retina reattached for at least 3 months postoperatively after a single procedure), overall anatomic success (combined primary anatomic success and success following revision of SB with at least 3 months follow-up), mean postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and complications. Results One hundred fifty-eight eyes (71 eyes in group A and 87 eyes in group B) were treated with SB in this study. The mean duration of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment was 105.5 days. Thirty-four (21.8%) of fellow eyes had BCVA worse than 6/60 at presentation. The primary anatomic success was comparable between the two groups; 70% in group A and 67.9% in group B (P=0.79). The overall anatomic success was also comparable between the two groups (76.7% in group A vs 79.8% in group B) (P=0.788). The mean postoperative BCVA in logMAR was significantly better than the mean preoperative BCVA (P<0.0001). Group B had significantly better mean BCVA (P=0.002) and longer duration of follow-up (P<0.0001) compared with group A at the last follow-up visit. Conclusion The anatomic success of SB between the two time periods was comparable. A longer postoperative duration of follow-up was associated with a better visual outcome after SB.
First report of the genus Rhyncholagena Lang, 1944 from the South China Sea, with the description of a new species (Crustacea, Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Miraciidae)

During analysis of sediment samples from South China Sea, a new species belonging to the genus Rhyncholagena Lang, 1944 was found and described here. Rhyncholagenaparaspinifer sp. n. differs from its congeners by the following combined characteristics: body ornamented dorsally with at least one row of spinules on each somite except penultimate urosomite; A2 exopod two-segmented; P1 enp-2 with one inner seta; P3 exp-3 with two inner setae, P3 enp-2 with one inner seta; female P5 exopod with five setae; male P5 baseoendopod with two setae and exopod with four setae. This is the first report of the genus Rhyncholagena in the China seas. In addition, a key to all valid species of Rhyncholagena is given, along with tables of morphological characters of all valid species and their distributions.
Design of A PLC Program Simulator for Nuclear Plant Using Compiler Technology

This paper shows a case study of designing a PLC logic simulator that was developed to simulate and verify PLC control programs for nuclear plant systems. The nuclear control system requires strict restrictions rather than normal process control system does, as it works with a high-risky and dangerous nuclear plant. One is that it should assure the safeness of the control programs by exploiting severe testing. The other restriction is that the control programs should be executed fast enough such that they could control multi devices concurrently in real-time. To cope with these restrictions, we devised a logic compiler which generates C-code programs from given PLC logic programs. Once the logic program was translated into C-code, the program could be analyzed by conventional software analysis tools and could be used to construct a fast logic simulator after cross-compiling, in fact, that is a kind of compiled-code simulator.
Metric-based Rate Control for Transport Protocol in Multi-hop Wireless Networks

In recent years, Multi-hop Wireless Networks (MHWNs) have experienced an explosion of deployment due to the increasing demand for continuous connectivity regardless of the physical location. Internet predominant transport protocols, i.e. Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), face performance degradation in MHWNs because of the high loss and link failure rates. Several solutions have been proposed which are based on network state estimation or use information from MAC layer (called metrics) in a cross-layer manner to better comprehend the network state. The first part of this thesis provides a survey and comprehensive definition of common metrics from Physical, MAC, Network and Transport layers and thus provides a multi-criteria and hierarchical classification. After that, the effectiveness in reflecting network information of MAC metrics is also investigated in a systematic way by simulating various network situations and measuring the MAC metrics. Thus, the good MAC metric for congestion control which is coupled with the network contention level and the medium induced losses will be found out. From the results of the effectiveness study, new rate control schemes for transport protocols are proposed which adapt efficiently the source bit rate depending on the network condition provided by some MAC metrics. Through an extensive set of simulations, the performance of the proposed rate control schemes in MHWNs is investigated thoroughly with several network situations.
Nouveau modèle de planification industrielle et commerciale avec approvisionnement long dans l'industrie automobile : approche par simulation-optimisation

Face a un environnement incertain et une internationalisation croissante de la chaine logistique, la planification industrielle et commerciale (PIC) permet d’adapter efficacement les capacites industrielles a la demande du marche. Dans cette etude, nous presentons un modele original de PIC utilisant des contraintes de flexibilite, pour ameliorer la coordination entre les fonctions commerciales et logistiques. Un premier modele de simulation permet d’etudier la dynamique du systeme ainsi que l’impact des differents parametres sur les performances en termes de couts et de satisfaction client. Afin d’etudier les politiques optimales, nous proposons un nouveau modele de simulation-optimisation multi objectif. Differentes methodes d’optimisation sont comparees, et plusieurs recommandations sont emises pour l’implementation pratique de notre solution. Enfin, nous comparons les performances de plusieurs politiques de gestion des stocks lorsqu’elles sont couplees avec notre methode de PIC flexible. A partir de donnees reelles du constructeur automobile Renault, nous presentons une etude comparative detaillee. Nous proposons plusieurs preconisations pratiques sur le type de politiques a privilegier selon les caracteristiques du systeme. Ces travaux de recherche sont particulierement pertinents et applicables a d’autres industries confrontees a de fortes exigences commerciales,une faible visibilite sur la demande future et des approvisionnements longs.
Conception et étude d'un bioréacteur pour fermentations en milieux visqueux : application à la production de scléroglucane

Un fermenteur aere, agite par un ruban helicoidal a ete concu afin de repondre aux contraintes specifiques des fermentations mettant en jeu des milieux de culture presentant des viscosites apparentes tres elevees, superieures a 1 pa. S. La production par voie fermentaire de scleroglucane par sclerotium rolfsii a ete retenue comme support de cette etude. Une etude du comportement rheologique des solutions de scleroglucane a permis en utilisant le modele de herschel-bulkley de correler les parametres rheologiques des solutions a leur concentration en scleroglucane dans une gamme de concentration allant de 5 a 30 g/l. L'etude des capacites de melange de notre installation par une technique conductimetrique en regime laminaire et en regime de transition a confirme les excellentes capacites de melange des agitateurs a rubans helicoidaux en milieu fortement visqueux. L'etude du transfert d'oxygene dans notre installation en utilisant une sonde a oxygene a montre des capacites de transfert en milieu faiblement visqueux nettement inferieures a celles observees dans des systemes agites par des turbines. En milieu fortement visqueux, on observe un transfert d'oxygene, meme faible, dans tout le volume de la cuve. L'etude de la puissance consommee par notre installation a montre que celle-ci etait 2 a 3 fois inferieure a celle demandee par une installation agitee par turbine. L'etude de fermentations dans notre appareillage mettant en uvre sclerotium rolfsii a montre qu'il etait possible d'obtenir des concentrations en scleroglucane plus elevees que dans un fermenteur classique
A vacina contra o papilomavírus humano

Esse conhecimento contribuiu para o desenvolvimento de novas estrategias para a prevencao da doenca, a mais promissora representada por vacinas profilaticas contra o HPV.Duas vacinas foram desenvolvidas: quadrivalente (Merck) contra HPV 6, 11, 16 e 18, e bivalente (GSK) contra HPV 16 e 18. Os tipos de HPV 6 e 11 (“baixo risco”) estao associados a condiloma acuminado, nao a câncer cervical. Ambas as vacinas apresen-tam eficacia elevada, tanto na prevencao de infeccao persistente com HPV 16 ou 18, quanto na prevencao de neoplasia intra-epitelial cervical (NIC) 2 e 3
Difference Between Hispanic Adolescent Males in Alternative and Regular Education Placement

Difference between Hispanic Adolescent Males in Alternative and Regular Education Placement. (May 2010) Brandi Renee Kocian, B.S., Texas A&M University Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. Cynthia Riccio Dr. Amanda Jensen-Doss Researchers have identified numerous risk and protective factors that might provide insight into the academic difficulties and success that Hispanic adolescents experience. Maladjusted outcomes cannot be attributed to a single risk factor; risk factors do not act in isolation and often have complex relationships with other risk factors. This study uses an ecological risk factor model that suggests that there are multiple risk factors related to adolescent being placed in an alternative education setting and that these risk factors exist at six levels: community-based factors, school-based factors, peer-based factors, family-based factors, child’s perception factors, and acculturation-based factors. The purpose of this study is to examine differences in the protective and risk factors in the area of family, community, school, peers, child’s perception, and acculturation levels between Hispanic males who have been placed in DAEP (Disciplinary Alternative Education Placement) and their same aged Hispanic male peers who have not been previously placed in the DAEP. The sample for this study (N=119) was collected from a large urban school district in Texas. The participants were seventh and eighth graders between the ages of 12 and 16 years of age. The non-DAEP group was comprised of a
Une approche formelle pour la génération d'analyseurs de langages naturels

Un processus d'analyse syntaxique et d' etiquetage eecace est d eterminante dans l' elaboration de structures d'analyse de langages naturels. Ce papier introduit un environnement de d ev eloppement permettant l'impl ementation du support formel des langages naturels a partir de deux points de vue, analyse syntaxique et etiquetage. Le probl eme de l'analyse syntaxique repose sur l'analyse de grammaires alg ebriques sans restrictions, et celui de l' etiquetage sur des automates nis non d eterministes. L'analyseur syntaxique prends en entr ee un texte arbitraire, et suit la structure d esign ee par une grammaire alg ebrique. Le partage syntaxique est optimis e de faa con a favoriser l' elimination des ambig uit es pendant le processus s emantique. Les automates a etats nis sont utilis es comme formalisme op erationnel pour etiqueter les corpora de faa con eecace, sp ecialement pour les langages dont l'analyse morphologique a une relevance accrue. Les deux activit es, analyse syntaxique et etiquetage, sont int egr ees dans un m^ eme outil, Galena 1 , fournissant l'incr ementalit e comme fonctionnalit e favorisant la r eutilisabilit e des composantes d'un point de vue g enie logiciel.
Healthy Donor Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Recurrent Bacterial Cholangitis in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis – A Single Case Report

Abstract Recurrent acute bacterial cholangitis is a unique indication for liver transplantation in primary sclerosing cholangitis. We present the first report on utility of healthy donor fecal transplantation for management of recurrent acute bacterial cholangitis in a primary sclerosing cholangitis patient. We demonstrate the striking liver biochemistry, bile acid and bacterial community changes following intestinal microbiota transplantation associated with amelioration of recurrent cholangitis.
Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in atrial tissue in the elderly dogs with persistent atrial fibrillation

Objective To investigate matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) expression in atrial tissue in the elderly dogs with persistent atrial fibrillation and to analyze the relationship of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression with atrial fibrillation and fibrosis.Methods Eighteen healthy Beagle dogs were randomly divided into adult normal sinus rhythm group(n=5),elderly normal sinus rhythm group(n=5),adult persistent atrial fibrillation group(n=4) and elderly persistent atrial fibrillation group(n=4). Masson staining was used to determine the stage of fibrosis.The expressions of MMP-9 mRNA and TIMP-1 mRNA were detected with RT-PCR in left atrium.The level of protein expression was determined with Western blot technique.Results Compared with adult normal sinus rhythm group,atrial fibrosis was more severe(P0.01),TIMP-1 mRNA and protein expressions decreased(P0.05,P0.01),and MMP-9 protein increased(P0.01) in the other three groups.MMP-9 mRNA expression increased in elderly normal sinus rhythm group and elderly persistent atrial fibrillation group compared with adult normal sinus rhythm group(P0.05). The atrial fibrosis was more severe,collagen volume fraction increased more significantly(P0.05),and TIMP-1 protein expression decreased(P0.01) in elderly persistent atrial fibrillation group compared with adult persistent atrial fibrillation group.Conclusion The imbalanced expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 gene is properly one of the important mechanisms of atrial fibrosis induced by collagen metabolism and aging atrial fibrillation.It is correlated with the occurrence of aging atrial fibrillation.
Audiometrischer Nachweis Nichtakustisch Ausgelöster Reflexkontraktionen Der Intraauralmuskulatur

Bekanntlich konnen durch akustische Reize entsprechend hoher Intensitat Reflexkontraktionen der Binnenmuskulatur des Ohres ausgelost werden. Die durch die Kontraktion bedingte Reduktion der Schallubertragung fur verschiedene Frequenzen ist zwar in Tierversuchen eingehend untersucht worden, kann aber mit subjektiven Methoden beim Menschen nur unter bestimmten Versuchsbe-dingungen direkt gemessen werden. Wesentlich einfacher liegen hingegen die Verhaltnisse hinsichtlich der nichtakustischen Reflexkontraktionen, wie sie durch sensible Reizung der Haut des ausseren Gehorganges und seiner Umgebung ausgelost werden konnen. Ihren Einfluss auf die Horkurve quantitativ zu erfassen, war das Ziel der vorliegenden Untersuchung.ZusammenfassungBei 10 ohrgesunden Versuchspersonen wurde der Einfluss von nichtakustisch ausgelosten Reflexkontraktionen der Intraauralmuskulatur auf die Horkurve un-tersucht. Die Reflexauslosung erfolgte durch unilaterale elektrische Reizung der Haut des ausseren Gehorganges mittels einer schl.
Procesamiento y Reconocimiento de Patrones en Video Digital

Este trabajo presenta una propuesta de investigacion sobre procesamiento y reconocimiento de patrones en video digital. Debido a la creciente demanda social de este tipo de medio de informacion, creemos que el campo de aplicacion para nuestro desarrollo sera muy amplio. Presentamos una figura que muestra nuestra primera aplicacion que utiliza una implementacion del algoritmo SURF para procesar video. Finalmente se mencionan algunas aplicaciones y los recursos humanos que se pretenden formar.
Deciduous Tooth Emergence, Maternal and Infant Condition, and Infant Feeding Practices in the Brazilian Amazon

ii Dedication . iv Acknowledgments . v Vita . vii List of Tables . xiii List of Figures . xv Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 Objectives . 3 Hypotheses . 6 Significance . 11 Dissertation Outline . 12 Chapter 2: Deciduous Dental Development . 14 Deciduous Tooth Formation . 14 Deciduous Tooth Eruption . 18 Mechanisms of Tooth Eruption . 21 Chapter 3: Environmental Factors and Deciduous Tooth Eruption . 30 Non-Human Animal Studies . 30 Human Studies . 33 Chapter 4: The Role of the Deciduous Dentition in Infant Feeding Practices . 95 Chapter 5: Participants and Methods . 104 xi Research Setting . 104 Research Design . 113 Data Collection: Instruments, Procedures, and Measures . 122 Chapter 6: Participant Characteristics . 137 Research Component 1: Pilot Interviews . 137 Research Component 2: Longitudinal Research . 138 Conclusion . 155 Chapter 7: Maternal Condition and the Timing of Deciduous Tooth Emergence . 156 Hypothesis 1 . 157 Hypothesis 2 . 160 Hypothesis 3 . 161 Hypothesis 4 . 162 Hypothesis 5 . 163 Methods . 165 Results . 169 Discussion . 175 Conclusion . 181 Chapter 8: Infant Condition and the Timing of Deciduous Tooth Emergence . 183 Hypothesis 6 . 183 Hypothesis 7 . 184 Hypothesis 8 . 185 Hypothesis 9 . 188 Methods . 191 Results . 199