Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimization of linezolid treatment regimens for Gram-positive bacterial infections based on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis.

AIM To optimize linezolid treatment regimens for Gram-positive bacterial infections based on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis. MATERIALS & METHODS The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) distribution of 572 Gram-positive strains from patients with clinically confirmed infections was analyzed. Using the Monte Carlo simulation method, the cumulative fraction of response and probability of target attainment were determined for linezolid regimens of 600 mg q.12h and q.8h Results: Linezolid dosage of 600 mg q.12h yielded >90% cumulative fraction of response and probability of target attainment for staphylococcal infections with an MIC of ≤1 mg/l, enterococcal infections with higher MIC values required 600 mg q.8h. CONCLUSION Linezolid 600 mg q.12h is still the clinically recommended empirical dosage for Gram-positive bacterial infections. However, as bacterial MICs increase, 600 mg q.8h may be required to achieve better efficacy.
The correlation between ECochG parameters and early auditory behavior after cochlear implantation in children

Abstract Objective: The individual outcome after cochlear implantation in children with auditory synaptopathy/neuropathy (AS/AN) is difficult to predict. A tool for preoperative assessment would be helpful for counseling parents. This study evaluates the outcome after CI in children with AS/AN and with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), and correlates it with the preoperative ECochG results in order to find specific parameters of prognostic value. Design: The improvement of auditory behavior after CI was retrospectively assessed using the LittlEARS questionnaire and quantified in a score (LS). This score was correlated with the CAP/SP ratio in the preoperative ECochG. The score was further correlated with the patient’s age six months following CI. Study sample: Nine children with AS/AN were compared to nine children with SNHL. Results: Both groups showed a significant improvement in LS following CI. There was a significant positive correlation between the CAP/SP ratio and the improvement in LS in all children. The correlation between age and LS was significantly negative in the SNHL group and positive in the AS/AN group. Conclusion: All children with AS/AN and SNHL benefit to a similar extent from CI. The preoperatively assessed CAP/SP ratio has a prognostic value for the development of auditory behavior following CI.
Vision impairment and hearing loss among community-dwelling older Americans: implications for health and functioning.

OBJECTIVES We investigated the health, activity, and social participation of people aged 70 years or older with vision impairment, hearing loss, or both. METHODS We examined the 1994 Second Supplement on Aging to determine the health and activities of these 3 groups compared with those without sensory loss. We calculated odds ratios and classified variables according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework. RESULTS Older people with only hearing loss reported disparities in health, activities, and social roles; those with only vision impairment reported greater disparities; and those with both reported the greatest disparities. CONCLUSIONS A hierarchical pattern emerged as impairments predicted consistent disparities in activities and social participation. This population's patterns of health and activities have public health implications.
Aktuelle Forschungsansätze bei ADHS

Zusammenfassung Im folgenden Kapitel werden der derzeitige Forschungsstand zu Epidemiologie, Ätiologie, Diagnostik und Behandlung der Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) zusammengefasst und weitergehende Perspektiven diskutiert.
Node Control Methods To Reduce Power Consumption Using Push-Based Broadcast For Mobile Sesor Networks

Recently, a lot of researchers have directed their attention to mobile sensor networks that are constructedby sensor nodes with a moving facility. Mobile sensor networks enable to construct a wide-range sensingsystem by the cooperative behaviours of a small number of mobile sensors. However, because radiocommunication range of the nodes does not cover the whole sensing area, every node has to move closer tothe sink to deliver its sensor readings. Thus, the power consumption to deliver the sensed data to the sinkbecomes large. We previously proposed two mobile sensor control methods to reduce the powerconsumption by employing push-based broadcast, named the MST (Moving-distance-based StaticTopology) and the SR-N (Shortest Route with Negotiation) methods for sparse mobile sensor networks. Inthis paper, we propose the MST/NFD (MST with Node Failure Detection) and the SR-N/NFD (SR-N withNode Failure Detection) methods as extensions of the MST and the SR-N methods to detect node failures.We also conducted simulation experiments to evaluate the performance of our methods and confirmed thatthe MST/NFD method is more robust over node failures than the SR-N/NFD method, and that the SRN/NFD method can achieve the high throughput than the MST/NFD method.
Detection of stator winding fault in induction motors using a motor square current signature analysis (MSCSA)

In this paper the short-circuit fault inter-turn on the stator of an induction motor is analysed by an online diagnostic method. For the diagnostic method it is proposed the motor square current signature analysis (MSCSA). This method uses the results of spectral analysis of the instantaneous square stator current. The effects of stator square current spectrum are described and the related frequencies determined. This method is similar to the instantaneous power signature analysis, however has the advantage of just require one current sensor. Several simulation and experimental results are presented in order to illustrate the characteristics of the proposed method.
Structure of an unmodified tRNA molecule.

We have used NMR to study the structure of the yeast tRNA(Phe) sequence which was synthesized by using T7 RNA polymerase. Many resonances in the imino 1H- spectrum of the transcript have been assigned, including those of several tertiary interactions. When the Mg2+ concentration is high, the transcript appears to fold normally, and the spectral features of the transcript resemble those of tRNA(Phe). The transcript has been shown to be aminoacylated with kinetics similar to the modified tRNA(Phe) [Sampson, J. R. , & Uhlenbeck, O. C. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85, 1033-1037], suggesting that the structure of the two molecules must be similar. In the absence of Mg2+ or at [tRNA]:[Mg2+] ratios less than 0.2, the transcript does not adopt the native structure, as shown by both chemical shifts and NOE patterns. In these low Mg2+ conditions, a second GU base pair is found, suggesting a structural rearrangement of the transcript. NMR data indicate that the structure of a mutant having G20 changed to U20 is nearly identical with that of the normal sequence, suggesting that the low aminoacylation activity of this variant is not due to a substantially different conformation.
Safety and Efficacy of a Dapivirine Vaginal Ring for HIV Prevention in Women.

BACKGROUND The incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains high among women in sub-Saharan Africa. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of extended use of a vaginal ring containing dapivirine for the prevention of HIV infection in 1959 healthy, sexually active women, 18 to 45 years of age, from seven communities in South Africa and Uganda. METHODS In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned participants in a 2:1 ratio to receive vaginal rings containing either 25 mg of dapivirine or placebo. Participants inserted the rings themselves every 4 weeks for up to 24 months. The primary efficacy end point was the rate of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) seroconversion. RESULTS A total of 77 participants in the dapivirine group underwent HIV-1 seroconversion during 1888 person-years of follow-up (4.1 seroconversions per 100 person-years), as compared with 56 in the placebo group who underwent HIV-1 seroconversion during 917 person-years of follow-up (6.1 seroconversions per 100 person-years). The incidence of HIV-1 infection was 31% lower in the dapivirine group than in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49 to 0.99; P=0.04). There was no significant difference in efficacy of the dapivirine ring among women older than 21 years of age (hazard ratio for infection, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.97) and those 21 years of age or younger (hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.45 to 1.60; P=0.43 for treatment-by-age interaction). Among participants with HIV-1 infection, nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor resistance mutations were detected in 14 of 77 participants in the dapivirine group (18.2%) and in 9 of 56 (16.1%) in the placebo group. Serious adverse events occurred more often in the dapivirine group (in 38 participants [2.9%]) than in the placebo group (in 6 [0.9%]). However, no clear pattern was identified. CONCLUSIONS Among women in sub-Saharan Africa, the dapivirine ring was not associated with any safety concerns and was associated with a rate of acquisition of HIV-1 infection that was lower than the rate with placebo. (Funded by the International Partnership for Microbicides; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01539226 .).
Spontaneously Terminating Apparent Ventricular Fibrillation During Transesophageal Electrophysiological Testing in Infants with Wolff‐Parkinson‐White Syndrome

SANATANI, S. , et al.: Spontaneously Terminating Apparent Ventricular Fibrillation During Transesophageal Electrophysiological Testing in Infants with Wolff‐Parkinson‐White Syndrome. This article describes two infants with Wolff‐Parkinson‐White (WPW) syndrome in whom apparent VF occurred without antecedent AF or atrial flutter during routine transesophageal electrophysiological testing. Remarkably, this arrhythmia terminated spontaneously in both infants. The documentation of self‐limited apparent VF, or polymorphic ventricular tachycardia close to VF, in transesophageal testing adds another dimension to the management of WPW.
Technological Progress towards Sustainable Development

The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, to present an analysis of a comprehensive set of global energy scenarios that has been undertaken to identify key energy technologies for achieving sustainable development. Secondly, to describe tools that could aid policy makers using insights in the dynamics of technological progress to promote the development of promising technologies throughresearch and development (R&D) and procurement. As an operational working definition of sustainable development we use the following four criteria: (1) Economic growth sustains throughout the whole time horizon; (2) socio-economic inequity among world regions is reduced "significantly" during this century; (3) reserves-to-production (R/P) ratios of exhaustible primary energy carriers do not decrease substantially from today's values; and (4) short- to medium-term environmental impacts (e.g., acidification) are reduced towards meeting critical loads and carbon emissions at the end of the century are below today's levels. Applying these criteria in an analysis of a representative set of global economy-energy-environment scenarios shows that in sustainable-development scenarios, hydrogen fuel cells and solar photovoltaic cells emerge as key technologies in the long run. Natural gas technologies, in particular fuel cells and combined-cycle power plants, could provide for an efficient medium-term transition to these key technologies. The question then becomes which policies can promote the development of these technologies. We think that an important tool to tackle this question is provided by an improved concept of technological learning. According to that concept, technological progress, expressed as specific technology cost, is a regular function of not only cumulative installed capacity but also of R&D expenditures. This tool can assist in determining how much money should be spent for which energy technology on procurement (capacity expansion) and how much money for R&D. The results of first model runs aiming at eventually formulating policy guidance are presented.
Effects of municipal solid waste compost application on the microbial biomass of cultivated and non-cultivated soil in a semi-arid zone

The aim of this study was to assess whether soil microbial biomass could be used as an indicator of environmental changes following the application of organic residue (compost of municipal solid waste and farmyard manure) or mineral fertilizers (N and P) into cultivated or uncultivated loam—clayey soil, for three consecutive years. The carbon and nitrogen of the microbial biomass (BC and BN) were studied using the fumigation-extraction method. For the two cultivated and uncultivated plots, BN and BC were more important in the superficial profile (0—20 cm) than in the deep one (20— 40 cm). In the uncultivated soil, we observed a good linear relation between BC and BN at the level of upper soil horizon during the wet season with r coefficients of 0.95, 0.71 and 0.80 for the consecutive years 2000, 2001 and 2002, respectively. Microbial biomasses C and N increased during the rainy season and decreased during the dry season. Microbial biomass C and N showed the higher content with compost and farmyard manure at 40 tonnes ha—1. Moreover, the results showed that at the beginning of the experiment, the microbial biomass was higher in the ploughed wheat-cultivated plot than in the uncultivated one. Microbial biomass C and N in the cultivated plot amended with compost at 40 tonnes ha—1 were significantly different in comparison with the soil microbial biomass amended with farmyard manure. The combining of chemical fertilizer with the organic fertilizer, such as compost at 40 or 80 tonnes ha—1 and farmyard manure, increased the microbial biomasses C and N after 1 and 2 years. In the cultivated or uncultivated plots the results revealed that the best application rate of the compost was 40 tonnes ha—1 and when the compost rate was increased from 40 to 80 tonnes ha—1 both BC and BN decreased significantly.
Disorder in pentachloronitrobenzene, C(6)Cl(5)NO(2): a diffuse scattering study.

Monte Carlo computer simulation has been used to interpret and model observed single-crystal diffuse X-ray scattering data for pentachloronitrobenzene, C(6)Cl(5)NO(2). Each site in the crystal contains a molecule in one of six different basic orientations with equal probability. However, no short-range order amongst these different orientations has been detected. The strong, detailed and very distinctive diffraction patterns can be accounted for almost entirely on the assumption of random occupancy of each molecular site, but with very large local relaxation displacements that tend to increase the neighbouring distances for contacts involving NO(2). NO(2) and NO(2). Cl with a corresponding reduction for those involving Cl.Cl. The results show that the mean NO(2). NO(2) distance is increased by approximately 0.6 Angstrom, compared with that given by the average structure determination.
Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Hemodialysis Patients: A Longitudinal Study Comparing the Results of RNA and Antibody Assays

We longitudinally studied 51 patients from two hemodialysis centers to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis patients. Serum samples were tested for antibody to HCV by first‐ and second‐ generation enzyme immunoassays and for hepatitis C virus RNA by nested polymerase chain reaction assay. Antibody to hepatitis C virus was detected in the initial serum samples by first‐generation enzyme immunoassay and second‐generation enzyme immunoassay in 6 (11.8%) and 11 (21.6%) patients, respectively. First‐generation enzyme immunoassay had a false‐positive rate of 33.3% and a false‐negative rate of 63.6%. Hepatitis C virus RNA was found in eight second‐generation enzyme immunoassay–positive patients (72.7%) and in one patient negative for antibody to hepatitis C virus (2.5%) giving an overall positivity rate of 17.6%. After 19 mo, antibody to hepatitis C virus was detected in 15 patients (29.4%) on second‐generation enzyme immunoassay; hepatitis C virus RNA was found in 13 patients (25.5%). Hepatitis C virus markers persisted in all 12 patients with initial evidence of hepatitis C virus infection. Three patients acquired hepatitis C virus infection during the interim, giving a new infection rate of 4.9% per patient‐year. Antibody to hepatitis C virus, hepatitis C virus RNA or both was detected in 55.6% of patients with biochemical changes suggestive of non‐A, non‐B hepatitis. Of the 15 antibody to hepatitis C virus, second‐generation enzyme immunoassay‐positive patients, 66.7% had persistently normal serum transaminase levels. In summary, hepatitis C virus infection is common among hemodialysis patients. First‐generation enzyme immunoassay is an unreliable assay for antibody to hepatitis C virus in these patients. We found good correlation between the results of antibody to hepatitis C virus detection on second‐generation enzyme immunoassay and of hepatitis C virus RNA by nested polymerase chain reaction and found that serum transaminase level is a poor indicator of hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis patients. (HEPATOLOGY 1993;17:5–8.)
Short-Term Results of Treating Primary and Recurrent Anal Fistulas with a Novel Extracellular Matrix Derived from Porcine Urinary Bladder

Anal fistulas are difficult to treat because they are often recalcitrant to medical therapies and surgical treatment may lead to significant morbidities. A recent novel biologically derived graft from porcine urinary bladder (MatriStem™) has shown great promise in experimental studies of tissue regeneration in diverse tissues. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the safety and short-term efficacy of MatriStem for treatment of anal fistulas. This was a retrospective study of patients treated from January 3, 2012 to March 3, 2014 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. MatriStem was used to treat patients with anal fistulas by implanting it uniformly with a single application in all patients using a standardized protocol. Data were collected retrospectively from hospital records and office charts. Nineteen fistulas were treated with MatriStem. There were no adverse complications. Overall efficacy of MatriStem was 79 per cent with healing occurring in a mean time of 17 days and mean follow-up of seven months (range 1–26 months). MatriStem was effective in healing in 75 per cent of primary anal fistulas and 86 per cent of recurrent fistulas. MatriStem seems to be a safe and promising treatment for primary and recurrent anal fistulas, and warrants further study and clinical trials to substantiate widespread clinical use.
Margins for cervical and vulvar cancer

Surgery is the primary treatment for vulvar cancer as well as early‐stage carcinoma of the cervix. This article reviews the significance of margin status after surgery on overall survival, need for further surgical intervention, and role for possible adjuvant therapy. It summarizes the abundant literature on margin status in vulvar cancer and highlights the need for further investigation on the prognostic significance of margins in cervical cancer. In addition, it reviews other important operative considerations. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:304–309. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
AVALIAÇÃO DE DIFERENTES VAZÕES DE AR POR UNIDADE DE VOLUME EM BIORREATORES HETEROTRÓFICOS MICROALGAIS APLICADOS AO TRATAMENTO DE EFLUENTES AGROINDUSTRIAIS

RESUMO – A fase de cultura de um bioprocesso de microalgas tem a maior carga de energia, e uma parte significativa do consumo de energia esta na aeracao. Para a producao de bioprodutos a partir de microalgas, e essencial reduzir os requisitos de energia. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a necessidades de aeracao em biorreatores heterotroficos microalgais no tratamento de efluentes do abate e processamento de aves e suinos. Os experimentos foram realizados em biorreatores de colunas de bolhas, alimentados com 1,5L de efluente, 100mg.L-1 de inoculo, pH ajustado em 7,5, reator isotermico operando a 25°C, aeracao continua de 0,5, 1,0, 1,5 VVM e ausencia de luminosidade. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que a vazao por unidade de volume 1,5 VVM apresentou ligeiros ganhos de desempenho, porem a aeracao de 0,5VVM pode ser considerada como o equilibrio para a operacao do biorreator por ter um requerimento de potencia menor.
The Evolution of Scientific Productivity of Junior Scholars

Publishing academic work has been recognized as a key indicator for measuring scholars' scientific productivity and having crucial impact on their future career. However, little has been known about how the majority of researchers progress in publishing papers across disciplines. In this work, using a collection consisting of over five millions academic publications across 15 disciplines, we study how the scientific productivity patterns of junior scholars change across different generations and different domains. Our study results help understand the evolution of the competitive ``publish or perish'' academic culture.
Intestinal fungal and parasitic infections in kidney transplant recipients: a multi-center study.

Kidney transplant recipients are susceptible to various infections due to the use of immunosuppressive drugs. The present study was performed as studies on the prevalence of intestinal fungal and parasitic infections in kidney transplant recipients are limited. A total of 150 kidney transplant recipients and 225 matched immunocompetent outpatients, who were referred to the laboratory of Noor Hospital, Isfahan, were studied. After recording demographic characteristics, direct test and specific laboratory cultures were carried out on the stool specimens. Patients were instructed on sanitary rules and, during each medical visit, they were reminded of the same. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic and fungal infections was 33.3% and 58.7%, respectively, in transplant recipients and 20% and 51%, respectively, in the control group; the difference was not statistically significant. The most prevalent intestinal parasite was Entameba coli, which was seen in 9.3% of the study patients and 6.7% of the controls. The most prevalent fungus was Candida sp. , which was seen in 22% of the study patients and 24.4% of the control group. Co-existing infection with two or more fungi was seen in 14.8% and 3.4% in the case and control groups, respectively; P <0.001. Interestingly, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of infection by a single organism between the two groups. However, co-existing infection with two or more species was more prevalent in transplant recipients. We conclude that further investigations are needed to evaluate the pathogenesis of infection with these microorganisms.