Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Co-occurring Psychiatric Symptoms and Drug Dependence or Heavy Drinking Among HIV-Positive People

Abstract This study sought to establish population-based estimates of the prevalence of co-occurring psychiatric symptoms and either or both drug dependence symptoms or heavy drinking among individuals who test positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and to identify the factors associated with such comorbidity. Data from the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study (HCSUS), a nationally representative sample of HIV-infected adults receiving medical care in the U.S. in 1996 (N = 2,864), were used to estimate the prevalence of comorbidity. Logistic regression was used to identify the independent influences of sociodemographic and HIV-related variables on comorbidity. The authors estimate that 13% of people with HIV receiving care in the U.S. in 1996 had co-occurring psychiatric symptoms and either or both drug dependence symptoms or heavy drinking. The odds of having a comorbid condition were higher for males, heterosexuals, and people with more HIV-related symptoms. The odds were lower for people living with AIDS, African Americans, people who were gay or sexually abstinent, those living with a spouse, those aged 50 years or older, and those with private insurance. Sixty-nine percent of those with a substance-related condition also had psychiatric symptoms; 27% of those with psychiatric symptoms also had a substance-related condition.
Cadmium transport in blood serum

The binding of Cd2+ to human serum transferrin in 0.1 M N-(2-hydroxyethyl) piperazine-N ′-2-ethanesulfonic acid and 5 mM sodium bicarbonate at pH 7.4 has been studied by difference ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The apparent association constants were found to be 2.61 × 105 M —1 and 8.51 × 104M— 1, respectively. These association constants are pH-dependent, reducing with both increasing and decreasing pH. The apparent pKa values were found to be 4.93 and 5.42. Competitive assays of binding of Cd2+ to transferrin in the presence of citrate and human serum albumin at molar ratios corresponding to those found in normal plasma showed that a considerable amount of Cd2+ was not bound to transferrin. The competitive binding assays indicate that ∼50% of Cd2+ is bound to transferrin, ∼37% to albumin and reminder to citrate. These results therefore suggest that, although transferrin at pH 7.4 is the major Cd 2+-binding component of plasma, an appreciable amount of Cd2+ may be bound to albumin.
Optimal VWAP Trading Strategy and Relative Volume

Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) for a stock is total traded value divided by total traded volume. It is a simple quality of execution measurement popular with institutional traders to measure the price impact of trading stock. This paper uses classic mean-variance optimization to develop VWAP strategies that attempt to trade at better than the market VWAP. These strategies exploit expected price drift by optimally `front-loading' or `back-loading' traded volume away from the minimum VWAP risk strategy.
Sobre curvas algebraicas y códigos correctores

Presentamos un articulo de los profesores Carlos Munuera y Fernando Torres, sobre la evolucion y situacion actual del estudio de las curvas algebraicas sobre cuerpos finitos, en conexion con sus aplicaciones a la teoria de Codigos Correctores de Errores. Se trata de un tema que en los utlimos anos ha cobrado un auge considerable por sus aplicaciones tecnicas; un tema que creemos despertara el interes de los lectores curiosos sobre el papel de las matematicas en las tecnologias digitales de la informacion. Fernando Torres es profesor de la Universidad Estadual de Campinas (Brasil). Actualmente es uno de los mas importantes expertos mundiales en el estudio de curvas maximales sobre cuerpos finitos. Carlos Munuera es profesor de Matematica Aplicada en la Universidad de Valladolid y sus intereses se centran en las tecnicas de procesamiento de informacion digital, codigos correctores y criptografia. Podria decirse que es unos de los pioneros en el estudio de estos temas en Espana y, desde luego, un excelente divulgador de los mismos.
International Multicenter Evaluation of Latex Agglutination Tests for Identification of Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT A newly marketed rapid agglutination kit for the identification ofStaphylococcus aureus, Slidex Staph Plus (bioMérieux), was compared to Staphaurex Plus (Murex Diagnostics) and Pastorex Staph-Plus (Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur). The study took place in three clinical microbiology laboratories in three different European countries. A total of 892 staphylococcal isolates, including 278 methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) isolates, 171 methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates, and 443 coagulase-negative staphylococcal isolates, were analyzed. The sensitivities (MSSA/MRSA) and specificities, respectively, were 98.2% (98.9%/97.1%) and 98.9% for Slidex Staph Plus, 98.2% (98.2%/98.2%) and 96.2% for Staphaurex Plus, and 98.7% (98.6%/98.8%) and 95.7% for Pastorex Staph Plus. The specificity of the Slidex Staph Plus kit was statistically significantly higher than the specificities of Staphaurex Plus and Pastorex Staph-Plus. The Slidex Staph Plus is a very reliable test for the identification ofS. aureus.
The plasma concentration of soluble Fc‐gamma RIII is related to production of neutrophils

Summary. FcγRIII (the CD16‐antigen), a low‐affinity receptor for IgG, is expressed by neutrophils, natural killer lymphocytes and macrophages. A soluble form of FcγRIII has been identified in human plasma. This soluble form of FcγRIII (sFcγRIII) originates from release by neutrophils. In the present study we show by transfusions of plasma that contains sFcγRIII of one allotype (NA1‐FcγRIII) in recipients homozygous for the other allotype (NA2‐FcγRIII) that the clearance of sFcγRIII is about 0.7 ml/min. Because the concentration of sFcγRIII was found to be constant in a small cohort of donors followed for about 1‐5 years, the half‐life of NA1‐sFcγRIII is about 1.8 d, assuming a one‐compartment model.
Irinotecan disrupts tight junction proteins within the gut

Chemotherapy for cancer causes significant gut toxicity, leading to severe clinical manifestations and an increased economic burden. Despite much research, many of the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood hindering effective treatment options. Recently there has been renewed interest in the role tight junctions play in the pathogenesis of chemotherapy-induced gut toxicity. To delineate the underlying mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced gut toxicity, this study aimed to quantify the molecular changes in key tight junction proteins, ZO-1, claudin-1, and occludin, using a well-established preclinical model of gut toxicity. Female tumor-bearing dark agouti rats received irinotecan or vehicle control and were assessed for validated parameters of gut toxicity including diarrhea and weight loss. Rats were killed at 6, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h post-chemotherapy. Tight junction protein and mRNA expression in the small and large intestines were assessed using semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Significant changes in protein expression of tight junction proteins were seen in both the jejunum and colon, correlating with key histological changes and clinical features. mRNA levels of claudin-1 were significantly decreased early after irinotecan in the small and large intestines. ZO-1 and occludin mRNA levels remained stable across the time-course of gut toxicity. Findings strongly suggest irinotecan causes tight junction defects which lead to mucosal barrier dysfunction and the development of diarrhea. Detailed research is now warranted to investigate posttranslational regulation of tight junction proteins to delineate the underlying pathophysiology of gut toxicity and identify future therapeutic targets.
Predictive factors for the development of persistent pain after breast cancer surgery

Abstract Previous studies have reported that 15% to 25% of patients treated for breast cancer experience long-term moderate-to-severe pain in the area of surgery, potentially lasting for several years. Few prospective studies have included all potential risk factors for the development of persistent pain after breast cancer surgery (PPBCS). The aim of this prospective cohort study was to comprehensively identify factors predicting PPBCS. Patients scheduled for primary breast cancer surgery were recruited. Assessments were conducted preoperatively, the first 3 days postoperatively, and 1 week, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. A comprehensive validated questionnaire was used. Handling of the intercostobrachial nerve was registered by the surgeon. Factors known by the first 3 weeks after surgery were modeled in ordinal logistic regression analyses. Five hundred thirty-seven patients with baseline data were included, and 475 (88%) were available for analysis at 1 year. At 1-year follow-up, the prevalence of moderate-to-severe pain at rest was 14% and during movement was 7%. Factors associated with pain at rest were age <65 years (odds ratio [OR]: 1.8, P = 0.02), breast conserving surgery (OR: 2.0, P = 0.006), axillary lymph node dissection with preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve (OR: 3.1, P = 0.0005), moderate-to-severe preoperative pain (OR: 5.7, P = 0.0002), acute postoperative pain (OR: 2.8, P = 0.0018), and signs of neuropathic pain at 1 week (OR: 2.1, P = 0.01). Higher preoperative diastolic blood pressure was associated with reduced risk of PPBCS (OR: 0.98 per mm Hg, P = 0.01). Both patient- and treatment-related risk factors predicted PPBCS. Identifying patients at risk may facilitate targeted intervention.
Review of Implant Support for the Distal Extension Removable Partial Dentures

Partially edentulous patients with missing premolars and molars have been conventionally rehabilitated using the free-end removable partial dentures (RPDs). With the advancements in implant dentistry, the benefits of implant-retained/supported mandibular implant overdentures relative to conventional mandibular dentures with bilateral extensions (Class I Kennedy) have now been extensively investigated with well-documented long-term clinical studies. Two prominent advantages of implantretained mandibular dentures are additional prosthetic retention and stability. This review article highlights the numerous factors affecting the retention and stability of RPDs and demonstrates their advantages over conventional mandibular removable dentures.
Coagulation, platelet activation and thrombosis in xenotransplantation

Purpose of reviewXenotransplantation may become clinically feasible once the mechanisms of graft loss and rejection are better understood. Inflammatory reactions to vasculature of grafted pig organs and pancreatic islets have been linked to procoagulant activation and consumption with resulting thrombosis that precludes long-term function. Although development of α-1,3-galactosyltransferase gene-knockout swine with removal of a dominant xenoantigen has been an important advance, major problems still persist. Recent findingsConsumptive coagulopathy and platelet sequestration are initiated by immune responses associated with xenograft rejection and are exacerbated by putative intrinsic functional incompatibilities. Thrombotic processes together with progressive xenograft microangiopathy and infarction are intertwined with humoral immune reactions that may be secondary, at least in part, to ‘natural’ or elicited nongalactosyl antibodies. These immune responses are further exacerbated by the documented intrinsic molecular incompatibilities in the vascular regulation of blood clotting and extracellular nucleotide homeostasis between discordant species. Hence, limited benefits have been achieved with currently available pharmacological antithrombotics and anticoagulants. SummaryProposed strategies to tackle this problem will include optimal immunosuppressive interventions, attempts to induce tolerance, judicious and more effective use of anti-thrombotics with development of mutant swine either transgenic for human anticoagulants and thromboregulatory factors or null for defined porcine procoagulants.
Glutamate and glutamine in the anterior cingulate and thalamus of medicated patients with chronic schizophrenia and healthy comparison subjects measured with 4.0-T proton MRS.

OBJECTIVE This in vivo (1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy study examined levels of glutamate, glutamine, and N-acetylaspartate in medicated patients with chronic schizophrenia. METHOD Localized in vivo (1)H spectra were acquired at 4.0 T from the left anterior cingulate and thalamus of 21 patients with schizophrenia and 21 comparable healthy volunteers. RESULTS Significantly lower levels of glutamine and glutamate were found in the left anterior cingulate cortex of patients with schizophrenia than in the healthy volunteers. For the schizophrenia patients, the glutamine level in the left thalamus was found to be higher than normal, and there was a significant negative correlation between N-acetylaspartate level and duration of positive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Since previous studies have found higher than normal levels of glutamine in the left anterior cingulate of never-treated patients, decreased levels of these metabolites in chronic patients could be related to neurodegeneration or the effects of chronic medication.
The science of adjuvants

Adjuvants are substances that boost the immunogenicity of vaccines. However, most successful vaccines have been derived empirically and are capable of inducing robust T- and B-cell immunity without any adjuvant additives. Emerging evidence suggests that such live vaccines induce innate immune activation via a range of stimuli, including ligands specific for Toll-like receptors, which, in effect, serve as their own adjuvants. In contrast to these live vaccines, subunit vaccines need to be supplemented with adjuvants to boost their immunogenicity. However, there is a paucity of licensed adjuvants for clinical use and, thus, there is a critical need to develop safe and effective adjuvants. In this context, recent advances in innate immunity are beginning to offer new insights into how empiric vaccines and adjuvants mediate their efficacy. In this article, we review the latest progress and emerging concepts in adjuvant development, which includes novel findings in innate immune biology and their impact on vaccinology.
Occlusion of large cerebral vessels in sickle-cell anemia.

Abstract Seven patients with sickle-cell anemia and neurologic deficits secondary to Central-nervous-system dysfunction were studied with cerebral angiography after careful preparation. Preparation of the patient reduced the level of S hemoglobin to less than 20 per cent before study, and all studies were performed without sequelae. Six of the seven patients were found to have partial or complete occlusion of large cerebral vessels. The internal carotid artery was involved in all six patients. Disease in the anterior and middle cerebral arteries as well as the vertebral artery was also observed. Two patients had repeat studies. The disease appeared to be progressive. These findings, rarely reported, indicate that the common clinical assumption that the Central-nervous-system manifestations of sickle-cell anemia are a consequence of exclusively small-cerebral-vessel obstruction may in fact be erroneous.
Chronotype and stability of spontaneous locomotor activity rhythm in BMAL1-deficient mice

Behavior, physiological functions and cognitive performance change over the time of the day. These daily rhythms are either externally driven by rhythmic environmental cues such as the light/dark cycle (masking) or controlled by an internal circadian clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which can be entrained to the light/dark cycle. Within a given species, there is genetically determined variability in the temporal preference for the onset of the active phase, the chronotype. The chronotype is the phase of entrainment between external and internal time and is largely regulated by the circadian clock. Genetic variations in clock genes and environmental influences contribute to the distribution of chronotypes in a given population. However, little is known about the determination of the chronotype, the stability of the locomotor rhythm and the re-synchronization capacity to jet lag in an animal without a functional endogenous clock. Therefore, we analyzed the chronotype of BMAL1-deficient mice (BMAL1−/−) as well as the effects of repeated experimental jet lag on locomotor activity rhythms. Moreover, light-induced period expression in the retina was analyzed to assess the responsiveness of the circadian light input system. In contrast to wild-type mice, BMAL1−/− showed a significantly later chronotype, adapted more rapidly to both phase advance and delay but showed reduced robustness of rhythmic locomotor activity after repeated phase shifts. However, photic induction of Period in the retina was not different between the two genotypes. Our findings suggest that a disturbed clockwork is associated with a late chronotype, reduced rhythm stability and higher vulnerability to repeated external desynchronization.
[Ghrelin down-regulates ACAT-1 in THP-1 derived foam cells via growth hormone secretagogue receptor-dependent pathway].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Ghrelin on the expression of acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferases-1 (ACAT-1) in THP-1 derived foam cells. METHODS The human monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1) was chosen in our study. The differentiation of THP-1 cells into macrophages was induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Macrophages were then incubated with oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) to generate foam cells. Ghrelin and [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6, the special antagonist of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), were treated during foam cells formation. The ACAT-1 protein and mRNA levels were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR. The effect of variance of cholesterol content was measured by zymochemistry via-fluorospectrophotometer. RESULTS Ghrelin reduced the content of cholesterol ester in foam cells obviously. ACAT-1 protein and mRNA levels were also decreased. The antagonist of GHS-R inhibited the effects of Ghrelin on ACAT-1 expression in dose-dependent manner. The ACAT-1 mRNA levels of the GHS-R specific antagonist groups (10(-5), 5 x 10(-5), 10(-4) mol/L) were 1.14 +/- 0.04, 1.58 +/- 0.03, 2.40 +/- 0.16, significantly higher than that of the Ghrelin group (0.89 +/- 0.05). And the protein expressions were 1.25 +/- 0.09, 1.77 +/- 0.11, 2.30 +/- 0.09, also higher than that of the Ghrelin group (0.86 +/- 0.08). CONCLUSIONS Ghrelin might interfere atherosclerosis by down-regulating the expression of ACAT-1 via GHS-R pathway.
Acquisition of Ex-Post Travel Information: A Matter of Balancing Regrets

This paper presents a formal model of the acquisition of ex-post travel information concerning nonchosen alternatives. It is argued that this decision is fundamentally different from the decision to acquire pre-or in-trip information, because the reception of ex-post information on nonchosen alternatives can trigger regret. Psychological theories of regret regulation suggest that when provided with ex-post information, the traveler will make a tradeoff between wanting to ignore information to avoid regret associated with the already executed choice, and wanting to learn from information to minimize regret in future decisions. The presented model captures this tradeoff and predicts under what circumstances ex-post information is likely to be acquired or ignored. An illustrative example, based on parameter estimates from a stated choice experiment, shows how model predictions are in line with intuition and with theories of regret regulation.
Possible Role of Prostaglandins in Pathogenesis of Nocturnal Enuresis in Children

OBJECTIVE To compare excretion of ions and prostaglandins by the kidney in children with noctural enuresis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-two children with primary nocturnal enuresis and 23 normal children were examined. Osmolality and sodium and potassium concentrations were measured in their urine and blood serum. Prostaglandins E2, E1, and F2alpha were determined using kits for immunoenzyme analysis. Luminal and contraluminal prostaglandin secretions were studied in frog urinary bladder. RESULTS Children with nocturnal enuresis have increased nocturnal diuresis and renal sodium excretion, but no increase was found in excretion of prostaglandins E2, E1, and F2alpha. Administration of sodium diclofenac before bed-time eliminated episodes of nocturnal enuresis in 37% of children; intranasal administration of Adiuretin SD had a positive effect in 69% of enuretics. In children with nocturnal enuresis there is a correlation between renal excretion of PGE2 and sodium ions; this correlation is absent in the control group children, and disappears in enuretics treated with desmopressin. To evaluate the representativeness of the data on prostaglandin secretions to urine as compared with their release to extracellular fluid, experiments on frog urinary bladder were performed: a correlation was found between prostaglandin secretion to the urinary bladder lumen and to the extracellular fluid. CONCLUSIONS The results of the study suggest that changes in renal function are due not to a higher secretion of prostaglandins in nocturnal enuresis but to the relative dominance of their effect as compared with other physiologically active substances that simultaneously act on renal tubular cells.
Why Are Weissella spp. Not Used as Commercial Starter Cultures for Food Fermentation

Among other fermentation processes, lactic acid fermentation is a valuable process which enhances the safety, nutritional and sensory properties of food. The use of starters is recommended compared to spontaneous fermentation, from a safety point of view but also to ensure a better control of product functional and sensory properties. Starters are used for dairy products, sourdough, wine, meat, sauerkraut and homemade foods and beverages from dairy or vegetal origin. Among lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, Streptococcus and Pediococcus are the majors genera used as starters whereas Weissella is not. Weissella spp. are frequently isolated from spontaneous fermented foods and participate to the characteristics of the fermented product. They possess a large set of functional and technological properties, which can enhance safety, nutritional and sensory characteristics of food. Particularly, Weissella cibaria and Weissella confusa have been described as high producers of exo-polysaccharides, which exhibit texturizing properties. Numerous bacteriocins have been purified from Weissella hellenica strains and may be used as bio-preservative. Some Weissella strains are able to decarboxylate polymeric phenolic compounds resulting in a better bioavailability. Other Weissella strains showed resistance to low pH and bile salts and were isolated from healthy human feces, suggesting their potential as probiotics. Despite all these features, the use of Weissella spp. as commercial starters remained non-investigated. Potential biogenic amine production, antibiotic resistance pattern or infection hazard partly explains this neglecting. Besides, Weissella spp. are not recognized as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe). However, Weissella spp. are potential powerful starters for food fermentation as well as Lactococcus, Leuconostoc or Lactobacillus species.