Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Adherence Stability to Antiretroviral Therapy in Patients with HIV in Health Care Centers of Tehran In 2014

Goal: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ARVs) in patients with HIV can suppress the virus and stop their replication. When the adherence to treatment is less than desirable, viremia protests will happen and cause increased resistant viral strains, then this lead to failure of treatment. Due to the role and the importance of antiretroviral therapy, adherence stability to antiretroviral therapy in health care centers of Tehran is studied in this research. Method: This research was done as an observational method and a follow up study in 2014. The information was gathered from 320 patients with HIV over 18 who went to health care centers of Tehran and used antiretroviral therapy at least for 6 months. In order to gather information Beck depression inventory (BDI-II), Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) and demographic variables inventory were used. Descriptive statistical methods (frequency, mean, and percent) and inferential methods such as Long Rank test and proportional hazard ratio model Cox with SPSS and STATA to gain independent prognostic factors with 95% confidence level were used to analyze data. Results: The results of this research don’t show remarkable difference between the mean of non-adherence to treatment and variables like sex, age, job, distance, location, education, pregnancy, menstrual, marital status, stages of the disease, divorce, smoking, drinking, type of treatment regimen, side effects of medications, biological markers (CD4, viral load), while there is a remarkable difference between mean of non-adherence to treatment and variables like addiction, depression, amnesia, anxiety (p-value=.004<0.5). Conclusion: According to the results of the research and the fact that variables like addiction, depression, amnesia and anxiety have impact on patients, who use antiretroviral treatment, health planning can be held in management level to prevent and control the progression of HIV disease. Doing a Meta analyze study or planning and implementing multinational research to study the impact of these variables seem to be necessary.
Collaborative Recommender System: A Review

Recommender system is widely used in various domains to assist users in finding items that relate to their needs. The collaborate filtering method is one of the popular methods in recommender systems. By using collaborative filtering method, users can make an assessment of the item based on other user experience. This method is very beneficial in education domain to assist student in getting a learning object that can help them in learning process. However, there is no review focusing on the use of the collaborative recommender system in education. Hence, the objective of this study is to review the state of the art of collaborative recommender system in education. This study reviewed twenty six articles based on recommender system components such as input, method and the output of the system. The overview and the applications of collaborative recommender system in education then discussed.
Biochemical characterization of the Oct-2 POU domain with implications for bipartite DNA recognition.

B-cell specific regulation of immunoglobulin gene expression provides a model for the interaction of promoter and enhancer elements with eukaryotic sequence-specific DNA binding proteins. A critical element of this system, the octamer site (5'-ATGCAAAT-3'), is recognized by the B-cell transcription factor Oct-2. Octamer recognition is mediated by the POU domain, a conserved structural motif which--like the zinc finger and leucine zipper--defines a family of related transcription factors. Homologies among POU sequences suggest a bipartite structure, consisting of an N-terminal POU-specific subdomain and C-terminal variant homeodomain connected by a linker of variable length and sequence. As a first step toward a molecular understanding of the Oct-2 POU domain and its mechanism of DNA recognition, we have overexpressed in Escherichia coli the intact POU domain and subdomains as thrombin-cleavable fusion proteins and have purified these fragments to homogeneity following digestion with thrombin. Biochemical and biophysical characterization yields the following results. (i) The intact POU domain (166 residues) is monomeric and exhibits high-affinity octamer-specific DNA-binding activity. (ii) Limited proteolytic digestion demonstrates that the POU domain contains two proteolytically stable subdomains (the POU-specific subdomain and the variant homeodomain) connected by a proteolytically sensitive linker. (iii) The isolated subdomains are each monomeric and do not interact to form noncovalent heterodimers. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Avian influenza: Eco-epidemiological aspects of the virus in its natural hosts, the migratory waterfowls

Los virus influenza ocasionan enfermedades respiratorias e intestinales. Su importancia en la generacion de cepas pandemicas ha conducido a la realizacion de intensa investigacion cientifica para entender y conocer su distribucion en la naturaleza, asi como las relaciones que se establecen para la transmision efectiva entre diferentes hospederos. Las aves acuaticas principalmente del orden Anseriformes, se han reconocido como el reservorio de estos virus y tienen una participacion crucial en la propagacion y generacion de diversidad de estos virus. La emergencia de nuevos virus influenza con potencial pandemico entre la poblacion humana (H5N1 de origen aviar y el actual virus pandemico H1N1 que presenta segmentos aviares), resalta la falta de informacion sobre muchos aspectos de la ecologia y epidemiologia de estos virus en sus hospederos naturales, que permitan la implementacion de medidas mas efectivas de prevencion y control. En esta contribucion revisamos el estado del arte del conocimiento sobre los factores bioticos y abioticos que influyen en la ecologia y epidemiologia de los virus influenza en aves silvestres.
Using an Alliance of Independent Health Consumer Assistance Centers to Change Public Policy in California

Problem: The complexity of the U.S. health care system has created many obstacles for individuals and families trying to gain access to health insurance and health care services. With a multitude of payers and provider organizations, health consumers must navigate complex arrangements that vary by payer, community, and employer.Purpose: This report describes the Health Consumer Alliance (HCA), an innovative collaboration of legal service organizations in California that combines individual assistance with broad advocacy work. Specifically, this paper highlights HCA's role in addressing systemic health care access issues that underlie many of the problems that health consumers face.Key Points: In a 5-year period, the HCA assisted more than 60,000 individuals with problems related to obtaining access to care and health insurance coverage. The HCA used the information gained from this individual assistance to address both local and statewide policy issues by pooling the technical and political resources of individual health consumer centers (HCC) and their partners.Conclusion: The HCA has improved access to health care for many individuals beyond its client base by protecting indigent health services, expanding eligibility for public programs, and preserving the safety net for California's low-income population. The HCA model can be example of how information from individual consumer problems can be addressed at a broader level to reach and impact systemic change.
HBV lamivudine resistance among hepatitis B and HIV coinfected patients starting lamivudine, stavudine and nevirapine in Kenya

Summary. Widespread use of lamivudine in antiretroviral therapy may lead to hepatitis B virus resistance in HIV–HBV coinfected patients from endemic settings where tenofovir is not readily available. We evaluated 389 Kenyan HIV‐infected adults before and for 18 months after starting highly active antiretroviral therapy with stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine. Twenty‐seven (6.9%) were HBsAg positive and anti‐HBs negative, 24 were HBeAg negative, and 18 had HBV DNA levels ≤10 000 IU/mL. Sustained HBV suppression to <100 IU/mL occurred in 89% of 19 evaluable patients. Resistance occurred in only two subjects, both with high baseline HBV DNA levels. Lamivudine resistance can emerge in the setting of incomplete HBV suppression but was infrequently observed among HIV–HBV coinfected patients with low baseline HBV DNA levels.
Axillary skin: biology and care

In skin care, the axilla is a biologically unique site requiring specialized attention and care. This area of skin is often subject to hair removal techniques, such as shaving and plucking. These procedures damage the skin leading to erythema and dryness in the short term, and in some cases, post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIHP) in the long term. This study will (i) briefly review the biology and unique properties of axillary skin, and (ii) describe the characteristics of the irritation and damage induced by contemporary skin care habits and resolution of these responses by the use of efficacious skin moisturizing technology. With respect to the latter, we propose that there are five groups of compounds, defined according to their mechanism of action, which are particularly relevant to the care of damaged axillary skin.
Fuzzy logic based intelligent temperature controller for cassava post-harvest storage system

Significant amount of stored agricultural products are lost as a result of poor and inefficient storage systems in most developing countries, especially in tropical regions of the world. Improvements on the existing storage methods is important to guarantee food security. This study proposes the development of intelligent temperature control technique for fresh cassava roots crop post-harvest storage system using fuzzy logic controller (FLC). The intelligent controller which has two inputs (error in temperature and rate of change in the error) and one output (change in fan speed) was simulated with the developed storage system model for temperature control of fresh cassava roots crop. The results obtained shows that the controller can track appropriately the reference temperature and also gives good stability and robustness towards input disturbances. Faster response to maintain the storage temperature within acceptable limit close to reference point was also achieved successfully.
Important causes of visual impairment in the world today.

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT, WHICH may be defined as blindness (best vision of 20/200 in the better eye in the United States and 20/400 by the World Health Organization [WHO] definition) or low vision ( 20/40 in the United States and 20/60 according to WHO), is one of the most common disabilities: an estimated 40 million people worldwide were blind nearly a decade ago, the time of the last accurate assessment, and 110 million people had low vision. Among persons older than 40 years in the United States, 937000 people were blind and 2.4 million people had low vision in 2002. Figures for the developing world, where approximately 90% of world blindness exists, and the developed world are expected to increase significantly during the next decades as the world’s population ages.
PPADS: an antagonist at endothelial P2Y‐purinoceptors but not P2U‐purinoceptors

1 Bovine aortic endothelial (BAE) cells contain two co‐existing receptors for extracellular ATP, the P2Y and P2U‐purinoceptors. Here we have determined whether the proposed P2x‐purinoceptor antagonist, pyridoxalphosphate‐6‐azophenyl‐2″, 4″‐disulphonic acid (PPADS) could distinguish between these two receptor subtypes. 2 Cells labelled with myo‐[2‐3H]‐inositol were stimulated with increasing concentrations of either the P2Y‐agonist, 2MeSATP, or the P2U‐agonist, UTP in the absence or presence of 30 μm PPADS. The accumulation of total [3H]‐inositol (poly)phosphates mediated by 2MeSATP was markedly attenuated by PPADS, whereas the response to UTP was not significantly affected. 3 Stimulation of BAE cells with increasing concentrations of ATP showed a reduced response in the presence of 10 μm PPADS, but this effect of the antagonist was not significant. By contrast, inhibition of the response to ADP was profound and highly significant. 4 These observations show that PPADS is not a selective P2X‐purinoceptor antagonist, but is able to distinguish between P2Y‐ and P2U‐purinoceptors in BAE cells, and indicate that this compound may provide a useful tool in the study of multiple subtypes of P2‐purinoceptors. Furthermore the results are consistent with the hypothesis that ATP interacts with both receptor subtypes, but that the action of ADP is primarily at the P2Y‐purinoceptor in these endothelial cells.
A statistical approach to combining multisource information in one‐class classifiers

A new method is introduced for combining information from multiple sources to support one‐class classification. The contributing sources may represent measurements taken by different sensors of the same physical entity, repeated measurements by a single sensor, or numerous features computed from a single measured image or signal. The approach utilizes the theory of statistical hypothesis testing, and applies Fisher's technique for combining p‐values, modified to handle nonindependent sources. Classifier outputs take the form of fused p‐values, which may be used to gauge the consistency of unknown entities with one or more class hypotheses. The approach enables rigorous assessment of classification uncertainties, and allows for traceability of classifier decisions back to the constituent sources, both of which are important for high‐consequence decision support. Application of the technique is illustrated in two challenge problems, one for skin segmentation and the other for terrain labeling. The method is seen to be particularly effective for relatively small training samples.
A family with three germline mutations in BRCAl and BRCA2

Liede A, Metcalfe K, Offit K, Brown K, Miller S, Narod SA, Moslehi R. A family with three germline mutations in BRCAl and BRCA2. Clin Genet 1998: 54: 215–218. 0 Munksgaard. 1998
Cerebral blood flow changes in benign aging and cerebrovascular disease

Cross-sectional analysis of CBF values was carried out among 668 volunteers and patients. Subjects were subdivided according to age, gender, and degree of cerebrovascular disease, ranging from healthy volunteers with or without risk factors for stroke to patients with multi-infarct dementia. Four-year longitudinal analysis was also carried out on 230 individuals from the original sample, Decrements in CBF values were evidenced by both cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis in relation to advancing age, progressive cerebrovascular disease, and dementia. Regional, age-related CBF declines in healthy volunteers were heterogeneous, possibly related to changes in levels of functional activity within different brain regions.
Multiple View Surveillance using Image Registration

In the area of activity monitoring, video surveillance was mainly used for monitoring the scene by security personnel. However, due to high increase of unethical activities it is being strongly considered as a must for vigilance authorities, even sometimes for some unique purposes such as exam surveillance. The main theme is to ensure that students take their examinations the right way instead of indulging in unfair methods or malpractices. The proposed system aims to detect suspicious activities which occur in the classroom, thereby ruling out copying. We aim to develop a system that will identify the students from the top view camera using the image registration technique and check to see if he/she indulges in any form of malpractices or suspicious activities during the entire course of an examination. To get the aimed results the whole system has been divided into two modules through which the suspicious activities are classified from the normal activities. The first one includes the image registration technique which is used as a novel approach to determine the position of the student from the top view camera. The second module proposes the usage of object detection and skin detection. Finally we compare the normal frames and the suspicious frames based on their respective threshold values which are generated using the threshold technique. Also the accuracy of the system is checked using SVM classification.
Tai chi exercise for patients with heart disease: a systematic review of controlled clinical trials.

CONTEXT To summarize and evaluate the available evidence from controlled clinical trials of tai chi (TC) exercise for patients with heart disease. SEARCH METHODS Fourteen databases were searched up to November 2010 with the terms tai chi, taichi, tai ji, taiji, taijichuan, cardiac, heart, coronary, myocardial, and atrial fibrillation in the title, abstract, or key words. No language restrictions were imposed. The quality and validity of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were evaluated using the Jadad Scale. The strength of the evidence for all included studies was evaluated using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine Levels of Evidence. RESULTS Nine studies including 5 RCTs and 4 nonrandomized controlled clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. Three studies examined the effectiveness of TC exercise for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), and 6 studies examined the effectiveness of TC exercise among patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Overall, these studies demonstrated favorable effects of TC exercise for the patients with heart disease. CONCLUSIONS The existing evidence suggests that TC exercise is a good option for heart patients with very limited exercise tolerance and can be an adjunct to rehabilitation programs for patients with CHD or CHF.
A Case of Cushing Syndrome Secondary to Ectopic Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Producing Carcinoid of the Duodenum

Cushing syndrome caused by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) production from solid tumors can result in life-threatening hypercortisolemia. Ectopic ACTH production is most commonly associated with bronchial carcinoids and squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. We report a case of Cushing syndrome caused by ectopic ACTH production from a carcinoid of the duodenum. The patient presented to an outside hospital in hypertensive crisis and diabetic ketoacidosis. After stabilization, diagnostic studies including a serum cortisol level, and computed tomography (CT) scans of the head, chest, abdomen, and pelvis revealed hypercortisolemia and a large mass in the head of the pancreas. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Pathologic investigation revealed a 1-cm carcinoid of the duodenum with two large metastatic lymph nodes near the head of the pancreas. This is the first reported case in the English literature of Cushing syndrome caused by ectopic ACTH production from a carcinoid of the duodenum.
6 A Computational Analysis of Emotions and Social Influence in Learning

In this paper, it is analysed how emotions and social environment affect people’s active and reflective learning processes. First, a conceptual analysis is made using recent insights from Cognitive, Affective and Social Neuroscience on the roles of emotions and social interactions in learning. A computational analysis is made using a computational model of learning processes following these insights. In this analysis, neural mechanisms for the impact of both a person’s own emotions and the emotions of others are taken into account. In particular, it is considered how these impacts influence different learning types, such as active or reflective learners. The analysis shows how emotions and social interaction strengthen the learning process. It is discussed how from these insights indicators can be obtained that can be used to design technology-enhanced learning environments able to exploit these impacts. 6.
Effects of diagnostic test accuracy and treatment efficacy on the occurrence of suspected failure of heartworm prophylaxis in dogs.

BACKGROUND Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA/CVM) cited concern regarding failure of heartworm prophylaxis. The positive and negative predictive value of the heartworm antigen test is an estimate of the probability of adult heartworm infection. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES Assess the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of heartworm antigen tests. Explore the role of heartworm test accuracy and treatment with immiticide to generate reports of suspected failure of heartworm prophylaxis. METHODS Literature searches for published information on the accuracy of heartworm antigen tests and efficacy of immiticide for treatment of the adult heartworm. RESULTS Weighted averages for heartworm antigen test sensitivity and specificity were 78.2 and 97.3%, respectively. Efficacy of immiticide by 2-injection or alternate dose protocols were 88.3 and 89.1%, respectively. Depending on prevalence, the positive predictive value of the heartworm antigen test ranged from 15 to 54% and negative predictive value from 99 to 99.9%. For a hospital testing 1,000 dogs per year, false-positive test results may vary from 24 to 27 dogs. If these dogs were on heartworm preventive, they may undergo treatment and be classified as prophylaxis failures. Ten percent of dogs who were treated and continued or placed on prophylaxis at the time of treatment may have adult heartworms when tested 1 year later and be presumed to represent failure of prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS When interpreting heartworm antigen test results, clinical signs, history, and regional prevalence of heartworm disease should be considered in estimating the predictive value of the test result. Limitations of test and treatment should be discussed with clients as part of the decision-making process.
Thrombogenic and atherogenic activities of lysophosphatidic acid

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) has been identified as a biologically active lipid in mildly‐oxidized LDL, human atherosclerotic lesions, and the supernatant of activated platelets. The evidence that LPA has thrombogenic and atherogenic activities has increased substantially in recent years. Supporting the thrombogenic activity of LPA, analysis of the core region of human carotid plaques revealed recently the presence of alkyl‐ and acyl‐molecular species from LPA with high platelet‐activating potency (16:0 alkyl‐LPA, 20:4 acyl‐LPA). LPA, lipid extracts of atherosclerotic plaques, and the lipid‐rich core elicited shape change and, in synergy with other platelet stimuli, aggregation of isolated platelets. This effect was completely abrogated by prior incubation of platelets with LPA receptor antagonists. Furthermore, LPA at concentrations approaching those found in vivo, induced platelet shape change, aggregation, and platelet‐monocyte aggregate formation in blood. LPA‐stimulated platelet aggregation was mediated by the ADP‐stimulated activation of the P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors. Supporting its atherogenic activity, LPA is a mitogen and motogen to vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and an activator of endothelial cells and macrophages. Recently, LPA has been identified as an agonist of the peroxisome proliferator activating receptor γ (PPARγ), which is a key regulator of atherogenesis. LPA elicits progressive neointima formation, which is fully abolished by GW9662, an antagonist of PPARγ. We propose that LPA plays a central role in eliciting vascular remodeling and atherogenesis. Furthermore, upon rupture of lipid‐rich atherosclerotic plaques, LPA may trigger platelet aggregation and intra‐arterial thrombus formation. Antagonists of LPA receptors might be useful in preventing LPA‐elicited thrombus formation and neointima formation in patients with cardiovascular diseases. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.