Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Barriers and Challenges in Seeking Psychiatric Intervention in a General Hospital, by the Collaborative Child Response Unit, (A Multidisciplinary Team Approach to Handling Child Abuse) A Qualitative Analysis

Child abuse is a serious criminal act against children in our country and punishable according to protection of children from sexual offenses act 2012. No one agency has the ability to respond completely to the abuse. Hence a multidisciplinary team approach was developed in India. Aim is to narrate the collaborative effort among the multiple disciplines in a general hospital to deliver child protection services and explore the barriers to integrate psychiatric services. Methodology: Members of the team were recruited from different disciplines and trained by experts. A mission statement, protocol to assess the victims and provide treatment was formulated as an algorithm. The barriers to psychiatric treatment among the stakeholders were analyzed using framework method of qualitative analysis. Results (After 20 months) the unit received 27 referrals in 20 months, 24 females, and 3 males. Age of the victims was between 8 months and 17 years. Two cases found to be physically abused. Penetrative sexual abuse was found in 23 cases, pregnant victims were 4. Most referrals were by police, trafficking found in 6 cases. Discussion: It was possible to provide multidisciplinary care to the victims and families. Recurrent themes of barriers to psychiatric treatment were stigma, victim blaming; focus on termination of pregnancy, minimization of abuse in males by stakeholders. Conclusion is collaboration needs more effort to integrate psychiatric services but can minimize the reduplication of services.
Characterization of the acute phase serum protein response in pigs

Acute inflammation was induced in pigs using a single subcutaneous turpentine injection. The acute phase serum protein response was analyzed using crossed immunoelectrophoresis and immunodiffusion. The concentration of C reactive protein and haptoglobin increases 5–7 times 48 h after the injection, whereas the concentration of an α2‐globulin, named pig major acute phase protein (pig‐MAP), increases at least 15‐fold. A molecular mass of 115 kDa for pig‐MAP was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This protein did not crossreact with antisera to human hemopexin, ceruloplasmin, H‐kininogen and complement factor C3. Albumin and α‐lipoprotein were negative acute phase proteins because their concentration significantly decreased during inflammation. Finally, the concentration of α1‐acid glycoprotein, fetuin, α1‐protease inhibitor, transferrin and α2‐macro‐globulins, as well as total proteins, did not change significantly during inflammation.
Activity and immobilization after eccentric exercise: II. Serum CK.

PURPOSE The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of muscle activity level on serum creatine kinase (CK) activity after high-force eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors. METHODS Twenty-six male volunteers were randomly assigned to one of three groups for a 4-d treatment period after exercise: immobilization (N = 9), control (N = 8), and light exercise (N = 9). During the treatment period, the immobilization group had their arm casted and supported in a sling at 90 degrees. The control group had no restriction of their arm activity. The light exercise group performed a daily exercise regimen of 50 biceps curls with a 5-lb dumbbell. Serum CK activity was obtained by venipuncture for three consecutive days before eccentric exercise and during the 4-d treatment period. To quantify activity of the arm, CSA (Computer Science and Applications, Inc.) activity-monitoring devices were worn. RESULTS Serum CK measurements revealed that there was a significant group by time interaction in the analysis of variance (P < 0.05). Peak serum CK activity of the immobilized group (668 IU) was lower than either the control (4230 IU) or light exercise (2740 IU) group. During the treatment period, activity level among the three groups was significantly different from each other (P < 0.001): 529 counts x min(-1) for the immobilization group, 944 counts x min(-1) for the control group, and 1334 counts x min(-1) for the light exercise group. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that immobilization of exercised damaged muscle during recovery significantly blunted serum CK activity, which may be due to attenuated removal of CK from the muscle and/or decrease lymphatic transport.
Diagnostic Performance of HPV E6/E7 mRNA and HPV DNA Assays for the Detection and Screening of Oncogenic Human Papillomavirus Infection among Woman with Cervical Lesions in China.

BACKGROUND Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide and it is responsible for most cases of cervical uterine cancer. Although HPV infections of the cervix do not always progress to cancer, 90% of cervical cancer cases have been found to be associated with high risk HPV (HR- HPV) infection. HPV DNA testing is widely used, along with Papanicolaou (Pap) testing, to screen for cervical abnormalities. However, there are no data on the prevalence of genotype-specific HPV infections assessed by measuring HPV E6/E7 mRNA in women representative of the Chinese population across a broad age range. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the present study, we compared the results with the CervicGen HPV RT-qDx assay, which detects 16 HR-HPV genotypes (Alpha-9: HPV 16, 31, 33, 35, 52, and 58; Alpha-7: HPV 18, 39, 45, 51, 59, and 68; and Alpha-5, 6: HPV 53, 56, 66, and 69), and the REBA HPV-ID assay, which detects 32 HPV genotypes based on the reverse blot hybridization assay (REBA) for the detection of oncogenic HPV infection according to cytological diagnosis. We also investigated the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV infection with a total of 324 liquid-based cytology samples collected in western Shandong province, East China. RESULTS The overall HPV prevalences determined by HPV DNA and HPV E6/E7 mRNA assays in this study were 79.9% (259/324) and 55.6% (180/324), respectively. Although the positivity of HPV E6/E7 mRNA expression was significantly lower than HPV DNA positivity, the HPV E6/E7 mRNA assay showed greater specificity than the HPV DNA assay (88.6% vs. 48.1%) in normal cytology samples. The prevalence of Alpha-9 (HPV 16, 31, 33, 35, 52, and 58) HPV infection among these women accounted for up to 80.3% and 76.1% of the high-grade lesions detected in the HPV mRNA and DNA tests, respectively. The HR-HPV genotype distribution, based on HPV DNA and E6/E7 mRNA expression by age group in patients with cytologically confirmed lesions, was highest in women aged 40 to 49 years (35.9% for cytologically confirmed cases, Pearson correlation r value=0.993, p<0.001) for high-grade lesions. Among the oncogenic HR-HPV genotypes for all age groups, there was little difference in the distribution of HPV genotypes between the HPV DNA (HPV -16, 53, 18, 58, and 33) and HPV E6/E7 mRNA (HPV -16, 53, 33, 58, and 18) assays. HPV 16 was the most common HPV genotype among women with high- grade lesions. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the HPV E6/E7 mRNA assay can be a sensitive and specific tool for the screening and investigation of cervical cancer. Furthermore, it may provide useful information regarding the necessity for early cervical cancer screenings and the development of additional effective HPV vaccines, such as one for HPV 53 and 58. Additionally, gaining knowledge of HPV distribution may also inform us about ecological changes in HPV after the vaccination.
Death with Functioning Graft in Living Donor Kidney Transplantation: Analysis of Risk Factors

Background: Death with a functioning graft (DWF) has been reported as a major cause of graft loss after renal transplantation. It has been reported to occur in 9–30%. Methods: From March 1976 to January 2002, a total of 1,400 living donor renal transplants were performed in our center. Out of 257 reported deaths among our patients, 131 recipients died with functioning grafts after a mean period of 53.4 ± 53.2 months. Results: DWF patients account for 27% of all graft losses in our series. The mean age was 34.9 + 10.6 (range 8–62 years), 98 of them were male and 33 were female. The original kidney disease was GN in 9, PN in 24, PCK in 5 and nephrosclerosis in 8 patients. Acute rejection episodes were diagnosed in 84 patients (63.1). The post-transplant complications encountered were hypertension in 78 patients (59.5%), diabetes mellitus in 30 patients (22.9%), medical infections in 68 (51.5%), hepatic complications in 30 (22.9%) and malignancy in 17 patients (13%). The main causes of death in these patients were infections in 46 (35.6%), cardiovascular in 23 (17.6%), liver cell failure in 15 patients (11.4%) and malignancy in 8 (6.1%). The mean serum creatinine was 2 ± 0.6 mg/dl at last follow-up before death. Conclusion: We conclude that the relatively higher mortality in renal transplantation is, in part, due to co-morbid medical illness, pre-transplant dialysis treatment, and factors uniquely related to transplantation, including immunosuppression and other drug effects. DWF must be in consideration when calculating graft survival.
Positional effects and strand preference of RNA interference against hepatitis C virus target sequences

Summary. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) 3′‐untranslated region (UTR) and negative‐strand RNA sequences contribute cis‐acting functions essential to viral RNA replication. Although efficient suppression of HCV replicon RNA in cell culture has been demonstrated with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) directed against various sequences in the 5′ UTR and coding regions, data regarding siRNA targeting of the 3′ UTR have been lacking. Furthermore, it has not been definitively shown whether the active constructs, identified to date, exert their effect exclusively via suppression of the replicon positive strand, negative strand or some combination of both strands. In the present study, we assayed inhibitory activity of various siRNAs targeting the 3′ UTR by transient transfection in a subgenomic replicon cell culture model. A survey of 13 candidate target sites in the 3′‐UTR X sequence indicated a uniformly low activity of siRNA constructs against the steady‐state level of replicon. In contrast, the majority of these same siRNAs exhibited high activity against HCV X sequences of either polarity when these targets were presented in the context of a mammalian polymerase II mRNA transcript. Transfection of siRNAs directed against other regions of the replicon revealed differences in the magnitude of inhibitory effects against positive‐strand and negative‐strand target sites. Strand preference of siRNA activity was further demonstrated through the introduction of base‐pair‐destabilizing mutations that promote strand‐specific targeting. The results suggest that the HCV positive‐strand 5′ UTR and coding region are efficiently and directly targeted by siRNA, whereas the 3′ UTR and the entire negative strand are relatively resistant to RNA interference.
The serum resistance of malaria‐infected erythrocytes

IgG and IgM antibodies were detected on non‐parasitized as well as parasitized erythrocytes (E) from mice surviving over 15 days after infection with rodent malaria, Plasmodium berghei, whereas C3 was detected exclusively on parasitized E. Parasitized E, however, were quite resistant to the haemolytic activity of guinea pig complement and effectively inactivated human C3b to iC3b on their surface. Similarly, parasitized E were extremely resistant to homologous complement as assessed by haemolysis and C3 binding even when regulatory proteins (decay‐accelerating factor, DAF; complement receptor related gene y, Crry; heat‐stable antigen, HSA) were blocked with specific antibodies. DAF and Crry were equally expressed on both normal E and parasitized E from mice within a week post‐infection; therefore, molecules that inhibit the haemolysis or C3 binding of parasitized E appear to be independent of DAF and Crry. Unexpectedly, the molecular forms of HSA and DAF in parasitized erythrocyte membranes were found to be different from those of normal erythrocyte membranes: DAF was detected as three bands (85 000, 64 000 and 30 000 MW) by immunoblotting. HSA was detected as more highly glycosylated forms than normal HSA. These alterations of DAF and HSA could be explained by the modification of membrane proteins and polysaccharides induced by parasitization, and we hypothesize that these changes of membranes or membrane proteins are involved in the resistance of parasitized E against homologous complement.
Predictors of unfavourable prognosis in chronic Chagas' disease

The aim of this study was to detect clinical predictors of left ventricular dysfunction, left ventricular dilatation and apical aneurysm on echocardiography, all known as independent predictors of lethal outcome for patients with chronic Chagas' disease. Seventy‐four patients with a positive complement‐fixation test for Chagas' disease participated; 44 (59%) had left ventricular dysfunction, 41 (55%) left ventricular dilatation and 15 (20%) apical aneurysm. A stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that systolic blood pressure (P < 0.001) and male sex (P < 0.001) were independent predictors of left ventricular dilatation on echocardiography. A receiver‐operating characteristic curve provided a systolic blood pressure of 120 mmHg with a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 63% to predict left ventricular dilatation. The combination of male sex and systolic blood pressure of 120 mmHg had a sensitivity of 56% and a specificity of 91% to predict left ventricular dilatation. In a separate stepwise logistic regression analysis, left ventricular systolic dysfunction was independently predicted by systolic blood pressure (P=0.006) and New York Heart Association functional class (P=0.01). Receiver‐operating curves provided a blood pressure of 120 mmHg with a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 59% to predict left ventricular dysfunction, whereas a New York Heart Association functional score of 2 predicted left ventricular systolic dysfunction with a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 50%. The combination of New York Heart Association functional class and a systolic blood pressure of 120 mmHg predicted left ventricular dysfunction with a sensitivity of 59% and a specificity of 77%. The apical aneurysm was independently predicted by myocardial necrosis on the resting ECG, but only with a sensitivity of 20%. Hence, echocardiographic markers of cardiac mortality and sudden cardiac death in Chagas' disease can be independently predicted by clinical examination. This may be useful for screening high‐risk chagasic patients.
Heavy metals contamination of water, soil, and plants around an electronic waste dumpsite

Electronic waste (e-waste) has become a subject of growing environmental concern in developing countries due to legal/illegal import of electronics from developed nations. In this study, concentrations of heavy metals in and around the largest e-waste dumping site in Nigeria, Alaba International Market in Lagos, was investigated. Concentrations of five heavy metals, namely: cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) in soil, water, and plant samples during the wet and dry seasons were measured using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Samples were collected between October 2011 and May 2012 and digested using standard wet digestion methods. Pb recorded the highest values, while the lowest were found for Cd in all the samples during the dry season. Heavy metal concentrations were generally lower during the wet season due to increased aeration and dilution from rainfall. Results show that the total mean concentrations of the heavy metals decreased with depth in soil samples and distance from the dumpsite. Possible sources of contamination were also discussed. A noteworthy observation was that the concentrations of most of the heavy metals under investigation exceeded maximum permissible levels.
RFID Test Platform: Nonlinear Characterization

This paper presents a complete radio frequency identification (RFID) test platform to characterize the nonlinear effects produced by passive ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID chips. In full operation mode, automated measurements of activation power, harmonic response level, and impedances are performed in a wide frequency range up to the fourth harmonic. The characterization method, platform composition, and operation are explained through real measurements on UHF Class-1 Generation-2 chips. A harmonic treatment is presented thanks to the joint use of an RFID tester and impedance tuners, and the effect of the antenna-chip impedance matching on the harmonic responses is compared before and after treatment. To the best of our knowledge, no similar platform has been presented in the literature.
Brain Natriuretic Peptide Is a Powerful Predictor of Outcome in Stroke Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Since stroke patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) have poor outcomes in general, the prediction of outcomes following discharge is of utmost concern for these patients. We previously reported that brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were significantly higher in NVAF patients with larger infarcts, higher modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, and higher CHADS2 score. In the present study, we evaluated an array of variables, including BNP, in order to determine significant predictors for functional outcome in patients with NVAF after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: A total of 615 consecutive patients with AIS within 48 h of symptom onset, admitted to our hospital between April 2010 and October 2015, were retrospectively searched. Among these patients, we enrolled consecutive patients with NVAF. We evaluated the mRS score 3 months after onset of stroke and investigated associations between mRS score and the following clinical and echocardiographic variables. Categorical variables included male sex, current smoking, alcohol intake, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, use of antiplatelet drugs, anticoagulants, or tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and infarct size. Continuous variables included age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, hemoglobin, creatinine, D-dimer, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), left atrial diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), and early mitral inflow velocity/diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/e’). We also analyzed the association of prestroke CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and R2CHADS2 scores, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission with mRS score 3 months after the onset of stroke. Patients were classified into 2 groups according to mRS score: an mRS score ≤2 was defined as good outcome, an mRS score ≥3 was defined as poor outcome. To clarify the correlations between categorical or continuous variables and mRS score, uni- and multivariate logistic regression models using the stepwise variable selection method were applied. Results: Among 157 patients with NVAF after AIS, 63.7% were male and the mean age was 75.9 years. In univariate regression analysis, poor outcome (mRS score ≥3) was associated with use of tPA, infarct size, age, SBP, BNP, EF, and NIHSS score. In multivariate regression analysis, BNP levels (odds ratio [OR] 6.40; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26–32.43; p = 0.0235) and NIHSS score (OR 2.87; 95% CI 1.84–4.47; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with poor outcome (mRS score ≥3) after adjusting for use of tPA, infarct size, age, BNP, EF, and NIHSS score. Conclusions: Apart from NIHSS score, BNP was a very useful predictor for long-term outcomes of patients with NVAF after AIS.
ADAPTIVE MAINTENANCE OF GENETIC POLYMORPHISM IN AN INTERTIDAL BARNACLE: HABITAT‐ AND LIFE‐STAGE‐SPECIFIC SURVIVORSHIP OF MPI GENOTYPES

Abstract. — In the northern acorn barnacle, Semibalanus balanoides, genotype frequencies of three genetic markers were tracked over time in four types of intertidal habitats. These habitats were selected to represent natural variation in several environmental parameters, specifically the degree of physical stress experienced by barnacles. Frequencies for one allozyme locus (Gpi) and a presumably neutral mtDNA marker were homogeneous among habitats in each temporal sample. Similarly, no temporal stratification in genotype frequencies was evident across the five sampling intervals: from planktonic larvae sampled in March to juveniles collected at the end of June. In contrast to the Gpi and mtDNA loci, Mpi genotypes significantly changed in frequency in two habitats in the high intertidal zone. On exposed substrate, the Mpi‐FF homozygote increased in frequency, whereas the alternative homozygote, Mpi‐SS, significantly decreased in frequency. Barnacles that were protected from environmental stress at high intertidal heights by the Ascophyllum nodosum algal canopy demonstrated the opposite pattern. In both habitats, the change in frequency of the heterozygote was intermediate to that of the homozygous genotypes. Furthermore, these patterns of genotype‐by‐environment association reflected a pulse of genotype‐specific mortality that occurred over a two‐week interval subsequent to metamorphosis from the larval to the adult form. These data indicate that each Mpi homozygote is the highest fitness genotype in some portion of the intertidal environment. Using the Levene (1953) model to evaluate the spatial variation in genotypic fitness, the stable maintenance of the Mpi polymorphism is predicted under certain subsets of conditions. Environmental heterogeneity in the intertidal zone translates to spatial variation in selection pressures, which may result in the active maintenance of the Mpi polymorphism in this species.
Antiviral Effect of Maraviroc in Semen: A Case Report

We describe the antiviral effect of maraviroc in a patient who had been shedding high levels of HIV-1 in seminal fluid for three years despite an undetectable blood plasma viral load. Adding maraviroc to HAART stopped the seminal shedding. We discuss the mechanisms involved and the effect on sexual transmission.