Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chronic Alcohol Consumption Affects Serum Enzymes Levels in the HIV-Infected Patients on Stavudine (d4T)/Lamivudine (3TC)/Nevirapine (NVP) Treatment Regimen

Chronic alcohol use is a common problem globally among the HIV-infected patients on ARV treatment regimens, leading to severe liver damage and increase in serum enzymes. The study determined effect of chronic alcohol intake on serum enzymes (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT)) in HIV-infected patients on d4T/3TC/NVP treatment regimen in Uganda using the WHO alcohol use disorders’ identification test (AUDIT) tool and chronic alcohol use biomarkers (ALT, AST, GGT, AST/ALT ≥ 2.0 and mean corpuscular volume (MCV)). A case control study using repeated measure design with serial measurements model was used. Alcohol use biomarkers were used to standardize the gender differences in alcohol use. A total of 41 patients (21 alcohol group and 20 control group) were followed up for 9 months with blood sampling done at 3 month intervals. The serum enzymes’ levels were determined by using the Cobas Intergra 400 Plus analyzer system. The mean GGT levels were higher in chronic alcohol use group as compared to control group in both groups. The levels were above reference ranges during 6 month and three times higher during 9-month follow-up period for both chronic alcohol use self reporting WHO AUDIT tool and biomarkers’ groups. Generally, the mean AST, ALT and AST/ALT levels were slightly higher in alcohol use group as compared to control group and were slightly higher in both groups as compared to reference ranges during the 9 month follow-up period. Chronic alcohol consumption by HIV-infected patients on d4T/3TC/NVP drug regimen increased GGT and AST/ALT serum enzyme levels and hence was used as chronic alcohol use biomarkers.
How should remission from depression be defined? The depressed patient's perspective.

OBJECTIVE Although experts in the treatment of depression have suggested that achieving remission is the primary goal of treatment, questions remain about how remission should be defined. In antidepressant efficacy trials, remission is defined according to scores on symptom severity scales. Normalization of functioning is often mentioned as an important component of remission, although it is not used to identify patients with remission in treatment studies. The authors' goal was to determine what depressed patients consider important in defining remission from depression. METHOD A brief questionnaire was distributed to 535 psychiatric outpatients who were being treated for DSM-IV major depressive episode. They were asked to rate the importance of 16 statements in determining whether depression is in remission. RESULTS The three items most frequently judged to be very important in determining remission were the presence of features of positive mental health such as optimism and self-confidence; a return to one's usual, normal self; and a return to usual level of functioning. The patients endorsed a statement about absence of symptoms with nearly similar frequency. CONCLUSIONS Patients aspire to a range of outcomes from the treatment of their depression.
Fecal incontinence in US adults: epidemiology and risk factors.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The study aims were to estimate the prevalence of different types and frequencies of fecal incontinence (FI), describe demographic factors, and identify risk factors. METHODS The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) assesses health status in the civilian noninstitutionalized US population. The validated Fecal Incontinence Severity Index was added to NHANES in 2005-2006. Participants were 2229 women and 2079 men aged 20 years or older. FI was defined as accidental leakage of solid, liquid, or mucus at least once in the preceding month. Sampling weights were used to obtain prevalence estimates for the national population. Multivariate logistic regression identified independent risk factors. RESULTS The estimated prevalence of FI in noninstitutionalized US adults is 8.3% (95% confidence interval, 7.1-9.5) and consists of liquid stool in 6.2%, solid stool in 1.6%, and mucus in 3.1%. It occurs at least weekly in 2.7%. Prevalence is similar in women (8.9%) and men (7.7%) and increases with age from 2.6% in 20 to 29 year olds up to 15.3% in participants aged 70 years and older. FI is not significantly associated with race/ethnicity, education, income, or marital status after adjusting for age. Independent risk factors in women are advancing age, loose or watery stools, more than 21 stools per week, multiple chronic illnesses, and urinary incontinence. Independent risk factors in men are age, loose or watery stools, poor self-rated health, and urinary incontinence. CONCLUSIONS FI is a prevalent age-related disorder. Chronic diarrhea is a strong modifiable risk factor that may form the basis for prevention and treatment.
The role of exchange rate undervaluations on the inflation-growth nexus

The link between exchange rate undervaluations and growth has been an important source of concern over the past years, but the role of undervaluations on the inflation-growth nexus has not been yet studied. We fill up this gap by showing to what extent undervaluation's level change the effect of inflation on growth. Our analysis is based on a sample of 62 countries over the period 1980-2015. In a first time, we rely on the Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) methodology to select the relevant growth determinants. Then, using the System Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), we find evidence that higher is the lagged undervaluation, higher is the negative effect of inflation on growth. This result is robust to the exclusion of currency crises episodes.
Tenofovir-best hope for treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection?

BACKGROUND/AIMS To evaluate the effectiveness of tenofovir in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection in a real life setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of data from 164 patients with chronic hepatitis B who were treated with Tenofovir. Eighty-six patients (52.4%) were naïve. Seventy-seven (46.9%) patients were previously treated with anti-viral drugs, including standard interferon (n=4), pegylated (PEG) interferon (n=14), standard interferon together with lamivudine (n=13), lamivudine alone (n=41), adefovir (n=2), lamivudine together with adefovir (n=1), and entecavir (n=2). Six patients (3.7%) had liver cirrhosis before treatment of tenofovir. RESULTS The patients who have hepatitis B viral DNA>104 copy/mL with chronic hepatitis B infection were included in the treatment of Tenofovir. Average follow up time was 30.31±14.33 months. HBV DNA negativity and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization were 86.5% and 71.3%, respectively, at the last visit. Hepatitis B e-Antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion occurred in 11 (19.6%) out of 164 patients. During the follow-up period, 4 (2.4%) patients developed liver cirrhosis and in 5 (3%) patients hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurred out of 164 patients. HBsAg seroconversion occurred in one patient (0.6%). CONCLUSION Tenofovir can be used safely and successfully in those patients that were naive, experienced with immune modulators and/or antivirals, HBeAg-positive, and HBeAg-negative patients.
Hydrophobic Interactions Mediate Binding of the Glycine Receptor β‐Subunit to Gephyrin

Abstract : Glycine receptors (GlyRs) are ligand‐gated chloride channel proteins composed of α‐ and β‐subunits. GlyRs are located to and anchored at postsynaptic sites by the receptorassociated protein gephyrin. Previous work from our laboratory has identified a core motif for gephyrin binding in the cytoplasmic loop of the GlyR β‐subunit. Here, we localized amino acid residues implicated in gephyrin binding by site‐directed mutagenesis. In a novel transfection assay, a green fluorescent protein‐gephyrin binding motif fusion protein was used to monitor the consequences of amino acid substitutions for β‐subunit interaction with gephyrin. Only multiple, but not single, replacements of hydrophobic side chains abolished the interaction between the two proteins. Our data are consistent with gephyrin binding being mediated by the hydrophobic side of an imperfect amphipathic helix.
The Near Infrared Spectrum of Miranda: Evidence of Crystalline Water Ice

A spectrum from 1.2 to 2.5 μm of Uranus' small satellite Miranda obtained in June 1999 reveals strong water-ice signatures. It confirms the existence of a 2.0-μm water feature previously detected on Miranda and shows a strong second broad 1.5-μm water-ice absorption feature. The spectra also reveal a weak absorption band at 1.65 μm that is indicative of crystalline water ice. Reflectance models which combine the new spectra with new photometry indicate that the spectra are characteristic of a mostly water-ice surface, with a large fraction of carbonaceous or silicate contaminates, and the possible presence of ammonia hydrate, as implied by an apparent weak feature near 2.2 μm. The possible presence of other volatiles is also investigated.
Do Managers Choose the Proxy Material Delivery Method Strategically?

Using hand-collected data for 2007-2008, we show that using the notice-only option to deliver proxy materials is an effective way to influence proxy voting outcomes in favor of the management. Firms performing poorly, firms with high CEO pay, and firms restating earnings are more likely to choose the notice-only option. In the subsequent year, notice-only firms experience lower stock returns and a drop in analysts’ earnings forecasts, consistent with that real economic factors drive the choice of the notice-only option. Overall, our findings suggest that the managers strategically use proxy delivery methods to control the negative impact of bad news.
Clinical application of image‐based CFD for cerebral aneurysms

During the last decade, the convergence of medical imaging and computational modeling technologies has enabled tremendous progress in the development and application of image‐based computational fluid dynamics modeling of patient‐specific blood flows. These techniques have been used for studying the basic mechanisms involved in the initiation and progression of vascular diseases, for studying possible ways to improve the diagnosis and evaluation of patients by incorporating hemodynamics information to the anatomical data typically available, and for the development of computational tools that can be used to improve surgical and endovascular treatment planning. However, before these technologies can have a significant impact on the routine clinical practice, it is still necessary to demonstrate the connection between the extra information provided by the models and the natural progression of vascular diseases and the outcome of interventions. This paper summarizes some of our contributions in this direction, focusing in particular on cerebral aneurysms. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of phenol block and botulinus toxin type A in the treatment of spastic foot after stroke: a randomized, double-blind trial.

Locally acting treatments for spasticity such as nerve and motor point blocks have the advantage of reducing harmful spasticity in one area, while preserving useful spasticity in another area. This randomized, double-blind study is the first trial that was designed to find out whether botulinus toxin Type A and phenol relieves the signs and symptoms of ankle plantar flexor and foot invertor spasticity after stroke and if either of these methods offers any advantages and disadvantages over the other. Twenty patients who were included in this preliminary study were randomly assigned to receive a single treatment of 400 mouse units of botulinus toxin Type A injected into the calf muscles or to receive a tibial nerve blockade with 3 ml of 5% phenol. A combination of subjective and objective measures were used to assess functional change at baseline and at Weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12. At follow-up, significant improvement (P < 0.05) in the Ashworth score for dorsiflexion was observed in both groups. The change in the Ashworth score for eversion was significant in the group that received botulinus toxin Type A (P < 0.05) but not in the group that received phenol (P > 0.05). When those variables were compared between the two groups, the change in the Ashworth score at Weeks 2 and 4 was significantly better in the group that received botulinus toxin Type A (P < 0.05) but there was not a significant difference between the two groups at Weeks 8 and 12 (P > 0.05). The decrease in clonus duration that was detected by electromyography was significant in both groups at all visits, but the decrease in the group that received botulinus toxin Type A was significantly better at Weeks 2 and 4 (P < 0.05). It is concluded that both motor point injections with botulinus toxin Type A and tibial nerve blockade with phenol are effective in plantar flexor spasticity, but the changes were more significant in the group that received botulinus toxin Type A at Weeks 2 and 4, whereas there was not a significant difference between the two groups at Weeks 8 and 12. Future research should explore the long-term effect of these two treatment modalities.
Role of Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I and Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptors in High Density Lipoprotein-induced Inhibition of Adhesion Molecule Expression in Endothelial Cells*

We characterized the molecular mechanisms by which high density lipoprotein (HDL) inhibits the expression of adhesion molecules, including vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1, induced by sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α in endothelial cells. HDL inhibited S1P-induced nuclear factor κB activation and adhesion molecule expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The inhibitory HDL actions were associated with nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) activation and were reversed by inhibitors for phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and NOS. The HDL-induced inhibitory actions were also attenuated by the down-regulation of scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) and its associated protein PDZK1. When TNFα was used as a stimulant, the HDL-induced NOS activation and the inhibitory action on adhesion molecule expression were, in part, attenuated by the down-regulation of the expression of S1P receptors, especially S1P1, in addition to SR-BI. Reconstituted HDL composed mainly of apolipoprotein A-I and phosphatidylcholine mimicked the SR-BI-sensitive part of HDL-induced actions. Down-regulation of S1P3 receptors severely suppressed the stimulatory actions of S1P. Although Gi/o proteins may play roles in either stimulatory or inhibitory S1P actions, as judged from pertussis toxin sensitivity, the coupling of S1P3 receptors to G12/13 proteins may be critical to distinguish the stimulatory pathways from the inhibitory ones. In conclusion, even though S1P alone stimulates adhesion molecule expression, HDL overcomes S1P3 receptor-mediated stimulatory actions through SR-BI/PDZK1-mediated signaling pathways involving phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and NOS. In addition, the S1P component of HDL plays a role in the inhibition of TNFα-induced actions through S1P receptors, especially S1P1.
Osteotomy models – the current status on pain scoring and management in small rodents

Fracture healing is a complex regeneration process which produces new bone tissue without scar formation. However, fracture healing disorders occur in approximately 10% of human patients and cause severe pain and reduced quality of life. Recently, the development of more standardized, sophisticated and commercially available osteosynthesis techniques reflecting clinical approaches has increased the use of small rodents such as rats and mice in bone healing research dramatically. Nevertheless, there is no standard for pain assessment, especially in these species, and consequently limited information regarding the welfare aspects of osteotomy models. Moreover, the selection of analgesics is restricted for osteotomy models since non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known to affect the initial, inflammatory phase of bone healing. Therefore, opioids such as buprenorphine and tramadol are often used. However, dosage data in the literature are varied. Within this review, we clarify the background of osteotomy models, explain the current status and challenges of animal welfare assessment, and provide an example score sheet including model specific parameters. Furthermore, we summarize current refinement options and present a brief outlook on further 3R research.
The Case for Compulsive Shopping as an Addiction

Abstract Addictive drugs like cocaine, opiates and nicotine, through direct or indirect means, hyperstimulate the dopamine (DA) reward system. Some behaviors, for some people, can have similar effects on the same DA reward circuitry resulting in very similar addictive behavior patterns and consequences. Although the term “addictive” has been used loosely with many behaviors, it may be an appropriate term to describe compulsive shopping. Increased accessibility, hyperstimulating marketing techniques, a loss of the protective delay between impulse and purchase, and overvaluing of the shopping process and objects purchased may all contribute to the potentially addictive nature of shopping.
The corporate philanthropy and legitimacy strategy of tourism firms: a community perspective

ABSTRACT Corporate philanthropy (CP) is receiving increased attention, especially in transitional countries, such as China. Focusing on Chinese tourism attraction companies that operate on public tourism resources and have close relationships with their surrounding communities, this study investigates the factors driving firms’ CP behaviour from a community perspective. Hypotheses are developed under the legitimacy framework. Probit and tobit regression models are used with data gathered from listed tourism attraction companies in China between 2000 and 2015. Three main findings are obtained. First, tourism attraction companies engage in CP more actively than other companies in the tourism industry. Second, three community-related features are significant drivers of tourism attraction firms’ CP: unbalanced economic development, fierce business competition within the community and scarce educational resources. Third, the economic contribution of tourism partially moderates the associations between community features and tourism attraction firms’ CP. Further interviews with top managers of selected companies confirm the findings of the above statistical analysis. Both the theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed at the end of the paper.
Propyl paraben induces potassium efflux in Escherichia coli.

OBJECTIVES Parabens are currently used as antibacterial preservatives in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food products but there are no precise data concerning their activity on bacterial membranes. METHODS We analysed the cytoplasmic potassium release during propyl paraben addition by using a selective electrode. Various conditions were assayed to investigate the bacterial paraben susceptibility. We compared the activity of propyl paraben with the activities of colicin A and polymyxin B. RESULTS Propyl paraben induced potassium efflux that was related to the porin expression in the bacterial outer membrane. In addition, the presence of spermine, previously described as an efficient OmpF channel-blocker, protected susceptible cells against paraben activity. CONCLUSIONS Propyl paraben induced potassium release in susceptible Escherichia coli cells similar to that observed with polymyxin B. Moreover, this efflux depended on porin channel activity. This permeabilizing effect is probably related to antibacterial properties of paraben molecules.
Auto‐inhibition at a ligand‐gated ion channel: a cross‐talk between orthosteric and allosteric sites

A ligand is believed to produce either positive or negative responses, or to block both of them. However, an indole compound was found to promote both positive and negative effects at the 5‐HT3AB receptor, which displays a low level of spontaneous activity. The present study attempted to delineate the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon.
Bacterial and fungal absorption properties of a hydrogel dressing with a superabsorbent polymer core.

OBJECTIVE To study in vitro the micro-organism absorption properties of a hydrogel wound dressing, TenderWet. METHOD Microbial films on agar plates and suspensions with common wound bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and a fungal strain (Candida albicans) were studied. RESULTS The hydrogel dressing reduced the number of micro-organisms significantly, both on the agar plate and in suspension. The in vitro data show that the hydrogel dressing absorbed the micro-organisms from the environment. Electron microscopic imaging clearly demonstrated that the germs were attached to the surface of the dressing's superabsorbent polymer core. CONCLUSION In vitro data show that the hydrogel dressing TenderWet attracts and retains micro-organisms and reduces the number of viable germs. Clinical experience underlines this fast cleansing and debriding effect of the hydrogel wound dressing.
For Debate

A survey was undertaken to explore attitudes to alternative medicine among 100 general practitioner trainees. A positive attitude emerged from the 86 respondents, with 18 doctors using at least one alternative method themselves and 70 wanting to train in one or more. A total of 31 trainees had referred patients for such treatments; 12 of these doctors made referrals to non-medically qualified practitioners. The most commonly used alternative treatments were hypnosis, manipulation, homoeo-pathy, and acupuncture. A total of 22 doctors had been treated, or had treated themselves, by an alternative treatment, and this personal experience was linked to a greater professional use. These findings indicate that alternative methods of treatment are currently being used to complement orthodox medicine and an expansion in their use appears imminent.
Closing the gap for pseudo-polynomial strip packing

The set of 2-dimensional packing problems builds an important class of optimization problems and Strip Packing together with 2-dimensional Bin Packing and 2-dimensional Knapsack is one of the most famous of these problems. Given a set of rectangular axis parallel items and a strip with bounded width and infinite height the objective is to find a packing of the items into the strip which minimizes the packing height. We speak of pseudo-polynomial Strip Packing if we consider algorithms with pseudo-polynomial running time with respect to the width of the strip. It is known that there is no pseudo-polynomial algorithm for Strip Packing with a ratio better than $5/4$ unless $\mathrm{P} = \mathrm{NP}$. The best algorithm so far has a ratio of $(4/3 + \varepsilon)$. In this paper, we close this gap between inapproximability result and best known algorithm by presenting an algorithm with approximation ratio $(5/4 + \varepsilon)$ and thus categorize the problem accurately. The algorithm uses a structural result which states that each optimal solution can be transformed such that it has one of a polynomial number of different forms. The strength of this structural result is that it applies to other problem settings as well for example to Strip Packing with rotations (90 degrees) and Contiguous Moldable Task Scheduling. This fact enabled us to present algorithms with approximation ratio $(5/4 + \varepsilon)$ for these problems as well.