Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Malaria anticircumsporozoite antibodies in dutch soldiers returning from sub‐saharan africa

One hundred and twenty‐five Dutch servicemen returning from central Africa after a short deployment were enrolled in a study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of malaria prevention measures. None of the persons developed an episode of clinically overt malaria during or after deployment, and no antibodies against blood stages of Plasmodium falciparum could be found. However, antibodies against the circumsporozoite protein (CS) of P. falciparum were demonstrable in 14 persons (11.2% of the study population) by an ELISA test using the recombinant CS‐antigen R32tet32, while one person only was positive in an IFA test based on schizonts of P. fieldi as antigen. We concluded that the anti‐CS‐positive servicemen were probably bitten by mosquitoes carrying P. falciparum parasites while the IFA‐positive person was possibly infected by P. vivax, P. ovale or P. malariae parasites. There was no significant association between the different antimalaria preventive measures and the development of anti‐CS antibodies. Therefore mefloquine prophylaxis as the single most widely used preventive measure in this group of servicemen was possibly a major contributing factor in averting development of overt malaria.
Arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase of reticulocyte-type in human rheumatoid arthritis type B synoviocytes and modulation of its activity by proinflammatory cytokines.

OBJECTIVE Lipoxygenases (LOX) are lipid-peroxidating enzymes that are implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory disorders such as arthritis, psoriasis, and asthma. 15-LOX catalyzes the oxygenation of free arachidonic acid to 15-hydroperoxy-5,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HPETE), which is reduced to 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE). The biological role of 15-HETE is less clear. We sought to determine if cultured human rheumatoid synovial cells were able to express 15-LOX mRNA, leading to the synthesis of 15-HETE, and to examine the effect of different cytokines on 15-LOX activity. METHODS Adherent synovial cells were obtained by enzymatic digestion of rheumatoid synovium, isolated from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing hip synovectomy. Between passages 4 and 8, reticulocyte-type 15-LOX expression in these cells was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in situ and confirmed by classical RT-PCR analysis followed by enzymatic digestion. The PCR fragment was purified, amplified, and sequenced. Cultured synovial cells were incubated with or without different cytokines and exogenous [1-(14)C] arachidonic acid metabolism of synoviocytes was analyzed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). RESULTS RT-PCR results showed that human RA type B synoviocytes expressed a reticulocyte-type 15-LOX. By sequence analysis, the PCR fragment (474 bp) was determined to be 100% identical to that of reticulocyte-type 15-LOX cDNA. Other results associated specific inflammatory cytokines with the activity of 15-LOX in these cells. RP-HPLC analysis showed that interleukin 4 (IL-4) increased 15-HETE production (2.4-fold); we also observed an increase in 15-HETE production (1.2-fold) after incubation of the cells with IL-1beta. CONCLUSION Human RA type B synoviocytes are able to express 15-LOX mRNA leading to the synthesis of 15-HETE, which is modulated by various cytokines that play a major role in the pathophysiology of RA, especially IL-4 and IL-1.
Issues of Trust and Ethics in Computerized Clinical Decision Support Systems

Clinical decision support systems are computer technologies that model and provide support for human decision-making processes. Decision support mechanisms facilitate and enhance a clinician's ability to make decisions at the point of care. Decisions are facilitated through technology by using automated mechanisms that provide alerts or messages to clinicians about a potential patient problem. A clinician's level of trust in these technologies to support decision making is affected by how knowledge is represented in these tools, their ability to make reasonable decisions, and how they are designed. Furthermore, ethical tensions occur if these systems do not promote standards, if clinicians do not understand how to use these systems, and when professional relationships are affected. Issues of trust and ethical concerns will be examined in this article, using a research study of midwestern nursing homes that implemented a clinical decision support system.
Effect of congestion on the performance of IEEE 802.11 network

Unlike the wired networks, congestion measurement in IEEE 802.11 networks is more difficult owing to factors such as time-variant channel capacity and contention among neighbouring nodes. It degrades the throughput and increases delay and packet drops. This paper presents an overview on IEEE 802.11 networks and issue of congestion in them. OPNET simulations were carried out to estimate the effect of congestion situation on the performance of the network model. Simulations were carried out at 11 Mbps data rate except congested node and total simulation time used was 900 simulations-seconds.
Biochemical Aspects of X‐Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy

X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X‐ALD) is the most common peroxisomal disorder. The disease is characterized by the accumulation of very long‐chain fatty acids (VLCFA; >C22) in plasma and tissues. X‐ALD is caused by mutations in the ABCD1 gene encoding ALDP, an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)‐binding‐cassette (ABC) transporter located in the peroxisomal membrane. In this paper, we describe the current knowledge on the function of ALDP, its role in peroxisomal VLCFA beta‐oxidation and the consequences of a defect in ALDP on VLCFA metabolism. Furthermore, we pay special attention to the role of the VLCFA elongation system in VLCFA homeostasis, with elongation of very long‐chain fatty acids like‐1 (ELOVL1) as key player, and its relevance to X‐ALD.
Before enzymes and templates: theory of surface metabolism.

Woese's three kingdoms (161-166) constitute the deepest branching of the known biosphere. His suggestion to search for a common ancestor has led to the present hypothesis. It is proposed here that, at an early stage of evolution, there are precursor organisms drastically different from anything we know. These organisms are acellular and lack a mechanism for division, yet they can grow. They possess neither enzymes nor a mechanism for translation, but they do have an autocatalytic metabolism. They do not have nucleic acids or any other template, yet they have inheritance and selection. Although they can barely be called living, they have a capacity for evolution. Central to the proposed theory is the idea that life at this early stage is autotrophic (cf. reference 53) and consists of an autocatalytic metabolism confined to an essentially twodimensional monomolecular organic layer. These surface organisms (surface metabolists) are anionically bonded to positively charged surfaces (e.g., pyrite) at the interface of hot water. The adherence to the positively charged mineral surface is not the result of adsorption ( as suggested by Bernal [6] in his clay theory) but rather of in situ autotrophic growth of anionic constituents acquiring their surface bonding in statu nascendi. Instead of adsorption, the organism is faced with desorption, that is, a selective detachment of its constituents. This means a negative selection favoring higher anionic bonding strength. Large polyanionic constituents with ever stronger surface bonding are automatically selected: first, polyanionic coenzymes, and eventually nucleic acids and polypeptides. The primitive surface metabolists grow by spreading onto vacant surfaces; they reproduce by
The maintenance of the human body louse Pediculus humanus corporis through complete cycles of growth by serial feeding through artificial membranes.

Summary Two colonies of normal human body lice have been successfully raised by serial feeding through artificial membranes on meals of sterile, defibrinated, hemolyzed human blood, with and without the addition of 10 units each of penicillin and streptomycin per milliliter. In the first instance the experiment was terminated after forty-eight days, when third generation nymphs were hatching and feeding. In the second experiment, second generation nymphs were feeding and developing normally at the time of its discontinuance on day 27.
Hybrid series-parallel PWM dimming technique for integrated-converter-based HPF LED drivers

Two main LED dimming techniques can be found in the literature: (i) analogue dimming, and (ii) PWM dimming, which is known by its three main schemes; the enable dimming, series dimming, and parallel dimming [1]. This paper will present a brief introduction to the known techniques; then a new technique will be proposed, which is a hybrid solution between series and parallel PWM dimming techniques. The converter used for the demonstration is the Integrated-Buck-Flyback-Converter (IBFC) developed in a previous work and proved to be a High-Power-Factor (HPF) LED driver [2]. The analysis of the converter is made through an average model implementation, and then a design for the full converter is presented including the control loops, and a flexible design for the main converter able to work with different techniques. A laboratory test prototype is presented in order to demonstrate the main advantages of the hybrid-series-parallel (HSP) technique compared to other dimming techniques. The proposed technique insures a constant current operation in the LED, a better control scheme owing to the fact that the operation in the new technique will be continuous, as well as offering all the advantages of the PWM dimming over the analogue dimming.
From Molecule to Metaphor: A Neural Theory of Language Jerome A. Feldman (University of California, Berkeley) Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press (A Bradford book), 2006, xx+357 pp; hardbound, ISBN 0-262-06253-4, $36.00

The present invention provides a developing method for rendering a latent image supported on an image bearing member visible, and an apparatus therefor, in which a developer supporting member supporting thereon spherical granular developer prepared in substantially spherical form by a flow coater process or a spray drying process is maintained in opposed relation to an electrostatic image bearing member having a backing electrode so that the surface of the image bearing member and the developer on the developer supporting member are maintained in a mutually contact-free state, and an alternating voltage is applied to the developer supporting member to cause reciprocating motion of the developer in the developing area between the developer supporting member and the image bearing member.
Motion artifact reduction of diffusion‐weighted MRI of the liver: Use of velocity‐compensated diffusion gradients combined with tetrahedral gradients

To assess the effect of motion artifact reduction on the diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI‐MRI) of the liver, we compared velocity‐compensated DWI (VC‐DWI) and VC‐DWI combined with tetrahedral gradients (t‐VC‐DWI) to conventional DWI (c‐DWI) in the assessment of apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) of the liver.
Predicting patient visits to an urgent care clinic using calendar variables.

OBJECTIVE To develop a prediction equation for the number of patients seeking urgent care. METHODS In the first phase, daily patient volume from February 1998 to January 1999 was matched with calendar and weather variables, and stepwise linear regression analysis was performed. This model was used to match staffing to patient volume. The effects were measured through patient complaint and "left without being seen" rates. The second phase was undertaken to develop a model to account for the continual yearly increase in patient volume. For this phase daily patient volume from February 1998 to April 2000 was used; the patient volume from May 2000 to July 2000 was used as a validation set. RESULTS First-phase prediction equation was: daily patient volume = 66.2 + 11.1 January + 4.56 winter + 47.2 Monday + 37.3 Tuesday + 35.6 Wednesday + 28.2 Thursday + 24.2 Friday + 7.96 Saturday + 10.1 day after a holiday. This equation accounted for 75.2% of daily patient volume (p<0.01). Inclusion of significant weather variables only minimally improved the predictive ability (r(2) = 0.786). The second-phase final model was: daily patient volume = 57.2 + 0.035 Newdate + 52.0 Monday + 44. 2 Tuesday + 39.2 Wednesday + 30.2 Thursday + 26.5 Friday + 10.9 Saturday + 12.2 February + 3.9 March, which accounted for 72.7% of the daily variation (p<0.01). The model predicted the patient volume in the validation set within +/-11%. When the first-phase model was used to predict patient volume and thus staffing, the percentage of patients who left without being seen decreased by 18. 5% and the number of patient complaints dropped by 30%. CONCLUSIONS Use of a prediction equation allowed for improved accuracy in staffing patterns with associated improvement in measures of patient satisfaction.
Acceleration of Points to Convex Region Correspondence Pose Estimation Algorithm on GPUs for Real-Time Applications

In our previous work, a novel algorithm to perform robust pose estimation was presented. The pose was estimated using points on the object to regions on image correspondence. The laboratory experiments conducted in the previous work showed that the accuracy of the estimated pose was over 99% for position and 84% for orientation estimations respectively. However, for larger objects, the algorithm requires a high number of points to achieve the same accuracy. The requirement of higher number of points makes the algorithm, computationally intensive resulting in the algorithm infeasible for real-time computer vision applications. In this paper, the algorithm is parallelized to run on NVIDIA GPUs. The results indicate that even for objects having more than 2000 points, the algorithm can estimate the pose in real time for each frame of high-resolution videos.
Psychiatric Considerations in Premature Birth*

Five percent to ten percent of all live births are premature. Modern neonatology has dramatically improved survival rates. Morbidity rates, however, are as high as 60%, according to some studies. In this paper, outcome and intervention findings are described. Experiential, familial and socioeconomic factors interact synergistically with preterm birth and biological vulnerability to create cognitive, behavioural and interpersonal disorders. Principles of intervention are suggested, based on promoting organization within the infant and a responsive, active approach in the caregivers.
Quadriceps and Hamstring Strength Changes as a Function of Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy Surgery and Rehabilitation

Purpose: Objective measures of strength in children with cerebral palsy (CP) are needed to determine the effect that selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery (SDR) and subsequent rehabilitation have on muscle strength. This investigation quantified quadriceps and hamstring strength in children with CP pre‐SDR and eight months post‐SDR. Method: Nineteen children with CP and 20 children without disabilities (WD group) were tested with an isokinetic dynamometer. The children performed a maximum concentric contraction of the quadriceps muscles as the dynamometer moved the knee from a flexed position to an extended position at 10 degrees per second. A maximum concentric contraction of the hamstring muscles was then performed as the knee was moved from extension to flexion. Four variables were recorded from the torque‐angle data; peak extension and flexion torque and extension and flexion work. Results: Children with CP, both pre‐ and post‐SDR were significantly weaker in all strength measures compared with the WD group. Children with CP post‐SDR and rehabilitation had significantly greater peak torque and work values compared with their pre‐SDR values. The results agreed with previous studies indicating that children with CP are weaker than their peers without disabilities. Previous studies on strength changes after SDR remain controversial. Conclusions: The results of this study showed a significant increase in strength at the knee after rhizotomy and rehabilitation.
Assessment of the transcriptional activation potential of the HMG chromosomal proteins

Chromosomal proteins HMG-14, HMG-17, and HMG-1 are among the most abundant, ubiquitous, and evolutionarily conserved nonhistone proteins. Analysis of their structure reveals features which are similar to those of certain transcription factors. The distribution of charged amino acid residues along the polypeptide chains is asymmetric: positive charges are clustered toward the N-terminal region, while negative charges are clustered toward the C-terminal region. The residues in the C-terminal region have the potential to form alpha helices with negatively charged surfaces. The abilities of HMG-14, -17, and -1 to function as transcriptional activators were studied in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells expressing LexA-HMG fusion proteins (human HMG-14 and -17 and rat HMG-1) which bind to reporter molecules containing the beta-galactosidase gene downstream from a lexA operator. Fusion constructs expressing deletion mutants of HMG-14, -17, and -1 were also tested. Analysis of binding to the lexA operator with in vitro-synthesized fusion proteins shows that there are more sites for HMG-14, -17, and -1 binding than for LexA binding and that only the fusion constructs which contain the C-terminal, acidic domains of HMG-17 bind the lexA operator specifically. None of the LexA-HMG fusion protein constructs elevate the level of beta-galactosidase activity in transfected yeast cells. Thus, although HMG-14, -17, and -1 are structurally similar to acidic transcriptional activators, these chromosomal proteins do not function as activators in this test system.
Two consecutive phase II window trials of irinotecan alone or in combination with vincristine for the treatment of metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma: the Children's Oncology Group.

PURPOSE To estimate the antitumor activity and toxicity of irinotecan alone and in combination with vincristine when administered as window therapy and in combination with standard chemotherapy in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Nineteen patients younger than age 21 years with newly diagnosed metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma or undifferentiated sarcoma received window therapy with two cycles of irinotecan (20 mg/m2 daily for 5 days, repeated for 2 weeks) and 50 patients received window therapy with vincristine 1.5 mg/m2 (weeks 0, 1, 3, and 4) and two cycles of irinotecan (20 mg/m2 daily for 5 days, repeated for 2 weeks). Patients who achieved a partial response (PR) or complete response (CR) received these agents alternating with vincristine (V; 1.5/mg/m2), dactinomycin (A; 1.5 mg/m2), and cyclophosphamide (C; 2.2 g/m2) during weeks 6 through 41. Nonresponders were treated with VAC alone. Radiotherapy was administered to sites of disease at weeks 15 to 21. RESULTS The window response rate (PR/CR) for patients who received irinotecan was 42% (95% CI, 38% to 80%) but the high progressive disease (PD) rate of 32% (95% CI, 11% to 52%) prompted closure of the trial. The window CR/PR rate for patients who received vincristine and irinotecan was 70% (95% CI, 57% to 83%), and the PD rate was only 8%. GI toxicities (abdominal pain, diarrhea, dehydration) were the most common adverse effects associated with the administration of irinotecan. CONCLUSION The combination of vincristine and irinotecan is highly active in metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma. The different mechanism of action and nonoverlapping toxicity profile with VAC makes this combination an attractive candidate for further testing in intermediate risk patients with rhabdomyosarcoma.
Production of Prostaglandin E2 and Interleukin 1 by Mouse Peritoneal Macrophages Stimulated with β‐l, 3‐D‐Glucan Derivatized Plastic Beads

Fluorescein‐labelled plastic microbeads, with or without covalently attached β‐l, 3‐D‐glucan, were injected into the peritoneal cavity of mice. Peritoneal cells were subsequently analysed by flow cytometry according to fluorescence and light scatter and separated into fluorescence positive and negative cells. We report that cells from animals treated with glucan‐plastic beads produced large amounts of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) whether the cells actually contained heads or not. On the other hand, cells from animals treated with glucan‐plastic beads produced less thymocyte‐stimulatory activity—presumably corresponding to interleukin 1 (IL‐l)—than cells from control animals treated with commercial latex beads. However, when indomethacin was added, either in vivo or in vitro, cells from animals treated with glucan‐plastic beads produced more thymocyte‐stimulalory activity than controls. We interpret this to mean that glucan‐plastic beads stimulate both IL‐l and PGE2, but that under circumstances where the cellular cyclo‐oxygenase is not inhibited, the PGE2 will block IL‐1 production.
A Retrospective Review of Liver Transplant Patients Treated with Sirolimus from a Single Center: An Analysis of Sirolimus-Related Complications

Background. Sirolimus (SRL) is a powerful immunosuppressant used primarily in calcineurin inhibitors (CNI)-related nephrotoxicity. However, reports of drug-related side effects are increasing. The aim of our report is to review the frequency and timing of these complications within our transplant patient population. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of liver-transplanted patients treated with sirolimus between November 1998 and April 2002. The data collected included SRL serum levels, frequency of reported and documented SRL-related side effects, and survival outcomes. Statistical evaluation included Pearson chi-square and the Fisher’s exact tests. Results. Overall, 205 patients were identified, with 30 patients removed from the analysis for different reasons. Of the remaining 175 patients, 91 (52%) patients developed a complication other than an increase in serum triglycerides and/or cholesterol. The most frequent complications were: bilateral lower extremity edema (57.1%), dermatitis (25.3%), oral ulcers (24.2%), joint pain (23.0%), pleural effusion (16.5%) and increase in abdominal girth (9.9%). Other complications included: generalized edema (5.5%), pericardial effusion (5.5%), facial edema (2.2%), and upper extremity edema (1.3%). In addition, we reported two cases of hepatic artery thrombosis, one case of wound dehiscence with evisceration that required surgical repair, and one case of skin cancer. Interestingly, we found that a previous history of myocardial ischemia correlates with the development of SRL side effects. Conclusions. SRL is a powerful immunosuppressant but not devoid of side effects. These results have elevated our level of suspicion when instituting SRL and may help with early recognition and prevention of drug related complications.