Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Geographical patterns of Kaposi’s sarcoma, nonHodgkin lymphomas, and cervical cancer associated with HIV infection in five African populations

The objective of this study is to describe the most recent geographical patterns of incidence of AIDS-related cancers, Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), nonHodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and cervical cancer in North African and subSaharan African populations. Data were extracted for the period 1998–2002 from five African population-based cancer registries: Kyadondo, Harare, Setif, Sousse, and Gharbiah. Age-standardized rates were calculated using the African standard population; a comparison was made between these populations by computing the standardized incidence ratio and 95% confidence intervals. The KS rate was found to be significantly higher in men than in women, and higher in Harare (women: 26.3/100 000; men: 50.4/100 000) and Kyadondo (women: 23.6/100 000; men: 30.2/100 000) than in the North African sites for both sexes (<0.3/100 000). In addition, the KS rate in women from Harare was similar to that for Kyadondo. Gharbiah presented the highest rates for NHL (women: 7 per 100 000; men: 11.9/100 000) for both sexes. We observed that Harare and Kyadondo had similar age-specific incidence in the high-risk age group for HIV/AIDS (15–49 years), and these rates were 4.5-fold higher in subSaharan populations than those in the North African sites. Thus, it was observed that the pattern of HIV prevalence is variable with the lowest prevalence in North African countries, intermediate prevalence in Uganda, and the highest prevalence in Zimbabwe. Our findings show that the incidence of NHL and cervical cancer, considered to be HIV/AIDS-related cancers, does not follow the pattern of HIV prevalence in the five studied African populations. Thus, the highest NHL incidence rate in both sexes in Gambia may be explained, at least in great part, by the highest hepatitis C virus prevalence observed there. Indeed, factors other than HIV infection likely contribute to their geographical patterns.
Humoral immune response to avian influenza vaccination over a six-months period in different species of captive wild birds 1

In December 2005, the four major Swiss zoos carried out the vaccination of selected zoo birds with the adjuvant inactivated vaccine H5N2 Nobilis influenza. Preand post-vaccination antibody titers were determined either by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test (non-Galliformes) or by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Galliformes) at Week 0, 5, 10, and 26 (Day 0-1, 35-36, 70-71, and 182 respectively) to determine the humoral immune response to H5 antigen. After the first vaccination, the overall geometric mean titer of non-Galliformes was 65 (n 5 142), which increased to 187 (n 5 139) after booster vaccination and dropped to 74 (n 5 65) six months after first vaccination. For the Galliformes group, the mean titers were found to be 2.09 at Week 5 (n 5 119), 3.24 at Week 10 (n 5 113), and 1.20 at Week 26 (n 5 39). Within the non-Galliformes, significant differences in geometric mean titers were found among different species representatives. In general, the flamingos (Phoenicopteriformes) showed a strong response to vaccination, reaching a geometric mean titer of 659 at Week 10, while the Sphenisciformes did not show high antibody titers even after booster vaccination, reaching a maximum geometric mean titer of only 65. Based on the antibody titer profiles of all investigated species, we recommend at least annual revaccination for the species that we investigated. 1 Humoral immune response to avian influenza vaccination over a six-months period in different species of captive wild birds 1
Parallel converter scheme for large power high compensation Precision Shunt Active Power Filters

Shunt Active Power Filter (APF) is a good solution to eliminate current-type harmonics generated by nonlinear load. Challenges exist in realization of large power and high compensation precision simultaneously due to the limited capacity of semiconductor devices, thermal management, high slew rate of compensation current, low switching frequency and phase lag of digital control loop etc. This paper introduces the issue of developing a practical 527 kVA APF prototype by using dual converters paralleling approach. The circulation current between the two converters was effective suppressed depending on the consistency of the main circuit and drive circuit. With a superior and reliable digital control method and an additional high-pass filter branch, large power and high compensation precision are both achieved. Full power prototype tests validate the feasibility and stability of the proposed scheme.
Novel multimodal problems and differential evolution with ensemble of restricted tournament selection

Multi-modal optimization refers to locating not only one optimum but a set of locally optimal solutions. Niching is an important technique to solve multi-modal optimization problems. The ability of discover and maintain multiple niches is the key capability of these algorithms. In this paper, differential evolution with an ensemble of restricted tournament selection (ERTS-DE) algorithm is introduced to perform multimodal optimization. The algorithms is tested on 15 newly designed scalable benchmark multi-modal optimization problems and compared with the crowding differential evolution (Crowding-DE) in the literature. As shown by the experimental results, the proposed algorithm outperforms the Crowding-DE on the novel scalable benchmark problems.
Subgroup and per-protocol analysis of the randomized European Trial on Isolated Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly.

BACKGROUND In 1989, the European Working Party on High Blood Pressure in the Elderly started the double-blind, placebo-controlled, Systolic Hypertension in Europe Trial to test the hypothesis that antihypertensive drug treatment would reduce the incidence of fatal and nonfatal stroke in older patients with isolated systolic hypertension. This report addresses whether the benefit of antihypertensive treatment varied according to sex, previous cardiovascular complications, age, initial blood pressure (BP), and smoking or drinking habits in an intention-to-treat analysis and explores whether the morbidity and mortality results were consistent in a per-protocol analysis. METHODS After stratification for center, sex, and cardiovascular complications, 4695 patients 60 years of age or older with a systolic BP of 160 to 219 mm Hg and diastolic BP less than 95 mm Hg were randomized. Active treatment consisted of nitrendipine (10-40 mg/d), with the possible addition of enalapril maleate (5-20 mg/d) and/or hydrochlorothiazide (12.5-25 mg/d), titrated or combined to reduce the sitting systolic BP by at least 20 mm Hg, to below 150 mm Hg. In the control group, matching placebo tablets were employed similarly. RESULTS In the intention-to-treat analysis, male sex, previous cardiovascular complications, older age, higher systolic BP, and smoking at randomization were positively and independently correlated with cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, for total (P = .009) and cardiovascular (P = .09) mortality, the benefit of antihypertensive drug treatment weakened with advancing age; for total mortality (P = .05), the benefit increased with higher systolic BP at entry, while for fatal and nonfatal stroke (P = .01), it was most evident in nonsmokers (92.5% of all patients). In the perprotocol analysis, active treatment reduced total mortality by 24% (P = .05), reduced all fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular end points by 32% (P<.001), reduced all strokes by 44% (P = .004), reduced nonfatal strokes by 48% (P = .005), and reduced all cardiac end points, including sudden death, by 26% (P = .05). CONCLUSIONS In elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension, stepwise antihypertensive drug treatment, starting with the dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker nitrendipine, improves prognosis. The per-protocol analysis suggested that treating 1000 patients for 5 years would prevent 24 deaths, 54 major cardiovascular end points, 29 strokes, or 25 cardiac end points. The effects of antihypertensive drug treatment on total and cardiovascular mortality may be attenuated in very old patients.
Assault-related mild traumatic brain injury, expectations of injury outcome, and the effect of different perpetrators: A vignette study

ABSTRACT Few studies have examined the effect of varying the assault perpetrator on expectations of outcome from mild TBI. Using a cross sectional between groups design, individuals with no history of mild TBI were randomly allocated to one of two vignette conditions. The vignette depicted a mild TBI with fixed injury parameters and a different assault perpetrator (partner, n = 27; or stranger, n = 27). The participants were instructed to imagine that they had been injured as per the depiction, and then to anticipate the injury consequences 6-months later. An online questionnaire was used including: the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version, the Impact of Events Scale-Revised, and the Perceived Ability to Cope with Trauma. The depicted injury was rated for the extent to which it was perceived as life-threatening, the subsequent diagnosis, and the global recovery prospects. The anticipated consequences of the injury (symptoms and trauma variables) did not differ across the conditions, all p’s > 0.05. The expected outcomes for an assault-related mild TBI were not affected by perpetrator type. However, the study had several limitations and further consideration of this factor may still be warranted.
Variation in spread of analgesia and loss of temperature discrimination during intermittent postoperative epidural bupivacaine administration

The proximal‐distal and bilateral extent of analgesia and loss of temperature discrimination were assessed during the initial 34.5 h after major abdominal surgery in ten patients receiving intermittent epidural bupivacaine injections according to a fixed dose regimen, Segmental spread of loss of temperature discrimination was invariably larger than analgesia at all times. During the later postoperative period (24–34 h) a pronounced intra‐individual variation in both proximal‐distal and bilateral spread of analgesia was observed despite identical epidural injections of bupivacaine. This variation in extent of analgesia was observed during injections of both 0.5% and 0.25% bupivacaine. The explanation of this observation is unknown but it may be shifts in catheter position, a variable disposition of the local anaesthetic agent or changes in the epidural space rather than tachyphylaxis.
Mycobacterium bovis genotypes in Northern Ireland: herd-level surveillance (2003 to 2008)

Surveillance genotyping (variable number tandem repeat profiling and spoligotyping) of Mycobacterium bovis isolates from culture-confirmed bovine tuberculosis (TB)-affected herds in Northern Ireland is presented for the years 2003 to 2008 inclusive. A total of 175 M bovis genotypes were identified in 8630 isolates from 6609 herds. On average, 73 genotypes were identified each year, with 29 genotypes present in all six years. Highly significant differences (P<0.0001) were observed between the relative frequency of some genotypes in the years 2003 to 2008. The spatial distribution of M bovis genotypes was not random (P<0.0001). Significant geographical localisation of M bovis genotypes was evident, suggesting that sources tended to be local. Despite regions being dominated by geographically localised genotypes, substantial and exploitable local diversity was still evident. Genotypes were also translocated significant distances from their normal geographical location.
Colloidal silver as an antimicrobial agent: fact or fiction?

OBJECTIVE Colloidal silver preparations are marketed on the internet as omnipotent antimicrobial agents, but scientific support for these claims is lacking. This study reports the results of in vitro tests of colloidal silver's antimicrobial activity against several pathogenic or non-pathogenic microorganisms. METHOD Three samples of colloidal silver were tested: one available commercially on the internet (silver concentration of 22 ppm) and two samples (concentrations of 403 and 413 ppm) which were prepared in our laboratory using standard chemical methods. RESULTS In an agar-well diffusion assay none of the three colloidal silver solutions had any effect on the growth of the test organisms. All tested bacterial strains were sensitive to ciprofloxacin. Colloidal silver 22 ppm showed no bactericidal activity in phenol coefficient tests. CONCLUSION As the tested colloidal silver solutions did not show any antimicrobial effect in vitro on the microorganisms, claims of colloidal silver's antimicrobial potency are misleading and there is no place for it as an antiseptic.
Current-steering DAC linearisation by impedance transformation

This paper proposes the design of a load-network for the current-steering DAC which highly enhances its performance. Foremost, the effect of the load-network on the DAC's performance is analysed. Based on this analysis design specifications for a linear 12+1 bit DAC are derived. The presented circuit implementation is a 4th order lowpass realizing broadband impedance transformation in the 65 nm TSMC process. This design makes an operation from 4 to 6 GHz possible. The proposed load-network enhances the error-vector-magnitude by 4.8 dB in contrast to a 50 Ω-load.
Conductivities of epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue at intermediate frequencies

Novel data for the conductivities of the tissues composing the skin, which are the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue, were obtained at intermediate frequencies by in vitro measurement. The conductivity of the epidermis was determined from those of the dermis and bulk skin. The conductivities of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue were almost constant from 10 kHz to 1 MHz. On the other hand, a frequency dependence was observed for the epidermis; the conductivity decreases with decreasing frequency. It was found that the conductivity of bulk skin is not determined by that of the dermis but by that of the epidermis. The presented data are expected to contribute to the assessment of safety and to the research and development of medical applications.
OCCURRENCE OF HIGH FLUOROQUINOLONE RESISTANCE AMONG KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIA FROM APPARENTLY HEALTHY CATTLE AND SWINE IN ADO-EKITI , NIGERIA

Fluoroquinolones are new generations of antibiotics and are increasingly used in human and veterinary medicine. We tested isolates of 63 and 50 isolates of Klebsiella pneuminiae from cattle and swine respectively from different locations in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria for the susceptibility to fluoroquinolones. Using the agar disk diffusion test, susceptibilities to the following fluoroquinolones were tested: pefloxacin (5μg), norfloxacin (5μg), levofloxacin (5μg), ciprofloxacin (5μg) and enrofloxacin (5μg). Klebsiella pneumonia isolates cultured on Mueller Hinton agar plates were incubated at 37 O C for 24 hours. All plates were examined for zones of inhibition which were measured and appropriately interpreted using standard baseline as specified by the Clinical Laboratory Science Institute. The isolates recovered from cattle showed the highest resistance to levofloxacin 46/63(73.0%) while those isolates from swine showed highest resistance to norfloxacin 44/50 (88.0%) and pefloxacin 44/50 (88.0%). The bacteria showed high level of multiple fluoroquinolone resistance; 13 different fluoroquinolone resistance phenotypes were observed among cattle while 10 phenotypes were observed among swine. These findings buttress the need for proper antibiotic stewardship regarding the use of the fluoroquinolones in animals.
An application of genetic algorithms to surveillance test optimization of a PWR auxiliary feedwater system

Nuclear power plant systems are comprised of both on‐line and standby components. Standby components differ from on‐line ones, as they might be unavailable due to unrevealed failures. The usual procedure employed to reveal failures before real demands is to submit the component to surveillance tests. Surveillance test policies might deal with two conflicting scenarios: the test frequency must be sufficiently high in order to reveal failures before demands, but, on the other hand, it must be low enough due to its influence on the component unavailability.
First investigations on stoichiometric lithium niobate as piezoelectric substrate for high-temperature surface acoustic waves applications

Surface acoustic waves (SAW) technology is very promising to achieve high-temperature wireless sensors. However, there is currently a need for piezoelectric substrates with a high electromechanical coupling coefficient (K2 > 1%), able to operate under harsh environments, especially in the intermediate temperature range (300–600°C). None of the conventional SAW substrate can face this challenge. In particular congruent lithium niobate, whose K2 can exceed 5%, shows serious limitations from 300°C, mainly related to Li vacancies. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of stoichiometric lithium niobate (s-LN) for high-temperature bulk acoustic waves applications. In this paper, we investigate this piezoelectric material for high-temperature SAW applications. In particular, we examine carefully the potential structural and chemical changes that s-LN surface can undergo during a high-temperature exposure. Finally, SAW resonators based on s-LN substrates are in situ characterized up to 600°C.
The inactivation of microbial enzymes in vivo.

PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS LEADING TO ENZYME INACTIVATION 137 Shifts in Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolism 142 Diffe rentiation . 143 Why Inactivation? 144 MECHANISMS OF INACTIVATION 144 Physical Mechanisms 144 Chemical Mechanisms 145 Degradative Inactivation: The Role of Proteolysis and Turnover 145 Unknown Mechanisms � 147 METHODS FOR STUDYING INACTIVATION PROCESSES 147 General Characterization 147 Effects of Inhibitors 149 Use of Mutant Strains 149 Reactivation In Vivo and In Vitro 151 Following the Fate of the Enzyme Protein During Inactivation . 151 Reconstruction In Vitro 153 CONCLUDING COMMENTS . 154
Serologic demonstration of a thymus-dependent population of lymph-node cells.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether the sensitivity of murine lymph-node cells to isoantibodies against the ϑ and Ly-antigens depends on the presence of the thymus. Neonatal and adult mice of various strains were thymectomized and their lymph-node cells tested at various intervals after thymectomy. Following either neonatal or adult thymectomy, the lymph-node cells of RIII/Jem mice lost their sensitivity to the cytotoxic effect of ϑ-AKR antibodies. The lymph-node cells of neonatally thymectomized C57BL/6 mice became refractory to the cytotoxic effect of ϑ-C3H antibodies, whereas the cells of neonatally thymectomized DBA/1 mice became refractory to ϑ-C3H and Ly-antibodies. In C3H/An mice, neonatal thymectomy resulted in an almost complete loss of the sensitivity of lymph-node cells to ϑ-C3H and Ly-antibodies. Some neonatally thymectomized RIII mice were grafted with allogeneic thymuses, and their lymph nodes were examined 2 to 3 weeks later. The lymph nodes of such reconstituted animals contained cells displaying the ϑ isoantigenicity distinctive for the thymic graft. In addition, these lymph nodes contained a slightly greater number of host cells sensitive to ϑ antibodies than did the lymph nodes of thymectomized littermates which did not receive thymus grafts. These results indicate that the lymph-node cells which are sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of ϑ and Ly-isoantibodies are thymus-dependent, and that at least some of them are thymus-derived. Moreover, the thymus may possibly affect the expression of the ϑ and Ly-antigens in lymph-node cells by an indirect control mechanism.
Biochemical markers and skeletal metastases

Skeletal metastases are common occurrences in patients with malignancies such as breast and prostate carcinoma, but they are difficult to diagnose nonradiologically, and treatment is difficult to follow clinically. Recent developments suggest that biochemical markers of bone remodeling, such as the bone collagen breakdown product N‐telopeptide and the bone formation marker known as bone specific alkaline phosphatase, hold great promise as clinical tools for the management of patients with metastatic bone disease.
Advances in Silver Nanotechnology: An Update on Biomedical Applications and Future Perspectives

Abstract Nanotechnology is one of the most promising fields for producing new applications in nanotechnology, biotechnology, and medicine. However, only a few products have been used for nanotechnology, biotechnology, and medical purposes. Nanoparticles have been among the most usually applied nanomaterial in our health care system for hundreds of years. The most prominent nano product is nano silver which generally present at 1–100 nm in size in at least one dimension. Silver nanoparticles reveal remarkably unusual chemical, physical and biological properties and have been used for many different applications which detailed in this review. This review is focusing on the different form of silver nanoparticles and its nanotechnological, biotechnological and medical applications.
Mutational spectrum of the ZEB1 gene in corneal dystrophies supports a genotype-phenotype correlation.

PURPOSE Mutations in ZEB1 have been reported in posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPCD3; MIM #609141) and Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD6; MIM #613270). Although PPCD and keratoconus are clinically and pathologically distinct, PPCD has been associated with keratoconus, suggesting a common genetic basis. The purpose of our study was to perform mutational screening of the ZEB1 gene in patients affected with keratoconus or PPCD. METHODS Sanger sequencing of ZEB1 was performed in 70 unrelated patients with keratoconus and 18 unrelated patients with PPCD. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed on RNA from cultured corneal keratocytes obtained from a keratoconic patient harboring a missense ZEB1 mutation (p.Gln640His) undergoing corneal transplantation. RESULTS Mutational analysis of ZEB1 in PPCD identified a previously reported frameshift mutation (C.1578_1579INSG) and a novel nonsense mutation (C.2249C A) in exon 7 of ZEB1 causing the insertion of a stop codon: p.Ser750X. In the keratoconus cohort, a novel heterozygous pathogenic mutation in exon 7 (c.1920G > T; p.Gln640His) of ZEB1 was identified in a family affected with keratoconus and Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy. RT-qPCR performed on cultured corneal keratocytes harboring the missense ZEB1 mutation (p.Gln640His) demonstrated that COL4A1 and COL4A2 were markedly downregulated, and COL4A3, COL4A4, and COL8A2 were moderately downregulated. CONCLUSIONS Our data combined with the previously reported mutational spectrum of ZEB1 support a genotypephenotype correlation: missense substitutions in the ZEB1 protein are associated with FECD6 and keratoconus, whereas protein truncating ZEB1 mutations result in PPCD3. The dysregulation of α-type IV collagens represents a common link between ZEB1 mutation and the clinical phenotypes (PPCD3, FECD, and keratoconus).
Epidemic of diarrhea caused by Vibrio cholerae non-O1 that produced heat-stable toxin among Khmers in a camp in Thailand

An epidemic of a cholera-like disease occurred among Khmers in a camp in Aranyaprathet, Thailand, in May 1990. Of 215 patients with diarrhea, Vibrio cholerae O1 was isolated from 25 (12%) and V. cholerae non-O1 was isolated from 15 (7%). Five of 15 (33%) non-O1 V. cholerae isolates hybridized with two different oligonucleotide probes previously used to detect V. cholerae non-O1 that produces a heat-stable toxin. This is the first description of an epidemic of diarrhea caused by V. cholerae non-O1 that produces heat-stable toxin.