Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Re-evaluating the burden of rabies in Africa and Asia.

OBJECTIVE To quantify the public health and economic burden of endemic canine rabies in Africa and Asia. METHODS Data from these regions were applied to a set of linked epidemiological and economic models. The human population at risk from endemic canine rabies was predicted using data on dog density, and human rabies deaths were estimated using a series of probability steps to determine the likelihood of clinical rabies developing in a person after being bitten by a dog suspected of having rabies. Model outputs on mortality and morbidity associated with rabies were used to calculate an improved disability-adjusted life year (DALY) score for the disease. The total societal cost incurred by the disease is presented. FINDINGS Human mortality from endemic canine rabies was estimated to be 55 000 deaths per year (90% confidence interval (CI) = 24 000-93 000). Deaths due to rabies are responsible for 1.74 million DALYs lost each year (90% CI = 0.75-2.93). An additional 0.04 million DALYs are lost through morbidity and mortality following side-effects of nerve-tissue vaccines. The estimated annual cost of rabies is USD 583.5 million (90% CI = USD 540.1-626.3 million). Patient-borne costs for post-exposure treatment form the bulk of expenditure, accounting for nearly half the total costs of rabies. CONCLUSION Rabies remains an important yet neglected disease in Africa and Asia. Disparities in the affordability and accessibility of post-exposure treatment and risks of exposure to rabid dogs result in a skewed distribution of the disease burden across society, with the major impact falling on those living in poor rural communities, in particular children.
Runx1/AML1 in Normal and Abnormal Hematopoiesis

Runx1/AML1 (also known as CBFA2 and PEBP2αB) is a Runt family transcription factor critical for normal hematopoiesis. Runx1 forms a heterodimer with CBFβ and binds to the consensus PEBP2 sequence through the Runt domain. Runx1 enhances gene transcription by interacting with transcriptional coactivators such as p300 and CREB-binding protein. However, Runx1 can also suppress gene transcription by interacting with transcriptional corepressors, including mSin3A, TLE (mammalian homolog of Groucho), and histone deacetylases. Runx1 not only is critical for definitive hematopoiesis in the fetus but also is required for normal megakaryocytic maturation and T-lymphocyte and B-lymphocyte development in adult mice. Runx1 has been identified in leukemia-associated chromosomal translocations, including t(8;21) (Runx1-ETO/MTG8), t(16;21) (Runx1-MTG16), t(3;21) (Runx1 -Evi1), t(12;21) (TEL-Runx1), and t(X;21) (Runx1-Fog2). The molecular mechanism of leukemogenesis by these fusion proteins is discussed. Various mutant mice expressing these fusion proteins have been created. However, expression of the fusion protein is not sufficient by itself to cause leukemia and likely requires additional events for leukemogenesis. Point mutations in a Runx1 allele cause haploinsufficiency and a biallelic null for Runx1, which are associated with familial platelet disorder with a propensity for acute myeloid leukemia (FPD/AML) and AML-M0, respectively. Thus, the correct protein structure and the precise dosage of Runx1 are essential for the maintenance of normal hematopoiesis.
Two independent gene signatures in pediatric t(4;11) acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients

Objective: Gene expression profiles become increasingly more important for diagnostic procedures, allowing clinical predictions including treatment response and outcome. However, the establishment of specific and robust gene signatures from microarray data sets requires the analysis of large numbers of patients and the application of complex biostatistical algorithms. Especially in case of rare diseases and due to these constrains, diagnostic centers with limited access to patients or bioinformatic resources are excluded from implementing these new technologies.
Improvement of Collaborative Filtering algorithm based on Hesitation Degree

With the fast development of World Wide Wed, Web-based applications and services should allow user to get the right personalized information quickly and effectively. Collaborative Filtering acts a very important role in web service personalization and Recommender System. In this paper, Hesitation Degree was proposed to improve the accuracy of collaboration filtering both based on item and user, kinds of Hesitation Degree were introduced into item and user similarity computation, and the results show that the prediction accuracy can be improved from 10 percents to 25 percents in different case, using this improved similarity algorithm, Mean Absolute Error can be also reduced faster than classic methods.
Effect of laser-induced thermotherapy on liver metastases

Laser-induced thermotherapy, or laser ablation, is an established minimally invasive percutaneous technique of tumor ablation. It is performed routinely in hepatic tumors and in other indications. Most patients treated with laser-induced thermotherapy suffer from liver metastases from primary tumors, particularly colorectal cancer. In this review, the local control rate, including morphological response and local recurrence, is evaluated. Survival data, including median survival time and 1-, 2- and 3-year survival, are discussed; treatment complications are also explored. The method of treatment performance and evaluation, results, and the authors’ views on the current status of treatment are outlined.
Congenital myasthenic syndromes and the neuromuscular junction.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are a group of heterogeneous inherited disorders caused by mutations in genes encoding proteins essential for the integrity of neuromuscular transmission. This review updates the reader on the new mutations of known CMS genes, new causative genes and the treatment strategies for these increasingly heterogeneous disorders. It also provides a brief summary of the congenital myopathies with myasthenic features. RECENT FINDINGS The discovery of causative genes encoding for ubiquitously expressed and extrajunctional molecules has changed our previous view of congenital myasthenia. Mutations associated with the N-glycosylation pathway and in the family of serine peptidases have shown that abnormalities in the post-translational modification of proteins can produce defects at the human neuromuscular junction. However, mutations in lipoprotein-like receptor 4, a long-time candidate gene for congenital myasthenia, have now been described and a new pathogenic splicing mutation in the nonfunctional exon of CHRNA1 has been reported. The use of salbutamol and ephedrine alone or combined with pyridostigmine or 3,4-DAP is increasingly being reported in different CMS subtypes with significant benefit. SUMMARY Recent studies of the CMS illustrate the increasing complexity of the genetics, pathophysiological mechanisms and therapy of impaired synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction.
Correlation of Clinical Changes with Regard to Thyroxine Replacement Therapy in Hypothyroid Patients – Focusing on the Change of Renal Function

Thyroid dysfunction has an important role in renal insufficiency. The aim of the study was to correlate the change of renal function with other clinical factors after thyroxine therapy in hypothyroid patients. A prospective study was designed and 30 hypothyroid patients were included. All study subjects received 0.15–0.2 mg/day thyroxine for 12 weeks. Diastolic blood pressure and serum levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and myoglobulin decreased significantly after thyroxine therapy. Serum creatinine decreased (0.87 ± 0.22 vs. 0.70 ± 0.17 mg/dl, p < 0.001) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) increased significantly (82.06 ± 31.08 vs. 100.31 ± 31.79 ml/min/1.73 m2; p < 0.001) after thyroxine replacement. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was significantly increased after thyroxine replacement (64.47 ± 11.94 vs. 72.40 ± 13.89%, p = 0.026). No significant vascular functional changes of peripheral (pulse wave velocity) and renal interlobar arteries (pulsatility index and resistance index) were noted. The change of eGFR significantly correlated with the changes of serum-free T4 (fT4), CPK, myoglobulin and LVEF. The correlation between the change of eGFR and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level was not significant. In conclusion, the GFR of hypothyroid patients increased significantly after thyroxine replacement. The change of GFR was significantly correlated with the changes of fT4, CPK, myoglobulin and LVEF, but not with TSH.
An integrated geospatial approach to monitoring the Bering glacier system, Alaska

The Bering Glacier is the largest and longest glacier in continental North America, with an area of approximately 5,175 km2 , and a length of 190 km. It is also the largest surging glacier in America, having surged at least five times during the twentieth century. The last surge of the Bering Glacier occurred in 1993-1995, since then, the glacier has undergone constant and significant retreat thereby expanding the boundaries of Vitus Lake and creating a highly dynamic system, both ecologically and hydrologically. This study utilized GIS to integrate remote sensing observations, with detailed bathymetric, hydrographic and in situ water quality measurements of the rapidly expanding Vitus Lake. Vitus Lake has nearly doubled in surface area from 58.4 km2 to 108.8 km2, with a corresponding increase in water volume from 6.1 km3 to 10.5 km3 over the same period. The remote sensing observations were used to direct a systematic bathymetric, hydrographic and water quality measurement survey in Vitus Lake which revealed a complex three dimensional structure that is the result of sea water inflow, convection generated by ice melting and the injection of fresh water from beneath the glacier
Detecting recombination with MCMC

MOTIVATION We present a statistical method for detecting recombination, whose objective is to accurately locate the recombinant breakpoints in DNA sequence alignments of small numbers of taxa (4 or 5). Our approach explicitly models the sequence of phylogenetic tree topologies along a multiple sequence alignment. Inference under this model is done in a Bayesian way, using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). The algorithm returns the site-dependent posterior probability of each tree topology, which is used for detecting recombinant regions and locating their breakpoints. RESULTS The method was tested on a synthetic and three real DNA sequence alignments, where it was found to outperform the established detection methods PLATO, RECPARS, and TOPAL.
Selective Inhibition of Early Axonal Regeneration by Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein

When the distal stump of a transected peripheral nerve is brought into the vicinity of the proximal nerve stump, the regenerating axons advance toward it across the gap. Similar results are obtained when a predegenerated nerve segment is used. However, when a nerve segment subjected to proximal axotomy 7 days earlier (7-day nerve segment) was placed close to the proximal end of a freshly cut nerve at a distance of less than 1.5 mm, there were neither regenerating axons nor sprouts. The same inhibition of axonal regeneration was also exhibited when a nerve segment subjected to axotomy 9 to 14 days earlier was used. To examine the inhibitory effect of the nerve segments on established regenerating axons, we positioned a 7-day nerve segment in close apposition to a proximal nerve end at 2 or 3 days after transection. The growth of the 3-day-old regenerating axons, already ensheathed by Schwann cells, was not disturbed, but the 2-day-old regenerating axons, consisting of naked axons, were eliminated by the 7-day nerve segment. It is assumed that the findings reflect a mechanism serving to eliminate abundant sprouts and immature axons, probably conferring optimum regeneration and maturation of outgrowing pioneer axons. The inhibitory effect on abundant sprouts and immature axons was completely blocked by local application of antibodies to myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG). The MAG-containing cells appeared at 6 to 12 days after axotomy.
A high efficient integrated planar transformer for primary-parallel isolated boost converters

A simple, easy to manufacture and high efficient integrated planar transformer design approach for primary parallel isolated boost converters is presented. Utilizing the same phase flux flow, transformers are integrated, reducing the total ferrite volume and core loss for the same peak flux density. Number of turns is minimized for easy manufacturing by cascade placement of planar cores increasing the effective cross-sectional area. AC losses in the windings as well as the leakage inductance of the transformer are kept low by extensive interleaving of the primary and secondary turns. The idea of transformer integration is further extended to multiple primary power stages using modular geometry of the planar core, further reducing the core loss and allowing a higher power density. To verify the validity of the design approach, a 4-kW prototype converter with two primary power stages is implemented for a fuel cell fed battery charger application with 50–110 V input and 65–105 V output. Input inductors are coupled for current sharing, eliminating the use of current sharing transformers. An efficiency of 94% is achieved during nominal operating condition where the input is 70-V and the output is 84-V.
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Among Latinas Attending Culturally Specific Educational Programs

Background. Latinas in the United States have higher morbidity and mortality rates for breast and cervical cancers (compared with non-Latina Whites), often due to lower screening rates. A community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach could help to improve screening rates by creating a culturally customized educational program for Latino men and women addressing low knowledge, gender roles, and spirituality. Objectives. This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of a culturally customized program (Esperanza y Vida [Hope and Life]) in increasing breast and cervical cancer screening among Latinas, and to examine how screening rates related to changes in cancer knowledge, differences in ethnic origins, and geographic location. Methods. Participants were recruited to attend either a breast and cervical (intervention) or diabetes (control) education program, within a randomized plan. Sixty-nine programs (44 intervention; 25 control) were conducted in Arkansas (AR; n = 39) and New York City (NYC; n = 30) with a total of 847 Latino men and women. Telephone follow-up data were collected on 49% of the women who consented to being contacted 2 months postintervention. Results. At the 2-month follow-up call, screening rates were significantly higher for the intervention versus the control group for clinical breast examination (CBE; 48% vs. 31%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–4.2), breast self-examination (45% vs. 27%; aOR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1–5.0), and Pap testing (51% vs. 30%; aOR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.1–14.1), but not for mammography (67% vs. 58%; aOR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.1–3.6). The aORs accounted for the significant effects of study site (AR vs. NYC) and marital status. Conclusions.Esperanza y Vida has the potential to reduce health disparities in breast and cervical cancer morbidity and mortality rates through increasing cancer screening and thereby increasing early detection.
Plasma membrane-localized transporter for aluminum in rice

Aluminum (Al) is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust, but its trivalent ionic form is highly toxic to all organisms at low concentrations. How Al enters cells has not been elucidated in any organisms. Herein, we report a transporter, Nrat1 (Nramp aluminum transporter 1), specific for trivalent Al ion in rice. Nrat1 belongs to the Nramp (natural resistance-associated macrophage protein) family, but shares a low similarity with other Nramp members. When expressed in yeast, Nrat1 transports trivalent Al ion, but not other divalent ions, such as manganese, iron, and cadmium, or the Al–citrate complex. Nrat1 is localized at the plasma membranes of all cells of root tips except epidermal cells. Knockout of Nrat1 resulted in decreased Al uptake, increased Al binding to cell wall, and enhanced Al sensitivity, but did not affect the tolerance to other metals. Expression of Nrat1 is up-regulated by Al in the roots and regulated by a C2H2 zinc finger transcription factor (ART1). We therefore concluded that Nrat1 is a plasma membrane-localized transporter for trivalent Al, which is required for a prior step of final Al detoxification through sequestration of Al into vacuoles.
Real-time nanofabrication with high-speed atomic force microscopy

The ability to follow nanoscale processes in real-time has obvious benefits for the future of material science. In particular, the ability to evaluate the success of fabrication processes in situ would be an advantage for many in the semiconductor industry. We report on the application of a previously described high-speed atomic force microscope (AFM) for nanofabrication. The specific fabrication method presented here concerns the modification of a silicon surface by locally oxidizing the region in the vicinity of the AFM tip. Oxide features were fabricated during imaging, with relative tip–sample velocities of up to 10 cm s−1, and with a data capture rate of 15 fps.
Increased Plasma Norepinephrine and Sympathetic Nervous Activity in Essential Hypertensive and Uremic Humans: Effects of Clonidine

&NA; We investigated the relationship between hypertension and increased sympathoadrenal activity in previously normotensive, stable maintenance hemodialysis patients (uremics) who developed hypertension subsequent to the onset of chronic renal failure. In age‐matched groups, supine morning plasma norepinephrine (NE) concentrations (pg/ml) were elevated in uremics (401 ± 26, p < 0.00001, n = 23) and essential hypertensives (340 ± 23, p < 0.01, n = 29) compared to normal controls (260 ± 18, n = 24). To further investigate the functional significance of increased sympathoadrenal activity in uremia, a subset of dialysis patients was studied during chronic clonidine therapy. Compared to placebo baseline, clonidine (mean dose 0.4 mg/day) caused parallel decreases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) (‐8 ± 2 mm Hg, p < 0.05), heart rate (HR) (‐ 13 ± 3 b/min, p < 0.05), plasma NE (‐84 ± 13 pg/ml, p < 0.01), and plasma epinephrine (‐24 ± 4 pg/ml, p < 0.01). Clonidine exerted balanced effects on cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance while blood volume and plasma renin activity were slightly increased. We conclude that the increased sympathoadrenal activity in uremia contributes to chronically increased arterial pressure in a pattern similar to essential hypertension. Central sympatholytic drugs are effective antihypertensive agents in uremia.
Thrombolysis or heparin therapy in massive pulmonary embolism with right ventricular dilation: results from a 128-patient monocenter registry.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To assess the potential benefit of thrombolysis in patients with massive pulmonary embolism (PE) with stable hemodynamics and right ventricular dysfunction. DESIGN Retrospective, cohort study. SETTING University-based, tertiary referral medical center. PATIENTS One hundred fifty-three consecutive patients with massive PE from January 1992 to December 1997 treated with heparin or thrombolysis. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Massive PE was confirmed by perfusion lung scan or pulmonary angiography. Right ventricular dysfunction was assessed by echocardiography (right ventricular/left ventricular [RV/LV] diastolic diameter ratio > 0.6) in all patients. In order to study a homogeneous population, 64 patients treated with thrombolysis (group 1) were matched on baseline RV/LV diameter ratio to 64 patients treated with heparin (group 2). Perfusion lung scan was repeated at day 7 to day 10. Mean relative improvement in perfusion lung scans was higher in group 1 than group 2 (54% vs 42%, respectively). PE recurrences were the same in both groups (4.7%; n = 3). There were no bleeding complications and no deaths in group 2. Conversely, in group 1, 15.6% (n = 10) of patients suffered from bleeding (4.7%; n = 3 with intracranial bleeding) and 6.25% (n = 4) of them died. CONCLUSIONS The results of this monocenter registry do not support the indication for thrombolysis in patients suffering from massive PE with stable hemodynamics and right ventricular dysfunction. Appropriate therapy in such patients still remains unknown. Further prospective randomized trials should be performed.
Ipsilateral Femoral Neck and Shaft Fractures: Complications and Their Treatment

An ipsilateral femoral neck fracture occurs in approximately 6% to 9% of all femoral shaft fractures. Despite this relatively common presentation, decision-making often is difficult. Furthermore, the risk for complications is greater in the treatment of this combination injury pattern than for single-level fractures. A retrospective review of the authors’ large trauma database revealed 13 patients who had healing complications develop after their index surgical procedure. Six of the eight (75%) femoral neck nonunions occurring in these 13 patients developed after the use of a second generation, reconstruction-type intramedullary nail. Factors contributing to nonunion of the femoral shaft were the presence of an open fracture, use of an unreamed, small diameter intramedullary nail, and prolonged delay to weightbearing. The femoral neck nonunions healed after either valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy (seven patients) or compression hip screw fixation (one patient). The femoral shaft nonunion proved more difficult than expected to treat with some patients with femoral shaft nonunions requiring more than one operative procedure to achieve union. Lag screw fixation of the femoral neck fracture and reamed intramedullary nailing for shaft fracture stabilization were associated with the fewest complications. Therefore, this approach is recommended as the treatment of choice.
Clinical features of 78 adults with 22q11 deletion syndrome

22q11 Deletion Syndrome (22q11DS) is a common microdeletion syndrome with multisystem expression. Phenotypic features vary with age, ascertainment, and assessment. We systematically assessed 78 adults (36 M, 42 F; mean age 31.5, SD 10.5 years) with a 22q11.2 deletion ascertained through an adult congenital cardiac clinic (n = 35), psychiatric‐related sources (n = 39), or as affected parents of subjects (n = 4). We recorded the lifetime prevalence of features requiring attention, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) not overlapping zero. Subtle learning difficulties, hypernasality and facial gestalt were not included. We investigated ascertainment effects using non‐overlapping subgroups ascertained with tetralogy of Fallot (n = 31) or schizophrenia (n = 31). Forty‐three features met inclusion criteria and were present in 5% or more patients, including several of later onset (e.g., hypothyroidism, cholelithiasis). Number of features per patient (median 9, range 3–22) correlated with hospitalizations (P = 0.0002) and, when congenital features were excluded, with age (P = 0.02). Adjusting for ascertainment, 25.8% (95% CI, 9.5–42.1%) of patients had cardiac anomalies and 22.6% (95% CI, 7.0–38.2%) had schizophrenia. Ascertainment subgroups were otherwise similar in median number and prevalence of features. Non‐characteristic features are common in 22q11DS. Adjusting for ascertainment effects is important. Many treatable conditions may be anticipated and features may accumulate over time. The results have implications for clinical assessment and management, genetic counseling and research into pathophysiological mechanisms. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.