Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Hierarchical Relationships in Female Sex Workers’ Social Networks Based on Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice

Female sex workers (FSWs) represent a high-risk population for HIV infection and transmission. In general, their fellow FSWs (peers) also play a role in their level of susceptibility to HIV/AIDS. This paper draws from interview data of 93 FSWs to construct a multi-layer FSW social network model based on their knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP). Statistical analyses of the correlation among the three dimensions of KAP as well as their social interactions indicated that FSWs had basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention but demonstrated little enthusiasm in acquiring relevant information. Their knowledge, attitude, and practice were highly positively correlated. Their attitude was more likely to be negatively influenced by their companions, while their practice was more likely to be positively affected. Besides, FSWs exhibited high homophily in KAP with their neighbors. Thus, during HIV/AIDS interventions, FSWs should receive individualized education based on their specific KAP. Considering the high level of homophily among FSWs, their propensity to be positive or negative in their KAP are significantly influenced by their companions. Making full use of peer education and social interaction-based interventions may help prevent and control the spread of HIV/AIDS.
N6-modified cAMP derivatives that activate protein kinase A also act as full agonists of murine HCN2 channels

cAMP acts as a second messenger in many cellular processes. Three protein types mainly mediate cAMP-induced effects: PKA, exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac), and cyclic nucleotide–modulated channels (cyclic nucleotide–gated or hyperpolarization-activated and cyclic nucleotide–modulated (HCN) channels). Discrimination among these cAMP signaling pathways requires specific targeting of only one protein. Previously, cAMP modifications at position N6 of the adenine ring (PKA) and position 2′-OH of the ribose (Epac) have been used to produce target-selective compounds. However, cyclic nucleotide–modulated ion channels were usually outside of the scope of these previous studies. These channels are widely distributed, so possible channel cross-activation by PKA- or Epac-selective agonists warrants serious consideration. Here we demonstrate the agonistic effects of three PKA-selective cAMP derivatives, N6-phenyladenosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (N6-Phe-cAMP), N6-benzyladenosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (N6-Bn-cAMP), and N6-benzoyl-adenosine-3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (N6-Bnz-cAMP), on murine HCN2 pacemaker channels. Electrophysiological characterization in Xenopus oocytes revealed that these derivatives differ in apparent affinities depending on the modification type but that their efficacy and effects on HCN2 activation kinetics are similar to those of cAMP. Docking experiments suggested a pivotal role of Arg-635 at the entrance of the binding pocket in HCN2, either causing stabilizing cation–π interactions with the aromatic ring in N6-Phe-cAMP or N6-Bn-cAMP or a steric clash with the aromatic ring in N6-Bnz-cAMP. A reduced apparent affinity of N6-Phe-cAMP toward the variants R635A and R635E strengthened that notion. We conclude that some PKA activators also effectively activate HCN2 channels. Hence, when studying PKA-mediated cAMP signaling with cAMP derivatives in a native environment, activation of HCN channels should be considered.
De invloed van belichting op automatische gezichtsherkenning

In toepassingen van digitale beeldbewerking en beeldanalyse speelt belichting vanzelfsprekend een grote rol. In bijvoorbeeld industriële beeldverwerking is de juiste keuze van de belichting vaak van kardinaal belang om een betrouwbaar en betaalbaar systeem te kunnen realiseren. Een voorbeeld is te zien in fig.1, waar met behulp van strijklicht (d.i. bijna parallel aan het oppervlak) defecten in rubberen afdichtingen zichtbaar worden gemaakt. Door het gebruik van strijklicht worden onregelmatigheden in het oppervlak goed zichtbaar en die zijn vervolgens met relatief eenvoudige beeldverwerkingsoperaties te extraheren.
Analysis of the uterine lumen in fertility-classified heifers: I. Glucose, prostaglandins, and lipids†

Abstract Survival and growth of the bovine conceptus (embryo and associated extraembryonic membranes) are dependent on endometrial secretions or histotroph found in the uterine lumen. Previously, serial embryo transfer was used to classify heifers as high fertile (HF), subfertile (SF), or infertile (IF). Here, we investigated specific histotroph components [glucose, prostaglandins (PGs), and lipids] in the uterine lumen of day 17 pregnant and open fertility-classified heifers. Concentrations of glucose in the uterine lumen were increased by pregnancy but did not differ among fertility-classified heifers. Differences in expression of genes encoding glucose transporters and involved with glycolysis and gluconeogenesis were observed between conceptuses collected from HF and SF heifers. In the uterine lumen, PGE2 and PGF2α were increased by pregnancy, and HF heifers had higher concentrations of PGE2, PGF2α, and 6-keto-PFG1α than SF heifers. Differences were found in expression of genes regulating PG signaling, arachidonic acid metabolism, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling among conceptuses and endometrium from fertility-classified heifers. Lipidomics was conducted exclusively in samples from HF heifers, and phosphatidylcholine was the main lipid class that increased in the uterine lumen by pregnancy. Expression of several lipid metabolism genes differed between HF and SF conceptuses, and a number of fatty acids were differentially abundant in the uterine lumen of pregnant HF and SF heifers. These results support the ideas that uterine luminal histotroph impacts conceptus survival and programs its development and is a facet of dysregulated conceptus–endometrial interactions that result in loss of the conceptus in SF cattle during the implantation period of pregnancy establishment. Summary Sentence Conceptus–endometrium interactions differ in fertility-classified heifers and impact uterine luminal contents.
Impact of multiple sclerosis phenotypes on burden of disease in Finland

Abstract Aims: The aim of this study was to quantify how multiple sclerosis (MS) phenotypes differ from each other in respect of costs and quality-of-life. Materials and methods: The study is based on survey data from Finnish patients with MS (n = 553). The information contained disease type, disease severity according to self-reported Expanded Disease Severity Scale (EDSS), healthcare resource use, and medication use. In addition, information related to employment and early retirement was collected. EQ-5D-VAS and Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29) instruments were used to collect quality-of-life data, and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) instrument for evaluating fatigue. Patients were stratified based on their disease type (relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), secondary progressive MS (SPMS), primary progressive MS (PPMS)) and disease severity. The data were primarily analyzed using summary statistics. Results: SPMS had the highest annual total cost (71,177€) followed by PPMS (51,082€) and RRMS (36,492€). Early retirement covered the greatest share of costs in RRMS (39%) and SPMS (43%). In PPMS, early retirement and professional care were the two most equally important cost drivers, contributing together 56% of the total costs. Direct healthcare costs were responsible for 33%, 19%, and 18% of total costs in RRMS, SPMS, and PPMS. The mean EDSS in RRMS, SPMS, and PPMS were 2.5, 5.5, and 5.9, respectively. Differences in the quality-of-life were observed with both disease specific (MSIS-29) and generic (EQ-5D-VAS) instruments. The mean utility value from EQ-5D among patients with RRMS, SPMS, and PPMS was 0.76, 0.52, and 0.49, respectively. In addition, patients with SPMS and PPMS were more likely to report fatigue than patients with RRMS. Conclusions: MS phenotype has an impact on costs and quality-of-life of the patients. Early retirement seems to be one of the most important contributors to MS-related costs.
Liquiritin Apioside Attenuates Laryngeal Chemoreflex but not Mechanoreflex in Rat Pups.

Liquiritin apioside (LA), a main flavonoid component of licorice, reportedly suppresses cough responses to inhalation of aerosolized capsaicin (CAP, a stimulant to TRPV1) in conscious guinea pigs via acting on peripheral nerves. However, the evidence of LA having a direct effect on airway sensory fibers is lacking. Considering the important role laryngeal chemoreceptors and mechanoreceptors play in triggering apnea and cough, we studied whether LA suppressed the apneic responses to stimulation of these receptors via directly acting on the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN). Intralaryngeal delivery of chemical [CAP, HCl, and distilled water (DW)] and mechanical [an air-pulse (AP)] stimulations was applied in anesthetized rat pups to evoke the apnea. These stimuli were repeated after intralaryngeal LA treatment or peri-SLN LA treatment to determine the direct effect of LA on the SLN. Our results showed that all stimuli triggered an immediate apnea. Intralaryngeal LA treatment significantly attenuated the apneic response to chemical but not mechanical stimulations. The same attenuation was observed after peri-SLN LA treatment. Owing that TRPV1 receptors of laryngeal C-fibers are responsible for the CAP-triggered apneas, LA impact on the activity of laryngeal C-neurons retrogradely traced by DiI was subsequently studied using a patch-clamp approach. LA pretreatment significantly altered the electrophysiological kinetics of CAP-induced currents in laryngeal C-neurons by reducing their amplitudes, increasing the rise times, and prolonging the decay times. In conclusion, our results, for the first time, reveal that LA suppresses the laryngeal chemoreceptor-mediated apnea by directly acting on the SLN (TRPV1 receptors of laryngeal C-fibers).
LC-ESI-QTOF/MS Characterization of Phenolic Compounds in Palm Fruits (Jelly and Fishtail Palm) and Their Potential Antioxidant Activities

Palm fruits have gained growing attention for their nutrition values and health promotion perspectives. They have a diverse range of bioactive compounds including carotenoids, vitamins, dietary fibres and especially polyphenolic compounds. These polyphenolic compounds contribute to the putative health benefits of palm fruits. Nevertheless, the detailed information about these polyphenols in palm fruits is limited. The present work was conducted to comprehensively characterize polyphenols in two palm fruits, jelly palm (Butia ordorata) and fishtail palm (Caryota uren), using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF/MS) and assess their antioxidant potential. The total phenolic content (TPC), total tannins content (TTC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant assay and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) scavenging abilities and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were higher in the jelly palm fruit while total flavonoid contents (TFC) were higher in the fishtail palm. The LC-ESI-QTOF/MS tentatively identified a total of 86 phenolic compounds in both jelly and fishtail palm fruits. Although both palm fruits exhibited different phenolic profiles, hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonols were the most common in both. In high performance liquid chromatography photodiode array (HPLC-PDA) quantification, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (317.46 ± 4.68 µg/g) and catechin (4724.00 ± 32.39 µg/g) were the most abundant phenolic acid and flavonoid quantified in the jelly palm fruit, respectively. Quercetin (557.28 ± 7.81 µg/g) and kaempferol 3-O-glucoside (220.99 ± 2.06 µg/g) were the most abundant flavonoids quantified in the fishtail palm. Our study indicates that palm fruit is a good source of polyphenols and has strong antioxidant potential for health promotion. Furthermore, this study provides the scientific basis for an exploitation of jelly and fishtail palm fruits in the food, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries.
Mitochondrial cristae as insulated transformers of metabolic energy

The mitochondrial inner membrane consists of the inner boundary membrane and invaginations called cristae, which differ in protein composition and likely have distinct functions. In this issue of The EMBO Journal, Wolf et al (2019) report that the cristae carry a higher membrane potential than the intervening boundary membranes. Their data suggest electro‐chemical discontinuity among segments of the inner membrane, implying that individual cristae may operate with some degree of independence.
Bacteria, Fungi and Archaea Domains in Rhizospheric Soil and Their Effects in Enhancing Agricultural Productivity

The persistent and undiscriminating application of chemicals as means to improve crop growth, development and yields for several years has become problematic to agricultural sustainability because of the adverse effects these chemicals have on the produce, consumers and beneficial microbes in the ecosystem. Therefore, for agricultural productivity to be sustained there are needs for better and suitable preferences which would be friendly to the ecosystem. The use of microbial metabolites has become an attractive and more feasible preference because they are versatile, degradable and ecofriendly, unlike chemicals. In order to achieve this aim, it is then imperative to explore microbes that are very close to the root of a plant, especially where they are more concentrated and have efficient activities called the rhizosphere. Extensive varieties of bacteria, archaea, fungi and other microbes are found inhabiting the rhizosphere with various interactions with the plant host. Therefore, this review explores various beneficial microbes such as bacteria, fungi and archaea and their roles in the environment in terms of acquisition of nutrients for plants for the purposes of plant growth and health. It also discusses the effect of root exudate on the rhizosphere microbiome and compares the three domains at molecular levels.
Evaluation of Anti-Diabetic Effect of Cinnamon in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type Ii in Kerbala City

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form and is characterized by the failure of cells to recognize and respond to insulin which is if not treated accurately, many complication almost always will occur (include cardiovascular, neurological and many others) . This study aims to determine the hypoglycemic effect of cinnamon (a kind of spices used for food in eastern and middle-east countries) in patients with type II DM as adjuvant therapy. Forty male patient of age ranging from 35-61 years old with type II DM (poorly controlled on oral anti-diabetic drugs) where clinical assigned for this study. The results reveled that cinnamon has a significant anti-diabetic effect in reduction of FBS, RBS and HbA1c with less extent effect on body weight reduction at p value <0.01. Keyword s : Cinnamon, Type II DM, FBS, RBS , HbA1c.
Orofacial Pain: Guidelines for Assessment, Diagnosis, and Management

Completely revised and updated, this new version of the AAOP Guidelines educates readers on the procedures of evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, and management of orofacial pain conditions based on the latest scientific knowledge. While the structure of the previous version has been maintained, this book offers evidence-based concepts where available and reflects many significant changes in the field of orofacial pain. For example, an entire chapter is now devoted to cervical disorders to emphasize the close relationships between some orofacial pain disorders and cervical pain disorders and to cast greater attention on their differences and similarities. Because they constitute a major part of orofacial pain and affect so many, temporomandibular disorders are the primary topic of several chapters as well as a major focus of the chapter of classification. Other important topics covered in detail include neuropathic pain conditions, odontogenic pain, and mucogingival disorders. This long-awaited edition arms clinicians with new insights and procedures for assessing, diagnosing, and managing patients who present with symptoms of orofacial pain.
Delphi Technique- A Review

Surveys play a major role in health sciences research. Delphi technique is a kind of detailed survey having diversified uses in dental research. It is a method for the systematic solicitation and collation of judgments on a particular topic through a set of carefully designed sequential questionnaires interspersed with summarized information and feedback of opinions derived from earlier responses. Many important clinical issues do not yield to randomized clinical trials or to stepwise quantitative data analysis. In such cases, professionals use their training and personal anecdotal experience to assist decision making in a variety of practice contexts. In these circumstances, consensus opinion of experts provides a formal structured process for decision making. Consensus procedures also use the resources of all participants, commit them to the project, and enhance the future decision-making ability of the group with regard to resolution of the clinical problem addressed. Delphi process consists of a series of rounds; in each round every participant worked through a questionnaire which has to be returned to the researcher who collected, edited, and returned to every participant, a statement of the position of the whole group and the participant’s own position about the research issue. Every participant reassesses their initial judgments about the information provided in previous iterations. This article aims at describing the methodology of Delphi technique.
South African Indians and HIV/AIDS: contextual factors in the experiences of HIV/AIDS in Chatsworth, KwaZulu-Natal.

This study set out to examine contextual level drivers of HIV among the South African Indian community of Chatsworth. Very little is currently known about HIV/AIDS among South African Indians. It was from this starting point that I set out to research this largely unexplored study topic, to gain insight into and understanding of the non-biological factors that underlie the spread of HIV/AIDS among people in Chatsworth. In-depth interviews, informal discussions and participant observation were carried out among community members, including members who were HIV positive. Findings revealed that poverty, gender power relations and stigma were major social factors contributing to the growth of HIV/AIDS within the South African Indian community of Chatsworth. Poverty places many in vulnerable positions, having to choose between treatment and disability grants to buy food for example, and gender inequalities make women more susceptible to contracting HIV than men. Culture plays a role in placing women in high risk situations. Furthermore stigma, denial and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS makes it very difficult for HIV positive people to disclose their status and to live their lives in the community. The importance of understanding the context in which the HIV/AIDS pandemic is occurring and the various cultural factors that play a role in the experience of HIV/AIDS in people‟s lives, is argued to be vital to the development of successful strategies to prevent and manage the disease.
Pharmacokinetics of voriconazole in horses and alpacas

There is a paucity of drug disposition studies in alpacas, and pharmacokinetic information would be helpful in determining appropriate antifungal treatment regimens in alpacas in the absence of approved agents for this species. Voriconazole is a new antifungal drug that has shown effectiveness in treating serious fungal infections and has the potential for being used in large animal veterinary medicine. The objective of this study was to determine the plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetic parameters of voriconazole after single-dose intravenous (IV) and oral administration to alpacas. Four alpacas were treated with single 4 mg/kg intravenous and oral administrations of voriconazole. Plasma voriconazole concentrations were measured by a high-performance liquid chromatography method. The mean terminal half-life (t1/2β) following IV and oral administration was 8.011 ± 2.879 and 8.748 ± 4.307 hours, respectively; mean maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) were 5.930 ± 1.132 and 1.700 ± 2.707 mg/L, respectively; and area under the curve from time zero extrapolated to infinity (AUC0-inf) was 38.50 ± 11.11 and 9.484 ± 6.983 mg-hr/L, respectively. The mean apparent systemic oral availability was low with a value of 22.74 ± 9.48 %. The drug plasma concentrations remained above 0.1 μg/mL for at least 24 hours after single IV dosing. The IV administration of 4 mg/kg/day voriconazole may be a safe and appropriate option for
Síndrome metabólico en menopausia: implicaciones de la terapia hormonal

Introduccion: La incidencia de enfermedad cardiovascular y sindrome metabolico en mujeres postmenopausicas es de 35%. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la relacion entre los diferentes parametros antropometricos y bioquimicos en pacientes con o sin terapia hormonal de reemplazo con sindrome metabolico. Material y metodos: Se realizo un estudio en una cohorte retrospectiva, con el analisis de casos de la Coordinacion de Peri y Postmenopausia del Instituto Nacional de Perinatologia Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes en el periodo comprendido entre 1998 y 2009; se incluyeron aquellas pacientes con diagnostico de sindrome metabolico. Las variables analizadas fueron: a) indicadores antropometricos; b) indicadores bioquimicos y c) niveles de tension arterial. Se formaron dos grupos: pacientes con terapia de reemplazo hormonal (Grupo I) y el otro con pacientes sin terapia hormonal (Grupo II). El analisis estadistico se realizo dependiendo de la variable, con prueba de chi cuadrada y t de Student y se calculo OR (IC 95%). Resultados: Se incluyeron 310 casos; el Grupo I se conformo por 121 casos y el Grupo II por 189 casos. No existieron diferencias estadisticamente signifi cativas en relacion a los indices antropometricos; de los indicadores bioquimicos, se encontraron diferencias en los valores de colesterol (p = 0. 024) y de la tension arterial, las diferencias se encontraron en la diastolica con (p de 90 mmHg. Conclusiones: Las pacientes con sindrome metabolico sin terapia hormonal tienen un mayor riesgo de desarrollar TAD > 90 mmHg y una tendencia a mantener rangos mas elevados en el perfi l de lipidos y mayor riesgo de ABSTRACT
Registered Nurses’ Views on Competencies in Home Care

The aim of this article is to describe the everyday work of registered nurses and their views on what skills they use, require, and wish to develop when caring for persons in the home care system. As regards method, the participants comprised 20 registered nurses. Individual interviews were subjected to content analysis. The results reveal that registered nurses are in effect guests in a person’s home. Registered nurses’ everyday work comprises advanced nursing care, making difficult decisions, and solving fundamental nursing problems. Registered nurses have a negative attitude to using evidence-based knowledge. The conclusions show that the demand for advanced nursing care competence has increased. As consultants, registered nurses need to delegate and teach the staff basic nursing care. They need to develop competencies in psychiatric and palliative nursing care and improve their handling of specific items of technical equipment.