Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cataract surgery for the developing world

Purpose of review To review surveys published within the last year concerning the prevalence of cataract blindness, rates of cataract surgical coverage and visual outcomes of cataract surgery in various developing countries, and to review recent studies that compare the different cataract surgical techniques used in developing countries. Recent findings Up to 75% of blindness (visual acuity below 20/400) is due to cataract. Cataract remains the most common treatable cause of blindness. Reported cataract surgical coverage is low, and visual outcomes are poor and necessitate improvement. Phacoemulsification is the preferred technique for cataract surgery in developed countries, but large-scale implementation in developing countries may prove to be a challenge. An alternative surgical technique, manual sutureless small incision extracapsular cataract surgery, has been increasing in popularity, as the technique has been shown to yield similar surgical outcomes as phacoemulsification. Summary Treating cataract blindness worldwide continues to be a formidable challenge. Significant barriers include cost, lack of population awareness, shortage of trained personnel and poor surgical outcomes. Both phacoemulsification and manual small incision extracapsular cataract surgery achieve excellent visual outcomes with low complication rates, but manual small incision extracapsular cataract surgery is significantly faster, less expensive and requires less technology. Therefore, manual small incision extracapsular cataract surgery may be the preferred technique for cataract surgery in the developing world.
The angiotensin II type 1 receptor mediates renal interstitial content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in diabetic rats.

A unique microdialysis technique was used to demonstrate that increased levels of angiotensin II (Ang II) and consequent stimulation of the Ang II type 1 (AT(1)) receptor increase the renal content of TNF-alpha in diabetes. Recovery of Ang II and TNF-alpha in renal interstitial fluid (RIF) was measured in conscious rats before and weekly for 12 wk after induction of diabetes with streptozocin and in response to oral valsartan (10 mg/kg.d). Recovery of Ang II in RIF was significantly higher in diabetic rats than in nondiabetic rats. In diabetic rats, RIF recovery of TNF-alpha increased by approximately 67% over baseline, whereas it was unchanged in nondiabetic rats. AT(1) receptor blockade with valsartan prevented the increase in TNF-alpha in the diabetic group. This study shows that diabetes is associated with an increase in the vasoconstrictive hormone Ang II and the inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha, both of which play a role in accelerating renal function decline in diabetic nephropathy. The study also confirms that valsartan reduces intrarenal level of TNF-alpha by acting on Ang II at the AT(1) receptor level. This finding of a potential antiinflammatory effect for valsartan is new and in addition to its known antihypertensive effects.
Design of a circular polarization array antenna using triple feed structure

This paper describes an effort to design and characterize a patch antenna with circular polarization by using a single feeding technique instead of multiple feeding or any switching devices or couplers. Here a single feed is split into three feed lines to ensure orthogonal modes on each radiating patches. Both-sided MIC technology is used to realize the proposed array antenna. The proposed antenna consists of 4 patch elements and microstrip feed lines on the obverse side of the Teflon dielectric substrate. The ground plane and the slot lines are on the reverse side of the substrate. The dielectric constant er is 2.15. The antenna is able to radiate at 10 GHz (X band) which is demonstrated and verified through proper simulation technique.
Cardiac and renal baroreflex control during stress in conscious renovascular hypertensive rabbits: effect of rilmenidine

Objective We examined whether renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and heart rate (HR) baroreflexes in conscious rabbits were altered by exposure to a combination of stress and hypertension and determined how this was modified by acute and chronic treatment with the sympathoinhibitory agent rilmenidine. Methods Rabbits were made hypertensive with a renal-artery clip and a renal nerve recording electrode was implanted 4–5 weeks later. After recovery, baroreflexes were measured before and during airjet stress and again after receiving rilmenidine (either acutely or by infusion for 3 weeks). Results Renal clipping increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) and shifted baroreflex RSNA and HR curves rightward. The HR and RSNA upper plateaus were similar to those of normotensive animals but HR baroreflex sensitivity was reduced in the hypertensive group. Airjet stress lowered HR baroreflex sensitivity in sham but not in hypertensive rabbits. By contrast, stress increased the baroreflex-induced maximum RSNA in hypertensive animals but not in normotensive rabbits. MAP variability was greater in the hypertensive group but was unaffected by airjet stress. Acute and chronic rilmenidine lowered MAP to close to normotensive levels, markedly reduced MAP variability and RSNA but did not prevent the RSNA baroreflex facilitation produced by airjet stress. Conclusion Baroreflex control of HR was diminished by either hypertension or acute airjet stress but the effects were not additive. Although the baroreflex-induced RSNA maximum was increased by stress only in hypertensive animals, rilmenidine was effective in minimizing the reflex autonomic disturbances produced by hypertension and stress.
Protective Immunity against Eimeria acervulina following In Ovo Immunization with a Recombinant Subunit Vaccine and Cytokine Genes

ABSTRACT A purified recombinant protein from Eimeria acervulina (3-1E) was used to vaccinate chickens in ovo against coccidiosis both alone and in combination with expression plasmids encoding the interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, IL-16, IL-17, IL-18, or gamma interferon (IFN-γ) gene. When used alone, vaccination with 100 or 500 μg of 3-1E resulted in significantly decreased oocyst shedding compared with that in nonvaccinated chickens. Simultaneous vaccination of the 3-1E protein with the IL-1, -15, -16, or -17 gene induced higher serum antibody responses than 3-1E alone. To evaluate protective intestinal immunity, vaccinated birds were challenged with live E. acervulina oocysts 14 days posthatch, and fecal-oocyst shedding and body weight gain were determined as parameters of coccidiosis. Chickens vaccinated with 3-1E protein showed significantly lower oocyst shedding and normal body weight gain than nonvaccinated and infected controls. Simultaneous immunization with 3-1E and the IL-2, -15, -17, or -18 or IFN-γ gene further reduced oocyst shedding compared with that achieved with 3-1E alone. These results provide the first evidence that in ovo vaccination with the recombinant 3-1E Eimeria protein induces protective intestinal immunity against coccidiosis, and this effect was enhanced by coadministration of genes encoding immunity-related cytokines.
Parents’ decision-making about the human papillomavirus vaccine for their daughters: I. Quantitative results

Vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) is an effective primary prevention measure for HPV-related diseases. For children and young adolescents, the uptake of the vaccine is contingent on parental consent. This study sought to identify key differences between parents who obtain (acceptors) and parents who refuse (non-acceptors) the HPV vaccine for their daughters. In the context of a free, universal, school-based HPV vaccination program in Québec, 774 parents of 9–10 year-old girls completed and returned a questionnaire by mail. The questionnaire was based on the theoretical constructs of the Health Belief Model (HBM), along with constructs from other theoretical frameworks. Of the 774 parents, 88.2% reported their daughter having received the HPV vaccine. Perceived susceptibility of daughters to HPV infection, perceived benefits of the vaccine, perceived barriers (including safety of the vaccine), and cues to action significantly distinguished between parents whose daughters had received the HPV vaccine and those whose daughters had not. Other significant factors associated with daughter vaccine uptake were parents’ general vaccination attitudes, anticipated regret, adherence to other routinely recommended vaccines, social norms, and positive media influence. The results of this study identify a number of important correlates related to parents' decisions to accept or refuse the HPV vaccine uptake for their daughters. Future work may benefit from targeting such factors and incorporating other health behavior theories in the design of effective HPV vaccine uptake interventions.
Testing from a Z Specification

This paper looks at the formal analysis of Z specifications in order to enhance the testing process. An algorithm is given that rewrites the specification to a form from which both a partition of the input domain and the states of a finite state automaton model can be derived. Test cases can be derived from the former and an automated system to control the testing process can be based upon the latter. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of Integrated Virological and Epidemiological Reports of Norovirus Outbreaks Collected within the Foodborne Viruses in Europe Network from 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2006

ABSTRACT The Foodborne Viruses in Europe network has developed integrated epidemiological and virological outbreak reporting with aggregation and sharing of data through a joint database. We analyzed data from reported outbreaks of norovirus (NoV)-caused gastroenteritis from 13 European countries (July 2001 to July 2006) for trends in time and indications of different epidemiology of genotypes and variants. Of the 13 countries participating in this surveillance network, 11 were capable of collecting integrated epidemiological and virological surveillance data and 10 countries reported outbreaks throughout the entire period. Large differences in the numbers and rates of reported outbreaks per country were observed, reflecting the differences in the focus and coverage of national surveillance systems. GII.4 strains predominated throughout the 5-year surveillance period, but the proportion of outbreaks associated with GII.4 rose remarkably during years in which NoV activity was particularly high. Spring and summer peaks indicated the emergence of genetically distinct variants within GII.4 across Europe and were followed by increased NoV activity during the 2002-2003 and 2004-2005 winter seasons. GII.4 viruses predominated in health care settings and in person-to-person transmission. The consecutive emergence of new GII.4 variants is highly indicative of immune-driven selection. Their predominance in health care settings suggests properties that facilitate transmission in settings with a high concentration of people such as higher virus loads in excreta or a higher incidence of vomiting. Understanding the mechanisms driving the changes in epidemiology and clinical impact of these rapidly evolving RNA viruses is essential to design effective intervention and prevention measures.
Asymmetric dimethylarginine and related metabolites in exhaled breath condensate of children with cystic fibrosis

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) competitively inhibits nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Its levels in specimens from murine models and asthmatic patients are related to inflammation and oxidative stress. Patients with cystic fibrosis(CF) reportedly have higher arginase activity, lower NO production and NOS expression than healthy controls.
A conformational change in Sindbis virus glycoproteins E1 and E2 is detected at the plasma membrane as a consequence of early virus-cell interaction

A conformational change in the structure of Sindbis (SB) virus was detected after virion attachment to baby hamster kidney cells but before internalization. The alteration was manifested as increased virion binding of certain glycoprotein E1 and E2 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that recognized transitional epitopes. These epitopes were inaccessible to MAb on native virions but became accessible to their cognate MAbs in the early stages of infection. Transit of virions through a low-pH compartment apparently was not required for the conformational change. Exposure of transitional epitopes was unaffected by treatment of BHK cells with NH4Cl and occurred normally in Chinese hamster ovary cells temperature sensitive for endosomal acidification. However, the rearrangement was correlated with both the time course and temperature dependence of SB virus penetration, and the rearrangement occurred earlier with an SB virus mutant having an accelerated penetration phenotype. In addition, MAb to a transitional epitope, a probe specific for rearranged particles, retarded penetration of infectious virions. These results suggested that the SB virus E1/E2 glycoprotein spike undergoes a structural rearrangement as a consequence of virion interaction with the cell surface and that this altered virion form may be an important early intermediate in an entry pathway leading to productive infection.
Assessment of physical disability using Barthel index among elderly of rural areas of district Jhansi (U.P), India

Introduction: The health of the elderly will be an important issue defining the health status of a population. With the rise in aged population, there is a greater need to look into their physical disability aspects, which is otherwise neglected. The rationale behind the study is to assess the physical disability of the elderly living in rural area of Jhansi. The aims of the study were to study the prevalence of physical disability among the elderly of rural area, and to find out the factors and association affecting the physical disability. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in a Baragaon block of rural area of Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India, from July 2015 to October 2015. Multistage random sampling was performed. A total of 265 participants of age 60 years and above were selected. Physical disability was assessed using Barthel index. Appropriate data entry and statistical analysis were done in EpiInfo. Frequency tables were used to calculate the prevalence, and Chi-square test was used to find out the association. Results: The overall prevalence of physical disability was 23.4%. 70% belongs to the age group from 60 to 69 years. Physical disability was significantly higher among age group >80 years. Similarly, women were more affected with physical disability than men. Conclusions: High prevalence of physical disability is the major area of concern. More extensive postdischarge health facilities to be provided to elderly.
Démotivation, apathie et dépression chez le sujet âgé.

Les troubles de la motivation de la personne âgee constituent une entite originale en psycho-geriatrie. Il s'agit principalement de demotivation et de renoncement a faire, a participer a une vie sociale cequi constitue un facteur aggravant de la dependance. La demotivation est frequente chez les personnes âgees. Ses consequences sont la perte d'interet pour les activites de la vie quotidienne, majorant d'autant le desapprentissage et a terme exposant aux risques de la regression. D'autres effets concernent la baisse de la vigilance et des processus attentionnels, la diminution de la perseverance, la fatigue et le desengagement de l'individu pour s'occuper d'autrui ou de lui-meme, la charge mentale toleree dans les tâches cognitives pour ne citer que les principales. Les troubles de la motivation recoupent plusieurs realites sociales, familiales, somatiques ou psychiatriques souvent intriquees. Ils peuvent etre isoles, resultant d'un etat acquis et appris de soumission a des representations d'inutilite d'etre et d'agir vehicules par l'environnement social et familial. La demotivation est un mecanisme de defense contre la pesanteur conjugale, familiale, institutionnelle, qu'elle consolide. C'est un refus d'aborder les crises incontournables, de lâcher prise devant des situations qu'il ne sera plus jamais possible de vivre: se reinvestir dans les realites encore accessibles n'est plus acceptable. La demotivation comporte trois versants : le refus de s'engager dans la satisfaction des desirs encore possibles, le renoncement a l'engagement relationnel et le repli sur soi, le refus de la vision de soi dans l'avenir et la perte de l'anticipation. L'apathie est une demotivation associee a un emoussement affectif. Demotivation et depression presentent des traits communs et des traits distinctifs. Ces deux entites ne semblent pas se majorer avec l'âge aussi bien chez les sujets normaux que chez les dements. La demotivation peut etre evaluee par une echelle, l'EAD, composee de 15 items et peut etre depistee par une version courte de l'EAD en 4 items. La prise en charge de la demotivation est globale, pharmacologique, psychologique et sociotherapique.
EngagedScholarship@CSU EngagedScholarship@CSU

OBJECTIVE: To determine long-term effects of early vs. delayed initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on immune recovery and tuberculosis (TB) risk in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals. DESIGN: Open-label randomized controlled trial of immediate ART in HIV-infected adults with CD4 counts between 200 and 350 cells/mm 3 vs. deferring ART until the CD4 count was , 200 cells/mm 3 . The primary comparisons were CD4 counts over time and risk for incident TB, with 5 years of follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 816 participants were enrolled, with 408 in each treatment arm. The early treatment group started ART within 2 weeks, while the deferred treatment group started ART a median of 1.3 years after enrollment. After 5 years, the mean CD4 count in the early treatment group was significantly higher than in the deferred treatment group (496 cells/mm 3 , 95% confidence interval [CI] 477–515 vs. 373 cells/mm 3 , 95%CI 357–389; P , 0.0001). TB risk was higher in the deferred treatment group (unadjusted HR 2.41, 95%CI 1.56–3.74; P , 0.0001) and strongly correlated with lower CD4 counts in time-dependent multivariate analysis. CO N CL US I ON : Delays in ART initiation for HIV-infected adults with CD4 counts of 200–350 cells/mm 3 can result in long-term immune dysfunction and persistent increased risk for TB. K E Y W O R D S : human immunodeficiency virus; TB incidence
Collaboration between ZEBET, FRAME and ECVAM: FRAME's Contribution to Establishing the Three Rs in Europe

FRAME has more than any other institution contributed to the implementation of the Three Rs concept in Europe. The first step was achieved by establishing the European Research Group on Alternatives to Toxicity Testing (ERGATT), in which individual scientists in several European countries began to collaborate to promote the development and validation of in vitro toxicity tests in order to refine, reduce and replace the use of animals in toxicity testing. The first successful project was the start of the INVITOX in vitro toxicology database, which is today managed by ECVAM. Major milestones were the establishment in 1989 of ZEBET, the first national centre for alternatives, in Germany, and of ECVAM in 1991. In 1990, ERGATT and CAAT organised a workshop in Amden, Switzerland, at which European and US scientists developed the concept of experimental validation of toxicity tests, which today remains the basis for the independent, scientific validation process. ECVAM has applied this validation concept in all of its successful validation studies, which have provided in vitro toxicity tests that have been accepted for regulatory purposes by the EU Commission and by the OECD. By re-launching the ATLA journal in 1983, FRAME provided another powerful scientific tool for promoting the Three Rs in Europe and around the world. The close cooperation of scientists from FRAME, ZEBET and ECVAM has most effectively promoted and established the Three Rs as the basic scientific, ethical and legal concept for refining, reducing and replacing the use of experimental animals.
Craniorachischisis and omphalocele in a stillborn cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis)

Nonhuman primates have been a common animal model to evaluate experimentally induced malformations. Reports on spontaneous malformations are important in determining the background incidence of congenital anomalies in specific species and in evaluating experimental results. Here we report on a stillborn cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) with multiple congenital anomalies from the colony maintained at the Southwest National Primate Research Center at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas. Physical findings included low birth weight, craniorachischisis, facial abnormalities, omphalocele, malrotation of the gut with areas of atresia and intussusception, a Meckel diverticulum, arthrogryposis, patent ductus arteriosus, and patent foramen ovale. The macaque had normal male external genitalia, but undescended testes. Gestational age was unknown but was estimated from measurements of the limbs and other developmental criteria. Although cytogenetic analysis was not possible due to the tissues being in an advanced state of decomposition, array Comparative Genomic Hybridization analysis using human bacterial artificial chromosome clones was successful in effectively eliminating aneuploidy or any copy number changes greater than approximately 3–5 Mb as a cause of the malformations. Further evaluation of the animal included extensive imaging of the skeletal and neural tissue defects. The animal's congenital anomalies are discussed in relation to the current hypotheses attempting to explain the frequent association of neural tube defects with other abnormalities. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
V2 control with capacitor current ramp compensation using lossless capacitor current sensing

V2 control is a popular control architecture in point-of-load Buck converters due to its simplicity and fast transient response. V2 control with ceramic capacitor has instability issue. This paper reviews the existing solutions and their limitations are studied. A solution using output capacitor current ramp to stabilize the control loop is proposed. The analog capacitor current sensing method based on impedance match is used in the implementation of lossless current sensing. A small signal equivalent circuit is proposed for the analysis of the proposed control method. The proposed solution is superior to existing compensation methods for the excellent transient response for a wide range of duty cycle. The effectiveness of the concept and implementation are verified by experimental results.