Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of adjunctive corticosteroids for the treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia on mortality and subsequent complications.

OBJECTIVE To assess the long-term safety of adjunctive corticosteroids in the treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). DESIGN Analysis of data from a large prospective observational database. SETTING HIV clinic at a large urban teaching hospital. PATIENTS One hundred seventy-four patients who developed PCP after being enrolled in the database. RESULTS Fifty-three patients (30%) received adjunctive corticosteroids and 121 (70%) did not. Survival did not differ between groups after adjusting for CD4 count (relative risk for adjunctive corticosteroids = 0.74, p = 0.13). There were no differences in the incidence of cytomegalovirus disease (adjunctive corticosteroids: 18.5 cases per 100 person-years vs no adjunctive corticosteroids: 15.7, p = 0.22), Mycobacterium avium complex (23.4 vs 27.0, p = 0.73), cryptococcal meningitis (1.8 vs 4.1, p = 0.58), toxoplasmosis (3.6 vs 11.0, p = 0.28), Kaposi's sarcoma (1.8 vs 2.2, p = 0.92), herpes simplex (27.1 vs 42.7, p = 0.66), herpes zoster (3.8 vs 6.9, p = 0.71), oropharyngeal candidiasis (18.9 vs 10.9, p = 0.09), or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (3.5 vs 4.2, p = 0.92). Esophageal candidiasis was more common among adjunctive corticosteroid recipients (45.1 vs 26.6, p = 0.01). Results were similar for time to development of opportunistic conditions. CONCLUSIONS Adjunctive corticosteroids do not increase mortality or the risk of most common HIV-associated complications.
Distress and motivation for smoking cessation among lung cancer patients' relatives who smoke.

BACKGROUND Heightened distress at the time of a loved one's lung cancer diagnosis may motivate relatives to quit smoking or could undermine cessation. METHODS Relatives of new lung cancer patients at Duke were surveyed by telephone to assess diagnosis-related depression, distress, and motivation for smoking cessation. RESULTS Relatives who reported above average avoidant and intrusive thinking patterns, depressive symptoms or worry were more likely to report that the patient's diagnosis increased their intentions to quit than the less distressed. CONCLUSIONS Interventions are needed that encourage smoking cessation as a strategy for adaptively coping with a loved ones' lung cancer diagnosis.
SNARE Function Analyzed in Synaptobrevin/VAMP Knockout Mice

SNAREs (soluble NSF-attachment protein receptors) are generally acknowledged as central components of membrane fusion reactions, but their precise function has remained enigmatic. Competing hypotheses suggest roles for SNAREs in mediating the specificity of fusion, catalyzing fusion, or actually executing fusion. We generated knockout mice lacking synaptobrevin/VAMP 2, the vesicular SNARE protein responsible for synaptic vesicle fusion in forebrain synapses, to make use of the exquisite temporal resolution of electrophysiology in measuring fusion. In the absence of synaptobrevin 2, spontaneous synaptic vesicle fusion and fusion induced by hypertonic sucrose were decreased ∼10-fold, but fast Ca2+-triggered fusion was decreased more than 100-fold. Thus, synaptobrevin 2 may function in catalyzing fusion reactions and stabilizing fusion intermediates but is not absolutely required for synaptic fusion.
Diagnostic accuracy of a reagent strip for assessing urinary albumin excretion in the general population.

BACKGROUND Albuminuria is a sensitive marker of renal derangement and has been included in a number of studies investigating chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). This study is aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performances of a strip for measuring the albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) in the general population and to compare it with those found in a diabetic population. METHODS Urine samples were obtained from 201 consecutive subjects enrolled in an epidemiological study and from 259 type 2 diabetic patients. Urine was tested for albumin and creatinine using the strip (Clinitek Microalbumin) and laboratory methods. A hundred samples were stored under various conditions to assess analyte stability. RESULTS In the general population, the strip test reached a 90% sensitivity and 91% specificity, considering the laboratory method as the 'gold standard', sparing >80% of subjects the laboratory tests at the expense of a 1% false negative rate and an 8% false positive rate. Regarding sensitivity and specificity, the ACR test performs very similarly in the general population and in the diabetics. The stability study showed that storage at -20 degrees C induced a significant decrease in the albumin concentration with both methods, such that 5% of the samples were re-classified in the lower ACR class. Storage at -80 degrees C for up to 12 months did not affect the measurement with both methods. CONCLUSION Clinitek Microalbumin strips can be used for screening purposes in the general population since they correctly classify a significant percentage of subjects, particularly those with a normal albuminuria. Storage at -80 degrees C does not affect strip results. Screening with the strip and confirming positive results with a wet chemistry method are an efficient strategy for detecting albuminuria in the general population.
HIV in the female genital tract: viral shedding and mucosal immunity.

Considering that genital tract infection may be linked to mother-to-child transmission of HIV it is critical to gain a better understanding of HIV infection and mucosal immunity to HIV in the female genital tract. This paper summarizes existing knowledge of HIV infection and immunity in the female genital tract. Topics include the detection of HIV in the female genital tract correlates of HIV shedding impact of hormones and the menstrual cycle on HIV immunology of HIV infection HIV-mediated dysregulation of the immune system of the female genital mucosa correlates of protective immunity to HIV-1 sexual transmission and possible mediators of HIV infection. A notable conclusion is that after highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) both cervico-vaginal lavage (CVL) and systemic viral load can successfully be reduced. However to circumvent HIV transmission a long-lasting protective vaccine for both mucosal and systemic compartments is needed. Future vaccines should be designed and administered in mechanisms that will illicit not only systemic protection but also mucosal protection.
Dorsal determinants in the Xenopus egg are firmly associated with the vegetal cortex and behave like activators of the Wnt pathway.

The Xenopus egg contains maternal dorsal determinants that are specifically located at the vegetal cortex. To study physical and functional properties of the dorsal determinants, we took advantage of the animal-vegetal reversed embryo. The animal-vegetal reversed embryo is produced by inversion of the fertilized egg, which results in formation of ectoderm and endoderm from the unpigmented and the pigmented halves, respectively [Neff et al. (1983). Dev. Biol. 97, 103-112; Black and Gerhart (1985). Dev. Biol. 108, 310-324]. We demonstrated by cytoplasmic transplantation that the dorsal activity was specifically localized to the unpigmented cortical cytoplasm of the inverted egg, which is segregated into the future ectodermal lineage. This result suggests that the dorsal determinants are associated with the unpigmented cortex and are not dislodged by the inversion. In addition, we found that two vegetally localized transcripts, Xcat2 and Vg1 mRNAs, were present in the reversed animal pole of the inverted egg, suggesting their association with the unpigmented cortex. In order to compare the dorsal determinant activity with known dorsalizing molecules, we examined the expression pattern of Xnr3 and Siamois in the reversed embryo because these two genes are activated by the Wnt-pathway activators (Xwnt-8, beta-catenin, etc.) but not by other dorsalizing molecules (noggin, BVg1, etc.). Animal cap of the reversed embryo, which received the unpigmented cortex of the egg, expressed Xnr3 and Siamois. However, Mix.1, a marker expressed in endoderm and mesoderm in the normal embryo in response to mesodermal inducers, was not detected in the animal cap of the reversed embryo. In addition, we found that beta-catenin protein accumulated in nuclei of unpigmented animal pole cells of the reversed embryo. These results suggest that the maternal dorsal determinants behave more similarly to the Wnt-pathway activators than noggin or BVg1.
Expression and function of dipeptidyl‐aminopeptidase‐like protein 6 as a putative β‐subunit of human cardiac transient outward current encoded by Kv4.3

Dipeptidyl‐aminopeptidase‐like protein 6 (DPPX) was recently shown in the brain to modulate the kinetics of transient A‐type currents by accelerating inactivation and recovery from inactivation. Since the kinetics of human cardiac transient outward current (Ito) are not mimicked by coexpression of the α‐subunit Kv4.3 with its known β‐subunit KChIP2, we have tested the hypothesis that DPPX may serve as an additional β‐subunit in the human heart. With quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR strong mRNA expression of DPPX was detected in human ventricles and was verified at the protein level in human but not in rat heart by a DPPX‐specific antibody. Co‐expression of DPPX with Kv4.3 in Chinese hamster ovary cells produced Ito‐like currents, but compared with expression of KChIP2a and Kv4.3, the time constant of inactivation was faster, the potential of half‐maximum steady‐state inactivation was more negative and recovery from inactivation was delayed. Co‐expression of DPPX in addition to Kv4.3 and KChIP2a produced similar current kinetics as in human ventricular myocytes. We therefore propose that DPPX is an essential component of the native cardiac Ito channel complex in human heart.
Thresholds for 60 Hz magnetic field stimulation of peripheral nerves in human subjects

The goal of the research reported here is to narrow the range of uncertainty about peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) thresholds associated with whole body magnetic field exposures at 50/60 Hz. This involved combining PNS thresholds measured in human subjects exposed to pulsed magnetic gradient fields with calculations of electric fields induced in detailed anatomical models of the body by that same exposure system. PNS thresholds at power frequencies (50/60 Hz) can be predicted from these data due to the wide range of pulse durations (70 μs to 1 ms), the length of the pulse trains (several tens of ms), and the exposure of a large part of the body to the magnetic field. These data together with the calculations of the rheobase electric field exceeded in 1% (E1%) of two anatomical body models, lead to a median PNS detection threshold of 47.9 ± 4.4 mT for a uniform 60 Hz magnetic field exposure coronal to the body. The threshold for the most sensitive 1% of the population is about 27.8 mT. These values are lower than PNS thresholds produced by magnetic fields with sagittal and vertical orientations or nonuniform exposures. Bioelectromagnetics 26:462–468, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Indoor sensor array test-bed(SATB) for direction finding applications at communication-band

An efficient sensor array test-bed compatible with direction finding indoor test applications at communication-band is developed. It provides the test flexibility of DF accuracy including the different antenna configuration, DF algorithms and modulation schemes considering with instrumental errors induced by multi-channel receivers. The ability of test-bed is useful for system designers who are involved in the development of DF system at communication-band. Further research will be investigated the DF accuracy of FHSS and the effects of interference signal, frequency offset and integration time.
Space: The Final Frontier

The USS Enterprise has been hit by a surprise attack from a Klingon fleet. Three warships attacked from all directions, knocking out the Enterprise's engines and causing heavy damage to the crew. Science officer Spock remains unconscious suffering from a concussion. Then the attacking ships vanished as quickly as they appeared, leaving behind only a mysterious orange gas cloud. Helmsman Sulu has been monitoring the crippled Enterprise's motion carefully as it drifts through space while Scotty's crew struggles desperately to repair the engines. Suddenly he realizes that the ship has been following a circular orbit which leads directly into the gas cloud! In the absence of Mr. Spock, Captain Kirk turns to you for advice. current location of Enterprise gas cloud [[From the diagram it's clear that Sulu happens to make this realization just as the Enterprise is at the greatest distance from the gas cloud. Call that distance R 0 , the Enterprise's speed v 0 , and the mass of the Enterprise m E. Make the reasonable assumptions that the gas cloud exerts a spherically symmetric central force and that its mass is much greater than that of the Enterprise. ]] (a.) How long will it be before the Enterprise runs into the gas cloud? (b.) Find the potential energy function U (r) for the cloud's force. (c.) Once the engines are repaired, Kirk decides to fire them directly away from the gas cloud. But before issuing the order, he asks you " How much kinetic energy will the engines have to generate to free us from the grip of the cloud? "
Dexamethasone-associated cross-linked actin network formation in human trabecular meshwork cells involves β3 integrin signaling.

PURPOSE To determine whether cross-linked actin networks (CLANs) formed in dexamethasone (DEX)-treated human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells are structurally similar to those formed after β3 integrin activation and involve αvβ3 integrin signaling. METHODS Two HTM cell strains and an αvβ3 integrin-overexpressing immortalized TM cell line were used. DEX- or ethanol-pretreated HTM cells were plated on fibronectin with or without β3 integrin-activating mAb AP-5. Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to identify phalloidin-labeled CLANs and to ascertain the presence of α-actinin, PIP(2), and syndecan-4 within them. β3 Integrin signaling involvement was determined using a PI3-kinase (LY294002) or Rac1 (NSC23766) inhibitor. αvβ3 Integrin expression levels and the β3 integrin activation state were determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis and immunofluorescence microscopy. RESULTS CLANs associated with either DEX treatment or β3 integrin activation contained syndecan-4, PIP(2), and α-actinin. In the absence of mAb AP-5, LY294002 did not affect DEX-associated CLAN formation, whereas NSC23766 decreased the percentage of CLAN-positive cells by 80%. In the presence of mAb AP-5, both inhibitors decreased DEX-associated CLAN formation. DEX pretreatment increased β3 integrin-induced CLAN formation nearly sixfold and the level of αvβ3 integrin expression and activation threefold compared with control cells. Activated β3 integrin-positive adhesions increased nearly fivefold in DEX-treated cells. αvβ3 Integrin overexpression in TM-1 cells increased CLAN formation twofold. CONCLUSIONS DEX-associated CLANs were structurally similar to those induced by mAb AP-5 and involved both increased expression and activation of αvβ3 integrins. Thus, glucocorticoid-induced CLAN formation may involve enhanced β3 integrin signaling in HTM cells, possibly by an inside-out signaling mechanism.
Stereotactic Navigation With a Registration Mask in Orbital Decompression Surgery: Preliminary Results

Purpose: Frameless stereotactic navigation has been widely adopted in multiple surgical specialties and has been increasingly used by oculoplastic surgeons. The authors report their preliminary results using navigation guidance with a registration mask for orbital decompressions. Methods: Stereotactic navigation with an adhesive autoregistration mask was used to guide consecutive orbital decompression surgeries for Graves’ orbitopathy performed by 1 surgeon at the authors’ institution from January 2014 to September 2014. Decompressions performed were 1 or 2 sided with medial, lateral, or balanced techniques. Navigation-guided operating technique and operating parameters are reported and compared with non–navigation-guided decompressions performed by the same surgeon in 2013. Results: Eleven decompressions were performed in 7 patients. The median age of the cohort was 60 years, and 5 patients were female. No intraoperative or late complications occurred with the registration mask or with the navigation system. Although initially longer than in decompressions performed without navigation, actual operating times consistently decreased with each sequential case until they were 8, 40, and 24 minutes shorter than surgeries performed without navigation for balanced, lateral, and medial decompressions, respectively. Conclusions: An autoregistration mask enables intraoperative navigation guidance that is associated with no complications in this small case series. Benefits include improved anatomical localization and shorter actual operating times after overcoming initial learning curve, especially for lateral wall decompressions. Navigation guidance may be useful for deep orbital procedures. They may also have utility in surgical training. Wider adoption of the technology will be driven by both efficiency and patient safety. Additional studies are warranted.
An exploration of factors that influence the regular consumption of water by Irish primary school children.

BACKGROUND Inadequate hydration has been linked to many factors that may impact on children's education and health. Teachers play an important role in the education and behaviour of children. Previous research has demonstrated low water intake amongst children and negative teachers' attitudes to water in the classroom. The present study aimed to explore teachers' knowledge about water and the perceived barriers to allowing children access to water during lesson time. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 teachers from primary schools in the Midlands of Ireland. Interviews were continued until there was saturation of the data. Thematic analysis of the data was conducted. RESULTS Participants had a poor knowledge of hydration requirements and the associated health benefits and effect on concentration. Low water intake amongst teachers and pupils, and barriers such as disruption to class and increased need to urinate, were reported. Teachers identified the hydration effect on learning as the education message most likely to influence the decision to allow water in the classroom. CONCLUSIONS The issues, opinions and perceived barriers raised by teachers as part of this qualitative research provide a basis for future health promotion around water.
Compliance with medication regimens for mental and physical disorders.

OBJECTIVE The authors reviewed research on medication compliance in psychiatric treatment and compared compliance rates with compliance rates in treatment of physical disorders. METHODS MEDLINE was used to locate reports in the literature on medication compliance in psychiatric treatment for the years 1975 through 1996. These reports and studies cited in the reports were reviewed to determine the methods used to assess compliance and the compliance rates reported. Ten reports describing assessment methods and including medication compliance rates for antidepressant medication and 24 reports for antipsychotic medication were selected. They were compared with 12 reports that used microelectronic monitoring to assess medication compliance of patients with a range of nonpsychiatric disorders. RESULTS Studies of psychiatric patients used various methods of estimating medication compliance, including interviews with patients, clinicians' judgment, and pill counts, but overall showed low rates of compliance. Patients receiving antipsychotics took an average of 58 percent of the recommended amount of the medications, with a range from 24 to 90 percent. Patients receiving antidepressants took 65 percent of the recommended amount, with a range from 40 to 90 percent. The mean compliance rate for patients with physical disorders was 76 percent, with a range from 60 to 92 percent, although the microelectronic monitoring showed frequent omission of doses and discontinuation of medication. CONCLUSIONS Compliance with medication regimens among patients with psychiatric disorders may be lower than among patients with physical disorders. However, the difference may be largely attributable to the methods used for estimating compliance. The findings suggest the need for new and improved methods for monitoring compliance and increasing patients' compliance with pharmacotherapy.
Discarded Cigarette Butts Attract Females and Kill the Progeny of Aedes albopictus

Abstract Discarded cigarette butts (DCB) waste occurs worldwide, pollutes landscapes, is unsightly, and results in added debris removal costs. There is, therefore, a great deal of current interest in making use of DCBs in beneficial ways. Despite evidence that DCBs are harmful to water fleas (Daphnia magna), which breed in aquatic environments as do mosquito larvae, their impact on dengue vectors is unknown. We examined whether Aedes albopictus alters its ovipositional responses, larval eclosion, and development in response to presence of DCBs in its habitats. We found oviposition activity in DCB-treated water similar to that of control water and that ovipositional activity in DCB solutions steadily increased over time as those solutions aged to 10 days. Larval eclosion was initially suppressed on day 1 in DCB solution, but increased thereafter to levels similar to control larval eclosion rates. The DCB–water solutions produced significantly higher mortality in both 1st and 2nd instars over control larvae for several days after initial exposure. Mortality rates decreased sharply 3 to 5 days postexposure as DCBs continued to decompose. We found increased survival rates during late development, but daily input of fresh DCBs prevented most young larvae from completing development. Taken together, these observations suggest that decomposing did not deter gravid Ae. albopictus females from ovipositing in treated containers and that DCB solutions had larvicidal effects on early instars. Our results are discussed in the context of DCB use to control container-breeding Ae. albopictus, a competent dengue vector in Asia and other parts of the world.
Physical activity and colon cancer: A case‐referent study in Stockholm

A population‐based case‐referent study on physical activity (during working and recreational hours) and colon cancer was performed in Stockholm in 1986‐1988. The study included 1,081 subjects. Low physical activity was associated with an excess risk of colon (but not rectum) cancer for both men and women, showing a dose‐response relationship with decreasing levels of physical activity. The effect was seen in the left colon (relative risk = 3.2, 95% confidence interval = 1.5–7.0) rather than in the right colon (relative risk =1.1, 0.5–2.5). These results persisted after adjustment for year of birth, gender, body mass, intake of total energy, protein, total fat, dietary fibre, and browned meat surface.