Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Treatment of HBV and HDV co-infection using lamivudine.

OBJECTIVE To see effect of Lamivudine on sero conversion of HBeAg positive cases co infected with Delta hepatitis. METHODS Hepatitis B positive patients with deranged liver functions for 6 months were tested for HBeAg, HBV DNA and anti-Delta virus (HDV), using ELISA. Patients were divided into 2 groups, group 1: HBeAg, HBV DNA positive (wild type) but delta negative and group 2: HBeAg, HBV DNA positive (wild type) with delta positive. Lamivudine (100 mg) was advised to both groups till sero-conversion. RESULTS Of 124 cases in year 1999-2005, 69 were in (Group 1), and 55 were in (Group 2). Eighty percent were males in both groups. ALT normalisation occurred in 75%, 24% cases within 6 months respectively. At the start of therapy mean HBeAg was 289 +/- 189 in group 1 and 142 +/- 160 in group 2. With treatment, the values did not change much till 12 months of therapy. The fall was significantly slow in delta positive cases. At 36 months 26 (38%) cases in group 1 and 9 (16.4%) cases in group 2 sero-converted. Nine cases in each group remained non-responders while 2 in each group relapsed. CONCLUSION Wild type of HBV/HDV co-infected cases have a 16% chance of seroconversion which negates the concept that once infected with delta virus there is not much that can be done.
Patients' Journeys to a Narcolepsy Diagnosis: A Physician Survey and Retrospective Chart Review

Abstract Narcolepsy is a lifelong disorder with potentially debilitating symptoms. Obtaining an accurate diagnosis often requires multiple tests and physician visits. This report describes results from an online, quantitative, company-sponsored survey in which physicians provided information from the charts of their patients with narcolepsy. Neurologists, pulmonologists, psychiatrists, and other specialists who were board certified in sleep medicine; had 2 to 30 years of clinical experience; and treated ≥ 5 narcolepsy patients per month were invited to complete ≤ 6 surveys using charts of patients who were treated for narcolepsy in the last 6 months. Data from 252 patients were collected from 77 physicians. Patients were predominantly male (55%), white (67%), and had a median age of 38 years (range: 12–83 years). Referral to the respondent physician was common, mainly from primary care physicians. The most common initial symptoms were excessive daytime sleepiness (91%), trouble staying awake during the day (44%), and trouble concentrating/functioning during the day (43%). Overall, initial symptoms were of at least moderate severity in 85% of patients. Most patients completed overnight polysomnography (83%), a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (76%), and/or the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (62%). The median time from patient-reported symptom onset to diagnosis was 22 months (range: 0–126 months); at least half saw ≥ 2 providers before being diagnosed; and 60% of patients had previously been misdiagnosed with other disorders, including depression (31%), insomnia (18%), and/or obstructive sleep apnea (13%). In this study, the journey to a narcolepsy diagnosis required evaluation by multiple physicians and took nearly 2 years in 50% of patients, and > 5 years in 18%. These data highlight the need for increased awareness of the signs and symptoms of narcolepsy.
Dietary Patt erns and Cognitive Decline in Aged Populations

Dietary Patterns and Cognitive Decline in Aged Populations by Austin Bowles, Master of Science Utah State University, 2011 Major Professor: Dr. Christopher Corcoran Department: Mathematics and Statistics In this paper, we discuss distinctive features of longitudinal studies, and illustrate two regression-based methods for the analysis of longitudinal data. A study of dietary patterns and cognitive decline (Cache County Memory Study) is used to motivate our discussion and analysis. Cognitive decline is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, the sixth leading cause of all deaths among Americans. The study attempted to identify dietary patterns associated with reduced risk of age-related cognitive decline in elderly populations. Higher levels of adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and/or Mediterranean diets were found to be associated with increased cognitive function at the beginning of the study. These differences were not strengthened or weakened over time, but were maintained over the 11 year duration of the study. Diets characterized by high intake of whole grains and nuts were also found to be associated with higher baseline cognitive function, but there was no evidence that these diets are associated with increased or decreased rates of decline after baseline. (52 pages)
Binding of secretory piece to polymeric IgA and IgM paraproteins in vitro.

By means of immunoelectrophoresis and the immunoselection technique the binding of free secretory piece to serum paraproteins of different classes was studied in vitro. Only the polymeric IgA and not the monomeric forms, nor paraproteins of IgG or IgD classes, were found to bind free secretory piece in vitro. This property was not dependent on the subclass or the light chain type of the tested paraproteins. In addition higher polymers of IgM with sedimentation coefficients of 25S to 30S also bound the secretory piece, whereas 19S forms did not.
EFFECT OF NEUROLEPTICS AND OTHER DRUGS ON MONOAMINE UPTAKE BY MEMBRANES OF ADRENAL CHROMAFFIN GRANULES

1 The effects have been investigated of various reserpine‐like, neuroleptic, antidepressant and other compounds on the adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate (ATP)‐dependent uptake of noradrenaline (NA) (reserpine‐sensitive) and tryptamine (reserpine‐resistant) by membranes of isolated chromaffin granules of bovine adrenal medulla. 2 Reserpine and Ro 4–1284 (2‐hydroxy‐2‐ethyl‐3‐isobutyl‐9,10‐dimethoxy‐hexahydro‐11bH‐benzo(a)quinolizine) as well as neuroleptics (e.g. chlorpromazine and haloperidol) inhibited the NA uptake, but the reserpine‐like drugs were more potent. In contrast, Ro 4–1284 showed a considerably weaker effect than the neuroleptics in interfering with tryptamine uptake. Chlorpromazine had about the same potency in inhibiting NA and tryptamine uptake, whereas the action of haloperidol was more pronounced on the uptake of NA than of tryptamine. 3 The relative potencies of neuroleptic drugs in inhibiting NA uptake by granule membranes in vitro corresponded only partly to their relative potencies in enhancing dopamine turnover in vivo. 4 The inhibition of NA uptake by chlorpromazine and Ro 4–1284 appeared to be of the noncompetitive type. 5 Chlorpromazine did not influence the decrease in ATP induced by granule membranes in the incubation medium. 6 Other basic, but not acidic compounds also inhibited NA uptake by granule membranes; their potency was of the order of that of chlorpromazine (antidepressants) or weaker (e.g. benzodiazepines). 7 In conclusion, the mechanism of action of neuroleptics probably differs from that of reserpine‐like drugs in the inhibition of monoamine uptake by membranes of catecholamine storage organelles. While interference with the granular storage of dopamine at the granule membrane level may contribute to the in vivo action of neuroleptics (e.g. in enhancing dopamine turnover), additional effects of these drugs must be involved in vivo, e.g. blockade of pre‐ and postsynaptic dopamine receptors.
Lack of prion protein expression results in a neuronal phenotype sensitive to stress

The prion protein is a highly conserved glycoprotein expressed most highly in the synapse. Evidence has recently been put forward to suggest that the prion protein is an antioxidant. However, the functional importance of the prion protein has been disputed; it is claimed that mice genetically ablated to lack prion protein expression are normal and have no specific phenotype. We have reexamined the phenotype of prion protein knockout mice and found that there are multiple biochemical changes in the mice, including increased levels of nuclear factor NF‐κB and Mn superoxide dismutase, COX‐IV decreased levels of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity, decreased p53, and altered melatonin levels. Additionally, cultured cells from these mice are more sensitive to a range of insults, all linked to increased neuronal sensitivity to oxidative stress. These results imply that prion protein knockout mice are more sensitive to oxidative stress and have an altered phenotype that must be taken into account when considering the additional effects of increased levels of proteins such as Doppel. The implication of these results is that the consequence of genetic ablation of genes must include biochemical analysis as well as analyses of possible developmental and behavioral changes. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Harmonics Cancellation in Noncontact Microwave Doppler Radar Cardiopulmonary Sensing

This paper addresses the challenge of respiration harmonics cancellation in microwave Doppler radar cardiopulmonary sensing. A new signal processor based on adaptive noise cancellation is proposed. When the heartbeat signal is easily overwhelmed by the respiration harmonics, the traditional band-pass filters are used to separate heartbeat signal from the respiration signal, then the LMS-based multi-notch filter is implemented to filter the respiration harmonics. Experimental results from a 2.4GHz continuous wave Doppler radar show that the respiration harmonics can be effectively removed and more accurate measurement of heartbeat rates can be obtained.
Activation of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell suppressor function by analogs of the selecting peptide

CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells can undergo both thymic selection and peripheral expansion in response to self peptides that are agonists for their T cell receptors (TCR). However, the specificity by which these TCR must recognize peptide:MHC complexes to activate Treg cell function is not known. We show that CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells can mediate suppression in response to peptides that are only weakly cross‐reactive with the self peptide that induced their formation in vivo. Moreover, suppression could be efficiently activated by peptide analogs that were inefficient at inducing CD69 up‐regulation, and that also induced little or no proliferation of naïve CD4+CD25–Foxp3– T cells expressing the same TCR. These findings provide evidence that self peptide‐specific CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells can exert regulatory function in response to self‐ and/or pathogen‐derived peptides with which they are only weakly cross‐reactive.
Savanna Vegetation-Fire-Climate Relationships Differ Among Continents

Surveying Savannas Savannas are structurally similar across the three major continents where they occur, leading to the assumption that the factors controlling vegetation structure and function are broadly similar, too. Lehmann et al. (p. 548) report the results of an extensive analysis of ground-based tree abundance in savannas, sampled at more than 2000 sites in Africa, Australia, and South America. All savannas, independent of region, shared a common functional property in the way that moisture and fire regulated tree abundance. However, despite qualitative similarity in the moisture–fire–tree-biomass relationships among continents, key quantitative differences exist among the three regions, presumably as a result of unique evolutionary histories and climatic domains. Evolution cannot be overlooked when aiming to predict the potential global impacts on savanna dynamics in a warming world. Ecologists have long sought to understand the factors controlling the structure of savanna vegetation. Using data from 2154 sites in savannas across Africa, Australia, and South America, we found that increasing moisture availability drives increases in fire and tree basal area, whereas fire reduces tree basal area. However, among continents, the magnitude of these effects varied substantially, so that a single model cannot adequately represent savanna woody biomass across these regions. Historical and environmental differences drive the regional variation in the functional relationships between woody vegetation, fire, and climate. These same differences will determine the regional responses of vegetation to future climates, with implications for global carbon stocks.
Light affine lambda calculus and polytime strong normalization

Light linear logic (LLL) and its variant, intuitionistic light affine logic (ILAL), are logics of polytime computation. All polynomial-time functions are representable by proofs of these logics (via the proofs-as-programs correspondence), and, conversely, that there is a specific reduction (cut-elimination) strategy which normalizes a given proof in polynomial time (the latter may well be called the polytime "weak" normalization theorem). In this paper, we introduce an untyped term calculus, called the light affine lambda calculus (/spl lambda//sub LA/), generalizing the essential ideas of light logics into an untyped framework. It is a simple modification of the /spl lambda/-calculus, and has ILAL as a type assignment system. Then, in this generalized setting, we prove the polytime "strong" normalization theorem: any reduction strategy normalizes a given /spl lambda//sub LA/ term (of fixed depth) in a polynomial number of reduction steps, and indeed in polynomial time.
Weighted oscillator strengths and lifetimes for the neutral oxygen spectrum, O I

The weighted oscillator strengths (gf) and the lifetimes for O I presented in this work were obtained in a multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock relativistic (HFR) approach. In this calculation, the electro-static parameters were optimized by a least-squares procedure, in order to improve the adjustment to experimental energy levels. This method produces gf-values that are in better agreement with intensity observations and lifetime values that are closer to the experimental ones. In this work we present all the experimentally known electric dipole atomic transitions and energy levels for the O I spectrum.
Agricultural intensification and the collapse of Europe's farmland bird populations

The populations of farmland birds in Europe declined markedly during the last quarter of the 20th century, representing a severe threat to biodiversity. Here, we assess whether declines in the populations and ranges of farmland birds across Europe reflect differences in agricultural intensity, which arise largely through differences in political history. Population and range changes were modelled in terms of a number of indices of agricultural intensity. Population declines and range contractions were significantly greater in countries with more intensive agriculture, and significantly higher in the European Union (EU) than in former communist countries. Cereal yield alone explained over 30% of the variation in population trends. The results suggest that recent trends in agriculture have had deleterious and measurable effects on bird populations on a continental scale. We predict that the introduction of EU agricultural policies into former communist countries hoping to accede to the EU in the near future will result in significant declines in the important bird populations there.
Toward high available SDN/NFV-based Virtual Network Service in multi-providers scenario

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) are emerging as promising innovations for future network, which make Virtual Network Service (VNS) possible to be implemented broadly. It is the common truth that VNS is realized by the collaborations of multi-providers in practical scenario, where potential risks are lying in the collaborations. The primary risk is the availability of VNS. How to composite high available SDN/NFV-based VNS by multi providers is a fundamental problem for practical applications. In this paper, a high available SDN/NFV-based VNS scheme in multi-provider scenario is presented. This paper discusses the motivation concerning availability of VNS and presents a scheme to provide high available SDN/NFV-based Virtual Network Service in multi-provider scenario. The architecture of SDN/NFV integration and network service composition with certain security mechanism using the SDN/NFV integration in multi-providers scenarios are illustrated, which make an emphasis on availability of VNS. A use case is proposed to illustrate the features and advantages of the proposed scheme.
Periodontal effects of a biobehavioral prevention program.

The present study tested preventive regimens in older subjects using dental services sporadically. 297 persons aged 60-90 (mean age 72.8; 43% ethnic minorities), were randomly assigned to either a control group or four interventions with incrementally more complex preventive strategies; behavioral training (group 2), added weekly chlorhexidine rinse (group 3), added semi-annual fluoride varnish (group 4), and added semi-annual prophylaxis (group 5). The control group received dental care as they preferred, primarily emergency care. All subjects were re-examined annually for 3 years. At baseline, 190 (64%) of the subjects were considered at risk for future periodontal disease progression. At baseline there were no group differences for any clinical parameter studied. Gingival bleeding varied between 19% and 23% over time and with no group differences. After 1 year, the greater decrease in probing depth for group 5 approached significance compared to the control group (p<0.06). Clinical attachment levels (CAL) improved in group 5 compared to the control group (p<0.01 for mesio-buccal, p<0.05 for mid-buccal tooth surfaces). The group differences did not persist at year 3. At year 3 in group 1, 9.2% and in group 5, 4.9% subjects lost > or =2.0 mm CAL. 310 teeth (6.5%) were extracted during the study period. A 21% increased risk for tooth loss was found in group 2, a 15% reduced risk in group 3, a 28% reduced risk in group 4, and a 44% reduced risk in group 5 compared to the control group (Wald-statistics robust p-value 0.12). At year 3, the tooth mortality rate in groups 3, 4 and 5 combined was reduced to 59% and significantly lower than groups 1 and 2 together (p<0.04). Self-efficacy was the best predictor of periodontal disease progression (F=7.02, p<0.01). Thus older persons benefited from a preventive oral health care program.
Stop the revolving door: Implement retention initiatives that work

www.nursingmanagement. com In recent years, there has been a noticeable negative impact on retention caused by the economic climate, availability of qualified applicants, and four generations with unique needs trying to work together. West Virginia University Hospitals (WVUH), an academic medical center, recognized that its current recruitment and retention processes were no longer effective with the changing workforce. In 2011, first-year employee turnover of unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) on medical-surgical nursing units ranged from 54% to 89%. The turnover perpetuated turbulence on the units, increased demands of nurse educators, and pressured unit leadership to orient and retain new employees, which is costly to an organization. That’s when nursing, human resources (HR), and the education department agreed to invest in a strategic recruitment and retention plan that would yield a positive change, a reduction of first-year employee turnover, and a better understanding of retention factors. As part of the organization’s performance improvement plan, first-year turnover reduction became a goal in 2011 for multiple medical-surgical nursing units. In 2012, WVUH continued interventions to focus on attracting and retaining the best and brightest people—those who are committed to WVU healthcare. The success was measured by the unit leadership goals and turnover metrics. Stop the revolving door: Implement retention initiatives that work
Positron Emission Tomography with FDG in the Detection of Peritoneal and Retroperitoneal Metastases of Ovarian Cancer

Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate 18F-FDG-PET, in comparison with CT, for the detection of peritoneal and retroperitoneal metastases of ovarian cancer. Methodology: 13 patients with primary (n = 7) or recurrent (n = 6) ovarian cancer underwent an attenuation-corrected 18F-FDG-PET of the abdomen as well as a contrast-enhanced abdominal CT, followed by surgical staging. For data analysis, the abdomen was artificially divided into six regions (right and left subphrenic region, right and left paracolic gutter, retroperitoneum and central abdomen). All images were reviewed and each region was visually scored on 18F-FDG-PET as well as on CT. 18F-FDG-PET results were compared with those of CT, using the surgical data as gold standard. Results: 73 regions were evaluable surgically and or histologically. Sensitivity was slightly better for CT than for 18F-FDG-PET (74 vs. 66%). Metastases of <5 mm were missed with both techniques. Specificity, however, was clearly better for 18F-FDG-PET than for CT (94 vs. 77%), especially in patients with recurrent disease, where postoperative changes (hematomas, adhesions, etc.) caused more false positive results on CT. Retroperitoneal lymph node involvement was found in 3/13 patients. The result of 18F-FDG-PET for the retroperitoneal lymph nodes was correct in all cases, whereas CT was false positive in 2 patients. 18F-FDG-PET is relatively inaccurate for the right and the left subphrenic region (missing tumor involvement in 5 patients compared to 2 patients for CT). Conclusion: Given the low sensitivity of both 18F-FDG-PET and CT for the detection of peritoneal metastases, surgical staging remains the gold standard. Because of the better specificity, 18F-FDG-PET might be preferred for evaluating residual or recurrent disease after surgery. 18F-FDG-PET was more sensitive in the retroperitoneal region than intraperitoneal.
Multiple sclerosis: Altered glutamate homeostasis in lesions correlates with oligodendrocyte and axonal damage

Glutamate excitotoxicity, recently demonstrated in an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), is evoked by altered glutamate homeostasis. In the present study, we investigated the major regulating factors in glutamate excitotoxicity by immunohistochemistry in MS and control white matter with markers for glutamate production (glutaminase), glutamate transport (GLAST, GLT‐1 and EAAT‐1), glutamate metabolism (glutamate dehydrogenase [GDH] and glutamine synthetase [GS]), axonal damage (SMI 32) and CNS cell types. Active MS lesions showed high‐level glutaminase expression in macrophages and microglia in close proximity to dystrophic axons. Correlation between glutaminase expression and axonal damage was confirmed experimentally in animals. White matter from other inflammatory neurologic diseases displayed glutaminase reactivity, whereas normals and noninflammatory conditions showed none. All three glutamate transporters were expressed robustly, mainly on oligodendrocytes, in normal, control and MS white matter, except for GLT‐1, which showed low‐level expression around active MS lesions. GS and GDH were present in oligodendrocytes in normal and non‐MS white matter but were absent from both active and chronic silent MS lesions, suggesting lasting metabolic impediments. Thus, imbalanced glutamate homeostasis contributes to axonal and oligodendroglial pathology in MS. Manipulation of this imbalance may have therapeutic import.
Quantitative comparison of MR diffusion‐weighted imaging for liver focal lesions between 3.0T and 1.5T: Regions of interest of the minimum‐spot ADC, the largest possible solid part, and the maximum diameter in lesions

To quantitatively compare the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of 3.0T and 1.5T magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) protocols using regions of interest (ROIs) for the minimum ADC, largest solid part, and maximum diameter of lesions, for the detection of liver focal lesions.