Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The prevalence and risk factors for Trichomonas vaginalis infection among HIV-infected pregnant women attending the antenatal clinics of a university teaching hospital in Lagos, South-western, Nigeria

Background: Trichomonas vaginalis infection is the most prevalent non-viral sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Interactions between this infection and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may cause adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm labour, premature rupture of membranes, chorioamnionitis, low birth weight and post-abortal sepsis. Aims: This study was aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of Trichomonas vaginalis infection among HIV positive pregnant women attending antenatal care at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos, Nigeria. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study in which 320 eligible participants which included 160 HIV positive (case group) and 160 HIV negative (control group) pregnant women were recruited at the antenatal clinic of LUTH. A structured proforma was used to collect data from consenting participants after which high vaginal swabs were collected, processed and examined for Trichomonas vaginalis. The association between categorical variables were tested using the Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test where applicable. All significances were reported at P<0.05. Results: The prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis infection among HIV-positive and HIV negative pregnant women were 10% and 8.1% respectively (P=0.559). Significant risk factors for Trichomonas vaginalis infection in the HIV-positive pregnant women were early Coitarche (P<0.005) and multiple lifetime sexual partners (P=0.021). There was no relationship between the Trichomonas vaginalis infection and the immunological markers of HIV infection. Conclusion: While this study does not provide grounds for universal screening of pregnant women for Trichomonas vaginalis contributing to the reduction in Trichomonas vaginalis infection during pregnancy and perinatal transmission of HIV.
Voluntary Wheel Running: A Useful Rodent Model for Investigating the Mechanisms of Stress Robustness and Neural Circuits of Exercise Motivation

Despite evidence that exercise reduces the negative impacts of stressor exposure and promotes stress robustness, health and well-being, most people fail to achieve recommended levels of physical activity. One reason for this failure could be our fundamental lack of understanding the brain motivational and motor circuits underlying voluntary exercise behavior. Wheel running is an animal model used to reveal mechanisms of exercise-induced stress robustness. Here we detail the strengths and weakness of wheel running as a model; and propose that running begins as a purposeful, goal-directed behavior that becomes habitual with continued access. This fresh perspective could aid in the development of novel strategies to motivate and sustain exercise behavior and maximize the stress-robust phenotype.
Population uptake of HIV testing, treatment, viral suppression, and male circumcision in Botswana: a cluster-randomized trial

Background— We sought to determine whether a community-based intervention to identify and rapidly treat persons living with HIV (PLWH) and support male circumcision (MC) could increase population levels of HIV diagnosis, treatment, viral suppression, and MC in Botswana. Methods— The Ya Tsie study was a pair-matched community-randomized trial conducted in 30 communities across Botswana from 2013–2018; 15 communities were randomized to receive HIV prevention and treatment interventions (including enhanced HIV testing, earlier antiretroviral treatment [ART], and strengthened MC services) and 15 received standard-of-care. We enrolled a cohort of residents aged 16–64 years from a random ~20% sample of households to assess baseline uptake of the following outcomes: (1) proportion known to be HIV-positive or tested HIV-negative in the preceding 12 months; (2) proportion of PLWH diagnosed and on ART; (3) proportion of PLWH on ART with viral suppression; and (4) proportion of HIV-negative men circumcised. In six communities all residents not previously enrolled in the longitudinal cohort completed an end-of-study survey to provide study-end coverage estimates. Differences in intervention uptake over time by arm were tested via paired student’s t-test. Findings— At baseline we enrolled 2,625 (n=805 PLWH; 403/402 in standard-of-care/ intervention communities) residents from the six communities also participating in the end-of-study survey. An additional 10,791 (n=2,691 PLWH; 1,338/1,353 in standard-of-care/intervention communities) residents completed an end-of-study survey in these communities. After accounting for baseline differences, at study-end, the proportion of PLWH who were diagnosed was significantly higher in the intervention arm (absolute increase of 9% to 93% [n=1,254 of
Mutant mice lacking the y isoform of protein kinase C show decreased behavioral actions of ethanol and altered function of y-aminobutyrate type A receptors

Calcium/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C, PKC) has been suggested to play a role in the sensitivity of y-aminobutyrate type A (GABAA) receptors to ethanol. We tested a line of null mutant mice that lacks the 'y isoform of PKC (PKCy) to determine the role of this brain-specific isoenzyme in ethanol sensitivity. We found that the mutation reduced the amount of PKCy immunore-activity in cerebellum to undetectable levels without altering the levels ofthe a, 8j3, or Pu isoforms of PKC. The mutant mice display reduced sensitivity to the effects of ethanol on loss of righting reflex and hypothermia but show normal responses to flunitrazepam or pentobarbital. Likewise, GABAA receptor function of isolated brain membranes showed that the mutation abolished the action of ethanol but did not alter actions of flunitrazepam or pentobarbital. These studies show the unique interactions of ethanol with GABAA receptors and suggest protein kinase isoenzymes as possible determinants of genetic differences in response to ethanol. Animals were scored as wild-type or mutants either by Southern blot analysis using DNA extracted from a small tail sample (18, 19) or by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. For PCR, DNA was amplified with primers for the neomycin gene insert (26) and for the PKC'y gene. PKCy primers were 5'-GCTC-CGACGAACTCTATGCCA-3' and 3'-GTGGAGTGAAG-CTGCGTGAGA-5'. Reactions were performed with the In-vitrogen Optimizer kit with the buffer N system.
Understanding the Time Course of Cancer-Associated Cognitive Decline: Does Impairment Precede Diagnosis?

It is increasingly clear that noncentral nervous system cancers and their treatment are associated with short- and long-term cognitive deficits (1,2). Cancer-associated cognitive decline (CACD) can have a profound effect on patients’ lives. Patients often report that CACD is distressing (3) and makes it difficult to resume work, social, and family activities (3,4). Although much empirical work has focused on how cancer treatment may impact cognitive performance, recent evidence suggests that cognition may be negatively impacted at the point of diagnosis (5,6). The source of these pretreatment differences may be shared risk factors for impaired cognitive functioning and cancer (7), as well as biological processes associated with tumor growth (8).
Rational Considerations about Development of Live Attenuated Y. pestis Vaccines

The risk of plague as a bioweapon has prompted increasing research efforts to develop plague vaccines due to its extreme virulence and the ease of its transmission. Subunit vaccines that contain F1 and LcrV antigens of Y. pestis have been tested for safety and immunogenicity, but doubts have been raised about whether subunit vaccines that engender antibody responses will protect against pneumonic plague, which requires both humeral and cellular immune responses for protection. The live, attenuated vaccine EV76, a pgm locus deficient Y. pestis strain, has been used for a long time in the Former Soviet Union and some Asian countries, but is not commercially available in the US and Europe due to safety concerns. However, the live attenuated Y. pestis vaccines are still considered to be the most effective way to prevent plague. In this review, we present our opinions about rationally creating live, safe and immunogenic Y. pestis vaccines with potential use for human based on established researches.
30-Year Trends in Nursing Home Composition and Quality since the Passage of OBRA.

Objective. — In 1987, the Omnibus Reconciliation Act (OBRA) called for a dramatic overhaul of the nursing home (NH) quality assurance system. This study examines trends in facility, resident, and quality characteristics since passage of that legislation. Methods. — We conducted univariate analyses of national data on U.S. NHs from three sources: (1) the 1985 National Nursing Home Survey (NNHS), (2) the 1992–2015 Online Survey Certification and Reporting (OSCAR) Data, and (3) LTCfocUS data for 2000–2015. We examined changes in NH characteristics, resident composition, and quality. Setting and Participants. — US NH facilities and residents between 1985 and 2015. Results. — The proportion of NHs that are Medicare and Medicaid certified, members of chains, and operating not-for-profit has increased over the past 30 years. There have also been reductions in occupancy and increases in the share of residents who are: racial/ethnic minorities, admitted for post-acute care, in need of physical assistance with daily activities, primarily supported by Medicare, and diagnosed with a psychiatric condition such as schizophrenia. With regards to NH quality, direct care staffing levels have increased. The proportion of residents physically restrained has decreased dramatically, coupled with changes in inappropriate antipsychotic (chemical restraint) use. Conclusions and Implications. — Together with changes in the long-term care market, the NHs of today look very different from NHs 30 years ago. The 30th anniversary of OBRA provides a unique opportunity to reflect, consider what we have learned, and think about the future of this and other sectors of long-term care. of with indicate the percent of residents with or bowel incontinence at the time of the
EGFR transactivation: mechanisms, pathophysiology and potential therapies in cardiovascular system

Accumulating studies suggest that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation is associated with the physiology and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system, and inhibition of EGFR activity is emerging as a potential therapeutic strategy to treat diseases, including hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, renal fibrosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm. The capacity of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists, such as angiotensin II (AngII), to promote EGFR signaling is well described – a process termed EGFR “transactivation” – yet delineating the molecular processes and functional relevance of this crosstalk has been challenging. Moreover, these critical findings are dispersed among many different fields. The aim of our review is to highlight the recent advancement of the signaling cascades and downstream consequences of EGFR transactivation within the cardiovascular renal system in vitro and in vivo. We will also focus on linking EGFR transactivation to animal models of the disease as well as the potential therapeutic applications.
UFP-101, a Peptide Antagonist Selective for the Nociceptin (cid:1) Orphanin FQ Receptor

Nociceptin (cid:1) orphanin FQ modulates various biological functions at central and peripheral levels by selectively activating a G-protein coupled receptor named N (cid:1) OFQ peptide (NOP) receptor. For extending our knowledge on the biological roles of the N (cid:1) OFQ – NOP receptor system the identification of selective NOP ligands, especially antagonists, is mandatory. [Nphe 1 , Arg 14 , Lys 15 ] N (cid:1) OFQ-NH 2 (UFP-101) is a novel NOP ligand that was designed by combining, in the same molecule, the [Nphe 1 ] chemical modification which eliminates efficacy and the [Arg 14 , Lys 15 ] substitution which increases ligand potency and duration of action in vivo . In the present article, we summarize the pharmacological features of UFP-101 as determined in a series of in vitro and in vivo assays. Moreover, some biological actions and possible therapeutic indications of NOP ligands are discussed on the basis of results obtained with UFP-101. Data obtained with this compound were compared with those generated using other NOP antagonists, especially J-113397 The analysis of the available data demonstrates that UFP-101 is a useful pharmacological tool for the investigation of the central and peripheral biological functions regulated by the N (cid:1) OFQ – NOP receptor system and for defining the therapeutic potential of NOP receptor ligands
The Interaction of Na 1 and K 1 in the Pore of Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels

The permeability ratio between K 1 and Na 1 ions in cyclic nucleotide-gated channels is close to 1, and the single channel conductance has almost the same value in the presence of K 1 or Na 1 . Therefore, K 1 and Na 1 ions are thought to permeate with identical properties. In the a -subunit from bovine rods there is a loop of three prolines at positions 365 to 367. When proline 365 is mutated to a threonine, a cysteine, or an alanine, mutant channels exhibit a complex interaction between K 1 and Na 1 ions. Indeed K 1 , Rb 1 and Cs 1 ions do not carry any significant macroscopic current through mutant channels P365T, P365C and P365A and block the current carried by Na 1 ions. Moreover in mutant P365T the presence of K 1 in the intracellular (or extracellular) medium caused the appearance of a large transient inward (or outward) current carried by Na 1 when the voltage command was quickly stepped to large negative (or positive) membrane voltages. This transient current is caused by a transient potentiation, i.e., an increase of the open probability. The permeation of organic cations through these mutant channels is almost identical to that through the wild type (w.t.) channel. Also in the w.t. channel a similar but smaller transient current is observed, associated to a slowing down of the channel gating evident when intracellular Na 1 is replaced with K 1 . As a consequence, a rather simple mechanism can explain the complex behavior here described: when a K 1 ion is occupying the pore there is a profound blockage of the channel and a potentiation of gating immediately after the K 1 ion is driven out. Potentiation occurs because K 1 ions slow down the rate constant K off controlling channel closure. These results indicate that K 1 and Na 1 ions do not permeate through CNG channels in the same way and that K 1 ions influence the channel gating.
Perspective Is it time for computable evidence synthesis?

Efforts aimed at increasing the pace of evidence synthesis have been primarily focused on the use of published articles, but these are a relatively delayed, incomplete, and at times biased source of study results data. Com-pared to those in bibliographic databases, structured results data available in trial registries may be more timely, complete, and accessible, but these data remain underutilized. Key advantages of using structured results data include the potential to automatically monitor the accumulation of relevant evidence and use it to signal when a systematic review requires updating, as well as to prospectively assign trials to already published reviews. Shifting focus to emerging sources of structured trial data may provide the impetus to build a more proactive and efﬁcient system of continuous evidence surveillance.
Case Report Intraventricular meningioma admixed with choroid plexus papilloma: a rare case report with review of literature

: A 42-year-old male presented with a history of headaches for the previous 2 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed a 3 cm-sized well-defined, enhancing mass in the atrium of the right lateral ventricle. The tumor comprised two heterogeneous components: approximately one-third of the tumor exhibited complex and delicate papillary fibrovascular cores lined with uniform cuboidal-to-columnar epithelial cells, whereas the remain ing part was seen as a solid sheet comprising ovoid-to-spindle cells with plump cytoplasm, which occasionally had a whorling pattern. Further, immunohistochemical staining with cytokeratin 7 (CK7) and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) clearly demarcated each component: the CK7+/EMA- choroid plexus papilloma and CK7-/EMA+ meningioma. This report provides a description of an unusual case of concomitant choroid plexus papilloma and ventricular meningioma presenting as a single mass, along with a review of relevant literature.
Ripple effect in the supply chain: an analysis and recent literature

In this study, the ripple effect in the supply chain is analysed. Ripple effect describes the impact of a disruption propagation on supply chain performance and disruption-based scope of changes in supply chain structural design and planning parameters. We delineate major features of the ripple effect as compared to the bullwhip effect. Subsequently, we review recent quantitative literature that tackled the ripple effect explicitly or implicitly and give our vision of the state of the art and perspectives. The literature is classified into mathematical optimisation, simulation, control theoretic and complexity and reliability research. We observe the reasons and mitigation strategies for the ripple effect in the supply chain and present the ripple effect control framework that includes redundancy, flexibility and resilience analysis. Even though a variety of valuable insights has been developed in the said area in recent years, some crucial research avenues have been identified for the near future.
Incidence, Clinic Presentation, and Outcomes of Pneumocystis Pneumonia when Utilizing Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Diagnosis in Patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma

A Polymerase Chain Reaction-based diagnosis of Pneumocystis Pneumonia (PCP) and the need for anti-Pneumocystis prophylaxis in Hodgkin Lymphoma patients receiving chemotherapy requires further investigation. This retrospective, single-center, study evaluated 506 consecutive adult patients diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma receiving chemotherapy between January 2006 and August 2018. The cumulative incidence of PCP 1 year after start of chemotherapy was 6.2% (95% CI 3.8%−8.5%). Mortality 30 days from PCP diagnosis was 8% (n=2) with one death attributable to PCP. Bleomycin-containing combination chemotherapy regimen was not significantly associated with a higher risk for PCP when compared to other regimens (HR=1.59, 95% CI 0.55–4.62 p=0.40). Anti-pneumocystis prophylaxis was not significantly associated with a decreased incidence of PCP (HR=0.51, 95% CI 0.15–1.71, p=0.28). As the overall incidence is above the commonly accepted 3.5% threshold, clinicians should consider the potential value of prophylaxis. The utility of universal vs. targeted anti-pneumocystis prophylaxis requires prospective, randomized investigation.
Is it time for the USA to engage in heart transplantation utilizing donation after circulatory death?

Donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors were utilized in the early days of human heart transplantation, before the dissemination of formalized brain death criteria (1,2). Since then, the transplant donor pool has shifted to donation after brain death (DBD) donors, which have the added benefit of foregoing the warm ischemia time period inherently associated with DCD organs. Due to a universal shortage of donor allografts, there has been renewed interest in DCD heart transplantation, which is not currently performed in the US (3-5). series of 23 transplants utilizing DCD St. provide a detailed description of their protocol and intermediate donor age was 29 years (range from 20-38). Their protocol accepted a warm ischemic time (defined as the time from withdrawal of mechanical ventilation until administration of cardioplegia) up to 30 minutes. The average time from withdrawal to asystole was only 10 minutes. After declaration of death, a 2-5 minute stand off period was employed. All hearts were perfusion stored with the Organ Care System, Transmedics Inc. (Andover, MA), and therefore, prior to explantation of the heart, roughly a liter of blood was removed from the donor to serve in the perfusate on the circuit. the received permission to administer heparin to the donors prior to Donor heart viability on the OCS device was gauged with the lactate profile, hemodynamic parameters and the overall appearance. Although initial lactate levels were high, utilized hearts displayed a down trending lactate level and evidence for lactate absorption on serial perfusate samples.
Three-Dimensional Printing of Tissue Engineering Scaffolds with Horizontal Pore and Composition Gradients

This work investigated a new three-dimensional (3D) printing methodology to prepare porous scaffolds containing horizontal pore and composition gradients. To achieve that, a multimaterial printing technology developed in our laboratory was adapted to incorporate pore gradients. Fibers were printed by welding segments with unique material compositions and ﬁber diameters. Particularly, we focused on the preparation of model composite poly( e -caprolactone)-based scaffolds with radial gradients of particulate hydroxyapatite (HA) content (higher concentrations in the outer region of the scaffold) and porosity (higher in the inner region). The morphology of the scaffolds revealed that the methodology allowed the fabrication of discrete regions with compressive mechanical properties similar to human trabecular bone while maintaining structural integrity. HA distribution was homogeneous within individual regions and no particle aggregation was detected by microCT analysis and Alizarin Red S staining. Finally, the incubation of the scaffolds in simulated body ﬂuid resulted in the deposition of signiﬁcantly higher amounts of calcium deposits in the regions of the scaffolds with higher HA content. This work provides a new tool for the preparation of porous scaffolds containing porosity and composition gradients for complex tissue engineering applications. we the development of a novel multimaterial segmented three-dimensional printing methodology to fabricate porous scaffolds containing discrete horizontal gradients of composition and porosity. This methodology is particularly beneﬁcial to preparing porous scaffolds with intricate structures and graded compositions for the regeneration of complex tissues. The technique presented is compatible with many commercially available bioprinters commonly used in biofabrication, and can be adapted to better replicate the architectural and compositional requirements of individual tissues compared with traditional scaffold printing methods. signiﬁcant increase in the compressive modulus of the composite scaffolds proportional to the amount of HA in the composition. The gradient scaffolds designed with an outer ring of PCL-HA30, a middle ring of PCL-HA15, and an inner region of PCL to compressive modulus ca.