Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pharmacy Students’ Knowledge and Perceptions About Pharmacovigilance in Malaysian Public Universities

Objective. To assess senior pharmacy students’ knowledge of and perceptions about pharmacovigilance and reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) at 5 public universities in Malaysia Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 1, 2010, and January 31, 2010, using a validated self-administered questionnaire delivered to a sample of 510 final-year (fourth-year) pharmacy students at 5 Malaysian public universities. Results. Four hundred twenty-one (84%) students responded to the survey. About 60% (n = 240) indicated that they had taken courses on the concept of pharmacovigilance during their current pharmacy curriculum. The mean score for knowledge about pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting was 6.9 ± 1.4. There was a significant difference in the mean scores for knowledge about pharmacovigilance across the 5 universities. The majority (82.3%) of respondents felt it was necessary to confirm the causal relationship between the drug and the ADR. About 57.8% (n = 241) of the respondents believed that pharmacy students are competent and capable of reporting ADRs during their clerkships. The majority (87.0%) of respondents perceived that pharmacy students should be taught how to report ADRs. Conclusion. The results of this study demonstrate that the majority of final-year pharmacy students in Malaysian public universities have insufficient knowledge about pharmacovigilance and ADR reporting.
A Comparative Analysis of the Rank Reversal Phenomenon in the EDAS and TOPSIS Methods

The rank reversal (RR) phenomenon could occur when new information about alternatives or criteria is added to the decision space of a discrete multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem. If this addition leads to a change in the original rank of alternatives, the RR phenomenon occurs. In this study, we analyze the RR phenomenon in a new MCDM method called EDAS (Evaluation based on Distance from Average Solution). For this purpose, three RR indices are defined, and the efficiency of the EDAS method is compared with the TOPSIS method through a simulation-based analysis. The results show that the EDAS method is more efficient than the TOPSIS method with respect to the defined RR measures.
Clinical Profile of Chinese Long-Term Parkinson’s Disease Survivors With 10 Years of Disease Duration and Beyond

Background Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients with 10 years or more survival (PD-10) are not well characterized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the main issues facing PD-10 patients and identify factors that independently contributed to quality of life (QoL). Methods A group of 121 PD-10 patients recruited from outpatient clinics participated in this cross-sectional study. Data on demographic and clinical factors were collected. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to identify determinants of poor QoL. Results The entire PD-10 patients had disease duration ranging from 10 to 23 years, with 84.2% of the total cohort skewed to between 10 and 15 years’ duration. The PD-10 patients had great frequency of left-sided onset, increased motor and non-motor symptoms as well as inferior QoL. The more advanced stage of disease in PD-10 patients was associated with motor phenotype, freezing of gait, higher UPDRS sub-scores and levodopa equivalent dose, less balanced confidence, fatigue, anxiety, depression, reduced quality of life and worse Timed Up & Go performance. Self-reported mood symptoms, decreased balance confidence and reduced daily activities were the three factors most closely associated with poorer QoL, but excessive daytime sleepiness and long disease duration additionally contributed to the explanatory power. Conclusions This is the first report to investigate the clinical characteristics of Chinese PD-10 patients. Our study may elucidate an important clue for understanding PD-10 patients in clinical practice and identifying patients with PD at risk for reduced QoL.
A double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Titanium-13Zirconium versus Titanium Grade IV small-diameter bone level implants in edentulous mandibles--results from a 1-year observation period.

BACKGROUND The use of endosseous dental implants has become common practice for the rehabilitation of edentulous patients, and a two-implant overdenture has been recommended as the standard of care. The use of small-diameter implants may extend treatment options and reduce the necessity for bone augmentation. However, the mechanical strength of titanium is limited, so titanium alloys with greater tensile and fatigue strength may be preferable. PURPOSE This randomized, controlled, double-blind, multicenter study investigated in a split-mouth model whether small-diameter implants made from Titanium-13Zirconium alloy (TiZr, Roxolid™) perform at least as well as Titanium Grade IV implants. METHODS AND MATERIALS Patients with an edentulous mandible received one TiZr and one Ti Grade IV small-diameter bone level implant (3.3 mm, SLActive®) in the interforaminal region. The site distribution was randomized and double-blinded. Outcome measures included change in radiological peri-implant bone level from surgery to 12 months post-insertion (primary), implant survival, success, soft tissue conditions, and safety (secondary). RESULTS Of 91 treated patients, 87 were available for the 12-month follow-up. Peri-implant bone level change (-0.3 ± 0.5 mm vs -0.3 ± 0.6 mm), plaque, and sulcus bleeding indices were not significantly different between TiZr and Ti Grade IV implants. Implant survival rates were 98.9 percent and 97.8 percent, success rates were 96.6 percent and 94.4 percent, respectively. Nineteen minor and no serious adverse events were related to the study devices. CONCLUSION This study confirms that TiZr small-diameter bone level implants provide at least the same outcomes after 12 months as Ti Grade IV bone level implants. The improved mechanical properties of TiZr implants may extend implant therapy to more challenging clinical situations.
Human IgG antibody profiles differentiate between symptomatic patients with and without colorectal cancer

Objective: Patients with cancer have antibodies against tumour antigens. Characterising the antibody repertoire may provide insights into aberrant cellular mechanisms in cancer development, ultimately leading to novel diagnostic or therapeutic targets. The aim of this study was to characterise the antibody profiles in patients whose symptoms warranted colonoscopy, to see if there was a difference in patients with and without colorectal cancer. Methods: Patients were recruited from a colonoscopy clinic. Individual serum samples from 43 patients with colorectal cancer and 40 patients with no cancer on colonoscopy were profiled on a 37 830 clone recombinant human protein array. Antigen expression was evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays. Results: Using a sex- and age-matched training set, 18 antigens associated with cancer and 4 associated with the absence of cancer (p<0.05) were identified and confirmed. To investigate the mechanisms triggering antibody responses to these antigens, antigen expression was examined in normal colorectal mucosa and colorectal carcinoma of the same patients. The identified antigens showed cellular accumulation (p53), aberrant cellular expression (high mobility group B1 (HMGB1)) and overexpression (tripartite motif-containing 28 (TRIM28), p53, HMGB1, transcription factor 3 (TCF3), longevity assurance gene homologue 5 (LASS5) and zinc finger protein 346 (ZNF346)) in colorectal cancer tissue compared with normal colorectal mucosa. Conclusions: It is demonstrated for the first time that screening high-density protein arrays identifies unique antibody profiles that discriminate between symptomatic patients with and without colorectal cancer. The differential expression of identified antigens suggests their involvement in aberrant cellular mechanisms in cancer.
Basiliximab Versus Steroids in Double Therapy Immunosuppression in Liver Transplantation: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial

Background. Basiliximab (B), an anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody, may represent an alternative to steroids (S) in immunosuppression after liver transplantation (LTx). The aim of this prospective randomized clinical trial was to compare B with S in a cyclosporin A (CsA)-based immunosuppression regimen in primary LTx. Methods. Forty-seven adult recipients of LTx were randomly assigned to receive B or S. CsA was administered at the initial dose of 10 mg/kg/day and adjusted to the target C2 level of 800 to 1000 ng/mL by day 7. Clinically suspected acute cellular rejection (ACR) was histologically confirmed. Endpoints include ACR, survival, and disease-free survival. Results. In group B (26 patients), there were seven biopsy-confirmed ACR with an ACR rate of 15.4%; in group S (21 patients), 8 ACR with an ACR rate of 28.6% (P=n.s.). Cumulative survival at 36 months after transplantation was 84.3% for group B and 61.0% for group S. In hepatitis C virus patients (n=20: 12 in group B, 8 in group S), the ACR rate was 25% in group B and 50% in group S. The incidence of infection and other adverse events was similar in the two treatment groups. Conclusions. B may represent a valid alternative to S in the induction of immunosuppression in LTx. Further studies of basiliximab in a large cohort are needed.
Nurses' orientation toward lifelong learning: a case study of Uganda's national hospital.

BACKGROUND The quality of nursing care in developing countries is poor, and attempts to improve it through continuing education programs are under way. Nurses' orientation toward lifelong learning has not been explored, despite its potential effect on the success of such programs. METHODS The Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JSPLL) was used to measure orientation toward lifelong learning among 200 nurses at Uganda's national hospital. RESULTS Most participants had fair orientation (52%) toward lifelong learning (JSPLL mean score = 36.8 [SD = 7.2]) and rated their skills in self-directed learning as good or excellent (44%). Reported barriers to lifelong learning included patient workload, lack of mentors, lack of library resources, and lack of computer skills. Nurses' orientation toward lifelong learning was significantly associated with professional experience (p ≤ .05), age (p ≤ .05), and education level (p ≤ .01). CONCLUSION In Uganda, nurses' orientation toward lifelong learning remains low, and this has implications for successful implementation of continuing education programs for nurses.
Retinoic acid modulation of mrna levels in malignant, nontransformed, and immortalized osteoblasts

Clonal cell lines presumably “arrested” at a particular stage of differentiation are useful models to study the processes of differentiation in osteoblasts. UMR‐201 is a presumptive preosteoblastic nontransformed rat clonal cell line with a limited life span in culture. Two immortalized cell lines, UMR‐201‐10A (10A) and UMR‐201‐10B (10B), were derived from UMR‐201 by stable transfection with simian virus (SV) 40 large T antigen. This study compares the growth and profile of gene expression of the immortalized cell lines with those of UMR‐201 and UMR‐106‐06, a rat clonal cell line with well‐defined osteoblast‐like phenotypic characteristics. All four cell lines constitutively expressed the mRNA for the γ, α, and β receptors for retinoic acid (RA), the growth hormone receptor, pro‐α1(I) collagen, osteonectin, bone proteoglycan I, and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) 1 and 2A. Alkaline phosphatase mRNA was absent in the preosteoblast cell lines but was induced by treatment with 10−6 M RA, which also increased the steady‐state levels of mRNA for osteopontin and BMP1. mRNA for matrix gla protein was constitutively present and further induced by RA in UMR‐201 and 10B only. Messenger RNA for bone sialoprotein and bone morphogenetic protein 3 were constitutively expressed in UMR‐106‐06 and UMR‐201 but absent in the immortalized cell lines. None of the cell lines expressed measurable mRNA for bone gla protein or bone proteoglycan II. 10B grew more rapidly than UMR‐201, but unlike UMR‐201, it was also able to proliferate in serum‐free medium and exhibit anchorage‐independent growth. In summary, this study identifies novel retinoic acid effects on gene expression in these cells. Differences noted in the expression of mRNAs between UMR‐106‐06 and the other cell lines may provide some insight into the sequence of expression of these phenotypic characteristics as osteoblasts differentiate.
The cortical localization of the lexicons. Positron emission tomography evidence.

Positron emission tomography was used to investigate changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in neurologically normal subjects during word reading and word repetition. The blood flow in these conditions was compared with control conditions where subjects were presented with stimuli of comparable auditory and visual complexity to real words and said the same word on presentation of each stimulus. The control condition for word repetition (hearing spoken words presented backwards) resulted in bilateral activation of the superior temporal gyrus. Word repetition caused a significant increase in rCBF over this control condition in the left superior and middle temporal gyri. The control condition for word reading (seeing stimuli written in 'false fonts', i.e. non-existent letter-like forms) resulted in significant changes in rCBF bilaterally in the striate and extrastriate cortex. Word reading caused a significant increase in blood flow relative to this control in the posterior part of the left middle temporal gyrus. The implications of these results are discussed, and it is argued that they are consistent with localization of a lexicon for spoken word recognition in the middle part of the left superior and middle temporal gyri, and a lexicon for written word recognition in the posterior part of the left middle temporal gyrus.
Volatility spillover in aquaculture and fisheries markets

Abstract While there have been a number of studies investigating the market integration between farmed and wild seafood, the relationship in terms of volatility has received little attention. However, with the high degree of market integration for similar species, one would also expect substantial volatility spillover. In this paper, we investigate the price volatility relationship between seafood from aquaculture and fisheries. Using trade data from 1990 to 2016, we assess both size and direction of volatility spillover over time, allowing us to evaluate the relative importance of both production techniques on seafood price volatility. Our results show a time-varying relationship as the level and direction of volatility spillover changes. Still, our results indicate that wild markets typically transmit price uncertainty to aquaculture markets, thus increasing the volatility in aquaculture markets. In addition, our results indicate that it requires a substantial (negative) supply shock to aquaculture production to shift volatility spillover from aquaculture to wild. These results add to previous studies confirming that prices of aquaculture products are less volatile than those of wild products and, in general, reduce volatility in seafood markets.
Diurnal changes in electrocorticogram sleep slow‐wave activity during development in rats

According to the homeostatic regulation of sleep, sleep pressure accumulates during wakefulness, further increases during sleep deprivation and dissipates during subsequent sleep. Sleep pressure is electrophysiologically reflected by electroencephalogram slow‐wave activity during non‐rapid eye movement sleep, and is thought to be stable across time. During childhood and adolescence the brain undergoes massive reorganization processes. Slow‐wave activity during these developmental periods has been shown in humans to follow an inverted U‐shaped trajectory, which recently was replicated in rats. The goal of this study was to investigate in rats the diurnal changes of slow‐wave activity during the inverted U‐shaped developmental trajectory of slow‐wave activity. To do so, we performed longitudinal electrocorticogram recordings, and compared the level of slow‐wave activity at the beginning with the slow‐wave activity level at the end of 24‐h baselines in two sets of Sprague–Dawley rats. In younger animals (n = 17) we investigated specific postnatal days when overall slow‐wave activity increases (postnatal day 26), peaks (postnatal day 28) and decreases (>postnatal day 28). The same analysis was performed in older animals (postnatal day 48, n = 6). Our results show a gain of slow‐wave activity across 24 h on postnatal day 26, followed by no net changes on postnatal day 28, which was then followed by a loss of slow‐wave activity during subsequent days (>postnatal day 28). Older animals did not show any net changes in slow‐wave activity across 24 h. These results cannot be explained by differences in vigilance states. Thus, slow‐wave activity during this developmental period may not only reflect the trajectory of sleep pressure but may additionally reflect maturational processes.
The Role of Nitric Oxide in Resistance to P. aeruginosa Ocular Infection

Purpose: This study determined the role of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) in the resistance response of BALB/c mice to P. aeruginosa-induced keratitis. Methods: RT-PCR, nitrite detection, iNOS inhibition, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry were used. Results: Early after infection, iNOS mRNA expression and nitrite levels in cornea were elevated compared to levels in the uninfected cornea. Treatment with aminoguanidine sulfate (AG), an inhibitor of iNOS, resulted in extensive corneal destruction, reduced nitrite levels, and reduced nitrotyrosine staining. Infected mice also had increased bacterial burden and elevated levels of MIP-1α, IL-1β, and MIP-2 in the cornea. Dual-labeling immunohistochemistry established the macrophage as the major source of iNOS in the infected cornea. Conclusions: These data provide evidence that iNOS is constitutively expressed in the BALB/c cornea; that iNOS-derived NO is required for bacterial killing/stasis; and that the macrophage is the major cell source of NO.
Attitude of cancer patients toward diagnosis disclosure and their preference for clinical decision-making: a national survey.

OBJECTIVES There is still contradictory evidence on disclosure preferences regarding cancer diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preference of cancer patients for knowing the truth about their disease, as well as the factors that might have an impact on these preferences. METHOD This study was conducted in 11 cancer centers in Iran. A questionnaire was used to collect data, and all patients above 15 years of age who were willing to participate were included in the study. The patients were asked if they were aware of the malignant nature of their disease, and if they came to know about their disease at the time of initial diagnosis, or later. The patients were then asked about the way they looked upon their disease. In the final part of the questionnaire, the participants were asked the level of involvement they prefer to have in making treatment decisions. RESULTS In total, 1226 patients were enrolled in this study, only 565 (46.7%) of whom were aware of their disease at the time of diagnosis, and 878 (72.7%) at the time of interview, while 980 (85.2%) were willing to receive information about their disease. Patients' awareness was significantly associated with age under 50 years, female gender, having breast, skin or head and neck cancer, and having medical care in Shiraz or Hamadan while it was not associated with the stage or accompanying illness. CONCLUSION While the majority of Iranian cancer patients prefer to be aware of the nature of their disease and have an active role in treatment decision making, they do not receive this information.
Recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG producing IL‐18 reduces IL‐5 production and bronchoalveolar eosinophilia induced by an allergic reaction

Background: Allergic reactions occur through the exacerbated induction of a Th2 cell type expression profile and can be prevented by agents favoring a Th1 profile. Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) is able to induce high IFN‐γ levels and has been shown to decrease experimentally induced allergy. The induction of IFN‐γ is mediated by interleukin (IL)‐12 known to be secreted upon mycobacterial infections and can be enhanced by IL‐18 acting in synergy with IL‐12.
Accuracy and Predictability in Use of AO Three-Dimensionally Preformed Titanium Mesh Plates for Posttraumatic Orbital Reconstruction: A Pilot Study

The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the accuracy and predictability of new three-dimensionally preformed AO titanium mesh plates for posttraumatic orbital wall reconstruction.We analyzed the preoperative and postoperative clinical and radiologic data of 10 patients with isolated blow-out orbital fractures. Fracture locations were as follows: floor (N = 7; 70%), medial wall (N = 1; 1%), and floor/medial wall (N = 2; 2%). The floor fractures were exposed by a standard transconjunctival approach, whereas a combined transcaruncular transconjunctival approach was used in patients with medial wall fractures. A three-dimensional preformed AO titanium mesh plate (0.4 mm in thickness) was selected according to the size of the defect previously measured on the preoperative computed tomographic (CT) scan examination and fixed at the inferior orbital rim with 1 or 2 screws. The accuracy of plate positioning of the reconstructed orbit was assessed on the postoperative CT scan. Coronal CT scan slices were used to measure bony orbital volume using OsiriX Medical Image software. Reconstructed versus uninjured orbital volume were statistically correlated.Nine patients (90%) had a successful treatment outcome without complications. One patient (10%) developed a mechanical limitation of upward gaze with a resulting handicapping diplopia requiring hardware removal. Postoperative orbital CT scan showed an anatomic three-dimensional placement of the orbital mesh plates in all of the patients. Volume data of the reconstructed orbit fitted that of the contralateral uninjured orbit with accuracy to within 2.5 cm3. There was no significant difference in volume between the reconstructed and uninjured orbits.This preliminary study has demonstrated that three-dimensionally preformed AO titanium mesh plates for posttraumatic orbital wall reconstruction results in (1) a high rate of success with an acceptable rate of major clinical complications (10%) and (2) an anatomic restoration of the bony orbital contour and volume that closely approximates that of the contralateral uninjured orbit.
Uptime in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Quantitative evaluation of function, in children with physical disabilities, has to date been mainly focused on laboratory-based measures. However, the measurement of activity in the community may have a more direct relationship with physical function, health, and well-being. We assessed the utility of a remote activity monitor, the Uptimer (National Aging Research Institute of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia), to measure one aspect of physical function, time spent in the upright position, in a consecutive cohort of 300 children with cerebral palsy who attended an orthopedic outpatient department. The Uptimer was found to be a valid and reliable tool to measure the amount of time children spent on their feet each day. Uptime was closely related to the severity of cerebral palsy and had excellent correlations with validated instruments including the Pediatric Orthopaedic Data Collection Instrument (PODCI), the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ), and the Functional Mobility Scale (FMS). Uptime complements any quantitative functional assessment of impairments in children with cerebral palsy.