Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ASDAS is associated with both the extent and intensity of DW-MRI spinal inflammation in active axial spondyloarthritis

Objective To investigate the relationship between Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) and intensity of spinal inflammation measured by apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in MRI in participants with active axial spondyloarthritis (SpA). Methods Participants with axial SpA and back pain were recruited. Clinical, demographic, biochemical and imaging data were collected. ASDAS was calculated based on C reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Inflammatory lesions were identified in short tau inversion recovery images and the corresponding ADC maps to determine the maximum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmax), normalised maximum ADC, mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmean) and normalised mean ADC by two independent readers. Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) spine and sacroiliac (SI) joint MRI indexes were determined. Univariate and multivariate linear regression models were used to determine the associations between of ASDAS with ADC values, SPARCC spine and SI MRI scores. Results Eighty-two participants had identifiable ADC lesions. Multivariate analyses using ADCmax and SPARCC spine MRI as independent variables showed associations with ASDAS-CRP (ADCmax: B=0.27, p=0.02; SPARCC: B=0.32, p=0.01) and ASDAS-ESR (ADCmax: B=0.24, p=0.03; SPARCC: B=0.36, p<0.01); using ADCmean and SPARCC spine MRI as independent variables also showed an association with ASDAS-ESR (ADCmean: B=0.22, p=0.05; SPARCC: B=0.36, p<0.01) and a tendency to associate with ASDAS-CRP (ADCmean: B=0.21, p=0.07; SPARCC: B=0.34, p<0.01). Conclusion ASDAS is associated with both the extent and the intensity of spinal inflammation in patients with detectable inflammatory lesions. Our results showed that ASDAS is an objective disease assessment tool. Trial registration number HKUCTR-2087.
Follow-up Study of Drug Use, Depression, and Anxiety Reduction and Quality of Life in Addicts on Methadone Maintenance Therapy

Background: This study aimed to evaluate reduced drug consumption, risky behaviors, depression, and anxiety and improved quality of life in addicts on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) at baseline and six months after therapy. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 275 addicts were selected by a random sampling method in 2017. The data collection tools consisted of four questionnaires including a demographic information questionnaire, the Beck depression inventory questionnaire, WHOQOL-26, and Spielberger Anxiety Inventory. Data analysis was done by SPSS20 software at a conﬁdence level of 95%. Results: Based on the obtained results, after six months, MMT eﬃciency was 50.5% and no cases of intravenous injection were reported. The consumption of other drugs was signiﬁcantly reduced (P < 0.05). The highest prevalence of depression was observed in cannabis and opium users. Depression decreased from 85.81% to 63.27%. The mean scores of quality of life and anxiety after MMT increased to 89.6 and 20.41, respectively. The most improvement was in the physical health domain (mean score of 64.11). Conclusions: Theresultsshowedimprovementsinallthefourdomainsofphysicalhealth,psychologicalhealth,socialrelationship, and environment and reductions in depression and anxiety.
Milk Safety Assessment, Isolation, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile of Staphylococcus aureus in Selected Dairy Farms of Mukaturi and Sululta Town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in raw milk and swab, to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility profile, milk handling practice, and its associated risk factors in selected dairy farms of Mukaturi and Sululta Town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. A total of 247 samples collected from dairy farms were examined using standard microbiological techniques. The antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the isolates were also investigated. The possible risk factors for Staphylococcus aureus contaminations in milk were evaluated through a structured questionnaire. Overall, 16.6% (n= 41) of the samples were positive for S. aureus. The prevalence of S. aureus was 15.3% from udder milk and 25%, 20%, and 10% from milkers' hand, milking bucket, and drying towel swab, respectively. The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in milk showed statistically significant variation with respect to age (p≤ 0.001), parity (P≤ 0.001), drainage condition of milking area (P=0.035), study sites (P=0.035), and management system (P=0.035). Majority of the isolates were found resistant to penicillin G (97.6%) and amoxicillin (43.9%). According to this study, 12/28(42.9%) Staphylococcus aureus positive raw milk samples had 104-105cfu/ml S. aureus count, which is above the recommended level for human consumption. 47.1% of milking persons store milk at room temperature temporarily (between 6 and 12 hrs) till transport to collection center with no means of cooling aid. From consumers 25.6% had no health risk associated with raw milk consumption or aware of milk borne disease associated with drinking raw milk. Thus, 60.5% of milk users had habit of raw milk consumption. The study revealed a prevalence of S. aureus, poor milk handling practices, raw milk consumption behavior in study area. Proper handling and hygiene decrease milk contamination by S. aureus and make it safe for human consumption.
Code switching used by the characters of Java Heat movie

People always need language to communicate with others. However, one person is not enough to be able to communicate to other people in one language because of different language of the interlocutor. Code switching is used when the speaker uses two or more languages in his/her utterance. Actually, Java Heat is a movie which uses four languages, but the characters switch of their utterances within two languages, those are English and Indonesia. The characters switch their utterances by using two languages and two methods; they switch from English- Indonesian and Indonesian-English. But, the researcher just focuses this research from the characters’ utterances switching from the first language to another language: English-Indonesian. Based on the topic, the researcher chooses to analyze code switching used by the characters of Java Heat movie. This research aimed to find the types and functions of code switching used by the characters of Java Heat movie according to Romaine in Maryono and Poedjosoedarmo (2002: 275) and Bloom & Gumperz in Susanto (2008). The descriptive qualitative method is used in this research because the data collected are the utterances of conversations of the characters of Java Heat movie. This research finds two types and two functions of code switching. The types are: tag switching to insert tag or short expression which is different language in the end of utterance, intra-sentential switching when the speaker changes the different language in a sentence or an utterance. While the function of code switching, there are situational and metaphorical code switching. Situational function of code switching is influenced by topic and participant. A metaphorical function happens because of some reasons from the characters’ utterances of Java Heat movie, those are: to respect, to inform, as interjection, to qualify a massage, and to instruct. The result of this research is useful for the next researchers to investigate the Sociolinguistic, especially in code switching context. Since this research only analyzes types and functions of code switching used by the characters of Java Heat movie, it will be more interesting for the next researchers to analyze other sources, such as novel.
British Thyroid Association 2014 classification ultrasound scoring of thyroid nodules in predicting malignancy: Diagnostic performance and inter-observer agreement

Objectives To assess the inter-observer agreement amongst five observers of differing levels of expertise in applying the British Thyroid Association (2014) guidelines for ultrasound scoring of thyroid nodules (BTA-U score) in the management of thyroid cancer, and to assess the U-score diagnostic performance in predicting malignancy. Method A total of 73 consecutive patients were included over a two-year period (July 2012 to July 2014), after referral to a tertiary head and neck oncology centre for ultrasound plus fine needle aspiration and cytology. Our five observers retrospectively and independently reviewed static ultrasound images on PACS and scored the thyroid nodules according to BTA-U classification. The observers were blinded to each other’s scoring, cytology and histology results. Either the Kappa-statistic or intra-class correlation was used to assess the level of inter-observer agreement, plus agreement between the radiological and cytological diagnoses. The diagnostic performance of U-scoring for predicting final histological diagnosis was assessed with sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. Results A Kappa-value of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.68–0.77) confirmed substantial inter-observer agreement amongst the five observers. All 17 histology confirmed malignant nodules were correctly classified as potentially malignant by all observers. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of BTA-U score in detecting and predicting malignancy were 100%, whereas the specificity and positive predictive values were 34% and 32%, respectively. Conclusions There is good inter-observer agreement in using the BTA-U score amongst different observers at differing levels of expertise. Adhering to BTA-U scoring can potentially achieve 100% sensitivity in selecting malignant nodules for sampling.
Influence of Perceive Social Support or Pre-Operative Support Program on Quality of Life in Patients Awaiting Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) Surgery: Mixed Method Systematic Review

Objective: This paper is a report of a review to identify relevant literature and to summarize the effectiveness of perceived social support on quality of life in patients while waiting for CABG surgery. Background: Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common leading causes of death in the world and the most common treatment is CABG surgery. Patients who have been diagnosed and listed for CABG surgery should adapt himself to overcome the changes in their new lifestyle. To conquer this, they should have social support or pre-operative support while waiting for their CABG surgery. Data Source: A search of health and health science database located eleven papers including quantitative and qualitative studies focusing on the perceived social support or pre-operative program on quality of life in patients waiting for CABG surgery. Review Methods: A mixed-method systematic review involving quantitative and qualitative research findings. Inclusion criteria for this review were quantitative and qualitative studies which focus on perceived social support or preoperative program on quality of life in patients waiting for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. Results: The issue of perceived social support of patients prior to undergoing their CABG surgery existed from the last decades. Although many researchers have been conducted studies to solve the said issue, no proper solution was found until the present. Conclusion: More efforts should be made to improve the quality of life in patients awaiting CABG surgery to prepare them physically, mentally and sociologically to adapt themselves to a new lifestyle.
Changes in Steroid Response pattern in Childhood Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome in Sohag

Background and aim of work: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a common chronic kidney disease in childhood and it is mostly idiopathic. Steroid response pattern remains the most important issue in prognosis of NS. Increase in steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) frequency over years was documented in some studies. This work aimed to demonstrate the change in steroid response pattern of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) over years in our locality at Sohag in Upper Egypt. Patients and Methods: Combined retrospective and prospective studies were done; including 280 children with INS, aged from 1 to 15 years, diagnosed and followed in our pediatric renal unit in Sohag University Hospital, Egypt in the period from January 2000 to December 2014. The patients' demographic features, steroid response pattern in both groups were studied. Results: A total of 280 patients (203 in the retrospective group and 77 in the prospective group) with INS were included with mean age at disease onset 4.60±2.58 (range 1-15) years and male/female ratio 1.8/1. Mean follow up duration was 4.44±3.24 (range 1-15) years. Steroid was given to all patients. 94.1% and 79.2% of patients in the retrospective and the prospective groups respectively were steroid sensitive, and the rest of patients were steroid resistant. Renal biopsy was done in 36 and 26 patients in the retrospective and prospective studies respectively. Biopsy results revealed minimal change disease (MCD) in 55.6% and 38.5%, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in 22.2% and 42.3%, mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis (MesPGN) in 22.2% and 19.2% of biopsied patients in the retrospective and prospective groups respectively. End stage renal disease (ESRD) was developed in 4 patients all of them were steroid and other immunosuppressive therapies resistant and with FSGS histopathology. Death occurred in 5 patients. Conclusion: Steroid sensitive NS is the most common form of INS in children but there is increase in the frequency of SRNS over years in our locality.
Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes and Signaling Pathways in Acute Myocardial Infarction Based on Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis

Background Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common disease with high morbidity and mortality around the world. The aim of this research was to determine the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which may serve as potential therapeutic targets or new biomarkers in AMI. Methods From the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, three gene expression profiles (GSE775, GSE19322, and GSE97494) were downloaded. To identify the DEGs, integrated bioinformatics analysis and robust rank aggregation (RRA) method were applied. These DEGs were performed through Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses by using Clusterprofiler package. In order to explore the correlation between these DEGs, the interaction network of protein-protein internet (PPI) was constructed using the STRING database. Utilizing the MCODE plug-in of Cytoscape, the module analysis was performed. Utilizing the cytoHubba plug-in, the hub genes were screened out. Results 57 DEGs in total were identified, including 2 down- and 55 upregulated genes. These DEGs were mainly enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, chemokine signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and so on. The module analysis filtered out 18 key genes, including Cxcl5, Arg1, Cxcl1, Spp1, Selp, Ptx3, Tnfaip6, Mmp8, Serpine1, Ptgs2, Il6, Il1r2, Il1b, Ccl3, Ccr1, Hmox1, Cxcl2, and Ccl2. Ccr1 was the most fundamental gene in PPI network. 4 hub genes in total were identified, including Cxcl1, Cxcl2, Cxcl5, and Mmp8. Conclusion This study may provide credible molecular biomarkers in terms of screening, diagnosis, and prognosis for AMI. Meanwhile, it also serves as a basis for exploring new therapeutic target for AMI.
Statins induce cell apoptosis through a modulation of AKT/FOXO1 pathway in prostate cancer cells

Background In recent years, statins have been frequently investigated in neoplasms. However, the potential roles of statins on prostate cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In current study, we explored the effect and molecular mechanism of statins on cell proliferation and apoptosis in prostate cancer cells. Methods Prostate cancer cell were treated with gradient doses of simvastatin and fluvastatin for 24–72 h. Cell proliferation was analyzed by using MTS assay and colony formation. Cell apoptosis was measured by Hoechst staining, ﬂow cytometry and caspase-3 activity. Western blotting was used to evaluate the proteins levels. Results Both simvastatin and fluvastatin produced a dose- and time-dependent inhibition of cell viability and colony formation while a promotion of cell apoptosis as evident with increases in caspase-3 activity, cleaved-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-8 and cleaved-PARP levels in PC3 cells. Similar statin effects were observed in DU145 prostate cancer cells. Furthermore, statins produced a time- and dose-dependent reduction of phosphorylated-AKT and phosphorylated-FOXO1 levels in PC3 cells, and pretreatment of cells with an AKT phosphorylation inhibitor, MK2206, potentiated statins’ effect. Conclusion Statins decrease cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis, probably mediated via a downregulation of AKT/FOXO1 phosphorylation in prostate cancer cells, which may have a potential benefit in prostate cancer prevention and therapy.
Preconditioning Risk Factors Affecting Survival and Remission of Adult Egyptian Patients with Hematological Malignancies Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

malignant and non-malignant hematologic conditions and in the treatment of various solid tumors. Since the 1970s, steady progress has been made and HSCT is now regarded as a routine, rather than an experimental, approach in the treatment of a number of conditions, which would have proven fatal earlier on. Objective: Our study aimed to determine the most important preconditioning prognostic factors affecting the overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS) and relapse rate (RR) of adult Egyptians with hematological neoplasms who are treated with HSCT, whether autologous or allogeneic, and in turn minimizing the morbidity and mortality of those patients and improving their quality of life. Patients and methods: The study evaluated 98 adult patients with different hematological malignancies who underwent HSCT (whether autologous or allogeneic) at Stem Cell Transplantation Unit of Ain-Shams University from January 2014 to December 2018. Results: In our study, in the group of allogenic transplantation, There was a statistically significance at overall survival with number of chemotherapy cycles with P =0.028. Regarding post HSCT relapse and post HSCT mortality 11 patients (37.9%) died in the group that received ≤4 cycles of chemotherapy and 16 patients (55.2%) died in the group that received > 4 cycles of chemotherapy. Conclusion: Five-year overall and progression-free survival rose for allogeneic and autologous HSCT after the decade of their introduction
The effect of induction immunosuppression for kidney transplant on the latent HIV reservoir

The HIV latent viral reservoir (LVR) remains a major challenge in the effort to find a cure for HIV. There is interest in lymphocyte-depleting agents, used in solid organ and bone marrow transplantation to reduce the LVR. This study evaluated the LVR and T cell receptor repertoire in HIV-infected kidney transplant recipients using intact proviral DNA assay and T cell receptor sequencing in patients receiving lymphocyte-depleting or lymphocyte-nondepleting immunosuppression induction therapy. CD4+ T cells and intact and defective provirus frequencies decreased following lymphocyte-depleting induction therapy but rebounded to near baseline levels within 1 year after induction. In contrast, these biomarkers were relatively stable over time in the lymphocyte-nondepleting group. The lymphocyte-depleting group had early TCRβ repertoire turnover and newly detected and expanded clones compared with the lymphocyte-nondepleting group. No differences were observed in TCRβ clonality and repertoire richness between groups. These findings suggest that, even with significant decreases in the overall size of the circulating LVR, the reservoir can be reconstituted in a relatively short period of time. These results, while from a relatively unique population, suggest that curative strategies aimed at depleting the HIV LVR will need to achieve specific and durable levels of HIV-infected T cell depletion.
Malaria Prophylaxis and Vaccinations Among Turkish International Travelers: National Data, 2011-2016

Cite this article as: Okay G, Ayazoğlu C, Kan O, Meriç Koç M, Aslan T. Malaria Prophylaxis and Vaccinations Among Turkish International Travelers: National Data, 2011-2016. Bezmialem Science 2019;7(3):228-32 Address for Correspondence: Gülay OKAY, Bezmialem Vakıf University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, İstanbul, Turkey Phone: +90 212 453 17 00 E-mail: gulay.okay@hotmail.com ORCID ID: orcid.org/0000-0003-1616-2162 Introduction
Marital status and age of systemic lupus erythematous diagnosis: the potential for differences related to sex and gender

Objectives Chronic rheumatic diseases can challenge social and family relationships. We compared marital status in patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) with their general population counterparts, stratified by sex and age of SLE onset. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of a cohort of 382 patients with SLE at our centre (349 females, 33 males). We determined how many were married or living common-law at the time of last study visit. Patients were then divided into: SLE diagnosis before 18, between 18 and 30, between 31 and 44 and after 45 years of age. We then compared marital status among male and female patients with SLE, to Quebec age-specific marital statistics. Results Of 382 patients with SLE, 202 (52.9%) were married or living common-law, which was 9% lower than general population rates (95% CI 2% to 16%). One-third of women with paediatric-onset SLE were married or living common-law, which was 28% lower than their general population counterparts (95% CI 6% to 46%). Half of women diagnosed between age 18 and 30 were married or living common law, which was 14% less than general population rates (95% CI 4% to 25%). We could not establish significant differences for women diagnosed after age 30, or for males, versus their general population counterparts. Conclusions Women diagnosed with SLE before age 30 were less likely to be married/living common-law, versus general population rates. This was not apparent for those diagnosed later in life. We did not clearly establish this effect in males, possibly due to power issues (vs a true effect of sex/gender). Additional studies (eg, focus groups) could elucidate reasons for our findings.