Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stroke burden in Egypt: Data from five epidemiological studies

ABSTRACT Purpose: Accurate data on the epidemiology of stroke in Egypt is scarce. The aim of this review is to address this issue based on available community-based studies and compare the resulting findings to those of other regional and international studies. Method: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify population-based epidemiological studies of stroke in Egyptians. Original articles published in English between 1990 and 2016 were included. Five studies from five different governorates in southern Egypt fulfilled the study criteria (Qena, Sohag, Assiut, New Valley and Red Sea). Results: The mean and median crude prevalence rates (CPRs) across the five studies, which were conducted in southern Egypt were 721.6/100,000 and 655/100,000, respectively. The mean and median crude incidence rates (CIRs) were 187/100,000 and 180.5/100,000, respectively. The average CPR weighted by sample population size was 613/100,000 and the average CIR weighted by sample population size was 202/100,000. Conclusion: The incidence and prevalence of stroke in Egypt are high. More population-based studies are urgently needed in northern Egypt and in Cairo – the capital of Egypt.
Long-term evaluation of a health education programme for elderly persons with visual impairment. A randomized study

In order to implement evidence-based practice, a randomized study was set up to evaluate the ADL- based Health Education Programme ‘Discovering new ways’ for elderly persons with age-related macular degeneration. Purpose: To investigate the impact of this program on perceived security in the performance of daily activities 28 months after the intervention. Method: Two-hundred and twenty-nine persons randomized to either the Health Education programme or an Individual Intervention Programme participated in the study. At the 28-month follow-up there was a dropout of 98 persons and the results are based on 62 persons participating in the Health Education Programme and 69 persons in the Individual Intervention Programme. Results: There were statistically significant differences in perceived security between the groups in 15 out of 28 daily activities. Furthermore, the Health Education Group showed a significant tendency towards an improved level of security while the Individual Intervention Group tended to deteriorate. Conclusions: The findings provide strong support for the long-term effect of the programme and for the implementation of evidence-based practice. The study corroborates the effectiveness of the Health Education Programme in enhancing security and hindering a progressive decline in perceived security in daily activities.
Human umbilical cord blood cells directly suppress ischemic oligodendrocyte cell death

Previous reports have shown that human umbilical cord blood cells (HUCBCs) administered intravenously 48 hr following middle cerebral artery occlusion reduce infarct area and behavioral deficits of rodents. This cellular therapy is potently neuroprotective and antiinflammatory. This study investigates the effect of HUCBC treatment on white matter injury and oligodendrocyte survival in a rat model of ischemia. Intravenous infusion of 106 HUCBCs 48 hr poststroke reduced the amount of white matter damage in vivo as seen by quantification of myelin basic protein staining in tissue sections. To determine whether HUCBC treatment was protective via direct effects on oligodendrocytes, cultured oligodendrocytes were studied in an in vitro model of oxygen glucose deprivation. Active caspase 3 immunohistochemistry and the lactate dehydrogenase assay for cytotoxicity were used to determine that HUCBCs provide protection to oligodendrocytes in vitro. Based on these results, it is likely that HUCBC administration directly protects oligodendrocytes and white matter. This effect is likely to contribute to the increased behavioral recovery observed with HUCBC therapy. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Subintimal angioplasty as a treatment of femoropopliteal artery occlusions.

OBJECTIVES to report the results of subintimal PTA of femoropopliteal occlusions above the knee. DESIGN a retrospective study. PATIENTS in the period from January 1997 to January 2002, 109 patients were submitted to 124 interventions. The indication for treatment was intermittent claudication in 78 cases and critical ischaemia in 46. METHODS all cases of subintimal angioplasty were prospectively registered. A review of all cases treated with subintimal PTA for above-knee femoropopliteal occlusions were done. Primary assisted haemodynamic patency rate was calculated on intention to treat basis and for successfully treated cases. Comparison of patency with respect to comorbidities, indication, runoff and occlusion length was done with univariate and multivariate analysis (Cox' regression). RESULTS technical success rate was 90%. Primary assisted patency rates at 6, 12 and 18 months were 43, 37 and 31% calculated on basis of intention to treat and 48, 42 and 35% for successfully treated cases. Diabetes mellitus and critical ischaemia were found to be independent risk factors for re-occlusion. CONCLUSION subintimal angioplasty is an alternative to open surgery for patients with femoropopliteal occlusions and intermittent claudication. The treatment is relatively atraumatic, complications are rare and in most cases treated with endovascular techniques. Patency rates are low. In cases of critical ischaemia, time can be important for outcome with respect to limb salvage. We therefore find that the poor patency rates of subintimal angioplasty of femoropopliteal occlusions contraindicate its use in the treatment of critical ischaemia with exception of cases unsuitable for surgical treatment.
Clinical value of increased serum creatinine concentration as predictor of short-term outcome in decompensated cirrhosis

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess whether serum creatinine concentration alone or associated with other biological parameters was an independent predictor of short-term mortality in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Methods: A total of 212 consecutive episodes of decompensated cirrhosis in patients admitted to the hospital between January 1999 and December 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. Depending on a serum creatinine concentration equal to or greater than 1.5 mg/dL at the time of admission, patients were divided into decompensated cirrhosis with renal failure (101 episodes in 59 patients, aged 69.8 ± 10 years) and without renal failure (111 episodes in 61 patients, aged 64.5 ± 13 years). Outcome (alive, death) during the episode of decompensation of liver disease and outcome at 90 days after admission were assessed. Results: Differences in the frequency of variables according to outcome in the overall episodes of decompensated cirrhosis with and without renal failure showed significant differences between patients who died and those who were alive both at hospital discharge and at 90 days in serum bilirubin, Child-Pugh score, MELD (model for end-stage liver disease) score, and serum creatinine levels. In the multivariate analysis, serum creatinine was not an independent predictor of outcome. The prediction accuracy according to the area under the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve was greater for the MELD scale than for serum creatinine. Conclusions: Serum creatinine concentration is a parameter that should be included in the prognostic assessment of patients with decompensated cirrhosis, but should be combined with other specific parameters of liver function, such as bilirubin, albumin, and the international normalized ratio (INR) for prothrombin time.
Cancer Screening Knowledge and Attitudes of Under- and Post-Graduate Students at Kasr Al Ainy School of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.

BACKGROUND Increasing knowledge and awareness of cancer screening significantly influence health promotion behavior which could markedly reduce incidence rates. In many countries, health care providers are the principal source of information concerning cancer screening. This study was carried out to assess the level of knowledge concerning cancer screening among medical students, house officers and residents and to explore their attitude towards cancer screening practices. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kasr Al Ainy Medical School at Cairo University in Egypt, with 300 undergraduate medical students and 150 postgraduates (interns and residents) enrolled. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the study participants regarding personal and education-related information, knowledge about cancer screening and its sources, and attitude towards cancer screening. RESULTS More than 64% of participants had knowledge scores of ≤ 10 points (out of 24). The total knowledge score (out of 6 points) for breast cancer screening increased from 1.9±1.0 to 2.3±1.2 and 2.4±1.1 for 4th, 5th and 6th year respectively, interns showed the highest score of 2.6 ±1.1, P= 0.001. Year of enrollment at medical school was a significant positive predictor of acquiring knowledge about cancer screening (post graduate vs. undergraduate students) (OR= 1.30, C.I =1.01-1.63), lack of or none receiving of orientation/training about cancer screening was the sole negative significant predictor for proper knowledge about cancer screening (OR=0.50, C.I=0.31-0.82). Over 92% of students agreed that they had insufficient knowledge about cancer screening, 88.2% appraised the need to have enough knowledge in order to direct/advice patients, relatives and friends, and 93.7% required that the faculty should emphasize the importance of cancer screening in the delivered curricula at medical school. CONCLUSIONS A relatively low to moderate level of knowledge about cancer screening was detected among the selected medical students regardless of their year of enrollment at medical school or their graduation status, which may implicate a negative impact on early cancer detection especially in a low resource country like Egypt.
Methylphenidate-Related Improvements in Math Performance Cannot Be Explained by Better Cognitive Functioning or Higher Academic Motivation: Evidence From a Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: This study investigated whether improvements in working memory, reaction time, lapses of attention, interference control, academic motivation, and perceived competence mediated effects of methylphenidate on math performance. Method: Sixty-three children (ADHD diagnosis; methylphenidate treatment; age 8-13; IQ > 70) were randomly allocated to a 7-day methylphenidate or placebo treatment in this double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study and compared with 67 controls. Data were collected at schools and analyzed using mixed-model analysis. Methylphenidate was hypothesized to improve all measures; all measures were evaluated as potential mediators of methylphenidate-related math improvements. Results: Controls mostly outperformed the ADHD group. Methylphenidate did not affect measures of cognitive functioning (p = .082-.641) or academic motivation (p = .199-.865). Methylphenidate improved parent ratings of their child’s self-perceived competence (p < .01), which mediated methylphenidate efficacy on math productivity. Conclusion: These results question the necessity of improvements in specific cognitive and motivational deficits associated with ADHD for medication-related academic improvement. They also stimulate further study of perceived competence as a mediator.
The Cross Section of International Government Bond Returns

Volatility risk, credit risk, value effect, and momentum are major return drivers in the fixed-income universe. This study offers a four-factor pricing model for international government bonds. The model thoroughly explains the variation of government bond returns and covers a range of more than 60 cross-sectional return patterns in government bond markets, verifying its usefulness for asset pricing. The research was conducted within a sample of bonds from 25 developed and emerging markets for the years 1992 to 2016.
Temporal and kinetic analysis of unilateral jumping in the vertical, horizontal, and lateral directions

Abstract The aims of this study were to: (1) assess the reliability of various kinetic and temporal variables for unilateral vertical, horizontal, and lateral countermovement jumps; (2) determine whether there are differences in vertical ground reaction force production between the three types of jumps; (3) quantify the magnitude of asymmetry between limbs for variables that were established as reliable in a healthy population and whether asymmetries were consistent across jumps of different direction; and (4) establish the best kinetic predictor(s) of jump performance in the vertical, horizontal, and lateral planes of motion. Thirty team sport athletes performed three trials of the various countermovement jumps on both legs on two separate occasions. Eccentric and concentric peak force and concentric peak power were the only variables with acceptable reliability (coefficient of variation = 3.3–15.1%; intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.70–0.96). Eccentric and concentric peak vertical ground reaction force (14–16%) and concentric peak power (45–51%) were significantly (P < 0.01) greater in the vertical countermovement jump than in the horizontal countermovement jump and lateral countermovement jump, but no significant difference was found between the latter two jumps. No significant leg asymmetries (–2.1% to 9.3%) were found in any of the kinetic variables but significant differences were observed in jump height and distance. The best single predictors of vertical countermovement jump, horizontal countermovement jump, and lateral countermovement jump performance were concentric peak vertical power/body weight (79%), horizontal concentric peak power/body weight (42.6%), and eccentric peak vertical ground reaction force/body weight (14.9%) respectively. These findings are discussed in relation to monitoring and developing direction-specific jump performance.
Automatic detection of stent struts with thick neointimal growth in intravascular optical coherence tomography image sequences

To assist cardiologists investigating neointimal tissue growth on stents during follow-up with optical coherence tomography (OCT), we developed an automatic algorithm to locate deeply buried stent struts and to quantify the restenosis burden. The technique is based on an improved steerable filter for computing the local ridge strength and orientation. It also uses an ellipsoid fitting algorithm and continuity criteria to obtain globally optimal stent localization. The restenosis burden calculations were compared to manual assessment of OCT coronary artery image data obtained from in vivo human clinical studies. Compared to manual assessment by expert readers, the algorithm operated with > 97% accuracy in the measurement of mean and maximum restenosis burden. The results indicated that the technique yielded comparable accuracy in measuring restenosis burden, and significantly reduced user interaction time.
A Structural Role for Asp83 in the Photoactivation of Rhodopsin

Abstract Asp83 is a highly conserved residue in the second transmembrane domain of visual pigments and many members of other G proteincoupled receptor subfamilies. Upon illumination, the rod visual pigment rhodopsin proceeds through various intermediate states (Batho BSI Lumi Meta I Meta II). Meta II represents the active state of rhodopsin, which binds and activates the G protein transducin. Evidence has been presented that Asp83 participates in the formation of Meta II and undergoes a change in Hbonding. To investigate whether this role of Asp83 requires its protondonating capacity and/or its Hbonding capability, we constructed the mutants D83C and D83N. Both mutants appear to effectively activate transducin, indicating that Asp83 is not essential for signal transduction. Differential effects of the mutations D83C and D83N are observed in the spectral properties and the pH sensitivity of the Meta I Meta II transition. In general, D83C behaves much more like wildtype than D83N. We conclude that the structural role of Asp83 also involves the acidic nature of its carboxyl group. In addition, the participation in Meta II formation of Cys83 in D83C manifests itself as a change in the vibrational properties of the sulfhydryl group, demonstrating that the SH group can be used as a noninvasive probe for local structural changes.
Rentier Consumption and Neoliberal Capitalism

Abstract: This article puts forward a theoretical model and some empirical evidence arguing that a central contradiction of neoliberal capitalism arises from changes in financial structure and corporate governance that have simultaneously effected a massive redistribution of income from workers toward corporate profits and the incomes of C-level executives while diverting corporate managers from the forms of real investment spending that could potentially relieve the shortages of aggregate demand that are inevitably generated when real wage growth becomes uncoupled from productivity growth. As a result, the neoliberal model of capitalism relies on the consumption spending of a capitalist class responding rentier-style to wealth effects from a rising and historically high corporate valuation or q-ratio. This model of capitalism has proved to be unworkable at the zero lower bound on interest rates, which explains the emergence of secular stagnation.
Aspirin 300 mg/day is effective for treating aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease

Aspirin desensitization (AD) treatment at doses of up to 1300 mg/day improves outcomes in aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of aspirin 300 mg/day in the treatment of patients with AERD.
Medullomyoblastoma: a case report and literature review of a rare tumor entity.

BACKGROUND Medullomyoblastoma (MMB) is a very rare medulloblastoma (MB) variant consisting of primitive neuroectodermal cells intermixed with cells featuring myogenic differentiation. MMBs are a subtype of primitive neuroectodermal neoplasm (PNET) predominantly occurring in children. CASE REPORT We describe a case of a one-year-old girl who presented with headache, emesis and ataxia. The symptoms had started seven weeks before hospital admission. Magnet resonance imaging of the brain was performed, and revealed a lesion with a maximal diameter of 5 cm, located in the cerebellum close to the vermis. Histologically, the poorly-differentiated lesion was diagnosed as a type of PNET, but it was the immunohistochemical staining that assured the diagnosis of MMB. RESULTS Immunohistochemistry and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (I-FISH) were performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. FISH did not reveal any amplification of CMYC or NMYC. No nuclear expression of β-catenin was detectable. DISCUSSION Since MMB is a very rare tumor entity, standard treatment today is the same as that for conventional MB due to the lack of larger study series. Some authors assume that MMBs behave especially aggressive in comparison to conventional MBs. Therefore, new treatment regimes should be tested to optimize the prognosis of MMB. Further data is needed to determine the differences between MB and MMB.
Impact of Transactional & Transformational Leadership Styles on Organizational Commitment - A Case of Private Sector Universities of Karachi

In the past few years, number of private universities established in Karachi is increased increasing competition considerably in this sector, consequently the issue of employee commitment is also raised; employees leave organization when better remuneration is offered to them, particularly when they are unsatisfied with the work environment of their organization. Effective leadership is one of the main sources of nurturing organizational commitment. Selecting most appropriate leadership style in an organization is a biggest challenge for the management. The main purpose of this research is to create awareness about transactional and transformational leadership styles and to study their impact on employee commitment in private sector universities of Karachi.Understanding this relationship between leadership styles and organizational commitment can help management to choose an appropriate leadership style in different situations to increase employee commitment towards their organization, that will indirectly higher the profit of the organization. This research is an exploratory research and primary data has been conducted with 30 respondents. For the data analyses the correlation analysis was applied. This research paper is an effort to find out which leadership style is more appropriate to enhance the organizational commitment.This research will also serve as a guideline for other researchers in future who want to work on this subject
Novel alginate-enclosed chitosan-calcium phosphate-loaded iron-saturated bovine lactoferrin nanocarriers for oral delivery in colon cancer therapy.

AIM To develop polymeric-ceramic nanocarriers (NCs) in order to achieve oral delivery of the anticancer neutraceutical iron-saturated bovine lactoferrin (Fe-bLf) protein. MATERIALS & METHODS Fe-bLf or paclitaxel (Taxol®) were adsorbed onto calcium phosphate nanocores, enclosed in biodegradable polymers chitosan and alginate. The Fe-bLf or Taxol-loaded NCs indicated as AEC-CP-Fe-bLf or AEC-CP-Taxol NCs, respectively, were made by combination of ionic gelation and nanoprecipitation. Size distribution, morphology, internalization and release profiles of the NCs were studied along with evaluation of in vitro and in vivo anticancer activities and compared with paclitaxel. RESULTS AEC-CP-Fe-bLf NCs obtained spherical morphology and showed enhanced endocytosis, transcytosis and anticancer activity in Caco-2 cells in vitro. AEC-CP-Fe-bLf NCs were supplemented in an AIN 93G diet and fed to mice in both prevention and treatment human xenograft colon cancer models. AEC-CP-Fe-bLf NCs were found to be highly significantly effective when given orally, as a pretreatment, 1 week before Caco-2 cell injections. None of the mice from the AEC-CP-Fe-bLf NC-fed group developed tumors or showed any signs of toxicity, while the mice fed the control AIN 93G diet showed normal tumor growth. Fe-bLf or Taxol, when given orally in a diet as nanoformulations post-tumor development, showed a significant regression in the tumor size with complete inhibition of tumor growth later, while intratumoral injection of Taxol just delayed the growth of tumors. The pharmacokinetic and bioavailability studies indicated that nanoformulated Fe-bLf was predominantly present on tumor cells compared to non-nanoformulated Fe-bLf. Fe-bLf-loaded NCs were found to help in absorption of iron and thus may have utility in enhancing the iron uptake during iron deficiency without interfering with the absorption of calcium. CONCLUSION With the promising results of our study, the future potential of NC-loaded Fe-bLf in chemoprevention and in the treatment of human colon cancer, deserves further investigation for translational research and preclinical studies of other malignancies.