Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oral microbiota and gastrointestinal cancer

Abstract The microbiota inhabiting the oral cavity is a complex ecosystem and responsible for resisting pathogens, maintaining homeostasis, and modulating the immune system. Some components of the oral microbiota contribute to the etiology of some oral diseases. Accumulating evidence suggests that the human oral microbiota is implicated in the development and progression of gastrointestinal cancer. In this review, we described the current understanding of possible roles and mechanisms of oral microbiota in the gastrointestinal cancers studied to date. The perspectives for oral microbiota as the biomarkers for early detection and new therapeutic targets were also discussed.
Chronic Diseases as a Risk Factor for Frailty Syndrome

Background: Among the factors that favor the frailty of the elderly are chronic diseases and the existence of comorbidities, which increase the prevalence of disability and mortality, the prevalence of frailty in Mexico is around 39%. Aim: The purpose of this study is to determine the association between frailty and risk factors in older adults in Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon. Design and Setting: Comparative cross-sectional study. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted, using a non- probabilistic sampling for consecutive cases in a period of time from January 2016 to January 2018. The Ensurd criteria were applied to assess the presence of frailty among the participants and to make an association between the following variables: sex, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, osteoporosis and polypharmacy. For statistical analysis, association was established with odds ratio and chi-squared test for statistical significance, it was used 95% interval confidence (p<0.05). Results: 197 medical records were evaluated, 19 were excluded due to incomplete records. 181 records were included for the study, obtaining 105 cases (58.01%) and 76 controls (41.99%). When making an association between frailty and the variables collected, the following significant results were found: Sex (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.55-1.97, p >0.05), osteoporosis (OR 1.41, 95% CI 0.25-7.93, p >0.05), diabetes mellitus (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.35-1.26, p >0.05), arterial hypertension (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.61-2.18, p >0.05) and polypharmacy (OR 1.5, 95% CI 0.80-2.8, p >0.05). None of the associations was statistically significant. Conclusion: The undoubted existence of frailty syndrome and considering frailty as a geriatric syndrome is necessary to have accurate and current information on the risk factors associated with the frailty syndrome that influence the prognosis in the frail patient. arthritis, anemia, depression, smoking, use of hormone replacement therapy, polypharmacy and vitamin D deficiency
Investigating the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on Marital Conflicts of Coronary Artery Bypass Patients

Adequate reduction of marital conflicts in cardiovascular disease patients helps them cope better with their conditions, as well as improve their quality of life. The aim of this empirical study was to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on marital conflicts in cardiac patients with a history of coronary artery bypass. The method of this research was semi-experimental with pre- and post-test with a control group. Participants were 30 patients, who were selected through convenience sampling. Participants administered the Marital Conflict Questionnaire (Sanai, Alaghband, Falahati, & Hooman, 2009) as pre- and post-test. Finally, 30 individuals who had the highest scores in the marital conflict questionnaire were selected and randomly assigned to two groups of experimental and control (n=15). To analyze the data, the ANCOVA test was used. The findings of this study indicated that there was a statistically significant effect on the experimental group on the following sub-scales: decreased cooperation, dividing financial affairs and marital conflict. It could be concluded that ACT-based training intervention was effective of the above-mentioned subscales and could be used to reduce marital conflicts in patients with patients with a history of coronary artery bypass. This study indicates the importance of education, as well as psychological interventions as an essential part of the recovery process.
Investigation of Psychometric Properties of Blood/Injection Fear Scale-Persian Version (BIFS-PV)

Background: Blood, injection, and injury (BII) phobia is one of the most common psychiatric disorders based on the criteria introduced in DSM-IV (fourth edition). Given the lack of a Persian instrument for BII phobia examination and the absence of accurate data on this type of phobia in the Iranian population, it is essential to assess the fear of BII in order to analyze and help mitigate BII phobia across the country. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of blood/ injection fear scale (BIFS-PV) in a sample of the Iranian population. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 246 patients (aged ≥ 14 years) referring to Kowsar Hospital, Semnan, were selected through convenience sampling. The research instruments included a demographic questionnaire, BIFS, blood-injection symptom scale (BISS), fear savory scale-III (FSS-III), and life orientation test (LOT). IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0 and IBM SPSS Amos 21 were used to analyze the data. Results: Based on the results, the correlation coefficients of BIFS with BISS and FSS-III were -0.41 and -0.24, respectively, indicating convergent validity of BIFS. The correlation of BIFS with LOT was 0.37, suggesting the divergent validity of the scale. Factor analysis confirmed the appropriate fitting of the two-factor model of BIFS-PV with available data. Furthermore, examining the psychometric properties of BIFS-PV established internal consistency of the total scale (0.96) and its injection subscale (0.95) and blood subscale (0.91). Moreover, the test-retest reliability coefficients of BIFS-PV and its injection and blood subscales were 0.86, 0.90, and 0.91, respectively. Conclusions: The results of the study corroborated the factor structure and validity of BIFS-PV in the study population. Therefore, this scale can be implemented as an effective tool in psychological research.
Plasma Volume to Achieve Remission in Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Introduction: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is defined as a heterogeneous group of disorders. Plasma infusion or plasma exchange is the rescue therapy for this life-threatening syndrome. There is no evidence for the volume of plasma required to induce remission. Materials and Methods: Between 2007 and 2018, Forty – two patients (M=20, F=22) with a diagnosis of recurrent or familial atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) who were admitted to Ali-Asgar Children’s Hospital were enrolled in this observational retrospective study. The total volume of plasma required for normalizing platelet (>150000) and LDH (<500 IU), eliminating hemolysis, and decreasing serum creatinine at first presentation of disease was calculated. Patients with TTP, vasculitis, and post infectious HUS were excluded. Results: The mean age of the patients was 53 months (3-144 m). The majority of patients achieved remission at first presentation by plasma infusion (5 under peritoneal dialysis and 4 under hemodialysis) but ten patients required plasmapheresis. A total of 980 units of FFP perfused with a total volume of 195.975 L. The median (range) total plasma volume required for remission was 166 ml/kg (43-2850 ml/kg). Conclusions: This study showed that the required plasma volume for the acute phase of atypical HUS for controlling the first attack of disease. Keywords: Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome; Plasma Volume; Remission Induction; Child.
Clinical information systems for the management of tuberculosis in primary health care

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the clinical information systems used in the management of tuberculosis in Primary Health Care. Method: descriptive, quantitative cross-sectional study with 100 health professionals with data collected through a questionnaire to assess local institutional capacity for the model of attention to chronic conditions, as adapted for tuberculosis care. The analysis was performed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Nurses and the Community Health Agents were classified as having fair capacity with a mean of 6.4 and 6.3, respectively. The city was classified as having fair capacity, with a mean of 6.0 and standard deviation of 1.5. Family Health Units had higher capacity than Basic Health Units and Mixed Units, although not statistically relevant. Clinical records and data on tuberculosis patients, items of the clinical information systems, had a higher classification than the other items, classified as having fair capacity, with a mean of 7.3 and standard deviation of 1.6, and the registry of TB patients had a mean of 6.6 and standard deviation of 2.0. Conclusion: clinical information systems are present in the city, mainly in clinical records and patient data, and they have the contribution of professionals linked with tuberculosis patients.
Modes of information seeking

Persona is increasingly used to create a model that represents user behaviour. This requires a thorough understanding of users’ information-seeking behaviour, their goals, their expectations, their needs, and their forms of action. The objective of this study is to use personas to gain insight into the information seeking activities of humanities scholars. The humanities scholars at Yarmouk University Jordan, which is situated in an ICT-enriched setting, are selected as a case. Five models of information seeking behaviour are integrated to be the conceptual model of this study. Seven modes of active information seeking emerged from the research findings: a) decision to seek information by the scholars or intermediary, b) exploration, c) monitoring, d) accessing, e) categorization, f) purification, and g) satisfaction. The four personas uncovered in this study had different judgments of information seeking, depending on their computer literacy and the types and formats of information sources needed. Similarly, the personas had different priority lists on exploring, monitoring, accessing, categorizing and purifying information. However, the reaction of satisfaction after the search closure was similar in all personas. Using personas as a precise description of a typical library user and what he or she wishes to accomplish provides a clear picture of humanities scholars’ information seeking behaviour. This may lead to a better understanding of the information seeking activities and strategies they believe can address their information needs. Knowing users’ information seeking behaviour is crucial for librarians in order to provide suitable information sources and desirable library services. The library management can use the personas to focus on the unique goals of a specific person to develop a product and service that satisfies the needs of various library users.
The KSR 1: bridging the gap between shared memory and MPPs

The KSR 1 bridges the gap between the historical shared memory model and massively parallel processors (MPPs) by delivering the shared memory programming model and all of its benefits in a scalable, highly parallel architecture. The KSR 1 runs a broad range of mainstream applications, ranging from numerically intensive computation to online transaction processing (OLTP) and database management and inquiry. The use of shared memory makes possible a standards-based open environment. The KSR 1's shared memory programming model is made possible by a new architectural technique called ALLCACHE memory. <<ETX>>
Superresolution techniques for time-domain measurements with a network analyzer

Superresolution techniques for time delay estimation are proposed and applied to frequency-domain data measured with a network analyzer. A MUSIC (multiple signal classification) algorithm preprocessed by spatial smoothing is used. The spatial smoothing preprocessing is performed to destroy signal coherence, and the decorrelation performance is examined in detail. The expression which gives an individual response is given. Using this expression, it is possible to eliminate unwanted signals that appear as ripples in the frequency domain. Experimental results show that the frequency bandwidth required by the MUSIC algorithm to resolve distinct time-domain responses and eliminate unwanted signals is much narrower than that required by the FFT (fast Fourier transform). Thus, the MUSIC algorithm is applicable to the time-domain measurements with the network analyzer and has much higher resolution capability than the conventional FFT techniques. The MUSIC algorithm is one of the most promising methods of enhancing the accuracy of measurement for narrowband devices such as antennas. >
Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis to evaluate lower-limb biomechanics and conservative treatment

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1a SUMMARY Objective. Iliotibial band friction syndrome (ITBFS) is the second most common cause of knee pain in runners, and the most common cause of lateral knee pain. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates 1) lower-limb biomechanics and 2) conservative interventions in ITBFS. Methods. The MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTSDiscus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched in April 2018 for studies investigating lower limb biomechanics and conservative treatment in iliotibial band friction syndrome. Results. Eighteen studies were identified. Moderate evidence from prospective studies indicate 1) greater hip adduction and knee internal rotation (IR) at footstrike and through stance, and 2) greater rearfoot eversion at foot strike represent possible mechanisms for ITBFS. Moderate evidence from case-control studies indicate ITBFS participants exhibit 1) reduced hip adduction, 2) greater knee and hip IR at footstrike and through stance, and 3) reduced rearfoot eversion at foot strike. Moderate evidence indicates that a six-week rehabilitation programme involving NSAID prescription, ITB stretching, and hip abductor strengthening reduces knee pain during physical activity, and prevents ITBFS recurrence in the medium term (≤ 6 months). Conclusion. Greater hip adduction, knee IR, and rearfoot eversion represent possible risk factors for ITBFS. Greater hip adduction and rearfoot eversion appear to be risk factors which are reduced by ITBFS patients, to lower pain associated with ITB strain, ITB friction and compression. Addressing the absence of research evaluating lower limb electromyography is needed to understand the influence of muscle function on ITBFS. A six-week rehabilitation programme involving NSAID prescription, ITB stretching, and hip abductor strengthening effectively reduces pain and prevents recurrence for up to six months.
Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Gram negative bacterial isolates from cases of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia in a tertiary care institute

Introduction: Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is the most commonly encountered health care associated infection among mechanically ventilated patients, which in turn contributed for raised morbidity, mortality and prolonged hospital stay. Early onset VAP is more common in comparison to late onset VAP. Materials and Method: This study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital for a period of one and half year ranging from January 2013 to June 2014. Clinical Pulmonary Infection score (CPIS) of more than six was used for the clinical diagnosis of VAP and only culture proven cases, out of clinically suspected were further evaluated. Results: Overall rate of VAP was 19.87 per 1000 device days with (0.40) device utilization ratio. Among Gram negative bacterial isolates from VAP, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (50%) was the leading isolate followed by Acinetobacter baumanii (17.64%) and E. coli (14.70%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited (47.05%) resistance to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin followed by (41.17%) to cefepime, (35.29%) to piperacillin (17.64%) to Amikacin. Acinetobacter baumanii exhibited (100%) resistance to amoxycillin+clavulanic, piperacillin, piperacillin+ Tazobactum, followed by (83.33%) to amikacin. Conclusion: Continuous surveillance data of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia will be helpful in reducing the number of cases of VAP and thus in reducing the associated adverse outcomes.
Eating Disorder Pathology Among Individuals Living With Food Insecurity: A Replication Study

Eating disorders (EDs) are stereotypically associated with thin, White, affluent women and girls. One result of the ED stereotype has been a relative dearth of ED research with marginalized communities. The aim of this study was to replicate recent findings showing an association between the severity of food insecurity (FI) and increased ED pathology. Participants included 891 clients of an urban food bank. Results were consistent with the findings of previous research; participants in the most severe FI group reported significantly higher levels of ED pathology, dietary restraint, anxiety, and depression. Findings provide further evidence that the thin, White, affluent, female ED stereotype offers a flawed portrait and highlight the need for additional psychological research that focuses on marginalized populations to address disparities in access to care. Both scholars and clinicians need to move away from the stereotypical portrait of who is and is not at risk for developing an ED.
VELAN: Variable Energy Aware Sense Amplifier Link for Asynchronous Network on Chip

A real time multiprocessor chip paradigm is also called a Network-on-Chip (NoC) which offers a promising architecture for future systems-on-chips. Even though a lot of Double Tail Sense Amplifiers (DTSA) are used in architectural approach, the conventional DTSA with transceiver exhibits a difficulty of consuming more energy and latency than its intended design during heavy traffic condition. Variable Energy aware sense amplifier Link for Asynchronous NoC (VELAN) is designed in this research to eliminate the difficulty, which is the combination of Variable DTSA circuitry (V-DTSA) and Transceiver. The V-DTSA circuitry has following components such as bootable DTSA (B-DTSA) and bootable clock gating DTSA (BCG-DTSA), Graph theory based Traffic Estimator (GTE) and controller. Depending upon the traffic rate, the controller activates necessary DTSA modules and transfers information to the receiver. The proposed VELAN design is evaluated on TSMC 90 nm technology, showing 6.157 Gb/s data rate, 0.27 w total link power and 354 ps latency for single stage operation.
Pathological Study of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Al-Diwaniya province

In the present study, 42 patients were observed, as cutaneous leishmaniasis, from 1 September 2012 until the end of August 2013. They divided to 25 (595. %) males and 17 (40.5%) females, and the diagnosis was depend on clinical examination, pathological lesions and parasitic isolation. Lesions were classified depending on number, so the patients who have multiple lesions were (64.3%), while (35.7%) have single lesion, the number of lesions per patient ranged from one to 12 lesions. Most of the lesions were located on face (40.5%), but some lesions were on the face & hand (21.4%), while few were found in hand and back (2.4%). Histopathologicaly, the cutaneous lesions were observed; keratinized layer and epidermal cells were necrosed or not present over the ulcer, Skin biopsies were taken, fixed with formalin, sectioned, and stained with hematoxyline and eosin stain (H & E stain). Microscopic examination, showed accumulation of amastigote, inflammatory cells such as neutrophils and lymphocytes with macrophages engulf amastigotes. Eleven samples of aspirated blood were collected by fine needle, for making direct Giemsa-stained smears before the cultivation, 72.7% of the cases were positive to the presence of leishmania tropica. There are three culture media were used in this study, biphasic medium, NNN medium, and lockâ€™s solution; 63.4% of cases were positive in NNN medium, and 72.7 % were positive in both of biphasic media and Lockâ€™s solution.
Silicon carbide benefits and advantages for power electronics circuits and systems

Silicon offers multiple advantages to power circuit designers, but at the same time suffers from limitations that are inherent to silicon material properties, such as low bandgap energy, low thermal conductivity, and switching frequency limitations. Wide bandgap semiconductors, such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), provide larger bandgaps, higher breakdown electric field, and higher thermal conductivity. Power semiconductor devices made with SiC and GaN are capable of higher blocking voltages, higher switching frequencies, and higher junction temperatures than silicon devices. SiC is by far the most advanced material and, hence, is the subject of attention from power electronics and systems designers. This paper looks at the benefits of using SiC in power electronics applications, reviews the current state of the art, and shows how SiC can be a strong and viable candidate for future power electronics and systems applications.
Outcomes of patients with blunt chest trauma encountered at emergency department and possible risk factors affecting mortality

Background: Blunt chest trauma is associated with a high risk of mortality. Respiratory complications may necessitate prolonged ventilation and result in death. The present study aimed to investigate possible signs of trauma and the prognosis of trauma patients with thoracic injuries and identify risk factors for mortality. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study was performed to investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of trauma patients with blunt chest injuries who underwent thoracic computed tomography on arrival in the emergency department (January 2010–December 2013). Patients with brain injuries were excluded from the study. The prognostic values of age, sex, trauma type, injury severity score, revised trauma score (RTS), ventilator requirement, days in Intensive Care Unit (ICU), associated thoracic injury, and laboratory examinations (including arterial blood gas [ABG]) were evaluated. Results: Fifteen of 30 analyzed patients died during their ICU stays; accordingly, we classified patients as survivors and nonsurvivors. These groups differed significantly regarding the RTS (P = 0.002), mechanical ventilation requirement (P = 0.007), total stay length (P = 0.009), and the presence of hemothorax (P = 0.030). However, no significant differences in the pneumothorax, rib fractures, and blood tests (including ABG analysis) were observed between the groups. Conclusion: Among hospitalized trauma patients with blunt thoracic injuries, RTS, mechanical ventilation requirement, and hemothorax were identified as risk factors for mortality. Patients with hemothorax should receive multidisciplinary care and be monitored closely to improve survival.