Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Yoga as a complementary therapy improves pulmonary functions in patients of bronchial asthma: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Asthma is one of the major non-communicable diseases affecting mainly urban population worldwide. With increasing traffic, there is upsurge in air pollution levels in Bengaluru, resulting in increase in number of bronchial asthma cases. The purpose of the study was to know the effectiveness of yoga on lung functions so as to reduce the disease burden in bronchial asthma patients. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to record pulmonary function test (PFT) in (1) Group A - 30 bronchial asthma patients practicing yoga along with pharmacological treatment and (2) Group B - 30 bronchial asthma patients who are only on pharmacological treatment and to compare the results between the two groups at baseline, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks. Materials and Methods: Study included 60 mild-moderate bronchial asthma patients, divided into Group A and Group B. PFT was done, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and forced expiratory flow rate 2575% (FEF25-75) were measured using MEC PFT and airway resistance (RAW) and specific airway conductance (sGAW) were measured using body plethysmograph at baseline, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks in both the groups. Results: Group A showed progressive improvement in FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEFR, FEF25-75, and sGAW (P < 0.001) and a significant reduction in RAW after 4th and 8th weeks of yoga training. Group B showed no significant change in FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, PEFR, FEF25-75, RAW, and sGAW after 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Conclusion: Yoga can be used as adjunctive therapy as it significantly improves lung functions in mild-to-moderate bronchial asthma. Regular practice of yoga leads to improved quality of life in bronchial asthmatics.
Pattern of childhood acute leukemia presentation at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria: a five-year review

Background: Acute leukemia is the most common childhood malignancy but its occurrence in low- and middle-income countries are under-reported. Its pattern of presentation varies depending on several factors. The objective of this report is to determine the pattern of presentation of acute leukemias in children at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria.Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of children managed for acute leukemia at the Paediatric Department in a 5-year period. Of 31 patients, 27 had adequate records, which were reviewed. Data collected include patient’s demographics, clinical features and treatment outcome.Results: There were 16 males and 11 females, aged 8 months to 16 years (mean 7.45 years ±4.75 SD). The pattern of clinical features were fever (85.2%), pallor (92.6%) and splenomegaly (51.9%). The specific leukemia type ratio for Acute Myeloid leukemia (AML) and Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was 1: 2.9. The parents of three patients took their children away before commencement of treatment, one patient completed treatment and 6 (22.2%) died before completing treatment. Nearly half of the patients were lost to follow up to seek alternative care while 9 (33.3%) of the patients were in remission at last follow up. Lost to follow-up was found not to be significantly associated with socioeconomic status, age and sex respectively.Conclusions: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia remains the predominant type of childhood leukemia in our setting. Majority of the patients presented with fever and pallor moreover the default to follow-up plagues treatment completion.
Chronic effects of adverse water quality on the greenlip abalone, Haliotis laevigata Donovan

Bioassays were undertaken to assess the effects of ammonia, nitrite, dissolved oxygen and pH on greenlip abalone, Haliotis laevigata. At the end of each chronic bioassay, oxygen consumption, haemolymph ionic concentration and tissue microstructure were documented, relative to toxicant concentration. EC\(_5\) data (concentration causing a 5% growth reduction; whole wet body weight unless stated) indicated that these abalone were very sensitive to elevated levels of ammonia (0.041 mg FAN.I\(^{-1}\)), low dissolved oxygen (7.36 mg DO.l\(^{-1}\)) and low (7.78) and high (8.77) pH. Most of these variables affected shell growth relative to whole body growth, indicating some independence of nett shell and soft tissue growth rates. Greenlip abalone were also sensitive to nitrite on a growth basis. Modeling of the whole weight data indicated relatively uniform growth depression regardless of concentration in the range 0.56-7.80 mg NO\(_2\)-N.I\(^{-1}\). The influence of nutritional history on the susceptibility of abalone to ammonia was determined in an acute bioassay. The abalone had been maintained on either a mixture of three commercial diets, or the same mixture treated at 110°C for two days. No significant difference in mortality occurred between the two diet groups (p>0.05). At 1.025 mg FAN.I\(^{-1}\), an LT50 value of 125.3 h was estimated by probit analysis. Oxygen consumption patterns were similar to growth trends (depressed consumption per unit whole weight per unit time in slow growing groups) for nitrite, dissolved oxygen and pH. However, oxygen consumption was elevated at higher ammonia concentrations. In general, tissue histology was a relatively insensitive indicator of growth rate inhibition as structural changes were usually only pronounced at extreme concentrations. Gill structure was affected by exposure to high nitrite and low dissolved oxygen levels, with ciliates occurring between the gill lamellae of abalone exposed to low dissolved oxygen. Kidney tissue exhibited changes from exposure to ammonia and nitrite. Haemolymph ionic patterns did not provide any apparent stress specific indicators of growth depression. However, reduced haemolymph sodium and chloride concentrations were found in abalone exposed to ammonia, and nitrite respectively. In most chronic bioassays, control groups exposed to saturated seawater survived well (>95%). Growth rates were progressively improved throughout the series of bioassays by adding heaters and later, submersible pumps to increase current flow. However, growth rates were depressed in the absence of within-tank aeration in the dissolved oxygen bioassay.
Value the Formative Assessment, for it Values the Student Outcome - A Historic Cohort Study of Dental Undergraduate Students in India

Background of the study: There are several researches on assessment but very few evidence is available in finding the association between the formative and the summative assessment especially in higher education like health sciences. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the formative and summative performance of the dental undergraduate students retrospectively. Methodology: The theory marks of the first year BDS students of three consecutive years (Batch A, B and C) in the initial formative assessment and final summative assessment were collected retrospectively. The total theory marks of the students in both the assessments were analysed statistically using Pearson Correlation analysis. Results: The data analysis showed significant positive association (2013-14 – 62%, 2014-15 – 71%, 201516 – 65%) between the formative and summative assessment performance of all three batches. Conclusion: The performance in formative and summative assessments have good positive correlation suggesting that formative assessment results should be treated with more value for better student outcome.
The Kullback-Leibler divergence as an estimator of the statistical properties of CMB maps

The identification of unsubtracted foreground residuals in the cosmic microwave background maps on large scales is of crucial importance for the analysis of polarization signals. These residuals add a non-Gaussian contribution to the data. We propose the Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence as an effective, non-parametric test on the one-point probability distribution function of the data. With motivation in information theory, the KL divergence takes into account the entire range of the distribution and is highly non-local. We demonstrate its use by analyzing the large scales of the Planck 2013 SMICA temperature fluctuation map and find it consistent with the expected distribution at a level of 6%. Comparing the results to those obtained using the more popular Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, we find the two methods to be in general agreement.
Molecular biomarkers and precision medicine in colorectal cancer: a systematic review of health economic analyses

An increased understanding of the biology of colorectal cancer (CRC) has fuelled identification of biomarkers with potential to drive a stratified precision medicine care approach in this common malignancy. We conducted a systematic review of health economic assessments of molecular biomarkers (MBMs) and their employment in patient stratification in CRC. Our analysis revealed scenarios where health economic analyses have been applied to evaluate the cost effectiveness of MBM-guided clinical interventions: (i) evaluation of Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase gene (DPYD) status to identify patients susceptible to 5-Fluouracil toxicity; (ii) determination of Uridine 5′-diphospho- glucuronosyltransferase family 1 member A1 gene (UGT1A1) polymorphism status to help guide irinotecan treatment; (iii) assessment of RAS/RAF mutational status to stratify patients for chemotherapy or Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) therapy and (iv) multigene expression analysis (Oncotype Dx) to identify and spare non-responders the debilitating effects of particular chemotherapy interventions. Our findings indicate that Oncotype Dx is cost-effective in high income settings within specific price points, by limiting treatment toxicity in CRC patients. DPYD status testing may also be cost effective in certain settings to avoid specific 5-FU toxicities post treatment. In contrast, current research does not support UGT1A1 polymorphism status as a cost-effective guide to irinotecan dosing, while the health economic evidence to support testing of KRAS/NRAS mutational status and chemo/EGFR therapy choice was inconclusive, despite its widespread adoption in CRC treatment management. However, we also show that there is a paucity of high-quality cost-effectiveness studies to support clinical application of precision medicine approaches in CRC.
Casp8p41 generated by HIV protease kills CD4 T cells through direct Bak activation

oligomerization, Bak­mediated mem­ brane permeabilization, and cell death. Levels of active Bak are higher in HIV­infected T cells that express Casp8p41. Conversely, targeted mutations in the Bak­interacting do­ main diminish Bak binding and Casp8p41­mediated cell death. Similar mutations in procaspase 8 impair the abil­ ity of HIV to kill infected T cells. These observations sup­ port a novel paradigm in which HIV converts a normal cellular constituent into a direct activator that functions like a BH3­only protein.
Heterogeneity in sociodemographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors at the initiation of a lifestyle intervention for obesity within Germany: an APV multicenter study on 40,942 children and adolescents

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze whether sociodemographic characteristics or cardiovascular risk factors differ in children and adolescents at the beginning of a lifestyle intervention (LI) for obesity within Germany. Methods: A total of 40,942 children and adolescents with German residence from the APV-registry were included. Subjects were assigned to the 16 federal states of Germany according to their postal code. Sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors at the beginning of a LI for obesity were compared between the federal states. Logistic models were implemented for the prevalence of extreme obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, abnormal carbohydrate metabolism, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and treatment modality (inpatient vs. outpatient). Results: Age at the beginning of a LI ranged from 11.5 to 13.5 years. Proportion with a migration background was between 5.8% and 49.7%. Within Germany, extreme obesity in children and adolescents initiating a LI strongly differed between 35.6% and 50.8%. Regional differences were also found for obesity-related risk factors: hypertension (39.0–68.1%), dyslipidemia (24.9–44.6%), NAFLD (9.4–20.4%), abnormal carbohydrate metabolism (0.7–6.2%) (all p < 0.0001). Inpatient treatment varied between 11.2% and 88.2%. Overall, no clear regional pattern was observed. Conclusion: Several factors as individual socioeconomic status, personal attitude, treatment accessibility, or regional differences in reimbursement decisions might have contributed to the disparities.
Study of Drug Utilization on Acute Poisoning Cases Treated at Tertiary Care Hospital

Acute poisoning is common everywhere in medical emergency. Acute poisoning may be due to deliberate exposure to drugs, chemicals and natural toxins or accidental which is emergency for common medical health. The main aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of drug utilization, poisoning agents, and outcome in patients with treated acute poisoning. Material and Methods: This prospective cross sectional study was carried out in the emergency department of a tertiary care centre over a one year period. Result: During the period of 1 year total 310 Acute poisoning cases were recorded by us. Out of 310 acute poisoning cases 170(54.8%) were male where as females were 140(45.2%). The majority of cases were from age group of 20 -50 years in males whereas mean age of female patients was 37.3 years and majority of the cases were from 25-50 age group. The most common route of exposure to poisons (69.6%) was ingestion and followed by dermal exposure (in cases of venomous animal exposures) (25.8%) and inhalation (4.6%). The most common symptomatic treatments given to the patients were antimicrobials (88.7% of cases), antiemetics (82.6%% of cases), H2 blockers (72.9% of cases) and Atropine (51% of cases), pralidoxime (41.6% of cases) Proton pump inhibitors and Vasopressor agents etc respectively. The most commonly prescribed specific antidotes were Anti-snake venom (ASV) (12.9% of cases). Conclusion: In the present study, the main causes of poisoning were identified as household products in urban areas of India. Awareness about the dangers of such poisons should be the added responsibility of health and hospital authorities. Poison control center establishment in the region will also help in preventing and controlling such poisoning events.
Integrated control of mango blossom malformation in South Africa

Mango malformation disease (MMD) is a serious disease worldwide, causing severe economic losses annually. In South Africa, recommendations for managing MMD are to break out malformed inflorescences when clearly visible. Despite these recommendations, high incidences of MMD were reported during the 2010 to 2012 seasons. The aim of this study was to develop an integrated strategy for optimum control of MMD and to determine the effect of prochloraz on malformation. Treatments included removal of malformed inflorescences alone and/or in combination with one or several prochloraz sprays applied at various times. Percentage infection was calculated and yield data were recorded at harvest. Removal of malformed inflorescences in year one resulted in a decrease in malformation from 19.9% to 3.55% over the four-year period (Trial A), but no significant differences were observed between the treatments. Yield data did not differ significantly between treatments but there was a significant increase in yield from the first to the second year, which then remained constant. Spraying of prochloraz-Zn at three-week intervals combined with removal of malformed inflorescences at regular intervals (Trial B) resulted in a significant decrease in disease incidence. The combined prochloraz and sanitation treatments significantly increased yield over three seasons by 26.9 t ha−1.
Brain Metastasis: A Multidisciplinary Approach

thinking, risk assessment, integration of information and socialization, emotional regulation, and attention. Hence, damage to the prefrontal cortex may cause a broad range of behavioral and cognitive deficits, including personality changes, erratic behavior, and depression. Bilateral involvement of the frontal lobes can lead to severely decreased attention and alertness and, in extreme cases, coma. Finally, the frontal lobe holds critical areas for language production, including Broca’s area (dominant inferior frontal lobe) that is responsible for speech production. Tumors in the left inferior frontal lobe often present with inability to produce speech with preserved comprehension. Other critical functions mediated by the frontal lobe are voluntary eye movements for tracking controlled by the frontal eye fields.
Flowering in a seed orchard of Pinus silvestris L.

Flowering phenology and flowering frequencies were investigated in clones of Swedish and Finnish origin growing in a pine seed orchard at Langtora (lat 59°43´, long. 17°08`, alt. 15 m). One purpose was to estimate the gene contribution of individual clones to the progeny. The frequencies of female and male strobili were estimated in 1973-1975. The onset and duration of both female receptivity and pollen dispersal were recorded. The pollen density in the seed orchard was estimated. Great clonal variation prevailed in the seed orchard with respect to the frequency of female and male flowering as well as the onset and duration of female receptivity and pollen dispersal. A good agreement in flowering frequencies and phenological characteristics of the clones between different years was observed. The great vaiation in onset and duration of receptivity and pollen dispersal from year to year was influenced to a great extent by the prevailing temperature conditions in the spring, different years. The calculations of the genetic composition of the progeny revealed that the gene contribution of the analysed clones varied considerably. This was mainly due to differences in the frequency of flowering.
Role of serum magnesium in diabetes mellitus - A case control study

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus characterized by high glycemic levels is routinely associated with many mineral abnormalities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the levels of serum magnesium among subjects with diabetes mellitus and to compare and analyze the same in normal non diabetics. Materials and Methods: In this case control study conducted at Malla Reddy Hospital, 50 subjects known to be diabetics were considered as cases and 50 apparently normal nondiabetics were the controls. Serum magnesium was estimated, compared and analyzed. Results: Serum magnesium levels were 1.89 ± 0.32 among cases and 2.26 ± 0.27 among controls. Extreme statistical significance was observed between both the groups. Conclusion: Serum magnesium levels were found to be decreased in subjects with diabetes mellitus. We conclude that diabetes mellitus could influence magnesium homeostasis.
Baseline characteristics of 1461 participants in the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry

Rationale: Patient demographic, assessment, and outcome data for interstitial lung diseases (ILD) in real-world settings are lacking. The US-based Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry (PFF-PR) is collecting such data in a cohort projected to comprise at least 2000 subjects. Methods: The PFF-PR enrolls consenting patients at least 18 years old with ILD, excluding sarcoidosis, LAM, PAP, CF, or amyloidosis. Data collected includes history, examination, pulmonary testing, and chest CTs obtained as part of usual care, and patient reported outcomes. We evaluated the baseline characteristics of the first 1461 participants. Results: Of 1461 participants, 57% had IPF. Non-IPF cases included other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (11%), collagen vascular/autoimmune disease (17%), hypersensitivity pneumonitis (9%), and other (5%). Multidisciplinary conference was used to confirm diagnosis in 564 (37%) of cases: 331 (40%) of IPF and 233 (37%) of non-IPF cases. Lung biopsy was performed in 286 (34%) of IPF and 271 (43%) of non-IPF subjects. In IPF and non-IPF, respectively, surgical biopsy was most common (n=247 vs 212) compared to transbronchial (n=30 vs 50) or cryobiopsy (n=9 vs 9). The use of immunosuppressive and anti-fibrotic medications differed between IPF and non-IPF subjects. Conclusions: This analysis demonstrates the feasibility and potential output of this multi-institutional collaborative effort.
FREQUENCY OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS

Background: Co-morbid depression in diabetics is associated with hyperglycaemia, diabetic complications and poor compliance. Aim of study is to access the frequency of clinically relevant depressive symptoms in adults with type 1 and 2 diabetes and find their association with gender and age of the patient. Method: It was a cross-sectional study. The study was conducted in outpatient department of CMH Lahore for a period of six months. We included patients diagnosed with diabetes type 1 or 2 along with depressive symptoms. Any known case of depressive or personality disorder diagnosed before the onset of diabetes and those having a significant known medical history prior to/along with the development of diabetes were excluded from the study. Depression was gauged using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder-IV (DSM-IV) criteria. Chi square test was used to access the association between depression among diabetics with age and gender. Results: A total of 340 patients, 191 (56.2%) males and 149 (43.8%) females were included, out of which 304 (90.9%) qualified DSM-IV criteria for having depression. Out of 191 males, 160 presented with depressive symptoms whereas all female diabetics had depression. Chi-square value for gender association was 27 (statistically significant, p=0.000) and for age Chi-square value was 1.391, (statistically significant, p=0.014) with a peak at 55 years of age and a count of 40 patients. Conclusion: Presence of diabetes increases the frequency of depression along with significant association of age and gender of diabetics with co-morbid depression. Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Depression, Hyperglycaemia, Co-morbid, Complications Pak J Physiol 2018;14(2):31â€“3