Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EVALUATION OF THE SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES OF PLATELET-RICH PLASMA INTRA-ARTICULAR INJECTIONS FOR TREATING PATIENTS WITH EARLY STAGE GONARTHROSIS

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term clinical outcomes of intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment and to evaluate the increase in functional activity and quality of life in patients with early stage gonarthrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS We planned our study retrospectively. Eighty-six patients (54 females and 32 males) with 108 knees (54 right and 54 left) who had pain and swelling for > 4 months due to all grades of knee osteoarthritis according to the Kellgren–Lawrence grading scale were evaluated . Our patients were homogenous in terms of age and body mass index. Three intra-articular PRP injections were administered once per week, and the patients were clinically evaluated prospectively before treatment and at 2 and 6 months after treatment with the visual analogue scale (VAS), the Knee Society Score (KSS), and the Short Form-36 (SF-36). RESULTS No major complications due to treatment were observed. Seventeen patients had transient swelling and pain for 2 days. Significant improvements on the VAS, KSS and SF-36 scores were obtained at the 2- and 6-month follow-ups (p < 0.05). The VAS, KSS, and SF-36 scores improved significantly at the 6-month evaluation compared to those at the month 2 follow up. CONCLUSION We believe that intra-articular PRP treatment is effective during the early stage of gonarthrosis and increases the quality of life and functional activity of recipients. Key Words: Platelet-rich plasma, Intra-articular injection , Gonarthrosis.
CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS AND ITS CO-RELATION TO CD4 COUNTS IN HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF PUNJAB

In developing countries like India Cryptosporidium spp. is a major cause of diarrhoea mainly affecting children and HIV-infected individuals with low CD4 counts. The infection is self-limiting in immunocompetent hosts, but can be severe and persistent in the immunocompromised and malnourished. The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis among HIV-infected patients in a tertiary care hospital in Punjab and its correlation with CD4 counts. This retrospective study was carried out in Microbiology Department at Christian Medical College and Hospital Ludhiana, from April 2012 to June 2013 among consecutively enrolled 105 HIV infected patients presenting with diarrhoea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. Stool samples were screened and examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocyte by Modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method. CD4 counts of the patients were estimated by Alere Pima TM CD4 Analyser. Out of 105 stool samples, 17(16%) were positive for Cryptosporidium oocyst.CD4 count of patients positive for cryptosporidium oocyst was significantly lower (< 200/ µl). Cryptosporidium infections may be life threatening, so its early detection can be life saving. Therefore, stools of all HIV positive patients with diarrhoea or other gastrointestinal symptom should be screened for Cryptosporidium infection. Monitoring of CD4 cell count and looking for opportunistic parasitic infections are important. This is likely to optimise treatment in these patients by eradicating opportunistic pathogens and improve the quality of life of these patients.
Clinically Classified Periodontitis and Its Association in Patients with Preexisting Coronary Heart Disease

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate possible associations between clinically classified periodontitis as determined by assessing its severity and diagnosed coronary heart disease in outpatients referred to a specialist clinic for neurosurgery treatment. A total of 2,912 individuals were clinically examined for periodontal disease experience by using probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Socioeconomic, oral health behaviour, and general health related information was collected by using a self-administered questionnaire. Statistical analysis of the questionnaire items was performed by using multivariate logistic regression analysis model. The results showed that the occurrence of hypertension (, 95% CI = 1.52–3.84), smoking (, 95% CI = 1.25–3.11), classified periodontitis (, 95% CI = 1.15–2.77), and the high level of serum C-reactive protein (, 95% CI = 1.05–2.89) were significantly associated with the presence of coronary heart disease. These observations strengthen the role of some of the traditional causative risk factors for coronary heart disease while a significant association was recorded between diagnosed coronary heart disease and clinically classified periodontitis which is considered as a risk factor for coronary heart disease.
The τ Protein of Oral Epithelium Increases in Alzheimer's Disease

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an important problem that should be solved in the 21st century. Prior to treatment, a simple and easy diagnostic method using biological markers should be available. As a method to attain this goal, we detected and determined tau protein in oral mucosal epithelium. METHODS: Oral epithelium was exfoliated from 34 patients with AD or 29 patients with vascular dementia, and 33 young and 34 age-matched controls. Western blot was performed for determining the molecular weight of oral tau protein. The tau protein level was determined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF tau was also measured and compared with oral tau. RESULTS: Western blot analysis using an anti-non-phosphorylated tau-protein antibody showed two bands, one at 65 Kd and the other at 110 Kd. The tau-protein level in oral epithelia showed a significant positive correlation with those in the CSF (p <.05). The patients with AD had significantly higher levels of tau protein than the patients with vascular dementia and the controls (p <.01). AD patients with a younger age at onset of the study showed a higher level of the tau protein than the patients with later age at onset (p <.05). CONCLUSIONS: Like other nonneural tissues, oral epithelium contains small tau and big tau. The tau protein in oral epithelium reflects the pathological changes, as does the CSF tau. Individuals who develop AD may have had high levels of the tau protein in oral mucosal epithelium since early childhood. The tau-protein level in oral epithelia could be helpful in diagnosing AD.
Relação entre a patogenicidade do Schistosoma mansoni em camundongos e a susceptibilidade do molusco vetor: III. Mortalidade, pesos corporal e das vísceras

Estudou-se a relacao entre o desenvolvimento da hepatomegalia, da esplenomegalia, peso corporal e taxa de mortalidade em camundongos experimentalmente infectados por Schistosoma mansoni com o grau de susceptibilidade de Biomphalaria glahrata e B. tenagophila nas quais se desenvolveram as cercarias infectantes respectivamente, das linhagens BH e SJ. Foram utilizados como hospedeiro definitivo camundongos Swiss, SPF e como hospedeiros intermediarios populacoes de moluscos selecionados geneticamente para o carater susceptibilidade. Foram observados menores pesos corporais e das visceras em camundongos infectados com cercarias provenientes de moluscos que apresentaram elevado grau de susceptibilidade. A maior susceptibilidade dos moluscos a infeccao pelo S. mansoni correspondeu a uma menor sobrevivencia dos camundongos infectados. Os resultados fazem crer que a maior adaptacao do parasita ao hospedeiro intermediario, traduzidos pelas taxas mais elevadas de susceptibilidade, pode levar a um comportamento diferente deste parasita no hospedeiro definitivo.
Patch orientation‐specified network for learning‐based image super‐resolution

Learning-based image super-resolution is considered as a promising solution to reconstruct a high-resolution image from a low-resolution image. To improve the super-resolution performance dramatically, this Letter focuses on the effect of training dataset on the performance and proposes an image super-resolution scheme based on patch orientation-specified network. In particular, a deep neural network is trained using patches with a specific orientation and angular transformation is combined with the neural network to cope with various orientations in input patches. Experimental results show the suggested network model is superior to existing state-of-the-art super-resolution alternatives.
Reducing the total tardiness by Seru production: model, exact and cooperative coevolution solutions

Seru Production is widely used in the Japanese electronics industry owing to its benefits. The total tardiness can be significantly reduced by Seru Production. We focus on investigating the fundamental principle of the total tardiness reduction brought by Seru Production. We formulate the seru system operation with minimising the total tardiness and analyse the solution space. We clarify that the model is non-linear. To exactly obtain the optimal solution of the non-linear model, we decompose the non-linear model into seru formation and seru scheduling which is formulated as a linear model. Thus, the small-scale seru system operation with minimising the total tardiness is solved exactly. For the large-scale problems, we propose a cooperative coevolution algorithm, where two evolution algorithms deal with the seru formation and seru scheduling. In the coevolution process, the two algorithms perform cooperation to seek the better solutions of seru system operation with minimising the total tardiness. Extensive experiments are tested to investigate how Seru Production reduces the total tardiness.
Early Results of Transcatheter Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus: Retrospective Study of 61 Patients

Introduction Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) accounts for 6 - 11% of all congenital heart defects. 1 ,2 Complications of PDA include congestive heart failure, repeated chest infections, pulmonary hypertension, and an increased risk of infective endocarditis. Transcatheter closure of PDA has largely replaced surgical ligation in different age groups. 3-7 Currently, surgical intervention is restri-cted to premature babies or small infants with large symptomatic PDA, cases with unfavorable duct ana-tomy, and whenever the cost of the closure devices is unaffordable. 1 PDA was the first example of congenital heart dis-ease to be treated by transcatheter closure, which beco-mes an established form of treatment for the majority of patients with PDA and as a safe alternative to sur-gery. The per-cutaneous technique was first described by Porstmanur et al . , 8 since then various devices such as Rashkind PDA umbrella, 9 button device, 10 PDA coils 11 and most recently the Amplatzer duct occluder (ADO) have been introduced. 12,13 The ADO device was designed to provide the most desirable characteri-stics for a percutaneous closure device that can be used in most if not all patients with PDA. These include user - friendly delivery system, high complete closure rate, small delivery system (allowing its use in small infants), trans-venous delivery route, ability to adapt to various PDA sizes and types, and the ability to retrieve or reposition the device prior to release from a secure delivery system. Common complications of trans-catheter closure of PDA include residual shunt, left pulmonary artery (LPA) obstruction, protrusion of the device into the aorta, and embolization of the device. 14-16 Incidence of complications increases with certain types and large size ducts, and with the use of multiple coils for occlu-sion. 17 There are only a few reports correlating out-come and complications with the learning curve and experience. 18-20 In this study, we are reporting our ini-tial experience with PDA closure using Amplatzer duct occluder (ADO). Our focus was on reporting the complications of trans-catheter closure of PDA using PDA closure devices. This study was carried out to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Amplatzer device for the transcatheter closure of PDA in our setup.
Strength characteristics and stability analysis of GGBS stabilised fly ash-overburden dump

ABSTRACT Stability of OB dump slope has been a major concern and require a proper design for safe mining operation. Utilisation of fly ash with OB material for construction of mine haul road and external dumping, may provide an alternative mode of fly ash disposal. In this study, fly ash was mixed with OB material at different percentages to evaluate the compaction characteristics, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) and shear strength parameter. Tests were also performed with the addition of a different percentage of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) with fly ash-OB mix. Further, the effects of GGBS at various curing period on CBR and UCS characteristics were highlighted. Numerical modelling was carried out for dump containing OB material, fly ash and GGBS at different proportions to evaluate the Factor of Safety (FoS) and to suggest the optimum dump geometry. Experimental result infers that maximum CBR and UCS values were obtained for 78% OB material, 10% fly ash and 12% GGBS at 28 days curing period. Based on the observed FoS from numerical modelling, an optimal multiple regression model and artificial neural network model have been suggested for the direct prediction of FoS by various input parameters.
Optimal Design of a 5-MW Double-Stator Single-Rotor PMSG for Offshore Direct Drive Wind Turbines

This article investigates the optimal design of a double-stator single-rotor permanent magnet synchronous generator (DSSR PMSG) with simulation validation. This scheme of generator is obtained by mechanically combining an interior rotor PMSG and an exterior rotor PMSG. Design of a 5-MW radial flux DSSR surface mounted PMSG is developed with the second generation double layered fractional slot concentrated winding, which reduces large initial investment, size and weight, in contrast to the usual massive direct drive generators for wind turbines. Considering analytically calculated performance of the generator, the genetic algorithm (GA) is applied to minimize weight and cost of the machine with adequate efficiency. Impact of grade selection of PM is analyzed to optimize cost through GA. Moreover, to show advantages of the proposed strategy, methodically computed magnetic flux density distribution in air gaps, synchronous inductance of windings, electromagnetic torque, copper losses, and core losses are compared with the finite element method (FEM) results, and they reveal satisfactory enhanced solutions. Economy of the optimal DSSR PMSG is assured by comparing its total size, weight, and cost with optimized surface mounted inner rotor PMSG and outer rotor PMSG of comparable rated power and rated speed. Furthermore, issue of high cogging torque of this unique topology is resolved by optimizing the relative positioning of both stators’ slots using FEM.
A Novel Current Sharing Method by Grouping Transformer's Secondary Windings for a Multiphase LLC Resonant Converter

A novel current sharing method for a multiphase LLC resonant converter is proposed in this article. Without additional components or control strategies, the proposed method can achieve good current sharing performance even with 10% tolerance of the resonant parameters. Besides, the proposed method is very simple; only the secondary windings of the transformers need to be grouped. This method does not affect the efficiency and load transient characteristics of the LLC resonant converter. The excellent current sharing capability of the proposed method is demonstrated via theoretical analysis under first harmonic approximation assumption and powersim simulation. The experimental results of a 960-W two-phase LLC resonant converter prototype are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The Association between Serum Ferritin and Iron Parameters with Preeclampsia

Background and purpose: High blood pressure is a common complication of pregnancy which is responsible for maternal morbidity and mortality. In some studies, abnormality in iron parameters has been reported in preeclampsia. Also, increased serum ferritin levels (that reflect body iron status) early in preeclampsia compared with normal pregnancy have been reported. Some researches, however, indicated different results. Materials and methods: This case-control study was performed in pregnant women attending prenatal care unit and hospital maternity at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Sari. We evaluated serum iron indices and hematological parameters such as hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations in patients with preeclampsia and compared them with those of the women having normal pregnancies. Results: There were significant differences in serum iron and ferritin levels in women with preeclampsia compared with those of the women with normal pregnancies, 113.87 vs 73.23 , 63.8 vs 22.47, respectively. Also, TIBC level was significantly lower in preeclamptic women. No significant differences were found between the two groups in RBC count, hematocrit and hemoglobin values. Conclusion: According to this study, it is believed that iron profile including iron and ferritin serum levels, and transferrin saturation is higher in women with preeclampsia.
Prescription pattern of antimicrobial agents by dental practitioners: a questionnaire based study -

Background: The aim of this study was to know the pattern & rationality of antimicrobial prescription by dental practitioners. Methods: It was questionnaire based cross sectional study. A total of 175 questionnaires were distributed to dental practitioners working in a tertiary care Dental College & Hospital and private practitioners in Jaipur (Rajasthan). The questionnaire contained questions about years of practice, diagnosis for which antimicrobial were prescribed, dosage and duration of antimicrobial drugs for prophylaxis, acute and chronic conditions, patient compliance & adverse effects. Data was expressed as counts and percentages. Results : Out of 175 questionnaires distributed, 150 were included in the study. 78% dentists had practices less than 5 years duration. Most common indications for which antimicrobials were prescribed were abscess, cellulitis, irreversible pulpitis, and acute gingivitis. Most common antimicrobials used for prophylaxis were Amoxycillin and Metronidazole. For the treatment of acute and chronic conditions, Amoxycillin, Metronidazole, Ofloxacin and Ornidazole alone or in combination were used. Only 20% dentist advised culture & sensitivity tests. 74% patients completed the recommended course of antimicrobials. 56% patients reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) with the most common being nausea and vomiting, but only 13% dentists reported them to proper authorities. Conclusions : In this study, Amoxycillin and Metronidazole were the most common drugs used for the management of oral diseases, but were prescribed without culture & sensitivity in most cases. 56% patients reported ADRs, but only 13% dentists reported them to proper authorities. Appropriate measures need to be taken to promote rational prescribing and ADR reporting.
Rough Conductor Modeling Through State-Space Formulation

Based on the state-space formulation, the exact analytical solution of the magnetic-field distribution inside a rough conductor trace is presented. The infinite Dyson’s series, a well-known tool for describing the interaction picture of a quantum system in the field of quantum electrodynamics (QED), is used to derive the magnetic-field evolution inside a rough conductor, starting from the conductor rough surface up to a far distance inside the conductor or equivalently a mathematical infinity. Validity of the obtained values from the first-, second-, and third-order approximations of the proposed series is proven by comparing with very recent research works. In addition, based on the first-order approximation, a very compact matrix identity is presented for the calculation of the state-space evolution matrix. The obtained values of the rough conductor surface impedance from dc up to 100 GHz are in excellent agreement with those obtained by the finite-difference (FD) method and other recently published solutions.
Supervision of midwifery: a vehicle for introducing reflective practice

This article describes the use of reflection to enhance midwives confidence and competence in clinical practice. The importance of reflective practice in midwifery is well documented and it has been demonstrated that guided reflection, set within the context of a framework of statutory supervision of midwives, strengthens professional learning by demonstrating continuing professional development. The author believes that supervisors of midwives are ideally placed to lead the development and implementation of guided reflection in practice as a tool to enable midwives evaluate their practice and identify areas for development. This paper focuses on supervision of midwifery as a vehicle for introducing Reflective Practice.
Group maturity, team efficiency, and team effectiveness in software development: A case study in a CMMI‐DEV Level 5 organization

Group aspects are essential to the success of software projects; however, almost no research regarding group maturity in CMMI‐DEV Level 5 organizations has been conducted. The objective of this work is to investigate group maturity and its relationship to the efficiency and effectiveness of Agile Software Development teams in a CMMI‐DEV Level 5 organization. A case study was conducted, and three data collection methods were used: a validated questionnaire was given to nine agile software teams (59 people) to measure specific aspects of group maturity, team efficiency, and team effectiveness; the effort to develop Use Case Points and a group rate (related to productivity and salary) were collected to investigate team efficiency, and focus group sessions and semi‐structured interviews were conducted with project managers and team leaders to explore group issues in software development. Aspects of group maturity were correlated with team effectiveness and team efficiency measures. Communication was found to be strongly correlated with team effectiveness and group rate, and conformity and the clarity of roles and goals were found to be strongly correlated with team efficiency. The results suggest that group maturity has a positive influence on software teams in CMMI‐DEV Level 5 organizations.
Health-Related Quality of Life Patients with Diabet es Mellitus and Diabetic Foot in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey

Objective: This study was conducted to compare quality of lif e in two groups and to evaluate its relationship with various parameters. Methodology: A cross-sectional, population-based study was perf ormed. The study was conducted between May and June 2011 in a hospital located in the Sout heastern Anatolia Region. The research population i ncluded diabetes mellitus patient (n=99), and patients with diabetic foot ulcers (n=102). The study data was c ollected using a questionnaire and the Short Form-36. The sc ale’s score may vary from 0-worst possible health s tatus or quality of life to 100-best possible health status or quality of life. Results: The mean scores of physical component summary (PCS) of the group with diabetic foot ulcers, and the group with diabetes mellitus group were 18.7±13.8, 32.7±21.3 respectively and the mean scores of mental component summary (MCS) of them were 18.9±12.1 and 32.8±17.7 (p<0.001). It was also found that those having another chronic disease besides diabetes, th ose who fail to have their feet checked regularly, and those who did not receive any training in foot care had b oth their PCS and MCS scores low. Conclusions: It was found that diabetes mellitus and diabetic f oot ulcers decreased quality of life and patients with diabetic foot ulcers in particular had the low est quality of life. Therefore, it can be recommend ed that quality of life of patients with diabetes and those with diabetic foot ulcers in particular should be regularly evaluated, both disease-related and sociodemographi c characteristics should be considered in terms of the rate at which they can affect quality of life and more weig ht should be given to patient training especially i n foot care.