Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CYP2D6 genetic polymorphisms in Saudi systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs1080985, rs28624811, rs1065852, rs28371725, and rs1135840) in cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) gene among Saudi systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and to investigate the association between the genetic variants and clinical features of SLE. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on adult Saudi patients at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Patients with confirmed SLE based on the 2012 Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics classification criteria were included in the study. Peripheral blood was collected for genomic deoxyribonucleic acid extraction and TaqMan® technologies were used for target genotyping. For statistical analysis, differences in genotype frequencies were determined using the Chi-square test, and the association between the variant genotypes and SLE features was evaluated using logistical regression models. Results: There were 107 participants included in this study. Overall, the most predominant (23.4%) recessive genotype was AA in rs28624811, and the least prevalent (1.9%) recessive genotype was TT in rs28371725. Moreover, the variant rs1080985 genotypes (GC or CC) were significantly associated with the presence of serositis manifestation (OR=3.15, p=0.03), even after adjusting for age and gender. However, the dominant rs28624811 genotype (GG) was associated with renal involvement (OR=2.56, p=0.03). Conclusion: Systemic lupus erythematosus patients carrying CYP2D6 variants might be considered at risk for certain manifestations of SLE. Further studies are needed to investigate the implication of these genetic variations in clinical outcomes and drug response.
Prevalence of Cognitive Impairment in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients and Associated Factors

Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) in patients with chronic kidney disease, including those treated with renal replacement therapy, is a growing problem worldwide. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the prevalence of CI and associated factors in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 18 consecutive patients with PD therapy and 15 controls were evaluated for CI using the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III (ACE III) test. Results: The prevalence of CI was 33% in patients and 27% in the control group and was not statistically significant. A higher prevalence of CI was found in subjects aged ≥65 years old than in those <65 years old (p = 0.02), but only in the control group. The prevalence of CI in PD patients over and under 65 years of age did not differ statistically significantly (p = 0.12). Memory and verbal fluency were the most affected cognitive domain in PD patients with CI (p = 0.00, p = 0.04, respectively). There was a significant correlation between higher educated PD patients and the ACE III test results. The duration of dialysis did not affect the results of the cognitive screening test. Conclusions: CI is a growing problem in the course of chronic kidney disease and dialysis therapy. It seems that cognitive problems may occur in patients undergoing PD at a younger age than in the general population with particularly affected memory and verbal fluency. Higher educated patients score better on the cognitive screening test.
Oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and HPV vaccination in an Australian cohort

Human papillomavirus (HPV)‐related oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is increasing in incidence, yet very little is known about oral HPV infection in the general population. In this Australian‐based study we assess oral HPV prevalence according to HPV vaccination status. Participants of the Oral Diversity Study were Australian residents, aged 18 to 70 years, who filled out a questionnaire about lifestyle and sexual behaviour, and donated a saliva sample in 2020 to 2021. We obtained permission to access HPV vaccination status through record linkage with the Australian Immunisation Register. Saliva samples were DNA extracted, DNA quality checked and analysed for HPV. We recruited 1023 participants to the Oral Diversity Study. Nine hundred twenty‐one returned a saliva sample for analysis, 911 passed the DNA quality check and were included in the study. The oral HPV prevalence was 7.2%, and was strongly associated with sexual behaviours. We identified 27 different HPV types; 53% of participants carried high‐risk HPV types, with no difference between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated groups (53% both, P = .979). Two hundred thirty participants (26%) were HPV vaccinated. The oral prevalence of the nine HPV types included in the nonavalent HPV vaccine was significantly lower in the vaccinated participants compared to the unvaccinated (0.9% vs 3.4%; P = .022). These findings suggest that a sizeable minority of Australian residents harbour oral HPV infections, and many of these are high‐risk subtypes. We found some evidence that HPV vaccination resulted in lower prevalence of oral HPV infections of vaccine‐specific types. Larger surveys are required to confirm these findings.
Predictors of care discontinuity in geriatric trauma patients

@ManuelCastillMD; @MollyJarman; @StephanieNitzs2; @zaracMD; @AliSalimMD; @CSPH_BWH; @BrighamSurgery More than a third of geriatric trauma patients are readmitted to a non-index hospital, which is driven by readmission diagnosis, travel time and hospital characteristics. However, unlike other surgical settings, this care discontinuity is not associated with increased mortality. BACKGROUND Readmission to a non–index hospital, or care discontinuity, has been shown to have worse outcomes among surgical patients. Little is known about its effect on geriatric trauma patients. Our goal was to determine predictors of care discontinuity and to evaluate its effect on mortality in this geriatric population. METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of Medicare inpatient claims (2014–2015) of geriatric trauma patients. Care discontinuity was defined as readmission within 30 days to a non–index hospital. Demographic and clinical characteristics (including readmission diagnosis category) were collected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of care discontinuity and to assess its association with mortality. RESULTS We included 754,313 geriatric trauma patients. Mean age was 82.13 years (SD, 0.50 years), 68% were male and 91% were White. There were 21,615 (2.87%) readmitted within 30 days of discharge. Of these, 34% were readmitted to a non–index hospital. Overall 30-day mortality after readmission was 25%. In unadjusted analysis, readmission to index hospitals was more likely to be due to surgical infection, GI complaints, or cardiac/vascular complaints. After adjusted analysis, predictors of care discontinuity included readmission diagnoses, patient- and hospital-level factors. Care discontinuity was not associated with mortality (OR, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.86–1.01). CONCLUSION More than a third of geriatric trauma patients are readmitted to a non–index hospital, which is driven by readmission diagnosis, travel time and hospital characteristics. However, unlike other surgical settings, this care discontinuity is not associated with increased mortality. Further work is needed to understand the reasons for this and to determine which standardized processes of care can benefit this population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level IV.
Standardization of Gustiness Values from Aircraft

Abstract A universal turbulence standardization technique is described which is based quantitatively on the atmospheric turbulence itself rather than on the effects it products on an aircraft. It provides a single turbulence intensity number which may be measured continuously in flight in a variety of ways, and, with knowledge of the aircraft type and speed, can be linearly related to the rms value of vertical accelerations of the aircraft. The universal intensity number concept as applied here is an extension for aircraft use of the inertial subrange concept of atmospheric turbulence. In the inertial subrange all the statistical properties of turbulence of wavelengths less than a few hundred meters (the wavelength range which dominates gust loading for most aircraft) can be simply related to a single number. The intensity measurement also has value as a basic meteorological parameter, and has proven to be particularly useful in diffusion studies. The intensity scale is derived from various turbulence pow.
Long‐term outcomes of rapid antiretroviral NNRTI‐based initiation among Thai youth living with HIV: a national registry database study

The Thai National AIDS programme (NAP) treatment guidelines have recommended rapid antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, regardless of CD4 count since 2014. We assessed treatment outcomes among youth living with HIV (YLHIV), initiating first‐line ART and assessed the association between virological failure (VF) and timing of ART initiation.
Lactate and ammonia measurements during cardiopulmonary exercise testing and its recovery phase—Consideration of age and sex in its interpretation

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing with lactate and ammonia samples is used in the diagnostics of metabolic myopathies. As the effect of age and sex on the exercise lactate and ammonia levels are incompletely characterized for clinical associations, our aim was to assess the effects of these factors on healthy subjects to improve the test's interpretation.
The influence of laser wavelength on the structure, morphology, and photoluminescence properties of pulsed laser deposited CaS: Eu2+ thin films

Europium-doped calcium sulfide thin films were grown on Si (100) substrates using the pulsed laser deposition technique. The influence of the laser wavelength on the structure, morphology, and photoluminescent properties of the films was studied. The X-ray diffraction data showed that the films were amorphous, except for the (200) diffraction peak observed from the films deposited at the wavelengths of 266 and 355 nm. The atomic force microscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy data showed that the film deposited at 355 nm was rougher and thicker than those deposited at 266 and 532 nm. As a result, the highest photoluminescence emission intensity around 650 nm was observed from the film deposited at 355 nm. This emission was attributed to the 4f65d1 → 4f7Eu2+ transitions of Eu2+ observed. These films were evaluated for blue light-emitting diodes.
Coping and Conformity Motives Mediate the Joint Effects of the Behavioral Inhibition and Approach Systems on Alcohol Problems in Young Adults

Abstract Background: Gray’s original Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) posits that an oversensitive behavioral inhibition system (BIS) may increase risk for negative-reinforcement-motivated drinking, given its role in anxiety. However, existing data provides mixed support for the BIS-alcohol use association. The inconsistent evidence is not surprising, as the revised RST predicts that the behavioral approach system (BAS) should moderate the effect of the BIS on alcohol use. A strong BAS is thought to bring attention to the negatively reinforcing effects of alcohol, leading to problem drinking among those with a strong BIS. While emerging results support this interaction, we still have much to learn about the mechanisms underlying this effect on alcohol use. Accordingly, we examined motives for alcohol use as mediators of the joint associations of the BIS and the BAS on drinking behaviors. Specifically, our central hypothesis was that individuals with a strong BIS and a strong BAS would endorse increased negative reinforcement motives for drinking (coping and conformity motives), which in turn would predict heavy drinking and alcohol problems. Method: Participants (N=346; 195 women) completed study measures as part of the baseline assessment for a larger study. Results: Overall, results partially supported the hypotheses. Mediated moderation analyses showed that the indirect effect of the BIS on alcohol problems, through coping and conformity motives, was strongest at high levels of the BAS. This effect was not supported for alcohol use. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that clinical interventions should target coping and conformity reasons for drinking among anxious, reward responsive, young adults.
The Effect of 2 Different Distraction Methods on Pain, Fear, and Anxiety Levels During Venous Blood Draw in Children in a Pediatric Emergency Unit

Background: Blood draw procedures can cause pain, fear, and anxiety in the pediatric population. Purpose: To compare the effects of watching cartoons either with virtual reality (VR) or via a tablet on pain, fear, and anxiety during venous blood draw procedures in children. Methods: A randomized controlled study was conducted with 159 children aged 5 to 12 years in the pediatric emergency unit. The 3 groups included cartoons with VR (n = 53) or a tablet (n = 53), and a control group (n = 53). Results: Children in the 2 intervention groups had lower perceptions of pain, fear, and anxiety, with those watching cartoons via VR having the lowest perceptions. Conclusions: Findings from this study showed a reduction in the perception of pain, fear, and anxiety in children who watched cartoons with VR or tablets during blood draw procedures. Nurses should consider using these nonpharmacological methods to reduce pain, fear, and anxiety, among pediatric patients.
Intensive report on total analysis of drinking water quality in Lahore

In this paper quality of drinking water supplied by Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) is analyzed. Sampling units were tube well (direct source) and tap (indirect source) localized in different areas/towns of Lahore. For assessment, various physicochemical parameters (pH, temperature, color, odor, turbidity, conductivity, total hardness, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, electrical conductivity, chloride, fluorides nitrates, lead and arsenic) were selected. Moreover bacteriological study was recorded by finding total coliform colonies. The study showed that in general physicochemical parameters were within the World Health Organization (WHO), Drinking Water Quality Standards (DWQS) of Pakistan, both at source (tube well) and point of use (tap) except the levels of arsenic and fluoride that were found above the National Standards and WHO Standards. Average fluoride concentration in tube well sources was 1.50 mg/L while in tap water sources an average concentrations up to 1.58 mg/L was present, which are higher than the standard of ≤ 1.5 mg/L. Likewise average of tube-well and tap water sources had 0.05 mg/L of arsenic, out of which Wagah Town and Shalimar Town showed 0.1 mg/L of arsenic that is higher than the standards of ≤ 0.05 mg/L (National Standard) and 0.01 mg/L (WHO standard). Similarly there is an acute need to solve bacterial contamination in drinking water as few samples had very high level of bacteriological contamination. However, after employing disinfection technique via microwave and/or conventional heating methods, polluted samples showed improved results. On the larger scale, it is necessary to employ more effective chlorination plants functional at water sources while water mains and sewer lines should be at maximum distance to avoid this severe trouble.
Drug Susceptibility Profiling of Prototheca Species Isolated from Cases of Human Protothecosis

Prototheca are unicellular, achlorophyllous, yeast-like microalgae that occur in a wide range of natural habitats. At least five species have been implicated as the causative agents of opportunistic infections of men. ABSTRACT Prototheca are unicellular, achlorophyllous, yeast-like microalgae that occur in a wide range of natural habitats. At least five species have been implicated as the causative agents of opportunistic infections of men. Human protothecosis typically manifests as cutaneous, articular, or systemic disease. Treatment is largely empirical with poorly predictable and often unsuccessful outcomes. This is largely due to the frequently observed resistance of Prototheca species to conventional antimicrobial agents. This work is the first to perform drug susceptibility profiling exclusively on isolates from human cases of protothecosis. A total of 23 such isolates were tested against amphotericin B and 9 azoles, including efinaconazole and luliconazole, whose activities against Prototheca have never been studied before. Efinaconazole was the most active, with median minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum algicidal concentration (MAC) values of 0.031 mg/L and 0.063 mg/L, respectively. Fluconazole and luliconazole had the lowest activity, with median MIC and MAC values of 128 mg/L. To conclude, amphotericin B and most of the azoles showed in vitro activity, with an algicidal rather than algistatic effect, against Prototheca. Still, the activity of individual drugs differed significantly between the species and even between strains of the same species. These differences can be attributed to a species-specific potential for acquiring drug resistance, which, in turn, might be linked to the treatment history of the patient from whom the strain was recovered. The results of this study underscore the potential clinical utility of efinaconazole as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of human protothecosis.
On the dispersion of linear kinematic waves

The theory of kinematic waves, initiated by Lighthill & Whitham, is taken up for the case when the concentration k and flow q are related by a series of linear equations. If the initial disturbance is hump-like it is shown that the resulting kinematic wave can be usefully described by the growth of its mean and variance, the former moving with the kinematic wave velocity and the latter increasing proportionally to the distance travelled. Conditions for these moments to be calculated from the Laplace transform of the solution, without the need of inversion, are obtained and it is shown that for a large class of waves, the ultimate wave form is Gaussian. The power of the method is shown in the analysis of a kinematic temperature wave, where the Laplace transform of the solution cannot be inverted.
The utility of ultrasound and plain radiographs in the management of developmental dysplasia of the hip

The purpose of this study is to assess the utility of follow-up radiological imaging in the management of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in patients successfully treated with the Pavlik harness. A retrospective review was conducted on all children under 6 months diagnosed with DDH at a tertiary pediatric hospital between January 2004 and December 2018. Inclusion criteria included successful Pavlik harness treatment following a standardized protocol with complete radiological documentation at 2 years of age. Ultrasonography was reviewed to measure the α and β angles and Graf classification. Anteroposterior pelvic radiographs were evaluated for the acetabular index and residual acetabular dysplasia. Seventy-eight hips from 57 infants were included in this study. The mean 6-month, 12-month and 2-year acetabular index of Graf I, IIa and IIc hips on ultrasound at 12 weeks were within the normal range according to age. There were no Graf IIb, IId, III and IV hips. All infants had normal radiographs at 2 years follow-up. The 6- and 12-month residual dysplasia rates in patients with DDH normalization at 12 weeks and 6 months range from 2.5 to 8.82%. Regardless of when the acetabular index normalized, all patients eventually had normal hip radiographs at 2 years of age. Following a standardized protocol, patients undergoing Pavlik harness treatment for DDH with Graf I and IIa hips at 12 weeks are likely to have normal plain radiographs at discharge. The incidence of residual dysplasia is very low and hence, radiographic surveillance is probably unnecessary until discharge at 2 years. Level II, retrospective study.
Flow Properties of Several Types of Liquid Flows through Micro-Orifices

The flow properties of several types of liquid passing through various sizes of micro-orifices were investigated in this paper. The jet thrust and pressure drops were measured for two polyethylene glycol solutions and four surfactant solutions. Different flow properties were found for the various surfactant solutions depending on the charge of the solute. For an anionic surfactant, the results were similar to those for water, whereas in the case of a cationic surfactant, both the jet thrust and pressure decreased greatly in comparison with the other test liquids. Finally, a nonionic surfactant exhibited a steep rise in the pressure drop at a particular value of the Reynolds number. In explaining this behavior, the liquid-solid interface and alignment of the surfactant molecules are considered, and consequently, it is strongly suggested that the elastic stress on elongational flows is a contributing factor. In addition, the decreases in pressure and thrust for polyethylene glycols are attributed to viscoelastic properties, regardless of the molecular weight of PEG.
3D particle position and 3D velocity field measurement in a microvolume via the defocusing concept

This paper reports on a method for detecting three-dimensional particle positions and conducting three-dimensional microflow diagnostics in a microvolume via a three-pinhole defocusing concept. A simple setup and an easy detection method are described. The calibration-based defocusing method is suggested in place of formulae introduced through geometric analyses in previous studies. Depth calibration was performed in a microvolume, and X–Y compensation functions were obtained. By using the calibration functions, three-dimensional particle positions can be calculated at a sub-micron depth resolution. The effects of pinhole masks made with different pattern sizes are also described. The developed method was applied to a microflow in a micro backward-facing step. Time-resolved particle trajectories and three-dimensional volumetric velocity fields at a depth of 50 µm were obtained and are presented here.
Dynamic changes in the central autonomic network of patients with anorexia nervosa

Autonomic cardiac dysfunction is a common complication in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). Despite its high prevalence, physicians often overlook this clinical condition, and little research has been dedicated so far. To probe the functional role of the neurocircuitry underpinning the poorly understood autonomic cardiac dysfunction, we examined dynamic functional differences in the central autonomic network (CAN) between 21 acute AN individuals and 24 age, sex and heart rate‐matched healthy controls (HC). We assessed functional connectivity (FC) changes in CAN using seeds in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, left and right anterior insular cortex, left and right amygdala and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. The overall FC between the six investigated seeds is reduced in AN individuals compared to HC, although no changes were observed for single connections. Moreover, AN exhibited higher complexity in the FC time series of such CAN regions. Contrary to HC, we found that the degree of complexity between FC and heart rate (HR) series did not correlate in AN, suggesting a shift from central to peripheral control of the heart in AN individuals. Using dynamic FC analysis, we showed that the CAN transits across five functional states with no preference for any. Strikingly, at the state of weakest connectivity, the entropy significantly diverges between healthy and AN individuals, reaching its minimum and maximum values, respectively. Overall, our findings provide evidence that core regions of the CAN engaged in cardiac regulation are functionally affected in acute AN.