Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Delayed impacts of COVID-19 infection on unexplained male infertility: 2-year follow-up of normal sperm parameters in unexplained male infertility in KSA

Purpose: The current study aimed to assess the long-term effect of COVID-19 infection on unexplained male infertility. Materials and Methods: A retrospective comparative study of 134 men attending the infertility outpatient clinic of our institution before exposing to COVID-19 infection in KSA from January 2019 to July 2022. Medical recorded data of these patients who were investigated before COVID-19 infection were retrospectively collected using the hospital’s electronic database, including semen analysis, sex hormonal, and ultrasound testicular size, and their data were compared prospectively to collected data after 2-year follow-up. Results: One hundred and thirty-four infertile males who got COVID-19 infection in KSA (median age, 33 years) were assisted retrospectively preinfection and delayed 2 years postinfection (median of 23 months). Of the 134 men, 44 (32.83%) were asymptomatic positive COVID-19 (Group A), 68 (50.74%) had mild-to-moderate symptomatic positive COVID-19 (Group B), and 22 (16.41%) had severe symptomatic positive COVID-19 (Group C). There was no significant change between pre- and postinfections in sperm parameters, sex hormonal level, and testicular size. Subgroup analyses were performed for patients regarding the severity of infections. None of the evaluated parameters differed significantly after infections up to 2 years. Results of this study demonstrate that COVID-19 infection does not have significant changes in sperm parameters, sex hormonal level, and testicular size. Conclusion: The long-term impact of COVID-19 infections has no significant effect on normal sperm parameters, sex hormones, and testicular size in male infertility in KSA.
Effect of Aging on the Antifungal Activity and Surface Roughness of Soft Lining Material Incorporated with Chitosan Nano-Particles

Background: Chitosan is a natural bio-polymer, which has been utilized in different pharmaceutical and biomedical fields, and it has antimicrobial activities. Resilient liner, it’s a polymeric material, considered as a kind of "shock absorber". Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of immersion in the artificial saliva on the antifungal activity and surface roughness of heat-polymerized soft lining material impregnated with CHs-NPs. Approach: 180 specimens were prepared. Divided into 3 groups according to the test: Sensitivity test, viable count test and surface roughness test. Then the specimens subdivided into 3groups depending on the Chitosan addition and the different pH of saliva. The sample’s dimensions for candida viability count test were (10×10×2.3mm) length, width, and thickness, while a plastic disc with dimensions (6 diameter ×0.5mm thickness) for disc diffusion test. For surface roughness test a disc with 30mm diameter and 3mm thickness. The data analyzed statistically using SPSS, (ANOVA) test with Games-Howell test to accept or reject the statistical hypothesis. Results: For viable count test, there was a significant decrease in CFU/ml of C. albicans after incorporation 3.5%CHs-NPs, the results also showed that the specimens’ group that was stored in acidic artificial saliva, recorded a significant increase in CFU/ml of C. albicans, followed by the specimens’ group that was stored in alkaline artificial saliva. While for disk diffusion test, results showed there was no inhibition zone around any PEMA disks except the experimental group that was stored in neutral artificial saliva. The results of surface roughness, showed no significant difference after incorporation in 3.5% of CHs-NPs into the soft denture liner and immersion in the artificial saliva with different pH levels. Conclusion: Acidic and alkaline artificial saliva encouraging the growth C. albicans, while the neutral artificial saliva had the least effect. Also, the result of the study concluded that vertex soft lining material impregnated with chitosan nano-particles aids in obtaining a lining material with the antifungal activity against C. albicans. While the aging process and the addition of CHs-NPs was not having a significantly effect on the surface roughness.
Lived Experiences of Special Education Teachers in the New Normal

The primary objective of this research study is to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the practical challenges special education teachers face when delivering services to students with disabilities amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, given the altered format of education delivery in Ilocos Sur, Philippines. Five special education instructors who offer specialized educational services to students with disabilities are included in the study. The subsequent overarching motifs were identified via qualitative analysis of interview transcripts: (1) Feeling Stressed and (2) Challenges and Problems Encountered. The unparalleled shift towards distance learning, specifically modular learning, has engendered a sense of strain among educators, who perceive themselves as being (1) burnout teacher, (2) A teacher who lacks training, and (3) A teacher who needs support. SPED instructors encountered similar difficulties and obstacles when attempting to implement modular distance learning. They encountered challenges in (1) Contacting and Connecting to Students, (2) Planning the Activities, (3) Making the Learning Activity Sheets (LAS), and (4) Evaluating Incomplete and Unanswered LAS. The results of this study will offer insights into the practical challenges faced by special educators during distance learning, as well as identify supplementary resources that will enhance special education in the current paradigm.
Postcranial Skeletal Pneumaticity in Sauropods and Its Implications for Mass Estimates

of sauropods, and one of the cornerstones of our fascination with them, is their apparent efficiency of design. The presacral neural spines of all sauropods have a complex of bony ridges or plates known as vertebral laminae (fig. 7.1; abbreviations used in the figures are listed below). In addition, the vertebral centra of most sauropods bear deep fossae or have large foramina that open into internal chambers. The laminae and cavities of sauropod vertebrae are often considered to be adaptations for mass reduction (Osborn 1899; Hatcher 1901; Gilmore 1925) and have been important in studies of sauropod evolution (McIntosh 1990; Wilson 1999). The possibility that these structures were pneumatic— that they contained or partitioned air-filled diverticula of the lungs or air sacs—has been recognized for over a century (Seeley 1870; Janensch 1947). However, pneumaticity in sauropods has received little attention until recently (Britt 1997; Wilson 1999; Wedel 2003a, 2003b). My goal here is to review previous work on pneumaticity in sauropods, discuss some outstanding problems, and outline possible directions for future studies. To that end, the chapter is organized around three questions. What criteria do we use to infer pneumaticity in sauropod fossils? What characteristics of pneumatic bones have been (or could be) described? and How can we apply data on skeletal pneumaticity to paleobiological problems, such as estimating the masses of sauropods? Before attempting to answer these questions, it will be useful to review skeletal pneumaticity in living vertebrates.
The Effects of HLA-G Gene Polymorphism and sHLA-G Level in Women with Threatened Abortion

The most frequent first-trimester problem is a miscarriage, which affects 20% of pregnancies. In approximately 20-25 percent of confirmed pregnancies, threatened miscarriage is indeed a risk factor that may develop or resolve. This study aimed to assess the impact of certain HLA-G gene SNPs and sHLA-G serum levels to determine whether they play a role in threatening abortions. This study included 90 subjects who were separated into three groups: 30 patients (threatened abortion patients), and 60 controls (30 healthy pregnant women and 30 healthy non-pregnant women). All of the study groups were between the ages of 20 and 35 years old. The mean sHLA-G level in pregnant women's sera was found to be 430.38 Pg/ml, compared to 307.98 Pg/ml in the threatened abortion group and 192.11 Pg/ml in non-pregnant women (P= 0.001). The rs2249863 T/C/G was a statistically significant difference between the T allele and the G allele, with an odds ratio of 1.720 (p-value = 0.038). In conclusion, serum sHLA-G levels in threatened abortion patients' sera are significantly lower than in normal pregnant women. Allele frequencies of HLA-G gene snps were non-significant changes between TA patients and controls, except rs2249863 T/C/G.
Comparison of Total CT Severity Score with British Society of Thoracic Imaging score for Adult COVID19 Patients

decision-making (6) . ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: COVID-19 disease represented pandemic severe respiratory syndrome affecting hundreds of millions all over the world. The computerized tomography (CT) with polymerase chain reaction tests represented the common diagnostic methods. OBJECTIVE: To compare COVID-19 severity scores between CT scan Total Severity Score (TSS) and British Society of Thoracic Imaging (BSTI) scores in addition to compare the CT scan severity score of COVID-19 with different clinical data.
Inﬂuence of different types of astigmatism on visual acuity

Purpose: To investigate the change in visual acuity (VA) produced by different types of astigmatism (on the basis of the refractive power and position of the principal meridians) on normal accommodating eyes. Methods: The lens induced method was employed to simulate a set of 28 astigmatic blur conditions on different healthy emmetropic eyes. Additionally, 24 values of spherical defocus were also simulated on the same eyes for comparison. VA was measured in each case and the results, expressed in logMAR units, were represented against of the modulus of the dioptric power vector (blur strength). Results: LogMAR VA varies in a linear fashion with increasing astigmatic blur, being the slope of the line dependent on the accommodative demand in each type of astigmatism. However, in each case, we found no statistically signiﬁcant differences between the three axes investigated (0 ◦ , 45 ◦ , 90 ◦ ). Non-statistically signiﬁcant differences were found either for the VA achieved with spherical myopic defocus (MD) and mixed astigmatism (MA). VA with simple hyperopic astigmatism (SHA) was higher than with simple myopic astigmatism (SMA), however, in this case non conclusive results were obtained in terms of statistical signiﬁcance. The VA achieved with imposed compound hyperopic
Evaluation of Preoperative CA15-3 Level and its Relationship with Clinico-Pathological Characteristics in Primary Breast Cancer Patients

Cancer antigen15-3 (CA15-3) is utilized as a tumor marker in breast cancer. In the metastatic situation, it has been regarded as having a predictive role. However, the usefulness of serum CA15-3 in preoperative breast cancer remains argumentative. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the association of preoperative serum CA15-3 level with the clinico-pathological characteristics in Iraqi women patients with breast tumor and their efficiency for the prediction of primary breast cancer. Preoperative CA15-3 levels were assessed by ELISA technique in 60 Iraqi women with breast tumor (30 with primary breast cancer and 30 with benign breast tumor) before surgery and treatment, as well as 30 healthy controls. In addition, the clinico-pathological characteristics information of all the patients was reported. CA15-3 level showed a significant difference between its level in the sera of primary breast cancer women in comparison to the benign breast tumor women (p <0.001) and healthy control women one (p <0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) of CA15-3 for discriminating patients with primary breast cancer and healthy control subjects was 0.720 (95% CI: 0.589 to 0.828). Furthermore, the present study showed that higher preoperative CA15-3 level was significantly associated with a larger tumor size and lymph node metastasis. This means that elevated CA15-3 is correlated with an increased tumor burden, suggesting its predictive value.
Influences of strain softening and seepage on elastic and plastic solutions of circular openings in nonlinear rock masses

就紧张弄软的影响而言，应力，排水量，塑料弄软区域半径和塑料剩余区域半径的答案在受到渗出物的非线性的岩石群众中为圆形的洞被导出。 光线的压力分发曲线，地面反应曲线，和关系在弄软区域半径并且处于三个不同条件支持力量的塑料之间弯分别地被拉。 从在不同条件的这些结果之中的比较，当支持的力量是一样时，它被发现那，就渗出物并且紧张弄软而言的隧道墙的排水量是 85.71% 比那大唯一的考虑渗出物。 在在 6.6 m 的 0.95 m 和塑料弄软区域半径的光线的排水量的增加价值证明弄软的渗出物和紧张在弄软岩石群众的紧张在圆形的开始稳定性上有最相反的效果。
Enhancing Meniscal Repair: Investigating the Impact of an Exogenous Fibrin Clot

This study conducted a comparative analysis of meniscal rupture repair, evaluating outcomes with and without the application of an exogenous fibrin clot to enhance meniscus repair. The research incorporated a relatively large sample size (24 patients) and employed a randomized control group with similar age characteristics and morphological types of meniscal ruptures as the study group. Notably, two postoperative follow-up times, at the third and 12th postoperative months, were utilized, distinguishing this study from related research. In the third postoperative month assessment, the fibrin clot technique demonstrated a significant advantage over simple stapling, as evidenced by markedly improved Tegner Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale (TLKSS) and Modified Cincinnati Rating System Questionnaire (MCRSQ) clinical assessment scores. Subsequent MRI scans at 12 months post-treatment revealed a high rate (91.67%) of complete healing in menisci treated with a fibrin clot, with only 4.17% exhibiting incomplete healing. This study expanded on previous research by including longitudinal ruptures and bucket-handle ruptures in addition to radial ruptures. The findings highlight a notable early improvement (third postoperative month) in the clinical assessment of longitudinal and bucket-handle ruptures treated with a fibrin clot during meniscus repair. This research contributes valuable insights into the efficacy of fibrin clots in enhancing meniscus repair, suggesting positive clinical and radiological outcomes, especially in the early stages postoperatively.
Early Detection and Diagnostic Approach Through Automated Hematological Analysis for Plasma Cell Leukemia

Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a clinically aggressive variant of multiple myeloma, characterized by a high burden of circulating plasma cells, necessitating swift and accurate diagnosis due to its poor prognosis. The conventional diagnostic criteria, including the recent recommendation by the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) of > 5% circulating plasma cells as positive, have evolved over time. In this context, we present a detailed case report that underscores the pivotal role of the ADVIA 2120 automated hematology counter in detecting plasma cells through cytogram analysis, along with the significance of routine peripheral blood smear analysis and the utility of a large unstained cells (LUCs) threshold of > 4.5% as an indicator for PCL. The case involves a 64-year-old patient with relapsed multiple myeloma and stable paraprotein levels who experienced sudden renal impairment. In this case report, we highlight how ADVIA analysis and cytochemistry assisted in the diagnosis, and further explore ADVIA’s utility in this challenging leukemia.
ANALYSIS ON TERRAIN GRADIENT EFFECT BASED ON LAND USE CHANGE IN ANHUI PROVINCE

For revealing the relationship between terrain factors and evolution of spatial pattern of land use, using the aspect of slope, relief amplitude, slope change rate, and the topographic index, and combining with the geological information theory of TUPU from the comprehensive perspective, based on the remote sensing data of TM images in 2000, 2005 and2010, as well as DEM data of Anhui province, the research analyzed the changing characteristics and regularity about land use pattern on terrain gradient. The results showed that:1)the main land use types of the study area was cultivated land and woodland, the second was construction land and unused land, and the trend of construction land area increased significantly in each period. 2) It's variation in different terrain gradient range of different land use during 2000 and 2010. Low terrain gradient ranges were the advantages of arable land, water area and construction land area; the medium terrain gradient range was concentrated on the area of grassland; the high terrain gradient range was concentrated on the area of woodland.3) During 2000 and 2010, land use type of TUPU gave priority to with stable type and the anaphase type in the study area.The low and high terrain gradient ranges were the advantaging distribution of stable type of TUPU; the anaphase type mainly distributed on the low, medium high and high terrain gradient range. From 2000 to 2005, the advantaging distribution of woodland had a tendency to the expansion of lower terrain gradient and the arable land was the main source of transfer. During 2005 and 2010, the advantaging distribution of arable land had a tendency to the expansion of higher terrain gradient and the changing mode was mainly including "woodland to arable land", "unused to arable land" and"grassland to arable land".
Direct oral anticoagulant use in hospitalized patients with atrial fibrillation across body mass index categories: design and rationale for a retrospective cohort study

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and obesity are common conditions globally; yet, there remains suboptimal pharmacological management contributing to high rates of hospitalization in patients with AF. The altered pathophysiology of both obese and underweight individuals may influence the pharmacology of medications, including those used to manage AF. This, in turn, increases the risk of adverse events and impacts patient risk for stroke and rehospitalization. Despite the well-established complications of obesity, research investigating the relationship between obesity and AF is scant. Objectives: The primary aim of this study is to describe cardiovascular-related hospitalization in AF patients according to BMI categories. A secondary aim is to describe anticoagulant and antiarrhythmic prescribing practice patterns in patients with AF, according to the BMI category. Design: A retrospective, exploratory descriptive observational cohort study, using routinely collected electronic medical record data from five public hospitals within a single health district, with a population dominantly that is culturally and linguistically diverse, and has a low socioeconomic status. Methods and analysis: Data extraction will include a 24-month period (January 2017 to December 2018) with a 12-month follow-up. All adult (⩾18 years) patients at discharge diagnosed with AF, prescribed any oral anticoagulant and/or oral rate/rhythm control agent, will be eligible for inclusion. Ethics and dissemination: Ethics approval from the health district and the University of Wollongong has been granted. Findings will seek to demonstrate associations between management strategies and patient outcomes, as well as describe patterns of acute care management from prescribers. These data will be used to inform and generate hypotheses for large-scale studies examining the impact of body weight on anticoagulation prescribing at national and global scales.
Using machine learning models to predict synchronous genitourinary cancers among gastrointestinal stromal tumor patients

Objectives: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) can occur synchronously with other neoplasms, including the genitourinary (GU) system. Machine learning (ML) may be a valuable tool in predicting synchronous GU tumors in GIST patients, and thus improving prognosis. This study aims to evaluate the use of ML algorithms to predict synchronous GU tumors among GIST patients in a specialist research center in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: We analyzed data from all patients with histopathologically confirmed GIST at our facility from 2003 to 2020. Patient files were reviewed for the presence of renal cell carcinoma, adrenal tumors, or other GU cancers. Three supervised ML algorithms were used: logistic regression, XGBoost Regressor, and random forests (RFs). A set of variables, including independent attributes, was entered into the models. Results: A total of 170 patients were included in the study, with 58.8% (n = 100) being male. The median age was 57 (range: 9–91) years. The majority of GISTs were gastric (60%, n = 102) with a spindle cell histology. The most common stage at diagnosis was T2 (27.6%, n = 47) and N0 (20%, n = 34). Six patients (3.5%) had synchronous GU tumors. The RF model achieved the highest accuracy with 97.1%. Conclusion: Our study suggests that the RF model is an effective tool for predicting synchronous GU tumors in GIST patients. Larger multicenter studies, utilizing more powerful algorithms such as deep learning and other artificial intelligence subsets, are necessary to further refine and improve these predictions.
Is Europe an Optimal Political Area?

Employing a wide range of individual-level surveys, we study the extent of cultural and institutional heterogeneity within the European Union and how this changed between 1980 and 2009. We present several novel empirical regularities that paint a complex picture. Although Europe has experienced both systematic economic convergence and an increased coordination across national and subnational business cycles since 1980, this has not been accompanied by cultural or institutional convergence. Such persistent heterogeneity does not necessarily spell doom for further political integration, however. Compared with observed heterogeneity within EU member states themselves, or in well-functioning federations such as the United States, cultural diversity across EU members is of a similar order of magnitude. The main stumbling block on the road to further political integration may not be heterogeneity in fundamental cultural traits, but other cleavages, such as national identities.
Prevalence of Late-Stage Parkinson's Disease in the US Health Care System: Insights from TriNetX

Background: Patients in late-stage Parkinson's disease (PDLS) are caregiver dependent, have low quality of life, and higher health care costs. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of PDLS patients (per Coelho and Ferreira 2012) in the current United States (US) health care system. Methods: We downloaded the 2010-2022 data from the TriNetX Diamond claims network that consists of 92 USA health care sites. PD was identified using standard diagnosis codes, and PDLS was identified by the usage of wheelchair dependence, personal care assistance and/or presence of diagnoses of dementia. Age of PDLS identification, and survival information are obtained and stratified by demographic and the disability subgroups. Results: We identified 1,031,377 PD patients in the TriNetX database. Of these, 18.8% fit our definition of PDLS (n=194,297), and 10.2% met two or more late-stage criteria. Among all PDLS, the mean age of PDLS identification was 78.1 ({+/-} 7.7), and 49% were already reported as deceased. PDLS patients were predominantly male (58.5%), with similar distribution across PDLS subgroups. The majority did not have race (71%) or ethnicity (69%) information, but for the available information, >90% (n=53,162) were white, 8.2% (n=5,121) Hispanic/Latino, 7.8% (n=4,557) black, and <0.01% (n=408) Asian. Of the PDLS cohort, 71.6% identified with dementia, 12.9% had personal care assistance, and 4.8% were wheelchair bound. Conclusions: Late-stage patients are a significant part of PD landscape in the current US healthcare system, and largely missed by traditional motor-based disability staging. It is imperative to include this population as a clinical, social, and research priority.