Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heritability and combined parental information to define the number of crosses in circulant diallels

In many agricultural crops, the number of parents used in cross breeding make it difficult to obtain all possible hybrids in diallels. Therefore, using maize as a model plant and based on traits with high and low heritabilities, the aim of the present study was to quantify the correlation estimates of the general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) between a complete diallel and a circulant diallel, with and without the inclusion of parents. For the high heritability trait, the GCA estimates can be obtained with low s values, whereas for the SCA estimates, s values close to half the number of parents should be used. For the low heritability trait, information from parents must be used to obtain the SCA estimates. For the GCA estimates, considering the stabilization of r above 0.70 for s=7, s values greater than half the number of parents must be used in the circulant models.
Quality of Life of Parents of Children with Type I Diabetes Mellitus, Baghdad 2017

Background: Diabetes is defined by the World Health Organization as a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Families are co-regulating systems in which the stresses and strains of one family member affect the well-being of another member of the family. Caregivers of children with chronic illness report experiencing more parental stress than parents of healthy children. Objective: A descriptive cross-sectional study had been conducted in four centers of endocrine diseases in Baghdad city and data was collected by using self-administered questionnaire regarding quality of life adapted from World Health Organization. The study was conducted on six hundred participants. Data analysis was done by using frequency, percentage and mean and analytical statistics using Chi Square test. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study showed that social domain had the highest mean score of (51.1) and that environmental domain had the lowest mean score of (38.9). The physical domain’s mean score was (40.2), while mean score of psychological domain was (46.2). The study reported that mothers of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus were more affected than fathers in physical, psychological and environmental domains. There was no difference between mothers and fathers in social domain of quality of life. Conclusion: It was concluded from the study that parents of diabetic children had generally poor quality of life that merits further investigations.
A prospective study of clinico-radiological assesment and management of obstructive jaundice in Mmimsr, Mullana

Background: Obstructive jaundice poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This study was undertaken to highlight the clinical and radiological assessment of obstructive jaundice in our setting and to approach for early diagnosis and treatment before irreversible tissue insult sets in.Methods: Present study was prospective study conducted at Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Mullana, Ambala. Data were collected on prescribed proforma and analyzed stastically.Results: A total of 50 patients were studied. It is more common in productive adult with the mean age of 51.04±12.40 years. The male to female ratio was 1:1.08. Majority of the patients were having benign pathology (62%) and choledocholithiasis was the commonest benign cause. Abdominal ultrasound was the diagnostic imaging done in all patients and revealed dilated CBD (>1 cm) in 78% cases, dilated IHBR in 96%of cases and multiple CBD stones in 78.3% of cases. CT was reserved for suspected malignant and MRCP was planned in stone or benign causes. 70% patients were selected for ERCP and 62% of patients underwent definitive open procedure viz choledocholithotomy (40%), hepaticojejunostomy (12%). Conclusions: Obstructive jaundice in our study was more prevalent in females and the cause is mostly CBD stones. The result suggests that early diagnosis and treatment plays vital role in the prognosis of patients with obstructive jaundice.
Microbiological Quality of Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Sold in the Markets of Korhogo (Côte d’Ivoire)

Aims: The present work is part of a sanitary quality control of market garden products in Korhogo. The objective of this study was to know the microbiological quality of tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) sold on the markets of the city of Korhogo. Place and Duration of Study: The analyses were carried out at the microbiology laboratory of Peleforo Gon Coulibaly University during the months of October, November and December 2020. Methodology: Germs such as molds, yeasts, mesophilic aerobic germs, total coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Clostridium were tested and enumerated on 40 tomato samples from the markets of Haoussabougou, Koko, Sinistré and the big market according to conventional microbiology methods. Results: The average loads of molds and yeasts range from 1.2x104 to 6x105 CFU/g. The average loads of mesophilic aerobic germs vary from 2.3x104 to 2.3x105 CFU/g. The highest loads recorded for Staphylococcus aureus and total coliforms were 3.1x104 CFU/g and 1.5x104 CFU/g respectively. Escherichia coli (4x101 CFU/g) was isolated only from tomatoes collected in Haoussabougou. As for the Clostridium genus, it was not detected on all the tomatoes analyzed. Conclusion: In general, the microbial loads of the analyzed samples are higher than the accepted norm. Thus, the tomatoes sold on the markets of the city of Korhogo have an unsatisfactory microbiological quality. It is advisable to clean, disinfect and rinse these tomatoes carefully with drinking water before consuming them raw.
BRAINSTEM AUDITORY EVOKED POTENTIALS FINDINGS IN ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS

Background. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory potentially debilitating disease predominantly affecting the axial skeleton. A few intermittently published studies and research have proved the existence of some not yet explained neurophysiologic abnormalities in patients with AS. Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the brainstem auditory evoked potentials and its relation with clinical findings, laboratory tests and pharmacological therapy used in patients with AS. Material and method. Thirty-nine patients with AS were included in the study. The control group was composed of 50 healthy subjects. BAEP were recorded for all subjects. Patients were assessed by clinical specific tests, inflammatory laboratory tests, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and type of pharmacological therapy. Results. The results have shown differences between the control group and the patients with AS in most of the wave latencies. Correlations Schober test, Ott index, chest expansion measurement and BASDAI were significant for some waves. CRP seems to be more valuable than ESR as a possible marker for neurologic subclinical involvement. Axial AS is more likely to be associated with BAEP abnormalities. There were also differences between the group with TNF alpha blockers therapy comparative with the group with other therapies. Conclusions. This study highlights some abnormalities of BAEP in patients with AS. Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis or demyelination due to administration of TNF alpha blockers should be excluded in medical practice. Collaboration between neurologists and rheumatologists should be considered in monitoring AS patients.
RISK FACTORS FOR HEPATITIS B AND C TRANSMISSION

Objectives: To identify and assess the risk factor for transmission of HBV and HCV in pregnant ladies and perinatal outcome, presenting to obstetric OPD at CMH Lahore. Design: Case control study. Setting: Combined Military Hospital Lahore. Period: From May 2003 to April 2004. Patients and Methods: All the patients presenting to obstetrical OPD during one year were randomly screened for both hepatitis B and C using ELISA. Perinatal outcome was compared with control group. The risk factors for HBV and HCV were studied in 30 patients, who were positive for either HBV or HCV. A detailed history was taken followed by a questionnaire and screening for HBV and HCV. The results were compared with control group who were negative for hepatitis B and C but had same socioeconomic back ground and similar living conditions (wives and soldiers). Results: In the study group 20 patients gave history of surgical operation or dental procedure. These surgical operations included major or minor operations. In control group positive history of surgical or dental procedure was obtained in 12 patients. The odds ratio was found to be 3.00 with a P value of 0.038. History of blood transfusion was found in 12 patients in study group and 4 patients in control group with 0.019. Positive history of jaundice was found in 3 patients of study group and 1 patient in control group with p value of P>0.05. History of drug abuse or multiple sexual partners was negative in both groups. Conclusion: The study concludes that HCV infection is three times more common than HBV infection. Surgical procedures are the leading risk factors for acquisition of these infections.
Partial replacement of DL-Methionine and methionine hydroxy analogue with betaine in diets for broiler chickens

The study evaluated the effects on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens of DL-Methionine (DL-Met) and methionine hydroxy analogue (MHA) supplementation and their partial replacement with betaine (Bet). Two experiments were performed from day 1 to 21 and from day 22 to 42. Broiler chickens were assigned to six treatments, in a completely randomized design and a 2 × 2 + 2 factorial arrangement, consisting of two Met sources (DL-Met and MHA), with or without Bet, and two negative controls. The six treatments consisted of i) NC-DLM: negative control for DL-Met with 7% reduction in DL-Met; ii) NC-MHA: negative control for MHA with 7% reduction of MHA, iii) DLM100: without Bet, supplemented exclusively with DL-Met reaching 100% of requirements, iv) MHA100: without Bet supplemented exclusively with MHA reaching 100% of requirements, v) DLM93+Bet: DL-Met at 93% of recommended level plus betaine; vi) MHA93+Bet: MHA at 93% of recommended level plus betaine. Growth from day 1 to 21 was not altered by methionine source or betaine supplementation. However, the negative controls had numerically less weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) . Between days and 42 there were no effects on growth. Betaine could partially replace methionine without altering the growth of broiler chickens. In addition, the partial replacement of DL-Met with betaine increased body crude protein content. However, its use increased body fat content regardless of methionine source.
Factors Affecting Recidivism of Drunk Driving for Car and Motorbike Users

This study explored the important factors affecting the recidivism rate of drunk driving for car and motorbike users. The respondents were students of Taiwan’s road safety training course, which was required for all drunk drivers who were suspended from driving due to the violation of regulations. The characteristics of the drunk car and motorbike drivers, such as socioeconomic variables, alcohol consumption changes, family life cycle, and changes in the number of trips, were investigated. This study estimated the models affecting the recidivism rate of drunk driving for car and motorbike users with the logistic regression model. The main variables included drivers with a university degree or above who tend not to be recidivists compared to the drivers without one. Such respondents are more willing to avoid the risk of becoming drunk driving recidivists. Moreover, the variables of alcohol use disorders’ identification test (AUDIT), breath alcohol concentration, and frequency of drunk driving all significantly affect the possibility of recidivism. In terms of family life cycle, married respondents with children aged between 1 and 5 are less likely to become drunk driving recidivists. Those who take motorbikes as an alternative vehicle after being suspended from driving cars are more likely to become drunk driving recidivists. This study suggests the measures of suspending or withdrawing car and motorbike driver’s licenses at the same time, using alcolocks to restrict the right to drive, and increasing the frequency of drunk driving crackdowns. In addition, in terms of alcohol consumption behaviors, drinkers with high risks and drunk drivers with high breath alcohol concentrations should be regarded as the key targets for future tracking in order to avoid drunk driving recidivism.
The association of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the FOXP3 gene (rs3761548 and rs3761547) with renal allograft function and survival in kidney transplant recipients

Introduction: The FOXP3 protein is an immune regulatory protein that specifically maintains the function and differentiation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and prevents autoimmunity. Variations in FOXP3 gene may alter its function and also the immune response. Objectives: The present study was conducted to investigate the association of the FOXP3 gene polymorphisms -3499 A/G and -3279 A/C with renal allograft function and survival in kidney transplant recipients. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 150 eligible kidney transplant recipients were evaluated. Kidney function was evaluated at three- and five-year post-transplant using serum creatinine level and glomerular filtration rate as indicators. Genotyping of the study participants was performed using the PCR– restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Results: The frequencies of AA, AG, and GG genotypes of the -3499 A/G polymorphism were 62.42%, 29.53%, and 8.05%, respectively. For the -3279 A/C polymorphism, the frequencies of the AA, AC, and CC genotypes were 21.33%, 32%, and 46.67%, respectively. The mean ± SD of serum creatinine level, three and five years after transplantation were 1.70 ± 1.58 and 1.87 ± 1.94, respectively. Serum creatinine level and kidney function did not show any significant association with these polymorphisms. Conclusion: In the present study, only 10% of participants experienced episodes of severe kidney dysfunction and we did not find any significant association between kidney function and the subjects’ genotypes. Further epidemiologic studies with greater sample sizes may be needed to clarify this association.
Image mixed gaussian and impulse noise elimination based on sparse representation model

A modified mixed Gaussian plus impulse image denoising algorithm based on weighted encoding with image sparsity and nonlocal self-similarity priors regularization is proposed in this paper. The encoding weights and the priors imposed on the images are incorporated into a variational framework to treat more complex mixed noise distribution. Such noise is characterized by heavy tails caused by impulse noise which needs to be eliminated through proper weighting of encoding residual. The outliers caused by the impulse noise has a significant effect on the encoding weights. Hence a more accurate residual encoding error initialization plays the important role in overall denoising performance, especially at high impulse noise rates. In this paper, outliers free initialization image, and an easier to implement a parameter-free procedure for updating encoding weights have been proposed. Experimental results demonstrate the capability of the proposed strategy to recover images highly corrupted by mixed Gaussian plus impulse noise as compared with the state of art denoising algorithm. The achieved results motivate us to implement the proposed algorithm in practice.
The Contribution Of Waqf Institution As A Financial Tool In Addressing Poverty Reduction: Evidence From The Literature

The paper reviewed the Waqf literature as a basis to analyze its contribution as a financial tool in addressing Poverty Reduction in Nigeria. The study is purely exploratory that relies on desktop research. The research uses previous studies for the analysis, which include news articles, government publications, and websites. The secondary data were obtained from the Holy Qur’an as the Primary source of Shari’ah (Islamic law), which were used to back most of the arguments put forward for the assessment of Waqf in the study area. The study concluded that Waqf played a vital role in reducing poverty in Nigeria. The study recommends the need of Waqf awareness to be created to enlighten the rich men in the society and also for the government to ensure proper and adequate management of Waqf institution. This will help Islamic value-centric policymakers, regulatory authorities, investors, and researchers to gain an overall insight into the potentials of Waqf as a financial tool in reducing poverty.
Physiological responses of ‘Italia’ grapevines infected with Esca pathogens

Physiological features were examined of a 20-year-old Vitis vinifera ‘Italia’ table grape vineyard cropped in Apulia, Italy. Healthy vines with no foliar symptoms and any indications of wood or berry alterations, vines with natural wood infections by Phaeoacremonium minimum (syn. P. aleophilum) and Phaeomoniella chlamydospora showing brown wood streaking symptoms, and vines naturally infected with P. minimum, P. chlamydospora and Fomitiporia mediterranea with brown wood streaking and white rot symptoms, were surveyed. Bleeding xylem sap, collected at bud-break from healthy vines showed the greatest total ascorbic acid level, while vines with brown wood streaking and white rot had the greatest viscosity coefficient, glutathione concentration, and plant growth regulator activities. Compared to healthy vines, leaves of wood affected vines, sampled during the unfolded leaf, fruit setting, cluster closing and bunch ripening vine growth stages, had reduced fresh and dry weights, total chlorophyll concentrations, and increased leaf surface area. Low ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione concentrations, weak redox state, and moderate levels of dehydroascorbic acid and oxidized glutathione were also detected in these vines. Analyses also detected reduced activities of dehydroascorbate reductase, ascorbate free radical reductase and glutathione reductase in diseased vines. The cell membrane damage, associated with lipid peroxidation, was coupled with high hydrogen peroxide concentrations. These changes could contribute to the cell death of leaves and foliar symptom development. The ascorbate-glutathione cycle supports grapevine susceptibility to Esca complex-associated fungi.
Dentoskeletal and airway effects of the X-Bow applian ce versus removable functional appliances (Frankel-2 and Trainer) in prepubertal Class II division 1 malocclusion patients

Abstract Objectives The aim of the present study was to evaluate the dentoskeletal and airway effects of three different functional appliances (Frankel-2, Trainer and X-Bow) in prepubertal Class II division 1 patients. Methods The sample consisted of 54 patients with a Class II relationship as a result of mandibular retrognathia and relative maxillary constriction. Group I included 15 patients treated with a Frankel-2 appliance. Group II consisted of 14 patients treated with a T4-K Trainer. Group III consisted of 15 patients treated with the X-Bow appliance. Group IV consisted of 10 untreated Class II patients who served as a control group. Pretreatment (T1) and post-treatment (T2) cephalograms were used to evaluate dentoskeletal and airway changes. Parametric one-way variance analysis (ANOVA) and a paired t-test were used to perform statistical analysis. Results The decrease in SNA angle was significant in groups I and III, compared with the control group (p < 0.05). SNB angle and Co-GN length changes from T1 to T2 were statistically significant in groups I and II (p < 0.05), but not relative to the control group. The upper and lower incisors were significantly retruded and protruded, respectively, in all treatment groups (p < 0.05). Except PNS-AD2 and MAS measurements in group I, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal airway dimensions did not significantly change from T1 to T2 in all groups. Conclusions The Frankel-2 and X-Bow appliances were efficient in restricting the forward growth of the maxilla. The Frankel-2 and Trainer appliances produced a larger sagittal increase in mandibular length than the X-Bow appliance. Lower incisor proclination was more pronounced in the X-Bow group. The effect of the treatment protocols was similar and matched the control group with respect to the airway.
Recurrence rate in patients with acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran: Corticosteroids versus intravenous immunoglobulin

Introduction: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is known as the most important cause of sudden drop in platelet count among children. The acute form of unexpected drop in platelet count in children calls for treatment with medications such as corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), and Rho(D) immunoglobulin (anti-DIG). Most of the previous studies have accordingly compared short-term therapeutic outcomes of steroids with those of IVIg. In some cases, IVIg has led to better results. However, there are few studies on the long-term treatment effects of both medicine categories. Objectives: This study was aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects and recurrence rate (RR) of corticosteroids, IVIg, or both in the long-term to find the best and most effective treatment for these patients. Patients and Methods: A total of 188 children diagnosed with acute ITP were admitted to the hematology departments of Shafa and Baghaei hospitals of Ahvaz, Khuzestan, Iran. The therapeutic consequences and RRs of corticosteroids, IVIg, or both were compared within one year. Results: Comparing treatments employing corticosteroids and IVIg in children having acute ITP in terms of the long-term treatment outcomes showed no statistically significant difference. In addition, the findings revealed that 34% of the patients had experienced recurrence within one year with no remarkable difference between both drug groups. Conclusion: The long-term therapeutic outcomes in both medicine categories were not significantly different. Therefore, given the world’s current economic conditions and inadequate supply of all medicines, it seems more rational to use the least expensive drugs.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea - A Review

Introduction: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common condition with a higher prevalence in middle-aged men. Even though it is a common condition, OSA is frequently undiagnosed. Methods: This article discusses the prevalence of OSA, common signs and symptoms, complications, screening and diagnosis, and management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea from the current literature. Results: Daytime sleepiness has been reported to be a common symptom in patients with OSA. This has been shown to pose a risk to the patient especially when driving as it may lead to higher rate of automobile accidents. Early screening, Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management can help the patients with OSA at an early stage and prevent the advancement of OSA into advanced stages. Conclusions: Dentists and orthodontists can contribute to the health and well-being of patients with OSA by undertaking screening of such patients and referring to the physicians for an established diagnosis. Furthermore, with the guidance and recommendation of the patient’s physician, dentists and orthodontists can play a role in the management of patients with OSA. Review Article Obstructive Sleep Apnea A Review