Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Systematic Retesting for Helicobacter pylori: The Potential Overestimation of Suppressive Conditions

Background and Aims In contrast to guideline recommendations, endoscopic testing for Helicobacter pylori is frequently performed under Helicobacter pylori suppressive conditions, e.g., intake of proton-pump inhibitors (PPI), preceded antibiotic treatment, or recent gastrointestinal bleeding. Our study's aim was to retest patients with—under suppressive conditions—negative test results. This was carried out in order to examine the rate of false negative tests previously gathered under suppressive conditions. Methods The trial was conducted in a large patient collective in a university hospital. Every elective esophagogastroduodenoscopy from in- and outpatients was included. Prior to endoscopy, suppressive conditions were collected via standardized questionnaire. If Helicobacter pylori testing was indicated, both helicobacter urease test and histology were performed in analogy to the Sydney classification. In case of a negative result under suppressive conditions, the patient was reinvited after, if possible, withdrawal of suppressive condition in order to perform a urea breath test (UBT). Results 1,216 patients were included (median 59 years, 72.0% inpatients, 28.0% outpatients). Overall, 60.6% (737) were under Helicobacter pylori suppressive conditions. The main suppressive condition was intake of PPIs (54.5%). In 53.7% (653) of all included cases, Helicobacter pylori testing was performed. Of those, 14.1% (92) had a positive test, and 85.9% (561) were negative. Out of the patients with negative result, 50.8% (285) were tested under suppressive conditions and consequently invited for retesting via UBT. In 20.4% (45), suppressive conditions could not be ceased. In 22.8% (65), retesting was conducted. Of those, 98.5% (64) congruently presented a negative result again, and only 1.5% (1) was positive for Helicobacter pylori. Conclusion Many patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy in everyday clinical practice are tested for Helicobacter pylori under suppressive conditions leading to a potentially higher risk of false negative results. However, our research shows that this issue might be overestimated.
Time Management Attitudes of Health Care Workers Employed in the Ambulance Service in Turkey

Introduction Health care workers employed in the ambulance service should minimize their response time when responding to a medical emergency. Prehospital emergency medical services operate on a 24-h basis; hence, time management in both the work and social lives of the staff is more difficult than in other occupational groups. In the case of emergency health services, time management is no doubt the most important aspect in terms of human health. The purpose of this research was to examine the time management skills and influencing factors of health care workers employed in the ambulance service. Methods In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire containing time management inventory (TMI) and demographics was applied. In the analysis of the data, the number, chi square, percentage, and t test were applied using SPSS statistical software. Results Of those who participated in the survey, 57.8% were male, 86.2% were working at the emergency medical service station, and 49.9% were paramedics. The average TMI was 70.49. In the time-consumption subdimension of the survey, when the genders of the health care workers who were employed in the ambulance service were compared, there was a statistically significant difference according to education status for the total time management. Conclusion A statistically significant difference was observed with regards to education status for the total time management according to gender for the time loss subdimension of the healthcare workers employed in the ambulance service. This research concluded that males working in the ambulance service managed their use of time better than the females, and that high school graduates used their time better than the undergraduates.
Role of Uterine Artery Doppler in Diagnosis of Placenta Accreta in Cases of Placenta Previa

Background: Placenta accreta occurs when there is an abnormal adherence of a part or entire of the placenta to the uterine wall with either partial or complete absence of the decidua basalis. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role of uterine artery Doppler in the diagnosis of placenta accreta in patients with placenta previa. Patients and method: This study prospective cohort study was done at Maternity Hospital, Zagazig University. The study included 36 pregnant women with placenta previa attending for antenatal care or emergency department. All patients were subjected to full history taking, ultrasound examination and colour Doppler was performed using: VOLUSION 730 prov (2D Doppler) of 5 MHZ . Result: The main gray scale ultrasound features were presence of vascular lacunae with a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 89.1%, absence of RPS with a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 32.7%, myometrial thinning with a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 34.51%, absence of RPS and vascular lacunae with a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 56.4%, absence of RPS and myometrial thinning with a sensitivity of 82.2% and specificity of 56.5% and myometrial thinning and vascular lacunae with a sensitivity of 76.4% and specificity of 34.5%. All signs with a sensitivity of 68% and specificity of 96.4%. Conclusion: The use of gray scale ultrasound and colour flow Doppler is a good tool in diagnosis of placenta previa accreta. Addition of uterine artery Doppler indices could predict placenta accreta in cases of placenta previa.
The Boundary Value Problem with Stationary Inhomogeneities for a Hyperbolic-Type Equation with a Fractional Derivative

The paper presents an analytical solution of a partial differential equation of hyperbolic-type, containing both second-order partial derivatives and fractional derivatives of order below the second. Examples of applying the solution of a boundary value problem with stationary inhomogeneities for a hyperbolic-type equation with a fractional derivative in modeling the behavior of polymer concrete under the action of loads are considered.
Complement Inhibitor Compstatin Relationship, and Biotransformation of the Binding Kinetics, Structure-Activity

We have previously identiﬁed a 13-residue cyclic peptide, Compstatin, that binds to complement component C3 and inhibits complement activation. Herein, we describe the binding kinetics, structure-activity relationship, and biotransformation of Compstatin. Biomolecular interaction analysis using surface-plasmon resonance showed that Compstatin bound to native C3 and its fragments C3b and C3c, but not C3d. While binding of Compstatin to native C3 was biphasic, binding to C3b and C3c followed the 1:1 Langmuir binding model; the afﬁnities of Compstatin for C3b and C3c were 22- and 74-fold lower, respectively, than that of native C3. Analysis of Compstatin analogs synthesized for structure-function studies indicated that 1) the 11-membered ring between disulﬁde-linked Cys 2 -Cys 12 constitutes a minimal structure required for optimal activity; 2) retro-inverso isomerization results in loss of inhibitory activity; and 3) some residues of the type I b -turn segment also interact with C3. In vitro studies of Compstatin in human blood indicated that a major pathway of biotransformation was the removal of Ile 1 , which could be blocked by N -acetylation of the peptide. These ﬁndings indicate that acetylated Compstatin is stable against enzymatic degradation and that the type I b -turn segment is not only critical for preservation of the conformational stability, but also involved in intermolecular recognition. The Journal of Immunology, 2000, 165: 2491–2499.
Radiological and Clinical Outcomes after Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) with an Innovative 3D Printed Cellular Titanium Cage Filled with Vertebral Bone Marrow

Objectives To assess the clinical and radiological outcomes after ACDF with 3D printed cellular titanium cages filled with bone marrow and to compare the clinical and radiological results with the current scientific literature. Methods ACDF was performed monosegmentally under standardized conditions. X-rays were analyzed to determine the range of motion, fusion rates, and subsidence preoperatively and 3 and 12 months postoperatively. Clinical outcome measurements included neck disability index (NDI), visual analogue scale (VAS) for brachialgia and cervicalgia, and patient satisfaction. Results 18 patients were included in the study. The mean RoM decreased from 7.7° ± 2.6 preoperatively to 1.7° ± 1.1° after 3 months and 1.8° ± 1.2° 12 months after surgery. The fusion rates were at 94.4% after 3 and 12 months. The mean subsidence was 0.9 mm ± 0.5 mm 3 months postoperatively and 1.1 mm ± 0.5 mm 12 months after surgery. The mean NDI improved significantly from preoperatively to 12 months postoperatively (34.6 ± 6.2 and 3.4 ± 4.1, respectively). The VAS-neck also showed a large improvement from 5.8 ± 2.2 before and 1.3 ± 1.4 12 months after surgery, as did the VAS-arm (6.4 ± 1.5 and 0.9 ± 1.6, respectively). Patient satisfaction was high throughout the follow-up period. Conclusion ACDF with a 3D printed titanium cage resulted in fast fusion without pathological subsidence. In comparison to other cage materials such as PEEK, the 3D printed titanium cage was noninferior in regard to its fusion rate and clinical results.
Comparative Study between Operative and Conservative Management of Penetrating Anterior Abdominal Stab Injuries

Background: Presently, non-operative management of penetrating abdominal stab injuries has been standardized in several trauma centers. This strategy has appromising outcome conserving decreasing morbidity. Aim of the work: This study aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of SNOM of patients having penetrating abdominal stab injuries not indicating emergent laparotomy and to identify a protocol for selection of patient candidates for non-operative management in a tertiary care hospital in Egypt. Patients & Methods: This is a prospective study that involved patients who presented to the casualty department of Kasr Elainy teaching Hospital, in the period from August 2018 to August 2020, for management of a penetrating abdominal Stab injuries. Fully conscious, haemodynimacally stable patients were included. Eligible patients were allocated to either SNOM group or immediate operative management (IOM) group. Results: SNOM group included64 patients and IOM group included 40 patients. The age of the patients ranged from 16 to 49 years with a mean of 33±6.8 years, and the majority were males (99%). SNOM failed in 4/69 patients (5.7%) who required delayed laparotomy for peritonitis (2 cases) and HB drop and haemodynamic instability (2 cases). In IOM group, only 3 cases had therapeutic laparotomies (7.3%). The remaining cases had unnecessary laparotomies (92.7%). Statistically significant higher LOS was seen in SNOM group (p<0.05). However, less unnecessary laparotomies and lower incidences of complications were noted (p<0.01). Conclusion: vital signs together with abdominal examination are the most important clinical criteria in decision making in penetrating abdominal stab injury patients When surgery is not absolutely indicated, SNOM is a safe and feasible approach in management of penetrating abdominal stab injury by following proper management algorithm and selection criteria.
Examination of miners' immune response to coal dust and their quality of life

Introduction. Inhalation of coal dust during blasting in brown coal mines has been shown to lead to a lung disease called pneumoconiosis. There is very little data in the literature on the direct impact of coal on the quality of life of people who work in coal mines as well as the body's immune response to the effects of coal dust. The aim was to examine the immune response to exposure to coal dust in miners in a brown coal mine and whether mine workers have poorer quality of life compared to those not exposed to coal dust. Methods. This is a cross-sectional study among 100 employees in the Brown Coal Mine in Ugljevik, of which 50 of them are exposed to coal dust on a daily basis. Blood samples were taken from all subjects to test for the presence of cytokines IL-2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 13, 17A, 17F, 21, 22, IFN-g and TNF-a. The quality of life of employees was measured using a questionnaire for self-assessment of physical and mental health (36-item Short-Form Health Survey, SF-36). Results. Group of miners had a significantly (p<0.05) higher concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IFN-g, IL-17A and IL-22 when compared to the control group. Subjects from the control group had significantly (p<0.05) higher concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 when compared to the group of miners. The quality of life was significantly (p<0.05) better in the control group when compared to the group of miners. Conclusion. Physical functioning, general health, mental health and Physical component summary were significantly poorer in the group of miners. Exposition to coal dust led to a significant increase in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and a decrease in the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines.
The Prevalence and Predictors of Restless Legs Syndrome in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

Introduction and aim. Sleep disorders are highly prevalent in patients with liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS), as well as its risk factors and possible predictors, in a cohort of patients with liver cirrhosis. Material and methods. We performed a cross-sectional prospective study over a period of 14 months and enrolled 69 patients with liver cirrhosis, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The cases of RLS were assessed according to the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) criteria and severity scale. Results. Out of the total number of patients, 55% fulfilled the criteria for RLS. Age, diabetes, severity of cirrhosis, serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and mean hemoglobin were associated with the presence of RLS. Moreover, there was a significantly higher prevalence of RLS among patients with decompensated cirrhosis. From all the risk factors introduced into the multivariate analysis, only the GFR could predict the presence of RLS. Conclusions. This research shows that patients with liver cirrhosis have a high risk of RLS. Even though there are multiple risk factors associated with RLS, only the GFR could predict its occurrence in our cohort.
Soil Available Phosphorus Deficiency Reduces Boll Biomass and Lint Yield by Affecting Sucrose Metabolism in Cotton-Boll Subtending Leaves

Soil available phosphorus (AP) deficiency and shortage of phosphate rocks limit cotton production in China. Therefore, pool-culture experiments were conducted in 2019 and 2020 using two cotton cultivars (CCRI-79, low-P tolerant; SCRC-28, low-P sensitive) under three soil AP levels (P0: 3 ± 0.5, P1: 6 ± 0.5, and P2 (control): 15 ± 0.5 mg kg−1) to ascertain the effect of soil AP on boll biomass and lint yield. P0 and P1 decreased the P concentration and net photosynthetic rate (Pn) of subtending leaves, thus, reducing boll biomass and lint yield. Additionally, soil AP deficiency decreased boll wall:boll, lint:boll, and lint:seed, and increased seed:boll ratio. Upper fruiting branch positions (FB9–12) had higher lint:seed ratio and proportion of the total lint yield under low soil AP. Moreover, soil AP deficiency also reduced the sucrose transformation rate (Tr) and activities of sucrose-metabolizing enzymes, such as ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), and sucrose synthase (SuSy), while increased carbohydrate levels (soluble sugar, sucrose, and starch) and the activity of cytosolic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (cy-FBPase) in the subtending leaves. The sucrose and starch contents, cy-FBPase, and SPS activities of SCRC-28 were more sensitive to low soil AP than CCRI-79. Higher Tr and activities of initial Rubisco and SuSy in the subtending leaves improved boll biomass and lint yield.
Evidencing Predictors of Adolescent to Parent Violence Re-Offending Through Linkage of Police and Health Records

Current knowledge about the characteristics of adolescents involved in recidivist adolescent to parent violence offending remains limited. This study employed more than 50,000 linked administrative police (from birth) and health (from age five) data events to examine predictors of adolescent to parent violence recidivism in a geographically-distinct case series of 775 Australian adolescents. The predictive association between adverse childhood experiences, health and police involvement related characteristics and frequency of recidivism was found to vary by sex and level of exposure to parental intimate partner violence. Events occurring before an adolescent’s first offence, including sustained exposure to adverse childhood events and IPV exposure combined with sexual offence victimization, amplified the frequency of re-offending. Developmental life-course trajectories involving family violence verbal arguments, and other antisocial behaviors in mid to late adolescence, had a stronger predictive association with the frequency of re-offending. These results highlighted several key intervention points with adolescents and families across the life course.
Numerical Fracture Analysis of Foamed Concrete Beam Using XFEM Method

The paper presents results of numerical investigation of fracture behaviour of initially notched beams made of foamed concrete. Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) was used to simulate the damage and fracture process of the beams subjected to three-point bending. Subsequently, the numerical models were validated by a series of static loading tests. Numerical models simulate correctly the fracture behaviour of beams observed during testing. XFEM method and computer simulation technologies allow for reliable approximation of load–bearing capacity and damage mechanisms of beams made of foamed concrete, which provides some foundations for realistic structural applications.
Research on the Productivity Paradox of Information Technology

The rapid development of new-generation information technology, such as the internet, big data, and artificial intelligence, has shifted the focus of theoretical and commercial attention on whether information technology can increase productivity growth. This paper systematically combs the evolution trend of the productivity paradox of information technology from the macro and micro levels. The findings revealed that there are still no unified conclusions at the macro-level, but it is generally believed that there is no productivity paradox at the micro level. There are some differences between developed and non-developed countries as well as across different industries. Based on the complementary mechanism theory, it is found that information technology forms a complementary effect with human capital, technological innovation, organizational change, and management practice, which can provide ideas for solving the productivity paradox of information technology. Finally, the future research direction for the productivity paradox of information technology is determined from the macro and micro levels.
Remotely sensed effectiveness assessments of protected areas lack a common framework: A review

Effective protected areas reflect socio-ecological values, such as biodiversity and habitat maintenance, as well as human well-being. These values, which safeguard ecosystem services in protected areas, are treated as models for the sustainable preservation and use of resources. While there is much research on the effectiveness of protected areas in a variety of disciplines, the question is whether there is a common framework that uses remote sensing methods. We conducted a qualitative and a quantitative analysis of 44 peer-reviewed scientific papers utilizing remote sensing data in order to examine the effectiveness of protected areas. Very few studies to date have a wide or even a global geographical focus; instead, most quantify the effectiveness of protected areas by focusing on local-scale case studies and single indicators such as forest cover change. Methods that help integrate spatial selection approaches, to compare a protected area ’ s characteristics with its surroundings, are increasingly being used. Based on this review, we argue for a multi-indicator-based framework on protected area effectiveness, including the development of a consistent set of socio-ecological indicators for a global analysis. In turn, this will allow for globally applicable use, including a
Investigating Structural Dynamics of KCNE3 in Different Membrane Environments Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations

KCNE3 is a potassium channel accessory transmembrane protein that regulates the function of various voltage-gated potassium channels such as KCNQ1. KCNE3 plays an important role in the recycling of potassium ion by binding with KCNQ1. KCNE3 can be found in the small intestine, colon, and in the human heart. Despite its biological significance, there is little information on the structural dynamics of KCNE3 in native-like membrane environments. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are a widely used as a tool to study the conformational dynamics and interactions of proteins with lipid membranes. In this study, we have utilized all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to characterize the molecular motions and the interactions of KCNE3 in a bilayer composed of: a mixture of POPC and POPG lipids (3:1), POPC alone, and DMPC alone. Our MD simulation results suggested that the transmembrane domain (TMD) of KCNE3 is less flexible and more stable when compared to the N- and C-termini of KCNE3 in all three membrane environments. The conformational flexibility of N- and C-termini varies across these three lipid environments. The MD simulation results further suggested that the TMD of KCNE3 spans the membrane width, having residue A69 close to the center of the lipid bilayers and residues S57 and S82 close to the lipid bilayer membrane surfaces. These results are consistent with previous biophysical studies of KCNE3. The outcomes of these MD simulations will help design biophysical experiments and complement the experimental data obtained on KCNE3 to obtain a more detailed understanding of its structural dynamics in the native membrane environment.
Effects of Graphic Organizers on Conceptual Understanding in Organic Chemistry

This study investigated the effect of graphic organizers on conceptual understanding of organic chemistry. The study adopted a mixed-method design involving three intact classes that were purposively selected. A quasi-experimental design and focus group interview was adopted and data was gathered using a chemistry achievement test and an interview protocol whose reliability were 0.74 and 0.73, respectively. The quantitative data were analyzed using analysis of covariance while thematic analysis, with codes generated inductively, was used to analyze the qualitative data. Findings indicated that graphic organizers enhanced students ’ performance in organic chemistry. Furthermore, students ’ opined that using organizers facilitated their learning. Although, reports indicated that using them as advance organizers is more tasking and deter attention during instruction. It was concluded that graphic organizers are effective tools that improved students ’ performance in organic chemistry, however, their use as advance organizers should be carefully guided to ensure enhanced learning outcomes.