Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The innovative management of Onychomycosis by the use of Diode Laser 808-nm: A Pilot Study

Objective: To investigate if Diode laser-808 nm treatment has the potential to eradicate onychomycosis. Patients and methods: Forty patients with a total of 102 mycotic toe nails were randomized to the treatment group (808-nm Diode laser) or control group (no laser treatment). We conducted four laser treatments at 4to 6-week intervals. In both groups, a local antimycotic agent was applied to the sole of the foot, the area between the toes and the skin directly surrounding the nails. The primary endpoint was complete remission of the onychomycosis after 12 months (fungal culture and histology); secondary endpoints included clinical improvement (Onychomycosis Severity Index, OSI) and the occurrence of pain or other adverse events. Results: A comparison of both groups' OSI scores showed no significant differences at baseline (P > 0.05). In both groups, toenails had solely a Trichophyton rubrum infection. The primary endpoint of mycological remission (i.e. no evidence of infection in fungal culture and PAS stain), while the secondary endpoint is improvement of clinical appearance of the nails using the Onychomycosis Severity Index (OSI). In the OSI scores, there were no statistically confirmed differences between the two groups. No adverse effects were observed in either the laser or the control group. Conclusion: The Diode laser 808-nm shows a long-term efficacy as a monotherapy. Its role as an adjuvant therapy should be investigated in upcoming trials. [Al-Sadat Mosbeh. (MD), Ahmed Aladl(MD), Hamed Mohamed Abdo. (MD). The innovative management of Onychomycosis by the use of Diode Laser 808-nm: A Pilot Study. Biomedicine and Nursing 2017;3(1): 79-85]. ISSN 2379-8211 (print); ISSN 2379-8203 (online). http://www.nbmedicine. org. 11. doi:10.7537/marsbnj030117.11.
Prognostic value of serum lactate dehydrogenase in symptomatic multiple myeloma.

8093 Background: In patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma, the clinical features, responses to treatment, and survival times vary. Well established predictors of survival include the International Staging System (ISS), cytogenetic abnormalities, and response to therapy. Long recognized has been the association of high serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) with advanced disease and shorter survival. We focused here on the impact of high LDH on staging and prognosis in order to guide the role of recent advances in therapy. Methods: We evaluated 1,247 patients with newly diagnosed, symptomatic myeloma from 10/74 to 7/11. Our goal was to determine the prognostic value of high LDH (>300 IU/L) in relation to ISS stage. We also compared the frequencies of anemia, hypercalcemia, and response to therapy in patients with high LDH with those of patients with Stage III disease and normal LDH values. Results: All 1,139 patients with normal LDH lived significantly longer than the 108 patients with elevated values (47 .
Length weight relationship of commercially important penaeid prawns of Maharashtra, India

© The Author(s). 2019 Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. Length weight relationships (LWR) of seven species of commercially important penaeid prawns were established from Maharashtra waters. The coefficient of correlation (r2) for various parameters ranged from 0.80 to 0.99, indicating high degree of relationship. The present studies indicated that the LWR between the sexes were significantly different and therefore, it was necessary to use separate expressions for males and females. The slope of LWR of males and females ranged from 2.6515 to 3.5602. Peak values for condition factor (Kn) of Penaeus merguiensis was observed during February, Metapenaeus monoceros during June, M. affinis during February, M. brevicornis during December, Parapeneopsis strylifera in August, P. sculptilis during July and Solenocerra crassicornis during September.
UNDERSTANDING LASSA FEVER VIRUS AND DIVERSIFICATION OF THE RODENT VECTOR IN THE TROPICS

Introduction: Lassa fever is an acute viral zoonotic illness caused by Lassa virus, an arenavirus known to be responsible for a severe haemorrhagic fever characterized by fever, muscle aches, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and chest and abdominal pain. The virus exhibits persistent, asymptomatic infection, with profuse urinary virus excretion in Mastomysnatalensis, the ubiquitous and highly commensal rodent host. Lassa fever is endemic in West Africa and has been reported from Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, and Nigeria where it was first discovered. LASV (Lassa virus) is responsible for 100,000-300,000 infections, and approximately 5,000 deaths annually. The aim was to examine the burden of lassa fever and identify the epidemiological diversity of the rodent vector of lassa fever in humans. Findings: It shows that although the general public may know or might have heard about the virus and the disease, but they still do not understand the mode of transmission and role of the vector which is a key component in the control and eradication programme for lassa virus disease. Conclusion: Advancing knowledge significantly improves our understanding of lassa virus biology, as well as the mechanisms that allow the virus to evade the host’s immune system. However, further investigations are required in order to design improved diagnostic tools, an effective vaccine, and therapeutic agents.
DETERMINANTS OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE-A STUDY OF LISTED BANKS FINANCE & INSURANCE COMPANIES IN COLOMBO STOCK EXCHANGE IN SRI LANKA

This study employs a pooled ordinary least square regression to analyze the determinants of the capital structure of 28 Listed Banks Finance & Insurance Companies in Colombo Stock Exchange for the period of 2008-2012 and further evidence of the capital structure theories. The results reflect the intermediate nature of the Sri Lankan corporate environment. The study suggests that some of the insights from modern finance theory of capital structure are moveable to Sri Lanka in that certain firm-specific factors that are relevant for explaining capital structure in developed economies are also relevant in Sri Lanka. Statistical results show that tangibility, profitability, growth, and liquidity are negatively related to the debt ratio, while size is related positively. Non-debt tax shield is not significantly related to the debt ratio. Furthermore, this results consistent with the forecasts of the trade-off theory, pecking order theory, and agency theory, and provide some help in understanding of financing behaviour of Sri Lankan firms. Also, this study explores the determinants of capital structure of Banks Finance & Insurance Companies of Sri Lankan firms and these findings will help to decision makers and policy makers to make optimal decisions.
Image Restoration based on Blur Identification

: It is challenging to take satisfactory photographs in poorly-lit environment using a hand-held camera. With the long exposure time, the image is blurred due to camera shake. Whereas, with short exposure time, the image is dark and noisy. In this project paper we will present a method to improve the quality of given pictures. In particular blind deconvolution will be applied to deblur the images. Blind deconvolution is an indistinct problem and needs to be solved using regularization techniques. The steps involved are: first, an image blur identification index is calculated to evaluate the sharpness of the image. The said index is used in determining whether the following procedure needs to be performed or not. Second, a normalized sparse regularization blind deconvolution technique is used to recover the image. And lastly, we check for quality using various quality assessment algorithms to evaluate the result of recovered image. Experiment result show that the proposed blur identification algorithm and the quality assessment methods are effective in upgrading the efficiency of recovering the image while guarantying a true output.
Nutritional Status and CD4 Cell Counts in HIV/AIDS Patients under HighlyActive Antiretroviral Therapy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Introduction: The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy significantly improved the life expectancy and quality of life of HIV infected people. However, malnutrition is still a concern. The Nutritional status of HIV/AIDS patients and HIV disease progression association should be thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of nutritional status and CD4 cell counts in HIV/AIDs patients who are under HAART in Zewditu Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Method: This cross sectional study was conducted on 395 HIV/AIDS patients taking HAART in Zewditu Memorial Hospital from January to June 2016, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Socio-demographic information was collected using structured data collection sheet. Weight and Height of all HIV/AIDS patients were measured. Venous blood samples were collected using EDTA tubes for the determination of CD4, albumin and total protein. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20 software. Chi-square test for the association between dependent and independent variables and multivariate regression analysis to evaluate the role of confounding variables were performed. The level of significance was set to 0.05 (α=5%). Results: The male to female ratio was 0.69:1. The mean age was 39.1 ± 10.15 years. The prevalence of malnutrition based on BMI was 60 (15.2%) with the mean BMI of 22.88 kg/m² (SD 4.17kg/m²). Three hundred thirty six (85.1%) CD4 cell counts were >200 cells/mm. Albumin level, BMI, opportunistic infection status and total protein level were not significantly associated with diminished CD4 cell counts (P value>0.05). The CD4 cell count was significantly associated with patients WHO AIDS stage (P-value=0.008) and year on HAART (P=0.048). Conclusion: Although there was no statistically significant association between nutritional status and CD4 cell counts, malnutrition is continued as a problem in HIV/AIDS patients taking HAART. So regular follow-up mainly nutritional and opportunistic infections assessment is necessary.
To determine effectiveness of abdominal hysterectomy versus non descent vaginal hysterectomy

Introduction: Hysterectomy is a very common surgery and can be performed by abdominal, vaginal or laparoscopic method though the abdominal route is more popular. Vaginal hysterectomy has distinct health and economic benefits. We designed this study to compare the outcomes in TAH and non-descent vaginal hysterectomy and to determine which route of hysterectomy is superior, safe and effective. Aims of the study: To determine the safety and effectiveness of abdominal hysterectomy versus non descent vaginal hysterectomy and to compare both in terms of duration of surgery, blood loss, intra operative complications, postoperative complications and duration of hospital stay. Materials and methods: This was a prospective, study done on total of 100 patients were divided randomly into two groups. One group underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and the other underwent vaginal hysterectomy. Both groups were compared for patient demographics, indications for surgery, size of uterus, duration of surgery, blood loss, need for blood transfusions, complications and duration of hospital stay. Results: Fibroid was the most common indication in both the groups. Most of the patients had 6 – 8 weeks size uterus. Mean intra operative blood loss in TAH group was slightly more than NDVH group. The need for blood transfusion was similar. The mean duration of surgery was 100.2 minutes in TAH group and 83 minutes in NDVH group. Fever was the most common complication in both groups. Abdominal wound infection and secondary suturing was seen in TAH group. The mean postoperative stay was 8.1 days in TAH group and 5.8 days in NDVH group. P. Divya Daniel, D. Anupama. To determine effectiveness of abdominal hysterectomy versus non descent vaginal hysterectomy. IAIM, 2017; 4(10): 77-86. Page 78 Conclusion: NDVH is associated with less duration of surgery, less blood loss, less postoperative stay than TAH. There was no difference between the need for blood transfusion between the two groups. Therefore, vaginal hysterectomy is safe and feasible in most of the women requiring hysterectomy for benign conditions and should therefore be attempted.
The Nexus of Asset Composition with Accounting and Market Performance of Firms in Nigeria

This ex-post facto design study examined the link between asset composition and accounting and market performance of insurance, banking and manufacturing firms quoted on Nigeria Stock Exchange using cross sectional secondary data from 2013 to 2017. The asset structure decomposed into plant property and equipment, long term investment, intangible asset and current assets were regressed against accounting measures of return on asset and return on equity on the one hand and market measures of price earnings ratio, earnings yield, Tobin’s Q and market valuation on the other hand. Property plant and equipment, long term investments, intangible asset and current assets all returned a positive and statistically significant relationship with return on assets. Similar result were equally returned by the assets components in relation to return on equity except property, plant and equipment and long-term investment that posted negative and statistically significant result. The result further indicate a positive but not statistically significant relationship of current assets with price earnings ratio contrary to the negative but statistically significant relationship of property, plant and equipment with the same performance measure. Also, long term investment and intangible assets both have a positive and statistically significant relationship with price earnings ratio. The result also indicate that long term investment and current assets have a positive and statistically significant relationship with earnings yield. Conversely, property plant and equipment and intangible asset posted a negative and statistically significant relationship with earnings yield. Intangibles and current asset have a positive and statistically significant relationship with market valuation while on the other hand increases in property, plant and equipment and long term investment reduces market valuation and Tobin’s Q in view of their negative but statistically significant relationship. The macroeconomic control variables of inflation and GDP and the microeconomic control variables of leverage and liquidity effectively performed their moderating roles between the dependent and the independent variables by differentially returning both positive and negative relationships. We recommend that IPO firms should invest less in PPE and Long-Term Assets to avoid negative investors pricing while at the same time increasing investment in current assets and developing intangibles. Also, firms with high asset base should increase leverage to enjoy tax advantage. We also recommend that firms with low asset base should avoid increased borrowing to mitigate risk of bankruptcy Keywords: Earnings Yield, Price Earnings Ratio, Tobin’s Q, Return on Assets, Return on Equity, Gross Domestic Product, Inflation, Leverage DOI : 10.7176/JESD/10-22-01 Publication date: November 30 th 2019
Bacterial profile of blood stream infections and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of isolates

Microorganisms present in the circulating blood whether continuously or intermittently are threat to every organ in the body (Usha and Pushpa Devi, 2007). Approximately 200,000 cases of bacteraemia and fungemia occur annually with mortality rates ranging from 20 50% (Dharm Raj et al., 2013). The detection of microorganisms in a patient s ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 3 Number 12 (2014) pp. 222-233 http://www.ijcmas. com
Isolation and Identification of Imazethapyr (Herbicide) Degrading Soil Microorganism from Punjab Region (India)

Leaching out of synthetic chemical pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides to surface and water level is at the root of environmental pollution. It accounts for severe environmental and social dispute all over the world. Present studies investigated the type of microorganisms that have been continuously exposed to different herbicide and pesticides concentrations in the soil. Still, these microorganisms are surviving in such conditions; it means that they have the potential to degrade substances and use those compounds as their energy source, that harms our environment. Soil samples were collected from wheat ranch from different sites in Punjab region. Isolation of these microorganisms in pure culture is being done by adopting streaking method. Biochemical and molecular tests were also carried out for identification process of the isolated microorganisms.
Effect of Teneligliptin on QT Interval in Type II Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Retrospective Evaluation

Background and Aim: According to a strict QT/QTc evaluation study and clinical studies for type 2 diabetes conducted in Japan and other countries, NO AEs related to QT prolongation were detected with 40 mg/day of teneligliptin, which is the maximal dosage used in clinical practice. So far, there are no data regarding the safety of teneligliptin in Indian type 2 diabetic patients with respect to QTc prolongation. Therefore, the study was conducted to evaluate the safety of teneligliptin in type 2 diabetic patients with respect to QT prolongation. Methods: A retrospective data were collected from type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with electrocardiogram (ECG) records who were treated with teneligliptin along with ongoing treatment. Primary endpoint was to compare the change in the ECG at 3 months from the baseline from the collected data. Mean daily dose (MDD) of antidiabetic drugs, HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) was also analyzed. Results: A total of 49 patients’ data were collected and analyzed with a mean age of 55.5 years and mean duration of diabetes 9.3 years. Hypertension was the most common comorbid disease (63.3%) along with diabetes for a mean duration of 10.0 years. Metformin plus glimepiride were the most prescribed dual drugs (63.3%) along with teneligliptin with an overall MDD of metformin (1065.2 mg) and glimepiride (2.1 mg). From the collected data, there was significant reduction in FPG and PPG at 3 months which were 49.6 mg/dL (P < 0.0001) and 100.5 mg/dL (P < 0.0001) reduction observed from the baseline, respectively. Significant changes were observed in the HbA1c from the baseline to 3 months (0.9%, P < 0.0001). There was no significant increase in the mean QTc interval from baseline to 3 months. No serious adverse events or hypoglycemia were reported. Conclusion: Teneligliptin was well tolerated with no significant change in QTc prolongation and significantly effective in reducing the FPG, PPG, and HbA1c at 3 months from the baseline with no adverse events. There was no increase in the mean QT interval.
Evaluation Of Ten Alfalfa Populations For Forage Yield, Protein Content, Susceptibility To Seedling Damping-off Disease And Associated Biochemical Markers With Levels Of Resistance

Greenhouse and field experiments were carried out at Giza research station to evaluate ten alfalfa genotypes against three fungi causing seedling damping-off disease (Fusarium oxysporum, Macrophomina phaseolina and Rhizoctonia solani). Examined genotypes included two exotic varieties (Cuf-101 and Salt America), seven local populations (Balady, Fixed-N, New valley-1, New valley-2, Siwa, Esmaelia-1 and Esmaelia-94) and New salt population (Sinai 1). R. solani was the most causal pathogen reducing significantly fresh and dry shoot yield followed by M. phaseolina and F. oxysporum, respectively. The local populations Siwa and Ismaelia-1 expressed the best performance for yield superiority and agronomical traits in comparison with the exotic populations. New Salt pop. , Salt America and Siwa populations ranked as the highly resistant against seedlings damping-off disease. Selection between and within alfalfa populations for high yielding ability and resistance degree to seedling damping-off disease produce a promising population can be used in the future breeding program. SDS-protein banding patterns of the ten alfalfa populations grown under normal (non-stressed) and fungal stress conditions were found to be useful in developing biochemical markers associated with resistance to damping-off pathogens. The obtained results revealed unique fingerprint characterized for each studied population under non-stress conditions. Similarity indices and consensus tree were developed on the basis of the protein banding patterns of the ten alfalfa populations using protein banding patterns under non-stress conditions. Consensus tree was developed on the basis of the bulked protein banding patterns of the ten alfalfa populations grown in infested soil with the three tested fungi caused seedling damping-off disease. The Dendrogram was gathered the resistant populations in one main cluster and almost all highly susceptible populations together in the same group. [Zeinab, M. Abd El-Naby, Clara R. Azzam and Saieda S. Abd El-Rahman Evaluation of Ten Alfalfa Populations For Forage Yield, Protein Content, Susceptibility To Seedling Damping-off Disease And Associated Biochemical Markers With Levels Of Resistance J Am Sci 2014;10(7):73-85]. (ISSN: 15451003). http://www.americanscience. org. 11
Species recognition in zebra finches: testing the effects of sex, sensory modalities, and social ontogeny

Species recognition is an integral component of mate selection and must occur in all sexually reproducing organisms to avoid costly hybridisation. Species recognition abilities may be comprised of both innate components and experience during ontogeny through the learning of visual, acoustic, and other sensory species-specific cues. But how greatly is the ability to recognise one‟s own species (conspecifics) over others (heterospecifics) dependent on the phylogeographic relationship of the array of potential species as social partners and to what extent is the discriminatory behaviour modulated by subject ontogeny versus species identity? Using a model system, which is widely studied in all disciplines of avian research, the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata castanotis), I aimed to investigate the visual and acoustic cues involved in conspecific recognition by both female and male individuals of this species. I used an array of previously untested phylogeographically relevant estrildid heterospecifics as my stimuli and tested subjects of diverse experimental ontogenetic treatments. By scoring a wide-selection of measured behavioural responses my research indicates that female and male zebra finches prefer live conspecifics over live phylogeographically relevant heterospecific stimuli and this preference is more consistent by females than males. Female zebra finches rely on both visual and acoustic features of potential social partners for accurate species discrimination; in this regard video playbacks or the diverse colour morphs of domesticated zebra finches may be useful tools for further experimentation. Additionally, females display significant individuality in their behavioural responses which may be relevant for pair bonding decisions made by both sexes. I further documented that normallyreared zebra finches will prefer song playbacks of their own species but that both rearing in an indoor restricted acoustic environment of conspecifics or cross-fostering to another species will reduce discrimination preferences, although the results may depend on the behavioural metrics analysed. This dissertation is presented as a general overview with details of my specific contributions towards the work included in this thesis, followed by discrete review and data chapters, and a final general discussion.