Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation inflammatory markers of hemogram parameters in primary ovarian insufficiency

Objective: In most of primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) cases, etiologic factors have not been fully elucidated. Recent studies have revealed that inflammatory agents play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of POI. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of inflammatory markers of hemogram parameters in POI. Materials and Methods: The study compared 47 healthy women and 47 women diagnosed as having POI retrospectively by scanning electronic and written recording systems. Complete blood counts, day-3 hormone profiles levels of all subjects were analyzed. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), red cell distribution width (RDW), platelet ratio (RPR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV) mean platelet lymphocyte ratio (MPLR) were calculated from the complete blood count parameters. Results: White blood cell and MPV values, platelet, and lymphocyte counts were significantly higher in the POI patients (p<0.001, p=0.042, p=0.038, p=0.049, respectively), RPR was significantly lower than the control group (p=0.011), but there were no significant differences in hemoglobin, RDW, NLR, PLR, and MPLR (p=0.454, p=0.057, p=0.635, p=0.780, p=0.126, respectively). The neutrophil count of the study group was higher than in the control group (p=0.057). Bivariate correlation analyses showed no correlations between blood parameters and hormone levels. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for RPR in POI was 0.652, with a threshold value 0.053, sensitivity=63% and specificity=63. Conclusion: Inflammatory markers of hemogram detected higher in patients with POI then control subjects.
Default mode network functional connectivity after multiple concussions in children and adolescents

The default mode network (DMN), a set of brain regions, has been shown to be affected post-concussion. This cross-sectional study aims to elucidate if children and adolescents with multiple concussions demonstrate long-term alterations in DMN functional connectivity (FC). Participants (N = 57, 27 girls and 30 boys; 8-19 years old, M age = 14.7, SD = 2.8) were divided into three groups (orthopedic injury [OI] n = 20; one concussion n = 16; multiple concussions n = 21, M = 3.2 concussions, SD = 1.7) and seen on average 31.6 months post-injury (range 4.3-130.7 months; SD = 19.4). They underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan. Parents completed the ADHD rating scale-5 for children and adolescents. Children and parents completed the post-concussion symptom inventory (PCSI). Anterior and posterior DMN components were extracted from the fMRI data for each participant using FSL’s MELODIC and dual regression. We tested for pairwise group differences within each DMN component in FSL’s Randomize (5000 permutations) using threshold-free cluster enhancement to estimate cluster activation, controlling for age, sex, and symptoms of inattention. FC of the anterior DMN was significantly reduced in the group with multiple concussions compared to the two other groups, whereas there were no significant group differences on FC of the posterior DMN. There were no significant associations between DMN FC and PCSI scores. These results suggest reduced FC in the anterior DMN in youth with multiple concussions, but no linear association with post-concussive symptoms.
Role of Gastric Electrical Stimulation in the Treatment of Gastroparesis

Introduction: Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) is a surgically implanted treatment option for drug refractory gastroparesis syndromes. Evidence supporting use of GES and the pathophysiology of gastroparesis syndromes is not widely known. We conducted a descriptive review to elucidate the pathophysiology of gastroparesis syndromes, with particular focus on gastrointestinal neuromodulation and the known mechanisms of action of GES. Methods: A descriptive review of PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library was conducted using the keywords gastric electrical stimulation, gastroparesis, nausea, vomiting, neuromodulation, gastroparesis syndromes, central nervous system, gastric pacing and electrical stimulation. Results: 1040 potentially relevant articles were identified, of which 34 were included. These studies explored various central and peripheral effects of GES, as well as its effect on quality of life, hospital stay, mortality and health-related costs. Conclusion: Although evidence supporting gastrointestinal (GI) electrical stimulation and GI neuromodulation use is not widely known, GES does seem to offer significant improvement in symptom control, quality of life and other effects to many patients. GES exerts its effects through multiple central and peripheral mechanisms and has potential to modify the natural history of disease. Future work on gastroparetic syndromes and their treatment might be better focused in terms of pathophysiologic mechanisms. Improving outcomes with specific neuromodulation therapies, like GES, may offer improvements in health for many patients with refractory upper gastrointestinal symptoms.
Biogeographic variations of picophytoplankton in three contrasting seas: the Bay of Bengal, South China Sea and Western Pacific Ocean

Marine picophytoplankton are abundant in many oligotrophic oceans, but the known geographical patterns of picophytoplankton are primarily based on small-scale cruises or timeseries observations. Here, we conducted a wider survey (5 cruises) in the Bay of Bengal (BOB), South China Sea (SCS) and Western Pacific Ocean (WPO) to better understand the biogeographic variations of picophytoplankton. Prochlorococcus (Pro) were the most abundant picophytoplankton (averaging [1.9−3.6] × 104 cells ml−1) across the 3 seas, while average abundances of Synechococcus (Syn) and picoeukaryotes (PEuks) were generally 1−2 orders of magnitude lower than Pro. Average abundances of total picophytoplankton were similar between the BOB and SCS (4.7 × 104 cells ml−1), but were close to 2-fold less abundant in the WPO (2.5 × 104 cells ml−1). Pro and Syn accounted for a substantial fraction of total picophytoplankton biomass (70−83%) in the 3 contrasting seas, indicating the ecological importance of Pro and Syn as primary producers. Pro were generally abundant in oligotrophic open waters; however, the exceptional presence of Pro near the SCS coast was potentially associated with the Kuroshio intrusion. Syn and PEuk abundances were higher near freshwater-dominated areas, which was likely due to dilution waters. Water temperature and cold eddies were also major drivers responsible for the biogeographic distributions of picophytoplankton. Although Pro, Syn and PEuks showed negative correlations with nutrient concentrations, their maximal abundances in vertical distribution showed positive correlations with the nutricline depth, indicating that nutrient availability plays a 2-faceted role in regulating the biogeographic variation in picophytoplankton.
Variability of integrated precipitable water over India in a warming climate

Changes in precipitation patterns as a result of increased atmospheric water vapour in a warming environment over the Indian region have been reported in the past few decades. However, these studies have not focused much on exploring the changes in atmospheric water vapour in a changing climate. The present study focuses on examining the variability of integrated precipitable water (IPW) over the Indian region derived from the Modern Era Retrospective‐Analysis for Research and Application (MERRA 2) model in a warming environment. The results suggest that the IPW has increased significantly in recent decades. Changes in the IPW are consistent with changes in regional warming over India. The results also point out an increase of about 4.98% ± 1.26% in the IPW for a 1°C increase in regional warming. The variability of IPW has been examined in a warming climate. An increase in regional temperature shows coherent variation with IPW. A decadal increase of about 1.69% has been reported in the IPW.
Metformin and Exercise in Cancer: Better Together

See the Notes section for the full list of authors’ affiliations. Correspondence to: Ryan J. O. Dowling, PhD, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College St, Princess Margaret Cancer Research Tower, Room 13-401, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada (e-mail: rdowling@uhnres.utoronto.ca) and Vuk Stambolic, PhD, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College St, Princess Margaret Cancer Research Tower, Room 13-401, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada (e-mail: vuks@uhnres.utoronto.ca).
An Online Intervention to Enhance Nurse Practitioners’ Skin Cancer Knowledge, Attitudes, and Counseling Behaviors: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether a brief educational video administered online improved nurse practitioners’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding skin cancer and skin cancer prevention counseling. Participants completed an online test assessing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, before and after viewing an online video. Thirty Arizona nurse practitioners completed the pilot study. There were statistically significant increases from the pretest to the posttest for all main variables. This pilot study found that the online intervention was highly effective for improving nurse practitioners’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding skin cancer and skin cancer prevention counseling.
Risk Factors for Intrauterine Adhesions in a Black African Population - Nigerians

Background: Intrauterine adhesions are associated with certain uterine procedures such as dilatation and curettage, open myomectomy and Cesarean section as well as some infections. Objectives: To determine the most important risk factors for intrauterine adhesions among Black Africans Study design, setting and subjects: This was a retrospective study conducted at Nordica Fertility Center (NFC). A total of 905 patients from three cities - Lagos, Abuja and Asaba, who consulted for infertility related problems and on whom hysteroscopy was performed between January 2005 and November 2014, were studied. Main outcome measures: Performance of different uterine surgeries, type and number of different uterine surgeries performed, and presence or absence of intrauterine adhesions. Results: A total of 905 women on whom hysteroscopy was performed were included in the study among whom 264 (29.2%) were positive for intrauterine adhesions. Women with IUA were significantly older (t=5.34, P-value=0.00001) than those without IUA. IUA was common among women who were Chief Executives (21/52, 40.4%). The overall mean [± sd] number of myomectomy (0.58 [0.66]) and of D&C (1.68 [1.82]) were significantly higher in IUA-positive women than in IUA-negative women (t=10.66, P-value=0.000001; t=4.52, P-value=0.00001). The ratio of D&C per woman was 1.70 per woman in IUA-positive women compared to 1.1 per woman in IUA negative women. Women with IUA were about 2½ times more likely to have had open myomectomy than those without IUA (Crude odds ratio=2.36, 95% CI:1.75, 3.16) and were just about twice as likely to have had D&C compared to those without IUA (Crude odds ratio=1.92, 95% CI:1.42, 2.60). Correlation coefficient study indicates that IUA was significantly (P-value<0.05) associated with performing all uterine and adnexal operations especially D&C (r=0.023, t=4.42), open myomectomy (r=0.017, t=3.45), Cesarean section (r=0.037, t=4.39), ovarian cystectomy (r=0.06, t=4.86) and salpingectomy (r=0.111, t=6.37). When the number of uterine surgeries performed was considered, IUA significantly (P-value<0.05) correlated with age (r=0.097, t=12.42), Body Mass Index (r=0.162, t=15.45), and with the number of D&C performed (r=0.014, t=2.16). Conclusion: Uterine procedures like open myomectomy, Dilatation and Curettage and Caesarean section as well as adnexeal surgeries and the number of times these procedures are carried out are important risk factors for uterine adhesions in infertile black African women. Mitigating these risk factors can help reduce the incidence of intrauterine adhesions in these women and improve their fertility.
HIGH ORIGIN OF THE THIRD DIGITAL BRANCH OF THE MEDIAN NERVE

During a routine cadaveric dissection, we came across an anatomical variation at the level of the right forearm of a 77-year-old Caucasian male cadaver. Proximal to the superior border of the flexor retinaculum, we observed the median nerve giving a separate branch. It was the third common palmar digital nerve running distally from the ulnar side of the median nerve and coursing through the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle. In the distal part of the palm, it was divided into two proper palmar digital nerves for the adjacent sides of middle and ring fingers. Keywords: carpal tunnel; entrapment neuropathy; median nerve variations; third common digital nerve
Use of multi-criteria decision analysis to classify and regulate interstate bus services in Brazil

Interstate bus services in Brazil can occur between nearby or distant municipalities. In the former situation the bus service should be classified as ‘semi-urban’; it is delegated by Federal concession that requires a bidding process and must be provided by urban buses. In the latter situation the bus service should be classified as ‘road’; it is directly authorized by the public authority and must be provided by coaches. Brazilian law distinguishes between ‘nearby’ and ‘distant’ cities when the service occurs with ‘urban’ or ‘regional’ characteristics, but does not specify parameters for that distinction. This paper presents a multi-criteria method used to better classify and regulate those bus transport services. The method was applied to categorize 11 interstate markets of which 4 were considered to be ‘semi-urban’. In conclusion, the study served as a basis to support a government decision.
Adverse Effects of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Chronic Kidney Disease

To the Editor Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are extensively used for common gastrointestinal disorders where the inhibition of gastric acid secretion is desirable, such as gastroduodenal ulcer, dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Lazarus et al 1 showed an association between PPI use and a higher risk of incident chronic kidney disease (CKD). Furthermore, the authors touched on PPI induced hypomagnesemia as a possible mediator of CKD worsening. We agree with and support this hypothesis, expanding on the possible adverse effects of inappropriately prescribed PPIs in patients with CKD. Proton pump inhibitors interfere with the active transport of magnesium, and clinically significant phenomena are observed in the carriers of heterozygotic mutations of TRPM6/7. 2 Proton pump inhibitor-associated hypomagnesemia has been highlighted both in the general population and patients with CKD. We showed that chronic PPI use is associated with increased vascular calcification risk in hemodialysis patients. 3 Because magnesium is acting as inhibitor of calcification, it is possible that PPI-induced hypomagnesemia may worsen vascular calcifications in patients with CKD. Magnesium is also deposited in large quantities in bone, being essential for bone health, and chronic PPI treatment may be associated with clinical spine, forearm or wrist, and total fractures, although not hip fractures and with only a marginal effect on 3-year bone mineral density change at the hip. 4
The impact of varying seasonal lengths of the rainy seasons of India on its teleconnections with tropical sea surface temperatures

We present in this paper the interannual variability of seasonal temperature and rainfall in the Indian meteorological subdivisions (IMS) for boreal winter and summer seasons that take in to account the varying length of the seasons. Our study reveals that accounting for the variations in the length of the seasons produces stronger teleconnections between the seasonal anomalies of surface temperature and rainfall over India with corresponding sea surface temperature anomalies of the tropical Oceans (especially over the northern Indian and the equatorial Pacific Oceans) compared to the same teleconnections from fixed length seasons over the IMS. It should be noted that the IMS show significant spatial heterogeneity in these teleconnections.
Assessment of The Family Support on The Improvement of Health-Related Quality of Life for Alcoholics and Smokers in Type 2 DM Patients in Makassar Municipality

Positive dimensions of family functioning are an important aspect to boost adherence behaviors in diabetic patients in increasing their quality of life, especially for alcoholics and smokers with type 2 DM. Concerning to this issue, this study aims to assess family support on the improvement of health-related quality of life for smokers and alcoholics in type 2 DM patients at coastal areas in Makassar Municipality. The study used a cross-sectional study. Samples were alcoholics and smokers with type 2 DM who stay at coastal areas in Makassar Municipality. Samples were males and total samples were 366 Data collected using questionnaires and interview with respondents using the WHO-QoL survey instrument and the questionnaires of smoking habits and habitual consumption of alcohol. Analysis of data used Yates’ correction and multivariate regression. Stress status was assessed using the DASS (the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales). All data were processed using SPSS Version 21. Results of the study indicated that family support (p- value=0.009<α=0.05), smoking habits, habitual consumption of alcohol (p- value =0,000 < α=0.05), and level of stress had significant correlation with health-related quality of life in type 2 DM patients. Conclusion of study is Positive family support showed significant impact on the improvement of health-related quality of life for smokers and alcoholics in type 2 DM patients at coastal communities in Makassar Municipality. It was concluded that family support improved health-related quality of life in type 2 DM patients classified as smokers and alcoholics.
Assessing the Profitability of Islamic Banks: The Role of Bank Age and Bank Performance

This study examines the effect of bank age and bank performance on the profitability of Islamic banks. The dependent variable in this study is profitability, while the independent variables are bank age, and bank performance. In addition, profit distribution is treated as an intervening variable. The sampling method used was purposive sampling where samples were taken with the provisions of 12 Public Islamic banks that publish annual reports from 2015 to 2017. The results of the data analysis show that bank age does not have a significant effect on profit ability, but NPF (Non-Performing Financing) significant effect on profit sharing. Further, although FDR (Financing to Deposit), and CI (Cost to Income) have no significant effect on profit sharing. Finally, this study also reveals that profit sharing has a significant effect on banks profitability. The implication of theoretical and managerial practices is discussed. Building a competitive advantage to face industry 4.0, one of them with adopting technology is very important for Islamic banking to improve the performance of Islamic banks, improve efficiency and productivity, which will certainly support the performance of profitability.
Online Repurchase Intention: Empirical Study on the Household Equipment Market

The explosion of e-commerce has enabled consumers to purchase goods online. We have developed a conceptual framework based on the technology acceptance model, the expectation-confirmation theory, and the concept of information systems continuance. Our intent is to conduct an empirical study on consumers’ online repurchase of household equipment, which has not been undertaken before. 218 respondents answered our survey on the IKEA online repurchase intention. Structural equation modeling has been used for the analysis. Concerning the household equipment market, our findings indicate that past internet shopping experience affects online customers’ perceived ease of use, confirmation and satisfaction. The usability of a website affects trust, perceived enjoyment, and usefulness. Customers’ confirmation affects satisfaction but not perceived usefulness. Intention to repurchase household equipment online is positively affected by perceived usefulness and satisfaction. Analysis of our data leads to the counter-intuitive finding that online repurchase intention is negatively affected by perceived enjoyment. Our study contributes to bring together several extant online repurchase intention models.
Behaviour of People Living with HIV Aids in Northeastern Nigeria

Introduction: Human Behavior is important as one of the determinants of transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. The risk of getting infected with HIV as well as subsequent developments and reactions after the infection has a direct bearing on human behavior. Positive behavior change of HIV infection prevention is less than the level of awareness and knowledge pertaining the disease among PLWHA. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on PLWHA attending clinic at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data by systematic random sampling technique. The objective of the research was to understand more about the behaviour of PLWHA and make recommendations on how to improve the behavioral change communications among PLWHA to curb the menace of HIV infection. Results: The people living with HIV/AIDs may be knowledgeable and having high awareness on HIV/AIDS but may not necessarily reflect into good behaviors concerning, taking the right steps to prevent menaces of HIV infection. The behavior of PLWHA was found to have gaps that portend danger in regard to making life more miserable to victims and portend more risk of getting others infected. The gaps are mainly related to psychological issues (e.g., lack of enjoyment or with condom use), beliefs, stigma and financial issues. Conclusion: Counselling should be used to inculcate technic, good morals, attitude and practices among PLWHA to prevent them from deliberate or spontaneous attempts to infect others with the virus. Safer and satisfying sex can be promoted through expanding knowledge and awareness about HIV/AIDS and removing stigma among the general populace through community health education as well as through schools’ curricula. Empowerment of the youths in public and private settings discourages exchanging sexual intercourse for financial gains.