Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Drug utilization patterns of Geriatric patients admitted in the Medicine Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital

Drug utilization studies on geriatric population ar e an area of research where the data available is v ery limited and this population is generally neglected. This study was done to assess the usage of essential medicines and to identify the diseases common among this population. It was a cross sectional, unicentric observational drug uti lization study with admitted patients in medicine ward as study po pulation. The sample size was 111 patients. The cas e sheets of the patients were verified after obtaining written informed consent and the drugs prescribed were anal yzed. The majority of patients were found to be in the age gr oup of 60 to 70 years (76%). It was noticed that ma les were more (63%) compared to females. The drugs prescribed were categorized and drugs used for respiratory disord ers were used more commonly of which Deriphylline was prescribed for almost half of the patients in this study group. The Average number of drugs per prescription was 9.4±0.31 (SEM). Average drug cost per admission was Rs.981. 93±87.49 (SEM). Brand names were used (74%) in preference to generic names. Among the drugs prescribed 78% were from the national list of essen tial medicines (NLEM) and only 58% were from the WHO Essential Medicines List. This study revealed the c hronic nature of diseases affecting the geriatric p opulation with an increased incidence of respiratory diseases and rightly the drug deriphyllin was the most common dr ug utilized. The pattern of drug prescription also shows a trend towards polypharmacy (> 5 drugs) which has to be viewed with caution given the pharmacokinetic changes in the el derly. These studies can help to promote rational u se of drugs.
Effect of line and floor type on growth performance and feather characterization during the growth period of White Roman geese

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate whether goose growth and feather characteristics are influenced by their line and feeding surroundings, inclusive of floor materials and types, since there are no reports regarding these factors. Methods The 240 White Roman geese which were hatched and sex identified came from 3 commercial goose farms. They were randomly distributed to 24 pens depending on a completely random design. The study continued for 13 weeks and included 3 lines of commercial geese and 2 floor types (cement strip floor [CSF] or cement floor [CF]). Results The day one gosling weight from A farm was lower than other two farms (96 g vs 107 and 115 g; p<0.001). Afterwards, the body weight, back length, keel length, chest girth and main wing feather length among 3 farms showed no significance difference prior to 12 weeks. The CF group showed heavier body weight, shorter back length, longer keel length, shorter chest girth and shorter main wing feather length than the CSF group prior to 12 weeks. The down weight in the CF was heavier than the CSF group (57.1 g vs 41.8 g; p<0.01) prior to 13 weeks. Conclusion The body weight showed the positive relations for dry feather weight (r = 0.59), down weight (r = 0.69), percent of the down weight of live body weight prior to 13 weeks (r = 0.61).
Passive Smoking in Children The Importance of Parents' Smoking and Use of Protective Measures

Introduction The objective of the study was to understand the opinions and attitudes among parents of preschool children towards children's passive smoking, to show how attitudes influenced smoking and smoking behavior, and how the parents had experienced the handling of the tobacco issue in antenatal and child health care. Method A subsample of smoking and nonsmoking parents (n = 300) with 4- to 6-year-old children participating in All Babies in Southeast Sweden (ABIS), a prospective study on environmental factors affecting development of immune-mediated diseases, answered a questionnaire on their opinions and attitudes to children's passive smoking. Results Indoor smokers were more positive regarding smoking, less aware of the adverse health effects from passive smoking, and more negative regarding the handling of tobacco prevention in health care than both outdoor smokers and nonsmokers. Indoor smokers' idea of how children should be protected from tobacco smoke exposure was significantly different from the idea of nonsmokers and outdoor smokers. Discussion Results indicate that further intense efforts are needed to convince the remaining indoor smokers about the adverse health effects related to tobacco smoke exposure. Pediatric nurses meet these parents in their daily work and should be aware of the need to focus this group and their use of protective measures.
Motorized Shoes Induce Robust Sensorimotor Adaptation in Walking

The motor system has the flexibility to update motor plans according to systematic changes in the environment or the body. This capacity is studied in the laboratory through sensorimotor adaptation paradigms imposing sustained and predictable motor demands specific to the task at hand. However, these studies are tied to the laboratory setting. Thus, we asked if a portable device could be used to elicit locomotor adaptation outside the laboratory. To this end we tested the extent to which a pair of motorized shoes could induce similar locomotor adaptation to split-belt walking, which is a well-established sensorimotor adaptation paradigm in locomotion. We specifically compared two groups of young, healthy subjects adapted on the treadmill by moving their feet at different speeds with a split-belt treadmill or with a pair of motorized shoes. We found that the adaptation of joint motions and measures of spatial and temporal asymmetry, which are commonly used to quantify sensorimotor adaptation in locomotion, were indistinguishable between groups. We only found small differences in the join angle kinematics during baseline walking between the groups-potentially due to the relatively large weight and height of the motorized shoes. Our results indicate that robust sensorimotor adaptation in walking can be induced with a paired of motorized shoes, opening the exciting possibility to study sensorimotor adaptation during more realistic situations outside the laboratory.
Paraoxonase Activity and Phenotype Distribution in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Objective Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and arylesterase (ARE) enzymes have an important role in the prevention of oxidative stress which is related to the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). PON1 levels vary widely among individuals and ethnic groups, which is in part associated with polymorphisms. Materials and Methods We investigated PON1 and ARE activity and phenotype distribution in COPD patients and healthy individuals. Sixty six COPD patients and 59 control subjects were involved in the study. Serum PON1 and ARE activities were detected by spectrophotometric method. The ratio of salt-induced PON1 to ARE activity was used to determine phenotypes as QQ, QR, and RR. Results COPD patients exhibited higher PON1 activity (199.1 vs 129.2, p=0.002) but lower ARE activity compared to control (21.3 vs 33.5, p=0.021). There was a significant difference between COPD and control group with respect to PON1 phenotype characteristics. RR phenotypic distribution was more common in the COPD group than in control (60.6% [95% CI: 48.8 - 72.3] versus 22.0 % [95% CI: 12.0 - 31.9], p=0.001). We also found that smoking (95.0% CI: 0.001-0.036, p<0.001) and RR phenotype (95.0% CI: 0.006 - 0.59, p=0.016) are independent determinants in COPD. Conclusion We found that RR phenotype was more common in COPD patients compared to control. Smoking and RR phenotype may be defined as independent factors associated with COPD.
Dynamic light experiments and semi-automated plant phenotyping enabled by self-built growth racks and simple upgrades to the IMAGING-PAM

Background Over the last years, several plant science labs have started to employ fluctuating growth light conditions to simulate natural light regimes more closely. Under fluctuating light, many plant mutants previously described as phenotype-free under standard constant light have started to reveal quantifiable effects. Moreover, many subtle plant phenotypes become intensified and thus can be studied in more detail. This observation has caused a paradigm shift within the photosynthesis research community and an increasing number of scientists are interested in using dynamic growth light conditions. However, high installation costs for controllable LED setups as well as costly phenotyping equipment make it hard for small academic groups to compete in this emerging field. Results We show a simple do-it-yourself approach using off-the-shelf parts to enable dynamic light growth experiments. Our results using previously published fluctuating light sensitive mutants, stn7 and pgr5, confirm that our low-cost setup yields similar results as top-prized commercial growth regimes. Moreover, we show how to reconfigure a standard Walz IMAGING-PAM, found in many departments around the world, into a medium throughput phenotyping platform. We have designed a Python and R-based open source toolkit that allows for semi-automated sample segmentation and data analysis thereby reducing the processing bottleneck of large experimental datasets. We provide detailed instructions on how to build and functionally test each setup. Conclusions With material costs well below $1000, it is possible to setup a fluctuating light rack including a constant light control shelf for comparison. This allows more scientists to perform experiments closer to natural light conditions and contribute to an emerging research field. A small addition to the IMAGING-PAM not only increases sample throughput but also enables larger-scale plant phenotyping with automated data analysis.
Biological Therapeutics and Pharmacovigilance in Italy

Biological Therapeutics (BTs) present a novel frontier for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn's disease and several other conditions. BTs constitute highly selective compounds targeted upon specific structures that may be proteins, receptors, or DNA sequences. In the case of autoimmune diseases, the use of BTs is directed against pro-inflammatory cytokines that exert a central role in the inflammatory machinery. In the present review, attention is focused upon BTs that inhibit pro- inflammatory cytokines thereby blocking the inflammation, such as monoclonal antibodies (e.g. infliximab and adalimumab) and soluble receptors (e.g. etanercept). The interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 antagonists, anakinra and tocilizumab, rituximab, which decrease the number of circulating B-lymphocytes and abatacept, thereby counteracting T-lymphocyte activation, are described also. Despite the utility of BTs for patients presenting autoimmune diseases, they have been linked to opportunistic viral, bacterial, mycotic infections and to tumor cases. The occurrence of these pathologies is due to their immunosuppresssive functions thereby requiring the meticulous monitoring by pharmacovigilance and drug safety techniques to assess risk analysis. Whether or not Adverse Drug Events (ADEs) occur more frequently in patients administered BTs, compared to traditional drugs, is currently an essential topic of investigation.
Effects of spent engine oil on the germination and seedling growth of Moringa oleifera (Lam.)

The performance of Moringa oleifera seeds and seedlings in a spent engine oil contaminated soil was evaluated in Delta State, Nigeria in 2010 with a view to determining the level of the oil that the plant can tolerate. Spent engine oil levels used were 0.00, 1.61, 3.21, 6.43 and 8.09% (w/w). The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. The results show that a negative relationship existed between the oil level in soil and the growth parameters (germination percentage, days germination, rate of germination, plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, stem diameter and biomass accumulation) measured. Seeds and seedlings of M. oleifera grown in the oil contaminated soils differed significantly (P≤ 0.05) from their counterparts that did not receive oil treatment in all the plant characters and their effects are spent engine oil level dependent. This study has shown that soil contamination by spent engine oil has a highly significant effect of reducing the germination responses and subsequent performance including biomass production of M. oleifera seedlings. This study has a great implication in the sustainability of M. oleifera a multi-purpose tree species.
Clinical Features and Course of Crohn Disease in Children

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and course of Crohn disease (CD) in children. Methods: The medical records of 30 patients diagnosed with CD between January 1996 and December 2005 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The actual number of newly diagnosed patients with CD has increased during the 8-year period. The male/female ratio was 2：1 and the mean age at diagnosis was 10.6 4.3 years. The major symptoms of CD at diagnosis were abdominal pain (79.2%), weight loss (54.2%), perianal lesion (54.2%), diarrhea (45.8%), hematochezia (41.7%), anemia (29.2%), and fever (23.3%). The disease location of CD was the small bowel in 33.3%, the large bowel in 12.5% and both the small and large bowel in 54.2%. Granuloma was found in 54.2% of patients. The relapse rate of CD in the group with a higher pediatric Crohn disease activity index (PCDAI) at diagnosis ( 30) was higher than in the group with a lower PCDAI (＜30). The cumulative relapse rates of the patients with granuloma were 30.2% within 1 year and 53.8% within 5 years after the diagnosis. Conclusions: The incidence of CD in children appears to be increasing. Granuloma formation and a higher score of the PCDAI are associated with a more severe disease course. Pediatric CD may have a somewhat different clinical presentation from older-onset CD. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2007;34:193-199)
An amygdala circuit mediates experience-dependent momentary exploratory arrests

Exploration of novel environments ensures survival and evolutionary fitness. This behavior is expressed through exploratory bouts and arrests, which change dynamically based on experience. Neural circuits mediating exploratory behavior should therefore integrate experience and use it to select the proper behavioral output. Using a spatial exploration assay, we uncovered an experience-dependent increase of momentary arrests in visited locations where animals previously arrested. Quantitative analyses of neuronal calcium activity in freely-exploring mice revealed that a large neuronal ensemble in basolateral amygdala is active during self-paced behavioral arrests. This ensemble was recruited in an experience-dependent manner, and closed-loop optogenetic manipulation of these neurons revealed that they are sufficient and necessary to drive experience-dependent arrests. Additionally, we found that neurons in the basolateral amygdala projecting to central amygdala mediate these momentary arrests. These findings uncover an amygdala circuit that mediates momentary exploratory arrests in familiar places, without changing place preference or anxiety/fear-like behaviors.
Reliability of a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Questionnaire

AbstractBackground: A diagnostic instrument, the CFS Questionnaire, was developed for clinicians and researchers to administer to their patients as a screening instrument for CFS. The CFS Questionnaire is comprehensive, covering the inclusionary and exclusionary self-report criteria of the current U.S. case definition (4). The instrument also assesses past and current activity levels, and symptoms of post-exertional malaise to ensure these items are adequately assessed.Objectives: The goal of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic reliability of an experimental measure for assessing chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Methods: This instrument was administered to 15 persons with CFS, 15 persons with major depressive disorder (MDD), and 15 controls. Using the Fukuda et al. (4) diagnostic criteria, raters independently reviewed participants' CFS Questionnaire responses and rated whether each study participant met criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome.Results: This instrument demonstrated good inter-rate.
Investigation of constitutive phloem phenolics in European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) with different phenotypic susceptibility to ash dieback

European Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is an important species for biodiversity through-out Europe. The species is critically threatened due to an alien invasive fungus, Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. Some individual F. excelsior trees however show better resistance to H. fraxineus giving hope that the population can be saved. The under-lying mechanisms associated with this resistance however are still not clear. In ear-lier work, chemotypes could be clearly distinguished between susceptible and re-sistant ash trees. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the quantitative and qualitative differences in ash constitutive phenolics that may in part explain the observed resistance in some ash trees. Ash trees of known susceptibility to H. fraxineus from five different European countries were sampled for stem phloem tissue and phenolics were ex-tracted in a butylated hydroxyanisole methanol solution. Chemical analysis using Time-of-Flight Mass spectrometry reveals significant differences in levels of several phenolic compounds, foremost the coumarin fraxin and the secoiridoid ligustroside, which is more prevalent in trees resistant to H. fraxineus than in susceptible ones. Fraxin is also more abundant in the resistant natural host of H. fraxineus, F. mands-hurica, than in susceptible species, such as F. excelsior. This study may help in advancing breeding efforts by identifying potential biomarkers that are associated with resistance.
Transposable elements contribute to regulatory hub stress-related long noncoding RNAs in Maize

Several studies have mined short-read RNA sequencing datasets to identify lncRNAs, and others have focused on the function of individual lncRNA in abiotic stress response. However, our understanding of the complement, function and origin of long-non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) response to abiotic stress, especially transposon derived lncRNA (TE-lncRNA), is still in its infancy. To discover and study lncRNAs in maize (Zea mays ssp. mays), we utilized a dataset of 127 RNA sequencing samples that included PacBio fl-cDNA and total RNA-Seq datasets. Overall, we identified 23,309 candidate lncRNAs, 60% of which were identified in polyadenylated (polyA+) samples. The majority (65%) of the 23,309 lncRNAs had sequence similarity to transposable elements (TEs). Most had similarity to long-terminal-repeat retrotransposons from the Copia and Gypsy superfamilies, representing the high proportion of these elements in the genome, but class II, DNA transposons were enriched for lncRNAs relative to their genomic representation by 2-fold. By assessing the fraction of lncRNAs that respond to abiotic stresses like heat, cold, salt and drought, we identified 1,077 differentially expressed lncRNA transcripts. Their expression was correlated (r2=0.48) with their nearest gene, suggesting that lncRNAs are subject to some of the cis regulatory features as neighboring genes. By inferring co-expression networks across our large dataset, we found that 39 lncRNAs act as major hubs in co-expression networks, of which 18 appeared to be derived from TEs. These results suggest that lncRNAs, especially TE-lncRNAs, may play key regulatory roles in moderating abiotic responses.
DDIA: data dependent-independent acquisition proteomics - DDA and DIA in a single LC-MS/MS run

Data dependent acquisition (DDA) and data independent acquisition (DIA) are traditionally separate experimental paradigms in bottom-up proteomics. In this work, we developed a strategy combining the two experimental methods into a single LC-MS/MS run. We call the novel strategy, data dependent-independent acquisition proteomics, or DDIA for short. Peptides identified by conventional and robust DDA identification workflow provide useful information for interrogation of DIA scans. Deep learning based LC-MS/MS property prediction tools, developed previously can be used repeatedly to produce spectral libraries facilitating DIA scan extraction. A complete DDIA data processing pipeline, including modules for iRT vs RT calibration curve generation, DIA extraction classifier training, FDR control has been developed. A key advantage of the DDIA method is that it requires minimal information for processing its data. GRAPHIC ABSTRACT
Prevalence of Clinostomum tilapiae metacercariae in wild Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus , from Dugudu Lake, Igboetiti Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria

Clinostomid metacercariae are common parasites of fish in many natural and artificial aquatic systems. In aquaculture, infection by clinostomid metacercariae reduces fish quality and causes production losses resulting from the discard of infected fish. Also, clinostomid metacercariae are of zoonotic importance because man can become the final host following consumption of raw or undercooked infected fish. This study investigated the prevalence of Clinostomum tilapiae metacercariae in Oreochromis niloticus sampled from Dugudu Lake, Enugu State, Nigeria. 120 individuals were examined from February to May 2018. Sex, total length (TL) and weight of fish, as well as number of parasites were recorded. A prevalence of 64.17 % was observed with mean intensity and mean abundance values of 18.22 ± 21.92 parasites/fish and 11.69 ± 19.59 parasites/fish respectively. Abundance of parasites increased as total length of fish increased. Sites of infection include intestines, gills, skin, eyes, body cavity and heart. Findings of the present study contribute to existing knowledge on the distribution of clinostomid metacercariae in O. niloticus in Nigerian water systems. This is the first documentation of this parasite from O. niloticus in Dugudu Lake, Enugu State, Nigeria. Keywords: Clinostomum tilapiae , Metacercariae, Oreochromis niloticus , Dugudu Lake, Prevalence
A six-year summary of the herbicide-resistance weed screening program in rice at the University of Arkansas: 2006-2012.

A program set up to allow growers, consultants, and county agents of Arkansas to submit weed samples from rice fields to be evaluated for possible resistance to herbicides was reinitiated in the fall of 2006. Submission of samples to the program is strictly voluntary and there has been no direct charge for submission of samples. This program has been instrumental in helping document the first occurrence of several resistant weeds. Additionally, the program helps producers understand the possible cause of herbicide failure in their fields. Herbicide options are provided to each individual submitting a sample. A data set showing the spread and frequency of resistance occurrence in Arkansas rice fields has been obtained from the submitted samples. Barnyardgrass has been the most frequently submitted weed with 184 samples submitted over the past 6 years, with resistance confirmed to propanil (Stam), quinclorac (Facet), propanil + quinclorac, clomazone (Command), and imazethapyr (Newpath) in 54%, 29%, 23%, 1%, and 4% of samples, respectively.