Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Primary healthcare policy and vision for community pharmacy and pharmacists in the United States

The United States (US) has a complex healthcare system with a mix of public, private, nonprofit, and for-profit insurers, healthcare institutions and organizations, and providers. Unlike other developed countries, there is not a single payer healthcare system or a national pharmaceutical benefits scheme/plan. Despite spending over USD 10,000 per capita in healthcare, the US is among the worst performers compared to other developed countries in outcomes including life expectancy at birth, infant mortality, safety during childbirth, and unmanaged chronic conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes). Primary care is delivered by physicians and advanced practice providers (i.e., nurse practitioners and physician assistants) in a variety of settings including large health systems, federally qualified health centers or free clinics that provide care to the underserved, or specific facilities for veterans or American Indian and Alaska native peoples. Since 2010, primary care delivery has shifted toward providing patient-centered, coordinated, comprehensive care focused on providing proactive, rather than reactive, population health management, and on the quality, versus volume, of care. Community pharmacy comprises a mix of independently owned, chain, supermarket and mass merchant pharmacies. Community pharmacies provide services such as immunizations, medication therapy management, medication packaging, medication synchronization, point-of-care testing and, in specific states where legislation has been passed, hormonal contraception, opioid reversal agents, and smoking cessation services. There has been criticism regarding the lack of standard terminology for services such as medication synchronization and medication therapy management, their components and how they should be provided, which hampers comparability across studies. One of the main challenges for pharmacists in the US is the lack of provider status at the federal level. This means that pharmacists are not allowed to use existing fee-for-service health insurance billing codes to receive reimbursement for non-dispensing services. In addition, despite there being regulatory infrastructure in multiple states, the extent of service implementation is either low or unknown. Research found that pharmacists face numerous barriers when providing some of these services. State fragmentation and the lack of a single pharmacy organization and vision for the profession are additional challenges.
Promoting Sustainable Development Goal 4: The Role of Academic Libraries in Ghana

Abstract This study, in view of the global importance of the Sustainable Development Goals and the current under-development of public library services in Ghana, aims to examine the role of academic libraries in promoting knowledge and skills for lifelong learning opportunities among students in Ghana. The research population comprised three (3) Heads and three (3) Deputy Librarians of selected academic institutions. Participants were identified using purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using one-on-one interview, non-participatory observation and documentary evidence. The study has identified some fundamental issues in relation to lifelong learning. The findings support the fact that academic institutions contribute significantly to lifelong learning by providing access to relevant information, giving trainings on research publications, as well as search strategy training, communication skills training, information literacy, and reading. This paper provides insights for academic librarians and decision makers in disseminating measures for the promotion of knowledge and skills for lifelong learning opportunities among students in Ghana. The study recommends some relevant strategies such as collaboration of academic libraries and educational associations.
Early nutrition and health: Indian perspective

India has the highest incidence of childhood malnutrition in the world. Almost 30% babies in India are born with low birth weight and are doomed to adverse consequences, including degenerative diseases in later life. Comparison of putative factors between regions (South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa), countries within South Asia and select states within India, suggests neglect of women throughout their life as the main causative factor. A multidisciplinary approach inclusive of food, nutrition, environmental and health security with local planning and social engineering to improve the health and nutrition status of women throughout their life is suggested. The three 'A' strategy of awareness (among the community and the providers), access and affordability needs to be developed. A paradigm shift from child survival to child health, literacy to education and skills for women, emphasis on pregnant and lactating women to a life-cycle approach, and aid to empowerment through livelihood is needed.
A Model for Bioaugmented Anaerobic Granulation

Anaerobic granular sludge comprises of highly organized microorganisms with a sophisticated metabolic network. Such aggregates can withstand storage, temperature fluctuations and changes in the substrate supplied for anaerobic digestion. However, substrate change leads to long adaptation of granular consortia, creating lags in the reactor operations. To speed up adaptation and increase digestion efficiency, bioaugmentation with a robust consortium can be performed. The computational study described here aims to elucidate the mechanisms of bioaugmenting anaerobic granules, utilizing the current body of knowledge on metabolic and biochemical interactions between bacteria in such aggregates. Using a cDynoMiCs simulation environment, an agent-based model was developed to describe bioaugmentation for adaptation of cellobiose-degrading granular consortium to a lipid-rich feed. Lipolytic bacteria were successfully incorporated in silico to the stable granular consortia after 40 days of simulation. The ratio of cellobiose and the lipid-derivative, oleate, in the feed played key role to ensure augmentation. At 0.5 g/L of both cellobiose and oleate in the feed, a homogeneous stable augmented consortium was formed and converted the given amount of substrate to 10.9 mg/L of methane as a final product of anaerobic digestion. The demonstrated model can be used as a planning tool for anaerobic digestion facilities considering transition of the inoculum to a new type of feed.
The Role of Epidemiological Evidence from Prospective Population Studies in Shaping Dietary Approaches to Therapy in Crohn's Disease.

SCOPE The concept that dietary factors are key risk and preventive agents in the development of Crohn's disease (CD), while widely believed and supported by epidemiological evidence, has yet to lead to clear identification of those factors through clinical trials. The aims were to examine the strength of the epidemiological evidence of diet and its association with CD, examine how interpretation of mostly epidemiological data has shaped ideas for potential dietary therapies and to explore other factors that have driven the design of dietary clinical trials in CD. METHODS A literature search was performed in PubMed, Medline, EMBASE and Google Scholar for prospective cohort studies and randomised clinical trials (RCTs) using search terms - "Crohn's disease', 'diet', 'risk', 'remission', 'treat', "cohort", "randomised". RESULTS Only four prospective cohort studies examined the relationship of diet and CD development, but these trials have been largely ignored by dietary RCTs in CD, which have used predominately exclusion diets in small populations without objective endpoint assessment. Only one demonstrated clinical benefit to intestinal inflammation. CONCLUSION Investment in large multicentre dietary clinical trials that focus on dietary inclusions with objective endpoint assessment are needed to provide safe, sustainable dietary therapy to patients with CD. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Identification of TRPV1 Ion Channels Agonists of Tropaeolum tuberosum in Human Skin Keratinocytes

Abstract Tropaeolum tuberosum, commonly known as Mashua, is an herbal remedy used in traditional Andean medicine for the relief of kidney and bladder pain, as well as contusions. This study aimed to evaluate the fractions and isolated compounds from T. tuberosum with analgesic activity mediated by the transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 receptor. A bioguided phytochemical analysis based on NMR/MS was performed to identify the compounds of the n-heptane fractions from samples of purple tubers of T. tuberosum. The transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 agonist and antagonist activity were assessed through the measurement of intracellular Ca2+ in HEK001 cells. The chemical structure determination led to the identification of two alkamides: N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z-docosatetraenamide (1) and N-oleoyldopamine (2). Both compounds induced increased intracellular calcium flow with IC50 values of 3.2 nM and 7.9 nM, respectively, thus activating the transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 receptor. Our research is the first report to show that these two compounds isolated from T. tuberosum can act as agonists of the transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 receptor, providing scientific evidence for the traditional use of this species in pain relief.
The Impact of Laws on Norms Perceptions

When opinions in a society change toward more or less tolerance of a group, people do not necessarily see it. Drawing on a quasi-representative survey (Study 1, N = 830) and a natural experiment (Study 2, N = 437), we investigated people’s perceptions of the societal norms toward sexual minorities and the influence of laws on these (mis-)perceptions. Study 1 indicated pluralistic ignorance as participants overestimated the societal disapproval toward same-sex issues. Complementing this finding, Study 2 found that informing participants about a new law legalizing stepchild adoption decreased perceived societal disapproval of same-sex parenting compared with participants not informed about the law. Pluralistic ignorance, however, was not affected by the new law. While results indicate that pluralistic ignorance may be more resilient to change, they also highlight that laws can have a dual impact on societies, changing not only the legal situation but also shifting perceptions of societal norms.
Multi-Compartment, Early Disruption of cGMP and cAMP Signalling in Cardiac Myocytes from the mdx Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most frequent and severe form of muscular dystrophy. The disease presents with progressive body-wide muscle deterioration and, with recent advances in respiratory care, cardiac involvement is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. DMD is caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene resulting in the absence of dystrophin and, consequently, disturbance of other proteins that form the dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC), including neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). The molecular mechanisms that link the absence of dystrophin with the alteration of cardiac function remain poorly understood but disruption of NO-cGMP signalling, mishandling of calcium and mitochondrial disturbances have been hypothesized to play a role. cGMP and cAMP are second messengers that are key in the regulation of cardiac myocyte function and disruption of cyclic nucleotide signalling leads to cardiomyopathy. cGMP and cAMP signals are compartmentalised and local regulation relies on the activity of phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Here, using genetically encoded FRET reporters targeted to distinct subcellular compartments of neonatal cardiac myocytes from the DMD mouse model mdx, we investigate whether lack of dystrophin disrupts local cyclic nucleotide signalling, thus potentially providing an early trigger for the development of cardiomyopathy. Our data show a significant alteration of both basal and stimulated cyclic nucleotide levels in all compartments investigated, as well as a complex reorganization of local PDE activities.
Screening And Molecular Identification Of Chloroquine Resistant Genes In Plasmodium Falciparum From Muzaffargarh, Pakistan

The current research work reports on the incidences of Plasmodium infections and its chloroquine resistant genes from Muzaffargarh, Pakistan.Samples collection continued from November, 2008 to November, 2010 (25 months). The analysis focused on the inter relationship of Plasmodium vivax and P.falciparum infection with particular months, seasons, genders, age groups, socio-economic status, symptoms and the Plasmodium stages.Another core objective of the analysis was the scrutiny of mutant and wild types of pfcrt (codon 72-76) and pfmdr1 N86Y, and their association with different months, seasons, genders, age groups, socio-economic status, symptoms and the Plasmodium stages. The overall positivity rates that consisted of slide positivity rate (SPR), P.vivax positivity rate (VPR) and P.falciparum positivity rate (FPR) were 21.40%, 19.37% and 2.03% respectively.The difference between P.vivax infection (90.49%) and P.falciparum infection (9.51%) was highly significant (χ2=1456; p 0.0.05). Plasmodium infection showed highly significant difference (χ2 =1216.4; p 0.05) association, between the incidence of P.vivax and P.falciparum infection with age groups was noted.People aging between 16 and 30 years were affected far more, both in the case of P.vivax infection (48.78%) and in that of P.falciparum (45.02%). Age group 0 to 5 years was the least hit: 1.00% by P.vivax infection and 0.95% by the P.falciparum. The disease frequency was significantly higher (χ2=12.41; p 0.05). In the course of this research work, symptom specific analyses were conducted for both types of the infection.The difference in symptoms was found to be highly significant (χ2=1149.49; p 0.05). In case of malarial infection, maximum number (77.75%) of stages observed consisted of trophozoites with gametocytes, whereas the minimum number (0.86%) of stages observed were gametocytes.The difference analyzed in stages was highly significant (χ2=6081.24; p 0.05) association was found between mutant (pfmdr1 Y86) and wild type (pfmdr1N86) with different months, seasons, genders, ages, socioeconomic status, disease symptoms and Plasmodium stages.However, more studies are required to find Patterns of antimalarial drug resistant mutations, especially in endemic areas.
Edinburgh Research Explorer Association of schistosomiasis and risk of prostate cancer development in residents of Murehwa rural community, Zimbabwe

Background: Prostatic male genital schistosomiasis and prostate cancer co-existence cases are uncommon however, some studies have indicated that schistosomiasis may trigger development of prostate cancer regardless of age. Schistosomiasis is a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa and may account for some undocumented cases of schistosomiasis prostatic cancer in schistosome endemic rural communities. It is against this background that we investigated the association between schistosomiasis and risk of prostate cancer development in residents of Murehwa Community, a schistosomiasis endemic area. Methodology: We conducted a cross sectional study involving 366 men residing in Murehwa District, Zimbabwe. Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni infection was diagnosed using urine filtration and Kato Katz techniques, respectively. Haematuria was detected using urinalysis reagent strip test. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain history of schistosomiasis infection among study participants. Risk of prostate cancer development was assessed by measuring prostate-specific antigen levels in serum using the ELISA. Results: Prevalence of S. haematobium and S. mansoni infection was 12.3% and 1.4%, respectively. Individuals with schistosomiasis had higher prostate-specific antigen levels (mean 1.208 ± SD 1.557 ng/mL) compared to those without schistosomiasis (mean 0.7721 ± SD 1.173 ng/mL; p < 0.05). Older individuals > 50 years had higher prostate specific antigen levels (mean 0.7212 ± SD 1.313 ng/mL) compared to individuals < 50 years old (mean 0.4159 ± SD 0.8622 ng/mL; p < 0.05). Prostate-specific antigen levels log 10 (mean 0.2584 ± SD 0.2128 ng/mL) and were associated to S. haematobium infection Conclusion: Urogenital schistosome infections and history of schistosome infections were associated with prostate specific antigen levels, an indicator for risk of prostate cancer. Therefore, S. haematobium schistosome egg burden was associated with the risk of prostate cancer development in adult males residing in Murehwa District, Zimbabwe.
COVID‐19 distress and worries: The role of attitudes, social support, and positive coping during social isolation

As the COVID‐19 pandemic accelerates, one public health response has been for governments to impose quarantine ‘lockdowns’ which require people to socially isolate. In this study, we explored the level of psychological distress that people experienced in social isolation and the factors which might ameliorate or exacerbate it. Two hundred and thirteen participants (69% female) with a mean age of 37.82 years participated in an online study. They completed a series of questions designed as part of a larger cross‐national study. A positive attitude towards social isolation introduced by government as a strategy to reduce the transmission of COVID‐19 was predictive of positive coping strategies, and both attitude and coping predicted reduced psychological distress. Participants’ worries about contagion of COVID‐19, their financial status, and the economic and political impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic predicted increases in their psychological distress. Social support from family and work colleagues was not significant in reducing worries or psychological distress but it did positively predict engagement in coping. The findings and recommendations are discussed. Practitioner points Fostering a positive attitude towards social isolation in clients: reduces psychological distress, fosters engagement in positive coping behaviours. Enhancing clients’ level of social support received will serve to increase positive coping and indirectly reduce psychological distress during social isolation. Strategies to reduce clients’ COVID‐19 worries are important as worry contributes to their overall level of psychological distress.
Consumption of termites by captive ostrich chick

Captive ostrich Struthio camelus chicks, 3 - 9 weeks of age on a diet of pelleted feed and fresh lucerne, consumed 55% (434) of 780 harvester termite Microhodotermes viator workers offered to them. We suggest that, although adult ostriches are herbivorous, young chicks may benefit by supplementing their diet with insect protein. We recommend further experimental work on the addition of various types of animal proteins to the food of domestic ostrich chicks. Volstruis Struthio camelus kuikens in gevangenskap 3 - 9 weke oud, op 'n dieet van korrelvoer en groen lusern het 55% (434) van 780 termiete Microhodotermes viator ingeneem. Ons stel dus voor dat, alhoewel volwasse volstruise plantvretend is, kuikens kan bevoordeel deur die inname van insekproteien word. Ons beveel aan dat navorsing uitgevoer moet word om die effekte van diereproteiene in kuiken rantsoene te toets.
Care providers’ views on burden of psychosomatic symptoms of IS-traumatized female refugees participating in a Humanitarian Admission Program in Germany: A qualitative analysis

Background Traumatized refugees often suffer from diverse psychosomatic symptoms. Female Yazidi refugees from Northern Iraq who survived attacks of the so-called “Islamic State” were brought to Germany to receive special medical and psychotherapeutic treatment in a unique worldwide humanitarian admission program (HAP). Here, we report on their psychosomatic symptoms and helpful strategies from the perspective of care providers. Methods Care providers (N = 84) in this HAP were interviewed in an individual setting as well as in focus groups to gather information about the HAP beneficiaries’ psychosomatic symptoms. Data analysis followed Qualitative Content Analysis by Mayring. Results The care providers reported five main psychological burdens of the Yazidis: 1) insecurity regarding loss, 2) worries about family members, 3) ambivalence about staying in Germany or returning to Iraq, 4) life between two worlds and 5) re-actualization of the traumatic experiences. The predominant psychological symptoms the care providers noticed were fear, depressive symptoms, feelings of guilt, and sleep and eating disorders. Regarding somatic symptoms, the care providers mainly received complaints about pain in the head, back, chest and stomach. Helpful strategies for providing adequate health care were care providers’ cooperating with physicians, precise documentation of beneficiaries’ symptoms, and additional support in directing the beneficiaries through the health care system. Regarding psychotherapy, interpreters help to overcome language barriers, onsite psychotherapy, flexible therapy appointments, psychoeducational methods, time for stabilization, and support in coping with daily life aspects. In the care providers’ experience, psychotherapists have to build a relationship of trust. After grief therapy, a trauma-specific therapy in a culturally adapted way is possible. Conclusion The HAP is a unique model health care program to offer highly traumatized refugees medical and psychological help. Care providers reported on several (psycho-)somatic symptoms of the traumatized women. The strategies the HAP care providers perceived as helpful can be recommended for similar projects in the future.
Hybrid functional investigation of band offsets for non-polar, Ga-polar and Al-polar interfaces in GaN/AlN heterojunction

We investigated band alignment of non-polar and polar GaN/AlN heterojunction by using density functional theory with the Heyd–Scuseria–Ernzerhof hybrid functional. In the heterojunction model, AlN was considered as a substrate while strained GaN was grown on top. The deformation potential of GaN, were included to calculate the unstrained band offsets. For polar heterojunction, the artificial effects from an undesired interface was removed by using vacuum insertion and dipole correction. We found that the unstrained valence band offsets (VBOs) are 0.92 eV, 1.23 eV and 1.09 eV for non-polar, Ga-polar and Al-polar interfaces respectively. The variation of VBOs can be explained from the difference in both deformation and dipole potential at the interfaces. Moreover, the additional energy shift of polar VBO from non-polar VBO were extracted as 0.33 eV from considering the effect of spontaneous polarization.
Installation of C4 photosynthetic pathway enzymes in rice using a single construct

Summary Introduction of a C4 photosynthetic mechanism into C3 crops offers an opportunity to improve photosynthetic efficiency, biomass and yield in addition to potentially improving nitrogen and water use efficiency. To create a two‐cell metabolic prototype for an NADP‐malic enzyme type C4 rice, we transformed Oryza sativa spp. japonica cultivar Kitaake with a single construct containing the coding regions of carbonic anhydrase, phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase, NADP‐malate dehydrogenase, pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase and NADP‐malic enzyme from Zea mays, driven by cell‐preferential promoters. Gene expression, protein accumulation and enzyme activity were confirmed for all five transgenes, and intercellular localization of proteins was analysed. 13CO2 labelling demonstrated a 10‐fold increase in flux though PEP carboxylase, exceeding the increase in measured in vitro enzyme activity, and estimated to be about 2% of the maize photosynthetic flux. Flux from malate via pyruvate to PEP remained low, commensurate with the low NADP‐malic enzyme activity observed in the transgenic lines. Physiological perturbations were minor and RNA sequencing revealed no substantive effects of transgene expression on other endogenous rice transcripts associated with photosynthesis. These results provide promise that, with enhanced levels of the C4 proteins introduced thus far, a functional C4 pathway is achievable in rice.