Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metabolic Signatures: Pioneering the Frontier of Rectal Cancer Diagnosis and Response to Neoadjuvant Treatment with Biomarkers—A Systematic Review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most aggressive, heterogenous, and fatal types of human cancer for which screening, and more effective therapeutic drugs are urgently needed. Early-stage detection and treatment greatly improve the 5-year survival rate. In the era of targeted therapies for all types of cancer, a complete metabolomic profile is mandatory before neoadjuvant therapy to assign the correct drugs and check the response to the treatment given. The aim of this study is to discover specific metabolic biomarkers or a sequence of metabolomic indicators that possess precise diagnostic capabilities in predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy. After searching the keywords, a total of 108 articles were identified during a timeframe of 10 years (2013–2023). Within this set, one article was excluded due to the use of non-English language. Six scientific papers were qualified for this investigation after eliminating all duplicates, publications not referring to the subject matter, open access restriction papers, and those not applicable to humans. Biomolecular analysis found a correlation between metabolomic analysis of colorectal cancer samples and poor progression-free survival rates. Biomarkers are instrumental in predicting a patient’s response to specific treatments, guiding the selection of targeted therapies, and indicating resistance to certain drugs.
Navigating Regulatory Complexity: Leveraging AI/ML for Accurate Reporting

In today's dynamic regulatory landscape, compliance with reporting standards is a critical challenge for organizations across various industries. Navigating through the complexities of regulatory requirements demands innovative solutions. This paper explores the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of reporting processes. By leveraging AI/ML, organizations can automate data analysis, identify patterns, and ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks. This study investigates the potential benefits, challenges, and best practices associated with integrating AI/ML technologies into reporting systems. Through a comprehensive review of relevant literature and case studies, insights are provided to assist organizations in effectively harnessing AI/ML for navigating regulatory complexity and achieving precise reporting outcomes.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Injections versus Steroid Injections in the Management of Upper and Lower Extremity Orthopedic Conditions: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Background: Although corticosteroid injections are an effective treatment for musculoskeletal pathologies, they may not be suitable for all patients. The purpose of this systematic review was to compare clinical outcomes between patients who received NSAID and corticosteroid injections for various orthopedic conditions. Methods: Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched, and meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model for outcomes presented in three or more studies. Other studies were qualitatively analyzed. Results: A total of 28 articles with 2113 patients were included. A meta-analysis of five studies in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome demonstrated that there was no significant difference in the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) between subacromial NSAID injections and corticosteroid injections at 1 month [weighted mean difference (WMD) −0.244; 95% CI, −1.232 to 0.745; I2, 94.5%]. For patients with knee osteoarthritis, a meta-analysis of three studies demonstrated that there was no significant difference between intraarticular NSAID injections and corticosteroid injections in pain VAS at 1 month (WMD 0.754; 95% CI, −0.413 to 1.921; I2, 90.2%) and 3 months (WMD−0.089; 95% CI, −0.345 to 0.166; I2, 0%). A review of the studies assessing pain outcomes for hip osteoarthritis, adhesive capsulitis, and plantar fasciitis showed no significant differences between the NSAID and corticosteroid groups. Conclusion: NSAID injections may be safe and effective alternatives to steroid injections, especially in shoulder impingement syndrome and knee osteoarthritis.
Application of a Novel Proteomic Microarray Reveals High Exposure to Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli among Children in Zambia Participating in a Phase I Clinical Trial

Diarrhoeagenic E. coli (DEC) significantly contributes to the burden of diarrhoea among children. Currently, there is no approved vaccine against DEC, but several vaccines against the enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) pathotype are in advanced clinical trial stages, including the ETVAX® vaccine, undergoing evaluation in Zambia. This study reports on the reactivity of antibodies from ETVAX® vaccine and placebo recipients in a phase I clinical trial to proteins derived from (DEC) other than ETEC. Plasma samples collected at two time points (prior to any vaccination and post-third dose vaccination) from 16 vaccinated and 4 placebo participants in a phase 1 clinical trial examining the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of ETVAX® with dmLT adjuvant were evaluated for IgG response to E. coli antigens other than ETEC using the Pan-DEC protein microarray. This was the first field application of the novel pan-DEC array as a new tool in assessing the antigenic breadth of antibody responses induced by the ETVAX vaccine, as well as to assess early life exposure to DEC pathotypes and other bacterial enteric pathogens. We observed that plasma obtained from ETVAX® and placebo recipients had high antibody reactivity to Ipa, SseC and EspB proteins. These findings suggest that there is high exposure early in life to DEC pathogens, like EPEC, EHEC, EAEC and EIEC in addition to ETEC, in the Zambian population. These immunological observations are consistent with the results of recent epidemiological studies assessing the etiology of diarrheal disease among infants and young children in Zambia.
Beamforming Design for Dynamic Metasurface Antennas-Based Massive Multiuser MISO Downlink Systems

This study addresses a massive multiuser multiple-input single-output downlink system with a base station equipped with dynamic metasurface antennas (DMAs) serving single-antenna users. Our goal is to jointly optimize the transmit precoder and configurable DMA coefficients to maximize system performance. This task is challenging due to the complex interdependencies between these parameters. The established solution, AO-RMO, employs alternating optimization (AO) to iteratively optimize the transmit precoder using the weighted minimum mean squared error algorithm and Riemannian manifold optimization (RMO) for the DMA coefficients. While AO-RMO performs reasonably well, it exhibits high time and computational complexity due to RMO. To address this issue, we propose a computationally efficient alternative: a projected gradient descent (PGD)-based algorithm for determining the DMA coefficients. Additionally, for practical reconfiguration of DMA coefficients with discrete values, we introduce the cross-entropy optimization (CEO)-based algorithm. Simulation results demonstrate that when continuous DMA coefficients are used, our proposed AO-PGD algorithm achieves nearly comparable weighted sum rate performance to the AO-RMO algorithm but with significantly reduced computational complexity and running time. When discrete DMA coefficients are applied, the proposed AO-CEO algorithm surpasses other benchmark algorithms in various system configurations.
The Effect of Social Presence on the Online Learning Experiences of Full-Time Masters Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic evoked significant challenges for universities worldwide. Due to government restrictions during this period (2020-2021), the majority of university programmes were forced to rapidly change from traditional classroom teaching to online teaching. Effective online learning is, however, dependent on social presence; being one of the most important determinants of successful online learning regardless of discipline. This research aimed to identify and explore the role of social presence in both asynchronous and synchronous classes, and how social presence affects students’ online learning experiences. Further, this study aimed to provide recommendations for teachers wanting to improve the social presence in online classes. A qualitative survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted to better understand students’ online learning experiences. Results showed that social presence strengthens students’ experiences of belonging in the online learning community, as well as improves the students’ sense of engagement with their education. In turn, social presence reduced loneliness and promoted satisfaction. Social presence also helped students improve their academic comprehension and motivation when attending online courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study presents several suggestions from participants, such as turning on the camera during synchronous classes, and limiting the number of group members. Combined, these suggestions can help instructors design effective online courses. The study concludes by providing suggestions for future research that may enhance social presence in online learning communities.
GASTROPODA DAN BIVALVIA EPIFAUNA YANG BERASOSIASI DENGAN MANGROVE DI DESA PULAU TAMBAKO KECAMATAN MATAOLEO KABUPATEN BOMBANA

Gastropoda dan Bivalvia Epifauna yang Berasosiasi dengan Mangrove di Desa Pulau Tambako Kecamatan Mataoleo Kabupaten Bombana. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui jenis-jenis Gastropoda dan Bivalvia epifauna yang berasosiasi dengan mangrove di Desa Pulau Tambako, Kecamatan Mataoleo, Kabupaten Bombana. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada bulan Januari sampai Maret 2016. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode eksplorasi dengan tekhnik jelajah. Lokasi penelitian dibagi menjadi 3 stasiun berdasarkan jenis mangrove. Pengambilan sampel gastropoda dan bivalvia epifauna pada tiap stasiun dilakukan dengan 10 kali pengulangan. Teknik analisis data secara deskriptif yaitu dengan mendeskripsikan ciri-ciri morfologi setiap jenis gastropoda dan bivalvia epifauna yang berasosiasi dengan mangrove di lokasi penelitian dengan mengacu pada buku identifikasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa gastropoda epifauna yang berasosiasi dengan mangrove terdiri dari 4 ordo, 6 familia, 10 genus, dan 17 spesies yaitu Terebralia sulcata B. , Terebralia palustris L. , Batillaria sordida G. , Terebralia sp Telescopium telescopium L. , Cerithidea quoyii H. , Cerithideopsilla cingulata G. , Littorina scabra L. , Littorina intermedia P., Littorina ardouiniana H. , Ergalatax sp. , Chicoreus capucinus, Turbo bruneus R Nassarius nitidus J., Cassidula nucleus G. , Nerita lineata G. , Cerithium coralium K. , bivalvia epifauna yang berasosiasi dengan mangrove terdiri 1 familia, 2 genus dan 2 spesies yaitu Saccostrea cucullata B. , dan Ostrea edulis L. Kata Kunci: gastropoda, bivalvia, epifauna, asosiasi, mangrove
Impact of foreign trade and foreign direct investment on economic growth: Empirical insights from Nepal

This study aims to examine the impact of foreign trade and foreign direct investment on Nepal’s long-term economic growth. It uses secondary data from 1989/90 to 2021/22 collected from various economic surveys of the Ministry of Finance of Nepal. Descriptive and explanatory research designs are used in this study. The trace, max-eigen tests, and fully modified least square methods search the long-run co-integration and impact between response and predictor variables. Trace and max-eigen tests consistently point toward the long-run co-integration between dependent (gross domestic product) and independent (import, export, total trade, and foreign direct investment) variables. Exports and imports are found to be negative and statistically significant to explain Nepal’s economic growth. One unit increase in exports results in a 0.748 unit decrease in Nepal’s economic growth. Similarly, total trade volume and foreign direct investment positively impact economic growth. Each unit increase in foreign direct investment results in a 0.0036 unit increase in GDP in Nepal. Foreign trade has a multiplier effect on Nepal’s GDP growth. The 76.35 percent variation in economic growth depends upon total foreign trade volume, exports, imports, and foreign direct investment. To promote sustainable economic growth, policymakers should prioritize policies encouraging increased total foreign trade and foreign direct investment while carefully managing the potential negative impact of excessive reliance on import dynamics.
Association of C-reactive Protein with Diabetic Retinopathy in Young People with Type-I Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a chronic, progressive sight threatening disease of the retinal microvasculature and is a significant complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Type l diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most common metabolic conditions in childhood and adolescence. C-reactive protein (CRP) plays a major role in the human innate immune response and serves as a stable plasma biomarker indicating the presence of low-grade systemic inflammation. Objective: This study aimed to assess the association of C-reactive protein (CRP) with diabetic retinopathy in young people with T1DM. Methods: A total of 60 T1DM patients were included; of them 30 T1DM patients with retinopathy (cases-Group I) and 30 patients of T1DM without retinopathy (controls-Group II), aged between 10 to 24 years. Complete clinical evaluation including history, physical examination, relevant ocular examinations like visual acuity test, slit lamp examination, fundus examination both direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy and color fundus photography were done accordingly. Serum high sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) level was measured following standard procedure. Results: It was observed that, mean hs-CRP was significantly increased in retinopathy group compare to without retinopathy group (5.08±1.29 mg/L versus 3.43±0.69 mg/L, p<0.001). Mean hs-CRP level had significant difference among National Screening Committee (NSC) grading of retinopathy (p<0.001). Mean hs-CRP level was gradually increased with NSC grades. An age-adjusted and sex-adjusted model revealed that patients with highest hs-CRP (>4 mg/L) were 13.1 times more likely to have DR. Serum hs-CRP had a significant strong positive correlation with HbA1c in Group I (r=+.831, p<0.001) and Group II (r=.666, p<0.001). Patients with retinopathy group had significantly higher duration of DM and HbA1c compare to without retinopathy group (p<0.05), but this relation was lost in multivariate logistic regression model. Conclusion: C-reactive protein (CRP) is strongly associated with diabetic retinopathy. Serum CRP also significantly related to different grades of retinopathy.
Engaging Neural Plasticity in Senior High School Students: The Impact of Guided Discovery Teaching Method on Achievement in Circle Theorems

Purpose: The study's objective was to ascertain how circle theorem achievement in SHS students was affected by the guided discovery teaching method, a student-centered approach associated with improved neural plasticity. Materials and Methods: Two Form 2 classes from various Wa Municipal schools were chosen for the study using convenient, purposeful, and straightforward random sampling techniques. The study adopted a non-equivalent quasi-experimental design to compare students who are taught with the guided discovery method and the traditional method of teaching circle theorems concepts. The sample size was composed of 164 students. Using a separate t-test and descriptive statistics, the Geometry Achievement test was investigated. A pre-test was given before the experiment (post-test) began. The students who engaged in guided discovery instruction outperformed than those who did not when teaching and learning Circle theorems. Findings: The findings suggested that student-centered methods like guided discovery can greatly improve students’ achievement in the study of circle theorems. One of the implications derived from the study indicated that guided discovery teaching approach offers students the chance to put a method of learning into practice after they have used it. This was done by using illustrations of diagrams on cardboard. This must be considered in the planning of educators and subject-matter experts. For pre-tertiary education, the government must make it mandatory to use cardboard, mathematical instruments, and instructional sheets as teaching aids. Since visual representations of Euclidean Geometry diagrams bring reality to teaching and learning through pictures and diagrams, the importance of visualization and experimentation in learning circle theorems should not be underestimated by teachers or students. This will improve their conceptual understanding. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: One can recommend that in order to enhance the performance of SHS students, it will be most advantageous to introduce guided discovery teaching methods to pre- and in-service teachers, through promotion by Ghana Education Service and/or other stakeholders in the education sector. This introduction may be distributed through workshops and seminars for mathematics teachers' instructional techniques and skills will improve as a result. This study has added a lot to our understanding of the world. The guided discovery teaching method approach to teaching circle theorems has been strengthened and expanded as a result of this research, first and foremost. This thesis thus makes a substantial enhancement of the body of knowledge. The research also explains and backs up the notion that guided discovery methods aid students' academic endeavors. This shows that the teaching process engages students' attention and improves their capacity for memory and recall.
Clinical Disease and Outcomes of Group B Streptococcus Bloodstream Infections at a Teaching Hospital in Saudi Arabia From 2015 to 2022

Background Invasive disease due to group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection in adult males and nonpregnant females can cause various diseases, such as primary bacteremia, endocarditis, skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI), and meningitis. Especially in older people, invasive GBS infection has a high case fatality rate. In Saudi Arabia, little is known about the clinical signs and symptoms of GBS bacteremia and the associated risk factors and mortality rate. Methodology We performed a retrospective study at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a large tertiary hospital, to investigate clinical disease, potential risk factors, susceptibility patterns, and mortality related to GBS in adult males and nonpregnant females diagnosed with GBS bacteremia. All patients ≥14 years of age with GBS-positive blood cultures from January 1, 2015, until December 31, 2022, were included. Patient data such as age, sex, comorbidities, hospital ward, length of hospital stay, monomicrobial versus polymicrobial bloodstream infection, antimicrobials used for treatment, complications, whether an infectious disease specialist had seen them, and outcomes were extracted from the electronic health records. Results A total of 50 patients with GBS bacteremia met the inclusion criteria. The mean age of these patients was 57.0 years (SD = 16.0), and 27 (54%) were female. The 90-day mortality was 11 (22%). In total, 34 (68%) patients had a monomicrobial infection, and among those with polymicrobial infection, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was the most common co-infection (56%, n = 9/16). The most common source of infection was SSTI and wound infection in 24 (48%) patients. Most patients had one or more comorbidities; the mean Charlson comorbidity index was 3.8 (SD = 2.4). The most prevalent comorbidity was diabetes mellitus in 35 (70%) patients. Of all variables analyzed, only age was significantly associated with mortality (p = 0.016), and age had a predictive value for mortality (p = 0.035). Conclusions In Saudi Arabia, as in other countries, GBS is an important pathogen, especially in older people, that should be considered when encountering a patient with bacteremia. In addition, in patients over 65 years old, GBS bacteremia carries a high risk for mortality.
Anticancer Potential of the Principal Constituent of Piper nigrum, Piperine: A Comprehensive Review

Black pepper’s main component, piperine, is a phytochemical that gives the spice its distinctively pungent flavor, which has made it a staple in human diets for decades and a widely used food item. In addition to its use as a culinary component and preservation agent, it is also employed in traditional medicine for a diverse range of objectives, a practice that has been substantiated by existing scientific investigations on its physiological impacts in the majority of instances. Piperine contains various bioactive effects, such as antibacterial activity, in addition to several physiological benefits that could help overall human health, such as immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antimetastatic, anticancer, and many more properties that have been established. Clinical trials revealed that this phytochemical has exceptional antioxidant, anticancer, and drug availability-enhancing properties, as well as immunomodulatory potential. The different components of evidence indicate the therapeutic potential of piperine and underscore the importance of incorporating it into both broad health-promoting interventions and supplementary treatment pharmaceutical formulations. This inclusion can enhance the bioavailability of other therapeutic medications, including those used in chemotherapy.
Aromatic Hydrocarbons as Indicators of Biodegradation in North Western Australian Reservoirs

The weathering of condensate released into intertidal coastal sediments in north Western Australia was studied by analysing sediment samples collected on eleven occasions over a three-year period. Chemical analysis of the saturated and aromatic hydrocarbon components of the petroleum extracts revealed that both hydrocarbon fractions exhibited an increasingly biodegraded profile with increased residence time in the sediments. The depletion of the aromatic hydrocarbons by biodegradation in this environment was therefore related to that observed for the saturated hydrocarbons. More detailed chemical analysis of the aromatic hydrocarbons was performed to determine the relative rates of depletion of individual alkylnaphthalene isomers with increasing extent of biodegradation. It was apparent from the considerable differences in the observed susceptibility to biodegradation that a strong relationship exists between the compound structure and its susceptibility to biodegradation. Further, the susceptible compounds had a structural similarity to biosynthesised compounds. These observations were compared with those from two other case studies in different environments, namely the biodegradation of low toxicity oil-based mud (LTOBM) in seafloor sediments near an offshore petroleum production platform, and of crude oils in Australian reservoirs, including those in north Western Australia. The relative susceptibilities to biodegradation of the aromatic hydrocarbons in the three environments were compared using compound ratios calculated from the relative abundances of selected aromatic hydrocarbons. In broad terms, the variation in the of these with increasing extent of biodegradation was comparable in each of the environments. The behaviour of the ratios observed in the sea floor sediments and in some of the crude oils, however, deviated in a subtle manner from that observed in the coastal sediments. This deviation was greatest in instances where a mixture of petroleum fluids of differing extent of biodegradation occurred. The parameters developed for these comparisons are useful indicators of the extent of biodegradation of crude oils, and also offer promise as indicators of multiple accumulation events in oil reservoirs.