Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic efficacy of leukocyte esterase dipstick in diagnosing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis among cirrhotic patients in tertiary hospitals, Dodoma, Tanzania

Background Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is complications of end stage liver disease, it associated with morbidity and mortality, the gold standard for diagnosing SBP is an ascitic fluid Polymorphonuclear neutrophil count (PMN) of [≥] 250 cells/mm3, this examination is time consuming and costly. Urine reagent dipstick detecting leukocyte esterase activity has been suggested as quick and affordable substitute. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the CYBOWTM 10 strip's ability to diagnose SBP. Methods A Crossectional analytical study was conducted from November 2022 to June 2023. 224 patients with confirmed cirrhotic ascites, aged [≥] 18 years and met inclusion criteria were recruited in the study. By following sterile procedure ascitic fluid was collected, bedside ascitic fluid examination by CYBOWTM 10 reagent strips, and the samples for cytological examination were taken. Ascitic fluid with PMN [≥] 250cells/mm3 was considered positive for SBP, and +1 to +3 of CYBOWTM 10 reagent strip, was used as cut off levels for a positive SBP. By using SPSS version 25, 2 by 2 table was applied to determine the sensitivity (Sn), Specificity (Sp), Positive Predictive value (PPV), and Negative Predictive Value (NPV), and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) was applied to determine the area under the curve of the leukocyte esterase dipstick. Results On the basis of the ascitic fluid PMN count, 42 (18.75%) individuals had SBP. At cut-off point of +2 CYBOWTM 10 urine reagent strip had Sensitivity of 82.14%, Specificity of 99.39%, PPV of 95.83% and NPV of 96.79%, with AUC of 0.9074. Conclusion CYBOWTM 10 reagent strip test might be a helpful tool for doctors, when a rapid cell count for SBP diagnosis is not available. These strips are readily available and inexpensive, can be very helpful in areas with low resources and to patients who are unable to pay for cytology.
The analysis of heart rate variability and accelerometer mobility data in the assessment of symptom severity in psychotic disorder patients using a wearable Polar H10 sensor

Background and Objective: Advancement in mental health care requires easily accessible diagnostic and treatment assessment tools. There is an ongoing search for biomarkers that would enable objectification and automatization of the diagnostic and treatment process dependent on a psychiatric interview. Current wearable technology and computational methods make it possible to incorporate heart rate variability (HRV), an indicator of autonomic nervous system functioning and a potential biomarker of disease severity in mental disorders, into accessible diagnostic and treatment assessment frameworks. Methods: We used a commercially available electrocardiography (ECG) chest strap with a built-in accelerometer, i.e. Polar H10, to record R-R intervals and activity of 30 hospitalized schizophrenia or bipolar disorder patients and 30 control participants for 1.5-2 hours time periods. We performed an analysis to assess the relationship between HRV and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) test scores. The source code for the reproduction of all experiments is available on GitHub while the dataset is available in Zenodo. Results and Conclusions: Mean HRV values were lower in the patient group and negatively correlated with the results of the PANSS general subcategory. For the control group, we also discovered the inversely proportional dependency between the mobility coefficient based on accelerometer data and HRV. This relationship was less pronounced for the patient group. This indicates that HRV and mobility may be promising markers in disease diagnosis.
Changes in local immune status in tonsillopharyngitis under pathogenic therapy with the BNO 1030 extract: a randomized, comparative, parallel-group, single-center study.

Aim of study: The present study aimed to evaluate anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties of combined herbal extract BNO 1030 and its direct effect on the indicators of the local immunity of oropharyngeal mucosa in patients with acute tonsillopharyngitis (TP) or exacerbation of chronic TP without evident systemic inflammatory syndrome. Materials and methods: A total of 60 adult patients with acute TP or exacerbation of chronic TP without severe systemic inflammatory syndrome were randomly divided into 2 groups: Group 1 - 30 patients took BNO 1030, Group 2 - 30 patients took sage tablets according to the summary of product characteristics during 7 days. During 3 visits (day 1, day 3, day 7) symptoms and oropharyngeal mucosa condition were evaluated using a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS). Local immunity parameters of oropharyngeal mucosa (cytokines: IL-1{beta}, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-, and lysozyme, lactoferrin, sIgA) were determined by ELISA and by real time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Reduction of the main symptoms was significantly faster under BNO 1030 therapy than under sage therapy. In BNO 1030 group reduction of clinical symptoms correlated with the onset of action and the local immunological parameters. During BNO 1030 treatment IL-1{beta}, IL-6, and IL-8 mRNA levels decreased below the levels in healthy controls, while, the immune factors lysozyme, lactoferrin and sIgA increased. Therapy with sage tablets did not affect local immunity parameters. Conclusion: Both treatment regimens resulted in elimination of clinical signs and mucosal pharyngeal barrier regeneration. In contrast to the sage tablets, BNO 1030 can also affect local mucosal immunity via regulating the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory factors. Keywords: tonsillopharyngitis, local immunity, cytokine, lysozyme, lactoferrin, secretory immunoglobulin A, anti-inflammatory local therapy, herbal medicinal product BNO 1030
Exploring pleiotropy in Mendelian randomisation analyses: What are genetic variants associated with "cigarette smoking initiation" really capturing?

Background: Genetic variants used as instruments for exposures in Mendelian randomisation (MR) analyses may also have horizontal pleiotropic effects (i.e., influence outcomes via pathways other than through the exposure), which can undermine the validity of results. We examined the extent to which horizontal pleiotropy may be present, using smoking behaviours as an example. Methods: We first ran a phenome-wide association study in UK Biobank, using a genetic instrument for smoking initiation. From the most strongly associated phenotypes, we selected those that we considered could either plausibly or not plausibly be caused by smoking. We next examined the association between genetic instruments for smoking initiation, smoking heaviness and lifetime smoking and these phenotypes in both UK Biobank and the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). We conducted negative control analyses among never smokers, including children in ALSPAC. Results: We found evidence that smoking-related genetic instruments (mainly for smoking initiation and lifetime smoking) were associated with phenotypes not plausibly caused by smoking in UK Biobank and (to a lesser extent) ALSPAC, although this may reflect the much smaller sample size in ALSPAC. We also observed associations with several phenotypes among never smokers. Conclusion: Our results suggest that genetic instruments for smoking-related phenotypes demonstrate horizontal pleiotropy. When using genetic variants - particularly those for complex behavioural exposures - in genetically-informed causal inference analyses (e.g., MR) it is important to include negative control outcomes where possible, and other triangulation approaches, to avoid arriving at incorrect conclusions.
Formation of the Injection Function of Solar Energetic Particles in Gradual Events

We present a model for solar energetic particle injection into interplanetary space in gradual events, in which particle acceleration occurs in a limited region of the solar atmosphere. The distribution function of particles accelerated by the diffusion mechanism is calculated. The flux of injected solar energetic particles is determined as a function of time and energy. We provide an explanation of the characteristic properties of the injection function and their dependence on the particle energy. Comparing the calculation results with ground-based measurements in the 2001 April 15 event shows a rough agreement with the particle density as a function of time and good agreement with the spectrum of maximum intensity values.
The Effects of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Post-Episiotomy Pain Severity in Primiparous Women: A Randomized, Controlled, Placebo Clinical Trial

Background: Episiotomy or cutting the perineum is the most common operation in obstetrics. Perineal pain is the main complication of episiotomy that affects the quality of life and mental health of the mother. Reducing the pain and side effects of the chemical drugs prescribed for pain relief has attracted the attention of both physicians and scientists. This study was conducted to determine the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), as an alternative method, on post-episiotomy pain severity. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed on 120 primiparous women who had referred to Sanandaj Besat Hospital in 2018. The patients were divided randomly into three groups, including the intervention group (TENS-On), the placebo group (TENS-Off), and the control group. TENS electrodes were placed near the episiotomy site in genitofemoral and pudendal nerves. The pain was measured after episiotomy in lying, sitting, and activity positions. The pain severity was measured using a pain measurement instrument (numeral rating score) at four-time points, i.e., before the intervention as well as 30, 60, and 120 minutes after the TENS intervention. For data analysis, Pearson correlation, student’s t-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, ANOVA test, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used. Results: Intragroup evaluation results for placebo and control groups demonstrated no significant difference in the pain score (P>0.05). A significant difference was observed between the mean pain severity of the intervention group and that of the group with walking activities (P=0.04). In terms of the intergroup evaluation, there was a significant difference observed between the mean pain severity of the lying position and that of the control group (P=0.008). Regarding the sitting position, no significant difference was observed between its mean pain severity and that of the other two groups (P=0.04). Conclusion: TENS is an effective and safe method for post-episiotomy pain relief and a routine method used in the obstetrics and gynecology ward.
Severe obesity may be an oligogenic condition: evidence from 1,714 adults seeking treatment in the UK National Health Service

Severe (class III) obesity is a chronic, relapsing condition, with a high burden of co-morbidity and mortality. Previous evidence has established genetics as an important contributing factor. We therefore designed a custom genotyping array to screen a cohort of UK patients seeking treatment for severe obesity. 1,714 participants were genotyped using a custom AXIOM array, focusing on rare (minor allele frequency <0.01) variants, with CADD-PHRED [≥]15 in 78 genes known/suspected to cause Mendelian forms of obesity. Concordance analyses of 22 duplicate samples and 66 samples with whole exome sequence data revealed good genotyping reliability. We identified the proportion of study participants who carried, or were homozygous for, rare, predicted-deleterious variants in genes with dominant and recessive modes of inheritance (MOI), respectively. 27% of patients carried relevant mutations consistent with the expected MOI, which was very similar to the rate observed in the UKB 50K whole exome sequencing dataset. However, the clinical obesity cohort were more likely to carry two or more such variants, in separate genes, than UK Biobank participants (p = 0.018). In conclusion, our results provide evidence: that (i) custom genotyping arrays, used with improved algorithms can allow reliable, cost-effective screening for rare genetic variants; (ii) rare mutations in obesity genes may be at high prevalence among bariatric patients, as well as in the general population; and (iii) that severe obesity may have an oligogenic pattern of inheritance in some cases.
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels and treadmill exercise test responses in men and women without overt heart disease.

BACKGROUND C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of systemic inflammatory activity and may be modulated by physical fitness. Treadmill exercise testing is used to evaluate cardiovascular health through different variables including exercise capacity, heart rate and blood pressure responses. It was hypothesized that CRP levels are associated with these variables in men and women without overt heart disease. METHODS A total of 584 asymptomatic subjects (317 [54.3%] women and 267 [45.7%] men) were enrolled in the present study and underwent clinical evaluation. CRP levels in men and women were examined relative to clinical characteristics and to variables of treadmill exercise testing: peak heart rate, exercise systolic blood pressure, exercise time, chronotropic reserve and heart rate recovery at the first and second minutes after exercise. Multivariate analysis was performed using a log-linear regression model. RESULTS In women, exercise time on the treadmill exercise test (P=0.009) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (P=0.002) were inversely associated with CRP levels. Body mass index (P<0.001) and total cholesterol levels (P=0.005) were positively associated with CRP levels. In men, exercise time on the treadmill exercise test was inversely associated with CRP levels (P=0.015). Body mass index (P=0.001) and leukocyte count (P=0.002) were positively associated with CRP levels. CRP levels were not associated with peak heart rate, chronotropic reserve, heart rate recovery at the first and second minutes, or exercise systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS These findings contribute to the evidence that CRP is lower in individuals with better exercise capacity and demonstrate that this relationship is also apparent in individuals without overt heart disease undergoing cardiovascular evaluation through the treadmill exercise test. Lowering inflammatory markers may be an additional reason to stimulate sedentary individuals with low exercise capacity in the treadmill exercise test to improve physical conditioning through regular exercise.
Relationship Between Molecular Subtypes and Overall Survival of Breast Cancer in Bandung

1Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia, 45363. 2Department of Anatomic Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran/ Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia, 40161. 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran/Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia, 40161. 4Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang, Indonesia, 45363. 5Biomedical Sciences Master Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia, 40161. *Corresponding Author E-mail: andri.rezano@unpad.ac. id
China and India Learning from Each Other: Reforms and Policies for Sustained Growth

What does the future hold for these giants that are the two fastest-growing emerging markets and among the three largest economies in Asia? Their economic muscle is having increasingly far-reaching effects on the global economy.This must-read new book draws together analysis and insight from high-level policymakers and advisors in both countries, and shows how, for many years, the two countries have cooperated and learned from each other. In addition, the book describes what has (and what has not) worked in each country and offers some concrete suggestions about how each may achieve long-term sustainable development.It features: Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor Rakesh Mohan who discusses how the forces of globalization can complicate the challenges facing monetary policymakers; and People's Bank of China Governor Zhou Xiaochuan who contrasts the growth of the services sector, including financial services, in China and India and discusses the importance (and difficulties) of developing this sector in China.
The role of serology in the diagnosis of coeliac disease

Serology has significantly revolutionized the knowledge of celiac disease (CD), leading to the identification of unsuspected patients in at-risk CD groups, thereby increasing the number of CD diagnoses compared to the pre-screening era. Several markers for CD with a progressive diagnostic accuracy have been identified over the years, but only three of them, i.e. anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG), anti-endomysial (EmA) and anti-deamidated gliadin antibodies (DGP) are currently assessed in the daily clinical practice. A thorough review of the literature identified 44 original studies published between 1998 to 2022 for a total of 5098 pediatric and adult CD patients (without selective IgA deficiency) and 11930 disease controls. The results highlighted that anti-tTG IgA exhibited a higher sensitivity for CD (93.4%) than EmA IgA (92.8%), DGP IgG (81.8%) and DGP IgA (83.8%). The specificity of EmA IgA (99%) resulted to be higher than those of anti-tTG IgA (95.8%), DGP IgG (96.4%) and DGP IgA (92.1%). In patients with selective IgA deficiency, a condition closely related to CD, serological screening should include one of the three antibodies of IgG class, since anti-tTG, DGP and EmA have a very similar diagnostic accuracy in this clinical setting. According to age, there are two main diagnostic strategies for CD detection. In children, the revised ESPGHAN 2020 guidelines established that CD could be diagnosed in both symptomatic and asymptomatic children by high anti-tTG IgA titers (>10 times the cut-off) and EmA positivity with no need to obtain duodenal biopsy and HLA typing. In adult patients, although high tTG IgA titers (confirmed by EmA IgA positivity) correlate with villous atrophy, an intestinal biopsy is still considered mandatory for confirming CD diagnosis. Currently, a case finding approach in at-risk groups is preferred to mass screening for CD detection.
In chronic spontaneous urticaria, IgE and C‐reactive protein are linked to distinct microRNAs and interleukin‐31

Abstract Background Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a common and disabling disease. Assessments of IgE and C‐reactive protein (CRP) are recommended in the diagnostic work‐up, but the role and clinical relevance of these biomarkers are not well characterized. Moreover, it remains unknown if elevated levels of IgE or CRP are linked to CSU microRNA (miRNA) signatures or interleukin 31 (IL‐31). Methods We measured IgE and CRP serum levels in 47 CSU patients (and 45 healthy controls) and determined CSU disease activity using the urticaria activity score (UAS7). Expression levels of miR‐155 and miR‐221 were assessed by RT‐PCR, and IL‐31 levels were determined by ELISA. Results Total IgE and CRP levels were independently increased in CSU patients. IgE and CRP levels were highest and lowest in patients with high and mild disease activity. IgE levels correlated with miR‐155 levels, whereas CRP levels correlated with miR‐221 levels. miR‐155 and miR‐221 were significantly overexpressed in CSU patients. ROC analyses linked miRNA‐155 and CSU with a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 87%, and miRNA‐221 and CSU with a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 91%. High CRP and miR‐221 expression levels were linked to elevated levels of IgG anti‐TPO and IL‐31. Conclusion IgE and CRP are useful biomarkers for disease activity in CSU, with distinct miRNA profiles. High CRP and miR‐221 levels may point to autoimmune CSU and a role for IL‐31.
Usage of herbal medicines among the elderly in a primary care unit in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, Thailand

Abstract Background The prevalence of chronic diseases in the elderly is high, and some use herbal medicines instead of, or together with, conventional medicine. Herbal medicine usage may cause adverse events. Objectives To determine the prevalence of herbal medicine usage among the elderly attending a primary care unit (PCU) of Songklanagarind Hospital, a tertiary teaching hospital in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, Thailand, and associated factors, reasons for use, principles considered before use, perceived effects, and history of consultation with medical professionals concerning their herbal medicine usage. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of elderly patients who visited the PCU. Questionnaires were used to obtain data. Results We included 204 patients who met the eligibility criteria. About two-thirds were women, with a median age of 69.0 years. Most had underlying diseases and were educated. The all time prevalence of herbal medicine usage was 60.8%. Being educated was significantly associated with herbal medicine usage. Among 124 users, 79% did not consider any principles for safe use of herbal medicine, 63% had no knowledge of possible interactions with conventional medicines, and 73% had never been asked about their use of herbal medicines by their health care professionals. Conclusions There is a high prevalence of herbal medicine usage among the elderly Thai patients attending the PCU, especially by the educated. The majority did not consider the principles for safe use of herbal medicine. Health care providers should be more aware of herbal medicine usage and should increase their role in initiating a discussion about herbal medicine usage with elderly patients.
Expanding the FurC (PerR) regulon in Anabaena (Nostoc) sp. PCC 7120: Genome-wide identification of novel direct targets uncovers FurC participation in central carbon metabolism regulation

FurC (PerR, Peroxide Response Regulator) from Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 (also known as Nostoc sp. PCC 7120) is a master regulator engaged in the modulation of relevant processes including the response to oxidative stress, photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation. Previous differential gene expression analysis of a furC-overexpressing strain (EB2770FurC) allowed the inference of a putative FurC DNA-binding consensus sequence. In the present work, more data concerning the regulon of the FurC protein were obtained through the searching of the putative FurC-box in the whole Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 genome. The total amount of novel FurC-DNA binding sites found in the promoter regions of genes with known function was validated by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) identifying 22 new FurC targets. Some of these identified targets display relevant roles in nitrogen fixation (hetR and hgdC) and carbon assimilation processes (cmpR, glgP1 and opcA), suggesting that FurC could be an additional player for the harmonization of carbon and nitrogen metabolisms. Moreover, differential gene expression of a selection of newly identified FurC targets was measured by Real Time RT-PCR in the furC-overexpressing strain (EB2770FurC) comparing to Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 revealing that in most of these cases FurC could act as a transcriptional activator.