Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Goat Milk Yogurt Fortified with Red Rice Bran Flour on SGPT Levels of Rats (Rattus norvegicus) Model Diabetes Mellitus Induced Streptozotocin

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by an increase in high blood sugar levels caused by a lack of insulin secretion or impaired insulin work or both. Goat milk yogurt with fortified red rice bran flour can be used as a therapy for diabetes mellitus because it contains high fiber and antioxidants. This study was aimed to determine the effect of giving goat milk yogurt with fortification of red rice bran flour on the levels of SGPT in rats diabetes mellitus induced by streptozotocin. This study used RAL with 20 male Wistar rats divided into 5 groups, namely K1 (negative control), K2 (positive control), P1, P2, and P3. Streptozotocin induction of 45 mg/kgBW at K2, P1, P2, and P3. In therapeutic group used volume of 1 ml/kgBW, 2 ml/kgBW, and 3 ml/kgBW. The data of this study were analyzed quantitatively using the oneway ANOVA statistical test followed by Tukey test α = 0.05. The results showed that the administration of goat milk yogurt fortified with red rice bran flour could reduce SGPT levels in rats. The conclusion that the volume of administration of 2 ml/kgBW is an effective volume of administration to reduce SGPT levels by 50.50 ± 7.59.
Parental Reading Beliefs and Children's Reading Performance

Abstract This study put its interest in investigating parental reading beliefs and children’s reading performance. It also sought to determine whether there is an association between parental reading beliefs and children’s reading performance. This research employed a quantitative research design and it used a quota sampling technique to select the respondents. A total of 30 parents from Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Pusu Kuala Lumpur answered a questionnaire about parental reading beliefs. The questionnaire used was adapted from a study by DeBaryshe and Binder (1994). In order to measure the children’s reading performance, the parents were asked to state their children’s comprehension marks towards the end of the questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of five factors related to parental reading beliefs which were teaching efficacy, positive attitude, verbal participation, reading instruction and basic knowledge. The data collected was analysed using Pearson Correlation. The results showed that all the factors under parental reading beliefs had positive relationship with children’s reading performance except for one factor which was reading instruction. All of them were not significant and as this study was a preliminary study, hence the results should not be generalised due to number of reasons. Keywords: Parents, reading beliefs, reading performance, primary school, quantitative research
Acromegaly: the effect of somatostatin analogues on tumour volume shrinkage

Acromegaly is a rare disease, caused by growth hormone (GH) hypersecretion and secondarily elevated insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) level. Nearly all patients with acromegaly suffer from somatotroph pituitary adenoma. The main goal of treatment is to normalise both GH and IGF-1 levels, which reduces symptoms, complications and mortality. Transsphenoidal selective adenomec-tomy performed by an experienced neurosurgeon is the first-line therapy. Therapy with somatostatin analogues (SSA) is used as a neoadjuvant treatment prior to surgery and in a persistent disease following the surgery. The long-acting somatostatin analogues reduce serum GH/IGF-1 levels and tumour volume. In this clinical review, mechanisms and role of 1st and 2nd generation somatostatin analogues in the treatment of patients with acromegaly are presented, with particular emphasis on the effects on somatotroph pituitary adenoma volume reduction.
The Real Winner's Curse

We study the unintended consequences of political inclusion in a context of weak institutions. Using a regression discontinuity approach, we show that the narrow election of previously excluded left-wing parties to local executive office in Colombia results in an almost one-standard-deviation increase in violent attacks by right-wing paramilitaries, more than tripling the sample mean. We interpret this surge in violence as a de facto reaction of traditional political and economic elites, who seek to offset the increase in outsiders' de jure political power. Consistent with this interpretation, we find that other types of violence are unaffected, and that levels of violence are not influenced by the victory of right-wing parties in close elections. Moreover, we show that the surge in paramilitary violence is concentrated in the year of the next election, which gives left-wing parties a large incumbency disadvantage in Colombia. Our findings highlight the dangers of broadening political inclusion in the absence of efforts to strengthen other institutional dimensions. Open elections that are not complemented by checks and balances to prevent the disproportional accumulation of political power by some groups in society may have unintended negative consequences.
Biomarkers for Renal Cell and Urothelial Carcinoma

What is taking place in the field of renal cell carcinoma and bladder cancer? Pal: In kidney cancer, there are some caveats to the way that we treat the disease. For instance, we use targeted therapies—drugs that affect VEGF and mTOR—but we really don’t use biomarkers to apply these therapies. It is very different from lung cancer or colon cancer. How might we get there? Bladder cancer is a very different landscape compared with kidney cancer. In contrast to kidney cancer, where we have had 10 drug approvals over the past decade, we really are still stuck with cisplatin-based chemotherapy in bladder cancer. We are very little beyond that.
STUDY OF SOME CARDIAC BIOMARKERS AND OXIDATIVE STRESS MARKERS IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROMES

ackground: Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) represents a pathological, diagnostic, and risk continuum from unstable angina through myocardial infarction (MI) with or without ST-segment elevation. These three conditions share a very similar pathology, although treatment differs. Elevated markers of inflammation, in particular hs-CRP, are associated with an increased risk of future cardiovascular events in healthy subjects, Increased oxidative stress and the generation of the free oxygen radicals can result in modification of LDL to oxidized LDL that could lead to atherosclerotic lesions, Elevated levels of CK-MB have been regarded as biochemical markers of myocyte necrosis. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of CK-MB and oxidative stress (MDA) in acute coronary syndromes. Patients and Methods: One hundred one (101) cardiac patients were admitted to the coronary care unit, Ibn alnafees Hospital and Al kindy Hospital over the period July 2009 and March 2010 with the clinical diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome their ages range was (24-84) years, the number of male was (65) (64.36%) and female was (37) (36.63%). 39 healthy control (age, sex, matched) were enrolled in this study. All cardiac patients have routine ECG, cardiac biomarkers measurements especially(CKMB), serelogical markers (hs-C-RP),lipid profile test and oxidative stress markers(MDA). 10 ml of blood needed for assessment of the above makers. Results: Oxidative Stress and Cardiac Biomarkers in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) 101 were found significantly high in patients with ACS as compared to healthy subjects but significantly decreased in HDL-cholesterol in ACS patients as compared to healthy controls. ACS is associated with greater than normal lipid peroxidation. Conclusion: Our study shows a significantly increase in lipid peroxidation and cardiac biomarkers in the circulation of patients with ACS. A significant decrease level of HDL-C were observes only in ACS patients. These finding suggest these biomarkers may be useful diagnosis of patients with ACS.
Effects of ethyl methane sulphonate on the yield and qualtiy of crossandra (Crossandra infundibuliformis (L.) Nees.)

The experiment aims to examine the effects of chemical mutagen viz., Ethyl Methane Sulphonate (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 mM) on various characters viz., days to first flowering, days for spike to complete flowering, number of spikes per plant, number of flowers per spike, length of spike, corolla tube length, diameter of flower, number of flowers per plant, yield of flowers per plant, 100 flower weight and quality parameters. The results indicate that all the treatments affected the growth of the plants but sensitivity of crossandra to different concentrations was different. Sensitivity to EMS was determined by various measurements on the VM 1 generation. In general, the variance was increased for all the characters under study in the treated populations compared with control suggesting an increase in genetic variability. However, the concentration 30 mM has recorded the more number of spikes and flowers, flower diameter and yield of flowers per plant than control.
Microfinance governance: a systematic review and future research directions

Purpose - The purpose of this article is to systematically review extant research on the corporate governance (CG) of microfinance institutions (MFIs) from a global perspective. In the process, it discusses scholarly contributions and highlights key issues from the findings of past studies on several governance attributes, in particular, their interconnections and influence on different institutional outcomes of the sector. Design/methodology/approach - Although academic work on microfinance governance is substantial, prior studies lack a comprehensive approach to reviewing the literature on this topic. We adopted a systematic method to review past studies on microfinance CG by applying particular inclusion and exclusion criteria. In this regard, the study developed specific questions and sought to find their answers from the existing literature. Findings - The findings from our research indicate that microfinance governance-performance relationship is the central focus of the majority of our reviewed papers, although a few attempts have been made to explain the interconnection between CG mechanisms at the firm and institutional level. Our findings also show that existing studies have used a variety of techniques to measure MFI performance vis-a-vis their hybrid mission, such as profitability and outreach. Moreover, the study found that common topics discussed in the mainstream literature include board structure, CEO characteristics, audit quality, external governance, disclosure and MFI ownership type. Research limitations/implications - This review has some limitations that warrant further research. First, we considered only peer-reviewed scientific publications for our systematic review. Second, we omitted non-English journal papers from our sample. In light of these limitations, we provide some future research directions that may shed further light on our current inquiry. Originality/value - This paper evaluates past relevant studies using a systematic approach (in preference to the commonly used narrative approach) for a span of over eighteen years; thereby contributing significantly to the sectoral governance literature. This study is novel in that it offers new incentives and opportunities for further research in order to meet the shortcomings of reviewed papers from various theoretical, empirical, methodological and geographical standpoints.
Effect of Crowding Stress on Lung and Heart of the Adult Albino Rats and the Possible Protective Role of Sulpiride

Exposure to crowding stress is associated with increased respiratory system morbidity, However, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Thus, there is a need for more study of this harmful effect. Sulpiride had been shown to have a protective role against crowding stress on other systems but this role was not studied well on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Objectives: Investigating the possible harmful effects of crowding on adult albino rats' lung and heart and the possible protective role of combined sulpiride treatment. Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out on 24 adult albino rats of local strain weighing 120±3 g which were randomly divided equally into Group 1(C, untreated negative control), Group 2 (Cr, crowding exposed or positive control) where rats were exposed to crowding in a cage (20x20x20 cm6 rats /cage) for 1 month, Group 3(D, sulpiride-treated) where the rats were exposed to sulpiride “0.028 mg/B.W. /day” and Group 4 (Cr+D, crowding + sulpiride-treated). Paraffin sections were prepared for histological, histochemical and morphometric studies. The data were statistically analysed. Results: The rats exposed to crowding only or sulpiride only showed highly significant damaging changes on lung such as thickening in the interalveolar septa and obliteration of the alveoli, inflammatory cells infiltration within the pulmonary interstitium, peribronchiolar infiltration and fibrosis, thickening of the pulmonary blood vessels walls, interstitial collagen fibres deposition and apoptotic cellular changes. On the level of heart, significant decrease in the diameters of the myocardial muscle fibres with focal areas of necrosis, apoptotic changes and increased collagen fibres deposition was marked in sulpiride group. When crowding and sulpiride treatments were combined, the damaging effects were maximized on the lung and heart. Conclusion: These results provided evidence that crowding stress causes obvious lung and heart tissue damages. No protective role for sulpiride was proofed. This is because using sulpiride alone or in combination with crowding showed marked damaging effects on the lung and heart tissues.
Compact Optical Probe for Time-Resolved NIRS-Imaging

We present the design of a standalone optical probe integrated with a Time-Gated Single Photon Detection module and Pulsed Light Emission unit. The detection module is capable of detecting photons in specific time windows, thus enabling the measurement of very faint optical signals. The pulse repetition frequency extends up to 100 MHz with a gate-ON time range up to 35ns. The module is user-configurable via a PC interface and can be integrated in any optical setup. The pulsed light emission unit uses a 50 GHz GaAs Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser diode. Experimental characterization was conducted for all the building blocks of the module to ensure its proper functioning. The module was also employed in a real-life application, heart rate monitoring by illuminating the index finger of a volunteer. The novelty of the proposed miniaturized optode lies in the development of a simplified interface for portable Brain-computer interfaces which can be effectively used in applications such as Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and functional brain imaging.
Acute peptic perforation: clinical profile and our experience with operative outcome

Background: Perforated peptic ulcer is a serious complication of peptic ulcers with potential risk of grave complications. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical presentation, management and outcome of patients with peptic ulcer perforation in our setting and to identify predictors of outcome of these patients. Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients who were operated for perforated peptic ulcers at Sheth V.S. General Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India during period of 2003 to 2005. Data were collected using a pretested and coded questionnaire and analyzed. Results: Out of 50 cases enrolled in the study, 2 were treated by drainage under local anesthesia among them one expired and another one was undergone definite surgery 2 days later, so 49 patients treated by operative line of management. Males (n = 40) out-numbered females (n = 10) by a ratio of 4:1. The highest number in age group was 41-50 years, which are 12 in number. 66% patients were labourers. 32% had past history of acid peptic disease. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alcohol and smoking was reported in 8%, 6% and 40% respectively, 14% having alcohol and tobacco consumption, 32% having no other history. 98% showing free gas and 2% doesn’t showing free gas on plain erect x ray abdomen in our study. Duodenal (n = 41) to Gastric (n = 8) perforation ratio were 5:1. Graham’s omental patch (Graham’s omentopexy) of the perforations was performed in 80% of cases. Complication and mortality rates were 36.7% and 2.04% respectively. In follow up n = 20 patients showing mild to moderate abdominal pain. Conclusions: Perforation of peptic ulcer remains a frequent clinical problem in our environment predominantly affecting 41-50 years group labourer males known to suffer from Peptic ulcer disease. Simple closure with omental patch followed by Helicobacter pylori eradication was effective with excellent results in majority of survivors despite patients’ late presentation in our center.
PENGARUH DISIPLIN KERJA, MOTIVASI KERJA DAN KOMPENSASI TERHADAP KINERJA PEGAWAI BANK OCBC NISP BAGIAN RECORD MANAGEMENT DAN PARTNERSHIP OPERATION

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh disiplin kerja terhadap kinerja pegawai, pengaruh motivasi kerja terhadap kinerja pegawai bank, pengaruh kompensasi terhadap disiplin kerja pegawai, pengaruh motivasi kerja terhadap disiplin kerja pegawai, pengaruh kompensasi terhadap kinerja pegawai bank OCBC NISP pada bagian RCMPO. Penelitian ini menggunakan teknik sampling jenuh. Populasi penelitian ini adalah seluruh pegawai yang berada di Bagian Record Management dan Partnership Operation yang berjumlah 98 orang. Metode Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian kuantitatif dengan program komputer Partial Least Square (PLS). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan tidak terdapat pengaruh yang signifikan Disiplin Kerja terhadap Kinerja Pegawai Bank OCBC NISP di Bagian RCMPO dengan nilai T Statistics 0.981 ≤ 1.96. Tidak terdapat pengaruh yang signifikan Motivasi Kerja terhadap Kinerja Pegawai Bank OCBC NISP di Bagian RCMPO dengan nilai T Statistics 0,282 ≤ 1.96. Terdapat pengaruh yang signifikan Kompensasi terhadap Disiplin Kerja pada Bank OCBC NISP di Bagian RCMPO dengan nilai T Statistics 7,352 > 1.96. Terdapat pengaruh yang signifikan Motivasi Kerja terhadap Disiplin Kerja pada Bank OCBC NISP di Bagian RCMPO dengan nilai T Statistics 24,184 ≥ 1.96. Terdapat pengaruh yang signifikan Kompensasi terhadap Kinerja Pegawai pada Bank OCBC NISP di Bagian RCMPO dengan nilai T Statistics 5,779 ≥ 1.96.
Review of animal health service delivery in the mixed crop-livestock system in Ethiopia

Livestock and Irrigation Value chains for Ethiopian Smallholders Livestock and irrigation value chains for Ethiopian smallholders project aims to improve the competitiveness, sustainability and equity of value chains for selected high‐value livestock and irrigated crop commodities in target areas of four regions of Ethiopia. It identifies, targets and promotes improved technologies and innovations to develop high value livestock and irrigated crop value chains; it improves the capacities of value chain actors; it improves the use of knowledge at different levels; it generates knowledge through action‐oriented research; and it promotes and disseminates good practices. Project carried out with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD). lives-ethiopia.org
Molecular Analysis of Candida species with Emphasis on Predisposing Factors in Cutaneous Candidiasis Patients

Background: Candida species are known as the most common fungal pathogens isolated from clinical specimens that can develop complications ranging from cutaneous to systemic diseases. Objectives: The present study was conducted to evaluate the diversity and distribution of Candida species in various kinds of cutaneous candidiasis in Tehran, Iran. In addition, the critical effects of several predisposing factors on the induction and progression of the disease were considered. Methods: A total of 3000 samples were taken from March 2014 to 2015. The samples were examined using direct microscopy and culturing method. The polymorphism analysis was performed by using polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. The internal spacer region (ITS) of the fungal rRNA genes was recruited for PCR amplification of target sequences and Msp1 enzyme was employed to digest PCR amplicons. Results: Out of 3000 samples, yeast was recovered in 290 (9.67%) cases. Onychomycosis was observed predominantly in 164 nail samples (56.5%). The majority of patients were within the age range of 51 - 60 years (22.14%). Women working at home (housewives) showed the highest percentage of people at risk (n = 135, 46.5%). Among patients with underlying diseases, diabetic patients with 46 cases (14.2 %) had the highest susceptibility to candidiasis. Genotypic identification showed that Candida albicans is the most common species (n = 132, 45.5 %) recovered from clinical samples, followed by C. parapsilosis (n = 77, 26.5%), C. glabrata (n = 22, 7.5 %), C. krusei (n = 16, 5.5 %), C. tropicalis (n = 37, 12.7 %), and C. guilliermondii (n = 6, 2%). Conclusions: The results of the present study, compared to the previous studies, showed a significantly lower prevalence of cutaneous candidiasis. Among Candida species, C. albicans was still the most common infectious agent isolated from clinical samples. Shifting toward non-albicans Candida species was not confirmed in this study. In addition, our study revealed that there is a direct correlation between some predisposing factors including age of patients, and existence of some non-infectious diseases (e.g. metabolic disorder) and occurrence of Candida infection.
Etiology and Antimicrobial Sensitivity of Common Uropathogens in Hilla Infants.

In this study, 100 febrile infants suffering from Urinary tract infection (rectal temperature > 38°C) who presented to the Pediatric Clinic or Emergency Department of Babylon Maternity and Children Hospital from February\2008 to June\2008 underwent a history and physical examination. In this study, Escherichia coli formed the major causative agent (49%) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (25%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (18%) and Proteus species (8%). E. coli isolates showed sensitivity to Amikacin, Chloromphenicol, Nitrofurantoin, Ofloxacin, Norfloxacin, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa shows sensitivity with Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin, Piperacillin, Tobramycin, Proteus species shows sensitivity with Amikacin, Amoxicillin , Cefodizime, Cefoxitin, Cephalexin, Gentamycin, , Norfloxacin, Piperacillin, Tobramycin and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates shows sensitivity with Amikacin, Norfloxacin, Piperacillin, Tobramycin. Our investigation showed that from the 100 febrile infants with UTI, 57 had pyuria > 5 WBCs/hpf, 90 had pyuria >10 WBCs/mL, 77 had CRP >24 mg/L, 82 had ESR >35 mm/hour, and 44 had WBC >15 000/mL.