Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mortality in Systemic Lupus Erythematous in Milton Cato Memorial Hospital Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; A 5-year Retrospective Study

Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE) is a rare, severe and lasting autoimmune disease that can vary in severity from mild to possibly life-threatening with a multi-system manifestation characterized by symptoms relating to joint, skin or mucosal inflammation, or with a varying degree of haematological abnormality or constitutional features, with women affected predominantly with peak onset (15-44) years of age. Aim: This study was aimed at estimating the incidence and mortality of Systemic Lupus Erythematous lupus in Milton Cato Memorial Hospital Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, including temporal trends and variations in age and sex from 2014 to 2018 by using routinely collected administrative health data/patient records. Methods: From 2014 to 2018, individuals with SLE were identified from the hospital records of Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, which records information on all patient coming in for healthcare services. A structured data extraction tool was employed to extract the data from the hospital Original Research Article Okikiade et al.; AJMAH, 19(2): 54-72, 2021; Article no.AJMAH. 66499 55 record using the open data kit (ODK). Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 and R Studio statistical software for analysis. The Chi-square test was used to test for association. All statistical tests were two-tailed and Level of Confidence was set at 95%, and P=<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The mean age of patient with SLE was 28.52 ± 13.03 years old and the median age was 30 years old, almost all 25(92.6%) were females. Every year, women showed a significantly increase in incidence of Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE), there was an annual decrease in the incidence from 2014 to 2018, with a peak incidence in 2016 (0.11/1000 person-years). The lowest incidence was noted in 2018 (0.02/1000 person-years). Among sex, there was an annual decrease in the incidence from 2014 to 2018, with a peak incidence in 2015 and 2016 for male (0.02/1000 person-years) and in 2016 for females (0.21/1000 person-years) respectively. The lowest incidence was noted in 2018 (0.00/1000 person-years) and (0.04/1000 person-years) for both male and female respectively. Case fatality from SLE shows that 2017 had the highest case fatality of 33% compared to the other years, 2014 (25%), 2015(25%) and 2016 (9%) with 2018 having no case fatality at all. Conclusions: This study showed that the incidence of SLE in Saint Vincent have decreased in the last decade, whereas the mortality rates of SLE have increased. Age and sex were found to be risk factors for SLE. This discovery of increased mortality of SLE suggests that this disease is no longer rare and will have implications for future healthcare planning and health service utilizations.
Evaluation of the effect of Ramadan fasting on fat-soluble antioxidants and markers of oxidative stress in healthy Pakistani subjects

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on the fat-soluble antioxidants [all-trans-retinol (vitamin A) and α-tocopherol (vitamin E)] in healthy Pakistani subjects. Thirty (30) healthy male volunteers (aged 30–50 years) with Ramadan fasting have participated in the study. Blood sampling from these subjects was conducted 1 day before and on 15th and 28th days of Ramadan. The serum levels of vitamin A and vitamin E were measured using liquid chromatography linked with UV–visible (HPLC–UV). The comparison between the samples taken at different times was made by Minitab software applying two samples and paired t-test at (p < 0.05) as significant. No significant changes have been found in the levels of all-trans-retinol before and during Ramadan values. The levels of α-tocopherol on 28th Ramadan have been decreased significantly when compared with its values before Ramadan (p < 0.0001). It is concluded that there is nonsignificant change in the levels of vitamin A during the month of Ramadan while the levels of α-tocopherol have been decreased significantly on the 28th day of Ramadan. It is therefore suggested that the fasting of Ramadan has effect on the levels of α-tocopherol and food-based interventions might be necessary to modify the diet during Ramadan. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Does physical fitness influence the technical-tactical performance indicators in a professional female basketball team? ¿Influye la condición física en los indicadores de rendimiento técnico-táctico en un equipo profesional de baloncesto femenino?

The final result of a competition is conditioned by different factors (e.g., age, experience, competitive level) that affect the athlete’s performance. This performance may changes throughout the season depending on different variables related to training. The objectives of this research were to know the physical performance profiles of the players in different physical fitness tests grouped by their game position and to analyse the relationships between the results of the physical tests and the technical-tactical performance indicators obtained in competition. To do this, an elite female team was analysed and performed a centripetal force test, an anaerobic capacity test and two lower body strength tests. The results have shown that in women’s basketball the players have physical fitness profiles adapted to the demands of the game. In addition, Technical-tactical performance in women’s basketball is related to the physical fitness profile of the players. The 2-Point Shots Annotated (p=0.35) negatively correlated with the Explosive Distance of the anaerobic test. The 3-Point Shots Annotated correlate with the Explosive Distance of the anaerobic test (p=.007) and the Right Arch test (p=.015). Total Rebounds correlate with the Explosive Distance of the anaerobic test (p=.001) and MultiJump test Impulse (p=.036) and the Free Throws Scored with Time of the Left Arch test (p=.023). Therefore, the physical level obtained by the players in the physical fitness tests affects both the performance indicators and the final result of the competition that they obtain individually.
Evidence-based Mechanistic Integrative Modeling of Stroke Risk Factors: A Translational Research Study

Introduction : According to global statistics, stroke is known as the main health problem in the world. Many clinical and molecular research, which are stored in the different repository with the various format have been conducted in the area of stroke domain. The heterogeneity of these research data does not make a comprehensive view of the disease. Recently, translational research has been developed to fill the gap between these studies. In this study, we used the integrative disease modeling method to model the underlying mechanism of stroke risk factors. Material and Methods : This study was conducted in three steps: data gathering, model construction, and mechanism discovery. First, using semantic and information retrieval tools, we extracted the cause and effect statement from the literature to create the mechanistic model, and the validated molecular data to evaluate the constructed model. Then, the integrative model was created and evaluated. Finally, we used Gene Set Enrichment Analysis to identify the main biological process and signaling pathways in the mechanism of the disease. Results : In the evidence-based information retrieval from the literature, 1837 causal statement was extracted. The initial network was created with 648 nodes (molecular, clinical, and environmental factors) and 1837 edges (interactions). Also, 51 genes/proteins and nine single nucleotide polymorphisms were matched with data in the model. The inflammatory response, response to lipid, regulation of body fluid levels, and regulation of response to stress, complement and coagulation cascades, and PPAR signaling pathway were the main biological processes and signaling pathways enriched in GSEA analysis. Conclusion : This study showed that we can identify the underlying mechanism of stroke risk factors and use a proper strategy to prevent it, using Integrative Disease Modeling.
Study on Likelihood-Ratio-Based Multivariate EWMA Control Chart Using Lasso

Purpose: When applying exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) multivariate control charts to multivariate statistical process control, in many cases, only some elements of the controlled parameters change. In such situations, control charts applying Lasso are useful. This study proposes a novel multivariate control chart that assumes that only a few elements of the controlled parameters change. Methodology/Approach: We applied Lasso to the conventional likelihood ratiobased EWMA chart; specifically, we considered a multivariate control chart based on a log-likelihood ratio with sparse estimators of the mean vector and variance-covariance matrix. Findings: The results show that 1) it is possible to identify which elements have changed by confirming each sparse estimated parameter, and 2) the proposed procedure outperforms the conventional likelihood ratio-based EWMA chart regardless of the number of parameter elements that change. Research Limitation/Implication: We perform sparse estimation under the assumption that the regularization parameters are known. However, the regularization parameters are often unknown in real life; therefore, it is necessary to discuss how to determine them. Originality/Value of paper: The study provides a natural extension of the conventional likelihood ratio-based EWMA chart to improve interpretability and detection accuracy. Our procedure is expected to solve challenges created by changes in a few elements of the population mean vector and population variance-covariance matrix. Category: Research paper QUALITY INNOVATION PROSPERITY / KVALITA INOVÁCIA PROSPERITA 25/1 – 2021 ISSN 1335-1745 (print) ISSN 1338-984X (online) 4
Nexus between Foreign Direct Investment Inflow and EPI Score in Brazil

Before 1990, foreign investors could not extensively invest in Brazil because of its stringent and conservative trade policy. However, in 1990 Brazil took a remarkable shift in its trade policy from its previous trends by taking a liberal stance in terms of FDI inflow. The liberal trade policy that Brazil took in 1990 remove all the trade barriers that previously hindered the free flow of FDI in Brazil, the sign of which had been reflected in the steady and gradual incremental FDI inflow in the country after that. This New opening of trade atmosphere had brought with it two very different repercussions. In one hand, it accelerated the economic growth by bringing in investment in the needed sectors; on the other hand this acceleration spurred industrial activities that are accompanied by air and water pollution and deforestation as a byproduct. Since then, environmental health and ecosystem of Brazil have been facing tremendous threat owing to these pollution problems which may indirectly distress the EPI score of Brazil. Keeping these issues in mind, the present study investigates the relationship between FDI inflow and EPI score in Brazil. With the help of descriptive statistical tools as well as Pearson correlation test, this study finds the negative relationship between FDI inflow and EPI score in Brazil.
Investigation of the Value of Coagulation Parameters in Thromboembolic Events Among Patients Not Receiving Anticoagulant Therapy

Objective: The main causes of thromboembolic events are atherosclerosis, vascular endothelial injury, and hypercoagulability. Coagulation is activated through two basic mechanisms, including intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, leading to thrombin production as a result of a series of enzymatic reactions. The intrinsic pathway is evaluated with activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and extrinsic pathway with prothrombin time (PT). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between thromboembolic diseases and coagulation parameters. Material and Methods: Patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) (n=216), acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (n=25), pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) (n=15), and patients without an emergency pathology (n=71) (Control Group) in the emergency department were retrospectively reviewed in the period from 01 November 2016 to 31 March 2019. Results: The APTT (25.61±5.93 sec), PT (12.05±2.26 sec), and INR (1.04±0.19) values of the AIS group were statistically significantly lower compared to APTT (27.98±3.21 sec), PT (12.58±2.18 sec), and INR (1.10±0.15) values of the control group (p = ˂0.001, ˂0.001 and ˂0.001 respectively). Similarly, the APTT (27.15±8.97 sec), PT (12.26±2.75 sec), and INR (1.03±0.25) values of the ACS group were statistically significantly lower compared to those of the control group (p=0.012, 0.030, and 0.001, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between the PTE group and control group in terms of APTT, PT, and INR values (p= 0.133, 0.758, and 0.711, respectively). Conclusion: Shortened APTT levels in cases without a history of anticoagulant use at the time of admission can be considered to be a predictive and effective tool for clinicians in arterial embolic events (AIS and ACS).
Changes in the prevalence of index diseases in pediatric surgery: case analysis of single national children’s hospital

© Korean Medical Association This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Pusan National University Children’s Hospital (PNUCH) opened in November 2008 as the second National Children’s Hospital in Korea and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2018. In the last decade, birth rates and pediatric populations have been declining sharply and has been more serious in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongsangnam-do where the PNUCH is located, affecting the prevalence of index diseases. The number of the index diseases was investigated by year according to changes in the population. Patients who underwent surgery at PNUCH for 10 years were included. Changes in pediatric population and the number of live births were analyzed using the data from Statistics Korea. The number of the index diseases was analyzed retrospectively through the review of electronic medical records. Statistical analysis was performed through Poisson regression. The number of live births and pediatric population decreased from 69,528 to 48,600 (30.1%) and 1,880,284 to 1,444,961 (23.2%), respectively. Operations of pediatric surgery decreased by 32.3% compared to that during the peak season, but the prevalence rate ratio of the pediatric population increased to 1.03 (P<0.001). The number of emergency operation increased due to the largest surge in acute appendicitis operations. Both esophageal atresia and Hirschsprung disease decreased, while hypertrophic pyloric stenosis significantly increased. The absolute number of pediatric surgery cases decreased. However, considering the changes in pediatric population and the number of live births, the relative number of pediatric surgery cases does not changed. The decrease in the number of each disease would be related to the decrease in pediatric population and the number of live births. We should consider the increase of emergency operations such as acute appendicitis.
Net-DNF: Effective Deep Modeling of Tabular Data

A challenging open question in deep learning is how to handle tabular data. Unlike domains such as image and natural language processing, where deep architectures prevail, there is still no widely accepted neural architecture that dominates tabular data. As a step toward bridging this gap, we present Net-DNF a novel generic architecture whose inductive bias elicits models whose structure corresponds to logical Boolean formulas in disjunctive normal form (DNF) over affine soft-threshold decision terms. Net-DNFs also promote localized decisions that are taken over small subsets of the features. We present extensive experiments showing that Net-DNFs significantly and consistently outperform fully connected networks over tabular data. With relatively few hyperparameters, Net-DNFs open the door to practical end-to-end handling of tabular data using neural networks. We present ablation studies, which justify the design choices of Net-DNF including the inductive bias elements, namely, Boolean formulation, locality, and feature selection.
Factors Affecting Economic Growth: A Comparative Analysis of Democratic and Non-Democratic Eras of Pakistan

This paper empirically investigated the impact of macroeconomic factors on economic growth during democratic and non-democratic eras of Pakistan. The statistical analyses are conducted using time series methods and yearly data spanning from 1971 to 2018. From the empirical analysis, it is concluded that export, remittances and real effective exchange rate are indeed important. Export, remittances inflow and real effective exchange rate positively influenced economic growth in the long term. Furthermore, imports negatively affect economic growth but the effect is insignificant. The study recommends that policymakers should pursue appropriate strategy to enhance exports and foreign remittances as well as appreciate the currency of a country with a view to attain the long term economic growth.
THE EFFECT OF LOW- LEVEL DIODE (GaAlAs) LASER THERAPY AS AN ADJUNCT TO NON SURGICAL PERIODONTAL TREATMENT IN SUBJECTS WITH CHRONIC PERIODONTITIS – A CLINICAL STUDY

Background: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the supporting structures of teeth, resulting in tooth loss. The aim of the study is to evaluate and compare the effect of scaling and root planing alone and combination of scaling and root planing (SRP) with low level Gallium Aluminium Arsenide (GaAlAs) laser therapy in patients with moderate chronic periodontitis. Materials and methods: A total of 25 patients with mean age of 38.08 years (35-48 years) having chronic generalized moderate periodontitis were included in the study. A total of 4740 sites were evaluated out of which 2370 were the control sites and 2370 were the test sites. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), periodontal probing depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded at baseline, 1 and 3 months after the treatment. A low level diode laser with a wavelength of 810 nm, power output 0.4 W and energy density of 2 J/cm2 & 4 J/cm2 was applied to the gingival surface after periodontal treatment on the first, second, and seventh day. European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine ISSN 2515-8260 Volume 08, Issue 02, 2021 959 Result: At all time points, the LLLT at test sites showed significantly more improvement in plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), clinical attachment level (CAL) and periodontal probing depth (PD) levels compared to the control group (P <0.001). Conclusion: LLLT as an adjunctive therapy to non-surgical periodontal treatment is beneficial in improving periodontal status of patients with chronic periodontitis.
Experimental evaluation on electrochemical corrosion of ion-implanted medium-carbon steel of titanium and titanium+nitrogen

This paper proposes to evaluate and characterize the damage produced by electrochemical corrosion in AISI/SAE 1045 medium carbon steel surfaces, modified with titanium and titanium+nitrogen ions by three-dimensional ion implantation technique. By means of electrochemical tests such as linear polarization resistance, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; it was quantified and compared the performance of non-implanted and implanted samples against electrochemical corrosion. From the results, it was found a considerable improvement in the performance of the surface-modified ferrous alloy in comparison with bare specimens. The degradation occurred after exposition in the saline environment was reduced up to 50% in terms of mass-loss or corrosion rates. Likewise, the inspection of the state and composition of AISI/SAE 1045 medium carbon steel microstructure, after the surface modification and chemical attack, by microscopy and spectroscopy characterization techniques, supported the findings in the electrochemical analysis and validated the favorable effect of the ion implantation technique as a method of protection against electrochemical corrosion, reducing the damage from the electrolyte and formation of corrosion products.
Oncological validation of bone turnover markers c-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (1CTP) and peptides n-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (P1NP) in patients with prostate cancer and bone metastases

Background Bone formation markers c-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (1CTP) and peptides n-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (P1NP) were reported to be increased in patients with prostate cancer (PC) and bone metastases. The objective of the presented study was to investigate the utility of serum 1CTP and P1NP values in the diagnosis of bone metastases and in predicting oncological outcome in patients with PC. Methods In total, serum samples of 186 patients were included retrospectively including 53 (28.50%) benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients and 133 (71.50%) PC-patients. The group of patients with PC consisted of 58 patients with non-metastatic PC (cM0) (43.61%) and 70 (52.63%) patients with bone metastases (cM1b). Serum 1CTP and P1NP were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Results were compared to clinical variables including oncologic follow-up data by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results Median 1CTP concentrations were significantly higher in patients with PC compared to the BPH group [5.08 (range, 1.73–158.00) vs. 4.00 (range, 2.18–34.19) µg/L, P=0.019]. However, no significant difference of P1NP levels could be shown for these groups. With median values of 6.04 (1.73–158.00) and 3.91 µg/L (2.04–34.51) for 1CTP and 48.60 (9.12–1,074.37) and 33.90 (8.72–149.30) for P1NP both markers were altered in cM1b patients compared to cM0 patients (P=0.001 each). Furthermore, cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly shorter in cM1b patients with higher 1CTP concentrations (P=0.037 and P=0.019, respectively), whereas no associations of P1NP and outcomes were observed. Conclusions The present study confirms that increased levels of 1CTP and P1NP concentrations are associated with presence of metastatic disease in the bone. Moreover, these markers are able to predict clinical course in PC patients with bone metastases. The potential use of these markers for treatment selection in advanced PC remains to be determined.