Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seminal Plasma Osteopontin: A Marker for Potential Fertility in Dogs

Background: Osteopontin (OPN) is an extracellular matrix protein with multifunctions and has been identified in the reproductive tract of both males and females. OPN from the seminal plasma (SP) has been closely associated with male fertility in several domestic animals. Different isoforms of OPN has been identified in the SP and sperm membrane in dogs but with unknown functions. The current study investigated the comparison of key canine sperm microscopic parameters and SP markers between dogs exhibiting different fertility potential.Methods: In this investigation during 2018-2019, 21 dogs coming for breeding soundness examination were selected and divided into fertile (Group I) and hypofertile (Group II). Evaluation included assessment of sperm microscopic characteristics and estimation of OPN, Malondialdehyde (MDA), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration in the SP.Result: The OPN level showed positive correlation with all the sperm evaluated characteristics (p less than 0.01). Linear regression analysis depicted a significant (p less than 0.001) influence of OPN on the evaluated sperm characteristics. These findings suggest that OPN in the SP along with the microscopic characteristics of the spermatozoa can be used as a potential fertility marker in discriminating fertile from the hypofertile ones.
Assessment of Therapeutic Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Knee Osteoarthritis: Possible Role of Inflammatory Cytokines

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multifactorial disease that commonly affects the knee. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is able to regulate inflammation in OA. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) may be involved in the pathophysiology of arthritis. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may reduce pain associated with OA. The current study aimed to assess the possible therapeutic effects of PRP in patients with knee OA of various severities. Methods: A prospective study was performed on 90 patients were included and categorized into mild (30 cases, moderate (30 cases) and severe (30 cases) knee OA. Three intra-articular (I.A) injections of PRP, 2 weeks a part, were received. Pain score and MRI Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS) were assessed. Serial synovial fluid cytokines assays in the form of Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), were performed using commercially available ELISA assay kits. The assays were performed pre-injection (S1), two weeks from the 1st I.A injection and two weeks from the 2nd I.A injection (S3) for all included patients. Results: The mean values of pain score and synovial TNF-α and MIF levels were significantly higher levels (S1, pre-injection) among severe OA when compared with both mild and moderate cases, p˂0.05 for all. There were significantly lower pain score and synovial TNF-α and MIF levels at S3 in mild, moderate and severe knee OA when compared with S1 values, p˂0.05 for all. There was significant improvement in synovitis in both mild and moderate cases (p˂0.05 for both). Conclusion: I.A injection of PRP significantly reduces the synovial fluid TNF-α and MIF levels with great therapeutic effects on both synovitis via reducing inflammatory cytokines, and bone marrow lesions mainly for mild knee OA and to a lesser extent for moderate cases.
New records of non-indigenous Branchiomma and Parasabella species (Sabellidae: Annelida) in South Australia highlight the continuing challenges for sabellid taxonomy

ABSTRACT Sabellid fanworms (Sabellidae: Annelida) and particularly species of Branchiomma and Parasabella are difficult to discriminate due to a lack of unambiguous diagnostic characters and high intraspecific morphological plasticity. We studied specimens identified as Branchiomma and Parasabella from a marina in South Australia. Examination of morphological features alone failed to resolve the unambiguous identification of specimens to species. Therefore, two DNA markers, the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (cox1), were sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses and genetic distances were performed for each DNA marker, including Branchiomma and Parasabella sequences available in GenBank. Molecular analyses indicate that specimens belong to species that have previously been reported as cryptogenic and occurring in several worldwide harbour environments, but whose identity is still unsettled. A discussion about the relevance of several sources of information for species delineation, and the importance of taxonomy, is provided.
Effect of Surface Roughness and Inlet Turbulence Intensity on a Turbine Nozzle Guide Vane External Heat Transfer: Experimental Investigation on a Literature Test Case

Surface roughness is well known to significantly influence turbine aerodynamics and heat transfer; different studies have been undertaken in the last decades, in order to precisely characterize its effects and pursue a reliable and unified computational fluid dynamics modeling approach. Despite the effort, further research is still required to completely fulfill the goal, due to the complexity of the considered environment, with many other aspects and flow characteristics factoring into the final behavior. In this work, an experimental campaign was carried out to evaluate the heat transfer coefficient on a linear nozzle guide vane geometry. The adopted geometry has been developed and tested, at different inlet turbulence intensity, Reynolds and Mach number, at Von Kármán Institute. The results achieved on a test article with smooth surface were made available. In the present work, the effect of increased turbulence level and surface roughness was taken into account, respectively, using passive grids and conditioning the test sample surface finishing. Experiments were conducted using a transient technique by measuring the surface temperature evolution by IR thermography. The collected results integrate the existing database available in the open literature in order to support development and benchmarking of numerical approaches aimed at a reliable characterization of these aspects.
Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Capacity of Walnut Extract as Influenced by the Extraction Method and Solvent

Abstract Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity and individual phenolic compounds were assessed in full fat and defatted walnut kernel. For quantification of phenolic fraction of walnut kernels, two different solvents (methanol and ethanol) and two methods of extraction (ultrasonic-assisted extraction and Soxhlet extraction) were tested. Total phenolics, flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity of alcoholic extracts varied depending on the solvent used and extraction methods. Seventeen phenolic compounds were detected and the study provides evidence on high phenolic contents and high antioxidant potential of full fat walnut kernel and defatted walnut kernel. The Soxhlet extraction is the best in terms of the amounts of total phenolic content (2,089.2 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g dry matter), while the ultrasonic assisted extraction is a fast method but resulted in significantly lower phenolic content (667.3–1,426.8 mg gallic acid equivalent /100 g dry matter). The concentrations of phenolics (especially (+)-catechin hydrate, juglone, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, salicylic acid and ellagic acid) are many fold lower in ultrasonic-assisted extraction as compare to the Soxhlet method using the same extraction solvent. The results of this study provide evidence on high phenolic contents and high antioxidant potential of full fat and defatted walnut kernel.
Impact of Epley manoeuvre on self-perceived disability: A randomised controlled trial in primary care

Background: Posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (pc-BPPV) causes physical, functional, and emotional impairment. The treatment of choice is the Epley manoeuvre (EM). The purpose of the study was to compare the impact of the EM and a sham manoeuvre in primary care on self-perceived disability.Method: Randomised, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial conducted in primary care with a follow-up of 1 year. Patients aged ≥18 years old diagnosed with pc-BPPV according to the Dix-Hallpike test (DHT) were randomised to an intervention (EM) group or a control (sham manoeuvre) group. The main study covariables were age, sex, history of depression and anxiety, presence of nystagmus in the DHT, patient-perceived disability assessed with the Dizziness Handicap Inventory-screening version (DHI-S). Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate mixed Tobit analyses. Results: Overall, 134 patients were studied: 66 in the intervention group and 68 in the control group. Median age was 52 years (interquartile range [IQR], 38.25–68.00 years) and 76.12% of the patients were women. The DHT triggered nystagmus in 40.30% of patients. The median total DHI-S score for the overall sample at baseline was 16 (IQR, 8.00–22.00); 16 [IQR, 10.5–24.0] vs 10 [6.0–14.0] for women vs men (P<0.001) and 16 [IQR, 10.0-24.0] vs 12 [IQR, 8.0–18.0] for patients without nystagmus vs those with nystagmus (P=0.033). Patients treated with the EM experienced a mean reduction of 2.03 points in DHI-S score over the follow-up period compared with patients in the sham group. Conclusion: Pc-BPPV affects the quality of life of primary care patients. A single EM can improve self-perceptions of disability by around 2 points on the DHI-S scale, Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01969513. Retrospectively registered. First Posted: October 25, 2013. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01969513
A clinical study and management of incisional hernia

Incisional hernia has followed abdominal surgery like a shadow for more than a century. Ian Aird defines incisional hernia as a diffuse extrusion of peritoneum and abdominal contents through a weak scar of an operation or accidental wound. Incisional hernia occurs in 5-11% of patients subjected to abdominal operations. Many factors are associated with incisional hernia like age, sex, obesity, chest infections, type of suture material used and most important wound infection. Laparoscopic techniques of hernia repair have revolutionised the treatment of incisional hernia repair by reducing the morbidity and less hospital stay. This study has been undertaken to assess the magnitude of this problem, various factors leading to development of this condition and the different modalities of treatment practiced in our setup.
Sorting and the Skill Premium: The Role of Nonhomothetic Housing Demand

Since 1980 skilled and unskilled workers have increasingly sorted into different cities. In this paper we propose and quantify a novel driver of increased spatial sorting — diverging preferences over location attributes caused by diverging incomes across skill groups. The root cause of these diverging preferences is income inelastic housing demand, which we show to be a robust feature of consumption microdata. As the incomes of skilled workers rise relative to those of unskilled workers, their housing expenditure shares fall and they become more willing to cluster together in expensive, skill-intensive cities. By adding nonhomothetic preferences to an otherwise standard quantitative spatial model we show that this mechanism explains 22% of the increase in sorting since 1980.
PENGARUH KUALITAS PRODUK, DISPLAY LAYOUT, DAN VARIASI PRODUK TERHADAP KEPUASAN KONSUMEN

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh kualias produk, display layout, dan variasi produk terhadap kepuasan konsumen toko kue Sarah Cake Kota Bengkulu. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif dengan sampel berjumlah 190 orang responden, sampel ditarik berdasarkan rumus Hair et al. Teknik pengumpulan data dengan menggunakan observasi dan kuesioner. Data yang terkumpul kemudian diolah dengan alat bantu olah data SPSS 21 dan dianalisi menggunakan teknik analisis uji asumsi klasik, regresi linier berganda, Koefisien Determinasi (R2) dan uji hipotesis. Hasil penelitian ini dapat dilihat dari uji regresi linier berganda dengan yaitu Y = 3.213 + 0.125 (X1) + 0.177 (X2) + 0.092 (X3). Dari hasil uji hipotesis secara parsial (uji T) bahwa masing-masing variable independen (kualitas produk, display layout, dan variasi produk) memiliki pengaruh positif signifikan terhadap variable dependen (kepuasan konsumen). Adupan besarnya pengaruh masing-masing variable independen terhadap variable dependen (kepuasan konsumen) adalah kualitas produk sebesar 26.25%, display layout sebesar 62.10%, dan variasi produk sebesar 25.13%. Untuk hasil secara simultan (uji F) variable independen (kualitas produk, display layout, dan variasi produk) juga memiliki pengaruh positif signifikan terhadap variable dependen (kepuasan konsumen), yaitu sebesar 60.10%.
Population Risk Factors for COVID-19 Deaths in Nigeria at Subnational Level

Nigeria is the most populous country in the African continent. The aim of this study was to analyze risk factors for COVID-19 prevalence and deaths in all 6 geopolitical regions and 37 states in Nigeria. We analyzed the data retrieved from various sources, including Nigeria CDC, Nigeria National Bureau of Statistics, Unicef-Nigeria multiple indicator cluster survey and the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington. We examined 4 clinical risk factors (prevalence of TB, HIV, smoking and BCG vaccination coverage) and 5 sociodemographic factors (age ≥65, population density, literacy rate, unemployment and GDP per capita). Multivariate modeling was conducted using generalized linear model. Our analysis showed that the incidence of confirmed COVID-19 cases differed widely across the 37 states, from 0.09 per 100,000 in Kogi to 83.7 in Lagos. However, more than 70% of confirmed cases were concentrated in just 7 states: Lagos, Abuja, Oyo, Kano, Edo, Rivers and Delta. Case mortality rate (CMR) per million population also varied considerably, with Lagos, Abuja and Edo having CMR above 9. On bivariate analysis, higher CMR correlated positively with GDP and to a lesser extent with TB and population density. On multivariate analysis, which is more definitive, states with higher HIV prevalence and BCG coverage had lower CMR, while high GDP states had a greater CMR. This study indicates that COVID-19 has disproportionately affected certain states in Nigeria. Population susceptibility factors include higher economic development but not literacy or unemployment. Death rates were mildly lower in states with higher HIV prevalence and BCG vaccination coverage.
Drugs used for Weight Reduction among Iraqi Population Sample, a Comparative Study

Obesity is a complex disease characterized by fat accumulation in the body which led to increased risk ofother disease such as diabetic, cancer and others. Body mass index (BMI), is the main criteria to defineoverweight and obesity. In addition to the change in diet, exercise and life style, pharmacological optionswere used for complicated cases.This study is a retrospective one where the data collected were from 117 obese patients in obesity researchand therapy unit in AL-Kindy medical college in Iraq and were divided into four groups according to thedrugs that were taken (metformin group, metformin and orlistat group, metformin and fluoxetine group,metformin, orlistat and fluoxetine group)It has been found that each group showed a significant difference in BMI after 2 and four months andby comparison among the four group, metformin group was given a significant difference in BMI after 2months while no significant difference in BMI among groups after 4 months.In conclusion metformin alone gave the best change in BMI in short period with less side effect while forlong time, the administration of these three drugs together may lead to more desirable results
THE EFFECT OF PERCEIVED USEFULNESS OF ONLINE REVIEWS ON HOTEL BOOKING INTENTIONS

The growth of the Internet has enabled consumer-to-consumer interactions through online platforms where users share content and influence the purchase decisions of other consumers. The objective of this research is to identify the effect of perceived usefulness of online reviews on hotel booking intentions. The approach is quantitative, using a questionnaire to collect data from consumers who use online reviews before booking a hotel. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results showed the direct influence of perceived information usefulness on purchase intention
Exposure to Social Media Advertisements and Youth's Response

The major purpose of this study is to examine the effects of social media advertising on the purchase behaviour of young university students. The study employed an exploratory research design and cross-sectional survey technique. On the basis of a comprehensive literature review, research hypotheses were formulated to investigate the relationship between study variables. The primary data were collected using questionnaires from students of public sector universities operating in the city of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Non-probability and convenience sampling were adopted in the selection of target respondents, which were 283 students, both day-scholars and boarding students. The findings reveal that social media advertising affects the purchasing behaviour of social media users. The recommendations of the study are that the companies should concentrate more on promotional activities using social networks as this is more effective, less costly and accessible to a large number of target audiences.
CASR Expression Differs Between Secondary Hyperparathyroidism and Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Meng Yang (  mengyang7012@163.com ) China-Japan Friendship Hospital Yao Lu China-Japan Friendship Hospital Ling Zhang China-Japan Friendship Hospital Aiping Song China-Japan Friendship Hospital Honglei Zhang China-Japan Friendship Hospital Bo Pang Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Xin Li China Japan Friendship Institute of Clinical Medicine Research Jun Liu China-Japan Friendship Hospital Xiaoliang Sun China-Japan Friendship Hospital Haoyang Ji China-Japan Friendship Hospital Linping Huang China-Japan Friendship Hospital
Factors Hindering the Effective Application of User Knowledge in the Designing of New Home Healthcare Devices: Investigating Thirty-Eight Devices and Their Manufacturers

Background: This study explored the factors hindering the effective application of user knowledge in the designing of new Home Healthcare Device (HHCD), along with the interrelationships between the factors. The demand for HHCDs arises, however many HHCDs on the market are not designed to reflect the needs and features of the end-users. Methods: We first analysed the project documents of thirty-eight carefully selected HHCDs produced by five manufacturers. Then we interviewed in a total of thirty stakeholders who were involved in the development of these devices.Results: The use of insufficient user insights in HHCD development were mainly attributed to the four factors: (i) the user insights utilised in formulating project strategies and the designing of new devices; (ii) the sources of user information; (iii) the execution of user research; and (iv) the formulation of the manufacturers’ principal NPD processes.Conclusions: The users’ characteristics and needs were not sufficiently reflected within the device development processes, as the manufactures were in short of commitment and motivation in deploying formal user research. One root cause was that most of the projects were initiated following the requests from the public sector (the clients). In contrast, the end-users were perceived by the manufacturers as having little impact on the success of the devices. Actual or potential applications of this study include the facilitation of the appropriate application of human factors methods in the development of new HHCDs, and the improvement of the user performance of the end-devices.
Combination of Monocyte Human Leukocyte Antigen-DR and β-d-Glucan for the Early Diagnosis of Invasive Candida Infection in Critically Ill Patients: A Proof of Concept Study

Background: Precision medicine risk stratification is desperately needed to both avoid systemic antifungals treatment delay and over prescription in the critically ill with risk factors. The aim of the present study was to explore the combination of host immunoparalysis biomarker (monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR expression (mHLA-DR)) and Candida sp wall biomarker β-d-glucan in risk stratifying patients for secondary invasive Candida infection (ICI). Methods: Prospective observational study. Two intensive care units (ICU). All consecutive non-immunocompromised septic shock patients. Serial blood samples (n=286) were collected at day 0, 2 and 7 and mHLA-DR and β-d-glucan were assayed. Secondary invasive Candida sp infection occurrence were then followed. Results: Fifty patients were included, 42 (84%) had a Candida score equal or greater than 3 and 10 patients developed a secondary invasive Candida sp infection. ICU admission mHLA-DR expression and β-d-glucan (BDG) failed to predict secondary invasive Candida sp infection. Time-dependent cause-specific hazard ratio of ICI was 6.56[1.24-34.61] for mHLA-DR < 5000 Ab/c and 5.25[0.47-58.9] for BDG > 350pg/mL. Predictive negative value of mHLA-DR > 5000 Ab/c and BDG > 350 pg/mL combination at day 7 was 81% [95%CI 70-92]. Conclusion: This proof of concept study suggests that mHLA-DR predicts ICI in high risk patients with septic shock. The added value of BDG and other fungal tests should be regarded according to the host immune function markers. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03136081Take home message: Combination of monocytic HLA-DR expression and beta-D-glucan in patients hospitalized for septic shock failed to predict invasive candida infection but could be useful to rule out infection.
Correlation of Toluene Safe Concentration, Malondialdehyde and Glutathione Levels in Osowilangun Shoe Home Industry Workers

Introduction: Toluene is the main organic solvent found in adhesives used for shoe production in Osowilangun Shoes Home Industry. Exposure to toluene that exceeds the threshold value can cause the emergence of free radicals which eventually increase the concentration of malondialdehyde and reduce the concentration of glutathione in the body. The purpose of this research is to study the safe concentration of toluene with levels of malondialdehyde and glutathione in Osowilangun shoe home industry workers. Methods: This is an observational study using cross sectional design and quantitative approaches. There are 25 people were taken as sample by using accidental sampling technique. Data analysis used Pearson correlation test. Result: The average safe concentration value in this study was 1.1088 mg / m3 with an average value of malondialdehyde of 7,784 MU and glutathione of 35,655 μg / L. Pearson correlation test showed the safe concentration of toluene and malondialdehyde level was p=0.685 (p> 0.05), with relationship between safe concentrations of toluene and glutathione was p = 0.808 (p <0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that there was no significant relationship between toluene safe concentration and levels of malondialdehyde and glutathione.