Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characteristic analysis of intraocular hypertension in patients with high myopia after vitrectomy combined with silicone oil tamponade

Aim: To examine the characteristics and outcomes of intraocular hypertension in patients with high myopia following vitrectomy combined with silicone oil tamponade, while also analyzing the correlated risk factors. Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 98 patients (98 eyes) diagnosed with high myopia rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) who received their initial pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) procedure combined with silicone oil tamponade at Hebei Eye Hospital between October 2020 and November 2022 were included. In all cases, all the affected eyes received 25G standard three-channel PPV through the �at part of the ciliary body, and the retina of the affected eyes was back in place after surgery. The basic information of the patient, such as gender, eye type, diopter, and extent of net detachment were duly documented after surgery. Following the surgical procedure, a series of standard assessments were conducted, including routine visual acuity examination, anterior segment examination using a slit-lamp indirect ophthalmoscopy, and fundus examination using slit lamp indirect ophthalmoscopy. The measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) was performed on a daily basis for a duration of one week following the surgical procedure. After that, outpatient follow-up appointments were scheduled on a monthly basis to assess IOP and conduct fundus examination using slit lamp indirect ophthalmoscopy. A minimum follow-up period of 6 months was conducted for all patients subsequent to their surgical procedures. Initially, a univariate analysis was performed to examine relevant factors, followed by a multivariate Logistic regression analysis to assess variables that had statistical signi�cance. Results:
D-dimer, Fibrinogen and Tumor Marker Levels in Patients with benign and Malignant Ovarian Tumors

Limited studies have investigated the differences between the levels of plasma coagulants and tumor markers in ovarian cancer. Therefore, we conducted this study to determine and compare the level of coagulation, fibrinolysis and tumor markers in patients with benign and malignant ovarian tumors. This cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2022 and February 2023 in Imam Hossein Hospital on patients with ovarian mass. Laboratory tests included platelet count, PT, INR, PTT, fibrinogen and D-dimer were sent to the pathology laboratory to be examined by a pathologist. Based on histopathology, patients were divided into benign, borderline and malignant groups. Logistic regression was used for determine predictors of malignancy. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves and their corresponding 95% CI were determined for the predictor value of the full model. From 141 investigated patients, tumor type in 124 (87.94%) patients were benign, in 12 (8.51%) was malignant and in 5 (3.55%) was borderline. D-dimer, Ca-125 and HE4 were significantly higher in the patients with malignant tumor type (P<0.001), whereas AFP was significantly higher in patients with borderline tumor type (P<0.001). With one-unit increase in D-dimer odds of borderline/malignant tumor 0.3% increases (OR=1.003, 95% CI: 1.001, 1.006) and with one-unit increase in Ca-125 odds of borderline/malignant tumor 1% increases (OR=1.01, 95% CI: 1.003, 1.02). We found that plasma fibrinogen, D-dimer and Ca-125 levels are independently associated with malignant ovarian tumors and combined use of these markers has the high discriminant power for distinction of benign and malignant ovarian masses.
Multiblock Mortar Mixed Approach for Second Order Parabolic Problems

In this paper, the multiblock mortar mixed approximation of second order parabolic partial differential equations is considered. In this method, the simulation domain is decomposed into the non-overlapping subdomains (blocks), and a physically-meaningful boundary condition is set on the mortar interface between the blocks. The governing equations hold locally on each subdomain region. The local problems on blocks are coupled by introducing a special approximation space on the interfaces of neighboring subdomains. Each block is locally covered by an independent grid and the standard mixed finite element method is applied to solve the local problem. The unique solvability of the discrete problem is shown, and optimal order convergence rates are established for the approximate velocity and pressure on the subdomain. Furthermore, an error estimate for the interface pressure in mortar space is presented. The numerical experiments are presented to validate the efficiency of the method.
Morphological and Metabolic Criteria of COVID-19 Vaccine Associated Axillary Nodes on 18-Fluorodeouxyglucose PET/CT Imaging in Breast Cancer Patients

Background: In the current era vaccine-associated lymphadenopathy (VAL) is not an uncommon presentation on 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations in patients inoculated with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. In this study, we are presenting data of VAL on 18F-FDG PET/CT regarding its prevalence, temporal response to vaccination and imaging characteristics of VAL. Methods: Seventy-eight (78) consecutive vaccinated breast cancer (BC) patients who had 18FDG PET/CT were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had COVID-19 vaccine shots in contralateral arms and none in breast cancer site axilla (BSA). In 35 patients 18FDG avid nodes were found in vaccine site axilla (VSA). In 25 patients 18FDG avid nodes were found in BSA. Morphological criteria on CT images like size, presence of fatty hila and fat stranding of axillary nodes were analyzed. Metabolic criteria on PET images like SUVmax of nodes and liver as reference were also measured. Results: Out of 78 patients, 35 had positive nodes in VSA (45% prevalence) and 25/78 had BSA (33% prevalence). Mean duration of COVID-19 vaccination in each group was 8 ±04 week (non-significant p-value). On CT images, 18FDG avid nodes in VSA were significantly smaller (10 ± 03 mm) and with intact fatty hila without fat stranding than nodes in BSA with loss of fatty hila (25 ±10 mm; p <0.0001). Mean SUVmax of nodes in VSA was significantly lower (2.4 ±1.1) than nodes in BSA (10.2 ±5.5 – p-value <0.0001). Nodes in VSA showed a significant positive linear correlation between size and SUVmax (p-value 0.00001). Similarly, nodes in VSA showed a significant negative linear correlation between duration and SUVmax (p-value 0.00003). In VSA group, 03 patients having SUVmax >2 SD of Hepatic SUVmax were subjected to ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) and turned out to be metastatic in nature. Conclusion: In COVID-19 vaccinated patients with BC, 18FDG avid nodes in VSA may pose diagnostic challenge. However, morphological (size < 10 mm short axis, intact fatty hila without fat stranding) and metabolic criteria (SUVmax <2.4 with negative correlation with time of inoculation) have higher diagnostic accuracy in resolving the dilemma. Nodes in VSA having SUVmax > 2 SD of hepatic SUVmax should be considered for FNA to rule out possible metastasis.
The Variability of Lunar Mare Basalt Properties from Surface Rock Abundance

We use the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment surface rock abundance data set to investigate how rock content changes with surface age in the maria. We find that surface rock abundance decreases with unit age as expected for a thickening regolith, but age alone cannot explain most of the observed regional variability in rock abundance. We propose that this additional variability is primarily caused by differences in the initial mare basalt properties such that some flows break down more readily than others. We calculate the best-fit relationship between the surface rock abundance and unit age and investigate the regional variability in the residual errors of this fit. Relative to this best-fit relationship, we find that Mare Humorum and parts of Oceanus Procellarum are anomalously rocky, and Mare Australe is rock-poor for its age. These regional differences, which cannot be explained by unit age, are likely due to variability in the initial properties of mare basalts.
Nexus between energy efficiency, green investment, urbanization and environmental quality: Evidence from MENA region

Environmental protection holds a paramount position in the pursuit of sustainable development. The existing body of literature has extensively examined various driving forces for environmental enhancement, including renewable energy sources, innovation, and governmental interventions. This study aims to assess the impact of green investment, energy efficiency, and urbanization on achieving environmental sustainability in the MENA region during the period 2004–2019. A comprehensive set of econometric tools has been employed to achieve this goal, including the CADF and CIPS panel unit root tests, error correction-based panel cointegration analysis, Cross-sectional ARDL, and asymmetric ARDL models. The key findings of this research are as follows: Cross-sectional dependency and homogeneity tests demonstrated that the research units shared common dynamics and heterogeneity properties. The stationarity tests based on CIPS and CADF indicated that all variables became stationary after the first differencing. The panel cointegration analysis established a long-term relationship between green investment (GI), energy efficiency (EE), urbanization (UR), and environmental sustainability (ES) in MENA nations. Empirical model estimations using Cross-sectional ARDL revealed significant contributions of GI, EE, and UR to ES in the long and short run. The asymmetry assessment uncovered a nonlinear relationship between the explanatory and dependent variables, both in the long and short run. Specifically, the asymmetric coefficients of GI, EE, and UR displayed negative statistical significance at the 1% level, highlighting their significant roles in promoting environmental sustainability. In light of these findings, this study provides valuable insights for policymakers to formulate strategies to further environmental sustainability in the MENA region.
Protective Effects of Chia Seeds and Omega-3 Fatty Acid against Cyclophosphamide-Induced Oligospermia in Male Wistar Rats: Potential Risks of Adverse Drug Interaction with Chia Seeds

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether chia (Salvia hispanica) seeds, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins with antioxidant properties, can mitigate the negative effects on male reproductive function caused by cyclophosphamide, a frequently used chemotherapeutic agent. Methods: Male wistar rats are divided into seven groups (n=6). All groups except the normal control (NC) received cyclophosphamide (30mg/kg, i.p.) for the first 5 days. The standard group received clomiphene citrate (0.25 mg/kg, p.o.). Treatment groups T1%, T5%, T10%, and ω-3 received 1%, 5%, and 10% chia seeds in the diet, and 880 mg/kg omega-3 fatty acid (p.o) respectively for 15 days. The effect on the reproductive system was evaluated by analysis of epididymal sperm characteristics, biochemical parameters, and serum testosterone level. Results: Clomiphene citrate improved oligospermia via hormone mediated effect. Chia seeds and omega-3 fatty acid treatment also showed improvement in reproductive parameters including oxidative stress and histological features of the testes. Omega-3 fatty acid treatment was more effective for the prevention of cyclophosphamide toxicity on testes as compared to chia seeds. Nasal bleeding was noted in several animals subjected to chia seed treatment. This occurrence might be attributed to chia seeds’ impact on coagulation and/or platelet function, potentially heightened due to chemotherapy associated bone marrow suppression. Conclusions: In our study, chia seeds as well as omega-3 fatty acid treatment were found to be protective against cyclophosphamide-induced reproductive toxicity in rats. However, the adverse effect of hemorrhage associated with drug interaction of chia seeds with cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs needs careful attention and further investigation.
Fluctuations of antibody serum titers for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in naturally infected crossbred cows during gestation

Abstract This study aimed to assess the fluctuations of antibody serum titers for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in naturally infected crossbred cows during gestation and to investigate transplacental transmission of T. gondii; 51 cows were monitored during pregnancy by monthly serologic testing by indirect fluorescent antibody test. 33 cows were seronegative for both N. caninum and T. gondii, 10 were seropositive only for N. caninum, 5 were seropositive only for T. gondii, and 3 were seropositive for both N. caninum and T. gondii. In both protozoan infections, great variation in antibody levels in pregnant cows was observed, and there was significant increase (p<0.05) in the comparison between the averages of serological titration per trimester. There was a significant correlation (p<0.05) between month and probability of seropositivity for T. gondii. We conclude that pregnancy influences antibody titers of crossbred cows naturally infected with N. caninum and/or T. gondii, and that serologic testing for T. gondii in pregnant cows from the sixth month of gestation onward may decrease the number of false negative results.
Healthcare users' knowledge and experiences regarding the management of scabies in the Deder district, Ethiopia

Background. Scabies is an ectoparasitic, highly contagious skin disease caused by a human itch mite infestation of the skin, and it is the leading cause of morbidity and disease burden in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to investigate healthcare users' current knowledge and experiences with scabies management provided at primary healthcare facilities. Materials and Methods. A qualitative research design was used to address the research objectives. Focus group interviews with 58 health care users were used to collect data. Thematic analysis was performed on the verbatim transcriptions using Tesch's approach. Results. The findings showed that the knowledge of healthcare users who participated in the study on scabies, its management, prevention, and control was limited. Health care users experience different challenges regarding scabies and the management thereof. Five themes emerged after data analysis. These were knowledge regarding scabies, knowledge regarding the management of scabies, knowledge regarding the prevention of scabies, perceptions regarding receiving treatment for scabies, and recommendations regarding the availability of materials and medication. Conclusions. Healthcare users in the area had limited knowledge and experienced different challenges regarding scabies and their management. These challenges contribute to low-quality health services with undesirable health outcomes. To narrow this gap, consistent and programed health education was provided to the community through different modalities by using the existing health system to increase awareness regarding scabies. Following the implementation of community awareness, each community member was positioned to prevent and control scabies.
Isotretinoin Use and Liver Enzymes Changes: A Single-Center Study in Saudi Arabia

Introduction Isotretinoin is a bioactive retinoic acid variant that is taken orally to treat moderate to severe acne vulgaris. One of the adverse effects of isotretinoin is elevated liver enzymes. This study estimated the prevalence of liver enzyme changes during isotretinoin use among dermatology clinic patients in Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods This study was a retrospective analysis that reviewed the medical data of 97 patients with acne at the King Faisal University Polyclinic who were taking systemic isotretinoin. It determined the baseline, second, and last readings of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Among the 97 patients, 67 (69.1%) were female and 30 (30.9%) were male. Results Of the patients, 41 (50.6%) weighed 51-70 kg, and 45 (46.4%) were 21-23 years old. The age of acne onset was 20 years or younger. Most patients had a starting isotretinoin dose of 10-20 mg and an ending dose of 30-40 mg over six months. Ninety (92.8%) patients had not used isotretinoin in the past. Before treatment, AST was elevated in three (3.1%) patients, and ALT was elevated in two (2.1%) patients. In the last readings, AST was elevated in eight (8.2%) patients, and ALT was elevated in four (4.1%) patients. Conclusion The result of this study indicates that the incidence of high levels of AST and ALT with oral isotretinoin was low. So frequent laboratory monitoring is not recommended since the elevation was not associated with any morbidity and carries financial and emotional burdens. An exception is patients with higher body weight, males, and those whose acne started at age 16-19, in whom frequent monitoring may be considered for AST more than ALT.
Geology and kinematics of the Niuafo'ou microplate in the northern Lau Basin

We present a revised three‐plate kinematic model for the Lau Basin, focusing on new interpretations of the geologic characteristics of the Niuafo'ou microplate boundaries. It builds upon the three‐plate model by Zellmer and Taylor (2001) while resolving some geologic discrepancies in that model. Along the southern branch of the Mangatolu Triple Junction and the Fonualei Rift and Spreading Center, which together form the Niuafo'ou‐Tonga plate boundary, our model predicts slow to ultraslow opening rates (~32–8 mm/yr southward), consistent with axial morphology and magnetic profile modeling. Our interpretation of the seafloor magnetization pattern and flank morphology along the Central Lau Spreading Center (CLSC) indicates that opening rates along the Australia‐Niuafo'ou boundary are higher than predicted in the previous model, thus compensating for slower rates along the Niuafo'ou‐Tonga boundary. Lastly, we show geologic evidence that Peggy Ridge (PR), interpreted previously as an active transform fault and therefore a strong azimuthal constraint on Niuafo'ou plate motion, is inactive and that the active plate boundary is the adjacent Lau Extensional Transform Zone, extending from the CLSC to its intersection with the Northwest Lau Spreading Center. The removal of the PR azimuthal constraint allows us to determine an Euler pole for Australia‐Niuafo'ou opening that satisfies three‐plate closure criterion and develop a geologically consistent model of Lau Basin kinematics. While the final model focuses on constraining current plate velocities assuming rigid plate Eulerian rotations, the geologic analyses presented herein also provide insight into long‐term basin evolution, which appears to involve significant nonrigid plate kinematics.
Cannabis Use Differences Among Sexual Minority Versus Heterosexual Females and Males in Oklahoma: The Roles of Mental Health, Cannabis Perceptions, and Cannabis Marketing Exposure

Introduction: Despite the high cannabis use rates among sexual minority (SM) individuals, less research has examined factors related to cannabis use among SM (vs. heterosexual) individuals, especially in places with legal medical cannabis retail markets and high structural stigma, like Oklahoma. Methods: Data were from a survey of Oklahoma adults, including 3020 females (18.6% SM) and 2279 males (10.1% SM). Bivariate analyses examined associations of sexual identity with cannabis-related factors (i.e., perceived harm, positive attitudes, marketing exposure, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms) and cannabis use and use severity (i.e., past 30-day use, daily/near-daily use, cannabis use disorder [CUD] symptoms). Logistic regression examined associations of sexual identity and cannabis-related factors with cannabis use and use severity among females and males, separately. Results: SM (vs. heterosexual) females reported greater odds of past 30-day cannabis use and daily/near-daily use, lower harm perceptions, greater marketing exposure, and higher rates of depressive/anxiety symptoms. Lower harm perceptions and greater marketing exposure were associated with greater odds of past 30-day use, whereas marketing exposure was associated with greater odds of daily/near-daily use. SM (vs. heterosexual) males reported greater odds of daily/near-daily use and higher rates of depressive/anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: SM (vs. heterosexual) females reported higher rates of cannabis use, whereas SM (vs. heterosexual) females and males reported higher rates of daily/near-daily cannabis use. Potential targets for cannabis-related health campaigns aimed at reducing use differences include correcting misinterpretations of harm that may emanate from cannabis marketing efforts among females and addressing depressive symptoms among males.
Utilization of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Among West Virginia Medicaid Enrollees Following Medicaid Coverage of Methadone

Background: West Virginia entered an institution for mental disease Section 1115 waiver with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in 2018, which allowed Medicaid to cover methadone at West Virginia’s nine opioid treatment programs (OTPs) for the first time. Methods: We conducted time trend and geospatial analyses of Medicaid enrollees between 2016 and 2019 to examine medications for opioid use disorder utilization patterns following Medicaid coverage of methadone, focusing on distance to an OTP as a predictor of initiating methadone and conditional on receiving any, longer treatment duration. Results: Following Medicaid coverage of methadone in 2018, patients receiving methadone comprised 9.5% of all Medicaid enrollees with an opioid use disorder (OUD) diagnosis and 10.6% in 2019 (P < 0.01). In 2018, two-thirds of methadone patients either had no prior OUD diagnosis or were not previously enrolled in Medicaid in our observation period. Patients residing within 20 miles of an OTP were more likely to receive methadone (marginal effect [ME]: −0.041, P < 0.001). Similarly, patients residing in metropolitan areas were more likely to receive treatment than those residing in nonmetropolitan areas (ME: −0.019, P < 0.05). Metropolitan patients traveled an average of 15 miles to an OTP; nonmetropolitan patients traveled more than twice as far (P < 0.001). We found no significant association between distance and treatment duration. Conclusions: West Virginia Medicaid’s new methadone coverage was associated with an influx of new enrollees with OUD, many of whom had no previous OUD diagnosis or prior Medicaid enrollment. Methadone patients frequently traveled far distances for treatment, suggesting that the state needs additional OTPs and innovative methadone delivery models to improve availability.