Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Coronary Artery Disease on COVID-19—Prognosis and Risk Assessment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Simple Summary As of October 2021, over 245 million people have been infected and nearly 5 million have died due to COVID-19. Atherosclerosis is a lipid-driven chronic inflammation of the arterial wall with coronary artery disease (CAD) that may lead to acute coronary syndrome (ACS), which remains the main cause of death in developed countries. We believe that due to CAD development factors affecting the vessel wall, the SARS-CoV-2 infection may precipitate further advancement of future thromboembolic events by a plaque erosion or rupture. Therefore, this metanalysis aims to unambiguously establish the role of the history of CAD in mortality and severity of COVID-19 disease. Abstract Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Patients with pre-existing CAD were shown to have a more severe course of COVID-19, but this association has not been clarified. We performed a meta-analysis to determine the association between CAD and COVID-19 outcomes. We searched Scopus, Medline (PubMed), Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases up to 2 November 2021. There were 62 studies with a total population of 49,286 patients included in the meta-analysis. CAD occurrence in survivor vs. non-survivor groups varied and amounted to 9.2% vs. 22.9%, respectively (OR = 0.33; 95%CI: 0.29 to 0.39; I2 = 70%; p < 0.001). CAD was also associated with increased severity of COVID-19 disease and was (10.8% vs. 5.6%, respectively, for severe vs. non-severe groups (OR = 2.28; 95%CI: 1.59 to 3.27; I2 = 72%; p < 0.001). The role of history of CAD in mortality and severe condition in COVID-19 presents itself as prominent—although a risk of bias in retrospective trials needs to be assessed, in case of our meta-analysis the statistically significant results when it comes to higher mortality among patients with CAD compared to non-CAD patients, a more severe condition observed in patients with CAD, and a visibly more frequent admission to intensive care unit in patients with CAD, it seems that an incidence of cardiovascular events plays a role in COVID-19 prognosis.
Spatial pattern of tree diversity and impacts of ecological disturbances on forest structure in tropical deciduous forests of Central India

The study examined the spatial pattern of tree diversity, their population structure, regeneration status, and impacts of ecological disturbances on forest structure in 412 forested grids in tropical deciduous forests of Central India using the belt transect method. The study recorded a total of 123 tree species of which 48 (39%) were IUCN‐red listed, with species diversity and evenness indices of 3.41 and 0.71, respectively. Tree species richness ranged from 01 to 31 species with a mean of 10 species ±0.26 SE. The total tree density was moderate (228 ind. ha−1), and a significant (p < .05) weak positive correlation (r2 = .307) was observed with tree diversity. The highest density to the total tree population was contributed by seedlings (10,345 ind. ha−1) followed by saplings (3428 ind. ha−1) and adults (228 ind. ha−1), which indicated a good regeneration status of the tree populations in studied forested grids. On the contrary, grazing (53.2%) was the major recurrent ecological disturbance followed by fuelwood collection (23.1%), forest fire (20.6%), and NTFPs collection (19.4%). There is a significant impact of disturbance frequency (recurrent, occasional, or undisturbed) on tree species richness (F2,804 = 55.83, p < .001), density (F2,804 = 50.36, p < .001), and dominance (F2,804 = 11.14, p < .001). The vital baseline information gathered in this study will be helpful in formulating forest management strategies to conserve the highly diverse tropical deciduous forests in Central India.
Megaloblastic anemia in children from Eastern Odisha, India: A clinical and hematological profile analysis

Background: Anemia can have severe implications on the health of children including motor development, behavioral and cognitive development. Furthermore, morbidity from infectious disease is higher in anemic children. Nutritional anemia is a major concern in rural India. Aim and Objective: We aimed to observe the percentage of megaloblastic anemia among the anemic children and their clinical and hematological parameters. Materials and Methods: After obtaining permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee, this cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2018 to August 2021. The setting was a tertiary care hospital in the eastern part of Odisha, India. Children of 1–14 years of age presenting with anemia were included in the study. Details clinical examination and blood tests namely mean corpuscular volume, red blood cell count, total leucocyte count, and platelet count were carried out from venous blood. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted in STATA software version 15.1. Results: Among the total 150 anemic patients, the majority (126 [84%]) were in the 11–14 years of age group followed by 24 (16%) in 6–10 years of age (P < 0.0001). Girls were more (94 [62.7%]) than boys (56 [37.3%]), P < 0.0001. Anorexia was the most frequently encountered clinical symptom (99.3%) followed by pallor (94%), weakness (86%), fatigue (62%), and hyperpigmentation (37.4%). According to hemoglobin level, 40% were suffering from severe anemia, 38.7% was having moderate, and 21.3% was having mild anemia. The majority (74%) were having both Vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency followed by 16.7% Vitamin B12, and 9.3% folic acid deficiency. Conclusion: Girls were presenting with megaloblastic anemia more than boys. Majority of them were suffering from both Vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency. Children suffering from megaloblastic anemia present with anorexia, pallor, weakness, and fatigue. A proper health promotion program may be designed to aware the parents about the prevention of nutritional anemia.
Modulating Cognitive–Motor Multitasking with Commercial-off-the-Shelf Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation

One growing area of multitasking research involves a focus on performing cognitive and motor tasks in tandem. In these situations, increasing either cognitive or motor demands has implications for performance in both tasks, an effect which is thought to be due to competing neural resources. Separate research suggests that non-invasive brain stimulation may offer a means to mitigate performance decrements experienced during multitasking. In the present study, we investigated the degree to which a commercially available non-invasive brain stimulation device (Halo Sport) alters balance performance in the presence of different types of cognitive demands. Specifically, we tested if performing a secondary cognitive task impacts postural sway in healthy young adults and if we could mitigate this impact using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied over the primary motor cortex. Furthermore, we included conditions of unstable and stable surfaces and found that lower surface stability increased postural sway. In addition, we found that cognitive load impacted postural sway but in the opposite pattern we had anticipated, with higher sway found in the single-task control condition compared to executive function conditions. Finally, we found a small but significant effect of tDCS on balance with decreased sway for active (compared to sham) tDCS.
Big Data applied to criminal investigations: expectations of professionals of police cooperation in the European Union

ABSTRACT Big Data is seen as an increasingly important tool to support policing activities, define security governance policies and assist criminal investigations. Although significant literature has explored the predictive capabilities of Big Data, there has been less focus on the uses of Big Data in criminal investigations, focused on detection and apprehension that occur after a crime has been committed. This article aims to fill this gap through the lens of expectations of professionals involved in police cooperation in the European Union. Based upon a set of qualitative interviews, our analysis explores these professionals’ expectations for the application of Big Data techniques in criminal investigations by using DNA data held in national criminal DNA databases and, therefore, potentially increasing the interoperability between genetic and non-genetic data. Our results reveal a flexible repertoire of interpretation of the expectations for the uses of Big Data in criminal investigations and its associated potential risks and benefits. The perceived benefits relate to expectations for Big Data’s potential to advance cold cases and strengthen the interoperability of multiple datasets in ways that produce intelligence valuable for criminal investigations. Perceived risks concern the difficulties associated with investigating large sets of data, the potential for enforcing genetic discrimination, and threatening privacy and human rights.
Characteristic Properties of a Bamboo-Based Board Combined with Bamboo Veneers and Vacuum Heat-Treated Round Bamboo Sticks

In this study, a bamboo stick board with rotary-cut bamboo veneers was successfully fabricated. Additionally, vacuum heat (VH) treatment, which is a popular thermal modification method, was used to modify bamboo sticks. Therefore, the effects of different VH treatment temperatures on the dimensional stability and flexural properties of bamboo stick boards with and without bamboo veneers were investigated. For all boards, as the temperature increased to 220 °C, the thickness change rate and equilibrium moisture content decreased, and the flexural properties increased. The results exhibited that VH treatment improved the dimensional stability and flexural properties of the boards. Furthermore, the board with veneers had lower flexural properties and higher thickness swelling after water absorption than the board without veneers (BSB). The results indicated that bamboo veneer caused low flexural properties and high thickness swelling of the board compared to the BSB. However, the bamboo veneer played an aesthetic role in the appearance of the bamboo stick board.
THE USE OF INDONESIAN LOAN WORDS IN MUNA LANGUAGE (Penggunaan Kata-Kata Serapan Bahasa Indonesia dalam Bahasa Muna)

Artikel ini bertujuan untuk membahas penggunaaan kata-kata serapan bahasa Indonesia dalam bahasa Muna. Data dalam penelitian ini dikumpulkan melalui pengamatan, partisipasi, rekaman, catat, dan interpretasi. Data yang diperoleh kemudian dianalisis secara deskriptif dengan mengklasifikasi data yang dikumpul, menentukan kata-kata serapan, memformulasikan dan menjelaskan kata-kata serapan dan membuat kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa kata-kata serapan bahasa Indonesia dalam bahasa Muna selalu dipengaruhi oleh aspek fonologis atau perubahan bunyi. Karakteristik bahasa Muna sebagai bahasa vokalis menyebabkan semua silabel atau kata-kata pinjaman dari bahasa Indonesia ke bahasa Muna senantiasa menjadi silabel terbuka. Hal itu dapat terjadi melalui berbagai perubahan, seperti penambahan dan penghilangan konsonan, penambahan vokal, dan pemecahan kluster atau gugus konsonan.This article aims at discussing the use of Indonesian loan words in the Muna language. The data were collected through observation, participation, recording, noting, and interpretation. The data were then analyzed descriptively by classifying the gathered data, indicating the word classes, formulating and describing loan words, and making a conclusion. The result of this study showed that Indonesian loan words in the Muna language are mostly affected by phonological aspects or sound changes. Muna language's characteristics as vocalist language bring all loan words from Indonesian into Muna language always become open syllable. It occurs both by adding or deleting one of the consonants, adding or inserting vocals, and breaking cluster or consonant cluster.
Knowledge, Attitude and Perception of Pharmacy Students towards Pharmacogenomics and Genetics: An Observational Study from King Saud University

Pharmacists are considered among the most accessible healthcare workers in fundamental positions to implement new clinical initiatives, such as pharmacogenomics services. The scope of pharmacogenomics in improving health outcomes and the quality of health care is well-known. Implementation of such initiatives requires adequate knowledge, perception, and positive attitudes among pharmacists. A study was conducted on pharmacy students at King Saud University in Riyadh to analyze their attitudes, knowledge, and perceptions concerning pharmacogenomics to explore the feasibility of establishing full-time pharmacogenomics instruction and services. A cross-sectional study was carried out in one of the significant pharmacy schools of Saudi Arabia, using a simple questionnaire-based survey in pharmacy students pursuing Bpharm and PharmD courses to obtain preliminary information about pharmacogenomics among the surveyed population. The study’s secondary objective was to determine the perceived belief about pharmacogenomics implementation in clinical practice. Out of the total of 552 participants, 41.8% correctly defined pharmacogenomics and 81.3% understood that genetic change could lead to adverse reactions. More than half of the participants agreed that the FDA recommends pharmacogenomics testing for certain drugs. The knowledge about a year of use of pharmacogenomics in clinical practice was found to be very low; only 15.2% could correctly answer. Only 60% of students agreed on pharmacogenomics testing for selecting the therapy with the most negligible adverse effects. Due to the limited knowledge about and understanding of pharmacogenomics, there is a lack of interest among pharmacy students in implementing pharmacogenomics testing in clinical practice. Our study highlights the need for improving pharmacy students’ knowledge about pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetics so that the implementation of pharmacogenomics testing in clinical practice will become easier. There is a need to introduce an up-to-date curriculum for pharmacy courses other pharmacogenomics-based health education programs in Saudi Arabia.
Distribution and Frequency of ABO and Rhesus (D) Blood Groups in Somalia: A Retrospective Study on Students of Jazeera University, Mogadishu-Somalia

Background There are differences in the distribution and frequency of ABO and D blood groups in different populations of the world. Relatively very little information is available about blood group distributions in the Somali population. Objectives: To identify the distribution and frequency of ABO and D blood groups among the Somali people. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study of 1811 enrolled students of Jazeera University was conducted in Jazeera University diagnosis and research center, Mogadishu-Somalia from December 2017 to December 2020. The result was presented as the frequency of each blood group with percentage. A Fisher's exact test was carried out to test the significant association of the ABO blood group with sex and D antigen with sex. Results Blood group O was the most prevalent (61%), followed by A (27%), B (10%), and AB (2%). The D-antigen was present in 97% of participants and 3% were D-negative. The distribution of O+, A+, B+, AB+ among D-positive subjects were 62%, 27%, 9% and 2.0% while that of O-, A-, B- and AB- among D-negative subjects were 57%, 27%, 12% and 3%, respectively. The frequencies of ABO and D-antigens in both male and female subjects were O > A > B > AB. However, this study found no significant difference of ABO with Sex and D-antigens with sex (P-value>0.05). Conclusions The frequency of ABO and D blood groups among the Somalia population was found to be O > A > B > AB which was similar to those reported from most East African populations.
Contribution of the STAT Family of Transcription Factors to the Expression of the Serotonin 2B (HTR2B) Receptor in Human Uveal Melanoma

Uveal melanoma (UM) remains the most common intraocular malignancy among diseases affecting the adult eye. The primary tumor disseminates to the liver in half of patients and leads to a 6 to 12-month survival rate, making UM a particularly aggressive type of cancer. Genomic analyses have led to the development of gene-expression profiles that can efficiently predict metastatic progression. Among these genes, that encoding the serotonin receptor 2B (HTR2B) represents the most discriminant from this molecular signature, its aberrant expression being the hallmark of UM metastatic progression. Recent evidence suggests that expression of HTR2B might be regulated through the Janus kinase/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription proteins (JAK/STAT) intracellular signalization pathway. However, little is actually known about the molecular mechanisms involved in the abnormally elevated expression of the HTR2B gene in metastatic UM and whether activated STAT proteins participates to this mechanism. In this study, we determined the pattern of STAT family members expressed in both primary tumors and UM cell-lines, and evaluated their contribution to HTR2B gene expression. Examination of the HTR2B promoter sequence revealed the presence of a STAT putative target site (5′-TTC (N)3 GAA3′) located 280 bp upstream of the mRNA start site that is completely identical to the high affinity binding site recognized by these TFs. Gene profiling on microarrays provided evidence that metastatic UM cell lines with high levels of HTR2B also express high levels of STAT proteins whereas low levels of these TFs are observed in non-metastatic UM cells with low levels of HTR2B, suggesting that STAT proteins contribute to HTR2B gene expression in UM cells. All UM cell lines tested were found to express their own pattern of STAT proteins in Western blot analyses. Furthermore, T142 and T143 UM cells responded to interleukins IL-4 and IL-6 by increasing the phosphorylation status of STAT1. Most of all, expression of HTR2B also considerably increased in response to both IL-4 and IL-6 therefore providing evidence that HTR2B gene expression is modulated by STAT proteins in UM cells. The binding of STAT proteins to the −280 HTR2B/STAT site was also demonstrated by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) analyses and site-directed mutation of that STAT site also abolished both IL-4 and IL-6 responsiveness in in vitro transfection analyses. The results of this study therefore demonstrate that members from the STAT family of TFs positively contribute to the expression of HTR2B in uveal melanoma.
The Use of Chitosan and Starch-Based Flocculants for Filter Backwash Water Treatment

Inorganic aluminum or iron salts supported with synthetic polymers are commonly used to eradicate colloidal particles from water in coagulation and flocculation processes. Nevertheless, these agents have several disadvantages, such as large volumes of sludge produced or environmental toxicity. Recently biodegradable polymers have been suggested as eco-friendly flocculants for water treatment. This study aimed to investigate the possibilities of using starch and chitosan and their oxidized derivatives as flocculants for filter backwash water treatment. Dialdehyde starch (DST) and dialdehyde chitosan (DCT) were synthesized by periodate oxidization of natural starch from corn and low molecular weight chitosan. The obtained materials have been characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Furthermore, we studied the flocculation properties of polysaccharide flocculants in a series of jar tests. The effectiveness of chitosan and starched-based flocculants was compared to synthetic polymers commonly used to treat iron ions-rich filter backwash water. The environmental aspects of these chemicals, particularly the biodegradability of post-flocculation residues, were also addressed. It was found that oxidized starch and chitosan derivatives can be used as ecological flocculating materials to treat potable water or sludge.
Clinical Management of Thrombotic Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Thrombotic manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome are often a therapeutic dilemma and challenge. Despite our increasing knowledge of this relatively new disease, many issues remain widely unknown and controversial. In this review, we summarise the latest literature and guidelines on the management of thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome. These include the laboratory assays involved in antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) testing, the use of direct oral anticoagulants in secondary prevention, management of recurrent thrombosis, individuals with isolated aPL, and catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome. Treatment aims to prevent the potentially fatal and often disabling complications of APS with antithrombotic and cardiovascular risks prevention strategies. Some insights and updates on topical issues in APS are provided. We also include our current practice, which we believe is the pragmatic approach based on the currently available evidence.
Effect of oral irrigation device and its solution type on the surface roughness and topography of Bulk-fill composite resins

Background Surface roughness and topography of composite resin materials have a significant role in biofilm aggregation, periodontitis, and recurrent caries. The present study evaluated the effect of the Waterpik oral irrigation device (OID) with different solution [water/ chlorhexidine (CHX)] on the surface roughness and topography of microhybrid (x-tra fil) and nanohybrid (Tetric N-Ceram Bulk) bulk-fill composite resins. Material and Methods Disk-shaped samples were prepared from each composite resin, measuring 5 mm in diameter and 3 mm in height, and assigned to three groups in terms of treatment (n=19): group A, control (storage in distilled water); group B, OID with water; group C, OID with 0.5% CHX. The samples were treated for eight weeks, simulating one-year use of OID. Profilometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to evaluate and compare quantitatively surface roughness (Ra) and qualitative topography of composite resin surfaces before and after treatment. The data were analyzed with paired-samples, Wilcoxon, and generalized estimating equations tests (α=0.05). Results The application of OID increased the Ra of composite resin compared to the control group (P<0.001). No significant difference was detected between the two solutions (water and CHX) (P=0.615). The effect of composite resin type and the cumulative effect of composite resin type and OID solution were not significant on the surface roughness changes of the samples (P=0.243 and P=0.464, respectively). Conclusions OID with water and CHX solutions increased the surface roughness and topographic changes of microhybrid and nanohybrid bulk-fill composite resins. Key words:Composite resins, irrigation, mouthrinse, surface roughness, topography.