Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activity test of crude extracts of invasive plants Ageratina adenophora and Ipomoea carnea ssp. fistulosa against human pathogenic bacteria

The aqueous (distilled water) and alcoholic (methanol) crude extract from the leaves of invasive alien plant species Ageratina adenophora and Ipomoea carnea ssp. fistulosa were evaluated against six human pathogenic bacteria, three Gram negative: Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) , Klebsiella pneumoniaea (ATCC 15380) and Proteus mirabilis (ATCC 49132) and three Gram positive: Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) using disc diffusion method. Different concentrations of plant extracts (50 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, 150 mg/ml, 200 mg/ml and 250 mg/ml) were applied and diameter of zone of inhibition (ZOI) of bacterial growth were recorded. Both plant extracts showed antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Methanolic extract of plant extracts exhibited good activity against tested bacteria when compared to aqueous extract. Among tested plants I. carnea ssp . fistula was more active than A. adenophora . The zone of inhibition of bacterial growth increased with increasing concentrations. The demonstration of activity against all these organisms had shown that both alien invasive species; Ageratina adenophora and Ipomoea carnea ssp. fistulosa. can be used to produce raw materials/substances for further development of diverse antibiotics with broad spectrum of activity.
Haidt et al.’s case for moral pluralism revisited

ABSTRACT Recent work in moral psychology, claiming to show that human beings make moral judgments on the basis of multiple, divergent moral foundations, has been influential in both moral psychology and moral philosophy. Primarily, such work has been taken to undermine monistic moral theories, especially those pertaining to the prevention of harm. Here, I call into question one of the most prominent and influential empirical cases for moral pluralism, namely that of Jonathan Haidt and his colleagues. I argue that Haidt et al.’s argument is not as strong as it is often made out to be, given significant problems with the design of one of the key experiments used to ground the claim that there are divergent moral foundations across cultures. The flaws that I point out pose a significant challenge to Haidt et al.’s findings, and they have a detrimental impact on subsequent work based on this immensely influential experiment. Accordingly, I argue that both empirical and normative claims made on the basis of Haidt et al.’s findings should be treated with caution. I conclude by suggesting how some of these problems might be addressed.
Expressive writing in school children: Effects on well-being and working memory

This study examines the benefits of an expressive writing intervention in 5th graders on well-being – anxiety and depression symptoms – and on working memory capacity. A classical paradigm of expressive writing was used in school children during their classroom time: half of the participants had to write about stressful and negative events of their own lives, whereas the other half had to write about a normal school day. Children were asked to write four times in two weeks, resulting in four days of writing. Each group completed questionnaires yielding measures of depression, anxiety, and working memory 3 times: before the intervention, just after the writing sessions and two months after following the intervention. The narratives were analyzed using Emotaix-Tropes software. The results revealed that all the children showed a decrease in depression and anxiety symptoms. By contrast, only children in the expressive writing group showed working memory improvement. The potential benefits of emotional disclosure in school children are discussed. While there are several possible explanations for these findings, the results of this study indicate, first, that expressive writing seems to be both feasible and potentially valuable for school children, and second, that some cognitive changes occur in terms of cognitive functioning.
HIV/AIDS Collaborative Governance and the Role of an Annual Retreat in Fostering Health Services: The Palm Beach County Experience

The complex HIV/AIDS conundrum calls for innovative approaches to tackle associated challenges. The multifaceted nature of the problem and the enormous burden on various sectors of a country’s economy warrant a cross-sector stakeholders’ engagement for effective and sustainable solutions. This research examines the use of an annual retreat involving interviews of key stakeholders involved in health services CARE Council as an avenue for collaborative governance within a local system context in the fight against the epidemic. The results highlight how inclusive and strategic preparation can result in judicious allocation priorities for various service categories. The results also convey how relevant capacities and competencies are jointly developed through creative inputs, outputs and/or outcomes to target populations. The apparent role of facilitative leadership and the embrace of cultural humility promote mutual commitment among the stakeholders toward purposeful ends. The case represents the viability of collaborative governance as a feasible postmodern alternative to mainstream governance and service delivery to various publics, especially in this contemporary era of complexity and volatility. Keywords: Health Services, HIV/AIDS, Annual Retreat, Target Populations, CARE Act, Collaborative Governance. DOI : 10.7176/JESD/10-22-08 Publication date: November 30 th 2019
Potential Cost Avoidance of Adverse Drug Reactions Prevention in Outpatient Pharmacy Department Ramathibodi Hospital Thailand

Pharmacists’ intervention in hospital setting is very beneficial both in patients’ clinical outcomeand economic aspect, in terms of cost avoidance due to adverse drug reactions. This study was conductedto calculate cost avoidance of adverse drug reactions (ADR) prevention in outpatient pharmacydepartment in Ramathibodi Hospital Thailand. A retrospective database review of hospital pharmacyinterventions preventing adverse drug reaction was conducted at second floor pharmacy unit, Somdech-PhraDebaratana Medical Center, Ramathibodi hospital between 1 July 2013 and 31 December 2013. Potentialcost avoidance of ADR was calculated using diagnosis-related groups (DRG’s) data. Results showedthat the detection of ADR was 0.239%. The most frequent ADR came from Penicillin group was accountedfor 32.4% of total case. The estimated cost avoidance generated during July-December 2013 was ThaiBaht (THB) 592,320 to THB 1,257,428 (USD 19,278 to USD 40,925, value 2013). It can be concludedthat hospital pharmacists positively impacted on economic benefit of patients by providing ADR detection.More complete data are needed to get a better results of a real cost avoidance of ADR prevention.
Exchange rate volatility and industrial output growth in Nigeria

Abstract Aim/purpose – This paper examines the relationship between exchange rate volatility and industrial output growth in Nigeria. In spite of the massive revenue emanating from oil wealth, Nigeria has wallowed in intergenerational poverty due to the inability to grow its industrial sector. The dilemma of exchange rate allowed growth of the industrial sector to become enormous. As such, this paper attempts a quantitative analysis of industrial output growth in Nigeria as predicted by an exchange rate volatility using a time series data from the exchange rate and the industry value added from 1986 through 2017. Design/methodology/approach – This paper adopts a quantitative analysis of exchange rate volatility as a predictor of changes in industrial output in Nigeria. Monthly Data on exchange rate from 1986 through 2017 were first analysed to show for their clustering behaviour. Thus, ascertaining whether they are volatile or not. The study employs AR(k)-EGARCH(p,q) models for the calculation of volatility in the growth rate of nominal exchange rates. Then the paper adopts the Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag Approach to account for the long-run and short-run dynamics of industrial output in Nigeria as induced by volatility in the exchange rate for different regimes under the scope. Findings – The findings reveal that the real exchange rate volatility determines industrial production as well as availability of foreign exchange increments arising from the various export drives contributing tremendously to the increase in the industrial output in Nigeria. It is further revealed that the capacity utilisation ratio was low. Research implications/limitations – Established evidence of low capacity utilisation may be due to the epileptic power supply, inadequate technological know-how. As such, the government should maintain a flexible exchange rate system to maximally harness the benefits of growth emanating from the industrial sector. Originality/value/contribution – The paper specifically offers an experimental proof to the underlying relationship between industrial output and exchange rate volatility in Nigeria. Previous studies reviewed in the literature have mostly focused on the growth effect of the exchange rate neglecting the important nexus it shares with the industrial sector (a bedrock of sustainable development).
Effects of nano-engineered surfaces on osteoblast adhesion, growth, differentiation, and apoptosis

Modifying implant surfaces to improve their biocompatibility by enhancing osteoblast activation, growth, differentiation, and induction of greater bone formation with stronger attachments should result in improved outcomes for total joint replacement surgeries. This study tested the hypothesis that nano-structured surfaces, produced by the ion beam-assisted deposition method, enhance osteoblast adhesion, growth, differentiation, bone formation, and maturation. The ion beam-assisted deposition technique was employed to deposit zirconium oxide films on glass substrates. The effects of the ion beam-assisted deposition technique on cellular functions were investigated by comparing adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of the human osteosarcoma cell line SAOS-2 on coated versus uncoated surfaces. Ion beam-assisted deposition nano-coatings enhanced initial cell adhesion assessed by the number of 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole–stained nuclei on zirconium oxide nano-coated surfaces compared to glass surfaces. This nano-modification also increased cell proliferation as measured by mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity. Moreover, the ion beam-assisted deposition technique improved cell differentiation as determined by the formation of mineralized bone nodules and by the rate of calcium deposition, both of which are in vitro indicators of the successful bone formation. However, programmed cell death assessed by Annexin V staining and flow cytometry was not statistically significantly different between nano-surfaces and glass surfaces. Overall, the results indicate that nano-crystalline zirconium oxide surfaces produced by the ion beam-assisted deposition technique are superior to uncoated surfaces in supporting bone cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Thus, surface properties altered by the ion beam-assisted deposition technique enhanced bone formation and may increase the biocompatibility of bone cell–associated surfaces.
Fertility, sexual abstinence and contraception among the Yoruba of Western Nigeria : a study of selected rural communities in Ekiti and Ibadan divisions

The survey described in this thesis was carried out in Ekiti and Ibadan Divisions of Western Nigeria from December 1974 to June 1975. The study was confined to all Yoruba women, 15-f9 years of age living in the nine villages selected in the two Divisions. At the end of the fieldwork, 619 and 588 interviews had been completed in Ekiti Rural and Ibadan Rural villages respectively. The interviews which covered the basic socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the women, sought detailed information about the practice and duration of post-partum abstinence and ascertained levels of knowledge and use at any time of all methods of contraception, both traditional and modern. Those who had practised some form of fertility control by employing methods other than sexual abstinence were subjected to an in-depth interview. The interview centered around the unusual circumstances which led to the acceptance of contraception while the majority of women were not contracepting. The findings of the study revealed that fertility was high in both Ekiti Rural and Ibadan Rural; and that the fertility of these rural areas exceeded that of Ibadan City in 1973; and slightly higher than that which has been previously recorded for any rural area in Western Nigeria (Yoruba area). The study also showed that the traditional system of sexual abstinence was the main method of fertility control widely known and practised in the rural areas. And that contraception was employed by a small proportion of the women primarily to replace sexual abstinence rather than to limit family size. It was also evidently clear that the road to widespread contraceptive usage lies solely in extended education and accessibility to contraceptive supplies. The hospitals and friends were to a very large extent the most influential sources of family planning information and advice.
Effectiveness and safety of four tract dilation methods of percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A meta-analysis

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has become a routine surgical procedure for treating patients with large kidney stones; the fundamental step in this process is the creation of the nephrostomy tract. In the present study, a meta-analysis was performed to compare the effectiveness and safety of different tract dilation techniques for PCNL. Databases were searched from inception to 1 April 2019 to identify relevant randomized controlled trials. The X-ray exposure time, hemoglobin decrease, stone-free rate, transfusion rate, hospital stay and the complication rate associated with the various techniques were analyzed. A total of 11 studies comprising 1,415 cases were enrolled in the meta-analysis. Significant differences in X-ray exposure time [weighted mean difference (WMD), 30.67; 95% confidence interval (CI), 20.08-41.26; P<0.001] and hemoglobin decrease (WMD, 0.19; 95%CI, 0.15-0.23; P<0.001) were identified between metal telescopic dilation (MTD) and one-shot dilation (OSD). A significantly lower hemoglobin decrease was observed in the balloon dilation (BD) vs. fascial Amplatz dilation (AD) group [WMD, -0.65; 95%CI, -(0.77-0.52); P<0.001]. The transfusion rate was similar between these techniques. The MTD had an obviously higher successful dilation rate compared with that of the OSD, but no significant differences in stone-free rate and transfusion rate were obtained. The present study determined that, compared with other methods, OSD was safer in almost every adult patient, including those that had previously undergone renal surgery; though it is recommended that this should be performed by experienced surgeons. BD was reported to be effective and safer in patients without a history of renal surgery compared to other methods. The present study proposed AD and MTD as safer methods of dilation for patients who have previously undergone kidney surgery.
Typhoid, Malaria and their Concurrent Infections in Fondonera, West Region of Cameroon

Public health awareness of concurrent malaria and typhoid prevalence situation in poor-resource communities such as Fondonera in the West region of Cameroon is scanty. A retroprospective study was designed to determine malaria, typhoid and their association (malaria + typhoid) prevalence’s. The SD Bioline malaria Ag Pf/Pan 05FK60 rapid diagnostic test kit was used for pre-testing and Giemsa thick and thin smear staining technique was used as a confirmatory test. The widal agglutination test was used for typhoid fever diagnosis and haemoglobin concentration determined using the haemoglobin color scale method. Concurrent malaria and typhoid infection prevalence was 3.31%. Malaria prevalence (10.92%) alone was greater than typhoid prevalence (7.28%) alone. Infection prevalence for both typhoid and malaria was high in patients with haemoglobin concentration <11 g/dl (5.62%) than those with normal haemoglobin ≥11 g/dl (3.31%). Risk factors such as profession and level of education were significantly affected by the two diseases. Concurrent malaria and typhoid infection exists in the Fondonera community of West Cameroon and their presence is a call for public health concern.
Perinatal Risks in

Aim: \"Late motherhood\" is associated with greater perinatal risks but the term lacks precise definition. We present an approach to determine what \"late motherhood\" associated with \"high risk\" is, based on parity and preterm birth rate. Materials and Methods: Using data from the German Perinatal Survey of 1998-2000 we analysed preterm birth rates in women with zero, one, or two previous live births. We compared groups of \"late\" mothers (with high preterm birth rates) with \"control\" groups of younger women (with relatively low preterm birth rates). Data of 208342 women were analysed. For women with zero (one; two) previous live births, the \"control\" group included women aged 22-26 (27-31; 2933) years. Women in the \"late motherhood\" group were aged> 33 (> 35;> 38) years. Results: The \"late motherhood\" groups defined in this way were also at higher risk of adverse perinatal events other than preterm birth. For women with zero (one; two) previous live births, normal cephalic presentation occurred in 89% (92.7%; 93.3%) in the \"control\" group, but only in 84.5% (90%; 90.4%) in the \"late motherhood\" group. The mode of delivery was spontaneous or at most requiring manual help in 71.3% (83.4%; 85.8%) in the \"control\" group, but only in 51.4% (72.2%; 76.4%) in the \"late motherhood\" group. Five-minute APGAR scores were likewise worse for neo-nates of \"late\" mothers and the proportion with a birth weight<= 2499 g was greater. Conclusion: \"Late motherhood\" that is associated with greater perinatal risks can be defined based on parity and preterm birth rate.
Community Pharmacists Attitude Towards Professional Practice in Penang, Malaysia

Background: Community pharmacists are the health professionals most accessible to the public. Public visit community pharmacies for their daily health care needs. Thus, community pharmacists’ attitude towards professional practice is very important. Method: This was a prospective, crosssectional study, using pre-validated questionnaire containing five constructs and 37 items. Each question was given scores 1-5 which denote 1 for very low; 2 for low; 3 for moderate; 4 for high and 5 for very high. The completed questionnaires were analysed using SPSS version 22. Statistical significance for dichotomous data was assessed using chi- square test. Result: Among the 87 participants in managerial activities, 71 (81.6%) scored good, 14 (16.1%) scored moderate, 2 (2.3%) scored poor. In dispensing activities, 71 (81.6%) scored good, 14 (16.1%) scored moderate, 2 (2.3%) scored poor. In pharmaceutical care activities, 56 (64.4%) scored good, 24 (27.6%) scored moderate, 7 (8.1%) scored poor. In inter/intra professional activities, 48 (55.2%) scored good, 15 (17.2%) scored moderate and 24 (27.6%) scored poor. In public health activities, 62 (71.6%) scored good, 19 (21.8%) scored moderate and 6 (6.9%) scored poor whereas in maintenance of competency activities, 71 (81.6%) had scored good, 9 (10.3%) scored moderate and 7 (8.1%) scored poor. Conclusion: Majority of the respondents were having good attitudes towards managerial, dispensing and maintenance of competence activities. However, only minority of the respondents realized the importance of establishing professional relationship with doctors. Continuing education and training programs on professional practice would be one significant approach in equipping community pharmacists with the knowledge, skills and behaviour needed to expand their scope of practice and improving public healthcare outcomes. Key words: Attitude, Community pharmacy, Pharmacist, Professional practice, Malaysia.
Estimation and Comparison of Erythrocyte and Hemoglobin Levels in Subjects with Healthy Periodontium and Chronic Periodontitis

Objective: To compare and evaluate the relationship between anemia and periodontitis by estimation of peripheral blood between healthy patients and chronic periodontitis patients. Material and Methods: Of the total of 230 outpatients approached to participate in the study, 100 eligible patients were selected as per the selection criteria. After written consent, these patients were divided into two groups according to the clinical parameters as healthy and disease (chronic periodontitis) groups. Under aseptic conditions, venous blood samples were obtained by vein-puncture in the ante-cubital fossa without excessive venous stasis and the mean value of erythrocytes (EC), hemoglobin concentration (HGB), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were measured. Paired t-test was employed to find the significance of study parameters on continuous scale within the group analysis and unpaired t-test (two tailed, dependent) was used to find the significance of study parameters on continuous scale in the inter group analysis. Results: Generally, the healthy group reported higher levels of EC, HGB, MCV and MCH than the periodontitis group. The mean hemoglobin level was significantly higher (p-value<0.05) in healthy patients (12.66 ±1.41 gm/dl) whereas a slightly lower level of 11.32±1.85 gm/dl was observed in patients with chronic periodontitis. Similarly, the range of erythrocyte count of healthy patients was significantly higher (3.69-5.29 million/µl) than chronic periodontitis patients (3.33-5.97 million/µl). Whilst MCV was higher in healthy patients but non-significant, higher mean MCH of 27.75 ± 3.25 pg/cell was reported in healthy patients compared to mean of 25.73 ± 3.22 pg/cell in patients with chronic periodontitis. Conclusion: Significant hematological differences in EC, HGB, MCV and MCH between healthy periodontium and chronic periodontitis subjects were seen indicating mild anemia.
Growing Up in a Steel Town: Early-Life Pollution Exposure and Later-Life Mortality

ABSTRACT An important hypothesis about the disease burden of air pollution is that high levels of exposure in childhood can result in a lifetime of health problems, leading to increased mortality rates at older ages. I evaluate this hypothesis using a proprietary data set—Medicare records matched to Social Security records that identify birthplace. I analyze old-age mortality among 390,000 individuals born in small cities and towns in Pennsylvania during the years 1916 through 1927. Some of these individuals were born in places with steel production, and thus likely had exposure to high levels of air pollution in childhood. These individuals have significantly higher rates of mortality post–age 65 than those born in comparable towns that did not have steel production facilities. There are three notable features of the excess mortality among those born in steel towns: (1) the relationship holds for comparisons within counties, (2) the excess mortality is higher in towns that had relatively higher levels of steel production, and (3) old-age mortality is especially high for individuals born in locations with relatively high levels of steel production and relatively low elevation—a finding consistent with the possibility that low-elevation locations were subject to atmospheric inversions that trapped air pollution. By matching the SSA/Medicare data with death certificate data, I am able to establish that the excess mortality associated with childhood exposure to air pollution is due primarily to elevated levels of cancer.