Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Autonomic Dysfunction in Preeclampsia: A Systematic Review

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a major obstetric complication that leads to severe maternal and fetal morbidity. Early detection of preeclampsia can reduce the severity of complications and improve clinical outcomes. It is believed that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is involved in the pathogenesis of PE. We aimed to review the current literature on the prevalence and nature of ANS dysfunction in women with PE and the possible prognostic value of ANS testing in the early detection of PE. Methods: Literature search was performed using Medline (1966–2018), EMBase (1947–2018), Google Scholar (1970–2018), BIOSIS (1926–2018), Web of science (1900–2018); CINAHL (1937–2018); Cochrane Library, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and Cochrane Methodology Register (1999–2018). Additionally, the reference lists of articles included were screened. Results: A total of 26 studies were included in the present review presenting data of 1,854 pregnant women. Among these women, 453 were diagnosed with PE, 93.6% (424/453) of which displayed autonomic dysfunction. ANS function was assessed by cardiovascular reflex tests (n = 9), heart rate variability (n = 11), cardiac baroreflex gain (n = 5), muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) (n = 3), and biomarkers of sympathetic activity (n = 4). Overall, 21 studies (80.8%) reported at least one of the following abnormalities in ANS function in women diagnosed with PE compared to healthy pregnant control women: reduced parasympathetic activity (n = 16/21, 76%), increased sympathetic activity (n = 12/20, 60%), or reduced baroreflex gain (n = 4/5, 80%). Some of these studies indicated that pressor and orthostatic stress test may be useful in early pregnancy to help estimate the risk of developing PE. However, autonomic function tests seem not to be able to differentiate between mild and severe PE. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that autonomic dysfunction is highly prevalent in pre-eclamptic women. Among autonomic functions, cardiovascular reflexes appear to be predominantly affected, seen as reduced cardiac parasympathetic activity and elevated cardiac sympathetic activity. The diagnostic value of autonomic testing in the prediction and monitoring of autonomic failure in pre-eclamptic women remains to be determined.
Estimation of accuracy in determining the translational velocity of a video camera using data from optical flow

The devised approaches are adapted to the complicated conditions of observation in certain real tasks, and are fully operational in those cases when existing standard algorithms fail to give reliable results. We propose a method for determining dynamic motion parameters based on the algorithm of a dense optical flow using a texture analysis. In order to determine an optical flow, we employed a block mapping method that uses adaptively variable size and adaptive motion vector search strategy with weighting the measurements of image blocks, where each block is matched with a texture indicator. A standard block method for estimating optical flow does not imply the use of weighting of the image blocks. A measure of the image block texturization and, consequently, the reliability of the computed motion vector, is determined on the basis of conditionality number of the information matrix. Based on the calculated optical flow, in order to estimate motion parameters, it is proposed to use the least square method that takes into account noise of the measured data. In this case, the minimization is applied at which a contribution to an error is weighed, greater importance is given to the points where the optical flow speed is larger. This is most useful when the measurement of high speeds is more accurate. The norm that produces the best results depends on the noise properties in the measured optical flow. When estimating parameters of the translational motion velocity of the entire image frame, the proposed method considers textural differences of the underlying surface, as well as noise in the measured data of each image block. We presented simulation results of a UAV motion along different types of the underlying surface and estimated the accuracy of determining translational motion parameters using the optical sensor. Experimental results confirm that the application of a texture analysis when evaluating a motion field improves performance by recruiting a reduced number of vectors, as well as this proves to be more accurate in comparison with traditional block brute-force methods
Lessons learned from The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: Student perspectives on how cultural differences can lead to health disparities

Objective: The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman is a critically acclaimed book describing the importance of understanding cultural influence on health care and health outcomes. Although this book has been incorporated into standard curriculum in the university and medical school training settings, consideration of how The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down might change undergraduate student perceptions on health disparities, specifically among students at a minority-serving institution in the USA, has yet to be explored. Method: A qualitative, thematic analysis, using a pre-/post-test study design, assessed undergraduate students’ perceptions of topics of health disparities, spirituality and trust in healthcare providers. A total of 43 student responses characterising their perceptions on these topics were used to define themes both before and after a course utilising Fadiman’s book as a teaching tool. Results: Changes within the themes present in the post-test data showed that students had a deeper understanding of the need for communication with healthcare providers, as well as the need to build bridges between traditional spirituality and faith with modern medicine, in the context of respecting one’s culture, to effectively promote health outcomes in a multicultural society. Conclusion: An undergraduate course with directed lesson plans taken from The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down afforded undergraduate students at a US minority-serving institution with a way to contextualise why and how cultural differences can lead to health disparities.
Normal values of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio among Iranian population: Results of Tabari cohort

Background: Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have a prognostic value in several types of diseases such as cancers and they vary in different races. So, we aimed to evaluate the normal range of these markers among healthy people to determine the normal value in Iranian population. Methods: In the present study, cross-sectional data of population-based cohort study named “Tabari cohort study” was utilized. In the first phase of Tabari cohort, 10255 participants aged 35-70 years from urban and rural areas of Sari, Mazandaran, Iran entered into the study. The study included a questionnaire survey and blood collection. Blood samples were collected after 12 hours fasting from all participants during the study. Hematological indices were measured for all samples using Celltac Alpha MEK-6510 K (Tokyo, Japan). Results: After sample exclusion, 2212 healthy subjects of Tabari's normal cohort population were investigated. The mean age of the samples was 47.9±9.29 years. The mean of NLR, LMR, PLR were 1.70±0.70, 11.15±3.14 and 117.05±47.73, respectively. Conclusion: Our investigation provides preliminary reference values for NLR, LMR, and PMR among Iranian population that can be used for disease progress in various clinical procedures.
Effect of heme oxygenase 1 and renin/prorenin receptor on oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells

The incidence of depression has previously been correlated to hypertension. The aim of the present study was to explore the mechanisms of depression and hypertension by examining the expression and interaction of renin/prorenin receptor (PRR) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in vascular endothelial cells. A case-control study was conducted, and general data and serum factors were compared between hypertension patients complicated with depression and patients with hypertension alone. Logistic regression analysis was used to detect risk factors associated with hypertension complicated with depression. In addition, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and/or PRR gene silencing, and a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to test their proliferation. The concentrations of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress factor were also detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and chemical colorimetry. Western blot analysis and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction were applied to detect protein and mRNA expression levels, respectively. The results revealed that HO-1 and renin precursor (Rep) were independent factors that affected hypertension complicated with depression. Serum HO-1 levels in patients with hypertension complicated with depression were significantly lower than that in hypertensive patients without depression, while Rep levels in patients with hypertension complicated with depression were significantly higher than that in hypertensive patients without depression. In HUVECs, ox-LDL reduced the cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, upregulated the expression of PRR gene and downregulated the expression of HO-1 gene. It was also observed that silencing of the PRR gene promoted the expression of the HO-1 gene. Furthermore, ox-LDL upregulated the inflammatory response and oxidative stress levels, while PRR gene silencing inhibited the ox-LDL-induced inflammatory factor and oxidative stress levels in HUVECs. Thus, regulating the expression levels of HO-1 and PRR to inhibit the oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory effect of ox-LDL may provide new insight for the treatment of hypertension patients with depression.
Functional consequences of a KCNT1 variant associated with status dystonicus and early‐onset infantile encephalopathy

We identified a novel de novo KCNT1 variant in a patient with early‐infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE) and status dystonicus, a life‐threatening movement disorder. We determined the functional consequences of this variant on the encoded KNa1.1 channel to investigate the molecular mechanisms responsible for this disorder.
Classification of ECG arrhythmias based on statistical and time-frequency features

In this paper a new approach to accurately classify ECG arrhythmias through a combination of the wavelet transform and artificial neural network is presented. Three kinds of features in a very computationally efficient manner are computed as follows: 1-Joint time-frequency features (discrete wavelet transform coefficients). 2-Time domain features (R-R intervals). 3-Statistical feature (form factor). Using these features, the limitations of other methods in classifying multiple kinds of arrhythmia with high accuracy for all of them at once are overcome. Finally, a cascade classifier including two ANNs has been designed. Considering the whole MIT-BIH arrhythmia database, 10 kinds of arrhythmia were classified. The overall accuracy of classification of the proposed approach is above 90%. (4 pages)
Role of Testosterone Replacement Therapy on Plasma Ghrelin Level before and after Orchiectomy in Male Albino Rats

The aim of the present study is to investigate whether testosterone replacement therapy play a role on plasma ghrelin level before and after orchiectomy in male albino rats. Four groups of animals were studied, control group, control group received testosterone propionate (T.P) 300 μg/Kg subcutaneously (s.c) daily for 4 weeks, orchiectomized group and lastly orchiectomized group receiving T.P by the same regimen as group two. Blood samples were taken at the end of the experimental period for carrying out the hormonal investigations; also body weight was measured from all studied animals. The results of this work showed that subcutaneous administration of T.P to sham operated and orchiectomy rats produces significant decrease in FSH and LH, however it produces significant increase in total testosterone, free testosterone, ghrelin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and total body weight when these results compared to group one and three respectively. Conclusions: We can conclude that plasma ghrelin level significantly increase after testosterone supplementation in both sham operated and orchiectomy rats, also there are +ve correlation between ghrelin level and testosterone level (both total and free), IGF-1 and body weight & negative correlation between ghrelin and FSH & LH.
Survival, effect measures, and impact numbers after dementia diagnosis: a matched cohort study

Background Knowledge on survival after diagnosis is important for all stakeholders. We aimed to estimate the survival and life expectancy after a dementia diagnosis, and to quantify the impact of dementia subtypes on mortality. Methods Retrospective matched cohort study using a linkage between a dementia-specific registry and two primary care electronic medical records databases. Between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2015 there were 5,156 subjects aged 60 years and over registered by the Registry of Dementia of Girona and matched to 15,468 age-sex and comorbidity individuals without dementia attended by general practitioners in the province of Girona (Catalonia, Spain). Results The median survival was 5.2 years (95% CI 5.0 to 5.4), the median life expectancy was 74.7 years (95% CI 71.9 to 76.5), and there were differences by gender. The mortality rate was 127.1 per 1,000 person-years (95% CI 121.6 to 132.7), and the hazard ratio for mortality in persons with dementia ranged between 1.63 (95% CI 1.52 to 1.76) for Alzheimer’s disease and 2.52 (95% CI 1.90 to 3.35) for Parkinson-plus syndromes. There was one death per year attributable to dementia for every 18.6 persons with dementia, and for every 2.4 persons with dementia who die, one death was attributable to dementia. Conclusion The prognosis after dementia diagnosis is conditioned by demographic and clinical features. Although survival is larger for women, they also experience a higher number of years of life lost. Parkinson-plus syndromes and dementia due to multiple etiologies are among the most malignant subtypes regarding mortality.
The Quality of Life of Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease on Dialysis in South Africa: A Grounded Theory Analysis

Introduction: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a global health problem with increasing prevalence worldwide. The number of patients with ESRD will increase to almost 60% by 2020, with the potential to greatly impact patients’ quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to explore and analyze QOL in patients with ESRD on dialysis. Methods: Grounded theory, underpinned by a social constructivism paradigm, was used. Data collection occurred simultaneously in the natural settings of four selected public hospitals. A coding process was used to analyze rich data and generate findings from three focus group discussions. Results: Results revealed that some par ticipants scheduled for hemodialysis three times a week and others performing peritoneal dialysis four times a day lost their jobs. Young participants in the study worried about changes in body image due to dialysis and reported psychological discomfort. Others felt that they were a burden to their families as they sought transportation assistance at all times for hospital visits and dialysis. Most participants no longer engaged in social activities because of restrictions imposed by their dialysis schedules. However, good social support enabled participants to survive the challenges they encountered on dialysis. Discussion: Three overarching categor ies emerged from this study, living in fear causing stress and depression, dependency, and geographical remoteness, which contributed to poor QOL in participants with ESRD.
A prospective study of surgical management of bicondylar schatzker type V & VI tibial plateau fracture by dual plating and dual incision

Aim: To assess the clinical and functional outcome of surgically treated Bicondylar Tibial schatzker type V and VI plateau fractures with dual plating at SSIMS-RC, Davanagere during August 2015 TO August 2018. Objectives 1. To assess the anatomical reduction of articular surface of upper end of tibia perfectly by operative treatment with internal fixation. 2. To assess the radiological union of fractures after internal fixation with dual plating 3. To assess the clinical outcome associated with this treatment modality a. Knee Range of movements b. Pain relief c. Return to normal activities and work Materials and Methods: Total number of cases studied were 30. Inclusion criteria: All skeletal mature patients with proximal tibia fracture Schatzker type V and VI (>18years), AO Muller type 41-C1, 41-C2, 41-C3, Gustilo-Anderson type I and II compound proximal tibial fractures. Exclusion Criteria: Patients with GustiloAnderson Type 3 compound tibial plateau fractures, Children with proximal tibial fractures in whom the growth plate is intact, patients with pathological proximal tibial fractures apart from osteoporosis. Observation and Results: Our study used Honkonen Jarvinen Criteria for radiological, functional, clinical outcome which showed excellent to good result. Our study reported Honkonen Jarvinen Clinical outcome to be 86% excellent, 11.7% good and 1.7% fair. The functional outcome was 81% excellent, 13% good, 5% fair and 1% poor. The Radiological outcome showed 79.2% excellent, 12% good, 0.70% fair results. Conclusion: From this study we conclude that, surgical management of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures with dual plating gives excellent anatomic reduction, accurate axial and articular alignment with rigid internal fixation by dual locking plate, achieving a stable and functional knee joint.
Role of aldose reductase and arginase inhibitors in diabetic vascular and behavioral complications.

Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disorder that is associated with several microvascular and macrovascular complications in addition to complications within the central nervous system (CNS). Diabetic encephalopathy secondary to chronic hyperglycemia is mediated through oxidative stress, increased advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and impairment in cerebral insulin signaling. The Aim of the work was to investigate whether inhibition of aldose reductase and arginase enzyme can protect against vascular and behavior complications. Diabetes was induced in male wistar rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg). Eight weeks later, diabetic rats were orally treated with ferulic acid (20 mg/kg), cinnamaldehyde (20 mg/kg), norvalline (50 mg/kg), ornithine (200 mg/kg) and citrulline (50 mg/kg) every day for 8 weeks. Body weight, blood glucose, serum AGEs level, blood pressure and behavioral change in memory and cognition were investigated at the end of the study. Streptozotocin caused a state of hyperglycemia associated with both vascular and behavioral complications as evidenced by the elevation in blood pressure and reduction in the Y-maze score and elevation in the transfer latency in the elevated plus maze. Blockade of aldose reductase and arginase enzyme ameliorated some of these complications without exerting any hypoglycemic effect. These results suggest the possible effectiveness of aldose reductase and arginase inhibitors in the management of diabetic vascular and behavioral complications together with conventional antidiabetic therapy.
Improving the marking of programming exercises using a marking support tool and subject design

Since 2003, we have strived to determine the most appropriate method for improving students' programming skills. One reason for this research is that the evaluation of programs requires sufficient time and careful consideration of correctness, fairness, and appropriateness. Another reason is that programming should always be evaluated on the grounds of not only compilation and testing but also correctness of the algorithm and validity of the model. Due to various factors, even if students submit their programs electronically, it does not contribute to improving the correctness of the evaluation in terms of marking their programs. Moreover, a lack of concrete assessment items and criteria for the programs implies that the marked results will depend on the instructor's assessment. To reduce the extent to which assessment results depend on the instructor, we propose the introduction of subject design in our programming exercises. We have developed a marking support tool that enables us to evaluate programs on one screen where we can readily compile and test the program, browse the code, record the student's marks, and analyze assessment results. This research sought to improve the assessment of programming exercises using support design and the marking support tool that we developed.
Mathematical Practices in a Learning Environment Designed by Realistic Mathematics Education: Teaching Experiment about Cone and Pyramid.

The purpose of the study is to identify the classroom mathematical practices developed within a learning environment designed by Realistic Mathematics Education for teaching cone and pyramid to preservice teachers. A teaching experiment including five-week instructional sequence by a hypothetical learning trajectory about the solids of cone and pyramid was conducted to five preservice middle school mathematics teachers. Their learning was examined in this teaching experiment performed based on case study as a qualitative research design. The social learning environment in the classroom was investigated by three-phase methodology of Rasmussen and Stephan (2008) developed based on Toulmin’s model of argumentation. According to the findings, four mathematical practices emerged in the current study. Article visualizations: