Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of physical activity and inactivity risk in geriatric population

Geriatric population are leading to sedentary lifestyle and it has been confirmed that they are less PA as compared to adult population. Physical Inactivity is connected with different types of chronic diseases and which has become an important risk factor in geriatric individuals. PA is any active movement of the body i.e produced by muscular contractions. The purpose of this study was to assess the PA and inactivity risk in geriatric population, aged above 60 years. It examined the Sedentary time and low level of PA by using validated Rapid Assessment Disuse Index (RADI) and identify the level of activity using International physical activity Questionnaire Short-Form (IPAQ-SF). The study was conducted among 100 Geriatric Population were RADI and IPAQ-SF shows that females were more prone to sedentary lifestyle and are more under inactivity risk as compare to males. Therefore, present study shows that Males are more Physically Active than Females.
Comparing Lifestyle Convenience of Multiple Daily Injection and Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion

Aim: This study investigated the lifestyle convenience of Insulin therapy for adult women patients with type 1 diabetes. Methods: Participants were type 1 diabetes adult women patients who switched from multiple daily injection (MDI) therapy to Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) therapy. We conducted semi-structured interviews with participants. To analyze, we referenced the classification table of Hamada’s study comparing the usefulness of both the NovoPen? and CSII. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the research subjects. The questions focused mainly on diabetes management, instrument operation, everyday life, and social, psychological and lifestyle convenience aspects during MDI and CSII. Results: Research subjects were 4 women patients with type 1 diabetes. The average age was 35.3 ± 6.24 (SE) years old. Participants were undergoing MDI therapy; however, in the middle, they switched to CSII therapy. CSII therapy is convenient in terms of diabetes management, social and psychological. MDI therapy is convenient in terms of instrument operation and daily life. Compared to MDI therapy, CSII therapy is less convenient in terms of instrument operation and everyday life. However, since CSII therapy has more stable HbA1c and blood glucose levels compared to MDI therapy, it is more convenient in terms of social and psychological aspects and reduces those burdens. About economy CSII therapy, patients paid about 5000 yen more per month compared to MDI therapy. Conclusion: It is believed that patients prioritize therapeutic effects, and choose CSII, which is stable in psychological and social aspects, even though it is inconvenient with life.
Patient Clinical Data Integration in Integrated Electronic Medical Record System for Health Care Facilities in Indonesia

Complete patient service requires continuous support of clinical history. This can be realized by integrating electronic medical record data. The limitation is the wide variety of software, formats, and data dictionaries used in healthcare facilities. This was a descriptive analysis study with cross sectional approach to find open source electronic medical record integration model for clinical data exchange between health care facilities. Respondents were doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory staffs, and person in charge of hospital information system as informant for content analysis. From the study, we managed a web-based service portal to implement clinical data integration that can be accessed by clinician registered within the Ministry of Health. The patient’s clinical history is stored in the hospital database and requires unique OpenIDRM code on the Health Service Server to integrate it. OpenIDRM contains all of the patient’s medical record number, as one patient may have several different medical record numbers in several hospitals. In conclusion, clinician can access the patient’s clinical history by opening a web portal system through a unique OpenIDRM code.
Utility of the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System-28 to Predict Mortality in Intensive Care Units

Objectives: We compared the commonly used Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score with the quicker and easier Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS)-28) to examine mortality in intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: Patients treated in the ICU at Bakirköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Research and Training Hospital between May 2012 and January 2017 were included in the present study. Patients who made a full recovery and were discharged were defined as group 1, whereas those who died were defined as group 2. TISS-28 scores recorded twice in the first 24 h and APACHE II and SOFA scores recorded at the end of 24 h were evaluated. The groups were compared based on demographic data; duration of nursing (h/day); and TISS-28, APACHE II, and SOFA scores. Results: Of 2191 patients in this 5-year study, 1405 (64%; group 1) were discharged from the ICU and 786 (36%; group 2) died. There was no significant difference in age between the two groups. The median TISS-28 score was 17 in group 1 and 25 in group 2. The median APACHE II score was 18 in group 1 and 29 in group 2. The median SOFA score was 6 in group 1 and 8 in group 2. All three scores were significantly higher in group 2. Conclusion: TISS-28 scores correlated with APACHE II and SOFA scores, predicting mortality.
Development of catheter techniques to treat native and acquired stenoses in congenital heart disease

Aim: To describe innovative uses of catheter based treatment in a variety of native and post surgical stenoses in children and young adults with congenital heart disease. Background: Cardiac catheterization in man was first described 1929 and since then there has been a drive to develop endovascular techniques to investigate and treat both congenital and acquired heart disease. Many of the advances are being made in congenital heart disease. Methods: A number of congenital cardiac stenotic lesions were studied including baffle obstruction after atrial switch for transposition of the great arteries, aortic stenosis in infants, coarctation of the aorta, peripheral pulmonary artery stenosis and superior vena caval obstruction. The use of angioplasty balloons, cutting balloons, stents and alternative catheter approaches were investigated for these lesions. Results: Following atrial redirection surgery for transposition of the great arteries balloon angioplasty improved baffle haemodynamics. The technique of anterograde balloon dilation of the aortic valve was developed and had superior outcomes in terms of aortic insufficiency compared to a retrograde approach in neonates with severe aortic valve stenosis. In an animal model of peripheral pulmonary arterial stenosis, the application of cutting balloon angioplasty produced effective relief in a controlled
Fragmented ambulatory care and subsequent emergency department visits and hospital admissions among Medicaid beneficiaries.

OBJECTIVES Results of previous studies of Medicare beneficiaries have shown that more fragmented ambulatory care is associated with more emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admissions. Whether this observation is generalizable to Medicaid beneficiaries is unknown. STUDY DESIGN We conducted a 3-year retrospective cohort study in the 7-county Hudson Valley region of New York. We included 19,330 adult Medicaid beneficiaries who were continuously enrolled, were attributed to a primary care provider, and had 4 or more ambulatory visits in the baseline year. METHODS We measured fragmentation using a modified Bice-Boxerman Index. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine associations between fragmentation score and ED visits or, separately, hospital admissions, adjusting for age, gender, and chronic conditions. RESULTS The average beneficiary had 15 ambulatory visits in the baseline year, spread across 5 providers, with the most frequently seen provider accounting for 48% of the visits. One-fourth of the sample had more than 20 ambulatory visits and more than 7 providers, with the most frequently seen provider accounting for fewer than 33% of visits. For every 0.1-point increase in fragmentation score, the adjusted hazard of an ED visit over 2 years of follow-up increased by 1.7% (95% CI, 0.5%-2.9%). Having more fragmented care was not associated with a change in the hazard of a hospital admission. CONCLUSIONS Among Medicaid beneficiaries, having more fragmented care was associated with a modest increase in the hazard of an ED visit, independent of chronic conditions. Fragmented ambulatory care may be modifiable and may represent a novel target for improvement.
Cellular response to small molecules that selectively stall protein synthesis by the ribosome

Identifying small molecules that inhibit protein synthesis by selectively stalling the ribosome constitutes a new strategy for therapeutic development. Compounds that inhibit the translation of PCSK9, a major regulator of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, have been identified that reduce LDL cholesterol in preclinical models and that affect the translation of only a few off-target proteins. Although some of these compounds hold potential for future therapeutic development, it is not known how they impact the physiology of cells or ribosome quality control pathways. Here we used a genome-wide CRISPRi screen to identify proteins and pathways that modulate cell growth in the presence of high doses of a selective PCSK9 translational inhibitor, PF-06378503 (PF8503). The two most potent genetic modifiers of cell fitness in the presence of PF8503, the ubiquitin binding protein ASCC2 and helicase ASCC3, bind to the ribosome and protect cells from toxic effects of high concentrations of the compound. Surprisingly, translation quality control proteins Pelota (PELO) and HBS1L sensitize cells to PF8503 treatment. In genetic interaction experiments, ASCC3 acts together with ASCC2, and functions downstream of HBS1L. Taken together, these results identify new connections between ribosome quality control pathways, and provide new insights into the selectivity of compounds that stall human translation that will aid the development of next-generation selective translation stalling compounds to treat disease.
Enzyme-Based Electrochemical Biosensors for Microfluidic Platforms to Detect Pharmaceutical Residues in Wastewater

Emerging water pollutants such as pharmaceutical contaminants are suspected to induce adverse effects to human health. These molecules became worrisome due to their increasingly high concentrations in surface waters. Despite this alarming situation, available data about actual concentrations in the environment is rather scarce, as it is not commonly monitored or regulated. This is aggravated even further by the absence of portable and reliable methods for their determination in the field. A promising way to tackle these issues is the use of enzyme-based and miniaturized biosensors for their electrochemical detection. Here, we present an overview of the latest developments in amperometric microfluidic biosensors that include, modeling and multiphysics simulation, design, manufacture, testing, and operation methods. Different types of biosensors are described, highlighting those based on oxidases/peroxidases and the integration with microfluidic platforms. Finally, issues regarding the stability of the biosensors and the enzyme molecules are discussed, as well as the most relevant approaches to address these obstacles.
Enhanced Autophagy Contributes to Reduced Viral Infection in Black Flying Fox Cells

Bats are increasingly implicated as hosts of highly pathogenic viruses. The underlying virus–host interactions and cellular mechanisms that promote co-existence remain ill-defined, but physiological traits such as flight and longevity are proposed to drive these adaptations. Autophagy is a cellular homeostatic process that regulates ageing, metabolism, and intrinsic immune defense. We quantified basal and stimulated autophagic responses in black flying fox cells, and demonstrated that although black flying fox cells are susceptible to Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) infection, viral replication is dampened in these bat cells. Black flying fox cells tolerated prolonged ABLV infection with less cell death relative to comparable human cells, suggesting post-entry mechanisms interference with virus replication. An elevated basal autophagic level was observed and autophagy was induced in response to high virus doses. Pharmacological stimulation of the autophagy pathway reduced virus replication, indicating autophagy acts as an anti-viral mechanism. Enhancement of basal and virus-induced autophagy in bat cells connects related reports that long-lived species possess homeostatic processes that dampen oxidative stress and macromolecule damage. Exemplifying the potential that evolved cellular homeostatic adaptations like autophagy may secondarily act as anti-viral mechanisms, enabling bats to serve as natural hosts to an assortment of pathogenic viruses. Furthermore, our data suggest autophagy-inducing drugs may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for combating lyssavirus infection.
Spatial Frequency Response of Epoxy-Based Volume Holographic Recording Material

Holographic volume phase gratings are recorded in an epoxy-based, free-surface, volume holographic recording material. Light-induced gratings are formed by photo-triggered mass migration caused by component diffusion. The material resolution enables a wide range of pattern spacings, to record both transmission and reflection holograms with many different spatial frequencies. An optimum spatial frequency response is found between the low spatial frequency roll-off and the high spatial frequency cut-off. The influence of the energy density of exposure on the spatial frequency response is investigated. Secondary volume holographic gratings (parasitic gratings) are observed in the high frequency range. The possibility of distinguishing the regular grating from the secondary grating is discussed in the form of probe wavelength detuning.
Detection of Salivary miRNAs Reflecting Chronic Periodontitis: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this cross-sectional pilot study was to find salivary microRNAs (miRNAs) reflecting periodontal condition in chronic periodontitis. One hundred and twenty chronic periodontitis patients (mean age, 68.4 years) participated in the study, from whom unstimulated whole saliva was collected. A multiphase study was conducted to explore salivary miRNAs as biomarkers of periodontitis. At first, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array was performed to compare salivary miRNAs profiles in no and mild (no/mild) and severe periodontitis patients. Next, the relative expression of salivary miRNAs on individual samples was assessed by real-time reverse transcription-PCR. The numbers (%) of patients were 26 (21.6%, no/mild), 58 (48.3%, moderate) and 36 (30.0%, severe), respectively. Among 84 miRNAs, only the relative expression of hsa-miR-381-3p in the severe periodontitis group was significantly higher than that of the no/mild periodontitis group (p < 0.05). Among the 120 patients, there was also a significant correlation between the relative expression of hsa-miR-381-3p and the mean probing pocket depth (PPD) (r = 0.181, p < 0.05). Salivary hsa-miR-381-3p was correlated with periodontitis condition in chronic periodontitis patients.
A Preventative Intervention: Staff Experiences Providing Harm Reduction in the Niagara Region

Harm reduction is a pragmatic philosophy and practice within health care which emphasizes disease reduction and social accessibility of health services over law enforcement and judicial punishment for drug use. There is a breadth of literature studying the impact of harm reduction practices on clients, but little on the people who facilitate these services. This project uses a political economy of health theoretical approach to examine the role of harm reduction and harm reduction workers within neoliberal state frameworks. Using an interpretive-critical analysis of qualitative interviews, this project highlights an NEP servicing the Niagara Region as a site of resistance to neoliberal restructuring which is also constrained by its policies. By providing public health care and referral to external resources such as housing, the site acts as a form of retrenchment from the neoliberal state while still being hindered by precarious labour and austerity policies in relation to funding. A key finding is that workers engage in emotional labour, boundary negotiation, and debriefing to offset burnout to better perform their labour, which is an unspoken but necessary part of the job. The findings of this research lay the foundation for future research in harm reduction labour and operation as well as emphasizing the blend between service and health care work that is necessary for effective harm reduction practice.
Genome-Wide Analysis of LIM Family Genes in Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica L.) and Characterization of the Role of SiWLIM2b in Drought Tolerance

LIM proteins have been found to play important roles in many life activities, including the regulation of gene expression, construction of the cytoskeleton, signal transduction and metabolic regulation. Because of their important roles in many aspects of plant development, LIM genes have been studied in many plant species. However, the LIM gene family has not yet been characterized in foxtail millet. In this study, we analyzed the whole genome of foxtail millet and identified 10 LIM genes. All LIM gene promoters contain MYB and MYC cis-acting elements that are related to drought stress. Based on the presence of multiple abiotic stress-related cis-elements in the promoter of SiWLIM2b, we chose this gene for further study. We analyzed SiWLIM2b expression under abiotic stress and hormone treatments using qRT-PCR. We found that SiWLIM2b was induced by various abiotic stresses and hormones. Under drought conditions, transgenic rice of SiWLIM2b-overexpression had a higher survival rate, higher relative water content and less cell damage than wild type (WT) rice. These results indicate that overexpression of the foxtail millet SiWLIM2b gene enhances drought tolerance in transgenic rice, and the SiWLIM2b gene can potentially be used for molecular breeding of crops with increased resistance to abiotic stress.
IN VITRO EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF AIR POLISHING WITH DIFFERENT ABRASIVE POWDERS ON THE ROUGHNESS OF IMPLANT ABUTMENT SURFACE.

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of air-polishing on implant abutment surface using different abrasives powder: sodium bicarbonate and amino acid glycine. Fifteen grade III machined surface titanium disks with 8 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness were divided in three groups of five samples each and subjected to air polishing for 20 seconds with Ultrajet Flex air-abrasive device and distinct prophylaxis protocol: G1) air and water, G2) air, water and sodium bicarbonate, and G3) air, water and amino acid glycine. After the air-polishing, the average roughness (Ra) of the samples was measured by using an optical profilometer and the obtained data were statistically analyzed. It has been found that G1 and G3 had similar Ra, whilst Ra values for G2 were significantly higher. This study demonstrated that the air polishing powders containing glycine affected less the roughness of the surface of titanium disks when compared to sodium bicarbonate powders. Future in vivo studies will be conducted to investigate the clinical relevance of the present results.
Knowledge of nutrition and gestational weight gain during pregnancy ‒ exploring pregnant women’s side of the story

3 PUBLICATIONS CONSTITUTING THIS THESIS . 8 CONFERENCES . 9 MEDIA COVERAGE OF THESIS RELATED RESEARCH . 10 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . 11 TABLE OF CONTENTS . 14 LIST OF TABLES . 21 LIST OF FIGURES . 23
Advanced Micro- and Nano-Gas Sensor Technology: A Review

Micro- and nano-sensors lie at the heart of critical innovation in fields ranging from medical to environmental sciences. In recent years, there has been a significant improvement in sensor design along with the advances in micro- and nano-fabrication technology and the use of newly designed materials, leading to the development of high-performance gas sensors. Advanced micro- and nano-fabrication technology enables miniaturization of these sensors into micro-sized gas sensor arrays while maintaining the sensing performance. These capabilities facilitate the development of miniaturized integrated gas sensor arrays that enhance both sensor sensitivity and selectivity towards various analytes. In the past, several micro- and nano-gas sensors have been proposed and investigated where each type of sensor exhibits various advantages and limitations in sensing resolution, operating power, response, and recovery time. This paper presents an overview of the recent progress made in a wide range of gas-sensing technology. The sensing functionalizing materials, the advanced micro-machining fabrication methods, as well as their constraints on the sensor design, are discussed. The sensors’ working mechanisms and their structures and configurations are reviewed. Finally, the future development outlook and the potential applications made feasible by each category of the sensors are discussed.
Targeting White Adipose Tissue with Exercise or Bariatric Surgery as Therapeutic Strategies in Obesity

Adipose tissue is critical to whole-body energy metabolism and has become recognized as a bona fide endocrine organ rather than an inert lipid reservoir. As such, adipose tissue is dynamic in its ability to secrete cytokines, free fatty acids, lipokines, hormones and other factors in response to changes in environmental stimuli such as feeding, fasting and exercise. While excess adipose tissue, as in the case of obesity, is associated with metabolic complications, mass itself is not the only culprit in obesity-driven metabolic abnormalities, highlighting the importance of healthy and metabolically adaptable adipose tissue. In this review, we discuss the fundamental cellular processes of adipose tissue that become perturbed in obesity and the impact of exercise on these processes. While both endurance and resistance exercise can promote positive physiological adaptations in adipose tissue, endurance exercise has a more documented role in remodeling adipocytes, increasing adipokine secretion and fatty acid mobilization and oxidation during post-exercise compared with resistance exercise. Exercise is considered a viable therapeutic strategy for the treatment of obesity to optimize body composition, in particular as an adjuvant therapy to bariatric surgery; however, there is a gap in knowledge of the molecular underpinnings of these exercise-induced adaptations, which could provide more insight and opportunity for precision-based treatment strategies.