Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Noninfectious Uveitis in Rheumatology: Patterns, Treatment, and Outcomes

Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the pattern and cause of noninfectious uveitis in rheumatology practice. The secondary objective was to identify the pattern of treatment and outcomes. Materials and methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Rheumatology, National Hospital and Medical Centre, Lahore, Pakistan. After receiving consent, electronic medical records (EMRs) of all patients with a diagnosis of noninfectious uveitis (NIU) from November 2019 to January 2023 were reviewed, and a total of 52 patients labeled as having noninfectious uveitis were identified. The collected data included age at diagnosis, anatomical location of uveitis, associated systemic disease, used medications, and outcomes. All cases had been diagnosed and assessed mutually by a rheumatologist and an ophthalmologist using the International Uveitis Study Group classification system to classify the pattern of uveitis by location, clinical course, and laterality and rule out the possibility of other ophthalmologic diseases. Disease activity was defined using the Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) guidelines. Data was analyzed on SPSS Statistics version 23 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA). Results: The mean age of the patients in this study was 36.02 ± 43.31 years, with 31 (59.6%) male patients. Anterior uveitis was the most common type observed among the patients at 55.8%, panuveitis was found in 25%, intermediate uveitis and posterior uveitis were seen in 9.6% each. Based on laterality, unilateral eye involvement was identified in 53.8% of patients. Spondyloarthritis (SpA) and idiopathic uveitis were observed in 34.6% and 28.8%, respectively. In this study, 28 (54.9%) patients were on conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (cDMARDDs), and 23 (45.1%) were on biological DMARDs. In the biologics group, 82% of patients were in remission in comparison to 60% in the cDMARDs group. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on noninfectious uveitis in the Pakistani population. The study concluded that anterior uveitis is the most common type of uveitis and is more common in males. Spondyloarthropathy is one of the most common underlying systemic diseases. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 is associated more with uveitis. Biologics are more effective than cDMARDs in controlling the disease. Collaborative work between different specialties resulted in early diagnosis of underlying systemic disease, better management plans, and disease outcomes. To obtain further details on noninfectious uveitis, a population-based study is needed in Pakistan.
Control of the formation of vortex Bessel beams in uniaxial crystals by varying the beam divergence

The transformation of zero-order Bessel beams into a second-order vortex Bessel beam in and crystals is experimentally studied, and a possibility of controlling the beam transformation by changing the wavefront curvature of the illuminating beam is shown. A quasi-periodic nature of the Bessel beam transformation in a crystal while illuminating the diffraction axicon by a convergent beam is observed.
Anterior Segment Biometry in a Caucasian Population with Cataracts

Abstract Purpose To investigate biometric factors of the anterior segment of phakic eyes with cataracts. Methods This population-based study included Caucasian patients with cataracts in the University Eye Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany. Biometric parameters were measured using the swept-source optical coherence tomography method. Patients were grouped into intermediate stages based on decades of life. Results In total, 6289 eyes of 3615 patients (age: 70.67 ± 8.42 years) were included. Age-related reductions in the anterior chamber depth (mean ± standard deviation) decreased from 3.26 ± 0.42 mm (group A: 55–59 years) to 2.94 ± 0.4 mm (group G: 85–89 years), and those in the axial length decreased from 24.37 ± 1.87 mm (group A) to 23.39 ± 1.07 mm (group G). Likewise, the white-to-white distance decreased from 12.12 ± 0.48 mm (group A) to 11.96 ± 0.47 mm (group G). Lens thickness tended to increase accordingly from 4.39 ± 0.36 µm (group A) to 4.9 ± 0.40 µm (group G). A comparison of the eyes showed no detectable lateral difference regarding the biometric parameters between the groups (axial length: p = 0.26, Rosenthal effect size = 0.03; lens thickness: p = 0.12, R = 0.03; anterior chamber depth: p = 0.63, Rosenthal effect size = 0.01). The axial length and anterior chamber depth differed significantly between sexes (r = 0.22, p < 0.0001 and r = 0.16, p < 0.0001, respectively). Multiple regression analysis of the anterior chamber depth as a function of biometry parameters as well as age and sex additionally indicated a positive correlation of anterior chamber depth with white-to-white distance (b = 0.32, p = 10−5), axial length (b = 0.10, p = 10−5), keratometry (b = 0.07, p = 10−5), and lens thickness (b=-0.05, p = 10−5) with a high effect size (Cohen f2=1.866, p = 10−5) and strong multiple correlation coefficient (Rosenthal effect size = 0.80, p = 10−5). Conclusions In the anterior segment, there are age- and sex-dependent changes in biometric parameters. In addition, changes in anterior chamber depth were noted in relation to white-to-white distance, axial length, keratometry, and lens thickness. These data should be considered in lens calculation formulas.
Improved single image super-resolution based on edge directed interpolation

Single image super-resolution is one of the most prevalent techniques in digital image processing with a wide range of applications. In this paper, we analyzed the well-known new edge directed interpolation (NEDI) and proposed an improved single image super-resolution method based on edge directed interpolation which could preserve the edge features and reduce common artifacts efficiently. In order to obtain a good tradeoff between quality and speed, a new scheme which moves local window along edge direction is applied. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm improves the subjective quality of the interpolated images over the other conventional interpolations with competitive computation complexity.
Negative absolute temperatures of vortices in a two-dimensional superfluid

We have observed negative absolute temperature configuration of vortices in a 2D superfluid atomic gas of Rb atoms confined in a circular-shaped, flat-bottom potential. We create the vortex configurations by sweeping a linear array of optical barriers through the cloud of atoms and then allow the system to evolve for a variable time during which vortex-antivortex annihilation occurs. We subsequently use velocity-selective Bragg scattering and absorption imaging to identify the sign of the circulation and location of the vortices, which enables us to determine the incompressible flow field of the atomic gas. We perform thermometry on the vortex configurations by identifying the numbers of clusters, dipoles and free vortices. By varying the width and spacing between the optical barriers, we are able to create vortex configurations going from positive to negative absolute temperatures. We also observe some evaporative heating of the vortex configuration as vortices are lost due to annihilation.
The Cobb-Douglas function for a continuum model

This paper introduces two formal equivalent definitions of the Cobb-Douglas function for a continuum model based on a generalization of the Constant Elasticity of Substitution (CES) function for a continuum under not necessarily constant returns to scale and based on principles of product calculus. New properties are developed, and to illustrate the potential of using the product integral and its functional derivative, it is shown how the profit maximization problem of a single competitive firm using a continuum of factors of production can be solved in a manner that is completely analogous to the one used in the discrete case.
A Robust Machine Learning Framework Built Upon Molecular Representations Predicts CYP450 Inhibition: Toward Precision in Drug Repurposing

Human cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes play a crucial role in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics. CYP450 inhibition can lead to toxicity, in particular when drugs are co-administered with other drugs and xenobiotics or in the case of polypharmacy. Predicting CYP450 inhibition is also important for rational drug discovery and development, and precision in drug repurposing. In this overarching context, digital transformation of drug discovery and development, for example, using machine and deep learning approaches, offers prospects for prediction of CYP450 inhibition through computational models. We report here the development of a majority-voting machine learning framework to classify inhibitors and noninhibitors for seven major human liver CYP450 isoforms (CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4). For the machine learning models reported herein, we employed interaction fingerprints that were derived from molecular docking simulations, thus adding an additional layer of information for protein-ligand interactions. The proposed machine learning framework is based on the structure of the binding site of isoforms to produce predictions beyond previously reported approaches. Also, we carried out a comparative analysis so as to identify which representation of test compounds (molecular descriptors, molecular fingerprints, or protein-ligand interaction fingerprints) affects the predictive performance of the models. This work underlines the ways in which the structure of the enzyme catalytic site influences machine learning predictions and the need for robust frameworks toward better-informed predictions.
Relationship between Center of Pressure and Local Stability of the Lower Joints during Walking in the Elderly Women

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between center of pressure (CoP) and local stability of the lower joints, which was calculated based on approximate entropy (ApEn) during walking in elderly women. Method: Eighteen elderly women were recruited (age: 66.4±1.2 yrs; mass: 55.4±8.3 kg; height: 1.56±0.04 m) for this study. Before collecting data, reflective marker triads composed of 3 non-collinear spheres were attached to the lateral surface of the thigh and shank near the mid-segment to measure motion of the thigh and shank segments. To measure foot motion, reflective markers were placed on the shoe at the heel, head of the fifth metatarsal, and lateral malleolus, and were also placed on the right anterior-superior iliac spine, left anterior-superior iliac spine, and sacrum to observe pelvic motion. During treadmill walking, kinematic data were recorded using 6 infrared cameras (Oqus 300, Qualisys, Sweden) with a 100 Hz sampling frequency and kinetic data were collected from a treadmill (Instrumented Treadmill, Bertec, USA) for 20 strides. From kinematic data, 3D angles of the lower extremity's joint were calculated using Cardan technique and then ApEn were computed for their angles to evaluate local stability. Range of CoP was determined from the kinetic data. Pearson product-moment and Spearman rank correlation coefficient were applied to find relationship between CoP and ApEn. The level of significance was determined at p <. 05. Results: There was a negative linear correlation between CoP and ApEn of hip joint adduction-abduction motion ( p <.05), but ApEn of other joint motion did not affect the CoP. Conclusion: It was conjectured that ApEn, local stability index, for adduction/abduction of the hip joint during walking could be useful as a fall predictor.
Humoral and cellular BNT162b2 mRNA-based booster vaccine-induced immunity in patients with multiple myeloma and persistence of neutralising antibodies: results of a prospective single-centre cohort study.

BACKGROUND Currently available messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-based vaccines against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been shown to be effective even in highly immunocompromised hosts, including patients with multiple myeloma. However, vaccination failure can be observed in all patient groups. METHODS This prospective study longitudinally assessed the humoral and cellular responses to a third booster dose of BNT162b2 mRNA-based vaccine in patients with myeloma (n = 59) and healthy controls (n = 22) by measuring the levels of anti-spike (S) antibodies (electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay) including neutralising antibodies and specific T-cells (enzyme-linked immunospot assay) following booster administration. RESULTS The third booster dose showed a high immunogenicity on the serological level among the patients with multiple myeloma (median anti-S level = 41 binding antibody units [BAUs]/ml pre-booster vs 3902 BAU/ml post-booster, p <0.001; increase in the median neutralising antibody level from 19.8% to 97%, p <0.0001). Four of five (80%) patients with a complete lack of any serological response (anti-S immunoglobulin level <0.8 BAU/ml) after two vaccine doses developed detectable anti-S antibodies after booster vaccination (median anti-S level = 88 BAU/ml post-booster). T-cell responses were largely preserved among the patients with multiple myeloma with no difference from the healthy controls following baseline vaccination (median spot-forming units [SFU]/106 of peripheral blood mononuclear cells = 193 vs 175, p = 0.711); these responses were augmented significantly after booster administration among the patients with multiple myeloma (median SFU/106 of peripheral blood mononuclear cells = 235 vs 443, p <0.001). However, the vaccination responses remained highly heterogeneous and diminished over time, with insufficient serological responses occurring even after booster vaccination in a few patients irrespective of the treatment intensity. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate improvements in humoral and cellular immunity following booster vaccination and support the assessment of the humoral vaccine response in patients with multiple myeloma until a threshold for protection against severe COVID-19 is validated. This strategy can allow the identification of patients who might benefit from additional protective measures (e.g. pre-exposure prophylaxis via passive immunisation).
Chlamydomonas: Fast tracking from genomics

Elucidating biological processes has relied on the establishment of model organisms, many of which offer advantageous features such as rapid axenic growth, extensive knowledge of their physiological features and gene content, and the ease with which they can be genetically manipulated. The unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has been an exemplary model that has enabled many scientific breakthroughs over the decades, especially in the fields of photosynthesis, cilia function and biogenesis, and the acclimation of photosynthetic organisms to their environment. Here, we discuss recent molecular/technological advances that have been applied to C. reinhardtii and how they have further fostered its development as a “flagship” algal system. We also explore the future promise of this alga in leveraging advances in the fields of genomics, proteomics, imaging, and synthetic biology for addressing critical future biological issues.
Effect of the personality traits of healthy Japanese workers on depressive symptoms and social adaptation, and on the achievement rate of exercise therapy to prevent major depression

Background This study determined the effects of personality traits on depressive symptoms and social adaptation in healthy workers, and the effects of depressive symptoms or social adaptation before and after exercise therapy, and personality traits before exercise therapy on the achievement rates of exercise therapy aimed at preventing major depression. Methods Two hundred fifty healthy Japanese workers were given an eight-week walking program as exercise therapy. After excluding 35 participants who had dropped or provided incomplete information, 215 were included in the analysis. The Japanese version of the NEO five-factor inventory was used to assess participants’ personality traits before the exercise therapy. Depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Japanese version of the Zung self-rating depression scale (SDS-J) and social adaptation was evaluated using the Japanese version of the social adaptation self-evaluation scale (SASS-J) before and after the exercise therapy. Results The SDS-J scores correlated with neuroticism and negatively correlated with extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness before the exercise therapy. The SDS-J was also negatively correlated with openness in women, but not in men, while the SASS-J was associated with extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness, and negatively correlated with neuroticism. There was no significant change in levels of depression before and after exercise therapy; however, social adaptation increased significantly in men. No association was found between SDS-J and SASS-J scores before the exercise therapy and the achievement rate. The achievement rates of exercise therapy were negatively correlated with SDS-J or SASS-J after exercise therapy in women. The SDS-J after exercise therapy was correlated with neuroticism in men and negatively correlated with extraversion in women. The SASS-J after exercise therapy was negatively correlated with neuroticism and correlated with extraversion and openness in men. In contrast, the SASS-J after exercise therapy correlated with openness and agreeableness in women. Conscientiousness was correlated with the achievement rate of exercise therapy in men, but not with the various personality traits in women. Conclusion Depressive symptoms and social adaptation were differently associated with personality traits and achievement rates before and after exercise therapy. Conscientiousness before exercise therapy predicted a higher achievement rate for exercise therapy in men.
Assessing the Quality of Models of the Ambient Solar Wind

In this paper we present an assessment of the status of models of the global solar wind in the inner heliosphere. We limit our discussion to the class of models designed to provide solar wind forecasts, excluding those designed for the purpose of testing physical processes in idealized configurations. In addition, we limit our discussion to modeling of the ambient wind in the absence of coronal mass ejections. In this assessment we cover use of the models both in forecast mode and as tools for scientific research. We present a brief history of the development of these models, discussing the range of physical approximations in use. We discuss the limitations of the data inputs available to these models and its impact on their quality. We also discuss current model development trends.
A Qualitative Investigation of the Perceptions Student on Career Women

Indonesian women have started to be active in their careers and get the samepositionintheworldofwork.Students’perceptionsofcareerwomenwillbea descriptionandprovisionforthemintheircareersandhouseholds.Thisstudyaims tolookatstudents’perceptionsofcareerwomen.Theresearchmethodusedisa qualitativedescriptivemethod.Thesampleofthisstudyamountedto50students invarioustypesofmajors.Datacollectiontechniquesthroughquestionnaires, observationandindirectinterviews.Intheresultsofresearchrelatedtofamily,it producesthatalmostthalfofstudentfamilieshaveworkingfathersandmothers. Basedonashortquestionnaire,studentsstatedthattheystronglyagreedwith careerwomen.Infact,majorityrespondentsstatedthattheystronglyagreewith workingwomen.
Autologous Serum Eye Drops for Dry Eye: Systematic Review

BACKGROUND Dry eye is a common condition with serious implications worldwide. The unique composition of autologous serum (AS) eye drops has been hypothesized as a possible treatment. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to review the effectiveness and safety of AS. DATA SOURCES We searched five databases and three registries up to September 30, 2022. STUDY ELIGIBILITY We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing AS with artificial tears, saline, or placebo for participants with dry eye. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS We adhered to Cochrane methods for study selection, data extraction, risk-of-bias assessment, and synthesis. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework to evaluate the certainty of evidence. RESULTS We included six RCTs with 116 participants. Four trials compared AS with artificial tears. We found low-certainty evidence that AS may improve symptoms (0- to 100-point pain scale) after 2 weeks of treatment compared with saline (mean difference, −12.00; 95% confidence interval, −20.16 to −3.84; 1 RCT, 20 participants). Ocular surface outcomes (corneal staining, conjunctival staining, tear breakup time, Schirmer test) were inconclusive. Two trials compared AS with saline. Very low-certainty evidence suggested that Rose Bengal staining (0- to 9-point scale) may be slightly improved after 4 weeks of treatment compared with saline (mean difference, −0.60; 95% confidence interval, −1.11 to −0.09; 35 eyes). None of the trials reported outcomes of corneal topography, conjunctival biopsy, quality of life, economic outcomes, or adverse events. LIMITATIONS We were unable to use all data because of unclear reporting. CONCLUSIONS The effectiveness of AS is uncertain based on current data. Symptoms improved slightly with AS compared with artificial tears for 2 weeks. Staining scores improved slightly with AS compared with saline, with no benefit identified for other measures. IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS High-quality, large trials enrolling diverse participants with varying severity are needed. A core outcome set would allow for evidence-based treatment decisions consistent with current knowledge and patient values.
A global asymptotic stability condition for a Lotka–Volterra model with indirect interactions

ABSTRACT A two-species Lotka–Volterra model extended with an arbitrary number of indirect interactions through diffusible and renewable compounds is presented in view of its considerable interest to the microbial community modelling. After the determination of the system’s fixed points and a short discussion over their local asymptotic stability, Lyapunov’s second method is applied to derive a sufficient condition of global asymptotic stability. Biologically, this condition indicates the necessity for one microbial type to show strong self-inhibition and the compounds to be quickly replaced.
Mean rate of progression of visual fields in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension attending a tertiary care center in South India – A prospective cohort study using FORUM® Glaucoma Workplace software

Purpose: To find out the mean rate of progression (MROP) of visual fields (VF) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT) using FORUM® Glaucoma Workplace. Methods: Two hundred and one eyes of 105 patients were included in this prospective cohort study. Patients with POAG and OHT were recruited, and VF analysis with 24-2 and or 10-2 was done using SITA standard strategy in Zeiss Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer (HFA). All the previous VFs were identified from FORUM software, and the baseline indices were recorded from the first reliable VF analysis. The present VF analysis was compared to the previous one using FORUM software, and the rate of progression (ROP) in VF was obtained by Guided Progression Analysis. Results: MROP of VF in the POAG group was − 0.085 dB/year, ranging from −2.8 to 2.8 dB/year with a standard deviation (SD) of 0.69. In the OHT group, the MROP of VF was −0.003 dB/year, ranging from − 0.8 to 0.5 dB/year with an SD of 0.27. The MROP of VF in medically treated eyes with POAG was −0.14 dB/year with an SD of 0.61 and in surgically treated eyes was −0.02 dB/year with an SD of 0.78. The overall baseline mean VF index (VFI) was 83.19% and the final mean VFI was 79.80%. There was a statistically significant decrease in the mean VFI value from baseline to the final visit (P-value 0.0005). Conclusion: The mean ROP of VF in the POAG group was −0.085 dB/year and in the OHT group was − 0.003 dB/year.