Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Hematocrit Level, Red Blood Cells and White Blood Cells Counts in Blood from Patients with Different Severities of Periodontal Diseases

Background: Anemia of chronic disease (ACD) occurs in the presence of chronic infection, inflammatory conditions or neoplastic conditions despite of adequate iron and vitamins storage. Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gingiva, periodontitis is the inflammation in the periodontium that extend deeper with loss of connective tissue attachment and supporting bone. The main pathogenesis of periodontal diseases and ACD is immune activation. Aims of study: Determine and compare the clinical periodontal parameters (plaque index (PLI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL)). Evaluate the hematocrit (Hct) level, red blood cells (RBCs) count and white blood cells (WBCs) count. Assess the correlations between the clinical periodontal parameters and hematological parameters at patients had gingivitis, chronic periodontitis (CP) with different severities (mild, moderate and severe) with healthy periodontium subjects. Materials and Methods: 35-50 years old, 150 male subjects were included in this study. They were divided into three study groups: group of 30 patients with gingivitis, group of 90 patients with CP which subdivided into (Mild CP=30 patients, Moderate CP =30 patients, Severe CP =30 patients) and control group 30 subjects with clinically healthy periodontium. Blood samples were collected then by automated blood analyzer the Hct, RBCs and WBCs were evaluated. Results: Comparisons among groups and subgroups revealed significant differences in Hct and WBCs, while RBCs was non-significant. Means values of RBCs count showed reduction in mild and severe CP subgroups. while, the Hct and WBCs mean values increased in patients with periodontal disease. The correlations between the clinical periodontal parameters with WBCs and RBCs were almost non-significant but, with Hct was mostly significant negative correlations. Conclusion: Inflammatory and immune responses in periodontal diseases caused change in different hematologic parameters which could contribute to the development of anemia of chronic disease.
The pattern of male infertility in Kumasi, Ghana

Background: Male factor infertility is a global health issue that requires further studies to understand its magnitude, especially in developing countries, where the woman is usually blamed for the couple's infertility. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the patterns of male infertility in a teaching hospital in Ghana. Methodology: This was a prospective study of 110 male patients who presented with infertility at the urology outpatient clinic of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana, from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2017. Results: One hundred and ten men reported for the treatment of infertility over the study period. The mean age was 38.5 ± 7.4 years. The majority (58.2%) had primary infertility while the remaining 41.8% had secondary infertility. Four (3.6%) of the men had unilateral or bilateral cryptorchidism while 41 (38.7%) of those with both testes resident in the scrotum had small-sized testes. Varicoceles were present in 24 (22.6%) men, 58.3% of whom had primary infertility while the remaining 41.7% had secondary infertility. Thirty-eight (34.5%) of patients had low semen volume was seen in 38 (34.5%) patients. Azoospermia was seen in 28 (25.5%) patients with 30 (27.3%) patients having no motile spermatozoa. Conclusion: Male infertility in Ghana should receive more recognition, and male participation in reproductive health programs should be encouraged.
Combination Therapy for Macular Oedema in Retinal Vein Occlusions: 3-Year Results from a Real-World Clinical Practice

Purpose To report long-term efficacy and treatment outcomes of the combination therapy for treating macular oedema (MO) in retinal vein occlusions (RVOs) from a real-world UK practice. Methods The initial reported 66 RVO patients with MO treated with combination therapy (initial Ranibizumab, later optional addition of Ozurdex and laser) were followed up to Year 3: visual acuity (VA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) were analysed against baseline and previous Year 1 results. Safety and adverse events were also recorded. Results Baseline LogMAR VA of 0.71 (Snellen 6/30) improved to 0.48 (Snellen 6/18) at Year 3 (p=0.006); 63% experienced VA improvement (40% improved ≥3 lines), 27% had worse vision. Stability of mean VA (6/18) was already achieved at first post-loading phase review and was maintained in each subsequent year. Statistically significant CRT improvement was noted in each year (Year 3 median CRT=264µm) compared to baseline (median CRT=531µm). There was a reduction in the mean number of total injections to 2.5 in Year 3 (vs 5.5 in Year 1). Comparing Year 3 against Year 1, mean Ranibizumab injection frequency was 2.1 vs 4.3; mean Ozurdex injection frequency was 0.2 vs 1.1. In Year 3, 39.6% of patients did not require any form of injections, laser frequency was also reduced to 22.9% (vs 81.8% in Year 1). There was no endophthalmitis in the cohort, one progressed to neovascular glaucoma in Year 2 and mortality rate was recorded as 6%. Conclusion Our real-world clinical practice for RVO patients using a combined therapy is associated with good long-term VA and anatomical outcomes with less intravitreal re-treatment rates.
Aspirin Resistance and Stroke

Abstract Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Aspirin is the most commonly used antiplatelet drug in both primary and secondary prevention of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. A proportion of patients may have stroke recurrence while they are on treatment with aspirin, giving rise to term aspirin resistance or aspirin failure. Studies have suggested that such recurrence could partly be attributed to biochemical aspirin resistance, with an estimated prevalence ranging between 5% and 65% among patients with ischemic stroke in the published studies. Common methods to evaluate laboratory aspirin resistance include light transmission aggregometry, PFA-100, VerifyNow-Aspirin assay, serum thromboxane B2, and urinary 11-dehydrothromboxane B2. Aspirin resistance is multifactorial in origin and involves diverse environmental and genetic factors, including single-nucleotide polymorphisms, miRNAs, drug interactions, and co-morbid risk factors. The current review overviews the concept of aspirin resistance, its evaluation and relationship with stroke recurrence, its outcome, and its implications on stroke management in the future.
A Comparative Study of Intrathecal Dexmedetomidineand Buprenorphine as Adjuvant to Bupivacaine in Spinal Anaesthesia

BACKGROUND: The supplementation of local anaesthetics with adjuvants to improve the efficacy of subarachnoid block has been recognised since long. The most preferred drug has been opioids, but newer drugs like dexmedetomidine has also been introduced and investigated as an effective adjuvant. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the characteristics of subarachnoid blockade, hemodynamic stability and adverse effects of intrathecal buprenorphine and intrathecal dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine for lower abdominal surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included 60 patients aged between 18-60 years classified as American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status (PS) I/II scheduled for elective lower abdominal surgeries. The patients were randomly allotted into two groups namely Group BB and Group BD of 30 each. Patients in Group BB received 75μg of buprenorphine with 0.5% bupivacaine 15 mg intrathecally.Patients in Group BD received 5μg of dexmedetomidine with 0.5% bupivacaine 15 mg intrathecally. The onset time to peak sensory level, motor block, sedation, Haemodynamic variables, duration of motor block, analgesia and any adverse effects were noted. RESULT: There was no significant difference between groups regarding demographic characteristics and type of surgery. The motor, sensory blockade and time of rescue analgesia were significantly prolonged in Group BD compared to Group BB. The sedation level was higher in Group BD compared to Group BB. There was no significant difference in haemodynamic variables although Group BB had lower Heart Rate (HR) than Group BD. CONCLUSION: Intrathecal dexmedetomidine when compared to intrathecal buprenorphine causes prolonged anaesthesia, analgesia with better degree of sedation and reduced need of rescue analgesics.
Applying Machine Learning on Patient-Reported Data to Model the Selection of Appropriate Treatments for Low Back Pain: A Pilot Study

The objective of this pilot study was to determine whether machine learning can be applied on patient-reported data to model decision-making on treatments for low back pain (LBP). We used a database of a university spine centre containing patient-reported data from 1546 patients with LBP. From this dataset, a training dataset with 354 features (input data) was labelled on treatments (output data) received by these patients. For this pilot study, we focused on two treatments: pain rehabilitation and surgery. Classification algorithms in WEKA were trained, and the resulting models were validated during 10-fold cross validation. Next to this, a test dataset was constructed - containing 50 cases judged on treatments by 4 master physician assistants (MPAs) - to test the models with data not used for training. We used prediction accuracy and average area under curve (AUC) as performance measures. The interrater agreement among the 4 MPAs was substantial (Fleiss Kappa 0.67). The AUC values indicated small to medium (machine) learning effects, meaning that machine learning on patient-reported data to model decision-making processes on treatments for LBP seems possible. However, model performances must be improved before these models can be used in real practice.
Addressing current challenges in antibiotic treatment of community acquired pneumonia

Problematica actual y analisis de estrategias de manejo de la neumonia adquirida en la comunidad en pacientes adultos hospitalizados. en prlmier lugar se describen trends de mortalidad y de factores relacioenados a la mortalidad, secundariamente se analizan varies aspectos en relacion al tratamiento antibiotico. Se analiza la influencia de tratamiento antibiotico previo el ingreso, el impacto del tiempo hasta la primera dosis de antibiotico en el pronostico, se analiza en pacientes con neumonia neumologica el impacto del des escalar la terapia antibiotica en el pronostico y en pacientes con neumonia por Legionella pneumophila el impacto de dos diferentes tratamientos antibioticos recomendados por las guias clinicas: fluoroqulnolonas vs. macrolidos. Finalmente, se explora la influencia de factores clinicos de los pacientes con neumonia de la comunidad que puedan influenciar una diferente respuesta al tratamiento antibiotico pautado.
The Association Between Sarcopenia and Quality of Life is Different in Community Dwelling Older Australian Men and Women

Background: The impact of sarcopenia on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in community dwelling older people in Australia is not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between sarcopenia and HRQoL in older Australian men and women. Methods: 357 men and 370 women aged 65 years and older from the North West Adelaide Health Study at Stage 2 (2002-2004). Sarcopenia was defined as the presence of low muscle mass and low grip strength. HRQoL was assessed using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire: physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS). Analyses were performed using multiple regression and adjustments were made for age, physical activity, smoking status, co-morbidity and depression. Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 10.1% in men and 9.5% in women. Men with sarcopenia was significantly associated with the PCS score in the unadjusted model (P = 0.012) and only model 1 adjusted for age (P = 0.041). No significant association was noted in model 2 (model 1 + physical activity and smoking status) and model 3 (model 2 + Charlson co-morbidity index and depression). In men, a significant association between sarcopenia and MCS score was seen in the unadjusted and all 3 adjusted models. No association was seen between sarcopenia and the PCS or MCS score in women for both the adjusted and unadjusted models. Conclusion: After adjusting for multiple confounders, the association between sarcopenia only remained for the MCS score, in men. No association between sarcopenia and HRQoL was seen in women.
Effects of Chemical Thinners on Fruit Set, Yield, Fruit Size, and Fruit Quality of Honeycrisp Apple

3 H oneycrisp is being extensively planted as growers seek profitable new cultivars to diversify their variety mix. Because it is new, Honeycrisp has not been well studied and there is little information available to make recommendations about specific horticultural practices. Chemical thinning is important for managing crop load, fruit size and quality, and for increasing return bloom of apple. The optimal thinning chemistries and rates are variety specific. This study was initiated to evaluate the effect of chemical thinners on fruit set, yield, fruit size, and fruit quality of Honeycrisp.
A clinico-surgical outcome of vaginal hysterectomy with or without hydro dissection: a Quasi experimental study

Background: Vaginal hysterectomy -the signature operation of gynecologic profession, is a hallmark of gynecological extirpative hysterectomy surgery and surgical excellance1. In the era of minimal invasive surgery, Nondescent vaginal hysterectomy has evolved over the years and is opted over abdominal route. It is because of lower morbidity, less postoperative pain, more rapid return to normal activities and lesser hospital stay associated with this route of surgery. Practice of hydrodissection with diluted adrenalin has been noticed by few surgeons.Methods: We did a retrospective analysis of 267 cases of vaginal hysterectomies in our hospital over a period of three years, regarding the benefit of hydro dissection in reducing the blood loss and time of surgery, so as to incorporate this technique on routine basis.Results: Of 267 cases, NDVH was done in 107 (40.1%) cases, and 160 (59.9%) patients underwent vaginal hysterectomy with PFR. Of 267 cases, 121 (45.3%) cases had hydro dissection. In 146 (54.7%) cases hydro dissection was not done. The mean blood loss was significantly reduced in cases with hydro dissection to a mean of 1.07 mops when compared to cases with no hydro dissection-mean of 1.71 mops. Duration of surgery was also significantly reduced to a mean of 39.9 minutes in cases with hydro dissection when compared to cases with no hydro dissection with a mean of 46.3 minutes. There was no significant change in duration of hospital stay.Conclusions: Hydro dissection with diluted adrenaline should be routinely practice by all vaginal surgeons to reduce the duration of surgery and intraoperative blood loss.
Crossed Cerebellar Diaschisis in Patients With Cortical Infarction

Background and Purpose— Crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) refers to reduced metabolism and blood flow in the cerebellar hemisphere contralateral to a cerebral lesion. Many cortical areas have been reported to cause CCD without consideration of confounding factors. We performed single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in patients with cortical infarction to identify regions independently related to CCD, controlling for possible confounding effects. Methods— Patients with unilateral cortical infarction (n=113; 75 male, 38 female; mean±SD age, 66±13 years) underwent SPECT of the brain with N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP). Regional cerebral blood flow was measured autoradiographically. Asymmetry indices (AIs) were calculated on the basis of ratios representing symmetrical regional cerebral blood flow in the cerebellum and 16 cerebral regions. CCD was defined as AI for cerebellum >0.1. AIs for 16 cortical regions were considered for both dichotomous and continuous variables for analy.
Paracetamol Use in Pregnancy: Safety Concerns

Paracetamol is a drug with a narrow therapeutic index causing potentially fatal liver damage in overdose. Pregnant women may be more vulnerable to hepatotoxic reactions due to a change in the metabolism of the drug [4]. Increased activity of oxidative pathways of paracetamol metabolism during pregnancy contributes to the formation of toxic NAPQI metabolite [5]. Increase in its clearance can lead to a more rapid reduction in analgesic effect, which may require higher doses whereas higher doses may result in even higher oxidative toxic metabolites [4]. Unfortunately, paracetamol overdose is the most common drug overdose in pregnancy [6,7]. Fulminant liver failure was described in pregnant women both with a large single dose ingestion and with chronic administration of supra-therapeutic doses of paracetamol [8, 9]. Paracetamol freely crosses the placenta and could not only affect maternal, but also fetal hepatocytes [10]. Hepatotoxicity may pose an even increased threat for the fetus, because fetal liver transiently functions as the main hematopoietic organ and the source of hematopoietic stem cells. Impairment of the pool of hematopoietic stem cells may affect immune development in other fetal organs to which they seed, e.g. the thymus [10]. Experimental data provide evidence that paracetamol can cause cytotoxic effects in human stem cells [11,12] and that prenatal paracetamol interferes with maternal immune and endocrine adaptation to pregnancy, affects placental function and impairs fetal maturation and immune development [13]. This may have long-lasting consequences on offspring immunity [13]. Epidemiological studies suggest a link between fetal exposure to paracetamol and atopy (nutrition, eczema, wheezing) in early infancy [14]. Several retrospective and cohort studies revealed a positive correlation between prenatal paracetamol exposure and children’s asthma [15-17]. Meta-analysis of 5 studies (2015) showеd that any paracetamol use during the first trimester was related to increased risk of childhood asthma (pooled OR=1.39, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.91) but there was marked between-study heterogeneity and only one of these studies was adjusted for maternal respiratory tract infections [18]. Stronger evidence for the link between prenatal exposure to paracetamol and the risk of developing asthma was obtained in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study published in 2016, which found that in utero exposure increased risk of asthma at 3 and 7 years by 13% regardless of indications (pain, respiratory tract infections/ influenza and fever) [19]. Another confirmation for causality between prenatal paracetamol exposure and childhood asthma is the finding that it can be modified by maternal antioxidant gene polymorphisms [17]. There is a need for further studies aimed at the clarification of paracetamol role in the pathogenesis of asthma, establishing its optimal dose, duration of exposure, time of gestational exposure, patient genotypes that predispose to the development of asthma.
Performance of Drug and Poison Information Center within a Referral University Hospital in Southwest of Iran

Background: Drug and Poison Information Centers (DPICs) provide quick, easy, valid and reliable access to medication and toxin information for professionals, health workers and the public. The purpose of this study is to report the services provided by a university hospital DPIC within 1 year. Methods: This descriptive study reports all scientific questions asked from DPIC of “Namazi” hospital in Shiraz from the September 2016 to the August 2017. The information include the number of questions, the ward that ask the question, the questioner’s profession, the method of asking questions, the method of responding, the type of question, and the resources used to answer them. After extraction of duplicates, data were analyzed by using the Excel software. Results: The total number of contacts registered during the study period was 485. The most number of questions were received in the June 2017 and the lowest in October 2016. Major questions were asked from the health-care team working in Namazi hospital and mostly from the nursing group (49.8%). Most of the questions (80%) were asked and responses were provided (67.3%) by the telephone device. Of all incoming inquiries, drug indication (13.3%), adverse drug reactions (ADR) (13.3%), storage (11.8%), and the method of preparation as well as administration (11.7%) were among the most common types of questions. The most frequent ward in asking questions was the pediatric intensive care unit (13%). The most widely used drug information resource to answer questions was the UptoDate® (47.5%). Conclusion: DPIC services in the hospital settings can decrease or prevent ADRs as well as medication errors, improve the pattern of medication use, and result in cost saving. J Pharm Care 2017; 5(3-4): 49-55. jpc.tums. ac.ir ► Please cite this paper as: Karimzadeh I, Vazin A, Talebnia N, Hatami-Mazinani N, Mahi-Birjand M. Performance of Drug and Poison Information Center within a Referral University Hospital in Southwest of Iran. J Pharm Care 2017; 5(3-4): 49-55.
James Watson Cronin. 29 September 1931 — 25 August 2016

James (Jim) Cronin had two outstanding careers. The first, in particle physics, included the discovery of CP violation for which he and Val Fitch were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1980. During the second, in cosmic rays, he played a major role in raising the profile of that field, particularly through his leadership in the creation of the Pierre Auger Observatory, the largest cosmic-ray detector ever constructed. He will be remembered for his incisive mind, his modest style, his internationalism and his encouragement of young scientists, as well as for his brilliance as an experimental physicist and data analyst.
Risk to Develop Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus according to FINDRISC tool in Guatemalan Physicians aged 40-60 years

Background: In Latin America 22.4 million people has abnormal tolerance to insulin, these ones could turn into diabetics if they do not change their lifestyles. Added to this, there are 15 million who present Diabetes Mellitus and this amount will increase to 20 million in 10 years. This epidemic behavior is caused by many factors in which stand out lifestyles, the population aging, and lack of prevention programs. Since 1994, physicians in Guatemala have demonstrated to have inadequate lifestyles in different researches, standing out sedentarism, overweight and obesity, and hypercaloric diets. Objective: To evaluate the risk of developing type 2 Diabetes Mellitus using the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) in Guatemalan doctors of three medical institutions in the months of June and July 2016. Methods: Cross-sectional study, where 176 doctors were interviewed using the FINDRISC. Participant’s body mass index and abdominal circumference were measured. Results: Mean age was 50 years, 63% (110) male; 55% (96) were sedentary, more than three quarters consumed fruits and vegetables daily, 22% (38) were hypertensive, 10% (17) had a history of impaired glucose and 61% family history of diabetes (108); 47% (82) were overweight and 31% (54) had some degree of obesity. Central obesity was present in 63% (111). There was a statistically significant relationship between age and risk of type 2 diabetes (OR: 3.4 p: 0.001) as well as a relationship between physical activity and abdominal circumference (OR: 2.84, p: 0.001). Out of the total population, 80% (141) of doctors were in some degree of risk, from these, 53% with slightly elevated, 29% moderate, 16% with high and 2% very high risk. Conclusions: Eight out of ten doctors studied were at risk of developing type 2 diabetes over a period of ten years. There is a relationship between: age and risk of disease, as well as between physical activity and abdominal circumference.