Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploration of green integrated approach for effluent treatment through mass culture and biofuel production from unicellular alga, Acutodesmus obliquus RDS01

Abstract This study deals with the open pond (OP) pilot scale treatment of cassava effluent and enhancement of Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) enzyme through CO2 utilization by the microalga, Acutodesmus obliquus RDS01. The cassava effluent treatment (ET) revealed maximum reduction of ammonia (96.8%), calcium (94.6%), chloride (95.2%), chlorine (98.5%), inorganic phosphate (94.6%), magnesium (96.8%), nitrate (96.89%), organic carbon (95.9%), organic phosphorus (96.3%), potassium (97.9%), sodium (97.1%), and sulfate (95.4%) on 15th day using A. obliquus. The microalga produced highest RuBisCO enzyme activity (90%), CO2 utilization efficiency (95%), biomass (8.9 gL−1), lipid (176.65 mg mL−1), carbohydrate (96.78 mg mL−1), biodiesel (4.1 mL g−1), and bioethanol (3.7 mL g−1) during OP treatment. The isolated RuBisCO gene (rbcL) was used to construct the protein model by homology modeling. The microalgal-lipid content was analyzed through thin layer chromatography, the biodiesel produced was analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS). The bioethanol production was confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography and GCMS analyses. A. obliquus produced of 98.75% biodiesel and 96.83% bioethanol in the OP pilot scale treatment A. obliquus. Overall, the microalga A. obliquus could act as an effective CO2 capturing and bioremediation agent in the cassava ET, and also for the biodiesel and bioethanol can be produced. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Neutrophil extracellular traps generation and degradation in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis and systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract Neutrophils are one of the first cells to arrive at the site of infection, where they apply several strategies to kill pathogens: degranulation, respiratory burst, phagocytosis, and release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Recent discoveries try to connect NETs formation with autoimmune diseases, like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and place them among one of the factors responsible for disease pathogenesis. The aim of the study was to assess the NETotic capabilities of neutrophils obtained from freshly diagnosed autoimmune patients versus healthy controls. Further investigation involved assessing NETs production among treated patients. In the latter step, NETs degradation potency of collected sera from non-treated patients was checked. Lastly, the polymorphisms of the DNASE I gene among tested subjects were checked. NETs formation was measured in a neutrophil culture by fluorometry, while degradation assessment was performed with patients’ sera and extracellular source of DNA. Additionally, Sanger sequencing was used to check potential SNP mutations between patients. About 121 subjects were enrolled into this study, 54 of them with a diagnosed autoimmune disorder. Neutrophils stimulated with NETosis inducers were able to release NETs in all cases. We have found that disease affected patients produce NETs more rapidly and in larger quantities than control groups, with up to 82.5% more released. Most importantly, we showed a difference between the diseases themselves. NETs release was 68.5% higher in GPA samples when compared to SLE ones while stimulated with Calcium Ionophore. Serum nucleases were less effective at degrading NETs in both autoimmune diseases, with a reduction in degradation of 20.9% observed for GPA and 18.2% for SLE when compared with the controls. Potential therapies targeting neutrophils and NETs should be specifically tailored to the type of the disease. Since there are significant differences between NETs release and disease type, a standard neutrophil targeted therapy could prevent over-generation of traps in some cases, while in others it would deplete the cells, leaving the immune system unresponsive to primary infections.
Efficacy of amantadine on behavioural problems due to acquired brain injury: A systematic review

ABSTRACT Objectives: To systematically review literature on efficacy of amantadine on behavior (irritability/aggression/agitation, emotional lability, apathy, impairment of executive functioning), participation, quality-of-life (QoL), and safety, in patients with acquired brain injury (ABI). Amantadine is widely used clinically, so comprehensive information on efficacy, participation, QoL and safety is relevant. Methods: We used PRISMA Guidelines. We searched PubMed/EMBASE/CINAHL (last search 28–8-2018) Two independent reviewers performed selection and data-extraction. Quality of studies was assessed, using CONSORT and Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies (QATFQS). Results: Eleven out of 500 studies were included. Of five RCTs, two reported significant effects on irritability/aggression, and one no effect. One RCT on cognition no effect. One prospective cohort study showed a significant effect on executive functioning. One retrospective study was inconclusive. One single-case experimental design (SCED) study reported significant effect on apathy and three case-reports indicated effects on behavior. QoL and societal participation were not measured. No safety issues emerged. Conclusion: Amantadine may be efficacious on irritability and aggression after ABI. Amantadine is a safe drug in the presence of adequate creatinine clearance. Future studies should use designs, suitable for the heterogeneous ABI population, like randomized SCEDs, and should include the effect on societal participation and QoL.
Interventions to Prevent Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers in Recipients of a Solid Organ Transplant: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND Organ transplant recipients are at high risk of developing skin cancer. The benefits and harms of interventions to prevent nonmelanoma skin cancer in solid organ transplant recipients have not been summarized. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL through April 2018. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool, and evidence certainty was evaluated using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation process. Prespecified outcomes were nonmelanoma skin cancer, clearance and prevention of keratotic skin lesions, and intervention-specific adverse events. RESULTS Ninety-two trials (20 012 participants) were included. The evaluated treatments were cancer-specific interventions (acitretin, imiquimod, photodynamic therapy, nicotinamide, topical diclofenac, and selenium) and immunosuppression regimes (azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, calcineurin inhibitors, mammalian target of rapamycin [mTOR] inhibitors, belatacept, induction agents, and withdrawal of calcineurin inhibitors or corticosteroids). Effects on nonmelanoma skin cancer were uncertain for photodynamic therapy (3 trials, 93 participants, risk ratio [RR] 1.42 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.65-3.11]; low certainty evidence), nicotinamide (2 trials, 60 participants), acitretin (2 trials, 61 participants), and imiquimod (1 trial, 20 participants) compared to control. mTOR inhibitors probably reduced skin cancer compared to calcineurin inhibitors (12 trials, 2225 participants, RR 0.62 [95% CI, 0.45-0.85]; moderate certainty evidence). Photodynamic therapy may cause pain at the treatment site (4 trials, 95 patients, RR 17.09 [95% CI, 4.22-69.26]; low certainty evidence). CONCLUSIONS There is limited evidence for the efficacy and safety of specific treatments to prevent nonmelanoma skin cancers among solid organ transplant recipients.
The sirtuin family in cancer

ABSTRACT Sirtuins are a family of protein deacylases and ADP-ribosyl-transferases, homologs to the yeast SIR2 protein. Seven sirtuin paralogs have been described in mammals, with different subcellular locations, targets, enzymatic activities, and regulatory mechanisms. All sirtuins share NAD+ as substrate, placing them as central metabolic hubs with strong relevance in lifespan, metabolism, and cancer development. Much effort has been devoted to studying the roles of sirtuins in cancer, providing a wealth of data on sirtuins roles in mouse models and humans. Also, extensive data are available on the effects of pharmacological modulation of sirtuins in cancer development. Here, we present a comprehensive and organized resume of all the existing evidence linking every sirtuin with cancer development. From our analysis, we conclude that sirtuin modulation after tumor initiation results in unpredictable outcomes in most tumor types. On the contrary, all genetic and pharmacological models indicate that sirtuins activation prior to tumor initiation can constitute a powerful preventive strategy.
Managing antibiotic resistance in nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease: challenges and new approaches

ABSTRACT Introduction: The incidence and prevalence rates of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary disease have been continuously increasing worldwide. However, the rate of successful treatment of this disease greatly needs improving, particularly when intrinsic (natural) drug resistance and acquired drug resistance in NTM pulmonary disease are associated with poor outcomes for patients. Areas covered: This review covers the major pathogens that cause NTM pulmonary disease caused by Mycobacterium avium complex, Mycobacterium abscessus, and Mycobacterium kansasii; the key drugs and recommended regimens used in the treatment of NTM pulmonary disease; the factors that contribute to resistance to the key drugs, including genetic factors and monotherapy; and the treatment strategies, including revised antibiotic regimens and surgery, that can be used to treat drug-resistant NTM pulmonary disease. Expert opinion: To avoid and overcome drug resistance in NTM pulmonary disease, the appropriate guideline-based treatments are essential, and clinical studies to evaluate new or repurposed drugs are urgently needed.
Association of Total Medication Burden With Intensive and Standard Blood Pressure Control and Clinical Outcomes: A Secondary Analysis of SPRINT.

Total medication burden (antihypertensive and nonantihypertensive medications) may be associated with poor systolic blood pressure (SBP) control. We investigated the association of baseline medication burden and clinical outcomes and whether the effect of the SBP intervention varied according to baseline medication burden in SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial). Participants were randomized to intensive or standard SBP goal (below 120 or 140 mm Hg, respectively); n=3769 participants with high baseline medication burden (≥5 medications) and n=5592 with low burden (<5 medications). Primary outcome: differences in SBP. Secondary outcomes: 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale and modified Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications measured at baseline and 12 months and incident cardiovascular disease events and serious adverse events throughout the trial. Participants in the intensive group with high versus low medication burden were less likely to achieve their SBP goal at 12 months (risk ratio, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.85-0.97) but not in the standard group (risk ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.93-1.03; Pinteraction<0.001). High medication burden was associated with increased cardiovascular disease events (hazard ratio, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.14-1.70) and serious adverse events (hazard ratio, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.24-1.45), but the effect of intensive versus standard treatment did not vary between medication burden groups ( Pinteraction>0.5). Medication burden had minimal association with adherence or satisfaction. High baseline medication burden was associated with worse intensive SBP control and higher rates of cardiovascular disease events and serious adverse events. The relative benefits and risks of intensive SBP goals were similar regardless of medication burden. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov . Unique identifier: NCT01206062.
The Development of the Brooding Scale

Objective The purpose of this study was to develop a Brooding Scale (BS) and to confirm its psychometric properties. Methods A preliminary questionnaire was developed based on a literature review and face-to-face interviews with healthy subjects. To evaluate reliability and construct validity, a 15-item BS was administered to 124 healthy subjects. Convergent validity was tested by assessing the relationship between the BS and the Ruminative Response Scale (RRS). Discriminant validity was confirmed in 58 patients with schizophrenia. Results The internal consistency for the BS was excellent. An exploratory factor analysis yielded two factors: the emotional (six items) and cognitive (five items) domains, which explained 33.83% and 23.69% of the variance, respectively. The BS total score and scores for factors 1 and 2 showed significant positive correlations with the RRS. The total score and sub-factor scores of the BS were significantly higher in patients with schizophrenia than in healthy subjects. Conclusion The BS can be used as a reliable and valid tool to assess brooding in healthy adults. In addition, it had good discriminant validity for patients with schizophrenia.
Effects of Vitamin A on Expressions of Apoptosis Genes Bax and Bcl-2 in Epithelial Cells of Corneal Tissues Induced by Benzalkonium Chloride in Mice with Dry Eye

Background The apoptosis of corneal epithelial cells participates in the pathological processes of dry eye, which is expected to be a treatment target for dry eye. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin A (VA) on apoptosis of corneal epithelial cells in a mouse model with dry eye induced by benzalkonium chloride (BAC). Material/Methods We randomly divided 60 male BALB/c mice aged 8–10 weeks into 3 groups: the blank control group, the dry eye+vehicle group, and the dry eye+drug group. On the 7th day after the dry eye model successfully induced, the mouse eyeballs removed, and the mouse corneal tissues were isolated. The expression levels of Bax and Bcl-2 in corneal tissues were detected via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. The apoptotic corneal epithelial cells were quantified using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining technique. Results VA suppressed the upregulation of the Bax gene at the mRNA and protein levels, and upregulated the expression of the Bcl-2 gene (P<0.05). TUNEL results revealed that the number of apoptotic epithelial cells in the dry eye group was 40 times larger as that in the blank control group. After the intervention of VA at an appropriate concentration, the number of apoptotic corneal epithelial cells was remarkably reduced to about 10 times that in the blank control group (P<0.05). Conclusions VA can inhibit upregulation of the expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 in the epithelial cells of mice with dry eye induced by BAC, so as to suppress the apoptosis of epithelial cells in mice with dry eye.
Biodegradable Biliverdin Nanoparticles for Efficient Photoacoustic Imaging.

Photoacoustic imaging has emerged as a promising imaging platform with a high tissue penetration depth. However, biodegradable nanoparticles, especially those for photoacoustic imaging, are rare and limited to a few polymeric agents. The development of such nanoparticles holds great promise for clinically translatable diagnostic imaging with high biocompatibility. Metabolically digestible and inherently photoacoustic imaging probes can be developed from nanoprecipitation of biliverdin, a naturally occurring heme-based pigment. The synthesis of nanoparticles composed of a biliverdin network, cross-linked with a bifunctional amine linker, is achieved where spectral tuning relies on the choice of reaction media. Nanoparticles synthesized in water or water containing sodium chloride exhibit higher absorbance and lower fluorescence compared to nanoparticles synthesized in 2-(N-morpholino) ethane sulfonic acid (MES) buffer. All nanoparticles display high absorbance at 365 nm and 680 nm. Excitation at near-infrared wavelengths leads to a strong photoacoustic signal, while excitation with ultraviolet wavelengths results in fluorescence emission. In vivo photoacoustic imaging experiments in mice demonstrated that the nanoparticles accumulate in lymph nodes, highlighting their potential utility as photoacoustic agents for sentinel lymph node detection. The biotransformation of these agents was studied using mass spectroscopy and they were found to be completely biodegraded in the presence of biliverdin reductase, a ubiquitous enzyme found in the body. Degradation of these particles was also confirmed in vivo. Thus, the nanoparticles developed here are a promising platform for biocompatible biological imaging due to their inherent photoacoustic and fluorescent properties, as well as their complete metabolic digestion.
Serious games, a game changer in teaching neonatal resuscitation? A review

Background Neonatal healthcare professionals require frequent simulation-based education (SBE) to improve their cognitive, psychomotor and communication skills during neonatal resuscitation. However, current SBE approaches are resource-intensive and not routinely offered in all healthcare facilities. Serious games (board and computer based) may be effective and more accessible alternatives. Objective To review the current literature about serious games, and how these games might improve knowledge retention and skills in neonatal healthcare professionals. Method Literature searches of PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, Web of Science and EMBASE databases were performed to identify studies examining serious games in neonatology. All games, such as board games, tabletop games, video games, screen-based simulators, tabletop simulators and virtual reality games were included. Results Twelve serious games were included in this review (four board games, five video games and three virtual reality games). Overall, knowledge improvement was reported for the RETAIN (REsuscitationTrAINing for healthcare professionals) board game (10% increase in knowledge retention) and The Neonatology Game (4.15 points higher test score compared with control). Serious games are increasingly incorporated into Nursing and Medical School Curriculums to reinforce theoretical and practical learning. Conclusions Serious games have the potential to improve healthcare professionals’ knowledge, skills and adherence to the resuscitation algorithm and could enhance access to SBE in resource-intensive and resource-limited areas. Future research should examine important clinical outcomes in newborn infants.
Acute hypoxic pulmonary hypertension associated with right heart failure

Abstract COPD is a cause of chronic pulmonary hypertension, with increased pressure during exacerbations. But acute right ventricular failure is very rare in this condition. We reported two cases in which exacerbation and hypoxaemia have induced an acute severe pulmonary hypertension complicated by right ventricular failure and cardiogenic shock. The supportive treatment and the correction of hypoxaemia have rapidly solved the clinical situation.
Agreement between 2017 ACC/AHA Hypertension Clinical Practice Guidelines and Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee Guidelines to Estimate Prevalence of Postmenopausal Hypertension in a Rural Area of Bangladesh: A Cross Sectional Study

Background and objectives: Justification for application of 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines to detect hypertension (HTN) among Bangladeshi population is understudied. This prompted us to examine the level of agreement between 2017 ACC/AHA and Joint National Committee 7 (JNC 7) guidelines to detect postmenopausal HTN in a rural area of Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 265 postmenopausal women of 40–70 years of age who visited a rural primary health care centre of Bangladesh. HTN was diagnosed based on two definitions: the JNC 7 guidelines (SBP ≥ 140 or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg), and the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines (SBP ≥ 130 mmHg, or DBP ≥ 80 mmHg). The prevalence of postmenopausal HTN, its sub-types and stages were reported and compared using frequency and percentage. Agreement was evaluated using Cohen’s Kappa (κ), Prevalence-Adjusted Bias-Adjusted Kappa (PABAK) and First-order Agreement Coefficient (AC1). Results: The prevalence of postmenopausal HTN was 67.5% and 41.9% using 2017 ACC/AHA and JNC 7 guidelines respectively. Among the HTN sub-types and stages, the new 2017 ACC/AHA guideline classified higher proportion of respondents as having isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) (42.6%) and stage 2 HTN (35.8%) compared to JNC 7 (28.7% and 6.8% respectively). On the other hand, the JNC 7 guideline identified more respondents as pre-hypertensive (32.5%) when compared with the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline (3.8%). Between two guidelines, highest agreement was observed for ISH (86.03%) and those had pre-hypertension/elevated blood pressure (71.3%). Similarly, Landis & Koch’s approach detected highest agreement for ISH (κ = 0.74, substantial; PABAK = 0.76, substantial; AC1 = 0.84, excellent; p < 0.001) and pre-hypertension/elevated blood pressure (κ = 0.12, slight; PABAK = 0.42, moderate; AC1 = 0.83, excellent; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The 2017 ACC/AHA HTN guideline reported high agreement and detected more participants as hypertensive when compared with JNC 7 guideline for Bangladeshi postmenopausal women that demands further large-scale study in general population to clarify the current findings more precisely.
Retrieval Of Information In Document Image Databases Using Partial Word Image Matching Technique

With the popularity and importance of document images as an information source, information retrieval in document image databases has become a challenge. In this paper, an approach with the capability of matching partial word images to address two issues in document image retrieval: word spotting and similarity measurement between documents has been proposed. Initially, each word image is represented by a primitive string. Then, an inexact string matching technique is utilized to measure the similarity between the string generated of the query word with the word string generated from the document. Based on the similarity, we can find out how a word image is relevant to the other and, can be decided whether one is a portion of the other. In order to deal with various character fonts, a primitive string which is tolerant to serif and font differences to represent a word image has been used. Using this technique of inexact string matching, our method is able to successfully handle the problem of heavily touching characters. From the experimental results on a variety of document image databases it is confirmed that the proposed approach is feasible, valid, and efficient in document image retrieval.