Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
INSILICO STUDIES OF ANTIGEN-E (HEPATITS-B) AGAINST PRINCIPAL COMPONENTS OF 9 MEDICINAL PLANTS

Hepatitis-B is an infectious disease of the liver and it is a serious health problem with more than two billion sufferers worldwide, around 350 million of which are chronic carriers of the disease. Associated risks include cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer from which more than one million people die annually. The standard treatment for Hepatitis-B is alpha-2b-interferon which is expensive, has serious adverse effects and does not always prevent recurrence of the disease. Historically herbal medicines have been used to treat liver disease, including chronic Hepatitis-B. The natural compounds of various plant extracts have potential effects in the treatment of Hepatitis-B. The pharmacological effects of these extracts have been demonstrated in inhibiting the levels of Antigen E in patients affected by Hepatitis B. To understand the binding mechanism of the 57 phytocompounds from nine different plant sources molecular docking studies has been performed with Antigen-E of Heptitis-B virus using GOLD (Genetic Optimization of Ligand Docking) software. These compounds show favorable interactions with the amino acid residues thereby substantiating their proven efficacy as anti-viral compounds. Complete utilization of the medicinal values of herbal plants with the use of similar bioinformatics approaches can take the science of pharmacology to higher level. The use of similar approaches to identify the most active compound from the plant extracts will help in treating the diseases with the best compound.
Chondromatosis of the Knee Joint 8 Months after Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation

problems in orthopaedics. Several treatment options have been described, especially in the last 2 decades. Peterson, Brittberg, Lindahl, and their colleagues first published a description of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) with the use of periosteum in the early 1990s; the technique has been performed in humans since 1987. The method has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration since 1994, being the first cellular product to be licensed. The first clinical results were published in 1994, providing an excellent success rate reaching 92% in isolated femoral condyle lesions. Until now, ACI has been used for large, full-thickness chondral defects of the knee joint, with better results at the femoral condyle lesions. Over 10 000 ACIs have been performed between 1995 and 2004. Autologous chondrocyte implantation has its limitations, being a 2-stage operation with the second operation an open procedure. It also demands a skillful technique for the periosteum retrieval and watertight suturing. Furthermore, ACI necessitates a strict postoperative protocol. Adverse events have been mentioned briefly in some studies as adhesions, arthrofibrosis, periosteal patch overgrowth, graft loosening, or delamination. Some of them necessitated an additional surgical intervention. In this article, we present a case of chondromatosis after an ACI with periosteum. After a meticulous search, we could not trace another such case in the English language medical literature. CASE REPORT
La qualità di vita dei pazienti in emodialisi: dati raccolti dallo studio DOPPS

attraverso una sintetica revisione delle risultanze pubblicate, si vuole far conoscere la fondatezza scientifica circa la presenza di elementi “altri” che concorrono al benessere ed alla mortalità dei pazienti in trattamento emodialitico. attraverso l’uso di tecniche statistiche e strumenti validati è possibile trarre dati quantitativi rispetto a valori qualitativi, come la valutazione del benessere soggettivamente rilevato.
Determining next best view based on occlusion information in a single depth image of visual object

How to determine the camera’s next best view is a challenging problem in vision field. A next best view approach is proposed based on occlusion information in a single depth image. First, the occlusion detection is accomplished for the depth image of visual object in current view to obtain the occlusion boundary and the nether adjacent boundary. Second, the external surface of occluded region is constructed and modeled according to the occlusion boundary and the nether adjacent boundary. Third, the observation direction, observation center point, and area information of external surface of occluded region are solved. And then, the set of candidate observation directions and the visual space of each candidate direction are determined. Finally, the next best view is achieved by solving the next best observation direction and camera’s observation position. The proposed approach does not need the prior knowledge of visual object or limit the camera position on a specially appointed surface. Experimental results demonstrate that the approach is feasible and effective.
Patterns of birthweights.

This report presents WHO data from 15 countries in several different areas of the world to illustrate the problems and importance of recording tabulating and using birthweights of live births in health and nutrition programs and in research. The application of these findings in primary health care is stressed. Birthweights are needed in evaluating the success of prenatal care and in monitoring growth and development of the infant. They are also required to compare and evaluate experiences in various areas for the reduction of mortality and for the promotion of healthy growth and development. It is shown that positive changes in the distribution of birthweights--and therefore in the health and survival of infants--can be effected in spite of difficult economic political social and environmental conditions. These changes require proper recognition of vulnerable population groups and the introduction of solutions to problems such as unfavorable birthweights and preterm births. Data used are from the World Health Organization Study of Perinatal Mortality and special studies in the following countries: Brazil Mexico Chile Costa Rica Cuba the US Uruguay Burma India and Indonesia.
Lateral Chest X-Ray for Physicians

Despite advances in radiology, the chest X-ray (CXR) has survived as the most frequently requested examination. About 6.7 million are performed each year in the UK.1 The radiation dose of a frontal CXR is equivalent to only three days’ exposure to natural background radiation (effective dose 0.02 mSv.2 The lateral CXR is less frequently requested and more difficult to interpret. Nevertheless it contains much information on the thoracic cage, pleura, lungs, pericardium, heart, mediastinum and upper abdomen. Many junior doctors, at ease with the frontal CXR, seem intimidated by the lateral film. Uncertain when to request or how to interpret, they may retreat expensively and unnecessarily into computerized tomography. The lateral CXR is performed with the side of interest closer to the X-ray film, giving an effective dose of 0.05 mSv. If the side is not specified, a left lateral is usually taken. In this paper we offer a brief guide to demystify and clarify this cheap and useful investigation. Essentially there are four indications and four main abnormalities to interpret.
Generic Waiting Lists for Routine Spinal Surgery

National Health Service Hospitals are under pressure to reduce waiting lists within the constraints of a limited infrastructure. We implemented two systems to reduce waiting times for elective non-complex spinal surgery. The first of these was the introduction of managed generic waiting lists for both initial outpatient appointments and subsequent surgery. Thereafter, the MRI booking system was integrated with outpatient review appointments. Times from referral to first outpatient appointment and from scan to outpatient review and time on waiting list for surgery were analysed before and after implementation of these changes. Despite constant unit capacity there was a global decrease in waiting times. Before introduction of the generic waiting list, 37% of listed patients waited for more than 9 months; this figure fell to zero. Time from scan to outpatient review was 185 days before integration, 30 days after. Changes of this sort demand a quorum of consultants who will accept each others’ recommendations. The generic waiting list will have impact only when there are large disparities in waiting times for different consultants. Targets are met at the expense of continuity of care.
The French Connection in the Early History of Canning 1

'To keep gooseberries, damsons or bullies [bilberries] gather gooseberries at their full growth, but not ripe. Top and tail them and put them into glass bottles, put corks on them but not too close, then set them on a gentlefire in a kettleof cold waterup to the neck, but wetnot the cork, let them stand till they turn white, or begin to crack, and set them till cold, then beat in the corks hard, and ~itch them over. You maydo themin an ovenifyou please, or cork themdown hard, and pitch themover and they will keep without scalding. ' (Bitting 1937)
Electronic Cigarette in Saudi Arabia: An Online Survey

Background: E-cigarettes have been recently used to quit smoking. Their use became popular regardless of the fact that WHO considered them as a source of toxic fumes. Data about their safety is not yet confirmed, but major tobacco companies are advertising and producing them. Conducting clinical trials of these devices is challenging. Purpose: To measure e-cigarette awareness in Saudi Arabia, and study their use among smokers and non-smokers. Methodology: An electronic survey (Part of the validated WHO Global Adult Tobacco Survey) was used to reach participants through many internet communication applications. Microsoft Excel® was used to enter and analyze the data. Results: 3027 participants were included in the analysis. Most of the participants were males (67.7%), aged between 18-40 years (73%), Saudi national (96 %), having a university degree (56.9%) and employed (56.9%). Awareness of e-cigarettes was high, as more than three quarters of respondents (82.5%) had heard about e-cigarettes. Less than half (42.5%) of those respondents who were aware of ecigarettes have bought it or have seen anyone buying it. Among those respondents who were aware of ecigarettes, one third (33.5%) had tried it. Of those who didn’t ever smoke e-cigarettes, only (17.4%) were willing to try it in the current time. Less than one quarter of the respondents (22.3%) were smoking regular cigarettes. Of those, around two thirds (62.9%) were trying to quit smoking regular cigarettes, and among those, only (18.2%) were using e-cigarettes to help them do so. Only (8.8%) of the respondents believed that e-cigarettes is not harmful. Conclusion: Smoking e-cigarettes is popular in Saudi Arabia, especially in non-smokers. Such popularity may “re-normalize” smoking, and lead to an increase in an “already alarming” smoking prevalence and addiction, especially to youngsters or at least a slowing down of the rate of decline.
Long-Term Results of the First 500 Cases of Acoustic Neuroma Surgery

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study focuses on 2 outcome results after surgical intervention for acoustic neuroma: (1) facial nerve status, and (2) hearing preservation. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 484 patients with an acoustic neuroma. RESULTS Postoperative facial nerve outcomes were significantly different (P < 0.001) according to the size of the tumors. Tumor size had even more influence on the immediate postoperative results. In addition, statistical significance (P < 0.05) was demonstrated in comparing facial nerve outcomes with the surgeon's surgical experience. We also noted that as the patient's age increases, the likelihood for facial dysfunction may increase for all postoperative intervals. The overall success rate of retaining useful hearing was 27% (26 of 95). Class A hearing was retained in 66% (W of 15) of cases operated on through middle fossa approach in the last 5 years. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that tumor size and surgeon's experience are the most significant factors influencing the facial nerve status and hearing outcome after removal of acoustic neuroma. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2001;124:645–51.)
Defining Palliative Care

The fol low ing in for ma tion on pal lia tive care is adapted with per mis sion from the elec tronic news let ter that was de vel oped as an ad junct to the Pub lic Broad cast ing Ser vice (PBS) se ries of pro grams en ti tled On Our Own Terms: Moyers on Dy ing. This re port is a con tin u a tion of the Jour nal’s com mit ment to pub li cize re sources for im prov ing end-of-life care. A more com plete list ing of end-of-life care web sites was pub lished in the last is sue of the Jour nal 2000:9(1): 53-55. The Moyers se ries stim u lated many Amer i cans to seek mire in for ma tion about op tions in end-of-life care. The in for ma tion be low de scribes some of these op tions and ad dresses some fre quently asked ques tions about hos pice and pal lia tive care.
Modeling of geared positioning systems: An object-oriented gear contact model with validation

In aerospace positioning actuators, gear efficiencies of 85% as well as breakout forces as high as 50% of the stall load of the actuator are observed at very low temperature conditions. Due to the low efficiency and high loading, stiction in these actuators is common which can lead to limit cycles or problems with controlling the actuators. To be able to correctly predict and assess these effects using simulations, a complete actuator, including motor, inverter, load, and controller is needed. This article presents an object-based, numerically efficient gear contact in a planar environment with user-defined friction and stiffness laws. The emphasis of the modeling is not a fully detailed contact model, but the description of a gear contact model which can be used for system simulations like complete aircraft electromechanical actuators including control surfaces. The presented model is suitable for complex gearing configurations (e.g. compound planetary gears). This is enabled by breaking down the transmission into the basic gear contacts. By adding masses and constraints from an existing component library, a complete transmission can be modeled. The generated model can be used for standalone simulations or can be used in multi-domain simulations like actuator modeling, in order to analyze the complete actuator model including parts such as drives, controllers and mechanical systems. The presented models have been validated using a gear test rig for a single stage spur gear.
Ultrafast protein hydration dynamics investigated by femtosecond fluorescence spectroscopy.

Protein hydration dynamics is essential for many biological functions. However, understanding protein hydration dynamics has been technically challenged by the time and spatial resolution. This dissertation thus is a systematic investigation of protein hydration dynamics by integrating ultrafast fluorescence spectroscopy with the site-directed mutagenesis method. Using single tryptophan as the local optical probe, we first studied the site-specific solvation dynamics in various different conformations of the prototype peptide melittin and protein human serum albumin; both studies showed a strong correlation between local solvation dynamics and peptide/protein conformation transitions, and the critical role of hydration water in the structural integrity of the peptide/protein. To clarify the molecular interpretation of the solvation dynamics from time-resolved fluorescence studies, we also examined the local solvation dynamics at the surface of protein Staphylococcus nuclease using sitedirected mutations; we replaced the local charged residues in close proximity to the tryptophan probe one at a time with an uncharged residue and did not observe significant change in the measured solvation dynamics, thus confirming that solvation correlation functions mainly measure the water dynamics in the protein hydration layer; the solvation dynamics is typically biexponential with the fast time constant resulting from local water relaxation in the hydration layer while the slow time from hydration water network rearrangement tightly coupled with protein fluctuations.
Risk of Stroke-Associated Pneumonia During Hospitalization: Predictive Value of Combined A2DS2 Score and Hyperglycemia

Background: Stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) is a common complication of cerebrovascular disease. The A2DS2 score has been used to predict the risk of SAP. However, hyperglycemia is not included in this scale. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether combining the A2DS2 scoring system and hyperglycemia can improve the predictive value of the conventional A2DS2 scale for SAP. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 2,552 patients with acute ischemic stroke. The A2DS2 scores, fasting blood glucose level and blood glucose level on admission were collected. Regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors of SAP. ROC curve analysis was used to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of the combined A2DS2 score and fasting hyperglycemia for predicting SAP. Results: Fasting hyperglycemia was an independent risk factor for SAP (OR=2.95; 95% confidence interval: 2.11-4.12; P<0.001). The area under curve of the combined A2DS2 score and fasting hyperglycemia was significantly higher than that of the A2DS2 score alone (0.814 vs. 0.793; P=0.020). Conclusion: Fasting hyperglycemia is an independent risk factor for predicting SAP. The predictive value of the modified A2DS2 score (combined A2DS2 score and fasting hyperglycemia) is superior to that of A2DS2 score.
ADVANCES IN DIAGNOSIS OF INVASIVE FUNGAL INFECTIONS (O MORRISSEY, SECTION EDITOR) Update on the Diagnosis of Candidemia and Invasive Candidiasis

Purpose of Review This review summarizes the fungal diagnostic tests and clinical prediction rules available for use in patients at risk for developing invasive candidiasis (IC). The advantages and limitations of each method is described based on available literature. Recent Findings Available studies show elevated sensitivity and specificity of novel diagnostic tests such as T2Candida and fungal sequencing. They still remain to be incorporated into routine clinical practice. Summary The use B-D glucan, a major fungal wall component, is a sensitive tool to diagnose IC when consecutive positive results are found. Consecutively negative results allow discontinuation of empirical antifungal therapy, contributing to stewardship programs. T2Candida combines PCR and magnetic resonance to identify IC that is culture negative and monitor posttreatment candidemia clearance. Prediction rules using clinical risk factors for IC allows identification of patients likely to benefit from prophylaxis or early treatment.
FUNCTIONAL ANALYSES OF THE CHEMOKINE RECEPTOR CXCR2 IN THE NORMAL AND DEMYELINATED ADULT CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

By DOLLY ANN PADOVANI-CLAUDIO The regulation of oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) proliferation, migration, and differentiation is critical for normal central nervous system (CNS) myelination. In the developing spinal cord, localized expression of the chemokine CXCL1 inhibits migration and enhances OPC proliferation by signaling through CXCR2. This work characterizes structural and functional alterations in the non-injured and demyelinated CNS of adult Cxcr2 mice. These mice exhibit in their CNS regional variation in oligodendrocyte lineage cell densities, a significant decrease in spinal cord white matter area, reduced thickness of myelin sheaths, and a slowing in the rate of central conduction of somatosensory-evoked-potentials (SSEPs) without significant changes in axonal size or number. Biochemical analyses show decreased expression of the abundant myelin components proteolipid protein (PLP) and myelin basic protein (MBP), and of the astrocytic marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). In vitro studies show a reduction in differentiated oligodendrocytes, which may account for the observed hypomyelination. In addition, the spinal cords of Cxcr2 mice exhibit more density and arborization of NG2 positive cells, an endogenous population of OPCs involved in oligodendrocyte replacement. These findings suggest that the chemokine receptor CXCR2 is important for the development and maintenance of the oligodendrocyte lineage in the vertebrate’s CNS. The activation of CXCR2 mediates leukocyte arrest and infiltration into
Purchase behaviour of western imported foods by Pakistani buyers

A research aimed at the factors affecting the purchase behaviour of Pakistani buyers was undertaken. Questionnaire survey data obtained from 930 responses were analysed for descriptive statistics, Exploratory Factor Analysis, Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modelling leading to path diagram using SPSS-AMOS software. The theory of planned behaviour was used as the framework and factors related to this theory and identified by other researchers were included in the study. The results showed that product attributes, price, personality, self-concept, brand trust and religiosity influenced the purchase intention and thereby actual purchase of products by Pakistani consumers. Religiosity had a distinct effect on purchase intentions. Gender had a significant negative moderating effect on product attributes, price, personality and brand trust and did not affect other factors of this study.
Ordinal Regression as Multiclass Classification

Recently, an interesting framework was proposed to reduce the ordinal regression to the binary classification [1]. It made two independent assumptions: target functions are rankmonotonic; or rows of loss matrix are convex. Both of the two assumptions impose some restrictions on its application, because they may not be reliable in practice. This paper presents a novel reduction framework free of such restrictions, in this sense, which is more efficient and versatile in real world applications. Experiments on several datasets empirically validate its effectiveness. The contribution of our work is that it proves the fact that the ordinal regression is equivalent to the regular multiclass classification whose distribution is changed.
Removal of zinc (II) ions using peanut hulls (Arachis hypogaea Linn.) from aqueous solutions in a batch system

The present investigation revealed that peanut hulls (Arachis hypogaea Linn.) can be an inexpensive, excellent biosorbent for the removal of zinc (II) ions from aqueous solutions. FTIR analysis of biosorbent confirmed that hydroxyl, carbonyl and carboxyl group, so that the cell wall surface of the biosorbent that may interact with the zinc (II) ions. The SEM represents a porous structure with large surface area.The optimal parameters such as solution pH, biosorbent dose, initial zinc (II) ions concentration, contact time and temperature determined in the experiment were effective in determining the efficiency of zinc (II) ions onto peanut hulls(Arachis hypogaea Linn.). The maximum zinc (II) ion loading capacity (qm) of peanut hulls (Arachis hypogaea Linn.) was found to be 14.492 mg g with perfect fit to Langmuir isotherm model and follows pseudo-second order kinetics. The thermodynamic study confirmed that reaction of biosorption of zinc (II) ions onto peanut hulls (Arachis hypogaea Linn.) is spontaneous, endothermic and increasing randomness of the solid solution interfaces. From these observations it can be concluded that peanut hulls (Arachis hypogaea Linn.) has considerable biosorption capacity, available in abundant, nonhazardous agro material could be used as an effective indigenous material for treatment of wastewater stream containing zinc (II)