Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intrathecal Baclofen in Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis

Introduction: Treatment with intrathecal baclofen (ITB) is a therapeutic option in the management of severe spasticity in patients with hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP). However, information on the impact of ITB on the natural course of disease, especially the effect of ITB on functional parameters over time is limited. Materials and Methods: We evaluated seven patients with HSP retrospectively who were treated with an ITB device. The following parameters were measured before (pre-implantation) and after implantation (post-implantation) of the ITB device at steady state dosage of ITB and annually until last follow-up: modified Ashworth Scale, Reflex Scale, modified Rankin Scale, and Rivermead Mobility Index. The ITB dosages were assessed after reaching steady state as well as annually until last follow-up. Results: The ITB device was implanted 13 ± 6 (range 9–16) years after diagnosis of HSP on average. Severe spasticity was controlled in all patients by a mean baclofen dosage of 188 ± 60 (range 145–230) μg per day at steady state post-implantation. The modified Ashworth Scale improved significantly from 3 (interquartile range [IQR] 3–3.25) to 1 (IQR 1–1.25; p = 0.046), as did the Reflex Scale from 5 (IQR 4.75–5) to 3 (IQR 2.75–3; p = 0.046) at steady state dosage of ITB. The modified Rankin Scale improved from 2 (IQR 2–2) to 1 (IQR 1–1.5; p = 0.083) and the Rivermead Mobility Index remained 14 (IQR 13.5–14 pre-implantation, IQR 14–14 post-implantation; p = 0.18). Post-implantation, spasticity improved for 2–3 years, followed by a stable phase of ambulatory and other mobility functions for 4–5 years. Thereafter, the maintenance or progressive loss of mobility depended on individual courses of the disease. No ITB-related severe side effects occurred. Discussion: Our data further support the role of ITB in the treatment of severe spasticity in patients with deteriorated walking performance suffering HSP. ITB therapy may initially improve spasticity and stabilize mobility functions for the first 6–8 years in patients with HSP.
An Automatic Vehicle Identification Mechanism Using a Distributed Processing System

—Currently, vehicle related studies are activated due to the increase of vehicle. Thus, the technology using computer vision is being studied to identify the vehicle's information. It enables automatically identify the vehicle number. The image processing rate, however, is limited to the speed of data processing, and its inefficiency of processing is increase gradually. Therefore, in this paper we propose a method to enhance the efficiency of the processing using HDFS and distributed processing system.
Application of stacked sparse autoencoder in automated detection of glaucoma in fundus images

In this contribution, intelligent identification of glaucoma from digital fundus images using stacked sparse autoencoder (SSAE) is proposed. The fundus images are initially converted to gray-scale and normalized w.r. t. , background illuminance while maintaining contrast constancy across the dataset. Unfolded feature vectors from the pre-processed with proper rescaling and grays-scale converted fundus images are fed to SSAE for learning efficient feature representation and classification thereof using a softmax layer. A comparative evaluation highlighting the superiority of SSAE method with existing state-of the art techniques is presented to validate its efficacy in glaucoma detection. The proposed framework can be used as a clinical decision support system assisting ophthalmologists in confirming their diagnosis with high reliability and accuracy.
TI-RADS classification and time-intensity curve analysis of Contrast Enhanced ultrasoundto evaluate solid thyroid nodules.

Poster: "ECR 2019 / C-2837 / TI-RADS classification and time-intensity curve analysis of Contrast Enhanced ultrasoundto evaluate solid thyroid nodules. " by: "A. BOCCUZZI1, S. Mazzeo1, R. Cervelli2, P. Rossi 1, P. Papini1, G. Materazzi1, R. Cioni1, D. Caramella1; 1PISA/IT, 2Pisa, It/IT"
Analyzing Student’s Academic Performance Based on Data Mining Approach

 Abstract — Career building is the most cherished part of every engineering student. For an engineering graduate it is necessary to have immense knowledge in their domain to get placed in a reputed company. Data Mining is used to gain knowledge, find the hidden information and also this system applies data mining techniques to the academic dataset. The Academic data includes the Internal (CCET 1, CCET2 and CCET3) marks and the Assignment marks. The final semester marks are predicted from the analyzed result of each student. In order to increase the accuracy, this system introduces reweight enhanced boosting algorithm.
Coping strategies and sense of control in patients with oncological disease

The aim of the study was to diagnose dependence and intergroup differences in terms of strategies adopted against cancer, self-efficacy, and demographic and medical variables in oncological patients. The practical goal for patient psychotherapy was to develop psychoeducational training programs and guides in the field of psychological problems in cancer, addressed to specific groups of patients. The study used: demographic index, Mini-MAC scale (Scale of Psychic Adaptation to Cancer Disease), and GSES (General Self-Efficacy Scale). We examined 572 patients, aged 18-75 years, with diagnosed cancer treated during hospitalisation in oncology clinics. The survey consisted of a survey measurement, one-time, voluntary, and anonymous. The obtained results clearly indicate that factors related to the psychological aspect of the patient’s functioning with cancer are translated into the process of oncological treatment and rehabilitation. There is a relationship between strategies for coping with cancer and self-efficacy as well as demographic and medical factors in oncologically ill patients. There are differences in the intensity of attitudes and strategies for coping with the disease and self-efficacy in relation to demographic and medical factors in oncological patients. The results are a prerequisite for increasing the number of complementary interventions in the treatment of oncologic patients (psychological support, social, rehabilitation, art therapy), in order to develop a constructive strategy for the patient to deal with the disease and develop a higher sense of self-efficacy, because it translates into greater involvement of the patient in the treatment and rehabilitation process.
[HIV mortality in sanitary districts of Mexico from 1990 to 2015].

OBJECTIVE To analyze the distribution and trends of HIV mortality in the Sanitary Districts (JS) of Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS To calculate crude and standardized mortality rates, official figures of deaths from Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía and population estimates from Consejo Nacional de Población were used. Magnitude, distribution and trends of HIV mortality were analyzed, at the national level, by state and JS, using JoinPoint regression model. RESULTS From 2008 to 2015, HIV mortality decreased by more than 20%. In the 25 JS with highest mortality, live 11% of the national population, but concentrated 28.6% of the total HIV death, with mortality rates two or more fold than national rate. CONCLUSIONS We identified the 25 JS where actions to reduce HIV mortality in Mexico should be focused. For first time a health problem was analyzed in all JS of Mexico.
Factors influencing sharp injury reporting among healthcare workers in Hospital Melaka

An effective sharps injury prevention program includes several components that must work in concert to prevent healthcare personnel from suffering needlesticks and other sharp related injuries. Sharp injury management program in Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM) is currently at surveillance state outlined in the Manual of Sharp Injury Manual Surveillance 2007. Latest data showed that as much as 1405 cases reported in Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia facilities in 2011. In Hospital Melaka, high sharp injury prevalence was recorded with 25 per 1000 healthcare worker being affected each year. However, according to World Health Organization, surveillance data tend to underestimate the true rate of sharp injuries between 18% and 70%. Although reasons for sharp injury underreporting are well documented in many studies, less in known on what motivates healthcare personnel to report their injury. In order to encourage healthcare workers engagement to prevention program, these motivators need to be determined. Various factors affecting reporting behavior can be divided into organizational factors and health belief. The objective of the study is 1) to determine the level of awareness and compliance on sharp injury reporting among healthcare workers in Melaka, 2) To identify the relationship between awareness of reporting, organizational factors and health belief with sharp injury-reporting behavior among healthcare workers, 3) To determine the impact of awareness on reporting, organizational factors and health belief with sharp injury reporting behavior among healthcare workers, 4) To suggest improvements in sharp injury prevention program. Healthcare workers who reported sharp injury between 2011 and 2015 were invited to answers questionnaires pertaining these factors. Descriptive statistics, mean scores and multiple logistic regression were used for the analysis. Results and recommendation are discussed.
Anatomy and Physiology for the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

In 2006, commercially produced endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) devices were approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and their cost began to be covered by Japanese medical insurance. Meanwhile, the number of juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) to need the suprarenal clamp are increasing and the number of infra-renal AAAs are decreasing for open repair. In this era when EVAR has been growing rapidly for 11 years, it is a good opportunity to learn the surgical repair of AAA. I review the basic and advanced anatomy and physiology concepts which are needed for abdominal aortic repair, which are the proximal site (exposure of the proximal site, variation of renal arteries, variation of inferior vena cava and left renal vein, arcade of visceral branches of abdominal aorta, and coeliac plexus) and distal site (iliac artery, superior hypogastric plexus, ureter, inferior mesenteric artery, and lumbar arteries) separately. (This is a translation of Jpn J Vasc Surg 2019; 28: 173–177.)
Pest categorisation of Spodoptera litura

Abstract The EFSA Panel on Plant Health (PLHP) performed a pest categorisation of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) for the EU. S. litura is widely distributed across South and East Asia and Oceania. It is established in tropical and subtropical regions where there are no, or few, frost days each year. It can extend its range into cooler temperate regions during summer months. S. litura is highly polyphagous feeding on hosts within at least 40 botanical families, including economically important crops within Brassicaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Poaceae and Solanaceae. Larvae are primarily leaf feeders and can cause complete defoliation. At high population densities almost all plant parts are eaten. S. litura is a serious pest in the Asia‐Pacific region where it causes losses to many economically important cultivated field crops and crops such as eggplants, sweet peppers and tomatoes in protected cultivation. As a species that appears limited by winter temperatures, only a small area of the EU provides climatic conditions where establishment outdoors may be possible although cultivated and wild hosts are distributed across the EU. S. litura has been intercepted in the EU many times on ornamentals and leafy vegetables. Outbreaks have occurred in EU glasshouses and have been eradicated. Phytosanitary measures are available to inhibit entry. S. litura satisfies the criteria that are within the remit of EFSA to assess for it to be regarded as a potential Union quarantine pest. S. litura does not meet the criteria of occurring in the EU, and plants for planting being the principal means of spread for it to be regarded as a potential Union regulated non‐quarantine pest.
The Cost x Performance Tradeoff for Voice Output AAC Aids: Is It Real?

The cost of voice output AAC aids is still too high, which prevents many persons with speech impairments to benefit from this technology. However, advances in speech coding techniques and in microelectronics (integrated circuit complexity, and packaging and mounting technology), have enabled new solutions which will in the short future provide a generalized access to voice output AAC aids. This paper presents the basic issues dealing with the technology of voiceoutput communication aids, describes two new types of solutions based on very low-cost technology and highlights the implications which can be brought to the AAC field itself if a truly generalized access to high-complexity and lowcost voice output devices effectively becomes real.
The Meaning of Leisure and Life Satisfaction: The Sample of University Students

The aim of the study is to examine the meaning of leisure time and life satisfaction levels of university students in general and students studying in faculties of tourism and sports sciences specifically. The sample group was determined from Recreation and Recreation Management students in the faculties of Tourism and Sport Sciences of universities by using appropriate sampling method based on voluntariness. The study included a total of 1345 university students, 507 women (37.7%) and 838 men (62.3%). In the study, Leisure Meanings Inventory (LMI), which included 35 items and 8 sub-dimensions and which was adapted into Turkish by Gürbüz, Özdemir and Karaküçük (2007), and the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, which was developed by Diener et al. in 1985 and adapted into Turkish by Yetim (1993) and which included 5 items, were used. In the analysis of the data, descriptive statistical methods such as percentage and frequency were checked to determine the distribution of the personal information of the participants, and Skewness and Kurtosis values of the data were checked to determine whether the data showed normal distribution. In addition, t-test and Anova test and correlation analysis methods were used (α = 0.05). The limitations of the study and evaluations for future studies were discussed in this sense.
How Do Nephrologists Accept Pharmacists’ Recommendations on Geriatric Patients’ Drug Therapy? A Brief Review

Please cite this paper as: Didehvar N, Sabetnia L, Shahbazian H, Eslami K, Kouti L. How Do Nephrologists Accept Pharmacists’ Recommendations on Geriatric Patients’ Drug Therapy? A Brief Review. J Pharm Care 2018; 6(3-4): 68-7
Isolation and characterization of catechol derivatives from Semecarpus anacardium nuts

Aim: The aim of this study is to isolate the compounds from the methanolic extract of Semecarpus anacardium seed. Materials and Methods: Thin layer and column chromatography techniques have been used for the isolation of compounds and their structural confirmations were made based on spectral data. Results and Discussion: The four purified fractions were subjected to infrared,1 H NMR,13C NMR, and high-resolution mass spectrometry spectral analysis for structural confirmation. From the spectral data, these four fractions were confirmed as catechol derivatives. Conclusion: From the obtained spectral data, the fractions were confirmed as catechol derivatives.
The influence of users’ dark triad on knowledge contribution behaviour on social Q&A sites

Introduction . The users' knowledge contribution behaviour is the driving force for the sustainable development of the social Q&A sites. This kind of user behaviour is affected by various factors, among which users' personality traits are the prominent ones. The dark triad is a theory on the dark side of personality. This article explores the influence and mechanism of users' dark triad on their knowledge contribution in social Q&A sites. Method . A questionnaire survey and statistical methods such as hierarchical regression and Bootstrap analysis were adopted in this study. Analysis Information about 301 users with experience in Chinese social Q&A sites were collected through the questionnaire survey. The quantitative analysis of survey data employed the statistical package SPSS 26.0. Results . The dark triad significantly affects knowledge contribution on social Q & A sites. Online self-disclosure plays a completely mediating role in the relationship between the dark triad and knowledge contribution. The relational psychological contract has a moderating role between online self-disclosure and knowledge contribution. Conclusions . This study argues that the dark triad has a positive effect on knowledge contribution behaviour in socialized Q&A communities by constructing a model of mediated effects that are moderated. The dark triad shows its altruistic side in the context of social Q&A sites. The role of the dark triad in different knowledge-intensive contexts should be viewed dialectically in future research. Based on these findings, we put forward some suggestions for encouraging users' knowledge contribution behaviour in the social media context.
Hepatitis E virus in patients with acute hepatitis in Cape Town, South Africa, 2011.

BACKGROUND Early hepatitis E virus (HEV) seroprevalence studies in South Africa (SA) showed seroprevalence rates of 2 - 10%, and suggested waterborne transmission. More recent studies in Cape Town, SA, reported HEV seroprevalence rates of 28% and 26% in outpatients without liver disease and blood donors, respectively. An association was found with eating pork or bacon/ham. Only 3 human cases of hepatitis E in SA have been reported in the literature. OBJECTIVES To find evidence of HEV infection in hospitalised patients with acute hepatitis and no other identified cause. METHODS Leftover serum samples were retrieved for patients negative for hepatitis viruses A, B and C, where no other cause of hepatitis was identified. Samples were tested for HEV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and IgM and IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS Anti-HEV IgG was detected in 39/132 specimens (29.5%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 22.4 - 37.8), and anti-HEV IgM in 2/125 specimens (1.6%; 95% CI 0.4 - 5.7). No specimen tested positive by PCR. CONCLUSIONS IgG seroprevalence found in this study was similar to that previously reported in Cape Town. IgM positivity in 2 patients was not confirmed by PCR. Locally, hepatitis E may not be a common cause of clinically apparent hepatitis that requires hospitalisation.
The role of Brain Natriuretic Peptide in evaluating Left Ventricle function among patient with chronic renal failure on maintenance hemodialysis: the impact of body mass index

Both chronic renal failure (CRF) and heart failure (HF) can predispose to pressure load or volume overload with subsequent elevation of serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. This study tends to evaluate the role of BNP as a predictor of left ventricular function among patient with chronic renal failure on maintenance hemodialysis. Methods: This is a perspective cross-sectional study, including 89 (45 males and 44 females) patients on maintenance hemodialysis followed up for six months. BNP level, glomerular filtration and body mass index of the patients were measured and left ventricular function (EF%) was detected by echocardiography at the start of the study and after three and six months between October 2016 and April 2017.Results:Of 89 patients, 13 were underweight, 56 had a healthy weight, and 20 were overweight. There was a significant negative association between BNP level and both EF% and BMI (P<0.001, P<0.001) respectively. During the follow up of these patients there was a clear trend for BNP to be higher among patients with impaired left the ventricular function. There was also a strong inverse association between BNP level and GFR (P <0.001). Conclusion: BNP levels show a strong inverse association with EF%, BMI and GFR in patients with CRF. Currently, BNP widely used by most health institutions to predict left ventricular function. However, both BMI and GFR considered a significant confounder of BNP measurement in patients with compromised renal status.
Predictive value of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in non-metastatic papillary renal cell carcinoma patients after receiving curative surgery

Objective To determine the predictive value of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for disease-free survival (DFS) in non-metastatic papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) patients following partial or radical nephrectomy. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 315 non-clear cell RCC patients who received curative surgery in our hospital from 2013 to 2018, from which 76 pRCC patients without metastasis (T1-3N0M0) were selected. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was drawn and an NLR cut-off of 2.5 was set to achieve maximum diagnostic accuracy for predicting DFS. Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox regression model was used to determine the relationship of NLR with DFS. Results During a median follow-up of 28.0 months (IQR 15.9–42.1, mean 31.4), disease recurred in 12 patients (15.8%) recording a median duration of 14.4 months (IQR 8.6–22.9, mean 16.6). The 5-year DFS was 85.5% and 61.6% for the low (<2.5) and high (≥2.5) NLR groups respectively. According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, DFS was significantly lower in the high NLR group compared with that in the low NLR group (p=0.03). Univariate analysis revealed that high NLR level (HR 3.3, p=0.041), advanced pathological T stage (HR 10.1, p<0.001), larger tumor size (HR 1.2, p=0.008) and radical nephrectomy (HR 5.7, p=0.025) were associated with poor DFS, while multivariate analysis indicated that only advanced pathological T stage (HR 6.9, p=0.010) and high NLR level (HR 3.8, p=0.028) remained as the independent prognostic factors for poor DFS. Conclusion A high preoperative NLR level was an independent prognostic marker for DFS in the patients of non-metastatic pRCC (pT1-3N0M0) following curative surgery. This can be used as an adjuvant tool to select patients for clinical trials or more frequent follow-up strategies.