Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
OXIDATIVE STRESS IN ACUTE ANTI- PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG POISONING, AND THE EFFECT OF ANTIOXIDANTS ON CHOLINESTERASE LEVELS

Objective: To study the effect of alpha lipoic acid in reducing oxidative stress induced in acute amytriptyline poisoning cases. Design and methods: We compared the effect of supplementation of treatment of poisoning cases with alpha lipoic acid alone or with vitamin C, with that of those receiving only routine standard treatment for poisoning and that of a healthy control group. Result: A determination of the level of creatine kinase (CK) and cholinesterase (chE) (indirect indicators of oxidative stress) in both the supplemented and the non supplemented group was done. A decrease in the level of oxidative stress was observed among those supplemented with either alpha lipoic acid alone or along with vitamin C, with a slightly more decrease in oxidative stress in the later group. Conclusion: The results provide evidence that the oxidative stress induced by acute amytriptyline poisoning is comparatively decreased by supplementation with antioxidants like alpha lipoic acid and Vitamin C, than those only on routine standard treatment.
Innovation a Must for Architecture

This paper shows that the conventional arrangement of development as either incremental or radical is deficient and conceivably deceptive and does not represent the occasionally appalling consequences for industry officeholders of apparently minor enhancements in innovative items. We look at such developments all the more nearly and, recognising the segments of an item and the manners in which they are incorporated into the framework that is the item "engineering," characterize them as advancements that change the design of an item without changing its segments. We demonstrate that compositional developments crush the value of the engineering learning of built up firms, and that since building information has a tendency to end up implanted in the structure and data preparing methods of set up associations, this annihilation is troublesome for firms to perceive and difficult to adjust.
Outcomes with severe blastomycosis and respiratory failure in the United States.

BACKGROUND The outcomes of patients with severe pulmonary blastomycosis requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) is not well understood in the modern era. Limited historical case series have reported 50-90% mortality in patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) caused by blastomycosis. The objective of this large retrospective cohort study was to describe the risk factors and outcomes of patients with severe pulmonary blastomycosis. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort analysis utilizing the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2006-2014. Patients >18 years of age with a diagnosis of blastomycosis who received mechanical ventilation were included. RESULTS There were 1,848 patients with a diagnosis of blastomycosis included in the study. Of this cohort, 219 (11.9%) patients underwent MV with a mortality rate of 39.7% compared to 2.5% in patients not requiring ventilatory support (p<0.01). The median time to death for patients requiring MV was 12 days (IQR 8-16). The median length of hospital stay for survivors of MV was 22 days (IQR 14-37). The rate of MV was higher for patients treated in teaching hospitals (63.4% vs 57.2%, p=0.05) and was lower for those receiving care at a rural hospital (12.3% vs 17.2%, p=0.04). In a multivariate model, female gender was associated with increased risk of mortality (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.06-3.20, p=0.03) as was increasing patient age (10-year age increase OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.33-2.02, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS In the largest published cohort of patients with blastomycosis, mortality for patients on MV is high at approximately 40%; 16-fold higher than those without MV.
New Insights into the Microbial Degradation of D-Cyphenothrin in Contaminated Water/Soil Environments

Persistent use of the insecticide D-cyphenothrin has resulted in heavy environmental contamination and public concern. However, microbial degradation of D-cyphenothrin has never been investigated and the mechanism remains unknown. During this study, for the first time, an efficient D-cyphenothrin-degrading bacterial strain Staphylococcus succinus HLJ-10 was identified. Response surface methodology was successfully employed by using Box-Behnken design to optimize the culture conditions. At optimized conditions, over 90% degradation of D-cyphenothrin (50 mg·L−1) was achieved in a mineral salt medium within 7 d. Kinetics analysis revealed that its half-life was reduced by 61.2 d, in comparison with the uninoculated control. Eight intermediate metabolites were detected in the biodegradation pathway of D-cyphenothrin including cis-D-cyphenothrin, trans-D-cyphenothrin, 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde, α-hydroxy-3-phenoxy-benzeneacetonitrile, trans-2,2-dimethyl-3-propenyl-cyclopropanol, 2,2-dimethyl-3-propenyl-cyclopropionic acid, trans-2,2-dimethyl-3-propenyl-cyclopropionaldehyde, and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, dipropyl ester. This is the first report about the degradation of D-cyphenothrin through cleavage of carboxylester linkage and diaryl bond. In addition to degradation of D-cyphenothrin, strain HLJ-10 effectively degraded a wide range of synthetic pyrethroids including permethrin, tetramethrin, bifenthrin, allethrin, and chlorempenthrin, which are also widely used insecticides with environmental contamination problems. Bioaugmentation of D-cyphenothrin-contaminated soils with strain HLJ-10 substantially enhanced its degradation and over 72% of D-cyphenothrin was removed from soils within 40 d. These findings unveil the biochemical basis of a highly efficient D-cyphenothrin-degrading bacterial isolate and provide potent agents for eliminating environmental residues of pyrethroids.
Understanding Leadership Values Among Under Graduate Students in UITM: Their Values, Beliefs, and Motivation

UITM has prominently produced a numbers of leaders in Malaysia’s society. If you want to understand the direction of this nation, we must examine the people who will lead the country for the next decades. Where do you find these people? They are in our universities. There are hundreds of thousands young adults enrolled in undergraduate programs in the university in Malaysia. In UITM itself, there are 172,000 students. If past performance is any indication, there is the reason to believe that among the students, the leader will be produced and they will quickly rise to positions of influence and authority in business, education, and government in Malaysia. A new generation of leaders is needed not only to build the local partnerships in today’s communities, but to assume all positions of leadership. Student in UiTM were given the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaires (MLQ) to determine their self-perception of leadership behavior according to the Full Range Leadership Development Theory (Bass& Avolio, 1997) focusing on transformational, transactional or laissez-faire leadership factors.
Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) Is the Main Driver of Nocturnal Feral Pigeon (Columba livia f. domestica) Foraging in Urban Areas

Simple Summary Artificial light at night is one of the most extreme alterations in urban areas, which drives nocturnal activity in diurnal species. However, the role of artificial light in the nocturnal activity of the Feral Pigeon (Columba livia f. domestica) is unknown. The objective of this study is to assess the environmental factors associated with the nocturnal activity of the Feral Pigeon in Argentinian cities. Nocturnal foraging by the Feral Pigeon was recorded in three of four surveyed cities. Artificial light at night was positively related to nocturnal foraging activity in Salta and Buenos Aires. The results obtained suggest that urbanization would promote nocturnal activity in Feral Pigeons. Moreover, nocturnal activity was mainly driven by artificial light, which probably alters the circadian rhythm of pigeons. Abstract Artificial light at night (ALAN) is one of the most extreme environmental alterations in urban areas, which drives nocturnal activity in diurnal species. Feral Pigeon (Columba livia f. domestica), a common species in urban centers worldwide, has been observed foraging at night in urban areas. However, the role of ALAN in the nocturnal activity of this species is unknown. Moreover, studies addressing the relationship between ALAN and nocturnal activity of diurnal birds are scarce in the Southern Hemisphere. The objective of this study is to assess the environmental factors associated with nocturnal activity of the Feral Pigeon in Argentinian cities. Environmental conditions were compared between sites where pigeons were seen foraging and randomly selected sites where pigeons were not recorded foraging. Nocturnal foraging by the Feral Pigeon was recorded in three of four surveyed cities. ALAN was positively related to nocturnal foraging activity in Salta and Buenos Aires. The results obtained suggest that urbanization would promote nocturnal activity in Feral Pigeons. Moreover, nocturnal activity was mainly driven by ALAN, which probably alters the circadian rhythm of pigeons.
Prostaglandin Coverage and Costs to Medicare and Medicare Beneficiaries, 2009-2017

BACKGROUND: Prostaglandin analogs are the most effective treatment for glaucoma, a common condition among older adults. Despite the availability of generic drugs, the costs associated with these prescription drugs are rising. OBJECTIVE: To characterize Medicare prescription drug plan (PDP) formulary coverage and beneficiary out-of-pocket cost for prostaglandin analogs from 2009 to 2017 and Medicare spending on prostaglandin analogs from 2013 to 2017. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis. We used 2009, 2013, and 2017 Medicare PDP formulary, beneficiary cost, and pricing files to determine beneficiary first-prescription out-of-pocket costs and plan coverage (unrestricted, restricted, or not covered) of branded latanoprost 0.005%, travoprost 0.004%, bimatoprost 0.03% and 0.01%, and tafluprost 0.0015% and of generic latanoprost 0.005% and generic bimatoprost 0.03%. We also used Medicare Part D spending data to determine aggregate spend in 2013 and 2017. RESULTS: In 2009, 92% of plans covered branded latanoprost, 83% covered branded bimatoprost; and 49% covered branded travoprost, whereas in 2017, 6% of plans covered branded latanoprost; 95% covered branded bimatoprost; and 96% covered branded travoprost. Although generic latanoprost was universally covered, generic bimatoprost was only covered by 35% of plans in 2017. Median out-of-pocket cost of branded prostaglandins without generic equivalents was $35 (IQR = $29-$40) in 2009, $45 (IQR = $42-$101) in 2013, and $90 (IQR = $45-$159) in 2017. Median out-of-pocket cost of all available generic prostaglandins was $10 (IQR = $5-$33) in 2013 and $10 (IQR = $4-$15) in 2017. In 2013, Medicare spent $733 million on prostaglandin analogs; in 2017, this increased to $1.09 billion, with $943 million (86%) spent on branded prostaglandins and $148 million (14%) spent on generics. CONCLUSIONS: Medicare PDP coverage of branded prostaglandins remained stable from 2009 to 2017. While median beneficiary out-of-pocket costs associated with generic prostaglandins remained stable, those associated with branded prostaglandins increased nearly 3-fold.
The association between patient body mass index and perioperative outcomes following radical cystectomy: An analysis using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

INTRODUCTION Radical cystectomy is a highly morbid procedure with 30-day perioperative complication rates approaching 50%. Our objective was to determine the effect of patients' body mass index (BMI) on perioperative outcomes following radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. METHODS We identified 3930 eligible patients who underwent radical cystectomy for nonmetastatic bladder cancer using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. The primary exposure was preoperative BMI, categorically operationalized in four strata according to the World Health Organization criteria: <18.5 kg/m2, 18.5-25 kg/m2, and >30 kg/m2. Our primary outcome was major perioperative complication comprising mortality, reoperation, cardiac event, or neurological event. RESULTS BMI was significantly associated with rates of major complications (p=0.003): major complications were experienced by 17.0% of patients with BMI <18.5 kg/m2, 7.8% of patients with BMI 18.5-25 kg/m2, 25-30 kg/m2, 7.9% of patients with BMI 25-30 kg/m2, and 10.8% of patient with BMI >30 kg/m2. Following multivariable adjustment for relevant demographic, comorbidity, and treatment factors, compared to patients with BMI 18.5-25 kg/m2, patients with BMI <18.5 kg/m2 (odds ratio [OR] 2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-4.78) and BMI >30 kg/m2 (OR 1.59; 95% CI 1.17-2.16) were significantly more likely to experience a major complication in the 30 days following cystectomy. Among the secondary outcomes, significant differences were identified in rates of pulmonary complications (p=0.003), infectious complications (p<0.001), bleeding requiring transfusion (p=0.01), and length of stay (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS Patients who are outside of a normal BMI range are more likely to experience major complications following radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.
Evidence for Electron Transfer between Graphene and Non‐Covalently Bound π‐Systems

Abstract Hybridizing graphene and molecules possess a high potential for developing materials for new applications. However, new methods to characterize such hybrids must be developed. Herein, the wet‐chemical non‐covalent functionalization of graphene with cationic π‐systems is presented and the interaction between graphene and the molecules is characterized in detail. A series of tricationic benzimidazolium salts with various steric demand and counterions was synthesized, characterized and used for the fabrication of graphene hybrids. Subsequently, the doping effects were studied. The molecules are adsorbed onto graphene and studied by Raman spectroscopy, XPS as well as ToF‐SIMS. The charged π‐systems show a p‐doping effect on the underlying graphene. Consequently, the tricationic molecules are reduced through a partial electron transfer process from graphene, a process which is accompanied by the loss of counterions. DFT calculations support this hypothesis and the strong p‐doping could be confirmed in fabricated monolayer graphene/hybrid FET devices. The results are the basis to develop sensor applications, which are based on analyte/molecule interactions and effects on doping.
Influence of local density and sex ratio on pollination in an ambophilous flowering plant.

PREMISE Variation in local density and sex ratio in dioecious plants can affect mating success through the actions of pollen vectors, principally generalist insects or wind. Increased density and male-biased sex ratios should promote pollen transfer and seed production, but their combined effects have not been investigated for ambophilous species, which exhibit both insect and wind pollination. METHODS We manipulated density (low vs. high) and sex ratio (1:1 vs. 3:1 male-biased) in arrays of dioecious ambophilous Thalictrum pubescens. We quantified visitation rates and foraging times to examine whether pollinators exhibited sex-specific preferences and determined the seed set of arrays. RESULTS Pollinators visited more plants per foraging bout at high than low density. Visitation rates and foraging times of visitors were greater for male than for female plants but did not depend on the density or sex ratio of arrays. However, whereas solitary bees displayed a strong preference for males, hover flies were indifferent to plant sex phenotype. Solitary bees also visited significantly more plants per foraging bout than hover flies. There was a significant interaction between density and sex ratio on seed set. At low density, seed set was greater for 3:1 than for 1:1 arrays, but at high density the opposite pattern occurred. CONCLUSIONS The demographic factors we investigated had complex influences on pollinator foraging behavior and patterns of seed set. Several factors may explain our results, including the influence of density and sex ratio on pollen export from arrays, grooming by pollinators, and the contribution of wind pollination.
Ultraschall peripherer Gelenke und des Achsenskeletts

Zusammenfassung Die Sonografie von Gelenken und periartikulären Strukturen ist heute zu einem festen Bestandteil der rheumatologischen Diagnostik geworden. Besonders in der Diagnostik der frühen Arthritis und der Differenzialdiagnostik bei unklaren klinischen Befunden besteht aufgrund der hohen Sensitivität hinsichtlich entzündlicher Veränderungen an Knochen und Weichteilen eine wichtige Bedeutung. Weiterhin hat die Gelenkultraschalluntersuchung einen festen Stellenwert im Therapiemonitoring und der Prognoseabschätzung.
Risk of biliary tract disease in living liver donors: A population-based cohort study

Background & aims Whether living liver donors have a higher risk of biliary tract disease compared with non-donors remains unknown. Methods Data were collected from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database for the 2003–2011 period. The study cohort comprised 1,446 patients aged ≥ 18 years who had served as living liver donors. The primary outcome was the incidence of biliary tract disease. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to determine the hazard ratios. Results The incidence density rate of biliary tract disease was 13.9-fold higher in the liver donor (LD) cohort than in the non-LD cohort (10.2 vs. 0.71 per 1,000 person-years), with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 14.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 7.73–26.1). Stratified by comorbidity, the relative risk of biliary tract disease was higher in the LD cohort than in the non-LD cohort for both patients with or without comorbidity. The incidence density rate of biliary tract disease was significantly higher in the first 3 years (13.5 per 1,000 person-years in the LD cohort). The highest adjusted HR of biliary tract disease for LD patients compared with the non-LD cohort was 22.4 (95% CI = 10.8–46.1) in the follow-up ≤ 3 years. Conclusion Living liver donors had a higher risk of biliary tract disease compared with non-donors.
Prevalence of Depression in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) might adversely affect the health status of the patients, producing cognitive deterioration, with depression being the most common symptom. The aim of this study is to analyse the prevalence of depression in patients before and after coronary artery bypass surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out, involving a study of the past 10 years of the following databases: CINAHL, LILACS, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SciELO, Scopus, and Web of Science. The total sample comprised n = 16,501 patients. The total number of items was n = 65, with n = 29 included in the meta-analysis. Based on the different measurement tools used, the prevalence of depression pre-CABG ranges from 19–37%, and post-CABG from 15–33%. There is a considerable presence of depression in this type of patient, but this varies according to the measurement tool used and the quality of the study. Systematically detecting depression prior to cardiac surgery could identify patients at potential risk.
A 0.3V 10b 3MS/s SAR ADC With Comparator Calibration and Kickback Noise Reduction for Biomedical Applications

This paper presents a 10-bit successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that operates at an ultralow voltage of 0.3 V and can be applied to biomedical implants. The study proposes several techniques to improve the ADC performance. A pipeline comparator was utilized to maintain the advantages of dynamic comparators and reduce the kickback noise. Weight biasing calibration was used to correct the offset voltage without degrading the operating speed of the comparator. The incorporation of a unity-gain buffer improved the bootstrap switch leakage problem during the hold period and reduced the effect of parasitic capacitances on the digital-to-analog converter. The chip was fabricated using 90-nm CMOS technology. The data measured at a supply voltage of 0.3 V and sampling rate of 3 MSps for differential nonlinearity and integral nonlinearity were +0.83/−0.54 and +0.84/−0.89, respectively, and the signal-to-noise plus distortion ratio and effective number of bits were 56.42 dB and 9.08 b, respectively. The measured total power consumption was 6.6 μW at a figure of merit of 4.065 fJ/conv. -step.
Pharmacokinetics of current and emerging treatments for hypercholesterolemia

ABSTRACT Introduction: Reduction of low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and other apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins reduces cardiovascular (CV) events and greater reductions have greater benefits. Current lipid treatments cannot always achieve desirable LDL-C targets and additional or alternative treatments are often needed. Areas covered: In this article, we review the pharmacokinetics of the available and emerging treatments for hypercholesterolemia and focus on recently approved drugs and those at a late stage of development. Expert opinion: Statin pharmacokinetics are well known and appropriate drugs and doses can usually be chosen for individual patients to achieve LDL-C targets and avoid adverse effects and drug-drug interactions. Ezetimibe, icosapent ethyl and the monoclonal antibodies evolocumab and alirocumab have established efficacy and safety. Newer oral agents including pemafibrate and bempedoic acid have generally favorable pharmacokinetics supporting use in a wide range of patients. RNA-based therapies with antisense oligonucleotides are highly specific for their targets and those inhibiting apoB, apoCIII, angiopoietin-like protein 3 and lipoprotein(a) have shown promising results. The small-interfering RNA inclisiran has the notable advantage that a single subcutaneous administration may be effective for up to 6 months. The CV outcome trial results and long term safety data are eagerly awaited for these new agents.
MEDICATION NONADHERENCE IN ELDERY AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE ADHERENCE

YAŞLI HASTALARDA İLAÇ UYUMSUZLUĞU VE UYUMU ARTIRMAK İÇİN ÖNERİLER Medication adherence means that patients use their drugs as recommended. There are many factors that affect medication adherence such as age, polypharmacy, patients’ concerns about drug adverse effects, beliefs about medication, lack of social support, socioeconomic factors, health system, depression, lack of health literacy, communication with health care providers, and cultural considerations. Inadequate adherence to medication regimens causes worsening of disease, increases morbidity and mortality. On the other hand, nonadherence may lead to misuse of medical resources and cause serious regressions in health indicators particularly in developing countries. All over the world, one of the most substantial difficulties in health care services is ensuring patients to fully adhere to treatments. To improve adherence with treatment, there are various strategies. The evaluation of individual differences of patients is crucial for planning the treatment, hereby this approach could enhance the medication adherence of patients. The aim of this article is to review the factors leading to medication nonadherence and make recommendations to improve adherence in elderly patients.