Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of caregivers’ perspectives regarding speech-language services in Saudi Arabia during COVID-19

Background As a consequence of stay-at-home and other lockdown measures, such as social distancing, all health care service provisions during the COVID-19 pandemic have been affected, including the provision of speech therapy. Telehealth services can play a major role in maintaining access to health care, help speech and language pathologists (SLPs) overcome physical barriers by providing patients and caregivers with access to health care, and limit the discontinuity of patient care. To have a better understanding of the changes that have occurred in these services during COVID-19, this research was conducted to explore the nature and current situation of speech-language services in Saudi Arabia based on caregivers’ perspectives. It also investigated whether changes have occurred in these services during the COVID-19 lockdown. The study also determined the perception of caregivers in delivering SLS sessions remotely. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted with 385 caregivers in Saudi Arabia. An online survey asked whether children were experiencing any SLS problems and if they had received any intervention. The survey also assessed the perception of changes in service during the COVID-19 lockdown and the perceptions, acceptance, and willingness of the caregivers to deliver telehealth speech services in Saudi Arabia. Results About 50% of the respondents had or were suspected to have a child with SLS problems, and just over half of them had accessed SLS services. Most of the respondents reported suspension of therapy sessions as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the respondents had little experience using telehealth prior to the pandemic, they generally showed a willingness to use telehealth in therapy sessions, expressing a preference for video calls over other options. Conclusion The study revealed that SLS services in Saudi Arabia are limited and that accessing these services is challenging. Alternative service delivery using remote services could help caregivers overcome such challenges. When telehealth was introduced as an option for service delivery, the caregivers showed welcoming responses, particularly with video calls.
Functional reserve and sex differences during exercise to exhaustion revealed by post‐exercise ischaemia and repeated supramaximal exercise

Females have lower fatigability than males during single limb isometric and dynamic contractions, but whether sex‐differences exist during high‐intensity whole‐body exercise remains unknown. This study shows that males and females respond similarly to repeated supramaximal whole‐body exercise, and that at task failure a large functional reserve remains in both sexes. Using post‐exercise ischaemia with repeated exercise, we have shown that this functional reserve depends on the glycolytic component of substrate‐level phosphorylation and is almost identical in both sexes. Metaboreflex activation during post‐exercise ischaemia and the O2 debt per kg of active lean mass are also similar in males and females after supramaximal exercise. Females have a greater capacity to extract oxygen during repeated supramaximal exercise and reach lower PETCO2 , experiencing a larger drop in brain oxygenation than males, without apparent negative repercussion on performance. Females had no faster recovery of performance after accounting for sex differences in lean mass.
Chemical analysis, biological and therapeutic activities of Olea europaea L. extracts

Abstract The Olea europaea L. is a very well-known and widely used plant, especially for its nutritional qualities. Its extracts from leaves and fruits are widely used in contrasting and preventing various pathologies. In this review, the collected data highlight important chemical analyses and biological effects of this plant extracts. It exhibits cholesterol-lowering, hypoglycemic, cytotoxic, antibacterial, neuroprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hypotensive activities. The results show that extracts from O. europaea could be used as a food additive in the supplementary treatment of many diseases. Graphical Abstract
Epileptic Seizure Recognition Using Reduced Deep Convolutional Stack Autoencoder and Improved Kernel RVFLN From EEG Signals

In this paper, reduced deep convolutional stack autoencoder (RDCSAE) and improved kernel random vector functional link network (IKRVFLN) are combined to recognize the epileptic seizure using both the multichannel scalp and single-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. The novel RDCSAE structure is designed to extract the most discriminative unsupervised features from EEG signals and fed into the proposed supervised IKRVFLN classifier to train efficiently by reducing the mean-square error cost function for recognizing the epileptic seizure activity with promising accuracy. The proposed RDCSAE-IKRVFLN algorithm is tested over the benchmark Boston Children's Hospital multichannel scalp EEG (sEEG) and Boon University, Germany single-channel EEG databases. The less computational complexity, higher learning speed, better model generalization, accurate epileptic seizure recognition, remarkable classification accuracy, negligible false positive rate per hour (FPR/h) and short event recognition time are the main advantages of the proposed RDCSAE-IKRVFLN method over reduced deep convolutional neural network (RDCNN), RDCSAE and RDCSAE-KRVFLN methods. The proposed RDCSAE-IKRVFLN method is implemented in a high-speed reconfigurable field-programmable gate array (FPGA) hardware environment to design a computer-aided-diagnosis (CAD) system for automatic epileptic seizure diagnosis. The simplicity, feasibility, and practicability of the proposed method validate the stable and reliable performances of epilepsy detection and recognition.
Combination of Phospholipid Complex and Matrix Dispersion

Phospholipid complexation, despite being a successful, versatile, and burgeoning strategy, stickiness of phospholipids leads to suboptimal dissolution rate of drugs. This work was undertaken to fabricate simvastatin-phospholipid complex (SIM-PLC)–loaded matrix dispersion (SIM-PLC-MD) using Soluplus® as carrier material, to augment dispersibility and dissolution of SIM-PLC without altering complexation between simvastatin (SIM) and phospholipid. SIM-PLC and SIM-PLC-MD were prepared using solvent evaporation and discontinuous solvent evaporation techniques, respectively. The successful complexation was substantiated by FTIR method. Besides, PXRD and SEM studies disclosed the absence of crystallinity of SIM in both SIM-PLC and SIM-PLC-MD. The TEM analysis monitored the self-assembly of SIM-PLC and SIM-PLC-MD into colloidal structures, which could be correlated with redispersion in GIT fluids upon oral administration. The considerable increase in hydrophilicity of SIM-PLC-MD and SIM-PLC as evident from partition coefficient experiment can further be correlated with their remarkably improved solubility profiles in the following pattern: SIM-PLC-MD˃SIM-PLC˃SIM. Correspondingly, improved dispersibility of SIM-PLC-MD in comparison to SIM-PLC can be accountable for accelerated dissolution rate by 2.53-fold and 1.5-fold in pH 1.2 and 6.8 conditions, respectively. The oral pharmacokinetic evaluation in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats revealed 3.19-fold enhancement in oral bioavailability of SIM through SIM-PLC-MD when compared with plain SIM, whereas 1.83-fold increment was observed in the case of SIM-PLC. Finally, the efficacy experimentation in SD rats revealed that SIM-PLC-MD significantly reduced triglycerides and cholesterol levels in comparison to SIM and SIM-PLC. These outcomes suggest that a matrix dispersion strategy improves oral bioavailability and hypolipidemic activity of SIM.
Prevalence of Coronary Artery Disease and Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Importance Coronary artery disease (CAD) and coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) may contribute to the pathophysiologic characteristics of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, the prevalence of CAD and CMD have not been systematically studied. Objective To examine the prevalence of CAD and CMD in hospitalized patients with HFpEF. Design, Setting, and Participants A total of 106 consecutive patients hospitalized with HFpEF were evaluated in this prospective, multicenter, cohort study conducted between January 2, 2017, and August 1, 2018; data analysis was performed from March 4 to September 6, 2019. Participants underwent coronary angiography with guidewire-based assessment of coronary flow reserve, index of microvascular resistance, and fractional flow reserve, followed by coronary vasoreactivity testing. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed with late gadolinium enhancement and assessment of extracellular volume. Myocardial perfusion was assessed qualitatively and semiquantitatively using the myocardial-perfusion reserve index. Main Outcomes and Measures The prevalence of obstructive epicardial CAD, CMD, and myocardial ischemia, infarction, and fibrosis. Results Of 106 participants enrolled (53 [50%] women; mean [SD] age, 72 [9] years), 75 had coronary angiography, 62 had assessment of coronary microvascular function, 41 underwent coronary vasoreactivity testing, and 52 received cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Obstructive epicardial CAD was present in 38 of 75 participants (51%, 95% CI, 39%-62%); 19 of 38 (50%; 95% CI, 34%-66%) had no history of CAD. Endothelium-independent CMD (ie, coronary flow reserve <2.0 and/or index of microvascular resistance ≥25) was identified in 41 of 62 participants (66%; 95% CI, 53%-77%). Endothelium-dependent CMD (ie, abnormal coronary vasoreactivity) was identified in 10 of 41 participants (24%; 95% CI, 13%-40%). Overall, 45 of 53 participants (85%; 95% CI, 72%-92%) had evidence of CMD and 29 of 36 (81%; 95% CI, 64%-91%) of those without obstructive epicardial CAD had CMD. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings included myocardial-perfusion reserve index less than or equal to 1.84 (ie, impaired global myocardial perfusion) in 29 of 41 patients (71%; 95% CI, 54%-83%), visual perfusion defect in 14 of 46 patients (30%; 95% CI, 19%-46%), ischemic late gadolinium enhancement (ie, myocardial infarction) in 14 of 52 patients (27%; 95% CI, 16%-41%), and extracellular volume greater than 30% (ie, diffuse myocardial fibrosis) in 20 of 48 patients (42%; 95% CI, 28%-56%). Patients with obstructive CAD had more adverse events during follow-up (28 [74%]) than those without obstructive CAD (17 [46%]). Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study, 91% of patients with HFpEF had evidence of epicardial CAD, CMD, or both. Of those without obstructive CAD, 81% had CMD. Obstructive epicardial CAD and CMD appear to be common and often unrecognized in hospitalized patients with HFpEF and may be therapeutic targets.
A Novel Strain-Specific Neutralizing Epitope on Glycoprotein H of Human Cytomegalovirus

HCMV infections are life threatening to people with compromised or immature immune systems. Understanding the antiviral antibody repertoire induced during HCMV infection is a necessary prerequisite to define protective antibody responses. ABSTRACT Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous pathogen that causes severe clinical disease in immunosuppressed patients and congenitally infected newborn infants. Viral envelope glycoproteins represent attractive targets for vaccination or passive immunotherapy. To extend the knowledge of mechanisms of virus neutralization, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were generated following immunization of mice with HCMV virions. Hybridoma supernatants were screened for in vitro neutralization activity, yielding three potent MAbs, 6E3, 3C11, and 2B10. MAbs 6E3 and 3C11 blocked infection of all viral strains that were tested, while MAb 2B10 neutralized only 50% of the HCMV strains analyzed. Characterization of the MAbs using indirect immunofluorescence analyses demonstrated their reactivity with recombinantly derived gH. While MAbs 6E3 and 3C11 reacted with gH when expressed alone, 2B10 detected gH only when it was coexpressed with gB and gL. Recognition of gH by 3C11 was dependent on the expression of the entire ectodomain of gH, whereas 6E3 required residues 1 to 629 of gH. The strain-specific determinant for neutralization by Mab 2B10 was identified as a single Met→Ile amino acid polymorphism within gH, located within the central part of the protein. The polymorphism is evenly distributed among described HCMV strains. The 2B10 epitope thus represents a novel strain-specific antibody target site on gH of HCMV. The dependence of the reactivity of 2B10 on the simultaneous presence of gB/gH/gL will be of value in the structural definition of this tripartite complex. The 2B10 epitope may also represent a valuable tool for diagnostics to monitor infections/reinfections with different HCMV strains during pregnancy or after transplantation. IMPORTANCE HCMV infections are life threatening to people with compromised or immature immune systems. Understanding the antiviral antibody repertoire induced during HCMV infection is a necessary prerequisite to define protective antibody responses. Here, we report three novel anti-gH MAbs that potently neutralized HCMV infectivity. One of these MAbs (2B10) targets a novel strain-specific conformational epitope on gH that only becomes accessible upon coexpression of the minimal fusion machinery gB/gH/gL. Strain specificity is dependent on a single amino acid polymorphism within gH. Our data highlight the importance of strain-specific neutralizing antibody responses against HCMV. The 2B10 epitope may also represent a valuable tool for diagnostics to monitor infections/reinfections with different HCMV strains during pregnancy or after transplantation. In addition, the dependence of the reactivity of 2B10 on the simultaneous presence of gB/gH/gL will be of value in the structural definition of this tripartite complex.
An evaluation of ledipasvir + sofosbuvir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection

ABSTRACT Introduction: Hepatitis C (HCV) is viral disease with a global impact. Over the last 10 years, the treatment of this disease has evolved. Treatment guidelines have evolved to adopt new medications for HCV. These drugs have shown efficacy over 90% throughout the class as well as a better safety profile than the previous recommended pharmacotherapy. Dual-therapy DAAs emerged with FDA approval of Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) in 2014. Areas Covered: LDV/SOF is a dual-therapy option for chronic HCV patients (>6 months of infection) in select genotypes. This article reviews the studies relevant to the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties of these drugs as well as its trials leading to approval. Expert opinion: LDV/SOF is included in the AASLD/IDSA guidelines for the treatment of HCV genotypes 1a and 1b with or without cirrhosis and genotype 4 without cirrhosis with an evidence and recommendation rating of IA. Genotype 4 with cirrhosis and genotypes 5 and 6 carry a Class IIa level B recommendation. The combination is not FDA approved for genotypes 2 and 3. Single-pill regimens, like LDV/SOF, are important to maintain the quality of life of children and other special populations infected with HCV by shortening treatment regimens, avoiding complex pill regimens, and eliminating injection therapies.
Current transfer torque and Hall conductance at the ferromagnetic topological insulators junction

In-plane magnetization on the surface of three-dimensional topological insulators (3D TIs) tunes the Dirac cone’s location in the k-space. We theoretically show that a normal/ferromagnetic junction on the surface of 3D TIs bends the propagation direction of Dirac fermions when the magnetization has a component perpendicular to the junction. This effect leads to a Hall conductance, which flows parallel to the interface. Also, it creates an indirect gap that manifests itself in the longitudinal conductance of the junction. The sign of Hall conductance is related to the in-plane magnetization direction. Based on this effect, we propose a set up to detect it experimentally. Moreover, this bending effect imposes a torque on the junction called current transfer torque (CTT). We show the z-component of CTT is non-zero in the presence of bending effect. Also, its value and direction that can be used in fabricating new devices are related to the Hall conductance.
Personalized Behavioral Nutrition Among Older Asian Americans

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Abstract Background Metabolomics profiling is an objective assessment of metabolic responses to intricate dietary patterns. However, few studies have investigated the potential benefits associated with personalized behavioral nutrition (PBN) interventions incorporating the metabolomics approach for improving diabetes outcomes for older Asian Americans with Type 2 diabetes. Objective This article describes the protocol for a pilot study testing self-management of a nutrition intervention-provided personalized dietary advice incorporating metabolites phenotypic feedback and digital self-monitoring of diet and blood glucose. Methods A total of 60 older Asian Americans will be randomized into two groups: a PBN group and a control group. Participants in the PBN group will receive personalized dietary advice based on dietary and phenotypic feedback-used metabolic profiles. This study aims to examine the feasibility and preliminary effects of the PBN on diabetes outcomes. Results The study began in September 2020, with estimated complete data collection by late 2021. Discussion Findings from this pilot study will inform future research for developing personalized nutrition interventions for people with Type 2 diabetes.
Gamma Radiation Effects on the Optical Properties of Yb-doped Silicate Glasses

A series of Yb-doped silicate glasses were prepared by a conventional melting method under normal proc- essing conditions. The effects of gamma-ray (from a 60 Co γ source) radiation on the absorption and emission properties of all glass samples were investigated. The radiation exposure leaded to the formation of color centers in glass samples. Such radiation-induced photodarkening caused a strong broad optical absorption band, which had a maximum wave- length centered at around 400 nm and the tail extended into the near infrared region. In addition, a minor part of the
Deconvolution-based partial volume correction of PET images with parallel level set regularization

The partial volume effect (PVE), caused by the limited spatial resolution of positron emission tomography (PET), degrades images both qualitatively and quantitatively. Anatomical information provided by magnetic resonance (MR) images has the potential to play an important role in partial volume correction (PVC) methods. Post-reconstruction MR-guided PVC methods typically use segmented MR tissue maps, and further, assume that PET activity distribution is uniform in each region, imposing considerable constraints through anatomical guidance. In this work, we present a post-reconstruction PVC method based on deconvolution with parallel level set (PLS) regularization. We frame the problem as an iterative deconvolution task with PLS regularization that incorporates anatomical information without requiring MR segmentation or assuming uniformity of PET distributions within regions. An efficient algorithm for non-smooth optimization of the objective function (invoking split Bregman framework) is developed so that the proposed method can be feasibly applied to 3D images and produces sharper images compared to PLS method with smooth optimization. The proposed method was evaluated together with several other PVC methods using both realistic simulation experiments based on the BrainWeb phantom as well as in vivo human data. Our proposed method showed enhanced quantitative performance when realistic MR guidance was provided. Further, the proposed method is able to reduce image noise while preserving structure details on in vivo human data, and shows the potential to better differentiate amyloid positive and amyloid negative scans. Overall, our results demonstrate promise to provide superior performance in clinical imaging scenarios.
Controversial link between proton pump inhibitors and anticancer agents: review of the literature

Drug–drug interactions represent a topic of great interest, not only due to the risk of unexpected adverse events but also due to the possibility of altering the effectiveness of a specific treatment. Inappropriate or concomitant use of drugs can often lead to changes in the bioavailability of various compounds, resulting in pharmacokinetic alterations. A recent example is the concomitant administration of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and anticancer agents. PPIs are overused beyond their classic indications, resulting in a high risk of interactions with other drugs, such as anticancer agents, both PO and intravenous. However, the real clinical impact of concomitant acid suppression therapy and anticancer therapies remains controversial and is not yet fully understood. Certainly, the gut microbiota plays a key role in regulating the response of the immune system, and PPIs can significantly alter the gut microbiome, resulting in gut dysbiosis. Indeed, while the link sometimes appears to lead to negative outcomes, as in the case of immunotherapy, oral capecitabine, or tyrosine kinase inhibitors, in other cases, it seems to enhance the effectiveness of intravenous chemotherapy. In this review, I analyse the possible drug interactions between PPIs and the main classes of anticancer drugs.
Transactional relations between maternal anxiety and toddler anxiety risk through toddler‐solicited comforting behavior

Transactional developmental and anxiety theories suggest that mothers and toddlers may influence each other's anxiety development across early childhood. Further, toddlers' successful solicitations of comfort during uncertain, yet manageable, situations, may be a behavioral mechanism by which mothers and toddlers impact each other over time. To test these ideas, the current study employed a longitudinal design to investigate bidirectional relations between maternal anxiety and toddler anxiety risk (observed inhibited temperament and mother‐perceived anxiety, analyzed separately), through the mediating role of toddler‐solicited maternal comforting behavior, across toddlerhood.
Severe, protracted anaphylaxis with hypovolemic shock after sublingual misoprostol administration

Tvrtko Tupek, Analena Gregori c, Dino Pavokovi c, Anis Cerovac and Dubravko Habek Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Hospital ,,Sveti Duh“, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, General hospital Virovitica, Virovitica, Croatia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, General hospital Te sanj, Te sanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Department for Anatomy, University of Tuzla School of Medicine, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Croatian Catholic University, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Particle size effect on ammonium perchlorate decomposition kinetics

The decomposition kinetic parameters of ammonium perchlorate(AP) having different grain size(10-390 μ m) were investigated through simultaneous DSC / TGA(differential scanning calorimetry / thermal gravimetric analysis) analyzer in a dynamic nitrogen atmosphere under heating rate of 40K / min.The kinetic parameters such as activation energy and pre-exponential factor were determined by the modified isoconversional method.The Brurzauer-Emmett-Teller(BET)-method was applied to measure AP specific surface areas.The results show that the higher the AP particle size the lower the determined kinetic parameters and are matched with some important literatures.