Upper limb robotic assessment: Pilot study comparing velocity dependent resistance in individuals with acquired brain injury to healthy controls.

Introduction: Assessment of velocity dependent resistance (VDR) can provide insights into spasticity in individuals with upper motor neuron syndrome. This study investigates the relationship between Modified Ashworth scores and a biomechanical based representation of VDR using a rehabilitation robot. Comparisons in VDR are made for the upper limb (UL) between individuals with acquired brain injury and healthy controls for the para-sagittal plane.

The Effect of Empagliflozin on Platelet Function Profiles in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease in Trinidad: The EFFECT Pilot Study.

Introduction: This prospective pharmacodynamic (PD) study aimed to assess the effect of the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) empagliflozin on platelet reactivity.

Methods: Patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (n = 20) who were actively treated with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) of aspirin 81 mg daily and clopidogrel 75 mg daily were recruited. Platelet function was measured with the VerifyNow™ P2Y assay (Instrumentation Laboratory, Massachusetts, USA) and assessed before the initiation of and after 10 days of treatment with empagliflozin 25 mg once daily maintenance dose regimen.

Significance of Some Non-Invasive Biomarkers in the Early Diagnosis and Staging of Egyptian Breast Cancer Patients.

Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the most relevant malignancies among women. Early diagnosis and accurate staging of breast cancer is important for the selection of an appropriate therapeutic strategy and achieving a better outcome.

Aim: This study aimed to explore the significance of some non-invasive biomarkers in the early diagnosis and staging of Egyptian breast cancer patients.

Subsurface depth dependence of nitrogen doping in TiOanatase: a DFT study.

We report first-principles calculations of the structure and electronic structure of nitrogen-doped TiOanatase as a function of the dopant depth below the (101) surface. Specifically we evaluate the depth dependence of the formation energy for a few positions of the N impurity, considering for both substitutional and interstitial sites. We find a significant advantage of interstitial over substitutional positions, and a mild dependence of this formation energy on depth.

Erectile Dysfunction and Associated Anxiety and Depression in Male Hemodialysis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study at Karachi Institute of Kidney Diseases.

Objectives Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most prevailing diseases in the world and is associated with sequelae of depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction. The goal of our study is to measure the prevalence of erectile dysfunction, depression, and anxiety among patients suffering from CKD and to establish a correlation between them. Methodology The research was a single-centered, descriptive cross-sectional study.

Large vessel thrombosis in patient with COVID-19, a case series.

Introduction: Involvement of the large vessels is rarely reported and poorly understood in cases of Corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19). The aim of this study is to present a series of cases with large vessel thrombosis (LVT).

Methods: This is a multicenter prospective case series study.

A Newly Proposed HbA1C-Hemoglobin Ratio - A Better Predictor of Outcomes in Cardiac Surgery When Compared to HbA1C and Anemia Alone.

HbA1C's predictive value for postoperative complications in cardiac surgery has been mixed. Studies did not account for HbA1C being over-read in anemic patients. This study proposes a novel way of using a ratio of HbA1C over hemoglobin (HH ratio).

A prospective observational prevalence study of elevated HbA1c among elective surgical patients.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease with high prevalence worldwide. Using glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) as a surrogate for potential pre-DM and DM conditions, our primary objective was to determine the HbA1c epidemiology in non-cardiac elective surgical patients in Singapore. Our secondary aim was to identify risk factors associated with elevated HbA1c.

Sexual Dysfunction and Associated Anxiety and Depression in Female Hemodialysis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study at Karachi Institute of Kidney Diseases.

Objectives Hemodialysis patients have to combat certain negative effects such as sexual dysfunction, depression, and anxiety. This study aimed to measure the sexual function and identify the relationship between sexual dysfunction, depression, and anxiety in females undergoing hemodialysis. Methods The descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at a dialysis unit in November 2019.

Impact of preoperative HbA1c on postoperative complications after elective major abdominal surgery: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: Diabetes has an increasing worldwide prevalence. It is known to be a predisposing factor for postoperative complications. Preoperative glycaemic control strategies should be pursued as glycaemic control could serve as a modifiable risk factor.

The adsorption of chlorofluoromethane on pristine, and Al- and Ga-doped boron nitride nanosheets: a DFT, NBO, and QTAIM study.

In the present investigation, the feasibility of detecting the chlorofluoromethane (CFM) gas molecule onto the outer surface of pristine single layer boron nitride nanosheet (BNNS), as well as its aluminum (Al)- and gallium (Ga)-doped structures, was carefully evaluated. For achieving this goal, a density functional theory level of study using the Perdew, Burke, and Ernzerhof exchange-correlation (PBEPBE) functional together with a 6-311G(d) basis set has been used. Subsequently, the B3LYP, CAM-B3LYP, wB97XD, and M062X functionals with a 6-311G(d) basis set were also employed to consider the single-point energies.

Phytochemicals and Cytotoxicity of Ethyl Acetate Extracts on Human Cancer Cells.

Conventional and modern cancer treatment were reported to manifest adverse effects to the patients. More researches were conducted to search for selective cytotoxic agent of plant natural product on cancer cells. The presences of wide range phytochemicals in (QI) extract have been implicated with the cytotoxic effect against various types of cancer cell which remain undiscovered.

Assessment of predictive validity and feasibility of Edmonton Frail Scale in identifying postoperative complications among elderly patients: a prospective observational study.

Frailty is defined as diminished physiological reserve predisposing one to adverse outcomes when exposed to stressors. Currently, there is no standardized Frail assessment tool used perioperatively. Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS), which is validated for use by non-geriatricians and in selected surgical populations, is a candidate for this role.

Self-Protonated Ho-Doped Zn(O,S) as a Green Chemical-Conversion Catalyst to Hydrogenate Nitro to Amino Compounds.

Zn(O,S) has been successfully doped with different amounts of Ho and characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and transient photocurrent (TPC). The as-prepared Ho-doped Zn(O,S) catalysts with different Ho amounts are evaluated for hydrogen evolution reaction. The catalyst with the best performance in evolving hydrogen is further utilized to hydrogenate 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP).

Brugada syndrome unmasked by fever: a comprehensive review of literature.

Background: The Brugada pattern is identified on the EKG by a coved ST-segment elevation accompanied by a negative T wave in the early precordial leads in the absence of a cardiac structural abnormality. Brugada pattern and Brugada syndrome should be differentiated, as the latter is associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death.

Methods: The literature was searched using multiple databases to identify all the articles on Brugada pattern.

Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Knowledge and Perception of Dental Care Providers at Ajman.

Aim: This study aimed to improve our understanding regarding attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) awareness among dental care providers of Ajman University (AU), and also to identify factors that are highly associated with an increased awareness toward ADHD.

Materials And Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey study designed and carried out among convenience sample of dental care providers. The survey was carried out by using a self-administrated questionnaire.

Enhancement of targeted microalgae species growth using aquaculture sludge extracts.

Natural growth-promoting nutrients extracted from aquaculture sludge waste can be used to maximise microalgal growth. This study identified the influence of aquaculture sludge extract (SE) on four microalgae species. Conway or Bold's Basal Media (BBM) was supplemented with SE collected from a Sabak Bernam shrimp pond (SB) and Kota Puteri fish pond (KP), and tested using a novel microplate-incubation technique.

The Effect of Low-Dose Ticagrelor on Platelet Function Profiles in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease in Trinidad: The TWIST Pilot Study.

Introduction: This prospective, pharmacodynamic study aimed to explore the potential applicability of a low-dose ticagrelor regimen in a heterogeneous Trinidadian subpopulation.

Methods: Patients with stable coronary artery disease (n = 25) who were actively treated with dual antiplatelet therapy of aspirin 81 mg daily and clopidogrel 75 mg daily were recruited. Platelet function was measured with the VerifyNow P2Y assay (Accriva Diagnostics, San Diego, CA, USA) and assessed before initiation of and after 14 days of treatment with a low-dose ticagrelor 45 mg twice daily maintenance dose regimen.

Preoperative hypoalbuminemia: Poor functional outcomes and quality of life after hip fracture surgery.

Aims: Hip fracture patients have severe deterioration of their quality of life and function after their injury. Markers of malnutrition such as low albumin and low body mass index (BMI) have been shown to increase mortality and complication rates but their effect on recovery of quality of life and function after hip fracture surgery is unclear. The main aim of this paper is to further investigate if low albumin affects recovery after hip fracture surgery, while additionally studying low BMI as a possible risk factor for poor recovery.

Antibiotic Administration Routes and Oral Exposure to Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria as Key Drivers for Gut Microbiota Disruption and Resistome in Poultry.

Previous studies have identified oral administration of antibiotics and gut-impacting drugs as critical drivers for fecal antibiotic resistance (AR) and microbiome disruption in lab mice, but the practical implications of these findings have yet to be validated in hosts nurtured in conventional environment. Using ampicillin (Amp) as a way to extrapolate the general effect of antibiotics, this project examined the impact of drug administration routes on fecal microbiota and resistome using poultry raised in a teaching farm. AR genes were found to be abundant in the feces of young Leghorn chicks without previous antibiotic treatment.

Ag-Decorated MoS Laminar-Film Electrocatalyst Made with Simple and Scalable Magnetron Sputtering Technique for Hydrogen Evolution: A Defect Model to Explain the Enhanced Electron Transport.

The active edge site, surface defect, and noble-metal nanoparticle have been engineered to improve the electrocatalytic activity of earth-abundant and layered MoS, but there was no single and facile process to achieve all yet. Here, basal-plane-defected Ag/MoS lamellae with different Ag contents were deposited by one-step, single-cermet target (ceramic + metal) magnetron sputtering for the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Ag/MoS (10 vol %) showed a current density of 10 mA/cm at an overpotential of 120 mV with a Tafel slope of 42 mV/dec in a 0.

Comparative accuracy of non-invasive imaging versus right heart catheterization for the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Right heart catheterization (RHC) is the gold-standard in the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) but at the cost of procedure-related complications. We sought to determine the comparative accuracy of RHC versus non-invasive imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).

Methods: Pulmonary hypertension was defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) of>20 mmHg.

A severe refractory COVID-19 patient responding to convalescent plasma; A case series.

Introduction: Although some medicines are under research, currently, no specific antiviral drug has been approved to target 2019 novel coronavirus. In this report two severe cases of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients have been described who received convalescent plasma (CP).

Case Report: Two male cases (a 46-year-old and a 56-year-old) after being diagnosed with severe COVID-19, they deteriorated despite supportive care and antiviral therapy.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): an evidence map of medical literature.

Background: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in December 2019, a substantial body of COVID-19 medical literature has been generated. As of June 2020, gaps and longitudinal trends in the COVID-19 medical literature remain unidentified, despite potential benefits for research prioritisation and policy setting in both the COVID-19 pandemic and future large-scale public health crises.

Methods: In this paper, we searched PubMed and Embase for medical literature on COVID-19 between 1 January and 24 March 2020.