The Effects of Calcium-Vitamin D and Metformin on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Pilot Study

SummaryObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of calcium-vitamin D and metformin on the menstrual cycle and ovulation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Materials and MethodsIn this pilot study, 60 infertile PCOS patients were enrolled in a randomized clinical trial and divided into three equal groups. Group 1 received 1,000 mg of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D per day, orally. Group 2 received the same as Group 1, plus 1,500 mg/day of metformin. Group 3 received 1,500 mg/day of metformin. The patients were treated for 3 months and followed up for a further 3 months. Regularity of menses, number of large follicles (≥ 14 mm) and pregnancy rates were compared among the three groups.ResultsGeneralized estimating equation tests showed that the number of dominant follicles (≥ 14 mm) during the 2–3 months of follow-up was higher in the calcium-vitamin D plus metformin group than in either of the other two groups (p = 0.03).ConclusionThe effects of metformin and calcium-vitamin D in regulating the menstrual cycle suggest that they could also be effective for the treatment of anovulation and oligomenorrhea, with possible consequences for pregnancy rates in PCOS patients

Transformers in Small Object Detection: A Benchmark and Survey of State-of-the-Art

Transformers have rapidly gained popularity in computer vision, especially in the field of object recognition and detection. Upon examining the outcomes of state-of-the-art object detection methods, we noticed that transformers consistently outperformed well-established CNN-based detectors in almost every video or image dataset. While transformer-based approaches remain at the forefront of small object detection (SOD) techniques, this paper aims to explore the performance benefits offered by such extensive networks and identify potential reasons for their SOD superiority. Small objects have been identified as one of the most challenging object types in detection frameworks due to their low visibility. We aim to investigate potential strategies that could enhance transformers' performance in SOD. This survey presents a taxonomy of over 60 research studies on developed transformers for the task of SOD, spanning the years 2020 to 2023. These studies encompass a variety of detection applications, including small object detection in generic images, aerial images, medical images, active millimeter images, underwater images, and videos. We also compile and present a list of 12 large-scale datasets suitable for SOD that were overlooked in previous studies and compare the performance of the reviewed studies using popular metrics such as mean Average Precision (mAP), Frames Per Second (FPS), number of parameters, and more. Researchers can keep track of newer studies on our web page, which is available at \url{https://github.com/arekavandi/Transformer-SOD}

Green Tech Enterprise / Mohd Izzanur Rashidi...[et.al]

Green Tech Enterprise is a company that involve in the agriculture business where there are a lot of technologies that already exists and are about to be invented and explore as there are a lot of new things that had been done as the advancement of technology has begun to encourage our country to be more open in term of critical thinking and the acceptance and awareness of new technology. From what we know, the agriculture sector has begun the new revolution in term of managements, systems and technology which the current scenario involves the adolescence to participate in the agriculture field. Based on the current scenario that had been . our company focused on the development of new knowledge and technologies that lead towards an improvement in term of the tools and equipment that had been created based on the problems that had been voiced out by the farmers and people ill the agriculture sector. Based from the product that we had created, the Agro-stake is one of the products that is invented to ease the fanner in term of setting-up the stake and other additional extension feature that the customer desire The objectives of our company is to produce new creation of extension innovation tools and equipment based on the agriculture needs and at the same we wanted to provide a better services for our customer in term of consultancy and service which is to make sure the customer is satisfy with the product created by Green Tech Enterprise. The tools and equipment that had been invented by our company is made for more effective and efficient used in field and any places needed in order to ease the workload of people who love farming activities with affordable price and at the same time encourage the young people to involve in modem farming lifestyle to create a better future in the Agriculture sector of Malaysia and also to terminate the way and perception of people on the agriculture which say that agriculture is Dirty, Dangerous and Difficult. From what we are implementing in the business, our location is a strategic location in Malacca which is at Alor Gajah. From what we can say, Malacca is our target location for our target market as there are huge possibilities that Malacca can be one of the Agricultural District in Malaysia that practices modern farming lifestyle in their daily life. From here, we feel that the chances on the viability of the business are high as the products that we produced are focused on agriculture extension product with affordable prices. As the competitors are still lack of new inventions, we will be able to increase our market share ill a short period of time as our company's member are. still young and fresh graduates that are able to generate more idea based on the current technology that are available nowadays. That is why this business is established in order to increase the number of people that involve in the production of agriculture crop yield. So that there will be more innovation technology that can be discover in the future

PREPARATION OF CHEMICALLY MODIFIED AND HYPERCROSSLINKED MICROSPHERES OF POLY(ACRYLONITRILE-co-DIVINYLBENZENE-80-co-VINYLBENZYLCHLORIDE) AS SORBENTS TO CAPTURE PHARMACEUTICAL RESIDUES

Residues of pharmaceutical are potentially hazardous contaminants to aquatic life and human. Pharmaceutical residues have been detected in Malaysian tropical wastewaters. A challenge therein is the development of enrichment techniques able to extract polar pharmaceutical residues, since these compounds are widely found in aqueous samples yet present particular difficulties in their extraction due to their polar character. Acrylonitrile (AN)-divinylbenzene-80 (DVB-80)-vinylbenzylchloride (VBC) porous terpolymer material was prepared in the present research via precipitation polymerisation method. The porous terpolymer (MNA1) containing chlorine pendant groups was hypercrosslinked via a Friedel Crafts reaction to develop 3D network structure within the terpolymer chains. FT-IR spectrum of MNA1 showed that the chloromethyl groups derived from VBC were consumed, which was consistent with successful hypercrosslinking. The hypercrosslinked porous material was then chemically modified with ethylenediamine (EDA) (MNA2) to develop active functional groups (diamine moisties) along terpolymer chains. FT-IR spectrum showed that a new diamine absorption band appeared after the chemical modification, indicating the nitrile group was successfully converted into diamine moieties. Both experimental spectra was validated and proved by the calculated transmittance spectra. The mono-disperse spherical particles of MNA1 and MNA2 were observed using SEM analysis. Their high specific surface area and polar character (arising from AN residues), make them as potential materials to extract pharmaceutical residues

Spectroscopy, chromatography and microscopic image of 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (MNYAD_1539) crystals

3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-one (MNYAD_1539) was synthesized by an Aldol condensation method . MNYAD_1539 was synthesized from two commercially available materials of p-Methoxybenzaldehyde and Acetophenone The physical and chemical properties of MNYAD_1539 was investigated using ATR-FTIR, GCMS and a microscope. The FTIR spectrum of the crude MNYAD_1539 showed the presence of impurities, compared with the crystalline sample. The chromatogram showed that MNYAD_1539 with high purity was produced after re-crystallisation. The current study also found high quality of the transparent needle-like crystal after re-crystallisation

Global variation in diabetes diagnosis and prevalence based on fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c

Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) are both used to diagnose diabetes, but these measurements can identify different people as having diabetes. We used data from 117 population-based studies and quantified, in different world regions, the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes, and whether those who were previously undiagnosed and detected as having diabetes in survey screening, had elevated FPG, HbA1c or both. We developed prediction equations for estimating the probability that a person without previously diagnosed diabetes, and at a specific level of FPG, had elevated HbA1c, and vice versa. The age-standardized proportion of diabetes that was previously undiagnosed and detected in survey screening ranged from 30% in the high-income western region to 66% in south Asia. Among those with screen-detected diabetes with either test, the age-standardized proportion who had elevated levels of both FPG and HbA1c was 29-39% across regions; the remainder had discordant elevation of FPG or HbA1c. In most low- and middle-income regions, isolated elevated HbA1c was more common than isolated elevated FPG. In these regions, the use of FPG alone may delay diabetes diagnosis and underestimate diabetes prevalence. Our prediction equations help allocate finite resources for measuring HbA1c to reduce the global shortfall in diabetes diagnosis and surveillance

Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults

Background Underweight and obesity are associated with adverse health outcomes throughout the life course. We estimated the individual and combined prevalence of underweight or thinness and obesity, and their changes, from 1990 to 2022 for adults and school-aged children and adolescents in 200 countries and territories. Methods We used data from 3663 population-based studies with 222 million participants that measured height and weight in representative samples of the general population. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in the prevalence of different BMI categories, separately for adults (age ≥20 years) and school-aged children and adolescents (age 5–19 years), from 1990 to 2022 for 200 countries and territories. For adults, we report the individual and combined prevalence of underweight (BMI <18·5 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). For schoolaged children and adolescents, we report thinness (BMI <2 SD below the median of the WHO growth reference) and obesity (BMI >2 SD above the median). Findings From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity in adults decreased in 11 countries (6%) for women and 17 (9%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 that the observed changes were true decreases. The combined prevalence increased in 162 countries (81%) for women and 140 countries (70%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. In 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity was highest in island nations in the Caribbean and Polynesia and Micronesia, and countries in the Middle East and north Africa. Obesity prevalence was higher than underweight with posterior probability of at least 0·80 in 177 countries (89%) for women and 145 (73%) for men in 2022, whereas the converse was true in 16 countries (8%) for women, and 39 (20%) for men. From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of thinness and obesity decreased among girls in five countries (3%) and among boys in 15 countries (8%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80, and increased among girls in 140 countries (70%) and boys in 137 countries (69%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. The countries with highest combined prevalence of thinness and obesity in school-aged children and adolescents in 2022 were in Polynesia and Micronesia and the Caribbean for both sexes, and Chile and Qatar for boys. Combined prevalence was also high in some countries in south Asia, such as India and Pakistan, where thinness remained prevalent despite having declined. In 2022, obesity in school-aged children and adolescents was more prevalent than thinness with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 among girls in 133 countries (67%) and boys in 125 countries (63%), whereas the converse was true in 35 countries (18%) and 42 countries (21%), respectively. In almost all countries for both adults and school-aged children and adolescents, the increases in double burden were driven by increases in obesity, and decreases in double burden by declining underweight or thinness. Interpretation The combined burden of underweight and obesity has increased in most countries, driven by an increase in obesity, while underweight and thinness remain prevalent in south Asia and parts of Africa. A healthy nutrition transition that enhances access to nutritious foods is needed to address the remaining burden of underweight while curbing and reversing the increase in obesit

Effect of Intermediate-Dose vs Standard-Dose Prophylactic Anticoagulation on Thrombotic Events, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Treatment, or Mortality among Patients with COVID-19 Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit: The INSPIRATION Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance: Thrombotic events are commonly reported in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Limited data exist to guide the intensity of antithrombotic prophylaxis. Objective: To evaluate the effects of intermediate-dose vs standard-dose prophylactic anticoagulation among patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Design, Setting, and Participants: Multicenter randomized trial with a 2 � 2 factorial design performed in 10 academic centers in Iran comparing intermediate-dose vs standard-dose prophylactic anticoagulation (first hypothesis) and statin therapy vs matching placebo (second hypothesis; not reported in this article) among adult patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19. Patients were recruited between July 29, 2020, and November 19, 2020. The final follow-up date for the 30-day primary outcome was December 19, 2020. Interventions: Intermediate-dose (enoxaparin, 1 mg/kg daily) (n = 276) vs standard prophylactic anticoagulation (enoxaparin, 40 mg daily) (n = 286), with modification according to body weight and creatinine clearance. The assigned treatments were planned to be continued until completion of 30-day follow-up. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of venous or arterial thrombosis, treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or mortality within 30 days, assessed in randomized patients who met the eligibility criteria and received at least 1 dose of the assigned treatment. Prespecified safety outcomes included major bleeding according to the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (type 3 or 5 definition), powered for noninferiority (a noninferiority margin of 1.8 based on odds ratio), and severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count <20 �103/µL). All outcomes were blindly adjudicated. Results: Among 600 randomized patients, 562 (93.7) were included in the primary analysis (median interquartile range age, 62 50-71 years; 237 42.2% women). The primary efficacy outcome occurred in 126 patients (45.7%) in the intermediate-dose group and 126 patients (44.1%) in the standard-dose prophylaxis group (absolute risk difference, 1.5% 95% CI,-6.6% to 9.8%; odds ratio, 1.06 95% CI, 0.76-1.48; P =.70). Major bleeding occurred in 7 patients (2.5%) in the intermediate-dose group and 4 patients (1.4%) in the standard-dose prophylaxis group (risk difference, 1.1% 1-sided 97.5% CI,-� to 3.4%; odds ratio, 1.83 1-sided 97.5% CI, 0.00-5.93), not meeting the noninferiority criteria (P for noninferiority >.99). Severe thrombocytopenia occurred only in patients assigned to the intermediate-dose group (6 vs 0 patients; risk difference, 2.2% 95% CI, 0.4%-3.8%; P =.01). Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19, intermediate-dose prophylactic anticoagulation, compared with standard-dose prophylactic anticoagulation, did not result in a significant difference in the primary outcome of a composite of adjudicated venous or arterial thrombosis, treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or mortality within 30 days. These results do not support the routine empirical use of intermediate-dose prophylactic anticoagulation in unselected patients admitted to the ICU with COVID-19. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04486508. © 2021 American Medical Association. All rights reserved

Global variations in diabetes mellitus based on fasting glucose and haemogloblin A1c

Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) are both used to diagnose diabetes, but may identify different people as having diabetes. We used data from 117 population-based studies and quantified, in different world regions, the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes, and whether those who were previously undiagnosed and detected as having diabetes in survey screening had elevated FPG, HbA1c, or both. We developed prediction equations for estimating the probability that a person without previously diagnosed diabetes, and at a specific level of FPG, had elevated HbA1c, and vice versa. The age-standardised proportion of diabetes that was previously undiagnosed, and detected in survey screening, ranged from 30% in the high-income western region to 66% in south Asia. Among those with screen-detected diabetes with either test, the agestandardised proportion who had elevated levels of both FPG and HbA1c was 29-39% across regions; the remainder had discordant elevation of FPG or HbA1c. In most low- and middle-income regions, isolated elevated HbA1c more common than isolated elevated FPG. In these regions, the use of FPG alone may delay diabetes diagnosis and underestimate diabetes prevalence. Our prediction equations help allocate finite resources for measuring HbA1c to reduce the global gap in diabetes diagnosis and surveillance.peer-reviewe