Leveraging FAERS and Big Data Analytics with Machine Learning for Advanced Healthcare Solutions

This research study explores the potential of leveraging the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), combined with big data analytics and machine learning techniques, to enhance healthcare solutions. FAERS serves as a comprehensive database maintained by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), encompassing reports of adverse events, medication errors, and product quality issues associated with diverse drugs and therapeutic interventions.By harnessing the power of big data analytics applied to the vast information within FAERS, healthcare professionals and researchers gain valuable insights into drug safety, discover potential adverse reactions, and uncover patterns that may not have been discernible through traditional methods. Particularly, machine learning plays a pivotal role in processing and analyzing this extensive dataset, enabling the extraction of meaningful patterns and prediction of adverse events.The findings of this study demonstrate various ways in which FAERS, big data analytics, and machine learning can be leveraged to provide advanced healthcare solutions. Machine learning algorithms trained on FAERS data can effectively identify early signals of adverse events associated with specific drugs or treatments, allowing for prompt detection and appropriate actions.Big data analytics applied to FAERS data facilitate pharmacovigilance and drug safety monitoring. Machine learning models automatically classify and analyze adverse event reports, efficiently flagging potential safety concerns and identifying emerging trends.The integration of FAERS data with big data analytics and machine learning enables signal detection and causality assessment. This approach aids in the identification of signals that suggest a causal relationship between drugs and adverse events, thereby enhancing the assessment of drug safety.By analyzing FAERS data in conjunction with patient-specific information, machine learning models can assist in identifying patient subgroups that are more susceptible to adverse events. This information is instrumental in personalizing treatment plans and optimizing medication choices, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes.The combination of FAERS data with other biomedical information offers insights into potential new uses or indications for existing drugs. Machine learning algorithms analyze the integrated data, identifying patterns and making predictions about the efficacy and safety of repurposing existing drugs for new applications.The implementation of FAERS, big data analytics, and machine learning in advanced healthcare solutions necessitates meticulous consideration of data privacy, security, and ethical implications. Safeguarding patient privacy and ensuring responsible data use through anonymization techniques and appropriate data governance are paramount.The integration of FAERS, big data analytics, and machine learning holds immense potential in advancing healthcare solutions, enhancing patient safety, and optimizing medical interventions. The findings of this study demonstrate the multifaceted benefits that can be derived from leveraging these technologies, paving the way for a more efficient and effective healthcare ecosystem

Ultrasonography role for evaluation of hand tendon injuries

Background: Most tendons injuries are open injuries to the flexor or extensor tendons, but less frequent injuries. Ultrasound (US) and MRI used as a diagnostic tool for tendon injuries.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the overall accuracy of the bedside tendon ultrasonography, which can be used to the diagnosis and discharge planning in patients with suspected hand tendon injuries.Patients and methods: A cross sectional study included 24 patients diagnosed with a hand tendon injuries either preoperative or postoperative and carried out in the Department of Radiodiagnosis at Zagazig University Hospitals. Preoperative ultrasound was performed to the affected tendon to perform multisectional scans without flexion or extension of the wrists in all cases. The unaffected hand and fingers were also examined in the same fashion as the affected fingers for comparison.Results: There was significant increase in number of patients presented with injury preoperatively who didn’t present with nerve injury. There was significant change in number of patients presented with either single or multiple tendon injuries. There was significant increase in frequency in patient without foreign body. There were two patients with ultrasonographic features of tendon injury had no tendon injury proven by surgery with sensitivity of 91.7 %. There was significant increase in number of patients presented with tendon injury. US can detect tendon injury with 100% sensitivity, 91.7% positive predictive value and 91.7% accuracy.Conclusion: Ultrasound is a useful diagnostic tool for modality of predicting and diagnosis of a tendon rupture in hand injuries

Prevalence of Coronary Artery Lesion(S) in Pati ents Aged 40-50 Years Undergoing Rheumatic Valvular Surgery

Objective: To determine the prevalence of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing valve surgery for rheumatic heart disease between age 40-50 years, usefulness, and indication of pre-operative coronary angiography. Methods: This is an observational prospective study that took place in 2 hospitals (National Heart Institute and Nasser Institute) within the period starting from January 2013 to January 2015. We included 454 rheumatic patients that were admitted for elective primary mitral, aortic or double valve surgery, and that had a coronary angiogram in their regular preoperative workup. All coronary angiographies were performed by injecting right and left coronaries by using 80-100 ml of iodinated contrast to obtain the standard views of both right and left coronaries using Philips or Siemens machines in both hospitals. Coronary artery disease (CAD) of 50% is considered to be a positive finding. Results: There was no correlation between rheumatic heart disease in this age group and CAD as only 1.76% had the significant stenosis. Male gender, family history of CAD, age above 45yrs, hypertension, and smoking showed significant correlation with the CAD in this study. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the overall prevalence of coronary artery disease in patients undergoing rheumatic valve surgery in our population is not comparable with the prevalence reported in international data. So, multicenter studies are needed in developing countries to set their own guidelines. Therefore, our study can be the nucleus for these guidelines in our country

Capability of the Invasive Tree Prosopis glandulosa Torr. to Remediate Soil Treated with Sewage Sludge

Sewage sludge improves agricultural soil and plant growth, but there are hazards associated with its use, including high metal(loid) contents. An experimental study was conducted under greenhouse conditions to examine the effects of sewage sludge on growth of the invasive tree Prosopis glandulosa, as well as to determine its phytoremediation capacity. Plants were established and grown for seven months along a gradient of sewage sludge content. Plant traits, soil properties, and plant and soil concentrations of N, P, K, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr, Co, As, and Fe were recorded. The addition of sewage sludge led to a significant decrease in soil pH, and Ni, Co, and As concentrations, as well as an increase in soil organic matter and the concentrations of N, P, Cu, Zn, and Cr. Increasing sewage sludge content in the growth medium raised the total uptake of most metals by P. glandulosa plants due to higher biomass accumulation (taller plants with more leaves) and higher metal concentrations in the plant tissues. P. glandulosa concentrated more Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Fe in its below-ground biomass (BGB) than in its above-ground biomass (AGB). P. glandulosa concentrated Ni, Co, and As in both BGB and AGB. P. glandulosa has potential as a biotool for the phytoremediation of sewage sludges and sewage-amended soils in arid and semi-arid environments, with a potential accumulation capability for As in plant leaves

Reconstructing Daily Discharge in a Megadelta Using Machine Learning Techniques

In this study, six machine learning (ML) models, namely, random forest (RF), Gaussian process regression (GPR), support vector regression (SVR), decision tree (DT), least squares support vector machine (LSSVM), and multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS) models, were employed to reconstruct the missing daily-averaged discharge in a mega-delta from 1980 to 2015 using upstream-downstream multi-station data. The performance and accuracy of each ML model were assessed and compared with the stage-discharge rating curves (RCs) using four statistical indicators, Taylor diagrams, violin plots, scatter plots, time-series plots, and heatmaps. Model input selection was performed using mutual information and correlation coefficient methods after three data pre-processing steps: normalization, Fourier series fitting, and first-order differencing. The results showed that the ML models are superior to their RC counterparts, and MARS and RF are the most reliable algorithms, although MARS achieves marginally better performance than RF. Compared to RC, MARS and RF reduced the root mean square error (RMSE) by 135% and 141% and the mean absolute error by 194% and 179%, respectively, using year-round data. However, the performance of MARS and RF developed for the climbing (wet season) and recession (dry season) limbs separately worsened slightly compared to that developed using the year-round data. Specifically, the RMSE of MARS and RF in the falling limb was 856 and 1, 040 m3/s, respectively, while that obtained using the year-round data was 768 and 789 m3/s, respectively. In this study, the DT model is not recommended, while the GPR and SVR models provide acceptable results

Liver Protective Effects of Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibition Have No Survival Benefits in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Induced By Repetitive Administration of Diethylnitrosamine in Mice

BACKGROUND: Preclinical studies have demonstrated that renin-angiotensin system (RAS) signalling has strong tumour-promoting effects and RAS inhibition was associated with improvement in the overall survival in some cancer types including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin-II-receptor blockers (ARBs) on the survival of mice with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced HCC.METHODS: HCC was induced by weekly i.p. administration of DEN. Mice were treated with sorafenib (SO) (30 mg/kg), perindopril (PE) (1 mg/kg), fosinopril (FO) (2 mg/kg), losartan (LO) (10 mg/kg), PE (1 mg/kg) + SO (30 mg/kg), FO (2 mg/kg) + SO (30 mg/kg), or LO (10 mg/kg) + SO (30 mg/kg). Survival analysis was done using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test was used for assessing the significance of difference between groups.RESULTS: The administration of PE, FO and LO as monotherapy or as combined with SO resulted in marked improvement in the liver histologic picture with no impact on overall survival of mice.CONCLUSION: Interfering the RAS either through the inhibition of ACE or the blockade of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptors has similar effects on the liver of DEN-induced HCC mice and is not associated with longer survival due to detrimental effects of DEN on other organs. Hence, repetitive administration of DEN in such models of HCC is not suitable for mortality assessment studies

Intraoperative internal iliac artery balloon occlusion versus ligation in cases of placenta previa accreta: A randomized trial

ABSTRACT Aims: The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of intraoperative bilateral internal iliac artery balloon occlusion versus bilateral internal iliac artery ligation before extraction of placenta previa accreta after fetal delivery. Methods: One hundred patients with preoperative diagnosis of placenta previa accreta were randomly allocated into two groups each including 50 patients; Group (A) intraoperative internal iliac artery (IIA) balloon occlusion was undergone and Group (B) internal iliac artery ligation was undergone

An integrated assessment approach for fossil groundwater quality and crop water requirements in the El-Kharga Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

Study region: The El-Kharga Oasis in the Western Desert of Egypt is selected as the study area due to its hyberarid climate condition and water scarcity. In this region, the fossil groundwater is the main water source; therefore, preserving groundwater quality and quantity is mandatory. Study focus: This study evaluated groundwater suitability for irrigation purposes and assessed the water requirements of cultivated crops to optimize the water supply in hyperarid climate regions. In total, 79 deep groundwater samples were hydrochemically tested to determine the suitability for irrigation by assessing the key water quality parameters. Spatial distribution maps of all chemical parameters, such as pH, EC, SAR, RSC, SSP, TDS, total hardness, Na+, K+, Ca++, Mg++, Fe, Mn, Cl-, and SO4—, were developed. The FAO CROPWAT 8.0 model, based on the Penman–Monteith equation, was used to forecast agricultural water requirements for three years, 2010, 2011, and 2012. New hydrological insights for the region: The groundwater had medium salinity and low sodium in 84% of the cases. In comparison, high salinity was found in 16% of the samples, indicating that groundwater can be used for many soil types with a low risk of exchangeable sodium. Except for 15 of the 79 wells, all groundwater samples had chloride concentrations less than 100 mg/l. The sulfate ion distribution map showed a low sulfate ion content in the extreme western south. The total annual irrigation water requirements of all crops for 2010, 2011 and 2012 were 199.4, 215.1, and 231.7 million m3/year, respectively, reflecting a gradual increase of approximately 16.57 million m3/total area/year due to the expansion of the cultivated area. The analysis showed that modern irrigation systems reduced the amount of irrigation water by 32% and increased the cultivated area by 45% compared to conventional irrigation methods. Severe groundwater depletion occurred during the dry season from March to July, which exacerbated the water stress in the study region. The results confirmed that the region is under water stress. Accordingly, water conservation is urgently recommended

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Unveiling the therapeutic potential of exogenous β-hydroxybutyrate for chronic colitis in rats: novel insights on autophagy, apoptosis, and pyroptosis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disease of the colorectal area that demonstrates a dramatically increasing incidence worldwide. This study provides novel insights into the capacity of the exogenous β-hydroxybutyrate and ketogenic diet (KD) consumption to alleviate dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced UC in rats. Remarkably, both interventions attenuated disease activity and colon weight-to-length ratio, and improved macro and microstructures of the damaged colon. Importantly, both β-hydroxybutyrate and KD curbed the DSS-induced aberrant NLRP3 inflammasome activation as observed in mRNA and protein expression analysis. Additionally, inhibition of the NLRP3/NGSDMD-mediated pyroptosis was detected in response to both regimens. In parallel, these modalities attenuated caspase-1 and its associated consequences of IL-1β and IL-18 overproduction. They also mitigated apoptosis as indicated by the inactivation of caspase-3. The anti-inflammatory effects of BHB and KD were confirmed by the reported decline in the levels of inflammatory markers including MPO, NFκB, IL-6, and TNF-α. Moreover, these interventions exhibited antioxidative properties by reducing ROS production and improving antioxidative enzymes. Their effectiveness in mitigating UC was also evident in the renovation of normal intestinal epithelial barrier function, as shown by correcting the discrepancies in the levels of tight junction proteins ZO-1, OCLN, and CLDN5. Furthermore, their effects on the intestinal microbiota homeostasis were investigated. In terms of autophagy, exogenous β-hydroxybutyrate upregulated BECN-1 and downregulated p62, which may account for its superiority over KD in attenuating colonic damage. In conclusion, this study provides experimental evidence supporting the potential therapeutic use of β-hydroxybutyrate or β-hydroxybutyrate-boosting regimens in UC