LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Glucose-Lowering Efficacy of Water Extract of Malvastrum coromandelianum in Type 2 Diabetes Subjects: A Double Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND
Water extract from Malvastrum coromandelianum (Linn.) Garcke (MC) has been shown to have glucose lowering effect, short- and long-term safety in animal studies. A preliminary study in human reveals safety and its potential use as an adjunctive treatment to antihyperglycemic medications.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the glycemic-lowering efficacy ofMC in type 2 diabetes subjects.


MATERIAL AND METHOD
A multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Seventy-one diabetes subjects, who were treated with either diet control or single oral anti-diabetic drug (sulphonylurea or biguanide) with HbA1C between 6.5-9%, were recruited. Subjects were randomized to take MC tablets in a total dose of 1,200 mg/day or placebo for 12 weeks. Clinical parameters, glycemic control, HOMA-IR and HOMA-β were assessed.


RESULTS
Both MC (n = 34) and placebo (n = 37) groups had comparable baseline characteristics with a mean baseline HbA1C of 7.6 ± 0.82 vs. 7.5 ± 0.8%, respectively. During the study, HbA1C did not differ statistically after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment (7.7 ± 0.97 vs. 7.6 ± 1.0, 7.9 ± 1.09 vs. 7.8 ± 1.03 and 7.8 ± 1.1 vs. 7.6 ± 1.1%, respectively). The body weight, insulin resistance and insulin secretion were also similar between groups (p > 0.05). No episode of hypoglycemia was reported.


CONCLUSION
MC in a dosage of 1,200 mg/day does not have glucose lowering efficacy in type 2 diabetes.
Acid Etching as Surface Treatment Method for Luting of Glass-Ceramic Restorations, part 1: Acids, Application Protocol and Etching Effectiveness

AIM
The purpose of this review is to represent acids that can be used as surface etchant before adhesive luting of ceramic restorations, placement of orthodontic brackets or repair of chipped porcelain restorations. Chemical reactions, application protocol, and etching effect are presented as well.


STUDY SELECTION
Available scientific articles published in PubMed and Scopus literature databases, scientific reports and manufacturers' instructions and product information from internet websites, written in English, using following search terms: "acid etching, ceramic surface treatment, hydrofluoric acid, acidulated phosphate fluoride, ammonium hydrogen bifluoride", have been reviewed.


RESULTS
There are several acids with fluoride ion in their composition that can be used as ceramic surface etchants. The etching effect depends on the acid type and its concentration, etching time, as well as ceramic type. The most effective etching pattern is achieved when using hydrofluoric acid; the numerous micropores and channels of different sizes, honeycomb-like appearance, extruded crystals or scattered irregular ceramic particles, depending on the ceramic type, have been detected on the etched surfaces.


CONCLUSION
Acid etching of the bonding surface of glass - ceramic restorations is considered as the most effective treatment method that provides a reliable bond with composite cement. Selective removing of the glassy matrix of silicate ceramics results in a micromorphological three-dimensional porous surface that allows micromechanical interlocking of the luting composite.
Multi-scale approach from mechatronic to Cyber-Physical Systems for the design of manufacturing systems

Recent advances in manufacturing industry, and notably in the Industry 4.0 context, promote the development of CPSs and consequently give rise to a number of issues to be solved. The present paper describes the context of the extension of mechatronic systems to cyber-physical ones, firstly by highlighting their similarities and differences, and then by underlining the current needs for CPSs in the manufacturing sector. Then, the paper presents the main research issues related to CPS design and, in particular, the needs for an integrated and multi-scale designing approach to prevent conflicts across different design domains early enough within the CPS development process. To this aim, the impact of the extension from mechatronic to Cyber-Physical Systems on their design is examined through a set of existing related modelling techniques. The multi-scalability requirement of these techniques is firstly described, concerning external/internal interactions, process control, behaviour simulation, representation of topological relationships and interoperability through a multi-agent platform, and then applied to the case study of a tablets manufacturing process. Finally, the proposed holistic description of such a multi-scale manufacturing CPS allows to outline the main characteristics of a modelling-simulation platform, able notably to bridge the semantic gaps existing between the different designing disciplines and specialised domains. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Multicentre comparison of the Glasgow Blatchford and Rockall Scores in the prediction of clinical end-points after upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage.

BACKGROUND
The Glasgow Blatchford Score (GBS) is increasingly being used to predict intervention and outcome following upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage (UGIH).


AIM
To compare the GBS with both the admission and full Rockall scores in predicting specific clinical end-points following UGIH.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
Data on consecutive patients presenting to four UK hospitals were collected. Admission history, clinical and laboratory data, endoscopic findings, treatment and clinical follow-up were recorded. Using ROC curves, we compared the three scores in the prediction of death, endoscopic or surgical intervention and transfusion. Results  A total of 1555 patients (mean age 56.7years) presented with UGIH during the study period. Seventy-four (4.8%) died, 223 (14.3%) had endoscopic or surgical intervention and 363 (23.3%) required transfusion. The GBS was similar at predicting death compared with both the admission Rockall (area under ROC curve 0.804 vs. 0.801) and full Rockall score (AUROC 0.741 vs. 0.790). In predicting endo-surgical intervention, the GBS was superior to the admission Rockall (AUROC 0.858 vs. 0.705; P<0.00005) and similar to the full Rockall score (AUROC 0.822 vs. 0.797). The GBS was superior to both admission Rockall (AUROC 0.944 vs. 0.756; P<0.00005) and full Rockall scores (AUROC 0.935 vs. 0.792; P<0.00005) in predicting need for transfusion.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite not incorporating age, the GBS is as effective as the admission and full Rockall scores in predicting death after UGIH. It is superior to both the admission and full Rockall scores in predicting need for transfusion, and superior to the admission Rockall score in predicting endoscopic or surgical intervention.
A Pilot Study on the Feasibility of Robot-Aided Leg Motor Training to Facilitate Active Participation

Robot-aided gait therapy offers a promising approach towards improving gait function in individuals with neurological disorders such as stroke or spinal cord injury. However, incorporation of appropriate control strategies is essential for actively engaging the patient in the therapeutic process. Although several control algorithms (such as assist-as-needed and error augmentation) have been proposed to improve active patient participation, we hypothesize that the therapeutic benefits of these control algorithms can be greatly enhanced if combined with a motor learning task to facilitate neural reorganization and motor recovery. Here, we describe an active robotic training approach (patient-cooperative robotic gait training combined with a motor learning task) using the Lokomat and pilot-tested whether this approach can enhance active patient participation during training. Six neurologically intact adults and three chronic stroke survivors participated in this pilot feasibility study. Participants walked in a Lokomat while simultaneously performing a foot target-tracking task that necessitated greater hip and knee flexion during the swing phase of the gait. We computed the changes in tracking error as a measure of motor performance and changes in muscle activation as a measure of active subject participation. Repeated practice of the motor-learning task resulted in significant reductions in target-tracking error in all subjects. Muscle activation was also significantly higher during active robotic training compared to simply walking in the robot. The data from stroke participants also showed a trend similar to neurologically intact participants. These findings provide a proof-of-concept demonstration that combining robotic gait training with a motor learning task enhances active participation.
Clustering of lithuanian news articles

There is arguably more research done on clustering of English texts than of any other language. In this article, the process of clustering Lithuanian news articles is studied. For text preprocessing, the effect of stemming, term frequency metrics and feature filtering is investigated. In addition, following clustering algorithms are compared: k–means, bisecting k– means, and three linkage method variations of hierarchical clustering. The results show that k–means algorithm gives best overall results and that only one of the three hierarchical algorithms produces comparably good results. Term frequency– inverse document frequency (TF–IDF) with stemming significantly increased clustering quality compared to not doing stemming and/or using TF. Feature filtering by IDF helped to optimize the k–means algorithm, but reduced the quality when using hierarchical clustering. Keywords—document clustering; feature selection; k-means; hierarchical clustering; Lithuanian news articles
Staff-student relationships and their impact on nursing students' belongingness and learning.

AIM
This paper is a report of selected findings from a study exploring the relationship between belongingness and placement experiences of preregistration nursing students.


BACKGROUND
Staff-student relationships are an important influence on students' experiences of belongingness and their clinical learning. The need to belong is universal and pervasive, exerting a powerful influence on thought processes, emotions, behaviour, health and happiness. People deprived of belongingness are more likely to experience diminished self-esteem, increased stress and anxiety, depression and a decrease in general well-being. Nursing students' motivation and capacity to learn, self-concept, confidence, the extent to which they are willing to question or conform to poor practice and their future career decisions are influenced by the extent to which they experience belongingness.


METHOD
During 2006, 18 third year students from two Australian universities and one United Kingdom university participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed thematically.


FINDINGS
Participants described placement experiences spanning a continuum from those promoting a high degree of belongingness to those provoking intense feelings of alienation. Staff-student relationships (including receptiveness, inclusion/exclusion, legitimization of the student role, recognition and appreciation, challenge and support) were the most important influence on students' sense of belonging and learning. Similarities between sites were remarkable, despite the differences in healthcare and higher education systems.


CONCLUSION
Staff-student relationships are key to students' experience of belongingness. Understanding the types of interactions and behaviours that facilitate or impede students' belongingness and learning are essential to the creation of positive clinical experiences.
The acute effects of sleeper stretches on shoulder range of motion.

CONTEXT
The deceleration phase of the throwing motion creates large distraction forces at the shoulder, which may result in posterior shoulder tightness and ensuing alterations in shoulder range of motion (ROM) and may result in an increased risk of shoulder injury. Researchers have hypothesized that various stretching options increase this motion, but few data on the effectiveness of treating such tightness are available.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the acute effects of "sleeper stretches" on shoulder ROM.


DESIGN
Descriptive with repeated measures.


SETTING
Biomechanics laboratory and 2 separate collegiate athletic training facilities.


PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS
Thirty-three National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I baseball players (15 pitchers, 18 position players; age = 19.8 +/- 1.3 years, height = 184.7 +/- 6.4 cm, mass = 84.8 +/- 7.7 kg) and 33 physically active male college students (age = 20.1 +/- 0.6 years, height = 179.6 +/- 6.6 cm, mass = 83.4 +/- 11.3 kg) who reported no recent participation (within 5 years) in overhead athletic activities.


INTERVENTION(S)
Range-of-motion measurements of the dominant shoulder were assessed before and after completion of 3 sets of 30-second passive sleeper stretches among the baseball players. The ROM measurements in the nonthrower group were taken using identical methods as those in the baseball group, but this group did not perform any stretch or movement between measurements.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
Internal and external glenohumeral rotation ROM and posterior shoulder motion (glenohumeral horizontal adduction).


RESULTS
In the baseball group, posterior shoulder tightness, internal rotation ROM, and external rotation ROM were -3.5 degrees +/- 7.7 degrees , 43.8 degrees +/- 9.5 degrees , and 118.6 degrees +/- 10.9 degrees , respectively, before the stretches and were -1.2 degrees +/- 8.8 degrees , 46.9 degrees +/- 9.8 degrees , and 119.2 degrees +/- 11.0 degrees , respectively, after the stretches. These data revealed increases in posterior shoulder motion (P = .01, effect size = 0.30) and in internal shoulder rotation (P = .003, effect size = 0.32) after application of the stretches. No other differences were observed in the baseball group, and no differences were noted in the nonthrower group.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on our results, the sleeper stretches produced a statistically significant acute increase in posterior shoulder flexibility. However, this change in motion may not be clinically significant.
Malaria situation in India with special reference to tribal areas

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES
In India, malaria is a major public health problem in States having predominantly tribal population. The objective of this analysis was to find out the incidence of malaria in various States/districts having varied proportions of tribal population using National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) data.


METHODS
States and districts were classified into three categories based on proportions of Scheduled Tribes (ST) population as <10, 10-29.9 and 30 per cent + ST population. Five year average (2008-2012) of all important malaria indicators collected by NVBDCP was taken to normalize the effect of annual fluctuations in malaria incidence.


RESULTS
State level analysis revealed that ten States/UTs with 30 per cent or more tribal population comprising only three per cent of total population, contributed 14 per cent of total malaria, 21 per cent Plasmodium falciparum and 29 per cent of deaths due to malaria. Similarly, district level analysis showed that districts with 30 per cent or more tribal population comprising about eight per cent country's population contributed to 46 per cent of total malaria cases, 70 per cent P. falciparum and 47 per cent malarial deaths in the country.


INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS
Our analysis showed that the neglect of the ethnic communities in tribal areas would be detrimental to the overall reduction of morbidity and mortality due to malaria. The fight against the increasing burden of malaria in tribal belt requires adoption of multiple approaches and socio-economic development of the tribal communities.
The external rotation method for reduction of acute anterior shoulder dislocations

Shoulder dislocations account for almost 50% of all joint dislocations, and are most commonly anterior (90–98%) and occur due to trauma. This prospective study was conducted to report our experiences of using the external rotation method (ERM) in the reduction of acute anterior shoulder dislocation. Between August 2006 and April 2007, ERM was applied to 31 patients who presented with traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation to the Emergency Department of our Hospital which is a level 2 trauma centre. We evaluated the type of dislocation, the effectiveness of the procedure in achieving reduction, the need for premedication, the ease of performing the reduction, and complications, if any. Of the 31 patients, 29 had a successful reduction. No premedication was required in 25 patients who had a successful reduction, and the average time required for reduction in 25 was less than 2 min. Only five patients reported severe pain during the process of reduction. The method was not successful in two patients in whom the reduction was achieved under narcosis. We experienced a success rate of 89% at the first attempt. None of the patients encountered any complication. ERM for the reduction of acute anterior dislocation of the shoulder is a safe and reliable method, mainly without requirement for any sedatives or opiate analgesics, that can be performed relatively painlessly for anterior shoulder dislocations. As no single method has a 100% success rate, ERM is a useful one to know.
POPE study: rationale and methodology of a study to phenotype patients with COPD in Central and Eastern Europe

INTRODUCTION
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) constitutes a major health challenge in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. However, clinical phenotypes, symptom load, and treatment habits of patients with COPD in CEE countries remain largely unknown. This paper provides a rationale for phenotyping COPD and describes the methodology of a large study in CEE.


METHODS/DESIGN
The POPE study is an international, multicenter, observational cross-sectional survey of patients with COPD in CEE. Participation in the study is offered to all consecutive outpatients with stable COPD in 84 centers across the CEE region if they fulfill the following criteria: age >40 years, smoking history ≥10 pack-years, a confirmed diagnosis of COPD with postbronchodilator FEV1/FVC <0.7, and absence of COPD exacerbation ≥4 weeks. Medical history, risk factors for COPD, comorbidities, lung function parameters, symptoms, and pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical treatment are recorded. The POPE project is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT02119494.


OUTCOMES
The primary aim of the POPE study was to phenotype patients with COPD in a real-life setting within CEE countries using predefined classifications. Secondary aims of the study included analysis of differences in symptoms, and diagnostic and therapeutic behavior in participating CEE countries.


CONCLUSION
There is increasing acceptance toward a phenotype-driven therapeutic approach in COPD. The POPE study may contribute to reveal important information regarding phenotypes and therapy in real-life CEE.
Penile size and penile enlargement surgery: a review

Penile size is a considerable concern for men of all ages. Herein, we review the data on penile size and conditions that will result in penile shortening. Penile augmentation procedures are discussed, including indications, procedures and complications of penile lengthening procedures, penile girth enhancement procedures and penile skin reconstruction.
Quality of Service in Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) is a key area of new investments and investigations. It promises a new domain on the way computers and humans interact with our environment. It serves a large number of applications that can be very critical to the extent of saving human life. Therefore, serving reliable and timely information is a key demand to any WSN. Quality of Service (QoS) in WSN discusses some techniques and requirements to provide such reliable and trusted service. In this survey we will trace the efforts to develop QoS-enabled models on WSN networks. First, an introduction to QoS in traditional networks stating its parameters and techniques is presented followed by introductory review of WSN and its unique characteristics such as severe resource constrains ending by a review of QoS implementations in protocol layer stack of WSN.
Neuroendocrine responsivities of the pituitary dopamine system in male schizophrenic patients during treatment with clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone, sulpiride, or haloperidol

Background Atypical antipsychotic drugs, in clinical doses, occupy 5-HT2 receptors near saturation, while D2 dopamine receptors, assessed usually in striatum by SPECT or PET methods, are occupied to different degrees. We hypothesized that these differences in D2 receptor occupancies may also be evaluated by a neuroendocrine approach, namely by measuring the plasma prolactin responses to i. m. administered haloperidol, since the expected elevations depend mainly on the free remaining D2 receptors in the tuberoinfundibular tract. Methods We measured the plasma prolactin levels at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after administration of 5 mg haloperidol i. m. in six groups of male patients with schizophrenia: a) 33 patients in a drug-free state, b) 15 patients on treatment with clozapine (range 200–600 mg/day), c) 15 patients on olanzapine (10–30 mg/day), d) 14 patients on risperidone (8–16 mg/day), e) 23 patients on haloperidol (10–40 mg/day), f) 14 patients on sulpiride (600–1600 mg/day). Data were also obtained from a group of 14 healthy male control subjects. The differences in baseline prolactin levels and in the responses to acute haloperidol of the seven groups were compared. Results The baseline prolactin levels did not differ significantly in the groups of controls (8.3±3.8 ng/ml), drug-free patients (8.0±3.6) and patients treated with clozapine (7.7±3.8), they were moderately elevated in patients treated with olanzapine (16.8±8.9), elevated in patients on haloperidol (34.4±17.3), and they were even higher in the groups of patients treated with risperidone (54.9±22.4) or sulpiride (58.8±27.0). All groups of patients gave attenuated prolactin responses to i. m. haloperidol compared to healthy controls. During treatment with haloperidol, risperidone, or sulpiride, no significant prolactin increases after i. m. haloperidol were observed. The group treated with olanzapine gave significant prolactin increases, which were lower than those obtained in the group of patients treated with clozapine, who gave responses similar to that of the drug-free patients. Conclusions Plasma prolactin levels and responses to i. m. haloperidol of patients on treatment with antipsychotic drugs, reflect the prolactin release potencies of the drugs, which are related, but not restricted, to their affinities to D2 dopamine receptors. According to the prolactin baseline levels and responses to i. m. haloperidol, the drugs of this study can be categorized for their potency to the pituitary dopamine system that controls prolactin release, as follows: sulpiride > risperidone > haloperidol > olanzapine > clozapine. This categorization is similar to that obtained by binding studies in striatal D2 dopamine receptors using brain imaging techniques.