LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Presumptive stressful life event scale

Presumptive stressful life event scale Dear Sir, in different demographic and clinical categories, which has not been attempted. I have read with considerable interest the article entitled, Presumptive stressful life events scale (PSLES)-a new stressful life events scale for use in India by Gurmeet Singh et al (April 1984 issue). I think it is a commendable effort to develop such a scale which would potentially be of use in our setting. However, the research raises several questions, which have not been dealt with in the' paper. The following are the questions or comments which ask for response from the authors: a) The mode of selection of 51 items is not mentioned. If taken arbitrarily they could suggest a bias. If selected from clinical experience, there could be a likelihood of certain events being missed. An ideal way would be to record various events from a number of persons (and patients) and then prepare a list of commonly occuring events. b) It is noteworthy that certain culture specific items as dowry, birth of daughter, etc. are included. Other relevant events as conflict with in-laws (not regarding dowry), refusal by match seeking team (difficulty in finding match for marriage) and lack of son, could be considered stressful in our setting. c) Total number of life events are a function of age, as has been mentioned in the review of literature also, hence age categorisation as under 35 and over 35 might neither be proper nor sufficient. The relationship of number of life events in different age groups would be interesting to note. d) Also, more interesting would be to examine the rank order of life events e) A briefened version would be more welcome. The authors should try to evolve a version of around about 25-30 items, which could be easily applied clinically or for research purposes. As can be seen, from items after serial number 30 (Table 4) many could be excluded. f) The cause and effect relationship is difficult to comment from the results given by the scale. As is known, 'stressfulness' of the event depends on an individuals perception of the event. That persons with higher neu-roticism scores report more events could partly be due to this. g) A minor point, Table 4 mentions Standard Deviations however S. D. has not been given for any item. Reply: I am grateful for the interest shown by Dr. Chaturvedi and his …
Long-term followup for rheumatoid arthritis patients in a multicenter outcomes study of silicone metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often results in deformities at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. Patients with severe deformities can be treated by silicone metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty (SMPA). The objective of the study is to prospectively compare long-term outcomes for an SMPA surgical and a nonsurgical cohort of RA patients.


METHODS
A total of 67 surgical and 95 nonsurgical patients with severe subluxation and/or ulnar drift of the fingers at the MCP joints were recruited from 2004-2008 in this multicenter prospective cohort study. Patients could elect to undergo SMPA or not. Outcomes included the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ), Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 (AIMS2), grip/pinch strength, Jebsen-Taylor Test, ulnar deviation, extensor lag, and arc of motion measurements at the MCP joints.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the mean age, race, education, and income at baseline between the 2 groups. Surgical subjects had worse MHQ function and functional measurements at baseline. At 3 years, the mean overall MHQ score and the MHQ function, activities of daily living, aesthetics, and satisfaction scores showed significant improvement in the surgical group compared to the nonsurgical group. Ulnar deviation, extensor lag, and arc of motion in the MCP and proximal interphalangeal joints also improved significantly in the surgical group. No improvement was seen in the mean AIMS2 scores and grip/pinch strength. Complications were minimal with a fracture rate of 9.5%.


CONCLUSION
RA patients with poor baseline functioning showed long-term improvement in hand function and appearance following treatment with SMPA compared to nonsurgical controls.
Consistency between verbal and non-verbal affective cues: a clue to speaker credibility.

Listeners are exposed to inconsistencies in communication; for example, when speakers' words (i.e. verbal) are discrepant with their demonstrated emotions (i.e. non-verbal). Such inconsistencies introduce ambiguity, which may render a speaker to be a less credible source of information. Two experiments examined whether children make credibility discriminations based on the consistency of speakers' affect cues. In Experiment 1, school-age children (7- to 8-year-olds) preferred to solicit information from consistent speakers (e.g. those who provided a negative statement with negative affect), over novel speakers, to a greater extent than they preferred to solicit information from inconsistent speakers (e.g. those who provided a negative statement with positive affect) over novel speakers. Preschoolers (4- to 5-year-olds) did not demonstrate this preference. Experiment 2 showed that school-age children's ratings of speakers were influenced by speakers' affect consistency when the attribute being judged was related to information acquisition (speakers' believability, "weird" speech), but not general characteristics (speakers' friendliness, likeability). Together, findings suggest that school-age children are sensitive to, and use, the congruency of affect cues to determine whether individuals are credible sources of information.
Efficacy of probiotic supplementation on quality of life and pulmonary symptoms due to sulfur mustard exposure: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the efficacy and safety of supplementation with probiotics in improving chronic pulmonary symptoms due to sulfur mustard (SM) exposure.


METHODS
In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study, 65 subjects suffering from chronic pulmonary complications of SM were assigned to one probiotic capsule (1 × 109 CFU containing seven strains of lactic acid-producing bacteria) every 12 h or an identical placebo for six weeks. Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations, pulmonary function tests (FEV1, FEV1/FVC and MMEF 25-75%) and COPD assessment test (CAT) were assessed at baseline and at the end of trial.


RESULTS
The groups were comparable in baseline characteristics. There were significant improvements in FEV1/FVC in the probiotic but not in placebo group. CAT scores were decreased in both study groups. However, between-group comparison of changes in the assessed parameters reached statistical significance only for CAT score (p < 0.001). There was no report of adverse events during the course of trial.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings of the present trial favor the efficacy of probiotic supplementation in improving the pulmonary symptoms of SM-exposed subjects.
The Potential Role of Genetic Markers in Talent Identification and Athlete Assessment in Elite Sport

In elite sporting codes, the identification and promotion of future athletes into specialised talent pathways is heavily reliant upon objective physical, technical, and tactical characteristics, in addition to subjective coach assessments. Despite the availability of a plethora of assessments, the dependence on subjective forms of identification remain commonplace in most sporting codes. More recently, genetic markers, including several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), have been correlated with enhanced aerobic capacity, strength, and an overall increase in athletic ability. In this review, we discuss the effects of a number of candidate genes on athletic performance, across single-skilled and multifaceted sporting codes, and propose additional markers for the identification of motor skill acquisition and learning. While displaying some inconsistencies, both the ACE and ACTN3 polymorphisms appear to be more prevalent in strength and endurance sporting teams, and have been found to correlate to physical assessments. More recently, a number of polymorphisms reportedly correlating to athlete performance have gained attention, however inconsistent research design and varying sports make it difficult to ascertain the relevance to the wider sporting population. In elucidating the role of genetic markers in athleticism, existing talent identification protocols may significantly improve-and ultimately enable-targeted resourcing in junior talent pathways.
Acute effects of an Avena sativa herb extract on responses to the Stroop Color-Word test.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Extracts from oat (Avena sativa) herb may benefit cognitive performance. This study investigated whether Neuravena(®), an oat herb extract, could acutely improve responses to the Stroop Color-Word test, a measure of attention and concentration and the ability to maintain task focus.


SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Elderly volunteers with below-average cognitive performance consumed single doses (0, 1600, and 2400 mg) of oat herb extract at weekly intervals in a double-blind, randomized, crossover comparison. Resting blood pressure (BP) was assessed before and after supplementation, and a Stroop test was performed.


RESULTS
Significantly fewer errors were made during the color-naming component of the Stroop test after consuming the 1600-mg dose than after the 0-mg or 2400-mg doses (F (1,36)=18.85, p<0.001). In 7 subjects with suspected cognitive impairment, Stroop interference score was also improved by the 1600-mg dose compared to 0- and 2400-mg doses (F (1, 34)=2.40, p<0.01). Resting BP was unaffected by supplementation.


CONCLUSIONS
Taking 1600 mg of oat herb extract may acutely improve attention and concentration and the ability to maintain task focus in older adults with differing levels of cognitive status.
Stress grading materials for cable terminations under fast-rise time pulses

The paper discusses the material properties and designs of stress grading coatings for cable terminations that can help to reduce the adverse effects of stepped voltages present in voltage source converters. Simulations using transient and quasistatic finite element method, as well as experimental measurements of stress grading materials are presented in this study. The use of two stress grading layers in cable terminations is suggested as an alternative design to reduce the hot spot temperature in conductive stress grading coatings.
Bupivacaine digital blocks: how long is the pain relief and temperature elevation?

BACKGROUND
The goals of this study are threefold: (1) to determine what effect epinephrine has on the duration of bupivacaine finger block anesthesia; (2) to see whether the duration of action of bupivacaine on digital pain relief is the same duration as numbness to touch/pressure; and (3) to assess the fingertip temperature changes that result from bupivacaine digital blocks.


METHODS
The ring fingers of both hands of 44 volunteers were randomized to injection of bupivacaine with or without 1:200,000 epinephrine. The durations of time for digits to return to normal pain, touch, pressure sensation, and fingertip temperature were measured and recorded.


RESULTS
There were three main findings: (1) the pain block of bupivacaine lasts only half as long (15 hours) as the return to normal sensation (30 hours); (2) the effect of adding epinephrine to bupivacaine prolongs the duration of pain relief in a finger block for only an additional 1.5 hours; (3) in addition to pain relief, bupivacaine finger blocks cause fingertip hyperemia with consistent significant fingertip temperature elevation that lasts 15 hours.


CONCLUSIONS
The duration of bupivacaine pain relief is the clinically important factor that needs to be reported in bupivacaine trials. Patients should be informed that the return of pain will occur much sooner than the return of normal sensation. Adding epinephrine to bupivacaine does not add a clinically significant length of time to pain relief. Bupivacaine finger blocks provide prolonged hyperemia and pain block to fingertips, which may be useful in the treatment of acute frostbite.


CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Therapeutic, I.
Preservatives and fragrances in selected consumer-available cosmetics and detergents.

BACKGROUND
Preservatives and fragrances are important and frequent skin sensitizers, found in a wide range of products intended for personal and occupational use.


OBJECTIVES
To examine the use of preservatives and fragrances in certain cosmetics and detergents on the market. The product types studied were shampoos, hair conditioners, liquid soaps, wet tissues, washing-up liquids, and multi-purpose cleaners.


MATERIALS/METHODS
Ingredient labels of 204 cosmetic products and ingredient data sheets of 97 detergents, available on company websites, were examined.


RESULTS
The preservatives most frequently identified were phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, sodium benzoate, propylparaben, and methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone. Parabens were found in 44% of cosmetics and 9% of detergents; formaldehyde-releasers in 25% of cosmetics and 8% of detergents; and isothiazolinones in 23% of cosmetics and 28% of detergents. The fragrances most frequently identified were linalool, limonene, hexyl cinnamal, butylphenyl methylpropional, and citronellol. Eighty-eight per cent of the products contained fragrances, and any of the 26 fragrances requiring labelling were found in half of the cosmetics and one-third of the detergents.


CONCLUSIONS
Several preservatives and fragrances with well-known skin-sensitizing potential were common in the examined product types. Such products may be used several times a day by consumers and workers.
Exposure to potentially traumatic events in early childhood: differential links to emergent psychopathology.

OBJECTIVE
  To examine associations between exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) and clinical patterns of symptoms and disorders in preschool children.


METHOD
  Two hundred and thirteen referred and non-referred children, ages 24 to 48 months (MN = 34.9, SD = 6.7 months) were studied. Lifetime exposure to PTEs (family violence and non-interpersonal events) and recent stressful life events were assessed with the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA) and Child Life Events Scale. Child psychiatric symptoms and disorders were assessed with parent-reports in the PAPA, a comprehensive, developmentally sensitive interview. Sociodemographic risk, parental anxiety and depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression, Beck Anxiety Inventory), and child developmental level (Mullen Scales of Early Learning) also were assessed.


RESULTS
  Violence exposure was broadly associated with psychiatric status in the areas of depression, separation anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and conduct problems, whereas potentially traumatic non-interpersonal exposure was associated with phobic anxiety. The majority of the associations between violence exposure and preschoolers' symptoms were significant even when other key factors, including economic disadvantage and parental mood and anxiety symptoms, were controlled statistically. However, parental depressive/anxious symptoms may have partially or fully mediated the relationships between violence exposure and depressive and conduct symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Evidence of robust associations between violence exposure and early childhood internalizing and externalizing disorders and symptoms highlights the need for longitudinal prospective research concerning neurodevelopmental mechanisms and pathways. Findings underscore the relevance of assessing trauma exposure, particularly interpersonal violence, to identify young children at risk.
AMON: A Wearable Medical Computer for High Risk Patients

We present a wrist worn medical monitoring computer designed to free high risk patient from the constraints of stationary monitoring equipment. The system combines complex medical monitoring, data analysis and communication capabilities in a truly wearable watchlike form. The paper summarizes the functionality, architecture and implementation of the system.
Visual Query Language: Finding patterns in and relationships among time series data

Many scientific datasets archive a large number of variables over time. These timeseries data streams typically track many variables over relatively long periods of time, and therefore are often both wide and deep. In this paper, we describe the Visual Query Language (VQL) [3], a technology for locating time series patterns in historical or real time data. The user interactively specifies a search pattern, VQL finds similar shapes, and returns a ranked list of matches. VQL supports both univariate and multivariate queries, and allows the user to interactively specify the the quality of the match, including temporal warping, amplitude warping, and temporal constraints between features.
A Skeleton-Based Model for Promoting Coherence Among Sentences in Narrative Story Generation

Narrative story generation is a challenging problem because it demands the generated sentences with tight semantic connections, which has not been well studied by most existing generative models. To address this problem, we propose a skeleton-based model to promote the coherence of generated stories. Different from traditional models that generate a complete sentence at a stroke, the proposed model first generates the most critical phrases, called skeleton, and then expands the skeleton to a complete and fluent sentence. The skeleton is not manually defined, but learned by a reinforcement learning method. Compared to the state-of-the-art models, our skeleton-based model can generate significantly more coherent text according to human evaluation and automatic evaluation. The G-score is improved by 20.1% in human evaluation.1
Multisystemic engagement & nephrology based educational intervention: a randomized controlled trial protocol on the kidney team at home-study

BACKGROUND
Living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) is the most successful form of renal replacement therapy in terms of wait time and survival rates. However, we observed a significant inequality in the number of LDKT performed between the Dutch and the non-Dutch patients. The objective of this study is to adapt, implement and test an educational home-based intervention to contribute to the reduction of this inequality. Our aim is to establish this through guided communication together with the social network of the patients in an attempt that well-informed decisions regarding renal replacement therapy can be made: Multisystemic Engagement & Nephrology. This manuscript is a detailed description of the Kidney Team At Home-study protocol.


METHODS AND DESIGN
All patients (>18 yrs) that are referred to the pre-transplantation outpatient clinic are eligible to participate in the study. Patients will be randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The control group will continue to receive standard care. The experimental group will receive standard care plus a home-based educational intervention. The intervention consists of two sessions at the patient's home, an initial session with the patient and a second session for which individuals from their social network are invited to take part. Based on the literature and behavioural change theories we hypothesize that reducing hurdles in knowledge, risk perception, subjective norm, self-efficacy, and communication contribute to well-informed decision making and reducing inequality in accessing LDKT programs. A change in these factors is consequently our primary outcome-measure. Based on power calculations, we aim to include 160 patients over a period of two years.


DISCUSSION
If we are able to show that this home-based group educational intervention contributes to 1) achieving well-informed decision regarding treatment and 2) reducing the inequality in LDKT, the quality of life of patients will be improved while healthcare costs are reduced. As the intervention is investigated in a random heterogeneous patient group in daily practice, the transfer to clinical practice in other kidney transplant centers should be relatively easy.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
Netherlands Trial Register, NTR2730.
Non-neoplastic mediastinal cysts.

OBJECTIVE
The non-neoplastic mediastinal cysts (NNMCs) form a group of uncommon benign lesions of a congenital origin. The significant controversy regarding these cysts is whether to manage with observation or surgical resection. The aim of this study is to analyse the utility of thoracic computed axial tomography (CT) in imaging diagnosis of the NNMCs and the results of surgery in these lesions.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
Twenty NNMCs underwent surgery between 1980 and 2000. The preoperative study of mediastinal cystic masses includes a complete blood test, chest radiography (CR) and, for the last 15 years, a thoracic CT and/or nuclear magnetic resonance. All the patients underwent surgery in our thoracic surgery department and were reviewed in outpatients at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year and biannually thereafter. The form of manifestation, clinical features, imaging techniques, surgical operation, morbidity, mortality and follow-up are analysed.


RESULTS
Ten corresponded to bronchogenic cysts, the most common symptom of which was chest pain. CR showed a mass in the anterior-superior mediastinum in nine cases, and CT (five cases) revealed a cystic tumour in the anterior mediastinum. All were removed surgically, with three patients presenting with mild complications. Seven corresponded to pleuro-pericardial cysts, four being asymptomatic. CR showed a right paracardial mediastinal tumour, which was confirmed by CT (four cases). All were removed surgically, with two patients presenting with mild complications. Three corresponded to enteric cysts. CR showed a tumour in the posterior mediastinum, with CT confirming its cystic nature (two cases). Excision of the cyst was done in all cases, which corresponded to duplication cysts: two oesophageal and one gastric. All the patients are asymptomatic and recurrence-free after a follow-up of 11 +/- 10 years.


CONCLUSIONS
NNMCs are benign lesions in which the lesions in which the surgery can be done with a low morbidity and mortality rate, enables us to rule out malignancy and offers a definitive cure. Actually the thoracic CT permit a correct diagnosis pre-surgery in function of the radiologic characterisation and topography.
Assessing Wolf motor function test as outcome measure for research in patients after stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) is a new time-based method to evaluate upper extremity performance while providing insight into joint-specific and total limb movements. This study addresses selected psychometric attributes of the WMFT applied to a chronic stroke population.


METHODS
Nineteen individuals after stroke and with intact cognition and sitting balance were age- and sex-matched with 19 individuals without impairment. Subjects performed the WMFT and the upper extremity portion of the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment (FMA) on 2 occasions (12 to 16 days apart), with scoring performed independently by 2 random raters.


RESULTS
The WMFT and FMA demonstrated agreement (P<0.0001) between raters at each session. WMFT scores for the dominant and nondominant extremities of individuals without impairment were different (P</=0.05) from the more and less affected extremities of subjects after stroke. The FMA score for the more affected extremity of subjects after stroke was different (P</=0.05) from the dominant and nondominant extremities. However, the FMA score for the less affected upper extremity of individuals after stroke was not different (P>0.05) from the dominant and nondominant extremities of individuals without impairment. The WMFT and FMA scores were related (P<0.02) for the more affected extremity in individuals after stroke.


CONCLUSIONS
The interrater reliability, construct validity, and criterion validity of the WMFT, as used in these subject samples, are supported.