LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
A Validation Study of a Smartphone-Based Finger Tapping Application for Quantitative Assessment of Bradykinesia in Parkinson’s Disease

BACKGROUND
Most studies of smartphone-based assessments of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) focused on gait, tremor or speech. Studies evaluating bradykinesia using wearable sensors are limited by a small cohort size and study design. We developed an application named smartphone tapper (SmT) to determine its applicability for clinical purposes and compared SmT parameters to current standard methods in a larger cohort.


METHODS
A total of 57 PD patients and 87 controls examined with motor UPDRS underwent timed tapping tests (TT) using SmT and mechanical tappers (MeT) according to CAPSIT-PD. Subjects were asked to alternately tap each side of two rectangles with an index finger at maximum speed for ten seconds. Kinematic measurements were compared between the two groups.


RESULTS
The mean number of correct tapping (MCoT), mean total distance of finger movement (T-Dist), mean inter-tap distance, and mean inter-tap dwelling time (IT-DwT) were significantly different between PD patients and controls. MCoT, as assessed using SmT, significantly correlated with motor UPDRS scores, bradykinesia subscores and MCoT using MeT. Multivariate analysis using the SmT parameters, such as T-Dist or IT-DwT, as predictive variables and age and gender as covariates demonstrated that PD patients were discriminated from controls. ROC curve analysis of a regression model demonstrated that the AUC for T-Dist was 0.92 (95% CI 0.88-0.96).


CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that a smartphone tapping application is comparable to conventional methods for the assessment of motor dysfunction in PD and may be useful in clinical practice.
Tablet formulation containing meloxicam and β-cyclodextrin: Mechanical characterization and bioavailability evaluation

The purpose of this research was to evaluate β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as a vehicle, either singly or in blends with lactose (spray-dried or monohydrate), for preparing a meloxicam tablet. Aqueous solubility of meloxicam in presence of β-CD was investigated. The tablets were prepared by direct compression and wet granulation techniques. The powder blends and the granules were evaluated for angle of repose, bulk density, compressibility index, total porosity, and drug content. The tablets were subjected to thickness, diameter, weight variation test, drug content, hardness, friability, disintegration time, and in vitro dissolution studies. The effect of β-CD on the bioavailability of meloxicam was also investigated in human volunteers using a balanced 2-way crossover study. Phase-solubility studies indicated an AL-type diagram with inclusion complex of 1∶1 molar ratio. The powder blends and granules of all formulations showed satisfactory flow properties, compressibility, and drug content. All tablet formations prepared by direct compression or wet granulation showed acceptable mechanical properties. The dissolution rate of meloxicam was significantly enhanced by inclusion of β-CD in the formulations up to 30%. The mean pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax, Ke, and area under the curve [AUC]0−∞) were significantly increased in presence of β-CD. These results suggest that β-CD would facilitate the preparation of meloxicam tablets with acceptable mechanical properties using the direct compression technique as there is no important difference between tablets prepared by direct compression and those prepared by wet granulation. Also, β-CD is particularly useful for improving the oral bioavailablity of meloxicam.
DAS-driven therapy versus routine care in patients with recent-onset active rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES
To compare the efficacy of Disease Activity Score (DAS)-driven therapy and routine care in patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis.


METHODS
Patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis receiving traditional antirheumatic therapy from either the BeSt study, a randomised controlled trial comparing different treatment strategies (group A), or two Early Arthritis Clinics (group B) were included. In group A, systematic DAS-driven treatment adjustments aimed to achieve low disease activity (DAS < or =2.4). In group B, treatment was left to the discretion of the treating doctor. Functional ability (Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ)), Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) and Sharp/van der Heijde radiographic score (SHS) were evaluated.


RESULTS
At baseline, patients in group A (n = 234) and group B (n = 201) had comparable demographic characteristics and a mean HAQ of 1.4. Group A had a longer median disease duration than group B (0.5 vs 0.4 years, p = 0.016), a higher mean DAS28 (6.1 vs 5.7, p<0.001), more rheumatoid factor-positive patients (66% vs 42%, p<0.001) and more patients with erosions (71% vs 53%, p<0.001). After 1 year, the HAQ improvement was 0.7 vs 0.5 (p = 0.029), and the percentage in remission (DAS28 <2.6) 31% vs 18% (p<0.005) in groups A and B, respectively. In group A, the median SHS progression was 2.0 (expected progression 7.0), in group B, the SHS progression was 1.0 (expected progression 4.4).


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis receiving traditional treatment, systematic DAS-driven therapy results in significantly better clinical improvement and possibly improves the suppression of joint damage progression.
THE STRUCTURED EMPLOYMENT INTERVIEW : NARRATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE REVIEW OF THE

In the 20 years since frameworks of employment interview structure have been developed, a considerable body of empirical research has accumulated. We summarize and critically examine this literature by focusing on the 8 main topics that have been the focus of attention: (a) the definition of structure; (b) reducing bias through structure; (c) impression management in structured interviews; (d) measuring personality via structured interviews; (e) comparing situational versus past-behavior questions; (f) developing rating scales; (g) probing, follow-up, prompting, and elaboration on questions; and (h) reactions to structure. For each topic, we review and critique research and identify promising directions for future research. When possible, we augment the traditional narrative review with meta-analytic review and content analysis. We concluded that much is known about structured interviews, but there are still many unanswered questions. We provide 12 propositions and 19 research questions to stimulate further research on this important topic.
Optimal care for rheumatoid arthritis: a focus group study

Our study sought to identify barriers to optimal care for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our study was set in a population with universal access to comprehensive health care in the context of a university hospital health network. Using purposive sampling, we invited RA patients, health professionals, and decision makers from urban and rural regions to participate in structured focus group interviews. Content analysis was performed to determine themes emerging from the data. We identified four general themes. First, initial barriers to optimal care for people begin before primary care contact, at the level of the general population and/or related to primary care access. Second, many factors (at the patient, physician, and system level) influenced how quickly a patient is referred from primary to specialty care. Third, after referral, multiple comanagement issues influence patient outcomes. Fourth, optimizing RA care requires adequate resources. Participants emphasized the need for more education (of patients, of health care providers, and within the general community), better communication between and among patients and health care providers, and more efficient use of existing resources. Our work provides insights regarding barriers to and facilitators of optimal care in RA. Further work with these stakeholder groups in our health care region will examine potential solutions and the feasibility of their implementation. Our work provides an example of how research can assist stakeholder leaders in creating structured and incremental plans to improve health care delivery for persons with chronic diseases like RA.
Dosing accuracy of artesunate and amodiaquine as treatment for falciparum malaria in Casamance, Senegal.

OBJECTIVES
Several products of artesunate plus amodiaquine (AS + AQ) are being deployed in malaria-endemic countries for treating uncomplicated falciparum malaria but dosing accuracy and consequential effects on efficacy and tolerability have not been examined.


METHODS
Patients with parasitologically confirmed, uncomplicated falciparum malaria were treated and followed by research teams or local health centre staff in Casamance, Senegal. AS + AQ was given as: (i) loose combination (AS 50 mg, AQ 200 mg), dosed on body weight, or (ii) co-blistered product (AS 50 mg, AQ 153 mg) dosed by weight or age. Target doses were: (i) AS 4 (2-10) mg/kg/day and (ii) AQ 10 (7.5-15) mg/kg/day. Patients receiving therapeutic doses defined dosing accuracy. Treatment-emergent signs and symptoms (TESS) were recorded.


RESULTS
A total of 3277 patients were treated with loose (n = 1972, weight-dosed) or co-blistered (n = 1305, 962 age-dosed, 343 weight-dosed) AS + AQ by the research team (n = 966) or clinic staff (n = 2311). AS was dosed correctly in >99% with all regimens. Loose AQ by weight was 98% correct. The co-blister AQ overdosed 18% of patients when dosed by age and underdosed 13% by weight. Low weight was an independent risk factor for overdosing. The co-blister had significantly more TESS than the loose product [117/1305 (9%) vs. 41/1972 (2%), relative risk = 4.3 (95% CI: 3.0-6.1, P < 0.0001)]. Age-based dosing accounted for the difference. TESS occurred mostly within one day (72%) and were mild or moderate (75%).


CONCLUSION
Artesunate is easier to dose than AQ. Currently available age-dosed, co-blistered AS + AQ tends to overdose AQ and is less well tolerated than loose tablets. It is not the optimal presentation of AS + AQ.
Alcohol Use, Misuse, and Abuse Among Nursing Students: A Photovoice Study.

BACKGROUND
Rates and frequencies of alcohol consumption remain unknown among nursing students, and risk and protective factors associated with alcohol misuse are poorly understood. Nursing curricula often lack content on substance use disorders among nurses, which is reported to begin prior to or during college.


PURPOSE
The aims of the study were to examine nursing students' perceptions of the risk and protective factors associated with alcohol behaviors among themselves and their peers and to identify substance use policies and their influence.


METHODS
We used the Photovoice method, which employs participatory action research. Participants were screened for alcohol misuse via AUDIT-C, and thoughts and perceptions were obtained regarding their alcohol consumption behaviors through self-expression and group advocacy. Data were collected from four focus groups that included nine undergraduate nursing students.


RESULTS
Data reflected the following key issues: stress, environmental influences, societal acceptance, and availability of alcohol. Participants identified that the following problems place them at risk for alcohol misuse: lack of addiction/alcohol education; nursing program expectations increase stress/anxiety; unhealthy habits, social isolation, and individual influences; peer influence/the college experience; and ineffective and unenforced campus policies. Protective factors included university policies; life experiences; and nursing program policies, responsibilities, peer influences, and perceived reputation.


CONCLUSION
This action research informed a dialogue with colleagues regarding nursing students' stressors and resulting professional ramifications. Recommendations for future work include investigation of expressed social isolation from university peers and its effects on their alcohol consumption behaviors and increase alcohol education with emphasis on adaptive coping strategies in a stressful professional role in Bachelor of Science in Nursing curricula.
A Framework for the Classi fi cation of Joint Hypermobility and Related Conditions

2017 Wil In the last decade, growing attention has been placed on joint hypermobility and related disorders. The new nosology for Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS), the best-known and probably the most common of the disorders featuring joint hypermobility, identifies more than 20 different types of EDS, and highlights the need for a single set of criteria to substitute the previous ones for the overlapping EDS hypermobility type and joint hypermobility syndrome. Joint hypermobility is a feature commonly encountered in many other disorders, both genetic and acquired, and this finding is attracting the attention of an increasing number of medical and non-medical disciplines. In this paper, the terminology of joint hypermobility and related disorders is summarized. Different types of joint hypermobility, its secondary musculoskeletal manifestations and a simplified categorization of genetic syndromes featuring joint hypermobility are presented. The concept of a spectrum of pathogenetically related manifestations of joint hypermobility intersecting the categories of pleiotropic syndromes with joint hypermobility is introduced. A group of hypermobility spectrum disorders is proposed as diagnostic labels for patients with symptomatic joint hypermobility but not corresponding to any other syndromes with joint hypermobility. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modeling the cost of influenza: the impact of missing costs of unreported complications and sick leave

BACKGROUND
Estimating the economic impact of influenza is complicated because the disease may have non-specific symptoms, and many patients with influenza are registered with other diagnoses. Furthermore, in some countries like Norway, employees can be on paid sick leave for a specified number of days without a doctor's certificate ("self-reported sick leave") and these sick leaves are not registered. Both problems result in gaps in the existing literature: costs associated with influenza-related illness and self-reported sick leave are rarely included. The aim of this study was to improve estimates of total influenza-related health-care costs and productivity losses by estimating these missing costs.


METHODS
Using Norwegian data, the weekly numbers of influenza-attributable hospital admissions and certified sick leaves registered with other diagnoses were estimated from influenza-like illness surveillance data using quasi-Poisson regression. The number of self-reported sick leaves was estimated using a Monte-Carlo simulation model of illness recovery curves based on the number of certified sick leaves. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis was conducted on the economic outcomes.


RESULTS
During the 1998/99 through 2005/06 influenza seasons, the models estimated an annual average of 2700 excess influenza-associated hospitalizations in Norway, of which 16% were registered as influenza, 51% as pneumonia and 33% were registered with other diagnoses. The direct cost of seasonal influenza totaled US$22 million annually, including costs of pharmaceuticals and outpatient services. The annual average number of working days lost was predicted at 793 000, resulting in an estimated productivity loss of US$231 million. Self-reported sick leave accounted for approximately one-third of the total indirect cost. During a pandemic, the total cost could rise to over US$800 million.


CONCLUSIONS
Influenza places a considerable burden on patients and society with indirect costs greatly exceeding direct costs. The cost of influenza-attributable complications and the cost of self-reported sick leave represent a considerable part of the economic burden of influenza.
Semantic memory and the brain: structure and processes

Recent functional brain imaging studies suggest that object concepts may be represented, in part, by distributed networks of discrete cortical regions that parallel the organization of sensory and motor systems. In addition, different regions of the left lateral prefrontal cortex, and perhaps anterior temporal cortex, may have distinct roles in retrieving, maintaining and selecting semantic information.
Supporting the requirement analysis phase for the development of serious games for children

In this paper, we argue that before defining the scenario of a serious game, a thorough preparation, i.e., requirement analysis phase is needed. Before an attractive scenario can be defined, one should decide and clarify a lot of different issues that could influence the setup of the serious game, aswell as the scenario(s). This can be done in plenary sessions with the different stakeholders, but experience has shown that some guidance is needed to have focused and effective sessions, as the stakeholders are usually from different disciplines and have different backgrounds and expertise. To support this phase, we developed a tablet (iPad) app usable by non-computing, as well as computing people. We discuss the tool, as well as the way it supports the users in the requirement analysis phase for the development of serious games for children. © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Prospective, randomized, double-blinded, double-dummy and multicenter phase IV clinical study comparing the efficacy and safety of PG201 (Layla) and SKI306X in patients with osteoarthritis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
This prospective, randomized, double-blinded, double-dummy, multicenter study compared the efficacy and safety of PG201 (Layla®), a new product from extracts of 12 plant sources and SKI306X (Joins®) which have been well investigated and in relatively wide usage among herbal medicine, for the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis.


AIM OF THE STUDY
To compare the efficacy and safety of PG201 and SKI306X in patients with knee osteoarthritis.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
A prospective, double-blinded multicenter study was conducted in 124 patients with Kellgren and Lawrence grade 2-3 knee osteoarthritis. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 600mg of PG201 (300mg, twice daily) and 600mg of SKI306X placebo (200mg, thrice daily) or 600mg of SKI306X (200mg, thrice daily) and PG201 placebo (300mg, twice daily) for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the improvement of pain by week 8 as assessed by the 100-mm pain visual analog scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included pain VAS improvement level at week 12, pain VAS improvement rate at weeks 8 and 12, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) improvement level at weeks 8 and 12, the improvement of the quality of life (EQ-5D), overall symptom self-assessment score, and rescue medication consumption.


RESULTS
The pain VAS improvement at 8 weeks was 14.2±16.2 in the experimental group and 11.9±13.1 in control group (p=0.557), confirming that the experimental group was not inferior to the control group as lower limit (-8.38) of 95% CI of the difference of VAS improvement between two groups was well above the allowed limit (-10 mm). There was no significant difference in all secondary outcomes including pain VAS, WOMAC, EQ-5D, overall symptom self-assessment score, and rescue medication consumption. Adverse events were low and similar between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study showed that PG201 significantly reduced knee pain and improved knee function and were comparable to SKI306X. PG201 can be suggested as an effective treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT01768468.
Probiotics for human health –new innovations and emerging trends

The role of the gut microbiome in human health and disease with a particular emphasis on therapeutic use of probiotics under specific medical conditions was mainly highlighted in 1st Annual conference of Probiotic Association of India (PAi) and International Symposium on "Probiotics for Human Health - New Innovations and Emerging Trends" held on 27th-28th August, 2012 at New Delhi, India. There is increasing recognition of the fact that dysbiosis or alteration of this gut microbiome may be implicated in gastro-intestinal disorders including diarrheal diseases, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, life style diseases viz. Diabetes Mellitus-2 and obesity etc. This report summarizes the proceedings of the conference and the symposium comprehensively. Although, research on probiotics has been continuing for the past few decades, the subject has been currently the major focus of attention across the world due to recent advances and new developments in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and emergence of new generation of high through put sequencing technologies that have immensely helped in understanding the probiotic functionality and mode of action from nutritional and health perspectives. There is now sufficient evidence backed up with good quality scientific clinical data to suggest that probiotic interventions could indeed be effective in various types of diarrheal diseases, other chronic gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders like pouchitis, necrotizing entero-colitis, allergic responses and lactose intolerance etc. This report makes a modest attempt to give all the stake holders involved in development of probiotic based functional/health foods an overview of the current status of probiotics research at the Global and National level. The most crucial issues that emerged from the lead talks delivered by the eminent speakers from India and abroad were the major focus of discussions in different plenary and technical sessions. By discussing some of these issues from scientific perspectives, the conference could achieve its prime objective of disseminating the current knowledge on the prospects of probiotics as potential biotherapeutics in the management of human health and diseases.
Fire severity and seed source influence lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. murrayana) regeneration in the southern cascades, Lassen volcanic National Park, California

Rocky Mountain lodgepole pine, (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) regenerates quickly after high severity fire because seeds from serotinous cones are released immediately post-fire. Sierra lodgepole pine (P. contorta var. murrayana) forests burn with variable intensity resulting in different levels of severity and because this variety of lodgepole pine does not have serotinous cones, little is known about what factors influence post-fire regeneration. This study quantifies tree regeneration in a low, moderate, and high severity burn patch in a Sierra lodgepole forest 24 years after fire. Regeneration was measured in ten plots in each severity type. In each plot, we quantified pre- and post-fire forest structure (basal area, density), counted and aged tree seedlings and saplings of all species, and measured distance to the nearest seed bearing tree. There was no difference in the density of seedlings and saplings among severity classes. Distance and direction to the nearest seed bearing lodgepole pine were the best predictors of lodgepole seedling and sapling density in high severity plots. In contrast to Rocky Mountain lodgepole pine, regeneration of Sierra lodgepole pine appears to rely on in-seeding from surviving trees in low or moderate severity burn patches or live trees next to high severity burn patches. Our data demonstrate that Sierra lodgepole pine follows stand development pathways hypothesized for non-serotinous stands of Rocky Mountain lodgepole pine.