Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of the Electromagnetic Shock Wave Therapy in the Treatment of Cellulite

In the past centuries, the human body was undervalued; nowadays, however, it is overvalued, and thus the manifestation of the dissatisfactions regarding the body has been increasing. Most of the time, these dissatisfactions are related to cellulite, which is most common in women. Its treatment is one of the challenges which encourage the development of new therapeutic modalities, among them the shockwave therapy. Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of ESWT in the treatment of cellulite in gluteus and posterior of thigh. Method. This is a prospective and comparative study, in which volunteer women who attended the criteria of inclusion were selected and who were subjected to 10 sessions of ESWT. The following were performed as an evaluation method: anthropometry, perimetry, skin viscoelasticity with the Cutometer®, thickness of hypodermis with diagnostic ultrasound, analysis of the scale of severity of cellulite (CSS), and quality of life by the Celluqol® questionnaire. The evaluations occurred before the first session (baseline), after 6 and 10 sessions, and during a follow-up of 3 months after the last session. The statistical test applied was the ANOVA one-way with post hoc of Tukey (P-value < 0.05). Results. There was significant improvement (P<0.05) for CSS, for the variable referring to gross elasticity and skin deformation ability evaluated in the Cutometer® and improvement of quality of life represented by Celluqol®. The result was maintained particularly in the follow-up of 3 months after the end of the treatment. Conclusion. The results presented demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of ESWT in the treatment of cellulite and in the decrease of the degrees, improvement of the aspect of the skin, and reestablishment of quality of life. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials: NCT03275259.
Advanced Glycation Endproducts in Serum of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis and Liver Cirrhosis

Background. There is a strong epidemiologic relationship between chronic viral hepatitis and the development of cirrhosis, although the cellular and molecular mechanisms of cirrhosis formation remain to be firmly established. Objectives. Determination of serum levels of advanced glycation end−products (AGEs) in patients with chronic viral hepatitis or liver cirrhosis and examination of their relationship to neopterin, a marker of activation of the cel− lular immune system and haptoglobin, a marker of fibrosis. Material and Methods. Concentration of advanced glycation endproducts, haptoglobin and neopterin were deter− mined in patients with chronic viral hepatitis or postinflammatory liver cirrhosis. 69 patients with chronic HBV or HCV infection were divided into four groups: chronic viral hepatitis group; cirrhosis classes A, B and C (Child− Pugh classification) – groups A, B and C, respectively. Results. Advanced glycation endproducts serum levels were increased in patients with chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis (groups A, B, C) as compared to normal subjects (p < 0.001). However, no difference was observed between chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis groups. Haptoglobin was significantly decreased only in sera of cir− rhosis patients as compared to normal subjects or chronic hepatitis patients (p < 0.001). Neopterin serum levels were increased in chronic hepatitis patients and cirrhosis patients as compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, these levels were significantly higher in the liver cirrhosis group as compared to the chronic hepatitis group (p < 0.01). In the cirrhosis group the serum concentrations of neopterin were signif− icantly higher in group C as compared to group B (p < 0.001). Interestingly, a significant relationship was observed between neopterin serum content and serum advanced glycation endproducts (r = 0.30; p < 0.05) in chronic hepati− tis patients. Conclusions. These data suggest that AGEs, neopterin and haptoglobin may be useful as additional biochemical parameters to identify patients with chronic viral hepatitis developing cirrhotic lesions (Adv Clin Exp Med 2006, 15, 2, 259–264).
Improving English Vocabulary Teaching in a Chinese University Environment

Vocabulary-focusing idea in L2 language acquisition has long been proposed by researchers all over the world, while English vocabulary teaching in Chinese university still remains de-emphasized, especially when compared to the elaborate grammar instruction. Based on the scientific attitude towards vocabulary teaching, the outlines of some principles that should be considered while developing a vocabulary component in a language course under a Chinese university environment are suggested including how to choose appropriate vocabulary-improving materials and how to design a recycling teaching syllabus. Discussing from the pragmatic perspective, the combination of ‘book flood’ program’ together with intensively vocabulary teaching would probably work for Chinese college students. Keywords: English vocabulary teaching, cost-benefit teaching syllabus, pedagogy.
Do obstetric factors affect the mother's perception of her new-born's behaviour?

Recent theory suggests that the development of infants who experience obstetric adversities is mediated by their social interactions with their caregivers. This study examines the implied question of whether mothers' perceptions of their new-borns' behaviour reflect differences of obstetric optimality. Professionals' measures showed full-term new-borns with poor obstetric histories to be less alert and more fretful than comparisons, with standardized researcher measures showing the clearest differences. Mothers' diaries, ratings and impressions measures did not show such differences, probably due to a combination of new-born behavioural instability, contextual effects and effects of maternal perceptual and cognitive processes. The findings indicate the need for alternative methodologies for measuring constitutional and social-developmental contributions to infant behaviour. In addition, they emphasize that little is known about the bases for parents' views of their infants' characteristics, or the role of such views in maladaptive developmental relationships.
Detection method of PCB component based on automatic optical stitching algorithm

Purpose – This paper aims to propose image stitching by reduction of full line and taking line image as registration image to solve the problem of automatic optic inspection in PCB detection. In addition, surf registration was introduced for image stitching to improve the accuracy and speed of stitching. Design/methodology/approach – First, image stitching proceeded by method of full line reduction and taking line image as registration image; second, surf registration was introduced based on the traditional PCB image stitching algorithm. Scale space of the image pyramid was adopted for confirming relative future points between stitching image. The registration means of nearest neighbourhood and next neatest neighborhood was selected for feature matching and fused in region of interest to fulfil image stitching. Findings – The improved stitching algorithm with small data size of image, high speed and noncumulative transitive error eliminated displacement deviation and solved the stitching gap caused by uneven illumination, to greatly improve the accuracy and speed of stitching. Research limitations/implications – The research of this paper can only used for appearance detection and cannot be used for solder joint inspection with circuit detection or invisible solder joint detection; it can identify and mark PCB component defects but cannot classify automatically, thus artificial confirmation and processing is needed. Originality/value – Based on the traditional image stitching means, this paper proposed full line reduction for image stitching, which reduces processing of data and speeds up image stitching; in addition, surf registration was introduced into the study of PCB stitching algorithm, which greatly improves the accuracy and speed of stitching and solves stitching gap formed by opposite variation trend of image local edge caused by uneven illumination.
Transverse Momentum $p_{\mathrm {T}}$ Spectra of Strange Particles Production in Different Collisions at $\sqrt {s_{NN}}$ = 2.76, 5.02 and 7 TeV

We analyse the transverse momentum $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ spectra of strange particles \Kslxi produced in $\textsf{Pb+Pb}$ collision at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}= 2.76$ TeV, $\textsf{p+Pb}$ collision at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}= 5.02$ TeV, and $\textsf{p+p}$ collision at $\sqrt{s_{NN}}= 7$ TeV in different multiplicity events measured by the \textit{CMS} experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. The $p_{\mathrm{T}}$ spectra of strange particles are fitted by Tsallis statistics and Boltzmann statistics, respectively. The fitting parameters are studied as a function of the multiplicity events for all systems. The Tsallis temperature ($T_{\mathtt{Ts}}$), Boltzmann temperature ($T_{\mathtt{Boltz}}$), and radius of the system ($R$) increase with both the mass and strangeness number of the particle and also increase with the multiplicity events. The non-extensive parameter ($q$) decreases with the increase in the mass of the particle and also decrease with the increase in the multiplicity events which means that the system tends to thermodynamic stabilization. The extracted temperatures from the two statistics for the strange particles are exhibited a linear correlation.
Acute Cardiometabolic Responses to Multi-Modal Integrative Neuromuscular Training in Children

Integrative neuromuscular training (INT) has emerged as an effective strategy for improving health- and skill-related components of physical fitness, yet few studies have explored the cardiometabolic demands of this type of training in children. The aim of this study was to examine the acute cardiometabolic responses to a multi-modal INT protocol and to compare these responses to a bout of moderate-intensity treadmill (TM) walking in children. Participants (n = 14, age 10.7 ± 1.1 years) were tested for peak oxygen uptake (VO2) and peak heart rate (HR) on a maximal TM test and subsequently participated in two experimental conditions on nonconsecutive days: a 12-min INT protocol of six different exercises performed twice for 30 s with a 30 s rest interval between sets and exercises and a 12-min TM protocol of walking at 50% VO2peak. Throughout the INT protocol mean VO2 and HR increased significantly from 14.9 ± 3.6 mL∙kg−1∙min−1 (28.2% VO2 peak) to 34.0 ± 6.4 mL∙kg−1∙min−1 (64.3% VO2 peak) and from 121.1 ± 9.0 bpm (61.0% HR peak) to 183.5 ± 7.9 bpm (92.4% HR peak), respectively. While mean VO2 for the entire protocol did not differ between INT and TM, mean VO2 and HR during selected INT exercises and mean HR for the entire INT protocol were significantly higher than TM (all Ps ≤ 0.05). These findings suggest that INT can pose a moderate to vigorous cardiometabolic stimulus in children and selected INT exercises can be equal to or more metabolically challenging than TM walking.
Return to Work Following Isolated Opening Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy

Purpose Patients with isolated medial compartment osteoarthritis and varus deformity may undergo high tibial osteotomy (HTO) to reduce the contact pressure in the medial compartment. The purpose of this investigation is (1) examine the timeline of return to work (RTW) following HTO and (2) evaluate RTW stratified by occupational intensity. Methods Consecutive patients undergoing HTO were reviewed retrospectively at a minimum of 2-years postoperatively. Patients completed a subjective work questionnaire, a visual analogue scale for pain, Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation, and a satisfaction questionnaire. Results Thirty-eight patients were included at an average of 9.0 ± 3.3 years postoperatively. Thirty-seven patients (average age 43.4 ± 7.8 years, 91.9% with a Kellgren-Lawrence grade of III/IV) were employed within 3 years prior to surgery. Eighteen patients (48.6%) underwent subsequent surgery with 14 patients (37.8%) receiving a salvage knee arthroplasty at an average of 6.1 ± 3.5 years following HTO. Thirty-five patients (94.5%) returned to work at an average of 2.9 ± 2.0 months. The rate of RTW for sedentary, light, moderate, and heavy duties were 87.5%, 100%, 100%, and 93.3%, respectively, while the duration until RTW was 1.0 months, 1.1 months, 2.4 months, and 3.3 months, respectively. Conclusion In a young and active population with osteoarthritis or varus deformity, an HTO allows patients to return to work; however, patients with high-intensity occupations may be absent from work longer than those with lesser physically demanding occupations. HTO is not a definitive treatment option as nearly 40% of patients underwent knee arthroplasty by 6.1 years postoperatively. Level of Evidence IV, case series.
ANALYSIS OF THE MOTOR STATUS OF YOUNGER SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN IN RELATION TO THEIR NUTRITIONAL STATUS

The aim of the research is to determine whether there are gender differences between younger school-age children, and whether those differences within the sub-sample are influenced by the state of mass and motor skills. The whole sample included 285 respondents age 7.27±0.43, of which 144 boys (50.52%), and 141 girls (49.48%) who attended the first grade on the territory of the Province of Vojvodina (Republic of Serbia). The Eurofit battery of tests was used. The research results show that the prevalence of children with severe thinness in the whole sample is low 3.87%; children with normal mass 65.26%; pre-obese children only 18.59% and obese children only 12.28%, so that gender differences in motor skills considering the whole sample, apart from the mass, are between average values for boys considering explosive strength of the lower extremities, repetitive strength of the body and agility. Statistically significant differences within the sub-sample considering motor abilities were seen neither in boys nor in girls of different mass. The research findings show that there is significant percentage of children with normal mass and that the flow of their mass is within their growth and development. Their motor development within the sub-sample also flows equally, and gender differences are present because of differentiation of motor skills, which appears in this period. The authors think that greater differences and variables in respect to mass and motor activities are to be seen in the period of pre-puberty.
Patients in Clinical Cancer Trials. Information, Understanding and Decision-Making

AbstractThe informed consent process for clinical trials (CTs) is complex. Patients must be able to understand the information given to be able to make an informed decision. This thesis aimed to explore patients’ and patient representatives’ views, factual knowledge, and perceived understanding of patient information in clinical cancer trials, and to investigate how patients’ understanding may be correlated to their decision-making and their physicians’ assessment of their understanding.In Studies I and II, focus group interviews were conducted in which patient representatives with experience of breast and colorectal cancer respectively examined informed consent documents (ICDs). Their suggestions for improving breast cancer ICDs were validated by an independent group of patient representatives. These results were then presented as a guide for writing ICDs. The main conclusion was that ICDs need better graphic design in order to facilitate readers’ orientation in and processing of information. All ICDs should therefore be designed by a team including patient representatives, professional writers and graphic designers.Study III was a questionnaire pilot study which showed that patients consider their understanding to be higher than the patient understanding assessed by their informing physicians. Neither the patients’ nor their physicians’ ratings correlated with the patients’ factual knowledge, as measured by the instrument Q-PUR. This pilot study needs validation in an independent setting. The main conclusion was that the informed consent process would benefit from informing physicians acquiring and applying specific communication skills in order to assess patient understanding more precisely, the better to tailor the information given to the needs of the individual patient.In Study IV, patients who had decided to participate in a CT were interviewed individually about how they reasoned when making this decision. The results showed that the decision to participate was often immediate and guided by emotions and a trusting relationship with health care professionals. Important factors for the decision-making process included knowledge of the right to withdraw from the CT and explicit comparisons between the treatment alternatives included, and also those not included, in the CT. Patients in palliative situations were sometimes unaware of the fact that their disease was no longer curable. For CTs in the palliative setting, the treatment alternative ‘best supportive care’ should therefore be stated as one option. The main conclusion was that these factors need to be addressed specifically in the informed consent conversations.The overall conclusions are that better graphic design of ICDs is essential and that informing physicians must acquire and apply specific communication skills in order to improve the informed consent process. (Less)
Primary Failure of the Arteriovenous Fistula in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 4/5

BACKGROUND: An Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a creation of the natural blood vessels. It is a “gate of life” for the patients on hemodialysis. AIM: The study aimed to analyze the predictors for primary failure of AVF such as gender, age, number and location of AVF, and primary renal disease in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4/5. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of 178 created arteriovenous fistulae in patients with CKD stage 4/5, were retrospectively studied. Primary failure of AVF was defined as thrombosis or inability for cannulation of AVF within 3 months. Adequate maturation of AVF was defined as successful cannulation of AVF treatment and blood flow of > 600 ml/min. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 59.75 ± 14.65 years, and 65.16% (116/178) were men. Adequate maturation of AVF was achieved in 83.71% (149/178). Primary failure of AVF occurred in 16.29% (29/178) of the created fistulae, while 10.11% (18/178) had early thrombosis. The distal arteriovenous fistulae were significantly more frequently created in male patients (51 vs 18; p = 0.015). The female patients were significantly older than the male patients (63.27 vs 57.86 years; p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Male gender was associated with better maturation of AVF. The age, number and location of AVF, and primary renal disease in patients with CKD stage 4/5 were not associated with primary failure of AVF.
Medical Studentsâ?? Knowledge of Probiotics and their Health Usage in Jordan

Objective: The clinical uses of probiotics are increasing. As medical students are our future physicians, their knowledge and attitude towards probiotics will dictate the extent to which probiotics are prescribed in the future. We investigated medical students’ knowledge and attitudes towards probiotics during their clinical years (4-6 years) at the Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan. Methods: This is a cross-sectional cohort study using online/printed questionnaire collecting personal and socio-demographic data in addition to students’ knowledge and attitude towards probiotics, the clinical usage, and availability of probiotics, and students’ source of information on probiotics and whether probiotics are covered in their curriculum. We presented their responses as averages and compared these by gender and lifestyle. Results: Total 272 (15%) students completed the questionnaires (144 females, 22.93 ± 1.13 years old), 140 (51.5%) of which claimed to have a healthy lifestyle. More than half the students could correctly define probiotics, knew the sources and could identify at least 2 usages; such knowledge did not differ by gender. Most students 225 (82.3%) recognized the mechanisms of action of probiotics, but only 115 (42.2%) knew that probiotics’ effects are strain-specific. Most students (244 (89.7%)) had a positive attitude towards probiotics and were interested in learning more about probiotics (252 (92.6%)). Their attitudes did not differ by lifestyle (p=0.196). Conclusion: Medical students in Jordan had an acceptable level of knowledge about probiotics and their health effects. Covering probiotics in medical school curricula may boost students’ knowledge, thereby enhancing future prescription of probiotics.
Assessing the knowledge of emergency medical care practitioners in the Free State, South Africa, on aspects of pre-hospital management of psychiatric emergencies

Introduction Studies have reported that emergency medical care practitioners (EMCPs) encounter challenges when attending to psychiatric emergencies. The EMC provider's ability to understand, assess and manage psychiatric emergencies has been reported to be poor due to limited knowledge and insufficient training. In South Africa (SA), little is known about the knowledge of EMCPs on pre-hospital management of psychiatric emergencies. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge of EMCPs working in the Free State province on aspects of pre-hospital management of psychiatric emergencies. Methods This descriptive study used a questionnaire survey to obtain data on the knowledge of EMCPs on aspects of pre-hospital management of psychiatric emergencies. Results Only 159 of the initial 192 questionnaires distributed were returned, giving a response rate of 82.8%. The majority (87.4%) of the participants reported inadequate knowledge of pre-hospital management of psychiatric emergencies. More than a third of the participants reported that they are not knowledgeable on how to assess a psychiatric patient (P < 0.01), 64.2% and 73.6% (P < 0.001 in both cases) could not perform mental status examination and lack the knowledge of crisis intervention skills for managing a psychiatric emergencies. The majority (76.7%; P < 0.001) of the participants are not conversant with the Mental Health Care Act 2002 (Act no. 17 of 2002). Finally, participants (94.3% and 86.8%, respectively; P < 0.001) agree that teaching and prior exposure to a psychiatric facility, as in work integrated learning, will empower EMC graduates with skills required to effectively manage psychiatric emergencies. Conclusion EMC practitioners are often the first healthcare professionals arriving at any scene of medical emergencies including psychiatric emergencies. To avoid malpractices, which could be detrimental to patient's health, it is of utmost importance that EMCPs are well trained and equipped to manage any form of medical emergency including those involving psychiatric patients.