Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The nutrition care needs of patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes: informing dietetic practice.

BACKGROUND Understanding patients' experiences and preferences for health care is important with respect to informing how to provide best-practice, patient-centred care. The present study aimed to explore the perceptions of patients who have been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes regarding nutrition care received from dietitians. METHODS Ten individuals recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes participated in three individual semi-structured qualitative telephone interviews: at baseline, then at 3 and 6 months after recruitment. Data were analysed using content analysis at each time point and meta-synthesis of findings over time. RESULTS Participants' initial interactions with dietitians were challenging and overwhelming as a result of the instructional nature of consultations. Many participants questioned the use of dietary guidelines to inform nutrition care because this was not adapted to the individual. Some participants valued receiving education on topics such as label reading and serving sizes; however, others considered that the nutrition care was rushed and overly directive. Very few participants perceived that an ongoing relationship with a dietitian would be useful, and limited interaction was planned beyond 6 months after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that there is considerable opportunity for dietitians to enhance the nutrition care provided to patients with type 2 diabetes. Tailoring of dietary guidelines to individuals, utilising supportive counselling styles, and focusing on open communication in consultations that facilitate ongoing, useful care for patients, may help patients with type 2 diabetes achieve and maintain healthy dietary behaviours.
Involvement of 5-HT1A Receptors in Prefrontal Cortex in the Modulation of Dopaminergic Activity: Role in Atypical Antipsychotic Action

Atypical antipsychotics increase dopamine (DA) release in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), an effect possibly involved in the superior effects of atypical versus classical antipsychotics on cognitive/negative symptoms. We examined the role of 5-HT1A receptors in the mPFC on the modulation of dopaminergic activity and the mesocortical DA release in vivo. The highly selective 5-HT1A agonist BAY x 3702 (BAY; 10-40 μg/kg, i.v.) increased the firing rate and burst firing of DA neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and DA release in the VTA and mPFC. The increase in DA release in both areas was potentiated by nomifensine coperfusion. The selective 5-HT1A antagonist WAY-100635 reversed the effects of BAY in both areas, and the changes in the VTA were prevented by frontocortical transection. The application of BAY in rat and mouse mPFC by reverse dialysis increased local extracellular DA at a low concentration (3 μm) and reduced it at a higher concentration (30 μm). Both effects disappeared in 5-HT1A knock-out mice. In the presence of bicuculline, BAY reduced DA release at all concentrations. The atypical antipsychotics clozapine, olanzapine, and ziprasidone (but not haloperidol) enhanced DA release in the mPFC of wild-type but not 5-HT1A knock-out mice after systemic and local (clozapine and olanzapine) administration in the mPFC. Likewise, bicuculline coperfusion prevented the elevation of DA release produced by local clozapine or olanzapine application. These results suggest that the activation of mPFC 5-HT1A receptors enhances the activity of VTA DA neurons and mesocortical DA release. This mechanism may be involved in the elevation of extracellular DA produced by atypical antipsychotics.
EVOLUTION OF PHENOTYPIC VARIANCE

A cornerstone of evolutionary theory is that the phenotypic variance of a population may be partitioned into genetic and environmental (nonheritable) components. The traditional motivation for this distinction is that the rate of evolution under natural selection depends on the (relative) magnitudes of certain genetic components of variance. The components of variation are also interesting from another perspective, as illustrated here. Phenotypic variation may be selectively maintained in a population according to its components: selection may favor the maintenance of only the environmental components, only the genetic components, or be indifferent to the composition of the variance. Even when selection is shown to favor phenotypic variation regardless of its components, the possibility exists that environmental variance will evolve to displace the genetic components or vice versa. Environmental and genetic factors may thus compete to produce a given selected level of phenotypic variance. A test of some of these models is provided from the example of seed dormancy: the prediction that variation in seed germination time should be purely environmental is supported by the demonstration of low heritability of germination time in the two available studies.
MULTIPLE SOLUTIONS FOR THE p-LAPLACE EQUATION WITH NONLINEAR BOUNDARY CONDITIONS

In this note, we show the existence of at least three nontrivial solutions to the quasilinear elliptic equation −∆pu + |u|p−2u = f(x, u) in a smooth bounded domain Ω of RN with nonlinear boundary conditions |∇u|p−2 ∂u ∂ν = g(x, u) on ∂Ω. The proof is based on variational arguments.
A comparison of the provisional clinical diagnosis of death with autopsy findings

Autopsy rates have been in decline for the last half of the century. On the other hand, advanced technology does not seem to have reduced clinical errors. Autopsy retains a role in the evaluation of clinical practice, but its value is under consideration. The aim of the study was to determine the rates of disparity between clinical diagnosis and autopsy findings.
Definitive Management of Advanced Empyema by Two-Window Video-Assisted Surgery

We describe how 2-window video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication and lung mobilization can provide definitive management of stage III empyema. This technique was used in 52 patients with stage III empyema. None required additional ports or a thoracotomy. Three patients (6%) needed computed tomography-guided drainage of persistent large loculi, but none required further surgery. Chest radiographs at 6 weeks after surgery confirmed full lung expansion and resolution of pleural collection in the other 49 patients (94%).
Epidemiology of Delayed Union of Long Bones

Aim: To study the epidemiology of delayed union of long bones. Introduction: In India, the availability of fracture healing therapies to the general public is limited. The infrastructure of the health system in India, involving both public and private sector does not provide adequate opportunity for rural and low-income inhabitants to access the needed care. Due to these reasons, majority of the global burden of injuries are borne by low and middle-income countries. Material and methods: Patients getting admitted in AVBRH hospital above the age of 18 years of either sex with radiological features of delayed union. Study was a prospective, case control observational type carried out in a rural health setup at AVBRH. It comprised of 153 patients out of which 43 patients had delayed union of a long bone, 53 patients had non-union. These patients were compared with 57 patients that had postoperative fracture union which were included as a control group who had the same risk factors for delayed union. Results: Aging, female gender, comminuted and segmental fractures, higher grades of soft tissue injury, smoking, and infection were found to be independent risk factors for delayed union in long bone fractures. Among the risk factors, smoking and infection can be controlled to decrease the prevalence of delayed union. Conclusion: It is necessary that we create awareness about the importance of primary treatment like immobilization and wound debridement, as patients should reach as early as possible. Patient’s relative’s moral support is necessary in order to get early hospitalization so as to reduce the risk of delayed union among patients and so that appropriate modality of treatment (surgical and conservative) with use of bone regeneration substitutes such as bone grafting and PRP can be done to promote faster healing keeping infection in control.
A Bout of Resistance Exercise Following the 2007 AHA Guidelines Decreases Asleep Blood Pressure in Mozambican Men

Abstract Prista, A, Macucule, CF, Queiroz, ACC, Silva Jr, ND, Cardoso Jr, CG, Tinucci, T, Damasceno, AAM, and Forjaz, CLM. A bout of resistance exercise following the 2007 AHA guidelines decreases asleep blood pressure in Mozambican men. J Strength Cond Res 27(3): 786–792, 2013—Hypertension is highly prevalent among African individuals and descendants, and in this ethnic group, asleep blood pressure is strongly associated with target organ damage. After its execution, a single bout of resistance exercise may decrease blood pressure in white individuals, but its effects are unknown in Africans. This study investigated the effects of a bout of resistance exercise, conducted in accordance with the 2007 American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, on postexercise blood pressure in African subjects. Twenty-four Mozambican men (40 ± 2 years) underwent, in a random order, 2 experimental sessions: control (sitting resting) and exercise [8 resistance exercises, 1 set, 10–15 repetitions, 30–40% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) for upper-body muscles and 50–60% of 1RM for lower-body muscles]. Before and after the interventions, clinic blood pressure was measured. Ambulatory blood pressure was also evaluated after both sessions. Clinic systolic blood pressure did not change after both interventions, whereas diastolic blood pressure increased significantly and similarly after the control and the exercise sessions. Twenty-four-hour (127 ± 3 mm Hg vs. 130 ± 3 mm Hg and 78 ± 2 mm Hg vs. 81 ± 2 mm Hg, respectively, p < 0.05) and asleep (119 ± 4 mm Hg vs. 123 ± 4 mm Hg and 69 ± 3 mm Hg vs. 72 ± 3 mm Hg, respectively, p < 0.05) systolic and diastolic blood pressures were lower after the exercise than in the control session. These results show that in African men, a single bout of resistance exercise, conducted in accordance with 2007 AHA guidelines, decreased 24-hour and asleep blood pressures. These reductions might represent an important benefit for African individuals and descendants among whom target organ damage is mainly associated with ambulatory blood pressure levels.
Spindle‐cell carcinoid tumors of the lung: A clinicopathologic study of 35 cases*

ABSTRACT Thirty-five cases of spindle-cell carcinoid tumors of the lung were studied. Fifteen patients were male and 20 female, and they ranged in age from 33 to 78 years, with a mean of 57.6 years. Eleven neoplasms were located in the left lung and 23 in the right lung; a disproportionately large number of neoplasms were present in the right middle lobe. The tumors were most commonly encountered as an incidental finding on chest roentgenogram. None of the patients had unequivocal evidence of the carcinoid or any other endocrine syndrome.All but two of the lesions were located in the periphery of the lung and most were subpleural. They ranged in size from 0.7 to 4 cm, with 82% of the neoplasms having a maximum dimension of 2 cm or less. Microscopically, the neoplasms were composed predominantly or entirely of spindle cells which were fairly uniform in length in any single lesion, but showed moderate variation from case to case. The shorter spindle cells were often arranged in an “organoid” pattern, while the neoplasms composed of larger spindle cells were more “mesenchymal” in appearance. Silver stains were performed on 12 cases and all were argyrophil-positive. Cytoplasmic dense-core granules were identified in all four neoplasms examined ultrastructurally.Twelve cases were treated by wedge resection or segmental resection, and 18 cases by lobectomy. Hilar lymph nodes were removed from seven patients, and in two there were microscopic lymph node metastases. One other patient had a single microscopic bony metastasis.Follow-up information was available for 22 patients and ranged from 1 to 13 years with a mean of 5.4 years. None of the patients have had metastases other than those described above and none of the patients had died of their disease.
A Study on Kinetic Models for Analysing the Bacterial Growth Rate

Four mathematical models for the prediction of bacterial growth rate; Blackman, Monod, Moser, Powell models are examined in this paper. The objectives of this study is to estimate the parameters of these models using Gauss -Newton iteration procedure and to select the best fit model among these models based on an empirical data set of Bacterial growth rate. Matlab version 7.11. 0 has been used for the estimation of the parameters. The initial value specifications for the parameters using any iterative methods of estimation have also been identified based on the properties and the definitions of the parameters.The best fit model has been selected on the basis of root mean square error (RMSE) and value. Based on the result it may conclude that the three parameter Moser model provides better fits than the other models.
Research on Software Production Support Structure

Firstly, it is found that process design is necessary for software process improvement after analyzing its complexity. Then, research methods and concepts framework are put forward, and the research content is also provided. The find-ings of research, including propositions of complexity of software process, the work program of complexity of software process improvement, software enterprise model and software production support structure are clarified. Finally, the demonstration, including mindbugs (cognitive barriers) in software process and the knowledge integration support structure of quality software production, is illustrated with case study. It is concluded that the research is useful for both software production and knowledge economy in the future.
Multi-spectroscopic and molecular modelling approach to investigate the interaction of riboflavin with human serum albumin

Riboflavin (RF) plays an important role in various metabolic redox reactions in the form of flavin adenine dinucleotide and flavin mononucleotide. Human serum albumin (HSA) is an important protein involved in the transportation of drugs, hormones, fatty acid and other molecules which determine the biodistribution and physiological fate of these molecules. In this study, we have investigated the interaction of riboflavin RF with HSA under simulative physiological conditions using various biophysical, calorimetric and molecular docking techniques. Results demonstrate the formation of riboflavin–HSA complex with binding constant in the order of 104 M−1. Fluorescence spectroscopy confirms intermediate strength having a static mode of quenching with stoichiometry of 1:1. Experimental results suggest that the binding site of riboflavin mainly resides in sub-domain IIA of HSA and that ligand interaction increases the α-helical content of HSA. These parameters were further verified by isothermal titration calorimetry ITC which confirms the thermodynamic parameters obtained by fluorescence spectroscopy. Molecular docking was employed to suggest a binding model. Based on thermodynamic, spectroscopic and computational observations it can be concluded that HSA-riboflavin complex is mainly stabilized by various non-covalent forces with binding energy of −7.2 kcal mol−1.
Do Defendants Pay What Juries Award? Post-Verdict Haircuts in Texas Medical Malpractice Cases, 1988-2003

Legal scholars, legislators, policy advocates, and the news media frequently use jury verdicts to draw conclusions about the performance of the tort system. However actual payouts can differ greatly from verdicts. We report evidence on post-verdict payouts from the most comprehensive longitudinal study of matched jury verdicts and payouts. Using data on all insured medical malpractice claims in Texas from 1988-2003 in which the plaintiff received at least $25,000 (in 1988 dollars) following a jury trial, we find that most jury awards received "haircuts. " Seventy-five percent of plaintiffs received a payout less than the adjusted verdict (jury verdict plus pre-judgment and post-judgment interest), 20 percent received the adjusted verdict (within 2 percent), and 5 percent received more than the adjusted verdict. Overall, plaintiffs received a mean (median) per-case haircut of 29 percent (19 percent), and an aggregate haircut of 56 percent, relative to the adjusted verdict. The larger the verdict, the more likely and larger the haircut. For cases with a positive adjusted verdict under $100,000, 47 percent of plaintiffs received a haircut, with a mean (median) per-case haircut of 8 percent (2 percent). For cases with an adjusted verdict larger than $2.5 million, 98 percent of plaintiffs received a haircut with a mean (median) per-case haircut of 56 percent (61 percent). Insurance policy limits are the most important factor explaining haircuts. Caps on damages in death cases and caps on punitive damages are also important, but defendants often paid substantially less than the adjusted allowed verdict. Remittitur accounts for a small percentage of the haircuts. Punitive damage awards have only a small effect on payouts. Out-of-pocket payments by physicians are rare, never large, and usually unrelated to punitive damage awards. Most cases settle, presumably in the shadow of the outcome if the case were to be tried. That outcome is not the jury award, but the actual post-verdict payout. Because defendants rarely pay what juries award, jury verdicts alone do not provide a sufficient basis for claims about the performance of the tort system.
Deficiency of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α-positive cells in Hirschsprung's disease colon.

AIM To investigate whether the expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α-positive (PDGFRα(+))-cells is altered in Hirschsprung's disease (HD). METHODS HD tissue specimens (n = 10) were collected at the time of pull-through surgery, while colonic control samples were obtained at the time of colostomy closure in patients with imperforate anus (n = 10). Immunolabelling of PDGFRα(+)-cells was visualized using confocal microscopy to assess the distribution of these cells, while Western blot analysis was undertaken to quantify PDGFRα protein expression. RESULTS Confocal microscopy revealed PDGFRα(+)-cells within the mucosa, myenteric plexus and smooth muscle in normal controls, with a marked reduction in PDGFRα(+)-cells in the HD specimens. Western blotting revealed high levels of PDGFRα protein expression in normal controls, while there was a striking decrease in PDGFRα protein expression in the HD colon. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that the altered distribution of PDGFRα(+)-cells in both the aganglionic and ganglionic HD bowel may contribute to the motility dysfunction in HD.
Asymptotic Performance of Generalized Selection Combining in Generic Noise and Fading

In this letter, we investigate the performance of generalized selection combining in channels impaired by generalized fading and generic noise with finite moments. In particular, we derive accurate high signal-to-noise ratio approximations for the bit and symbol error rates of linear modulation schemes, which offer significant insight into the impact of the number of selected diversity branches, the type of fading, and the type of noise. Our analysis is applicable to all practically relevant types of fading including Rayleigh, Rician, Nakagami-q, and Nakagami-m fading, all types of noise with finite moments including Gaussian noise, Gaussian mixture noise, generalized Gaussian noise, and co-channel interference, and non-identically distributed fading and noise across the diversity branches. Our results reveal that while performance always improves with increasing number of selected branches for identically distributed noise, this is not necessarily true for non-identically distributed noise.
Ketamine Suppresses the Production and Release of Endothelin 1 from Cultured Bovine Endothelial Cells

Endothelins play important roles in the regulation of vascular tone.We examined the effect of ketamine on the secretion of endothelin 1 (ET-1) and its precursor, "big" ET-1, from bovine carotid artery endothelial cells (BCAECs). After confluent BCAEC cultures were incubated for 24 h with various concentrations of ketamine, the antigen levels for both ET-1 and big ET-1 in the culture medium were determined by using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The precursor protein ET-1 (preproET-1) mRNA levels were assessed by using Northern blotting. On incubation in fresh medium, the BCAECs time-dependently produced and secreted ET-1 into the culture medium. The exposure of BCAECs to ketamine dose-dependently decreased the secretion of ET-1 and big ET-1 in both the serum-free and serum-containing conditions. Approximately 40% inhibition was attained by treatment with 100 [micro sign]M ketamine for 24 h. The mRNA encoding preproET-1 was expressed much more slowly and to a lesser extent in the presence of ketamine. These results suggest that ketamine suppresses the production and release of big ET-1 and, therefore, the level of mature ET-1 in vascular endothelial cells. Implications: Endothelins are important in the regulation of vascular tone. The effect of anesthetics on the production of endothelins is unknown. We examined the effect of an anesthetic agent, ketamine, on the production and secretion of endothelin 1 from cultured vascular endothelial cells and found that ketamine suppressed them. (Anesth Analg 1998;86:1098-1102)
Challenges and resilience related to aging in the United States among older Chinese immigrants

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study sought to identify challenges and protective factors for resilience related to the process of aging among older Chinese immigrants in the United States. Methods: This study used qualitative methods and involved 24 in-depth interviews with Chinese immigrants aged 65 or older in Los Angeles. Content analysis was employed to analyze qualitative data. Results: Three major themes emerged regarding challenges older Chinese immigrants encountered in aging in the United States: language barriers, loneliness and social isolation, and insufficient use of social services. Four themes were identified regarding resilience protective factors: acceptance and optimism; independence and autonomy; informal social support; and use of the formal social welfare system. Conclusion: This study provides several implications for future human services to build relational and societal resilience and enhance Chinese older immigrants’ personal resilience. Cultural strengths should be taken into consideration by practitioners and policy makers.
Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Elders

Abstract Although the Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual (GLB) senior population is growing, there has been little attention given to identifying and understanding the needs and concerns of this growing population. This paper will present results from a series of focus groups and in-depth interviews with GLB elders from three select areas in the Midwest. Content analysis of the expressed beliefs, attitudes, and opinions from participants revealed that there were seven major areas of importance for GLB elders (physical health, legal rights, housing, spirituality, family, mental health, and social networks). The needs, concerns, range of issues, common issues, opinions, and attitudes expressed across the three focus groups are discussed and recommendations are provided.