Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Reliability of Self-reported Sick Absenteeism: A Pilot Study

Abstract This investigation addresses the reliability of self-reports of sick leave. Although sick leave is an objective measure which is often relevant for determining outcome and cost-benefit, obtaining records from employeers or insurance companies may be a considerable task. Consequently, we compared reports of sick leave during the last month made by 66 patients with musculoskeletal pain problems on the Outcome Evaluation Questionnaire with records from their insurance office. Results indicated good reliability with a correlation of r =. 95, similar distributions, and no indication of systematic over or under reporting. Indeed, some examples are provided where part of the discrepancy may depend on idiosyncrasies in the insurance records or lack of clear definitions rather than poor accuracy on the patient's part. Our results suggest that self-reports of sick leave are reliable for recent time periods and a duration of one month.
Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Effect of Different Criteria for Elimination of Duplicates

Background: The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of different systems for eliminating duplicates in order to optimize the calculation of the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. Methods: We compare the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) criterion, time criteria and the criterion recommended by the European Antimicrobial Surveillance System (EARSS). Results: Multiple isolates of MRSA are frequently recovered from successive cultures from the same patient (the average isolation rate of MRSA is 2.72), which demonstrates the importance of eliminating duplicates. When CLSI criterion data are compared to those obtained using other criteria, a significant increase in the number of S. aureus isolates was found applying time criteria (up to 36%) or the EARSS criterion (13%). There is also an increase in the methicillin resistance rate (between 3.31 and 3.96%; p < 0.01). Conclusions: We believe that the EARSS method, with the proper quality controls and latest software tools available, is the best for determining the true situation of MRSA.
Effects of Intravenous ω-3 and ω-6 Fat Emulsion on Cytokine Production and Delayed Type Hypersensitivity in Burned Rats Receiving Total Parenteral Nutrition

BACKGROUND The effects of fat emulsions containing omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on fatty acid profile, cytokine production, and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) in burned rats receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were investigated. METHODS A fat emulsion containing only eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was prepared (omega-3 fat emulsion). Sprague-Dawley rats were fed fat-free chow for 2 weeks and were divided into three groups according to the contents of TPN. Groups C (n = 11) and C' (n = 14) received fat-free TPN. Group omega6 received safflower oil emulsion containing linoleic acid (omega-6 PUFA) (n = 11). Group omega3 (n = 11) received safflower oil emulsion (19% of total caloric intake) and fat emulsion containing only EPA and DHA (1% of total calories). On day 5, all rats except for those in group C' were subjected to a 20% full-thickness burn. Group C' did not receive burns. After 48 hours, the rats were killed. RESULTS The interleukin (IL)-8 concentration was significantly 45% lower in group omega3 than in group C (p < .05). The IL-10 concentration was significantly 15% lower in group omega3 than in group omega6 (p < .05). The IL-6 concentration was increased in group omega6 but not in group omega3 when compared with group C. The IL-6 and IL-8 were not detected in group C'. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) concentrations were increased by burn injury, but there were no significant differences among the burned groups. Cell-mediated immunity was thus significantly decreased in burned groups (groups C, omega6, and omega3; p < .01). However, the decrease of DTH was smaller in group omega3 and significantly greater when compared with groups C and omega6 (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS omega-6 PUFAs increased serum inflammatory cytokine levels in a stressed state. omega-3 fat emulsion reduced IL-8 and IL-10 levels and prevented immunosuppression in burned rats that were receiving TPN.
The Effect of HMB Supplementation on Cardiovascular Risk Factors after Four Weeks of Resistance Training in Amateur Athletes

Background: Nutritional supplements have been widely used in order to enhance athletic performance and improve health. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Beta-Hydroxy BetaMethylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors after 4 weeks of resistance training in athletes. Patients and Methods: In this double-blind study, 20 male athletes were selected through simple random sampling, were assigned to supplement and control groups, and participated in resistance training 3 sessions a week for 4 weeks. The supplement group consumed 3 g HMB supplement per day and the control group consumed the placebo (rice flour) in this period. Before and after the test period, blood pressure was measured and fasting blood samples were obtained to determine blood lipids and hematological parameters. After all, paired and unpaired t-test were used to examine within and between group differences, respectively. P ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: After the training period, no significant differences were found between HMB and placebo groups regarding blood lipids, blood pressure, and hematological parameters. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicated that HMB supplementation was safe and did not result in any adverse effects. Thus, HMB can be used safely by human as an ergogenic aid for exercise training.
Buprenorphine Prescribing: Why Physicians Aren't and Nurse Prescribers Can't

The Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000 (DATA 2000) changed addiction treatment in the United States by enabling physicians to treat opioid addiction in settings that do not require specific Federal/State licensure (i.e., physician offices). The legislation (U.S. Dept. of HHS, 2000) requires physicians to complete certification training and obtain a waiver from the Drug Enforcement Agency in order to prescribe and dispense approved opioid medications. In 2002, buprenorphine products (Suboxone® and Subutex®) became the first medications to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in office-based opioid treatment.Office-based opioid treatment (OBOT) is intended to address several needs in accordance with public health objectives, by increasing access to treatment for opioid addiction, offering treatment to patients outside the traditional methadone clinic system, and “mainstreaming” the treatment of opioid addiction by coordinating it with treatment of other medical conditions (Substan.
Longitudinal risk factors for intimate partner violence among men in treatment for alcohol use disorders.

OBJECTIVE This study examined static and time-varying risk factors for perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) among men in treatment for alcohol use disorders. METHOD Participants were 178 men diagnosed with alcohol abuse or dependence and their partners. Most (85%) of the men were European American; their average age was 41.0 years. Participants completed measures assessing initial alcohol problem severity, baseline beliefs related to alcohol use, antisocial personality characteristics, alcohol and drug use, relationship adjustment, and IPV. RESULTS According to couples' reconciled reports, 42% of participants perpetrated IPV at baseline. Among this group, the IPV recurrence rate was 43% at 6-month follow-up and 36% at 12-month follow-up. For participants without IPV perpetration at baseline, new incidence of IPV was 15% and 7% at the 6-month and 12-month follow-up points, respectively. Fixed marker predictors of IPV rates included baseline alcohol problem severity variables, baseline beliefs related to alcohol use, and antisocial personality characteristics. Variable risk factor predictors included alcohol and drug use variables, relationship adjustment factors, and anger. Alcohol use variables and anger were associated with new incidents of IPV among those without reported IPV at baseline only. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that assessing and monitoring IPV occurrence by both partners is important for men in treatment for alcohol use disorders. Results indicate vulnerability factors that may identify individuals at risk for IPV and provide targets for IPV prevention among those with alcohol use disorders. These findings can aid in the development of more comprehensive models that more precisely predict IPV.
Vestibular vertigo is associated with abnormal sleep duration.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Several small studies in animals and humans have suggested a relationship between vestibular function and sleep. In this study, we evaluate the association between vestibular vertigo and sleep duration in a large, representative sample of US adults. METHODS We used data from the National Health Interview Survey, which administered a Balance Supplement in 2008 in a sample of 20,950 adult respondents. We evaluated the cross-sectional association between vestibular vertigo (based on a well-validated definition) and sleep duration (defined as short <6 hours, normal 6-8 hours, and long >8 hours). We performed multiple and multinomial logistic regression analyses to estimate the odds ratio and relative risk ratio (RRR) of impaired sleep duration compared to normal sleep duration associated with vestibular vertigo. Analyses were adjusted for demographic, lifestyle and health behavior characteristics as well as relevant comorbid conditions. RESULTS Thirty percent of individuals with vestibular vertigo reported abnormal sleep duration (15.5% short duration and 14.8% long duration). In adjusted analyses, individuals with vestibular vertigo had a 1.75 (95% CI 1.45-2.11) RRR of having short sleep duration compared to individuals without vestibular vertigo, and a 1.55 (95% CI 1.26-1.91) RRR of having long sleep duration compared to individuals without vestibular vertigo. CONCLUSION This study presents epidemiologic evidence to support the association between vestibular function and sleep duration. Individuals with vestibular vertigo had a higher RRR for abnormally short or long sleep duration. Further work is needed to evaluate the causal direction(s) of this association.
The relationship between blood pressure and dialysis adequacy in dialysis patients

Aims: Dialysis inadequacy is one of the determinant factors of disability and mortality rate in dialysis patients. Enhancing the quality of dialysis is really effective to improve prognosis. There are lots of factors determine dialysis adequacy. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between blood pressure and dialysis adequacy. Methods: this cross-sectional study was performed on 100 patients admitted in hemodialysis ward of Besat hospital and Baqiatallah hospital in 1389.a researched-made questionnaire used gathering demographic data and blood pressure from patient's records. KT/V formula was used to assess the adequacy of hemodialysis. URR common characteristic were also measured. Data was analyzed by parametric and nonparametric tests. Results: the mean age of samples was 62.21±13.7 years. The mean of KT/V and URR were 1.23±0.38 and 14±11.04 respectively. Paired t-test showed no significant differences between blood pressure and dialysis adequacy.
Thrombin Stimulated Platelet-Derived Exosomes Inhibit Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor-Beta Expression in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Background/Aims: It is difficult to predict acute thrombotic cardiovascular events in the clinic. Few studies have reported the presence of plasma exosomes containing microRNAs (miRNAs) in cardiovascular events. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the levels of miR-223, miR-339 and miR-21 in plasma exosomes before thrombosis in mouse models of carotid tandem stenosis, as well as the mechanisms underlying the origin and function of these exosomal miRNAs. Methods: Plasma samples were collected from the carotid tandem stenosis and sham control groups of our successfully developed atherothrombosis mouse models before thrombosis. Platelets from healthy volunteers and mice were purified to obtain thrombin stimulated platelet-derived exosomes. Exosomes were isolated via differential ultracentrifugation, and western blotting and transmission electron microscopy were used for their identification. The total RNA was extracted, and quantitative real-time PCR was performed to determine the expression levels of miR-223, miR-339 and miR-21. DAVID Tools were used to analyze the pathways that were enriched among the miRNA target genes. Immuno-fluorescence staining was performed to identify the protein expression levels of platelet-derived exosome target genes in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in vitro and in vivo. Results: The levels of miR-223, miR-339 and miR-21, which are associated with platelet activation, were elevated in pooled mouse plasma exosomes before thrombosis and enriched in thrombin-stimulated platelet-derived exosomes in vitro. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta (PDGFRβ) was a target of these miRNAs, and PDGFRβ expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) was inhibited following incubation with platelet-derived exosomes. Platelet-derived exosomes could also inhibit PDGF-stimulated SMC proliferation. Furthermore, a decrease in PDGFRβ expression was observed in vascular SMCs around thrombotic areas in vivo. Conclusions: Our data indicate that activated platelet-derived exosomes containing miR-223, miR-339 and miR-21 could be transferred into SMCs and inhibit PDGFRβ expression; these exosomal miRNAs may be a biomarker for predicting atherothrombosis.
Negotiating stigma in health care: disclosure and the role of electronic health records

The implementation of electronic health records facilitates information sharing which can create challenges for stigma management and disclosure during the clinical encounter. Building on theories of stigma management, we analysed 30 in-depth interviews of sexual minority men in the USA to explore how they perceived the role of electronic health records in the clinical encounter in general and for disclosure in particular. Participants expressed concerns about privacy but also saw potential benefits to electronic health records. Similarly, while some thought electronic health records improved communication with providers, others experienced the electronic health record as a barrier to open and trusting communication. New information technologies are changing health-care encounters, but present a double-edged sword that underscores the challenge of negotiating health care for stigmatised individuals. It remains to be seen if information technology will enhance care for all or further alienate already apprehensive health seekers from disclosing personal health information.
Efficacy of Melissa officinalis in Suppressing Ventricular Arrhythmias following Ischemia-Reperfusion of the Heart: A Comparison with Amiodarone

Objective: We aimed to assess the influence of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), a well-known herbal drug with numerous applications in traditional and modern medicine, on cardiac conduction and susceptibility to lethal ventricular arrhythmia. Materials and Methods: Forty-two male Wistar rats were divided into a control group (CTL), an M. officinalis group that received the aqueous extract of M. officinalis L. intraperitoneally (i.p.) at dosages of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/ml/kg, respectively, and an amiodarone group (Amio group) that received 30 mg/ml/kg i.p. of amiodarone. Heart ischemia/reperfusion was induced by the ligation and release of the left anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery. Results: There were no statistical differences between the groups in the basal heart rate and blood pressure. PR, corrected QT (QTc) and QRS intervals increased in the M. officinalis and Amio groups. PR and QTc were statistically significant only in the Amio group and QRS was significant only in the group receiving 400 mg of M. officinalis (M400 group) in comparison with the CTL group. During the reperfusion period, the decrease in ventricular fibrillations was statistically significant in all groups (except the M400 group) when compared with the CTL group. The score of arrhythmia severity also decreased, but was statistically significant only in the Amio group (p < 0.05 vs. CTL group). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that M. ofﬁcinalis extract has a mild protective effect against reperfusion-induced lethal ventricular arrhythmias in rats.
Group Decision Making in an Intersectoral Mental Health Community Partnership

Background: In a major Canadian jurisdiction that includes several regions, an intersectoral working group with community partners was formed to enable change in systems and policies for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness. The top priority of the working group was housing. Purpose: The study explored how the working group members experienced decision-making power in their efforts to enable change in housing policies. Method: The research used a qualitative single-case design to study the decision-making processes as experienced by the group members. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews, two focus groups and review of key public documents. The data were analysed using the constant comparative method, with critical reflection on group decision making and the contextual influences of system-level policies. Group members contributed to the analysis. Findings: Amid positive experiences of working together, group members experienced challenges related to power differentials between service providers, government personnel and consumers, and the impact of the systemic environment on the group processes. Implications: Implications are raised for occupational therapy education and practice, and for studying group decision making as an occupation.
Pre-release sales forecasting: A model-driven context feature extraction approach

Social media can be a potential data source in new product pre-release sales forecasting. However, the relationship is not straightforward because sales volume is the result of the interaction between different context entities. To reveal the important hidden dimensions from the structural relationships between context entities, we propose a model-driven feature extraction approach. Based on the semantic entity relationship model, middle-level features can be automatically generated through predefined primitive features with respect to typical structural relationships. Then, spatio-temporal analytics is applied in feature selection for sales forecasting models. The proposed technical approach is verified in movie box-office forecasting for a leading cinema chain in China.
Subjective experiences of younger people with dementia and their families: implications for UK research, policy and practice

Young-onset dementia (dementia in people under 65 years of age) remains an under-researched area of dementia care. As populations age in industrialized countries, dementia is set to increase: this includes dementias in younger people. Current estimates suggest there are over 15 000 younger people living with dementia in the UK, whilst dedicated services and research in this area remain limited. Younger people may be affected by rarer forms of dementia that can create various kinds of impairment in the individual. For example, as Boxer and Miller report, although memory can be affected, people with conditions such as frontotemporal dementia can present initially with personality changes as the primary symptom. Younger people may also have more difficulties with visuospatial and semantic tasks when compared with an person, and there are likely to be personal and societal implications for the entire family.
Cervical artificial disc replacement

Cervical disc replacement has recently become available in the United States and is gaining notoriety. It is widely publicized throughout the media and medical journals. Despite this, few clinicians are familiar with the actual indications for cervical disc arthroplasty. The role of disc replacement is somewhat of an enigma when treating cervical pathology. This article is intended to describe the procedure of cervical artificial disc replacement and address its appropriate use. The indications have been reviewed along with discussion regarding which patients may benefit from this surgical procedure.
Self-medication with antibiotics and antimalarials in the community of Silte Zone, South Ethiopia

AIM: Self-medication with antibiotics and antimalarials occurs among the population in Ethiopian. We studied to estimate the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics and antimalarials in Ethiopia and evaluate factors associated with self-medications. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 405 households, selected from Silte Zone in South Ethiopia, using a random sampling technique by employing a pretested questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS for windows version 16.0. Chi-square test was used to observe the association of variables. RESULT: The prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics/ antimalarials in this study was 14.5%. Twenty seven (6.7%) participants were self medicated with antibiotics, 2.7% used antimalarials drugs while 21 (5.2%) used both. Level of monthly income and educational status significantly influence pattern of antibiotics and antimalarials self medication (P
Coping with rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis during pregnancy

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are disorders affecting young female who eventually express their wish of getting pregnant. The physician must be prepared to answer all questions, pointing out the advantages of a planned pregnancy. The main goal achieved with the close cooperation of the obstetrician and the resident or rheumatologist, is to maintain the rheumatic illness inactive with the safest possible drugs for the mother and the unborn child. Nothing can stop a woman with RA or AS from being a mother. In general, one can say pregnancy is a period of immune tolerance, and an improvement on rheumatic conditions can even be expected.