Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Smoking in men and women with type 2 diabetes: A qualitative gender-sensitive exploration of barriers to smoking cessation among people with type 2 diabetes

Objectives Despite growing evidence of the impact of smoking on diabetes complications, people with type 2 diabetes still smoke at high rates and little is known about the specific barriers to quit smoking in this group. The purpose of this article is to explore the perception of smoking, and motivation and barriers to quit among smokers with type 2 diabetes. This exploratory study will help designing a smoking cessation intervention tailored to the needs of people with type 2 diabetes. We hypothesize both that living with diabetes and gender may raise additional difficulties to quit smoking. Setting The qualitative exploratory research included ten in-depth semi-structured individual interviews and five focus groups conducted in an Ambulatory Care University Hospital in Switzerland. The thematic analysis was conducted with a gender-sensitive focus. Participants Both current and former smokers recruited from the ambulatory clinic and the community took part in the qualitative interviews. We restricted the analysis to 21 current smokers only. Results The sample included 12 men and 9 women with type 2 diabetes, having a mean age of 59.4 years, who had diabetes for an average of 9 years with a mean HbA1c of 7.4%. We found that harmful effects of tobacco were superficially understood, and participants used several patterns of thinking to minimize the risks. The relation between tobacco and diabetes was poorly known. Readiness to change was related to personal self-image and meaningful engagement in life and social relationships. Barriers could be organized into three groups: dependence, psychological habits and social barriers. Barriers were markedly shaped by gender and living with diabetes. Conclusions Results suggest that “one -fits-all” smoking cessation interventions do not satisfy the needs of type 2 diabetic smokers. Personalized smoking cessation interventions should be preferred and should pursue positive psychological outcomes addressing contextual factors.
Impact of restricting feed and probiotic supplementation on growth performance, mortality and carcass traits of meat-type quails.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of quantitative feed restriction, along with dietary supplementation with a probiotic blend (Protexin) as a natural growth promoter, on the performance, water consumption, mortality rate and carcass traits of meat-type quails. A total of 250 1-day unsexed quails were randomly allocated to five equal groups in a completely randomized design. The first group (A) fed a basal diet without any restriction (24 hr/day); the second group (B1) fed the basal diet for 20 hr/day; the third group (B2) fed the basal diet enriched with probiotic (0.1 g/kg diet) for 20 hr/day; the fourth group (C1) fed the basal diet for 16 hr/day; and the fifth group (C2) fed the basal diet enriched with probiotic (0.1 g/kg diet) for 16 hr/day. Birds were fed ad-libitum from 0-14 days of age, and then the feed restriction regimes started from 14 till 28 days of age. Results showed that quails in the control-group consumed more feed and water than the other treatment groups (p < .01), however their body weights did not differ (p > .05) compared with the other treated groups. The best feed conversion values were achieved in quails supplemented with probiotic blend (B2 and C2) in comparison with the other groups (p < .01). Feeding probiotic had a positive effect on bird health which reduced the mortality rate. Further, mortality rate was significantly reduced (p < .05) by feed restriction, with or without probiotic supplementation. No carcass parameters were significantly affected (p > .05) by treatments. Our results show that quail could be reared under a feed restriction system, for 4-8 hr daily, along with dietary supplementation of probiotic as growth promoter for better growth performance.
Revision of the Tanzanian dicynodont Dicynodon huenei (Therapsida: Anomodontia) from the Permian Usili Formation

A single species of the dicynodontoid dicynodont Dicynodon is currently recognized from the late Permian Usili Formation of Tanzania: Dicynodon huenei Haughton, 1932. Restudy of the known Tanzanian materials of D. huenei demonstrates that they represent two distinct morphotypes, here considered separate taxa. The holotype of D. huenei is not referable to Dicynodon and instead is transferred to the genus Daptocephalus (but retained as a valid species, Daptocephalus huenei comb. nov.). A number of published dicynodontoid specimens from the Usili Formation, however, are referable to Dicynodon, and are here recognized as a new species (Dicynodon angielczyki sp. nov.) Dicynodon angielczyki can be distinguished from its South African congener Dicynodon lacerticeps by the presence of an expansion of the squamosal and jugal beneath the postorbital bar and a curved, posterolateral expansion of the squamosal behind the temporal fenestra. Inclusion of Dicynodon angielczyki and D. huenei in a phylogenetic analysis supports their referral to Dicynodon and Daptocephalus (respectively). These results indicate higher basinal endemism in large late Permian dicynodonts than previously thought, a sharp contrast to the cosmopolitanism in the group in the earliest Triassic.
Usefulness of noninvasive shear wave elastography for the assessment of hepatic fibrosis in dogs with hepatic disease

Abstract Background Two‐dimensional shear wave elastography (2D‐SWE) can noninvasively evaluate hepatic elastic modulus as shear wave velocity (SWV). Additionally, it may predict the presence of clinical relevant hepatic fibrosis (≥F2) in dogs with hepatic disease. Objectives To investigate whether SWV measured by 2D‐SWE can differentiate between dogs with (≥F2) and without (F0‐1) clinically relevant hepatic fibrosis. Animals Twenty‐eight client‐owned dogs with hepatic disease and 8 normal healthy Beagle dogs were enrolled. Methods In this cross‐sectional prospective study, SWVs were measured using 2D‐SWE in all dogs. Hepatic fibrosis stages and necroinflammatory activity grades were histopathologically evaluated using a histological scoring scheme that was adapted from the Ishak schema used in human medicine. Results Median SWVs were significantly higher in dogs with clinically relevant hepatic fibrosis (2.04 m/s; range, 1.81‐2.26 m/s) than in healthy dogs (1.51 m/s; range, 1.44‐1.66 m/s; P = .007), and dogs without clinically relevant hepatic fibrosis (1.56 m/s; range, 1.37‐1.67 m/s; P < .001). However, no significant difference was found in the SWVs between dogs without clinically relevant hepatic fibrosis and healthy dogs (P = .99). Furthermore, median SWVs were not significantly different among dogs with necroinflammatory activity, those without necroinflammatory activity, and healthy dogs (Kruskal‐Wallis test, P = .12). Conclusions and Clinical Importance The 2D‐SWE may be useful for predicting the presence of hepatic fibrosis in dogs with hepatic disease.
Management of Prenatal Depression: Effectiveness of an Online Training Module Across Health Care Disciplines.

INTRODUCTION Maternal depression is associated with numerous deleterious maternal and child health outcomes. Although there are several treatment options for prenatal depression, many depressed women remain untreated. This study tested the effects of a low-intensity online training module on providers' attitudes, beliefs, and management practices of prenatal depression across a diverse group of providers. METHODS Health care providers who were providing care to pregnant women completed a 64-item survey consisting of items from the Management of Maternal Depression Inventory. Upon completion of the survey, providers were randomized into the intervention or the active control arm (wait-listed). The intervention consisted of an online training, which targeted knowledge and skills related to providing guidance on prenatal mood disorders. Approximately 6 to 8 weeks after randomization, all providers completed the survey again, and a general linear model framework was used to test change from baseline. RESULTS The final sample was comprised 74 compliant providers (intervention arm: n = 41; control arm: n = 33). Providers in the intervention arm reported significant increases in the sense of responsibility and self-efficacy when compared with their counterparts in the active control arm (all P < .001). Providers in the intervention arm also reported an increase in satisfaction related to communication with mental health specialists when compared with their counterparts in the active control arm (P = .05). DISCUSSION Our findings suggest that a brief, online training improved the attitudes, confidence, and communication of diverse providers related to the management of prenatal depression. Provider online training may help encourage patient-provider dialogue and in turn, enhance the management of prenatal depression.
Hydrophobic gasket mutation produces gating pore currents in closed human voltage-gated proton channels

Significance A large family of membrane proteins, voltage-gated ion channels, regulate a vast array of physiological functions in essentially all life forms. How these molecules sense membrane potential and respond by creating ionic conduction is incompletely understood. The voltage sensors of these channels contain a “hydrophobic gasket,” a ring of hydrophobic amino acids near the center of the membrane, separating internal and external aqueous solutions. Although voltage-gated proton channels, HV1, resemble voltage-sensing domains of other channels, they differ fundamentally. On depolarization, HV1 conducts protons, whereas other voltage sensors open a physically distinct pore. We identify Val109, Phe150, Val177, and Val178 as the hHV1 hydrophobic gasket. Replacement with less hydrophobic amino acids accelerated channel opening and caused proton-selective leak through closed channels. The hydrophobic gasket (HG), a ring of hydrophobic amino acids in the voltage-sensing domain of most voltage-gated ion channels, forms a constriction between internal and external aqueous vestibules. Cationic Arg or Lys side chains lining the S4 helix move through this “gating pore” when the channel opens. S4 movement may occur during gating of the human voltage-gated proton channel, hHV1, but proton current flows through the same pore in open channels. Here, we replaced putative HG residues with less hydrophobic residues or acidic Asp. Substitution of individuals, pairs, or all 3 HG positions did not impair proton selectivity. Evidently, the HG does not act as a secondary selectivity filter. However, 2 unexpected functions of the HG in HV1 were discovered. Mutating HG residues independently accelerated channel opening and compromised the closed state. Mutants exhibited open–closed gating, but strikingly, at negative voltages where “normal” gating produces a nonconducting closed state, the channel leaked protons. Closed-channel proton current was smaller than open-channel current and was inhibited by 10 μM Zn2+. Extreme hyperpolarization produced a deeper closed state through a weakly voltage-dependent transition. We functionally identify the HG as Val109, Phe150, Val177, and Val178, which play a critical and exclusive role in preventing H+ influx through closed channels. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed enhanced mobility of Arg208 in mutants exhibiting H+ leak. Mutation of HG residues produces gating pore currents reminiscent of several channelopathies.
The effect of using a cycling workstation on mouse dexterity

This study investigated the effect of using a cycling workstation on mouse dexterity, including if and how this changed with practice. Thirty-four healthy adults were allocated to a sitting group (n = 17) or cycling group (n = 17). All participants completed standardised computer tasks on 6 occasions: baseline and final—all participants were seated; practice 1 to 4—sitting group participants were seated, cycling group participants pedalled on an under desk cycle. Three computer tasks were employed: (1) Tracking (continuous task)—participants used the mouse pointer to track a dot in a figure of 8 pattern at 3 different speeds without a guide then with a guide (2) Aiming (discrete task)—participants moved the mouse pointer to a dot which repeatedly disappeared then reappeared again in different locations, creating the outline of a pentagram (3) Steering (continuous task)—participants steered the mouse pointer around two different pathways. Accuracy was measured during the Tracking and Steering tasks as the root mean square error and penalised path accuracy respectively. Speed was measured during the Aiming task as the movement time. Data was analysed using frequentist and Bayes Factor analyses. During the continuous tasks (Tracking and Steering), accuracy was impaired among participants using the cycling workstation, both compared to their accuracy when seated and to the accuracy of participants in the sitting group. In contrast, no deficits in speed were noted among participants using the cycling work station during the discrete task (Aiming). No learning effects were observed among either group for any tasks. These findings suggest using a cycling workstation may impair the accuracy but not speed of mouse use, regardless of task practice. Overall this supports the implementation of cycling workstations in typical office settings, but suggests cycling workstations may impair productivity among workers performing high precision mouse tasks.
Visual responses in the dorsal Lateral Geniculate Nucleus (dLGN) at early stages of retinal degeneration in rd1PDE6β mice.

Inherited retinal degenerations encompass a wide range of diseases that result in the death of rod and cone photoreceptors eventually leading to irreversible blindness. Low vision survives at early stages of degeneration, at which point it could rely on residual populations of rod/cone photoreceptors as well as the inner retinal photoreceptor, melanopsin. To date, the impact of partial retinal degeneration on visual responses in the primary visual thalamus (dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus; dLGN) remains unknown, as does their relative reliance upon surviving rods and cone photoreceptors versus melanopsin. To answer these questions, we record visually evoked responses in the dLGN of anaesthetised rd1 mice using in-vivo electrophysiology at an age (3-5 weeks) at which cones are partially degenerate and rods are absent. We found that excitatory (ON) responses to light had lower amplitude and longer latency in rd1 compared to age-matched visually intact controls; however, contrast sensitivity and spatial receptive field size were largely unaffected at this early stage of degeneration. Responses were retained when those wavelengths to which melanopsin is most sensitive were depleted, indicating that they were driven primarily by surviving cones. Inhibitory responses appeared absent in the rd1 thalamus, as did light-evoked gamma oscillations in firing. This description of fundamental features of the dLGN visual response at this intermediate stage of retinal degeneration provide a context for emerging attempts to restore vision by introducing ectopic photoreception to the degenerate retina.
Depression in Nonhospitalized Jordanian Patients With Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) are likely to experience depression, which contributes to the burden of disease and is a risk factor for mortality. Patients in outpatient clinics in Jordan are not routinely screened for depression. Significant relationships among patient characteristics must be determined to ascertain the predictors of depression. PURPOSE The aims of this research were to assess the level of depression symptoms in nonhospitalized patients with CAD; to examine the relationships between depression and relevant sociodemographic, self-reported health history, and patient health perception variables; and to identify possible predictors of depression in Jordan. METHODS This cross-sectional study recruited a convenience sample (N = 174) of nonhospitalized outpatients who had been diagnosed with CAD. Self-reported demographic, health history, and health perception information (independent variables) were provided by the participants. The depression scores (dependent variable) for the participants were assessed using the Cardiac Depression Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, Pearson's correlations, and multiple linear regressions. RESULTS Half of the participants reported mild to moderate depression, with 37% reporting severe depression. Predictors of depression included gender (being female), having a concomitant chronic disease, prior surgery, irregular exercise, impaired sexual activity, and self-perceived poor psychological health. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE To improve patient outcomes, clinical personnel should screen patients with CAD for depression and offer a combined pharmaceutical and therapeutic treatment intervention. An easy-to-administer instrument to detect depression may be included in the standard patient checkup routine used in clinics. Several patient characteristics were found to significantly affect depression and health outcomes.
Microscopic colitis: a population-based case series over a nine year period within Northern Ireland

Aim: We report clinicopathological experience of microscopic colitis in a population-based case series in Northern Ireland, over a nine year period. Method: The pathology laboratory information system within a large teaching centre serving two healthcare trusts was interrogated for cases coded between 2008 and 2016 as collagenous colitis (CC) or lymphocytic colitis (LC). Demographic, clinical and follow up information was collected from healthcare records. Results: A total of 326 new diagnoses of MC were identified, an average annual incidence of 6.7 per 100,000 population. The average annual incidence of CC and LC was 5.0 and 1.7 per 100,000 population, respectively. For coding reasons, it is likely LC data is incomplete. Of 191 cases diagnosed by specialist gastrointestinal pathologists, 141 patients had CC and 50 patients had LC. Both CC and LC predominantly involved females aged 60-79. Some 15% demonstrated endoscopic abnormalities. Endoscopic sampling protocols varied widely: 30% of CC and 32% of LC cases had right and left colon sampled separately, with histology concordant in 95% of cases. Of the 191 cases, only one case (of LC) was refractory to treatment, the rest exhibiting a clinical response. Only 35 patients had follow up endoscopy and biopsies, and three of each diagnosis showed persistent disease on histology. Conclusions: Overall, CC and LC are benign conditions with similar demographics, clinical associations, management and outcomes. Separate sampling of right and left colon is advised at colonoscopy, if this diagnosis is being considered, but left colonic sampling, which can be performed at flexible sigmoidoscopy, will diagnose the vast majority of cases. p r We present a population-based series of microscopic colitis diagnoses derived from pathology records, with a focus on epidemiology, clinical associations, endoscopic sampling and outcomes. Incidence is consistent with similar series. Associations with drugs and autoimmune diseases are common for both collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis. Endoscopic sampling for diagnosis is highly variable and standardisation of guidelines would be welcomed. If a diagnosis of microscopic colitis is being considered we recommend separate sampling, and specimen labelling, of both right and left colon at colonoscopy. , However, sampling of the left colon alone, which can be performed at flexible sigmoidoscopy, will diagnose the vast majority of cases.
Analysis of Homicidal Cases Brought to Mortuary of Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi: A 3-Year Retrospective study

Destruction of an individual is the most heinous expression of aggression found in any culture. Homicidal investigation requires a scientific and detailed analysis of circumstances and a trough autopsy. And to take a directed step in preventing a crime, the pattern of crime is to be known. The present study was done in Lok Nayak Hospital, Delhi, to observe the trend of homicide. It was seen that males were predominantly involved with higher incidences being in the age group of 21 to 40 years of life. Blunt objects were more frequently used and head injuries were chiefly causing deaths.
Structural features and digestive behavior of fucosylated chondroitin sulfate from sea cucumbers Stichopus japonicus.

Fucosylated chondroitin sulfate from sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus (FCSSJ) has been demonstrated with various biological activities, however, its precise structure is still controversial, and digestive behavior remains poorly understood. FCSSJ was purified, and its detailed structure was elucidated mainly based on the NMR spectroscopic methods. Its main chain was characterized as →4)-β-D-GlcA-(1→3)-β-D-GalNAc-(1→ with GalNAc4S6S:GalNAc4S in a ratio of 1.5:1, and three types of sulfated fucosyl branches attaching C-3 of GlcA, namely, Fucp2S4S, Fucp3S4S and Fucp4S, were found in a ratio of 2:1.5:1. The digestibility of FCSSJ was investigated in vitro, and the unchanged molecular weight and reducing sugar content indicated that FCSSJ was not broken down under salivary and gastrointestinal digestion. Furthermore, FCSSJ showed a significant inhibitory impact on pancreatic lipase dose-dependently but not on α-amylase, indicating that the inhibition of pancreatic lipase by FCSSJ might be a pathway for its hypolipidemic effect. These findings propose a fucosylated chondroitin sulfate and provide insight into the mechanism of its physiological effects in digestion system.
Accuracy and factors influencing Leopold’s manoeuvres in determining vertex presentation during late third trimester of pregnancy

Abstract This prospective descriptive study was conducted for examine the accuracy of Leopold’s manoeuvres in determining vertex presentation and to identify factors which may influence the accuracy. Pregnant women gestational age more than 34 weeks were examined using Leopold’s manoeuvre for foetal presentation, and findings confirmed on subsequent ultrasonographic (US) examinations. Our study found Leopold’s manoeuvre for foetal presentation determination during the late third trimester of pregnancy has high sensitivity but low specificity. Accuracy of performance of Leopold’s manoeuvre for foetal presentation and lie were 89 and 96%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and PPV for vertex presentation diagnosis were 93.2, 30 and 94.9%, respectively. A larger foetal abdominal circumference decreased the accuracy of performance of Leopold’s manoeuvre (Adjusted OR 0.821, 95% CI 0.703–0.959, p = .013). Using an AC cut-off value of ≥33.01 cm, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for accurate vertex presentation diagnosis were 54.3, 57.6, 91 and 13%, respectively. IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known about this subject? Leopold’s manoeuvre is a method for assessing fetal presentation. Previous studies have found the overall accuracy of Leopold’s manoeuvre to be 63–88%. What the results of this study add? Leopold’s manoeuvre has high sensitivity but low specificity. Increased fetal AC influences the accuracy of Leopold’s manoeuvre. What the implications are of these finding for clinical practice and/or further research? Fetal non-vertex presentation and fetal AC ≥33.01 cm measured by ultrasonographic examination during late third-trimester pregnancy should be followed for determine the fetal presentation by ultrasonographic examination, patient’ counselling and planning the route of delivery for non-vertex presentation in case of emergency. Further investigations about the cost effectiveness of universal ultrasonographic examination for fetal presentation determination in late third-trimester pregnancy are needed.