Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thinking about Drinking: Explaining drinking behaviour by drinker prototypes

__Abstract__ Worldwide, about 11.5% of drinkers engage in weekly heavy episodic drinking. Heavy or excessive drinking is defined as consuming 60 or more grams of pure alcohol; equal to 6 or more standard glasses. In the Netherlands4 and many other countries, excessive drinking is especially prevalent among adolescents and young adults (18–25 years old, 20%). In the general population, the prevalence and consumption is higher among males (15.4%) than females (10.5%). Furthermore, higher educated people (90%) report a higher prevalence of alcohol use after the age of 34 than lower educated people (66%), irrespective of gender. However, excessive drinking is generally more prevalent among lower educated individuals (18%) than higher educated individuals (10%), except in the age groups of 25–34 and 65+. This difference has slightly decreased during the years 1990-2008.5 The prevalence is also slightly higher among Dutch-born persons (13.6%) than Western immigrants (12%) and who, in turn, report a higher prevalence than among non-Western immigrants (8.8%). 3 Although the patterns are similar when focusing on different generations, the prevalence is higher for second generations than for first generations of immigrants. The total amount of alcohol per capita in the general Dutch population has increased since the sixties, with its peak in the eighties. It stabilised in the nineties. Excessive drinking has decreased by 4% since 2001. Binge drinking has remained stable since 2003 for adolescents (12–16 years old), but decreased from 36% in 2003 to 26% in 2009 among all young people. Simultaneously, the number of hospital admissions among adolescents aged 16 or younger increased with 300%.
The application of European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation II (EuroSCORE II) and Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk-score for risk stratification in Indian patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To validate European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation II (EuroSCORE II) and Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) risk-score for predicting mortality and STS risk-score for predicting morbidity in Indian patients after cardiac surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS EuroSCORE II and STS risk-scores were obtained pre-operatively for 498 consecutive patients. The patients were followed for mortality and various morbidities. The calibration of the scoring systems was assessed using Hosmer-Lemeshow test. The discriminative capacity was estimated by area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS The mortality was 1.6%. For EuroSCORE II and STS risk-score C-statics of 5.43 and 6.11 were obtained indicating satisfactory model fit for both the scores. Area under ROC was 0.69 and 0.65 for EuroSCORE II and STS risk-score with P values of 0.068 and 0.15, respectively, indicating poor discriminatory power. Good fit and discrimination was obtained for renal failure, long-stay in hospital, prolonged ventilator support and deep sternal wound infection but the scores failed in predicting risk of reoperation and stroke. Mortality risk was correctly estimated in low (< 2%) and moderate (2-5%) risk patients, but over-estimated in high-risk (> 5%) patients by both scoring systems. CONCLUSIONS EuroSCORE II and STS risk-scores have satisfactory calibration power in Indian patients but their discriminatory power is poor. Mortality risk was over-estimated by both the scoring systems in high-risk patients. The present study highlights the need for forming a national database and formulating risk stratification tools to provide better quality care to cardiac surgical patients in India.
Awareness of danger signs of obstetric complications among pregnant women attending antenatal care in east Wollega, Ethiopia

A quantitative, descriptive and cross sectional study was conducted in four (4) health care facilities to determine whether pregnant women attending antenatal care are aware of danger signs of obstetric complications. The objectives of the study were to assess awareness of danger signs of obstetric complications and to associate demographic and obstetric factors with awareness of danger signs of obstetric complications among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Eastern Wollega zone. Data was collected by means of structured questionnaire from 384 pregnant women attending antenatal care in the 4 health facilities and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 16 computer program. The findings revealed that the proportion of women who were aware of danger signs of obstetric complications was inadequate. Recommendations were made in line with the research findings.
Cadaveric Study of the Anatomical Variations of the Accessory Pancreatic Duct

Background: The accessory pancreatic duct enters the duodenum at the minor duodenal papilla, developmentally draining the dorsal pancreatic bud; however, it is smaller and less constant than the main pancreatic duct and undergoes varying degrees of atrophy at the duodenal end. Objective: The objective of this study was to see the variations in course, opening and communication pattern of the accessory pancreatic duct in different age-groups in a Bangladeshi population. Methods: This crosssectional, descriptive study was done was done in the Department of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka, from August 2005 to December 2006, based on collection and dissection of 75 postmortem male human pancreas. The collected samples were divided into seven age groups: 10-19 years, 20-29 years,30-39 years, 40-49 years, 50-59 years),60-69 years and(eˆ70 years. However, 65 samples were taken for final observation. Results: The accessory pancreatic duct was found in 27.69% specimens. Straight course was found in 50% specimen, while spindle course in 27.78% and cudgel course in 22.22% specimens were observed. In only 4 (6.15%) specimens, the accessory pancreatic duct communicates with the common bile duct, while in 11 (16.93%) specimens, the accessory pancreatic duct communicates with the main pancreatic duct. 12 (66.67%) accessory pancreatic ducts opened into the minor duodenal papilla, while 5 (27.78%) into the major duodenal papilla and 1 (5.55%) into the 3rd duodenal papilla. Conclusion: Several variations were observed in accessory pancreatic duct pattern in terms of their course, opening and communications. However, no significant differences were evident in any parameter among the age groups. Here, females were excluded due to less availability of the female cadaveric pancreas during study period. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/jbsp.v9i2. 22802 Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2014, December; 9(2): 83-88
Nasal screening and survey of pre-clinical medical students from Malaysia for nasal carriage of coagulase positive MRSA and rate of nasal colonization with Staphylococcus species

Background: MRSA has long been implicated in the spread of nosocomial and community acquired infections which pose a threat for the emergence of carriers among the community and hospitals. This study was aimed at screening for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in students hailing from Malaysia, and characterizing the rate of carrier state along with nasal colonization with Staphylococcus species, among the different ethnicities of pre-clinical medical students before their entry into the clinical phase of their study. Methods: 157 students were involved in the study. Samples were collected from the anterior nares of student volunteers. Biochemical tests were done to isolate Staphylococcus aureus. Species confirmation for Staphylococcus aurues was done using the tube coagualse test and the DNase test. Coagualse positive Staphylococci were subjected to oxacillin agar screen method to screen for MRSA. Results: Out of 157 specimens, Staphylococcus species were isolated from 156 (99.3%) specimens, and one specimen showed no isolation of Staphylococcus species; 37 (23.7%) were Coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus (CoPS), and 119 (76.2%) were Coagualse negative Staphylococcus species (CoNS). Of the total of 37 isolates of Coagualse positive Staphylococcus aureus, none were found to be resistant to methicillin (0%). All the 37 (100%) strains of CoPS isolated were methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). The nasal carriage of CoPS among ethnic student communities were observed to be 22 (34.3%) in the Chinese; followed by Indians 12 (16.0%), and Malay 3 (17.6%). Conclusions: The study revealed that out of the total specimens collected from student volunteers, none were carriers for MRSA. The highest percentage of nasal carriage for CoPS among the three main ethnicities of Malaysia was observed to be among the Chinese. All CoPS obtained were MSSA, while the highest rate of nasal colonisation with CoNS was observed in the Indian community. Screening should be made an essential protocol in order to assess and curb the in-flux of carrier transmitted drug resistant strains of Staphylococci from the community to the hospital setting.
Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin time course during cardiac surgery

Background: NGAL is one of the most promising AKI biomarkers in cardiac surgery. However, the best timing to dose it and the reference values are still matter of discussion. Aim of the Study: We performed a uNGAL perioperative time course, to better understand its perioperative kinetics and its role in AKI diagnosis. Setting of the Study: San Raffaele University Hospital, cardiac surgery department. Material and Methods: We enrolled in this prospective observational study 19 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Based on preoperative characteristics, they were divided in low-risk and high-risk patients. uNGAL measurements were collected at pre-defined times before, during, and up to 24 hours after surgery. Statistical Analysis: Data were analysed by use of SAS 1999-2001 program or IBM SPSS Statistics. Results: In low-risk patients, uNGAL had the highest value immediately after general anesthesia induction (basal dosage: uNGAL: 12.20ng×ml-1, IQR 14.00). It later decreased significantly (3.40 ng×ml-1, IQR 4.80; P = 0.006) during CPB, and finally return to its original value 24 hours after surgery. In high-risk patients, uNGAL increased immediately after surgery; it had the highest value on ICU arrival (38,20 ng×ml-1; IQR 133,10) and remained high for several hours. A difference in uNGAL levels between the two groups was already observed at the end of surgery, but it became statistically significant on ICU arrival (P = 0.002). Conclusion: This study helps to better understand the different kinetics of this new biomarker in low-risk and high-risk cardiac patients.
Lumbar Spine and Total Body Bone Mass in Healthy Elderly Men and Women

RÉSUMÉ: La masse de la colonne vertébrale lombaire ainsi que la masse osseuse totale ont été déterminées chez 119 hommes et femmes âgés en bonne santé par la technique d'absorptiométrie bi-photonique. Le taux de perte du contenu minéral de la colonne vertébrale lombaire est le même chez l'homme âgé et chez la femme âgée, et n'est, sans doute, pas différent du taux accepté pour les jeunes adultes. Chez les femmes âgées, nous avons mesuré une perte annuelle significative de 24 g du contenu minéral osseux du squelette. Le plus important indice de prédiction de la masse osseuse est le poids de la personne. Des variables représentant la santé physique ou la force, seule la force du bras contribue à la variation de la masse osseuse, étant responsable de 4 pour cent de la variation dans la densité du minéral osseux de la colonne vertébrale lombaire de la femme. ABSTRACT Lumbar spine and total body bone mass was measured by dual photon absorptiometry in 119 healthy elderly men and women. The rate of loss of mineral from the lumbar spine was the same in elderly women and men and is probably not different from the accepted rate for young adults. For elderly women there was a significant annual rate of loss of 24 g of bone mineral from the skeleton. The most important predictor of bone mass was body weight. The only fitness or strength variable contributing to bone mass variance was arm strength which accounted for 4 per cent of the variance of lumbar spine bone mineral density in women.
Development and characterization of folate anchored Saquinavir entrapped PLGA nanoparticles for anti-tumor activity

Abstract Objective: Saquinavir (SQV) is a US-FDA approved HIV protease inhibitor (HPI) for HIV cure. The purpose of the present investigation was to develop and characterize the anticancer potential of the SQV-loaded folic acid (FA) conjugated PEGylated and non-PEGylated poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) (SQV–Fol–PEG–PLGA and SQV–Fol–PLGA) employing PC-3 (human prostate) and MCF-7 (human breast) cancer cell lines. Materials and methods: Developed NPs were characterized by IR, NMR, DSC, XRD, size, charge and further tested for drug loading and cellular uptake properties. Result: The entrapment efficiency was found to be 56 ± 0.60 and 58 ± 0.80 w/v for SQV–Fol–PEG–PLGA and SQV–PLGA NPs, respectively. The obtained results of SQV–Fol–PEG–PLGA showed enhanced cytotoxicity and cellular uptake and were most preferentially taken up by the cancerous cells via folate receptor-mediated endocytosis (RME) mechanism. At 260 µM concentration, SQV–PLGA NPs and SQV–Fol–PEG–PLGA NPs showed 20%, 20% and 23% cell growth inhibition in PC-3 cells, respectively whereas in MCF-7 cells it was 12%, 15% and 14% cell growth inhibition, respectively. Conclusions: Developed targeted SQV–Fol–PEG–PLGA NPs were superior anticancer potential as compared to non-targeted SQV–PLGA NPs. Thus, these targeted NPs provide another option for anticancer drug delivery scientists.
The Waiting Children: Pathways (and Future) of Children in Long-Term Residential Care

There is an international consensus about the need to avoid prolonged stays in residential care and a preference for family-based interventions for those children who have been separated from their families. Nevertheless, Spanish statistics show a high number of children entering residential placements and little development of non-kinship family foster programmes. This article analyses the factors which influence the intensive use of residential placements and the reasons which lead to many children spending long periods of their lives in residential facilities. These questions are investigated through a study of 238 children aged twelve and under in residential foster-care, who had spent at least a third of their lives in that situation. The case information was obtained through collaboration with social workers who supplied data about the profile of the children, their families, their care histories and prospective outcomes. Certain characteristics of the children (age, physical and psychological problems) and the family of origin (serious psycho-social problems) seem to explain the long stays of these children in residential care. The article concludes with a discussion of the practical implications these results have for the improvement of child protection systems' response to these challenges.
Foot and mouth disease in Nigeria - the current status and control efforts.

SUMMARY Foot and mouth disease (FMD), is a highly contagious viral trans-boundary disease of both domestic and wild cloven hoofed animals characterized by high morbidity and decreased livestock productivity, while affected countries are being excluded from international animal trade. The first Nigerian reported and typed outbreak was in the early '50s amongst herds from the North-East with subsequent reports around the country. These reports confirm endemicity of FMD with serious economic losses due to serotypes A and SAT 2 outbreaks. In an update of FMD by Nwanta and Ojemiren in 1999, serotypes A, O, SAT 1 and SAT 2 were reported as been responsible for disease outbreaks in Northern Nigeria. Antibodies to SAT1 and SAT2 serotypes have also been demonstrated, while Knowles and his colleagues in 2008 reported serotype O and SAT2 from outbreaks. These findings updated the information on the FMD World Reference laboratory, (Pirbright, UK) data base which stated that serotypes O, A, SAT1 and SAT2 have been circulating in Nigeria in the last 54 years (1955-2009). Early detection is essential for effective control and requires rapid, sensitive method of viral serotype diagnosis that is responsible for the outbreak and selection of an appropriate emergency vaccine which is currently unavailable in Nigeria. This challenge forced the local herdsmen to seek for self-help medication (herbs) and a few seek the expertise of Veterinary personnel while others practice the concept called “Dashse” characterized by guarded prognosis due to absence of cross immunity amongst serotypes. Fostered collaboration with development partners as well as neighboring affected countries in areas of control is thus suggested.
The burden of illness of hypertension and comorbid diabetes

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the impact of comorbid hypertension and diabetes on resource utilization and costs compared to diabetes mellitus (DM) or hypertension (HTN) alone. Methods: A retrospective claims analysis assessed economic trends in patients without pre-existing CV disease in three cohorts: newly-treated HTN-only, DM-only, and newly-treated HTN and DM (comorbid cohort). Total, CV-specific, and DM-specific costs measured for up to 24 months were classified into five categories: inpatient, outpatient, emergency department (ED), physician, and other medical. Costs were compared using linear regression, controlling for age, gender, comorbidities, and non-CV- or DM-related prescriptions at baseline. Results: The comorbid cohort had the highest inpatient (%1920), outpatient (%1664), ED (%126), other medical (%218), and pharmacy costs (%2388), plus significantly higher CV- and DM-specific costs. At 24 months, HTN-related costs for the HTN cohort equaled %1604, while DM-related costs for the DM cohort totaled %2023. Comparatively, HTN-related costs for patients with HTNT + DM were %2678 while DM-related costs were %3094, being over %1000 and %1800 more than each individual cohort, respectively. A post-hoc analysis of CV events found the comorbid cohort had significantly more myocardial infarctions (MIs) and acute ischemic events than did the HTN-only cohort. Conclusion: Higher cost and resource utilization is associated with comorbid HTN and DM. Higher average disease-specific costs over 24 months indicate an intensity of care for patients with comorbid disease that is beyond that of simply managing an additional disease state. Study limitations include patient selection biases, which are possible with any administrative commercial database analysis.
Enhanced topical delivery of tacrolimus by a carbomer hydrogel formulation with transcutol P

Abstract Tacrolimus (TAC), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agent, is used for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) and skin immune diseases. TAC-loaded topical hydrogel formulations composed of carbomer, carnosine, transcutol P (diethylene glycol monoethyl ether) and humectant were prepared. For comparison, TAC-loaded topical cream-type formulations were also prepared and commercially available TAC ointment was used as a reference. A drug release study in vitro revealed that the total amount of TAC released from hydrogels over 24 h was approximately 30 times greater than that for the reference formulation. Compared to the reference ointment and creams, carbomer gel formulations showed higher skin permeation and retention of TAC (significantly different at p < 0.05), especially those with more than 10% of transcutol P. Therefore, carbomer gel formulations with sufficient levels of transcutol P are good candidates for skin delivery of TAC and have potential as therapeutic agents for the treatment of AD or immune skin disorders.
Effects of Zinc Supplementation in Occurrence and Duration of Common Cold in School Aged Children during Cold Season: a Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

Objective: Zinc deficiency is common in children in developing countries due to low intake of animal foods, and high dietary phytate content. Zinc deficiency impairs overall immune function and resistance to infection. The effect of zinc on the common cold is still questionable. To determine whether supplementation of zinc could reduce frequency rate and duration of common cold during cold season in school aged children living in a low socioeconomic suburb of Mashhad (Altimor), north‐east Iran. Methods: We designed a randomized double‐blind, placebo‐controlled efficacy trial. Subjects were 200 grade 2 primary school children who all completed the trial. Intervention supplementation was zinc sulfate tablets (10 mg elemental) and placebo tablets for case and control groups, respectively. Tablets were taken on a daily basis, 6 days a week, for 5 months (November to March). Findings: Among the zinc‐supplemented group common cold incidence of 1.37±0.86 episodes per child during the study period was recorded in comparison to 3.15±0.55 cold episodes per child among the placebo group (P<0.001). Mean overall missing days from school was 0.55±1.09 days and 1.35±1.79 days for zinc‐supplemented and placebo groups, respectively. The need for administration of antibiotics for bacterial infections (pharyngitis, acute otitis media, sinusitis, pneumonia) were 20 and 47 courses for zinc‐supplemented and placebo groups, respectively (P<0.01). Conclusion: This study showed that zinc supplementation has a beneficial impact on the occurrence of common cold.
Study to assess the effectiveness of modified constraint-induced movement therapy in stroke subjects: A randomized controlled trial

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of modified constraint induced movement therapy (m-CIMT) in stroke subjects. Materials and Methods: A total of forty sub-acute stroke subjects were randomly assigned to either a m-CIMT (n = 20) or in a control group (n = 20). The m-CIMT group (14 men, 6 women; mean age = 55.2 years) consisted of structured 2 h therapy sessions emphasizing affected arm use, occurring 5 times/week for 2 weeks. A mitt was used to restrain the unaffected arm for 10 h/day for 2 week. The control group (11 men, 9 women; mean age = 56.4 years) consisted of conventional rehabilitation for time-matched exercise program. The outcome measures were evaluated at pre- and post-intervention by using the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) of motor recovery after stroke. Results: After intervention significant effects were observed in m-CIMT group on WMFT (pre-test and post-test score was 28.04 ± 6.58, 13.59 ± 2.86; P =0.003). Similarly on FMA (pre- and post-test score was 31.15 ± 6.37, 55.7 ± 6.4; P = 0.00). Conclusion: There is a significant improvem ent in upper extremity function so it indicates that m-CIMT is effective in improving the motor function of the affected arm in stroke subjects. However, its long-term effect has not proved since there was no follow-up after intervention.
Recording labour: a national survey of partogram use

There is little consensus regarding the use of partograms and labour charts in the western world. As a consequence there are variations in practices within and between units. Prior to implementation of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) Intrapartum Care Guidelines we conducted a survey of all Heads of Midwifery exploring the current status of labour documentation across England. This enabled a baseline of current practice to be established and offers insight into disparities. The results indicated general support for the partogram, although some units chose not to use it for certain women. There was some consistency in recorded quantifiable details, although most charts lacked any psychological data. A minority of units had pre-printed alert or action lines although often the associated guidelines were similar. Few units provided evidence to support their particular guidelines. Awareness of national variations in partogram use highlighted useful variations in partogram designs which may.