Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study of bacteria causing skin infections in school going children in Udupi district;cross-sectional study

Introduction: Skin infections are a common reason for consultation in primary care and in dermatology practice. The predominant strain causing infection varies by geographical location. The aim of our study was to evaluate various types of bacteria causing skin infections in school going children of Udupi district, Karnataka State, India. Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of school going 236 children in Udupi district. Consent was taken from the parents of respective children to screen for physical examination and to collect skin swabs. Skin swabs were collected from the site of lesions and processed for isolation and identification of the organisms. Antibacterial susceptibility testing was done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffu-sion test. Results: Swabs were collected from 53 children of 236 (22.45 %) who had abrasions or lesions on skin. Bacterial strains isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (13.2 %) Klebsiella species (1.88%). All the strains of Staphylococcus aureus were susceptible to Methicillin. Erythromycin resistance among these Staphylococcus aureus was 42.85% Discussion: Staphylococcus aureus, the pathogen isolated was 7 (87.5%), this study was in concordance with the study conducted by (Cassandra D. Salgado ET al.2003),who had reported Methicillin resistant strains of 1.3%. Our study did not find any Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. There was an increased resistance to the erythromycin. This was consistent with the data that had been estab-lished in many countries where erythromycin resistance was increasing in community acquired infections. Conclusion: Though Staphylococcus aureus was the common organism isolated from skin swabs, all were sensitive to methicillin,but high prevalence of erythromycin resistance of the Staphylococcus aureus in the community demands proper screening of the isolates for resistance in clinical settings.
No Occurrence of De Novo HLA Antibodies in Patients With Early Corticosteroid Withdrawal in a 5-year Prospective Randomized Study

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of early corticosteroid cessation on the occurrence of de novo human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibody posttransplant. Renal transplant recipients (n=37) were randomized to early corticosteroid withdrawal at day 7 posttransplant (n=21 patients), or to chronic steroids (n=16), all in combination with thymoglobulin as induction agent, tacrolimus and mycophenolic acid as maintenance therapy. To establish the time course of HLA antibody appearance, sera collected pretransplant and for up to 5 years posttransplant were screened for the appearance of HLA antibodies. In this 5-year longitudinal study, only one patient in the control group developed a de novo donor-specific HLA antibody. We conclude that renal transplant recipients on steroid withdrawal by the end of week 1 are not at higher risk for developing HLA antibodies compared with a standard steroid regimen up to 5 years posttransplant.
Post‐parental care: a new generation of sibling‐carers

Family, friends and neighbours are typically more important in the lives of most people with developmental disabilities than are service agencies and professionals (Prosser & Moss, 1996). There are approximately 9,000 parents over the age of 65 years in Australia who are still living with an adult son or daughter with a disability. Simply put, their greatest concern for the future is ‘‘Who will look after my ‘child’ and in the way that I have done? ’’ (Llewellyn, Gething, Kendig & Cant, 2003). The death or incapacity of the parent who has provided a lifetime of love, care and support, coupled with the associated loss of home and surrounding networks, can have a devastating impact on the person with a disability. Few people with a developmental disability living in the parental home marry or have children, and consequently they lack the traditional family members who would support them as they age. This lack of support poses the dilemma of who will provide the person with a developmental disability with the support they may need when their parents die or become too frail to continue supporting them in the family home. Caring, according to Twigg and Atkin (1994), almost always occurs within a context of kinship obligation with an underlying emotion of love between the carer and the person they are caring for and a sense of responsibility by the carer for the cared-for person. A sibling is likely to be the closest relative of the person with a developmental disability when parents die. The main informal network for the person with a disability may now hinge on their sibling relationship. Parents undoubtedly feel both love and responsibility for their offspring. Do siblings share these feelings for each other? According to Cicirelli (1995), the sibling relationship is potentially the longest standing relationship that a human being will have and, as the role of sibling is ascribed rather than achieved, it remains part of a person’s identity regardless of changes in life fortunes or circumstances. As the saying goes: ‘‘you can choose your friends but you can’t choose
MRI Assessment of Ischemic Liver After Intraportal Islet Transplantation

Background. There is a recent focus on embolization of the portal vein by transplanted islets as a major cause of early graft loss. The resultant ischemia causes necrosis or apoptosis of cells within the liver. Thus, noninvasive assessment of the liver receiving the islet transplant is important to evaluate the status islet grafts. Methods. This study used noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessment of the posttransplant ischemic liver. Syngeneic islets in streprozotocin-induced diabetic mice were used. MRI and morphological liver assessments were performed at 0, 2, and 28 days after transplantation. Histologic assessment of insulin, hypoxia induced factor 1-&agr;, and apoptosis were undertaken at similar time points. Results. Ischemic/necrotic regions in the liver were detected by MRI at 2 days but not at 28 days after transplantation and were confirmed histologically. Liver injury was quantified from high intensity areas on T2-weighted images. Insulin release peaked 2 days after transplantation. Conclusion. Onset and reversal of liver ischemia due to intraportal islet transplantation are detectable using T2-weighted MRI. These changes coincide with periods of maximum insulin release likely due to partial islet destruction. We propose that MRI, as a noninvasive monitor of graft-related ischemia, may be useful in assessment of liver and islet engraftment after intraportal islet transplantation in a clinical setting.
Group function occlusion

The study of occlusion involves not only the static relationship of teeth but also their functional interrelationship and all components of the masticatory system. Anterior guidance is essential to a harmonious functional relationship in natural dentition and is critical to functional occlusion. Anterior guidance can be categorized as canine guided and group function. Both techniques are divergent in philosophy and technique. The purpose of this article is to review group function occlusion. The group function occlusion on working side distributes the occlusal load and prevents teeth on non working side from being subjected to the destructive, obliquely directed forces.
Expanding Postmortem Donor Pool Using Steatotic Liver Grafts: A New Look

Background. Clinical demand for liver transplant steadily grows while organs offer has reached a plateau years ago. To expand the donor liver pool, various options have been considered including acceptance of suboptimal donors and steatotic grafts, with a risk of poorer outcomes. The latter risk and its relation to the grade of liver graft steatosis have been studied in this prospective clinical study. Methods. One hundred eighteen consecutive liver transplantation (115 patients) performed between May 2002 and March 2008 were prospectively analyzed. According to the grade of steatosis on a 2 hr postreperfusion biopsy, four groups were considered: absence (<5%) (n=34), mild (<30%) (n=40), moderate (30%–60%) (n=23), or severe steatosis (≥60%) (n=21). Donors and recipients demographic data, and patients and grafts survival rates were compared among the four groups. Results. Eighty-four (71%) grafts presented some degree of steatosis (macrosteatosis: 19.5%, microsteatosis: 47%, mix type: 33.5%). Patient and graft survival were significant lower in the “severe steatosis” group, as a whole. Grafts with less than 30% predominant macro-, or microsteatosis also had poorer outcomes with lower patient and graft survival rates. Conclusion. Steatotic liver grafts were used on a large scale (71%) in this clinical series. The analysis confirms that using grafts with moderate (>30%) and severe steatosis (>60%) have a negative impact on outcomes. The authors conclude that using these grafts allow a significant increase in organ offer that counterbalances the negative outcome for patients who are not offered a transplant, and this supports the need for further clinical research.
The role of the media in construction and presentation of food risks

In this article we examine how and why the media construct food risks, from the perspective of ‘media actors’ (people involved in different types of media) using data from 30 interviews conducted in 2013 with media actors from Australia and the United Kingdom. In modern society, many risks are invisible and are brought to the attention of the public through representations in the mass media. This is particularly relevant for food safety, where the widening gap between producers and consumers in the developed world has increased the need for consumer trust in the food supply. We show the importance of newsworthiness in construction of media stories about food risk using Beck’s ideas on cosmopolitan risk to interpret the data. We note the ways in which the strategies that media actors use to construct stories about food risk amplify the risk posed potentially creating consumer anxiety about the safety of the food system. It is important for food regulators and public health professionals to be aware of this anxiety when presenting information about a food incident so that they can target their message accordingly to decrease anxiety.
Clinical efficacy of Manasamitra Vataka (an Ayurveda medication) on generalized anxiety disorder with comorbid generalized social phobia: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND Studies on alternative medicines for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are few. Manasamitra Vataka (an Ayurveda preparation) is explored for its efficacy in patients with GAD with comorbid generalized social phobia. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-two (72) patients with GAD with comorbid social phobia meeting DSM IV TR criteria, and who were between the ages of 20 and 55 of either sex, participated in the study. They were randomly divided into three treatment groups: Group 1 (n=24) and Group II (n=24) received Manasamitra Vataka tablets (100 mg twice daily for 30 days). Group II, in addition to Manasamitra Vataka, underwent Shirodhara (therapy involving dripping of medicated oil [Brahmi tail] over the forehead) treatment for the first 7 days. Group III (n=24) received clonazepam 0.75 mg daily in divided dose for 30 days. The assessment of the study was done using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF, and Clinical Global Impression scales (Improvement and Efficacy). RESULTS Patients from all the groups showed significant reduction in clinical parameters evaluated. However, improvement in ESS was observed only in Group II. The treatment outcome was comparable between the three groups. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study conducted on the efficacy of Manasamitra Vataka in anxiety disorders. The results suggest that Manasamitra Vataka is effective in the management GAD with comorbid generalized social phobia. Add-on effect of Shirodhara reduced the daytime sleepiness. Further studies on Manasamitra Vataka need to be carried out to judge its potential as a first-line treatment modality.
A brief review of current scientific evidence involving aromatherapy use for nausea and vomiting.

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to compile existing scientific evidence regarding the effects of essential oils (EOs) administered via inhalation for the alleviation of nausea and vomiting. METHODS CINAHL, PubMed, and EBSCO Host and Science Direct databases were searched for articles related to the use of EOs and/or aromatherapy for nausea and vomiting. Only articles using English as a language of publication were included. Eligible articles included all forms of evidence (nonexperimental, experimental, case report). Interventions were limited to the use of EOs by inhalation of their vapors to treat symptoms of nausea and vomiting in various conditions regardless of age group. Studies where the intervention did not utilize EOs or were concerned with only alcohol inhalation and trials that combined the use of aromatherapy with other treatments (massage, relaxations, or acupressure) were excluded. RESULTS Five (5) articles met the inclusion criteria encompassing trials with 328 respondents. Their results suggest that the inhaled vapor of peppermint or ginger essential oils not only reduced the incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting but also decreased antiemetic requirements and consequently improved patient satisfaction. However, a definitive conclusion could not be drawn due to methodological flaws in the existing research articles and an acute lack of additional research in this area. CONCLUSIONS The existing evidence is encouraging but yet not compelling. Hence, further well-designed large trials are needed before confirmation of EOs effectiveness in treating nausea and vomiting can be strongly substantiated.
Effect of whole-body vibration exercise on balance in women with fibromyalgia syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 6-week "usual care" exercise program supplemented with whole-body vibration (WBV) to improve balance and strength in women with fibromyalgia (FM). DESIGN This was a randomized controlled study. SETTINGS The setting was a physical therapy department in an academic setting. SUBJECTS The subjects were 30 postmenopausal women with FM (age: 59±7.90 years). INTERVENTIONS Subjects were randomized into one of two groups: an experimental group (EG: n=15), which combined exercise training (2 days a week) with 3 days of WBV, and a control group (CG: n=15), who performed the same exercise training program (2 days a week) but without WBV. OUTCOME MEASURES Balance and muscle strength were measured at baseline and after the 6-week intervention. RESULTS Significant differences were found (p<0.05) between the study groups for the Medio-Lateral Stability Index (MLSI), when patients were assessed with their eyes open and closed. The effect size of the improvement was large with eyes closed (R2=0.260) and moderate when the eyes were open (R2=0.047). However, no significant differences were found (p>0.05) between the study groups for other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Women with FM may increase their MLSI by engaging in a 6-week traditional exercise program with supplementary WBV. This may have implications for falls prevention in this patient group.
Cálculo dos escores e estatística descritiva do WHOQOL-bref através do Microsoft Excel

O objetivo do presente trabalho e disponibilizar uma ferramenta, desenvolvida a partir do software Microsoft Excel, direcionada para o calculo dos escores e estatistica descritiva do instrumento WHOQOL-bref – seguindo a sintaxe proposta pelo Grupo WHOQOL. Foram realizadas simulacoes com dados reais de aplicacoes do WHOQOL-bref com o software SPSS, em que os resultados obtidos foram exatamente os mesmos. Conclui-se que a disponibilizacao da presente ferramenta permite realizar aplicacoes do WHOQOL-bref sem necessitar a utilizacao do software SPSS.
Serum thrombospondin‐1 is altered in patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a severe acute viral disease with pathological changes of impaired capillary and small vessels and thrombocytopenia. In this study, serum thrombospondin (TSP)‐1 concentration in patients with HFRS was determined to explore its possible role in the pathogenesis of HFRS. The concentration of TSP‐1 was measured using a competitive enzyme‐linked immunoabsorbent assay. Significantly decreased levels of serum TSP‐1 were observed in HFRS patients at febrile and hypotensive phases compared with those in the controls. The serum levels of TSP‐1 in HFRS patients with more severe clinical types was reduced more profoundly than those in patients with milder clinical types at febrile and hypotensive phases, although the differences in TSP‐1 were not significant. It was indicated that insufficient production or increased consumption of TSP‐1, or both of these, may contribute to the impairment of capillary and small vessels and the development of hypotension at the early stage of HFRS, and the decreased degree may be associated with disease severity. J. Med. Virol. 80:1799–1803, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of a holistic yoga program on endocrine parameters in adolescents with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES The objectives of this trial were to compare the effects of a holistic yoga program with the conventional exercise program in adolescent polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN This was a prospective, randomized, active controlled trial. SETTING Ninety (90) adolescent (15-18 years) girls from a residential college in Andhra Pradesh who satisfied the Rotterdam criteria were randomized into two groups. INTERVENTION The yoga group practiced a holistic yoga module, while the control group practiced a matching set of physical exercises (1 hour/day, for 12 weeks). OUTCOME MEASURES Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH-primary outcome), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, prolactin, body-mass index (BMI), hirsutism, and menstrual frequency were measured at inclusion and after 12 weeks. RESULTS Mann-Whitney test on difference score shows that changes in AMH (Y=-2.51, C=-0.49, p=0.006), LH, and LH/FSH ratio (LH: Y=-4.09, C=3.00, p=0.005; LH/FSH: Y=-1.17, C=0.49, p=0.015) were significantly different between the two intervention groups. Also, changes in testosterone (Y=-6.01, C=2.61, p=0.014) and Modified Ferriman and Gallway (mFG) score (Y=-1.14, C=+0.06, p=0.002) were significantly different between the two groups. On the other hand, changes in FSH and prolactin postintervention were nonsignificantly different between the two groups. Also, body weight and BMI showed nonsignificantly different changes between the two groups, while changes in menstrual frequency were significantly different between the two groups (Y=0.89, C=0.49, p=0.049). CONCLUSIONS A holistic yoga program for 12 weeks is significantly better than physical exercise in reducing AMH, LH, and testosterone, mFG score for hirsutism, and improving menstrual frequency with nonsignificant changes in body weight, FSH, and prolactin in adolescent PCOS.
Pericardial disease in the dog

PERICARDIAL diseases are not as common as valvular, myocardial or congenital heart diseases. However, they are encountered reasonably frequently in practice and are probably one of the most common causes of right-sided congestive heart failure in dogs. In contrast, clinically significant pericardial disease is rare in the cat. This article focuses on the diagnosis and management of pericardial effusion in the dog.
The incidence of human bocavirus infection among children admitted to hospital in Singapore

Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a parvovirus, belonging to the genus Bocavirus. The virus was identified recently in Sweden, and has now been detected in several different countries. Although it is associated with lower respiratory tract infections in pediatric patients, the incidence of HBoV infection in a developed country in South East Asia, has not been examined. The objective of this study was to determine the importance of HBoV as a cause of lower respiratory tract infections among children admitted to hospital in Singapore. Five hundred nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from anonymized pediatric patients admitted to the Kandang Kerbau Women's and Children's Hospital for acute respiratory infections. The specimens were tested for the presence of HBoV using polymerase chain reactions. HBoV was detected in 8.0% of the patients tested, and a majority of these HBoV patients exhibited lower respiratory tract infections. A significant level of coinfection with respiratory syncytial viruses and rhinoviruses was also observed in these HBoV patients. The data suggest that HBoV is an important cause of lower respiratory tract infections among children admitted to hospital in Singapore, and is the first study examining the incidence of HBoV infection in a developed country in South East Asia. J. Med. Virol. 81:82–89, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dental fear among a young adult Saudian population

Aims: To assess the prevalence of dental fear and reasons for irregular dental attendance among young adult university students; to describe the gender distribution of the dentally anxious population according to the perceived origins or sources of fear; to identify the time of fear development and preference for anaesthesia or sedation before dental treatment. Method: A questionnaire incorporating the Dental Fear Scale (DFS) with items related to sources of dental fear stimuli, together with the preference of anaesthesia or sedation before dental treatment and other characteristics. Approximately 500 questionnaires were distributed among Saudian undergraduate students. Results: 368 questionnaires were completed and presented for statistical analysis. The sight and sensation of anaesthetic needles and the sight, sound and sensation of the drill were rated the most fear-eliciting stimuli. Also, females tended to be more anxious than males. Increased heart rate was the most common reported physiological response to fear resulting from dental treatment. The overall level of fear of dental work among the studied population was found to be about 39%. ‘Lack of time’ and ‘no need for treatment’ were found to be the main reasons for irregular dental visits. Fear of pain and trauma were the major perceived sources of reported fear reactions and were developed mainly during childhood. About 63% of the subjects preferred to have local anaesthesia before dental treatment to prevent or ameliorate dental fear.
Phosphate Supplementation: An Update

PHOSPHATE LOADING HAS BEEN SHOWN TO INCREASE 2,3-DIPHOSPHOGLYCERATE (2,3-DPG). ELEVATED 2,3-DPG LEVELS LEAD TO A LOWERED AFFINITY FOR OXYGEN BY HEMOGLOBIN. WITH MORE OXYGEN AVAILABLE TO THE MUSCLE, INCREASES IN EXERCISE PERFORMANCE WOULD BE EXPECTED. THE PURPOSE OF THIS REVIEW IS TO DISCUSS PREVIOUS RESEARCH AND OFFER PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS.