Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness and cost effectiveness of a national lay-led self care support programme for patients with long-term conditions: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial

Objective: Supporting patients’ self care could have a major effect on the management of long-term conditions, which has led to worldwide interest in effective self care interventions. In England, self care support is being developed through the “Expert Patients Programme”, which provides lay-led generic courses to improve patients’ self care skills. However, the clinical and cost effectiveness of such courses remains unclear. Methods: Two-arm pragmatic randomised controlled trial design with waiting list control in community settings in England. 629 patients with a wide range of self-defined long-term conditions were studied. The lay-led self care support group involved 6-weekly sessions to teach self care skills. Primary outcomes were self-efficacy, reported energy and routine health services utilisation at 6 months. A cost-effectiveness analysis was also conducted. Results: Patients receiving immediate course access reported considerably greater self-efficacy and energy at 6-month follow-up, but reported no statistically significant reductions in routine health services utilisation over the same time period. The cost-effectiveness analysis showed that patients receiving immediate course access reported considerably greater health related quality of life, and a small reduction in costs. If a quality adjusted life year was valued at £20 000 ($39 191; €30 282), there was a 70% probability that the intervention was cost effective. Conclusions: Lay-led self care support groups are effective in improving self-efficacy and energy levels among patients with long-term conditions, and are likely to be cost effective over 6 months at conventional values of a decision-maker’s willingness to pay. They may be a useful addition to current services in the management of long-term conditions.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Vecuronium (ORG NC45) and Pancuronium in Anesthetized Humans

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of vecuronium (25–50 μg/kg) and pancuronium (25–50 μg/kg) were determined in nine ASA class I or II patients anesthetized with nitrous oxide and halothane. Force of thumb adduction in response to supramaximal stimulation of the ulnar nerve was quantified and recorded. Serum concentrations of the muscle relaxants were determined for eight hours after their administration using a mass spectrometry assay. Data were analyzed by nonlinear regression and fit to a three-compartment pharmacokinetic model and a four-compartment pharmacodynamic model. Vecuronium had a more rapid clearance (5.2 ± 0.7 ml · kg-1 min-1; mean ± SD) and a shorter elimination half-life (71 ± 20 min) as compared with pancuronium (1.8 ± 0.4 ml · kg-1 · min-1; 140 ± 25 min). No other pharmacokinetic differences were found between the drugs. Pharmacodynamic analysis showed that the plasma concentration at steady state which produced a 50% neuromuscular blockade (Cp, 50) was similar for vecuronium and pancuronium. The authors conclude that the drugs are equivalent in their onset and potency; however, the more rapid clearance and shorter elimination half-life for vecuronium provides a kinetic basis for its shorter duration of neuromuscular blockade as compared with pancuronium.
Effect of caffeine on neonatal splanchnic blood flow

Doppler ultrasound was used to study the effect of the first intravenous dose of caffeine on splanchnic haemodynamics in preterm neonates. Peak systolic velocity in the superior mesenteric artery and coeliac axis was significantly reduced for 6 hours after caffeine infusion. The effect of this reduction in blood flow to the neonatal gut is not known.
Comparison of canal transportation and centering ability of rotary protaper, one shape system and wave one system using cone beam computed tomography: An in vitro study

Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare the canal transportation and centering ability of Rotary ProTaper, One Shape and Wave One systems using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in curved root canals to find better instrumentation technique for maintaining root canal geometry. Materials and Methods: Total 30 freshly extracted premolars having curved root canals with at least 10 degrees of curvature were divided into three groups of 10 teeth each. All teeth were scanned by CBCT to determine the root canal shape before instrumentation. In Group 1, the canals were prepared with Rotary ProTaper files, in Group 2 the canals were prepared with One Shape files and in Group 3 canals were prepared with Wave One files. After preparation, post-instrumentation scan was performed. Pre-instrumentation and post-instrumentation images were obtained at three levels, 3 mm apical, 3 mm coronal and 8 mm apical above the apical foramen were compared using CBCT software. Amount of transportation and centering ability were assessed. The three groups were statistically compared with analysis of variance and Tukey honestly significant. Results: All instruments maintained the original canal curvature with significant differences between the different files. Data suggested that Wave One files presented the best outcomes for both the variables evaluated. Wave One files caused lesser transportation and remained better centered in the canal than One Shape and Rotary ProTaper files. Conclusion: The canal preparation with Wave One files showed lesser transportation and better centering ability than One Shape and ProTaper.
Perceptions of Elder Physical Abuse in the Courtroom: The Influence of Hearsay Witness Testimony

ABSTRACT A community sample of 226 participants (41% men, 59% women) who answered questions about a trial summary that manipulated what type of witness (a 45-year-old hearsay [second-hand information based on the report of a crime victim] witness, a 75-year-old hearsay witness, or the 75-year-old victim) presented an allegation of elder physical abuse. Overall, participants who read the testimony of a 45-year-old hearsay witness had higher conviction rates than participants who read the testimony of the 75-year-old hearsay witness or the elder victim. Additionally, participants who had previously been victims of abuse and/or who had positive attitudes toward elderly people rendered more pro-prosecution verdicts. Finally, as the age of the participant increased so did conviction rates.
Immediate mobilization compared with conventional immobilization for the impacted nonoperatively treated proximal humeral fracture. A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND There have been few randomized controlled trials evaluating nonoperative treatment of proximal humeral fractures. To investigate shortening the period of dependence, we assessed the feasibility and efficacy of early mobilization of the shoulder (within three days after the fracture) in comparison with those of conventional three-week immobilization followed by physiotherapy. METHODS We randomly assigned seventy-four patients with an impacted proximal humeral fracture to receive early passive mobilization or conventional treatment. The primary outcome was the overall shoulder functional status (as measured with the Constant score) at three months. The secondary outcomes were the Constant score at six weeks and at six months, the change in pain (on a visual analog scale), and the active and passive range of motion. RESULTS At three months and at six weeks, the early mobilization group had a significantly better Constant score than did the conventional-treatment group (between-group difference, 9.9 [95% confidence interval, 1.9 to 17.8] [p = 0.02] and 10.1 [95% confidence interval, 2.0 to 18.1] [p = 0.02], respectively) and better active mobility in forward elevation (between-group difference, 12.0 [95% confidence interval, 1.7 to 22.4] [p = 0.02] and 28.1 [95% confidence interval, 7.1 to 49.1] [p = 0.01], respectively). At three months, the early mobilization group had significantly reduced pain compared with the conventional-treatment group (between-group difference, 15.7 [95% confidence interval, 0.52 to 30.8] [p = 0.04]). No complications in displacement or nonhealing were noted. CONCLUSIONS Early mobilization for impacted nonoperatively treated proximal humeral fractures is safe and is more effective for quickly restoring the physical capability and performance of the injured arm than is conventional immobilization followed by physiotherapy.
Impact of Cox maze procedure on outcome in patients with atrial fibrillation and mitral valve disease.

OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether the Cox maze procedure provides additional benefit to patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing mitral valve operations. METHODS Between May 1992 and August 2000, we performed 258 Cox maze procedures with mitral valve replacement (n = 147) or mitral valve repair (n = 111). We compared the outcomes of these patients with those of 61 control patients with preoperative atrial fibrillation who underwent mitral valve replacement alone during the same interval. The three cohorts were similar in age, sex, and proportion of patients in preoperative New York Heart Association functional class 3 or 4. RESULTS Although 5-year survivals were similar among the groups (94% for mitral valve replacement alone, 95% for mitral valve replacement plus maze, and 97% for mitral valve repair plus maze), freedoms from atrial fibrillation at 5 years were significantly higher in the mitral valve replacement plus maze group (78%) and the mitral valve repair plus maze group (81%) than in the mitral valve replacement group (6%, P <.0001). Freedoms from stroke at 5 years were 97% for the mitral valve replacement plus maze group, 97% for the mitral valve repair plus maze group, and only 79% for mitral valve replacement group (P <.0001). Multivariable analysis with Cox hazard model revealed that the most significant risk factor for late stroke was the omission of the Cox maze procedure (P =.003). CONCLUSIONS The addition of the Cox maze procedure to mitral valve repair and replacement was safe and effective for selected patients. Elimination of atrial fibrillation significantly decreased the incidence of late stroke.
[Assessment of health-related quality of life in cured SARS patients].

OBJECTIVE To assess the quality of life in cured patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). METHODS One hundred and nineteen SARS outpatients, including 64 men and 55 women, with mean age (34.1 +/- 11.4) years and average days of discharge from hospital (28.0 +/- 12.8) days, were assessed by the St George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), and 72 patients with spirometry test. RESULTS The patients had a moderately degree physiological impairment and increased SGRQ score. Scores of all four part of SGRQ correlated significantly with diffuse capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide/pre (DLco%). The correlation coefficients between the activation, impaction, total score, and diffuse capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide/alveolar ventilation/pre (DLco/Va%) were resembled (r = 0.47-0.54, P < 0.01). There was a significant relationship between the score of SGRQ and patients age, and gender. The time leaving hospital only had a significant relationship with the symptom score of SGRQ. CONCLUSIONS SGRQ is a sensitive tool for assessing quality of life in cured SARS patients. The cured SARS patients' quality of life decrease moderately.
The impact on parents of raising a young child with Autism: A phenomenological study of parents

B amines, decarboxylated analogs of amino acids act as competitive inhibitors of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, enzymes of protein biosynthesis. At high concentration, biogenic amines can induce cell death via arrest of protein biosynthesis. Human cells and also microorganisms associated with food products and environment produce biogenic amines. The content of biogenic amines such as tyramine, histamine and tryptamine is high in common food products. Tryptamine appears as a suitable etiological factor killing neurons in human brain because in contrast to tyramine and histamine, tryptamine easily crosses blood-brain barrier (i) and tryptophan is not synthesized in human body and is a least available amino acid in food (ii). Thus the tryptamine inhibitory effect cannot be easily compensated by tryptophan. By other words, increased tryptamine prevents incorporation of tryptophan in proteins. The blockage of protein biosynthesis leads in cell death. The neuronal death is a major feature of all neurodegenerative diseases. Our experiments on human neuronal cells and mice demonstrate a massive neuronal loss induced by tryptamine at the concentrations inhibiting tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase. Moreover amyloidosis and formation of neurofibrillary tangles, the manifestations of neurodegeneration were also induced by tryptamine in human neuronal cultured cells and mouse brain. Histologically manifestations induced by tryptamine are similar to those we found in autopsy brain of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. For further analysis of samples of Alzheimer’s disease patients and healthy controls we developed specific test, which reveals a link between microorganisms and disease. Elena Paley, J Alzheimers Dis Parkinsonism 2013, 3:4 http://dx.doi. org/10.4172/2161-0460.S1. 004
Bacteriophage T4 deoxynucleotide kinase: gene cloning and enzyme purification

Gene 1 of bacteriophage T4 has been cloned into a lambda pL expression vector, resulting in the overproduction of deoxynucleotide kinase. A procedure that includes affinity chromatography on Cibacron Blue F3GA-agarose has been used to purify milligram quantities of enzymes from a 2-liter culture. The enzyme has been partially characterized in vitro and in vivo, and it appears to be identical to the deoxynucleotide kinase isolated from T4-infected Escherichia coli. These results prove the earlier contention that the phosphorylation of three dissimilar deoxynucleotides (5-hydroxymethyldeoxycytidylate, dTMP, and dGMP), to the exclusion of most others, is catalyzed by a single protein.
Perioperative Outcomes of Radical Trachelectomy in Early-Stage Cervical Cancer: Vaginal Versus Laparoscopic Approaches

Objective This study aimed to compare the laparoscopic-assisted radical vaginal trachelectomy (LARVT) and laparoscopic radical trachelectomy (LRT) surgical approaches and provide outcome data on patients who have undergone radical trachelectomy. Methods We identified patients who had undergone LARVT or LRT at Samsung Medical Center between January 2005 and March 2013. Results A total of 38 patients were identified, and 21 patients had undergone LARVT, whereas 17 patients had undergone LRT. The median age was 32 years for both groups. Most of the patients had a squamous cell carcinoma (68.4%) and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB1 disease (76.3%). Twenty (52.6%) of 38 patients had tumor size greater than 2 cm. There were no significant differences between groups in the baseline characteristics except for the tumor size. Patients undergoing LRT had significantly larger tumor size than patients undergoing LARVT (median tumor size, 2.7 cm [range, 1.2–3.7] vs 2.1 cm [range, 0.4–3.0], P = 0.032). Perioperative outcomes were similar between groups except for the decline of hemoglobin after surgery. The median decline of hemoglobin indicating blood loss was significantly smaller in the LRT group than in the LARVT group (1.8 g/dL [range, 0.5–3.5] vs 2.6 g/dL [range, 0.7–6.2], P = 0.017). Intraoperative complications occurred in 2 patients (9.5%, 2/21) in LARVT group. Although 52.6% of tumors were larger than 2 cm, recurrence occurred only in 3 (7.9%) patients who underwent LARVT. Conclusions The study shows the feasibility of LRT, with the advantage of reduced blood loss. The LRT could be an alternative option for patients with large tumors. Further researches are needed to investigate the long-term outcomes.
Nitrogen catabolism in nematode parasites.

Nematodirus /ilicollis, Nematodirus spathiger, and Ascaridia galli were maintained for periods of 24 hours in' a non-nutrient medium containing streptomycin and penicillin to prevent bacterial growth. UnEler aerobic 'conditions the total soluble nitrogenous material excreted by Nematodirus spp. in three experiments was 1.23-1.59 mg. nitrogen per g. dry wt. of tissue. Peptide nitrogen accounted for 33-37 per cent. of the total soluble nitrogen excreted, ammonia nitrogen 40-42 per cent. , and urea nitrogen 11-17 per cent. Small amounts of uric acid werc found. Under similar conditions the total soluble nitrogen excreted by Ascaridia gaUi was 0.29-0.41 mg. per g. dry wt. ; of this, 14-15 per cent. was due to peptide nitrogen, and 8 per cent. to urea nitrogen. No uric' acid was found.
Assessment of Customer Expectation and Perception of Service Quality Delivery in Ghana Commercial Bank

The study is to determine customers’ expectations and perception of quality of service delivery of Ghana Commercial Banks Limited. The study also aims at determining the gap between customers’ expectation and perception of service quality delivery (customer satisfaction /dissatisfaction) of the banks. To achieve the main aim of the study, the following specific objectives have been set out; determine customers’ expectations of the quality of service delivery of GCB, measure customers’ perception of the quality of service delivery of GCB, determine the gap (customer satisfaction or dissatisfaction) between customers’ perception and expectation of service quality delivery of the bank.
RECEPTIVENESS OF INTERNET BANKING BY MALAYSIAN CONSUMERS: THE CASE OF PENANG

This is a study about Internet banking acceptance in Malaysia. Due to the impending liberalization, Malaysian banks are desperately embracing this new distribution channel to prepare themselves for the competition which is looming in the near future. Although the awareness level is high, this has not translated into actual use as only 23% have had some Internet banking experience. Security, availability of infrastructure and complexity of technology were main concerns reported by the respondents which is hindering the migration from traditional banking to Internet banking. In terms of external variables only prior experience and external pressure has been found to influence the intention to use. Perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness has been found to be significantly related to intention and perceived usefulness has been found to be a better predictor of intention to use compared to ease of use. In short it can be concluded that perceived usefulness is the driver of the intention to use Internet banking. The implications of this research is further explored.
Low Back Pain in Iran: A Growing Need to Adapt and Implement Evidence-Based Practice in Developing Countries

Study Design. A descriptive overview of the literature. Objective. To present a comprehensive descriptive overview of the published papers about epidemiologic features, burden, and current management of low back pain (LBP) in Iran. Summary of Background Data. Little is known about the epidemiology, burden, and management of LBP in developing and low- to middle-income countries, such as Iran. Methods. A literature search was carried out using MEDLINE database to assess existing literature about prevalence, disease burden, impact, and current management of nonspecific LBP in Iran. Results. Twenty-six articles matched inclusion criteria and included in the study. The findings related to point, period, and lifetime prevalence of LBP in general population, working population, school children, and pregnant women ranged from 14.4% to 84.1%. The 1-year incidence of disabling LBP was found to be 2.1%. LBP is the third leading cause of disease burden (measured by Disability Adjusted Life Years) in Iranian population aged 15 to 69 years, without considering causes of intentional and unintentional injuries. High levels of anxiety and depression among patients with LBP and the etiological role of job strain in causing LBP in workers have been reported in Iran. Our search failed to find anyarticles about referral system, direct and indirect costs, social determinants, and current management of LBP in Iran. Conclusion. This overview of the literature illustrates that LBP is a common symptom and an important cause of disease burden in Iran, in particular, in the most productive age for both males and females. The 1-year incidence of disabling LBP in Iran was found to be low. Future research will be necessary to investigate economic cost, social determinants, health technology assessment, and management of LBP in Iran.
Relationship between Body Core Stabilization and Athletic Function in Football, Basketball and Swimming Athletes

Core stability is an ability to control movement and position of trunk on pelvic that permits distal segments to control and transfer force and motions during sport activities. Muscle contraction can improve this stability. Improving core stability can also cause improvement in athletic functions, prevention of injury, increasing power, improve stability and balance. This study determines the relationship between core stability and athletic functions in football, basketball and swimming athletes. This study had easy sample and participants were men between 20-30 years old; consist of 3 groups, 20 persons in each one, professional athletes of football, basketball and swimming. Participants which had inclusion criteria examined in two continues days.in the first day core stability tests such as anterior, posterior and lateral (right, left) abdominal muscles endurance test, and in the second day functional tests including vertical jump, 40 yard running, medicine ball throw and star excursion balance test were done. Statistical techniques were ANOVA and Pearson Correlation. According to findings it was showed that core stability means in football, basketball and swimming athletes had not significant differences with each other. In assessment of relationship between core stability tests with functional tests (vertical jump, medicine ball throw and star test) small positive relationship was seen, but between core stability and 40 yard running, no significant relationship was found. Although we found small relationship between core stability test and functional tests (except running) but correlation was small one. So we can't conclude about this relationship and we need to do some more researches.
Purification and characterization of an extracellular chitinase from antagonistic Streptomyces violaceusniger

The actinomycetes Streptomyces violaceusniger showed strong antagonistic activity against various tested wood rotting fungi. An extracellular chitinase, produced by antagonistic S. violaceusniger MTCC 3959, was purified as follows: ammonium sulfate precipitation, chitin affinity and chromatographic separation of Q Sepharose. The molecular mass of the purified chitinase was estimated as 56.5 kDa by SDS‐PAGE. Chitinase was optimally active at pH of 5.0 and 50 °C. It retained almost 100% activity at pH 5.0 and also had high thermal tolerance at 50 °C. Enzyme activity was inhibited by Hg2+ and Ag+ cations, but was neither substantially inhibited by K+ cation nor by chelating agent EDTA. The apparent Km and Vmax at 37 °C were 0.1426 mM and 6.6 U/mg, respectively using pNP‐(GlcNAc)2 as substrate. The 56.5 kDa chitinase of strain MTCC 3959 represented an exo‐type activity. The purified chitinase was further identified by MALDI‐TOF. The results of peptide mass fingerprinting showed that 10 tryptic peptides of the chitinase were identical to the chitinase C from Streptomyces albus J1074 (GenBank Accession No. gi|239982330). The sequence of N‐terminal amino acid (AA) of the chitinase was determined to be G‐D‐G‐T‐G‐P‐G‐P‐G‐P.