Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of psycho-educational interventions with telecommunication technologies on emotional distress and quality of life of adult cancer patients: a systematic review

Abstract Purpose: To provide a comprehensive review of psycho-educational interventions using telecommunication technologies developed for adult cancer patients, assessing their effectiveness in reducing emotional distress and improving quality of life (QoL). Materials and methods: A narrative approach was used for extraction and synthesis of the data. Relevant studies were identified through the electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection (through EBSCOhost), and CENTRAL. Results: Eight studies involving 1016 participants met inclusion criteria. The majority of the studies included (n = 6) used a randomized design and were published between 2007 and 2016. Interventions used a variety of delivery resources, such as telephone, e-mail and websites, but all were aiming to respond to information needs and develop stress control skills. A trend toward reducing distress and improving QoL was found, but estimated effect sizes were typically small (d < 0.5). Telephonically delivered psycho-educational interventions presented the highest between-group effects on these outcomes during survival, but were limited by sample size. Conclusions: The efficacy of interventions using distance approaches in the cancer setting is still not well-established. Further research should be conducted through well-designed studies with more interactive features that minimize the lack of face-to-face interaction. Implications for rehabilitation Rehabilitation professionals working in the field of oncology should invest in the development of psycho-educational interventions responding the patients’ educational needs and promoting their stress control skills. Programs using telecommunications technologies may reduce disparities in service delivery within this setting, minimizing geographic and socio-economic barriers to engagement in the interventions. With the current technological development, it is possible to perform more interactive interventions that stimulate therapist–patient interactions. However, available protocols in this field still employ basic resources (e.g., websites, e-mail, and videos). Young adult cancer patients are exposed to additional requirements related to fertility and parenthood. New intervention approaches should consider their informational needs.
Normocapnia improves cerebral oxygen delivery during conventional oxygen therapy in carbon monoxide-exposed research subjects.

STUDY OBJECTIVE We determine whether maintaining normocapnia during hyperoxic treatment of carbon monoxide-exposed research subjects improves cerebral oxygen delivery. METHODS This experiment used a randomized, single-blinded, crossover design. We exposed 14 human research subjects to carbon monoxide until their carboxyhemoglobin levels reached 10% to 12%. We then treated each research subject with 60 minutes of hyperoxia with or without normocapnia. Research subjects returned after at least 24 hours, were reexposed to carbon monoxide, and were given the alternate treatment. Relative changes in cerebral oxygen delivery were calculated as the product of blood oxygen content and middle cerebral artery velocity (an index of cerebral blood flow) as measured by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS Maintaining normocapnia during hyperoxic treatment resulted in significantly higher cerebral oxygen delivery compared with standard oxygen treatment (P <.05; 95% confidence interval at 60 minutes 2.8% to 16.7%) as a result of the prevention of hypocapnia-induced cerebral vasoconstriction and more rapid elimination of carbon monoxide due to increased minute ventilation. CONCLUSION If severely poisoned patients respond like our research subjects, maintaining normocapnia during initial hyperoxic treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning may lead to increased oxygen delivery to the brain. Determining the effect of such a change in conventional treatment on outcome requires clinical studies.
AB0583 Revisiting Clinical Differences between Hipersensitivity Vasculitis and Henoch-SchÖNlein Purpura in Adults from A Defined Population

Background Hypersensitivity vasculitis (HV) and Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) are the most common entities included within the category of cutaneous vasculitis (CV). Palpable purpura and histological changes characterized by the presence of leukocytoclastic vasculitis are common in both conditions. Because of that, considerable overlap between them is often seen. It is especially true when the CV occurs in adults. Objectives Our aim was to assess the main clinical differences between HV and HSP in a wide and unselected series of adults with CV from a defined population. Methods We reviewed the clinical records of 297 consecutive adults (age>20years) seen at a single center between January 1975 and December 2012 that were classified as having HSP or HV according to the criteria proposed by Michel et al.1. Results Based on the inclusion criteria 102 adult patients (71 men/31 women) were classified as HSP and 195 (104 men/91 women) as HV. The mean age was similar in both groups (55.8±16.5 years in HSP and 56.8±18.3 years in HV). Precipitating events, usually an upper respiratory tract infection and/or drug intake, were more frequently observed in HV. Both at the beginning of the disease and when the CV was established clinical manifestations were more frequent in patients with HSP than in those with HV. It was the case for gastrointestinal (57.4% vs. 6.8%; p<0.001), joint (51.5% vs. 36.6%; p=0.01) and renal involvement (86.3% vs. 18.3%; p<0.001). Corticosteroid (56.7% vs. 22%; p<0.001) and cytotoxic drug (19.4% vs. 3.2%; p<0.001) use was also more common in patients with HSP. After a median follow-up of 15.5 (interquartile range- IQR; 3-37) months in HSP and 4 (IQR; 2-12) months in HV, the outcome was better in HV than in HSP. In this regard, complete recovery (72.6% vs. 85.4%; p=0.01) was more commonly observed in HV while residual renal involvement (15.3% vs. 4.2%; p<0.001) was more common in HSP. The disease relapsed in 35.3% of patients with HSP and in 24.4% with HV (p=0.07). Conclusions Our results confirm the claim that these two diseases presenting with similar cutaneous involvement are certainly two separate entities with greater systemic involvement and less favorable outcome in HSP. References Michel BA, Hunder GG, Bloch DA, Calabrese LH. Hypersensitivity vasculitis and Henoch-Schönlein purpura: a comparison between the two disorders. J Rheumatol. 1992; 19: 721-728. Acknowledgements This study was supported by a grant from “Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias” PI12/00193 (Spain). This work was also partially supported by RETICS Programs, RD08/0075 (RIER) and RD12/0009/0013 from “Instituto de Salud Carlos III” (ISCIII) (Spain). Disclosure of Interest None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.3002
Epidemiology and Genotyping of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B: Genotype Shifting Observed in Patients from Central Europe.

BACKGROUND Knowledge on HBV prevalence and genotype distribution in Europe still is hampered by lack of coherent data sampling, small numbers of patients studied so far, and also modern times migration which influences both parameters in a quite dynamic manner. To find out whether HBV prevalence and genotype distribution has undergone any significant changes over the past decades, we have analyzed our cohort of HBV patients. METHODS Retrospective analysis of virological data and correlation with the epidemiological backgrounds of 408 chronically HBV-infected patients, followed in the year 2009 at Tübingen Virus Hepatitis Center, Germany. RESULTS A background of migration was found in more than 80% of our HBV patients, displaying an origin from 41 different countries. Analysis of the genotypes revealed that genotype A predominated only among patients from Central Europe with 55.8% while genotype D, known to be most common worldwide, was most prevalent in patients born in Eastern and Southern Europe, Central Asia and Middle East, exhibiting a range from 81% to 94%. In Central Europe, genotype A was particularly seen in older patients as compared to genotype D that predominated in the younger patients. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that Central Europe is straight on its way to switch from genotype A to genotype D. One reason for this significant shift may be related to the ongoing European and global migration flow.
eCommons@AKU eCommons@AKU

An 8-year-old boy presented to our hospital complaining of a bilateral headache associated with episodes of anterograde amnesia. He had a road traffic accident 3 years ago when a computed tomography (CT) scan revealed traumatic brain injury. In addition, a small pineal cyst (PC) was noted with minor intramural calcifications. A follow-up CT a day later demonstrated increased density in the pineal gland of 60 Hounsfield Units, suggestive of apoplectic changes in the PC. However, the patient was lost to follow-up and presented with memory loss a year and a half later, upon which CT and magnetic resonance imaging revealed enlargement of the PC. PC apoplexy is a very rare occurrence usually affecting young adult women; cases in children are rarely reported. Furthermore, PC apoplexy secondary to severe craniofacial trauma manifesting as memory loss has not yet been reported in the literature to the best of our knowledge.
Observational Study of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Wake-Up Stroke: The SLEEP TIGHT Study

Background: Wake-up stroke (WUS) accounts for a quarter of all ischemic strokes. Its conspicuous occurrence during sleep suggests that WUS may be associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We investigated the potential association among WUS, OSA, and measures of sympathetic hyperactivity. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Sleep Apnea in Transient Ischemic Attack and Stroke (SLEEP TIGHT) study. Ischemic stroke patients were divided into WUS and non-WUS groups. Participants underwent polysomnography and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Collected data included demographic, medical, stroke characteristics (including severity by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale), cholesterol, serum catecholamines, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, B-type natriuretic peptide, blood pressure, and polysomnographic (apnea-hypopnea index (AHI); measures of hypoxia). Because both stroke and OSA affect men and women to varying degrees, the cohort was considered as a whole and by gender stratification. Results: Among 164 participants, 30.3% had WUS. The mean age was 62.0 ± 11.3 and the mean body mass index was 30.2 ± 7.9 kg/m2. One-hundred-and-five participants (63.6%) were males and 92 participants (56.8%) were Caucasian. Neither AHI nor OSA (AHI ≥5) frequency differed between WUS and non-WUS groups. Men tended to be more likely than women to have WUS (74.0 vs. 59.6%; p = 0.08), but this was not statistically significant. In gender-stratified analyses, men with WUS compared to men with non-WUS had significantly higher rates of severe OSA (AHI >30: 45.0 vs. 17.6%; p = 0.03) and tended toward more 3% oxygen desaturation events (57.0 ± 63.9 vs. 31.8 ± 22.9; p = 0.06). These differences were not seen in women. WUS patients tended to be of the male gender (74.0 vs. 59.6%; p = 0.08). History of stroke, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, or atrial fibrillation, serum catecholamines, and inflammatory biomarkers was no different between the groups. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was significantly higher in WUS (114.5 ± 36.3 vs. 101.4 ± 37.6; p = 0.04). Baseline diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was significantly greater in the WUS group. There was no difference in systolic or ambulatory blood pressure (including nighttime blood pressure) between WUS and non-WUS groups. Conclusions: WUS may be associated with severe OSA with more oxygen desaturation in men but not in women. WUS may be associated with high DBP and increased LDL cholesterol.
Faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin are reliable surrogate markers of endoscopic response during Crohn's disease treatment

Abstract Objective. Serial monitoring data for faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin during Crohn's disease (CD) therapy are scarce. The aim of this research was to study the behaviour of faecal biomarkers during CD therapy. Material and methods. Adult CD patients (n = 19) needing therapy enhancement were prospectively recruited. The simple endoscopic score for Crohn's disease (SES-CD) was administered before and 4–6 months after therapy. At baseline and at 2–3 and 4–6 months, patients provided faecal samples for measurements of calprotectin and lactoferrin. Results. Of 19 patients, seven were endoscopic responders, three were partial responders and nine were non-responders. During therapy, both faecal-biomarker concentrations decreased significantly in responders: median calprotectin from 1282 μg/g (range 156–2277 μg/g) to 73 μg/g (range 7–2222; P = 0.005) and lactoferrin from 233 μg/g (range 2.8–802 μg/g) to 0.0 μg/g (range 0.0–420 μg/g; P = 0.005), and these changes correlated significantly with changes in the SES-CD. In non-responders, changes in faecal biomarkers were non-significant: calprotectin decreased from 1017 μg/g (range 53–3928 μg/g) to 223 μg/g (range 35–15 330 μg/g; P = 0.594) and lactoferrin from 22.5 μg/g (range 2.1–629 μg/g) to 13.0 μg/g (range 3.5–1259 μg/g; P = 0.515). Conclusions. The faecal neutrophil-derived proteins calprotectin and lactoferrin are reliable surrogate markers of mucosal improvement. Endoscopic responders achieved normalization of faecal biomarkers, whereas in the majority of endoscopic non-responders these markers remained abnormal.
The changing demand for qualified labour in New Zealand

The relative decline in unskilled wages worldwide has prompted some commentators to place the blame on globalisation and trade liberalisation. A more likely cause in the New Zealand context is technical change that favours the employment of skilled labour. This hypothesis is tested using shift share and factor content analysis for 1986, 1996 and 2001. The results suggest that the upskilling that has occurred economy wide has dominated the effects of any reallocation of highly skilled workers between sectors that may have been caused by trade liberalisation in New Zealand. The upskilling has occurred in the form of rapidly increasing numbers of employees with bachelors and higher degrees. This effect combined with a very large reduction over the last five years in employee numbers with sub degree qualifications raises questions about the prevalence of ‘sheepskin’ effects and supply induced demand in the education sector. JEL: Trade (F1), Labour Markets (J4), Technological Change (O3) ∗ Respectively, Senior Fellow, NZ Institute of Economic Research, Professor of Economic History, Victoria University, Senior Economist and Economist, NZIER, Wellington. NZTC – The changing demand for qualified labour in NZ NZTC WP 23 3 The Government’s objective, broadly expressed, is that every person, whatever his level of academic ability, whether he be rich or poor, whether he live in town or country, has a right, as a citizen, to a free education of the kind for which he is best fitted and to the fullest extent
Electrical support during outdoor cycling in patients with coronary artery disease: impact on exercise intensity, volume and perception of effort

Abstract Background: Electrical assisted bicycles (EAB’s) could be used to overcome barriers and difficulties to outdoor cycling and thus assist in achieving a sufficient physical activity level in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, but it is unknown whether sufficient exercise intensities and volumes could be elicited during cycling on EAB’s. In this study we examined, for the first time, the acute physiological impact of electrical support during outdoor cycling in CAD patients (ISRCTN32238279). Methods: Fifteen CAD patients (13 males), aged 64 ± 7 years executed a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test and afterwards cycled a predefined outdoor route of 10 km, in three different conditions: classical cycling (no support), EAB with low support (EABlow) and high support (EABhigh). Oxygen uptake (VO2) and carbon dioxide output (VCO2) was measured continuously by a portable gas-analysing system. Cycling time was recorded and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed at 3 and 7 km. Results: Mean VO2 during EABhigh (1721 ± 537 ml•min−1) was significantly lower compared to EABlow (1890 ± 619 ml•min−1, p < .05), but no differences were found between EABlow and classical cycling (1846 ± 523 ml•min–1). EABlow and EABhigh elicited a sufficient volume and intensity (6.6 ± 2.0 MET’s (74 ± 6% VO2peak) and 6.0 ± 1.8 MET’s (68 ± 7% VO2peak), respectively) to adhere to the guidelines for secondary prevention in CAD. RPE was significantly lower p < . 05) during EABhigh (9 ± 2), than during EABlow (11 ± 2) or classical cycling (11 ± 2). Conclusions: Outdoor cycling with electrical support leads to a sufficiently high exercise intensity and volume in CAD patients, and may be considered as an alternative exercise modality.
Patient experience with a novel patch-like external loop recorder for cardiac arrhythmia detection in India

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is reaching pandemic proportions in India. The effects of CVD are disastrous for the Indian economy as the disease strikes in the prime working ages of the labor force. The great need for therapeutic and diagnostic options combined with pressure on cost containment place emphasis on the development of low cost, credible, point of care diagnostic tools to pinpoint issues in cardiac health for the Indian consumer. A previous study of 125 patients in India examined a novel external loop recorder (ELR) for ambulatory ECG monitoring with high yield and compliance. The current study probes the patient experience, inclusive of patient comfort, ease of use, clarity of the diagnostic report, and value of the ELR. The analysis shows that 85% found this ELR comfortable to wear and deploy, 77% responded with no challenges with the use of this ELR, 60% mentioned they were inclined to seek treatment after this ELR was deployed, and 60% found good value in the device. The results indicate that this particular ELR is a high performing device with excellent patient satisfaction, indicating that the device is a suitable tool for diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmia in India.
Neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection: a case-control study among privately insured children.

OBJECTIVE To assess whether antecedent streptococcal infection(s) increase the risk of subsequent diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Tourette syndrome (TS), other tic disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or major depressive disorder (MDD) in a national sample of privately insured children. METHOD Using health insurance claims data, we compared the prior year's occurrence of streptococcal infection in children ages 4 to 13 years with OCD, TS, or tic disorder newly diagnosed between January 1998 and December 2004 to that of a cohort of matched controls. Conditional logistic regression models were used to determine the association of prior streptococcal sore throat or scarlet fever with a diagnosis of OCD, TS, or tic disorder. We repeated the analyses for two other infectious diseases (otitis media and sinusitis) and one noninfectious condition (migraine). We also investigated the potential specificity of this association by performing similar analyses focused on newly diagnosed ADHD and newly diagnosed MDD. RESULTS Subjects with newly diagnosed OCD, TS, or tic disorder were more likely than controls to have had a diagnosis of streptococcal infection in the previous year (odds ratio 1.54, 95% confidence interval 1.29-2.15). Prior streptococcal infection was also associated with incident diagnoses of ADHD (odds ratio 1.20, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.35) and MDD (odds ratio 1.63, 95% confidence interval 1.12-2.30). CONCLUSIONS These findings provide epidemiologic evidence that some pediatric-onset neuropsychiatric disorders, including OCD, tic disorders, ADHD, and MDD, may be temporally related to prior streptococcal infections. Whether this is the result of a nonspecific stress response or secondary to an activation of the immune system remains to be determined.
The Impact of Immigration on the Labor Market

The literature on the impact of immigration on the labor market is highly controversial. The aim of this paper is to review the existing literature and draw some general conclusions on how wages and employment respond to immigration. Economic studies indicate that the impact of immigration on the average wage and employment of native workers is null or slightly positive. However, because adjustments take time, the immediate labor market effects of unexpected (as opposed to expected) migration episodes can be detrimental. Immigration also can have distributional consequences. In particular, the skill composition of immigrants matters in determining their impact on native labor market outcomes. An inflow of immigrants will tend to reduce the wages of competing native workers (with skills similar to those of the migrants), and increase those of complementary workers (with skills that complement those of immigrants). By affecting the skill composition of the workforce, immigration can create winners and losers among native workers via changes in the wage structure.
The role of teaching practice in teacher education programmes: designing framework for best practice

The teaching practice exercise is the culminating point where the relationship among the three major players: university supervisor, host teacher, and aspiring teacher interface to determine the quality of experience the aspiring teaching will take away. It becomes the bedrock on which the aspiring teacher once certified and employed builds his/her professional identity. It is therefore, necessary that aspiring teachers are paired with competent, knowledgeable and concerned university supervisors to help them assume the full range of duties of a teacher during this hands-on training period. Host teachers have equally vital influence in aspiring teachers’ professional growth and development. This paper outlines the rudimentary elements involved in designing teaching practice field exercise for the student teachers.