Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A primary care learning collaborative to improve office systems and clinical management of pediatric asthma

Abstract Objective Pediatric asthma is a common, relapsing-remitting, chronic inflammatory airway disease that when uncontrolled often leads to substantial patient and health care system burden. Improving management of asthma in primary care can help patients stay well controlled. Methods The Vermont Child Health Improvement Program (VCHIP) developed a quality improvement (QI) learning collaborative with a primary objective to improve clinical asthma management measures through improvement in primary care office systems to support asthma care. Seven months of medical record review data were evaluated for improvements on eight clinical asthma management measures. Pre and post office systems inventory (OSI) self-assessments detailing adherence to improvement strategies were analyzed for improvement. Logistic regressions were used to test for associations between OSI strategy post scores and the corresponding clinical asthma management measures by month seven. Results This study found significant improvement from baseline to month seven on seven of the eight clinical asthma management measures and between pre and post OSI for seven of the nine strategies assessed (N = 19 practices). Additionally, one point higher average OSI scores on the assessment and monitoring of asthma severity, asthma control, asthma action plans, and asthma education strategies were associated with significantly greater odds of improvement in their respective clinical asthma management measures. Conclusions A QI learning collaborative approach in primary care can improve office systems and corresponding clinical management measures for pediatric patients with asthma. This suggests that linking specific office systems strategies to clinical measures may be a helpful tactic within the learning collaborative model.
Retinopathy of prematurity: Incidence and risk factor

With the advent of new technologies in neonatal health care, the mortality rate of infants have gone down drastically and has resulted in spike of ROP and its severity. Aim: To study risk factors for Retinopathy of prematurity and its incidence, in newborns at risk in SNCU of a tertiary care hospital in Bhopal. Study Design: This was a retrospective observational, hospital-based study. Materials and Methods: Infants with birth weight less than 1500gm and gestation age less than 34 weeks were screened after birth at 4 weeks for ROP or 31-33 weeks post conception age, whichever was later from February 2015 to June 2016. Infants with birth weight 1500gm to 2500 gm and gestation more than 34 weeks with additional risk factors were also screened. Statistical Analysis: Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used for analysing data. The ROP incidence was described in simple proportion. For group comparisons, the chi-square (χ2) test was. Probability (P) of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Result: 178 eyes of 89 infants were included in this study.33. 70% eyes had some stage of ROP. In infants weighing more than 2500gm or with a gestational age more than 35 weeks no signs of ROP was found. Small for gestation, Low birth weight, septicaemia, Oxygen therapy, Ventilator support, Respiratory Distress syndrome, Apnoea and asphyxia were significant factors for ROP development. However mode of delivery, type of pregnancy, Blood transfusion and gender were not found to be significant risk factors for ROP development.
Cervical disc arthroplasty: a practical review

After anterior discectomy and decompression for cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy, cervical fusion has been the mainstay of treatment for decades. Ongoing investigation into cervical disc arthroplasty, with the goals of motion preservation and reduced adjacent segment degeneration, is occurring with enthusiasm. Understanding and recreating physiologic spinal motion is critical to these efforts and is an evolving process. Prospective randomized United States Food and Drug Administration regulated trials are now available for several devices with promising short-term and mid-term results. Long-term data are awaited with anticipation regarding the clinical, radiographic, and quality-based outcome measures. Ultimately, the decision to incorporate cervical disc arthroplasty into day-to-day practice will stem largely from the clinical outcome of the procedure, the long-term durability of the device, and the incidence of symptomatic adjacent segment degeneration, as compared with arthrodesis.
The Geometric Sparse Matrix Completion Model for Predicting Drug Side effects

Pair-input associations for drug-side effects are obtained through expensive placebo-controlled experiments in human clinical trials. An important challenge in computational pharmacology is to predict missing associations given a few entries in the drug-side effect matrix, as these predictions can be used to direct further clinical trials. Here we introduce the Geometric Sparse Matrix Completion (GSMC) model for predicting drug side effects. Our high-rank matrix completion model learns non-negative sparse matrices of coefficients for drugs and side effects by imposing smoothness priors that exploit a set of pharmacological side information graphs, including information about drug chemical structures, drug interactions, molecular targets, and disease indications. Our learning algorithm is based on the diagonally rescaled gradient descend principle of non-negative matrix factorization. We prove that it converges to a globally optimal solution with a first-order rate of convergence. Experiments on large-scale side effect data from human clinical trials show that our method achieves better prediction performance than six state-of-the-art methods for side effect prediction while offering biological interpretability and favouring explainable predictions.
Gender differences in knowledge and attitudes concerning induced abortion in Sri Lanka: a community based study in the Colombo City

Abortion is legally permitted in Sri Lanka, only if it is performed to save the mother’s life. However, it is estimated that 125,000 to 175,000 induced abortions take place annually (De Silva, 1997). Knowledge and attitudes towards induced abortion in society can influence individual decision-making on the outcome of unwanted pregnancies and the health sector policy response. This study aims to understand the gender differences in knowledge and attitudes of adults towards induced abortion in Sri Lanka. Six Grama Niladhari Divisions (GNDs) and 50 households in the Colombo City were systematically selected using multi stage cluster sampling. An interview schedule was administrated among 743 residents between 19 to 49 years of age after receiving their written informed consent. Around 31 percent of females and 57 percent of males do not know that there are specific days in the menstrual cycle in which the chance of becoming pregnant is relatively high. Female respondents’ awareness (48 percent) of emergency contraception was significantly lower than that of males (60 percent). Only 11 percent of the respondents knew the situations in which abortion is legal in Sri Lanka. Around, 93 percent of females and 70 percent of males (X2=56.27, P<0.001) believed that induced abortion is against cultural and moral values. A majority of the respondents agreed to legalise abortion under rape (65 percent), incest (55 percent) and lethal fetal abnormality conditions (53 percent). A very small percentage of respondents agreed to legalise induced abortions in the situation of economic problems (7 percent), contraceptive failure (6 percent), at the request of the couple (5 percent) and at the request of the woman (4 percent). In conclusion, female respondents demonstrate a moderate to low level of knowledge and conservative attitudes towards induced abortion, which highlights the need for more focused interventions to address the issue.
Risk-taking to obtain reward: sex differences and associations with emotional and depressive symptoms in a nationally representative cohort of UK adolescents

Background Large population-based studies of neuropsychological factors that characterize or precede depressive symptoms are rare and we know little about gender differences in these associations. Methods The Millennium Cohort is a representative UK birth cohort of children born between 2000 and 2002. The Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT) was completed at ages 11 (n=12,355) and 14 (n=10,578). Our main exposure was proportion of points gambled, when odds of winning were above chance (risk taking to obtain reward). We also examined how much adolescents adjusted bets as odds of winning increased (risk adjustment). Outcomes were emotional symptoms at age 11 (SDQ) and depressive symptoms at age 14 (sMFQ). We calculated cross-sectional associations, and a longitudinal association from age 11 to 14, using linear regressions before and after adjusting for confounders. Results Females were less risk taking than males (e.g. females bet 9.22, 95% CI 8.65 to 9.80, percentage points lower at age 11). In univariable models there were cross-sectional associations between risk taking and emotional (age 11) or depressive (age 14) symptoms (e.g. at age 14, a 20-percentage point increase in risk taking was associated with a 0.52 reduction in sMFQ points, 95% CI -.71 to -.33). However, cross-sectional associations were explained by gender differences (at age 14 the association adjusted for gender was: .05, 95% CI -.15 to .25). Longitudinally, there was weak evidence of an association between risk taking and depressive symptoms in females only (a 20-point increase in risk taking at age 11 was associated with a reduction of 0.31 sMFQ points at age 14 (95% CI -.60 to -.02). Conclusions We found evidence that adolescent females were less likely to take risks than adolescent males. There was no strong evidence of an association between risk taking and emotional and depressive symptoms, after accounting for gender. Abbreviations CGT: Millennium Cohort Study (MCS); Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT); Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ); sMFQ: short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire.
Working with children in college: an evaluation of an exploratory it module with undergraduate primary student teachers

Abstract Since 1991 all undergraduate primary student teachers at Chester have followed a Technology course. The distinctive pattern of our approach to Design & Technology has been acknowledged to be successful, but classroom use of Information Technology (IT) has not been as evident. This paper describes a small scale project which set out to replicate the essential elements of our approaches to Design & Technology and to apply them to Information Technology elements of the course. The outcome of the qualitative and quantitative research methods to monitor the effectiveness of the approaches are evaluated and discussed. Our tentative findings highlight the importance of students working with children using computers. Until the students had gained first hand experience of working with children in the classroom with IT, their concerns were more equipment-related than pedagogical. It would appear that students perceive issues of teaching and learning to be more important than concerns with their own IT capa.
Early Recovery of Exercise-Related Muscular Injury by HBOT

Early recovery from muscular injury is crucial for elite athletes. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been reported to be beneficial in terms of accelerating cell recovery and tissue repair, which are considered to be helpful for eliminating fatigue and recovering stamina. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of HBOT for exercise-related muscular injury. Forty-one athletes with exercise-related muscular injuries were recruited and randomized into an HBOT group and a control group. All participants received 10 sessions of either HBOT or placebo treatment. The brief pain inventory (BPI) was completed, and serum samples were analyzed. Data were collected before treatment (T1), at the end of the fifth treatment session (T2), at the end of the tenth treatment session (T3), and two weeks after T3 (T4). At T3, the HBOT group showed prominent reductions in the levels of creatine phosphokinase (CK), glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), and myoglobin (MB), which lasted until T4. However, the control group did not present any statistical differences in levels from T1 to T4. In terms of pain intensity and interference, the HBOT group showed significant improvements at T3, while no improvements were observed in the control group. In conclusion, HBOT facilitates the early recovery of exercise-related muscular injury. This trial is registered with ISRCTN17817041.
awareness about personal protective equipments and health problems among poultry workers

Background: Taking protective equipment is important for poultry workers as they are at risk of poultry hazard. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential for preventing & controlling diseases experienced by poultry processing workers. Aims and Objectives: To assess the awareness about personal protective equipments and health problems among poultry workers. Method and materials: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted under the guidance of the Department of Community Medicine, National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM), Dhaka, from March to June 2006 on 100 poultry workers who were selected purposively from six poultry farms from the area of Gazipur districts. Informed consent was obtained and structured questionnaire was used to collect data through face to face interview. Data was edited, processed and analyzed both manually and used of SPSS version 10. Result: Mean age was 27.49% with SD ± 9.84 years, highest age range 59% was 20-30 years. Regarding level of education & economic status revealed that 43% were illiterate and 72% earned 2000-3000 taka monthly. 20% had highest work experience of 6-8 years. 82% of the respondents thought that personal protection is necessary during working in poultry. 79% of the respondents knew the name of PPE. But only 42% use PPE and 58% of the respondents did not use it. Among the user 16% use PPE regularly and 26% use PPE irregularly. Result showed significant association between education and knowledge of diseases of transmission (p<0.004). Observing health hazard 34.71% had respiratory problem 27.27% skin problem 23.14% eye problem. Significant association found between itching (skin problem) and use of PPE (p<0.004). Conclusion : Literate person had more knowledge about disease transmissions. The respondents who used PPE suffered less from health problems. For the safety of poultry workers advocacy arrangements of training program and formulation of guideline and regulations are important points to be considered. Northern International Medical College Journal Vol.5(2) 2014: 336-338
Clinicopathological study of benign and malignant ovarian tumours and the role of HER2/neu and ER expression in these tumours

Background: Ovarian cancers represent the 6th most common cancer among females and are the most common cause of death from gynaecological cancers in the world. The aim is to do clinicopathologic study of ovarian tumours along with evaluation of the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2/neu). Methods: A total of 85 cases of ovarian tumors were studied and immunohistochemistry was performed with specific antibodies against ER and HER2/neu as per standard protocol.Results: In present study, surface epithelial tumours were the commonest type comprising 64 cases (75.2%), followed by Germ cell tumours, 17cases (20%) and sex cord stromal tumours, 04 cases (4.8%). Among the surface epithelial tumours , ER‑positive cases were higher in malignant (71.4%) tumours as compared to borderline tumours (33.3%) and benign tumours (7.7%) while Her2/neu positive cases were higher in borderline (66.7%) tumours as compared to malignant tumours (42.9%) and benign tumours (15.3%). Among the germ cell tumours, ER expression was positive in 62.5% cases of mature teratoma while HER2/neu expression was positive in only 12.5% cases of mature teratoma. None of the sex cord stromal tumours showed positive expression of ER and HER2/neu.Conclusions: Positive expression of estrogen receptors is seen predominantly in surface epithelial malignancies and in mature teratoma. It proves the mitogenic role of estrogen in ovarian tumours. Her-2 neu was expressed mainly in malignant tumours. This suggests their carcinogenic role. This also helps in differentiating borderline and malignant tumours.
Aclinicopathological survey of esophageal cancer in patients referred to a gastroenterology clinic in Tehran, 1991-2005

Background: Esophageal cancer is one of the major malignancies, with various epidemiological aspects in recent years in developing countries, including increased prevalence and variations of pathologic patterns. This may be due to increasing rates of Barrett’s esophagus, gastroesophageal reflux, smoking and obesity. This study was performed from 1991 to 2005 in order to evaluate various clinicopathological aspects of esophageal cancer in patients referred to a gastroenterology clinic in Tehran. Methods:This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed according to data from clinical records, including demographic information, pathologic and endoscopic reports. We used SPSS/12 software for statistical analysis. Chi-square and ANOVAtests were used and a P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results:156 patients (87 males and 69 females) with an average age of 62.4±10.3 years (mean ± SD) were studied. 105 (67.3%), 39 (25%), and 12 (7.7%) patients had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), adenocarcinoma and metastatic carcinoma, respectively. The location of tumors was 20.6 % (32 patients) in upper third, 35.2% (55 patients) in middle third and 44.2% (69 patients) in the lower third of the esophagus. There was no significant relation between sex and age of patients with the type of cancer and location of tumors. There was a significant relation between the location of tumors and cancer pathology (P<0.001). Conclusion: In our study, esophageal cancer had no significant epidemiological variations, so SCC was still more common than other esophageal cancers. Upper and lower thirds were the most common locations of SCC and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, respectively.
The Spindle and the Spear: A Critical Enquiry into the Construction and Meaning of Gender in the Early Anglo-Saxon Burial Rite

Based on burial data from 46 Anglo-Saxon cemeteries, Nick Stoodley presents a much needed study of gender issues. A thorough investigation of the attribution of grave goods to either male or female, and of skeletal sexing, leads to a re-assessment of the assumption that weapons and tools = male, and jewellery and dress accessories = female. The author also explores the more general issue of why burial was the chosen arena for the expression of gender roles and differences.
First-in-human study of REGN3767 (R3767), a human LAG-3 monoclonal antibody (mAb), ± cemiplimab in patients (pts) with advanced malignancies.

2508 Background: We present initial safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and efficacy from the dose escalation study of R3767, alone (mono) or in combination with cemiplimab (REGN2810), a PD-1 mAb (combo), in pts with advanced malignancies (NCT03005782). Methods: Pts who had progressed on prior therapy(ies) and/or for whom no therapy with clinical benefit was available were enrolled; most pts had received no prior anti-PD-1/PD-L1. Pts received R3767 1, 3, 10, or 20 mg/kg every 3 weeks (Q3W) ± cemiplimab 3 mg/kg or 350 mg Q3W IV for ≤51 weeks. Crossover from mono to combo was allowed at progression. R3767 PK were evaluated. Tumor measurements were performed Q6W for the first 24 weeks and subsequently Q9W. Data cut-off date was Aug 25, 2018. Results: Mono: 27 pts (median age: 66 yr; ECOG PS: 0 [n=4], 1 [n=23]) were treated. There were no dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). The most common treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) was nausea (22.2%). Grade ≥3 immune-related adverse events (irAEs) of increased alanine and aspartate aminotransferases (each 3.7%) were reported. By investigator-assessment (per RECIST 1.1; INV), best response was stable disease in 11 pts. Combo: 42 pts (median age: 60 yr; ECOG PS: 0 [n=15], 1 [n=27]) were treated. One pt treated with R3767 3 mg/kg Q3W + cemiplimab 3 mg/kg Q3W experienced DLT of grade 4 elevated blood creatine phosphokinase, associated with grade 3 myasthenia syndrome and grade 1 elevated troponin. The most common TEAEs were fatigue (33.3%) and nausea (21.4%). Grade 3 irAE of hypothyroidism (2.4%) was also reported. By INV, 2 (both small cell lung cancer) combo pts and 2 (endometrial cancer and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma) of 12 additional pts who crossed over from mono to combo had partial responses. PK: R3767 concentrations in serum increased in a dose-dependent manner and were unaffected by combo. Conclusions: The safety profile of R3767 ± cemiplimab was generally tolerable; PK was linear. Early efficacy signals were detected despite the difficult-to-treat pt population. Biomarker studies are ongoing. R3767 20 mg/kg or 1600 mg fixed dose equivalent Q3W as mono and combo were selected for further evaluation. Clinical trial information: NCT03005782.
Students Readiness And Perceptions Towards Mobile Learning And Their Acceptance In Adopting Mobile Learning Platform As Learning Tool And Communication Tool.

Mobile Learning is the current technology that has become more and more popular nowadays. Mobile Learning is a type of learning across contexts and learning using small, portable and wireless computing devices like PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) and smart phone. The purpose of this research is to collect data from postgraduates about Mobile Learning and to develop a local context mobile accessible learning webpage. The first stage survey is to investigate the readiness and perceptions of postgraduates towards the Mobile Learning. This quantitative method was constructed by using a set of questionnaire which involves 63 respondents from Educational Technology Course, Faculty of Education. Results indicated that most of the postgraduates are ready to use mobile device especially in searching information through the online browser (mean value= 4.43). Besides that, results also showed that they have a positive perceptions towards Mobile Learning especially when they agree that learners can get the latest information through it (mean value= 4.44). A Mobile Learning environment (Mobile Moodle) which is connected with Learning Management System (LMS) was developed based on the postgraduates’ preferred activities. Second stage survey which is Mixed-Method survey was carried out to examine the postgraduates’ acceptance in adopting mobile learning as an additional learning tool and communication tool. A set of questionnaires and interview sheet were used in collecting data. The research’s results had signified that the acceptance among postgraduates are high especially on the benefit of Mobile Learning which allows learner to access lecture materials anywhere and anytime (mean value= 5.00). In addition, results also indicated that postgraduates prefer to carry out communication with lecturer by using Mobile Learning environment (mean value= 4.71). Lastly, refering to Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) the research results showed that Mobile Learning environment’s usefulness (mean value= 4.08) and the ease of use (mean value= 4.06) are the main concerns considered by postgraduates.