Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impaired DNase1‐mediated degradation of neutrophil extracellular traps is associated with acute thrombotic microangiopathies

Acute thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) are characterized by excessive microvascular thrombosis and are associated with markers of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in plasma. NETs are composed of DNA fibers and promote thrombus formation through the activation of platelets and clotting factors.
Empowerment as a tool for a healthy resettlement: a case of new African settlers in South Australia

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the application of empowerment and the role that it plays in fostering community participation, community integration and in enabling a healthy re‐settlement of culturally and linguistically diverse migrants who have recently arrived in Australia from Sub Saharan Africa.Design/methodology/approach – The paper's approach is a discussion expressing the views of authors supported by the relevant literature drawn from a wide range of sources on migration, settlement, health, social, environment, cultural and public health issues. The African community and its peak organisation, the African Communities Council of South Australia is presented and various empowerment strategies used by the council are discussed as a healthy model for empowering new settlers in the new environment.Findings – The first part of the paper describes the migration of African migrants in South Australia and sets the scenario describing the current state of these migrants including oppo.
An Online Life Like Any Other: Identity, Self-Determination, and Social Networking Among Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Research focusing on online identity and the personal experiences of adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) is currently limited. Eleven adults with ID were interviewed regarding personal experiences of being online and using social media. Data were analyzed qualitatively using thematic network analysis. Two global themes, online relatedness and sharing and online agency and support, highlighted the positive potential of social media in enabling the development and maintenance of social bonds, valued social roles, and feelings of enjoyment, competence, autonomy, and self-worth. Participants reported sharing various expressed online identities that did not focus on or hide impairment, challenging notions of dependency, with participants both providing support and being supported online.
Temperature dependence of ice-on-rock friction at realistic glacier conditions

Using a new biaxial friction apparatus, we conducted experiments of ice-on-rock friction in order to better understand basal sliding of glaciers and ice streams. A series of velocity-stepping and slide–hold–slide tests were conducted to measure friction and healing at temperatures between −20°C and melting. Experimental conditions in this study are comparable to subglacial temperatures, sliding rates and effective pressures of Antarctic ice streams and other glaciers, with load-point velocities ranging from 0.5 to 100 µm s−1 and normal stress σn = 100 kPa. In this range of conditions, temperature dependences of both steady-state friction and frictional healing are considerable. The friction increases linearly with decreasing temperature (temperature weakening) from μ = 0.52 at −20°C to μ = 0.02 at melting. Frictional healing increases and velocity dependence shifts from velocity-strengthening to velocity-weakening behaviour with decreasing temperature. Our results indicate that the strength and stability of glaciers and ice streams may change considerably over the range of temperatures typically found at the ice–bed interface. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Microdynamics of ice’.
Rice varieties in relation to rice bread quality.

BACKGROUND It is difficult to predict rice bread quality only from the amylose content (AC) or dough characteristics of new lines produced by rice breeding programmes. This study investigated the AC relative to bread baking quality of rice varieties developed in Korea, and identified specific characteristics that contribute to rice bread quality. RESULTS Manmibyeo, Jinsumi, Seolgaeng and Hanareumbyeo were classified as low AC, YR24088 Acp9, Suweon517, Chenmaai and Goamibyeo as intermediate AC and Milyang261 as high AC. Suweon517, Milyang261 and Manmibyeo had a high water absorption index (WAI), while Goamibyeo, YR24088 Acp9, Jinsumi, Seolgaeng, Hanareumbyeo and Chenmaai had a low WAI. The gelatinisation enthalpy of flour varied from 9.2 J g(-1) in Milyang261 to 14.8 J g(-1) in YR24088 Acp9. After 7 days of storage the rate of flour retrogradation and crumb firmness were weakly correlated, with the exception of Jinsumi. Bread volumes of Jinsumi, Chenmaai, YR24088 Acp9 and Goamibyeo were comparable to that of wheat flour, but the rest were unsuited to bread making because of their low volume and hard crumb texture. CONCLUSION Based on volume, texture and crumb firmness ratio, Chenmaai and Goamibyeo were the most appropriate varieties for making bread. An intermediate AC and low WAI were the primary indicators of rice bread flour quality.
Physician Assistant Students' Attitudes Toward International Experiences

Purpose: This study assesses physician assistant (PA) students' interest in international experiences. A white paper from the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), formerly the Association of Physician Assistant Programs (APAP), “A Report on the Findings of the Ad Hoc Committee on International Physician Assistant Education,” recommends that the profession “explore the motivation for students' international experiences. ” In partial fulfillment of that objective, we examined the association between first‐year PA students' attitudes toward international experiences and student demographic characteristics, type of PA school attended, and prior student experiences. Methods: A convenience sample of 12 PA programs (one public and one private school in each of six US geographical regions) received surveys to distribute to their first‐year students. Eleven programs returned 482 completed surveys. Results: A sizable majority of the students, 59.8%, indicated interest in international rotations. PA students with prior health care experience or prior international experience as a volunteer in missions work (faith‐based or secular), or studying abroad were more likely to show interest in international rotations. Student interest in other languages and cultures, single marital status, and lack of dependents also correlates positively with increased interest in international experiences. Student self‐perception of spirituality, valuing the humanitarian mission of the PA profession, and prior international military experience do not correlate with interest in international rotations. Conclusions: PA students' interest in and participation in international rotations may affect the rapidly evolving globalization of the PA professional model.
Understanding Nomophobia: Structural Equation Modeling and Semantic Network Analysis of Smartphone Separation Anxiety

This study explicates nomophobia by developing a research model that identifies several determinants of smartphone separation anxiety and by conducting semantic network analyses on smartphone users' verbal descriptions of the meaning of their smartphones. Structural equation modeling of the proposed model indicates that personal memories evoked by smartphones encourage users to extend their identity onto their devices. When users perceive smartphones as their extended selves, they are more likely to get attached to the devices, which, in turn, leads to nomophobia by heightening the phone proximity-seeking tendency. This finding is also supplemented by the results of the semantic network analyses revealing that the words related to memory, self, and proximity-seeking are indeed more frequently used in the high, compared with low, nomophobia group.
Does the response to aspirin and clopidogrel vary over 6 months in patients with ischemic heart disease?

Dual‐antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor, mostly clopidogrel, is the default therapy in both acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and after intracoronary stents. It is well established that responses to antiplatelet therapy (APT), particularly clopidogrel, are subject to considerable interindividual variability.
Effect of long-term betaine supplementation on chemical and physical characteristics of three muscles from the Alentejano pig.

BACKGROUND The use of betaine as a dietary supplement to reduce fat deposition and increase lean muscle mass in pigs is increasing. However, there is no available information on its effect on the physical and chemical (i.e. fatty acid (FA) profile) characteristics of pork. RESULTS The effects of long-term betaine intake (1 g betaine kg(-1) diet for 20 weeks) on the chemical and physical characteristics of Musculus longissimus dorsi, M. biceps femoris and M. semimembranosus from the Alentejano pig were investigated. The contents of total protein, intramuscular lipids (neutral and polar), myoglobin and total collagen as well as the water-holding capacity, physical colour characteristics and FA profile of the three muscles were determined. With the exception of a significant increase in the intramuscular lipid content of M. longissimus dorsi and M. biceps femoris, betaine supplementation did not influence muscle chemical and colour characteristics or body fat deposition. CONCLUSION These data suggest that long-term betaine supplementation selectively increases intramuscular lipid deposition (a trait related to meat quality) while not affecting other chemical (including the atheroprotective FA profile) and physical characteristics of the Alentejano pig muscles studied.
Effect of cinnamaldehyde on melanosis and spoilage of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) during storage.

BACKGROUND Shrimp is a very perishable product and postmortem changes occur rapidly. Sulfiting agents were once and are still widely used as a preservative in the shrimp industry. However, the application of sulfite in shrimp may pose a risk to human health. Thus development of a natural preservative as a sulfite alternative to extend the shelf life of Pacific white shrimp is urgently needed. RESULTS The effects of cinnamaldehyde essential oil (1 and 5 g kg(-1) ) on the shelf life of Pacific white shrimp stored at 4 °C were investigated. As the concentration of cinnamaldehyde increased, residual polyphenoloxidase (PPO) enzyme activity decreased. Kinetic analysis showed that cinnamaldehyde was a noncompetitive inhibitor for the oxidation of L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) by PPO of Pacific white shrimp. Based on this study, shrimp treated with 5 g kg(-1) cinnamaldehyde possessed the lowest aerobic plate count, total volatile basic nitrogen, and pH values in all treatments after 10 days of storage. According to the results of L*, cinnamaldehyde showed inhibitory activity toward the formation of melanosis. CONCLUSION Treatment with cinnamaldehyde could improve the sensory properties and extend the shelf life of Pacific white shrimp to 8 days. Therefore, cinnamaldehyde could be used as a promising natural preservative for inhibiting melanosis and preventing the growth of microbes during the chilled storage of Pacific white shrimp.
A comparison of insulin injection needles on patients' perceptions of pain, handling, and acceptability: a randomized, open-label, crossover study in subjects with diabetes.

BACKGROUND For some diabetes patients, subcutaneous injections are associated with pain, discomfort, and anxiety. We compared overall preferences of two needle types: NovoFine((R)) 32-gauge tip x 6 mm and NovoFine 30-gauge x 8 mm, when used with the FlexPen((R)) injection device (all from Novo Nordisk A/S [Copenhagen, Denmark] and Novo Nordisk Ltd. [Crawley, UK]). METHODS In this randomized, open-label, two-period, crossover trial in 119 insulin-treated patients with type 1 (22%) or 2 diabetes, patients injected their usual insulin with one needle type followed by the alternative, each for 7-14 days. Needle preference and perceptions of pain, handling, and acceptance were assessed using a questionnaire after use of each needle. RESULTS Overall, 58% preferred the NovoFine 32-gauge tip, 26% preferred NovoFine 30-gauge tip, while 16% had no preference (P < 0.001 between needles). Subjects injecting </=40 or >40 (I)U/day and two or fewer or more than two injections/day all preferred NovoFine 32-gauge tip over NovoFine 30-gauge tip (all P < 0.05). Little or no pain (<5 mm on a 100-mm Visual Analog Scale) was experienced by 57% of subjects when using NovoFine 32-gauge tip and by 40% when using NovoFine 30-gauge tip. More subjects found the injection button easier to press with NovoFine 30-gauge tip (P < 0.01). Responses for ease of insertion, needle sharpness, and performance favored the NovoFine 32-gauge tip; ease of pushing insulin out through the needle favored NovoFine 30-gauge tip. One person for each needle type reported bleeding/bruising at the injection site. CONCLUSIONS NovoFine 32-gauge tip x 6 mm needles are a viable alternative to NovoFine 30-gauge tip x 8 mm needles for people administering daily insulin injections.
New Graduates: Perceptions of Their First Occupational Therapy Position

The study investigated the perceptions of 74 occupational therapists 6 months after graduating from the University of Sydney. Australia, regarding their first occupational therapy position, using a self-administered posted questionnaire. The findings provide a profile of these graduates, the majority of whom were female, aged between 20 and 24 years and employed in the public health system in the Sydney metropolitan area. Over three-quarters were provided with an orientation programme at the workplace and were satisfied with their initial job, although they perceived it as stressful. Two-thirds received support and supervision from senior occupational therapists; however, one-third did not. The provision of support/supervision from a senior colleague was of critical importance to the successful transition from student to graduate. The primary recommendation is that all new graduates have access to support/supervision from skilled occupational therapists and other colleagues on a regular basis.
The Common Duct After Cholecystectomy: Initial Report of a Ten-Year Study

The size of the common bile duct was measured in 81 patients who had undergone cholecystectomy. In 15 of these patients the preoperative size of the common duct was known and the postoperative measurements showed no change. In the 81 patients the average size of the common duct postoperatively was found to be 7.4 mm. In studies comparing the size of the common duct shortly after cholecystectomy with the size at later periods (in some cases 3 1/2 years), the average size differential was -0.7 mm. The clinical course of these patients was closely followed. Complete relief of preoperative abdominal complaints was found in 67 patients; the remaining 14 experienced only partial relief. There was no relationship between the postoperative size of the common duct and the relief of symptoms.
Blood pressure-independent renoprotection in diabetic rats treated with AT1 receptor-neprilysin inhibition compared with AT1 receptor blockade alone.

ARNI [dual AT1 (angiotensin II type 1) receptor-neprilysin inhibition] exerts beneficial effects on blood pressure and kidney function in heart failure, compared with ARB (AT1 receptor blockade) alone. We hypothesized that ARNI improves cardiac and kidney parameters in diabetic TGR(mREN2)27 rats, an angiotensin II-dependent hypertension model. Rats were made diabetic with streptozotocin for 5 or 12 weeks. In the final 3 weeks, rats were treated with vehicle, irbesartan (ARB) or irbesartan+thiorphan (ARNI). Blood pressure, measured by telemetry in the 5-week group, was lowered identically by ARB and ARNI. The heart weight/tibia length ratio in 12-week diabetic animals was lower after ARNI compared with after ARB. Proteinuria and albuminuria were observed from 8 weeks of diabetes onwards. ARNI reduced proteinuria more strongly than ARB, and a similar trend was seen for albuminuria. Kidneys of ARNI-treated animals showed less severe segmental glomerulosclerosis than those of ARB-treated animals. After 12 weeks, no differences between ARNI- and ARB-treated animals were found regarding diuresis, natriuresis, plasma endothelin-1, vascular reactivity (acetylcholine response) or kidney sodium transporters. Only ARNI-treated rats displayed endothelin type B receptor-mediated vasodilation. In conclusion, ARNI reduces proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis and heart weight in diabetic TGR(mREN2)27 rats more strongly than does ARB, and this occurs independently of blood pressure.
The virtual disappearance of injectable opioids for heroin addiction under the ‘British System’

Aims: Injectable opioids were prescribed unsupervised under the ‘British System’ for heroin dependence. National guidelines (1999 and 2003) confirmed that injectable opioids have a legitimate ‘limited clinical place’ and should be dispensed daily, with ‘mechanisms for supervision’. This study assesses whether national guidelines impacted on prescriptions of injectable opioids. Methods: A 25% random sample of community pharmacists (n = 2473) in England were surveyed by a questionnaire in 2005, with 95% response (n = 2349). Opioid maintenance prescription data for anonymous patients (n = 9620) were compared to the prescription data in 1995 (n = 3721) from a matched survey. Findings: Injectable opioid prescriptions reduced significantly from 10.5% (1995) to 1.8% (2005) of all opioid maintenance prescriptions. Daily doses significantly increased, as did daily dispensing from 28.8% (1995) to 57.8% (2005), whilst weekly dispensing reduced from 39.5% (1995) to 14.5% (2005). In 2005, injectable opioids accounted for 27.2% of private opioid prescriptions, versus 1.5% National Health Service (NHS) prescriptions. Private prescriptions were for larger take-home doses than NHS prescriptions. Regional variation was present. Conclusions: Injectable opioid maintenance treatment for heroin dependence under the unsupervised ‘British System’ is disappearing, although not extinct. If injectable opioids are prescribed, this is more in line with national guidelines. However, many prescriptions are less than daily instalments.
Combined surgery and postoperative radiotherapy for carcinoma of the base of tongue: Analysis of treatment outcome and prognostic value of margin status

Choice of treatment for base of tongue carcinoma is controversial, with options including surgery alone, radiotherapy alone, or multimodality treatment. Given the highly aggressive nature of these tumors, it has been our institutional policy to manage this disease with combined partial glossectomy (with attempt to avoid laryngectomy if possible) with planned postoperative radiotherapy (RT). We report on our institutional experience with this approach.
Children talking about healthy eating: data from focus groups with 300 9–11‐year‐olds

Summary The aim of this project was to gain insight into children's understanding of healthy eating, and to explore the barriers and facilitating factors for dietary behaviour change in children. The ‘Apples’ project is concerned with obesity prevention, and an understanding of children's perceptions of healthy eating, fatness and thinness are vital in order for school-based programmes to be appropriately designed and delivered. This paper presents data from focus groups with 300 children (aged 9–11 years) in 10 schools in Leeds, England, carried out in June 1998. Analysis of the transcripts shows that children understood the concept of a balanced diet as described by the Health Education Authority's ‘Balance of Good Health’ model. They were also aware of the relationship between their diet and health, both present and future. ‘Fat’ played a prominent role, with a healthy diet being one that did not contain too much fat. Moreover, they considered that it was fat that caused heart problems, the key consequence of not eating healthily. It was also important for social reasons not to be too fat, although children were also very aware of the health implications of being too thin, and of eating disorders. Children used a number of strategies to take control of their own eating, and the conclusions for nutrition education programmes in schools are that children need to be seen as more active participants in their own health education, and that help is needed to resist the pressures to be a socially desirable body weight.
CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE: XX. CHEYNE-STOKES RESPIRATION AS THE CAUSE OF PAROXYSMAL DYSPNEA AT THE ONSET OF SLEEP

The starting point of our observations was the fact, noted in a previous study, 1 that patients who complained of seizures of dyspnea at the onset of sleep frequently were observed to have periodic breathing. This was in accord with the statement of Sir James Mackenzie, 2 who wrote: Another form of distressed breathing is Cheyne-Stokes respiration. Many elderly people exhibit Cheyne-Stokes respiration without being conscious of it. But in certain forms of heart failure it may occur and becomes so marked that the patient's rest is disturbed during the period of increased breathing. This is preceded by a period when the breathing almost ceases or completely ceases; it may be for a period of half a minute to a minute during which the patient may fall asleep to be awakened up, it may be by a sense of suffocation; on its resumption the breathing is often exaggerated. Occasionally the
Anatomic and anaesthetic considerations of greater palatine nerve block in Indian population

Background: Greater palatine nerve block holds its importance for anaesthesia and analgesia in different maxillofacial surgical procedures. Accuracy in localization of greater palatine foramen is required for its successful implication in regional block, although racial variations exist in various population groups. Aims: To study the morphometry of greater palatine foramen and its location with nearby anatomical landmarks in Indian population. Material and Methods: A total of one hundred dry skulls (60 males and 40 females) were collected and observed for the study. Various parameters were noted from greater palatine foramen on both sides, together with its location with respect to maxillary molar tooth. Along with that the angle between midline maxillary suture and Incisive foramen-Greater palatine foramen is measured. Results: 198 sides were measured and the most common location of greater palatine foramen was found to be medial to third molar tooth (71.21%). The mean distance from greater palatine foramen to midline maxillary suture on right and left sides were 14.82 ± 1.34 mm and 14.79 ± 1.57 mm, statistically insignificant. The angle between midline maxillary suture and incisive foramen-greater palatine foramen was 20.81° ± 2.47°on right side and 20.58° ± 2.69°on left side.The direction of the opening of greater palatine canal onto the hard palate was observed to be antero-medial in 60.10% of cases. Conclusions: Our study reveals the importance of usage of various anatomical parameters for precise location of greater palatine foramen, establishment of specific measurements in each population group and thereby applying such measurements for successful greater palatine nerve block.