Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Childhood developmental vulnerabilities associated with early life exposure to infectious and noninfectious diseases and maternal mental illness

BACKGROUND Fetal exposure to infectious and noninfectious diseases may influence early childhood developmental functioning, on the path to later mental illness. Here, we investigated the effects of in utero exposure to maternal infection and noninfectious diseases during pregnancy on offspring developmental vulnerabilities at age 5 years, in the context of estimated effects for early childhood exposures to infectious and noninfectious diseases and maternal mental illness. METHODS We used population data for 66,045 children from an intergenerational record linkage study (the New South Wales Child Development Study), for whom a cross-sectional assessment of five developmental competencies (physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and communication) was obtained at school entry, using the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). Child and maternal exposures to infectious or noninfectious diseases were determined from the NSW Ministry of Health Admitted Patients Data Collection (APDC) and maternal mental illness exposure was derived from both APDC and Mental Health Ambulatory Data collections. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to examine unadjusted and adjusted associations between these physical and mental health exposures and child developmental vulnerabilities at age 5 years. RESULTS Among the physical disease exposures, maternal infectious diseases during pregnancy and early childhood infection conferred the largest associations with developmental vulnerabilities at age 5 years; maternal noninfectious illness during pregnancy also retained small but significant associations with developmental vulnerabilities even when adjusted for other physical and mental illness exposures and covariates known to be associated with early childhood development (e.g., child's sex, socioeconomic disadvantage, young maternal age, prenatal smoking). Among all exposures examined, maternal mental illness first diagnosed prior to childbirth conferred the greatest odds of developmental vulnerability at age 5 years. CONCLUSIONS Prenatal exposure to infectious or noninfectious diseases appear to influence early childhood physical, social, emotional and cognitive developmental vulnerabilities that may represent intermediate phenotypes for subsequent mental disorders.
The development of autistic social traits across childhood and adolescence in males and females

BACKGROUND Autism is a dimensional condition, representing the extreme end of a continuum of social competence that extends throughout the general population. Currently, little is known about how autistic social traits (ASTs), measured across the full spectrum of severity, develop during childhood and adolescence, including whether there are developmental differences between boys and girls. Therefore, we sought to chart the trajectories of ASTs in the general population across childhood and adolescence, with a focus on gender differences. METHODS Participants were 9,744 males (n = 4,784) and females (n = 4,960) from ALSPAC, a UK birth cohort study. ASTs were assessed when participants were aged 7, 10, 13 and 16 years, using the parent-report Social Communication Disorders Checklist. Data were modelled using latent growth curve analysis. RESULTS Developmental trajectories of males and females were nonlinear, showing a decline from 7 to 10 years, followed by an increase between 10 and 16 years. At 7 years, males had higher levels of ASTs than females (mean raw score difference = 0.88, 95% CI [.72, 1.04]), and were more likely (odds ratio [OR] = 1.99; 95% CI, 1.82, 2.16) to score in the clinical range on the SCDC. By 16 years this gender difference had disappeared: males and females had, on average, similar levels of ASTs (mean difference = 0.00, 95% CI [-0.19, 0.19]) and were equally likely to score in the SCDC's clinical range (OR = 0.91, 95% CI, 0.73, 1.10). This was the result of an increase in females' ASTs between 10 and 16 years. CONCLUSIONS There are gender-specific trajectories of autistic social impairment, with females more likely than males to experience an escalation of ASTs during early- and midadolescence. It remains to be discovered whether the observed female adolescent increase in ASTs represents the genuine late onset of social difficulties or earlier, subtle, pre-existing difficulties becoming more obvious.
Deconditioning and Fibromyalgia: A Pilot Study

This pilot, multiple case study primarily examined deconditioning effects on four physical fitness components in eight participants with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Fitness results after training were contrasted with fitness results immediately following two periods of inactivity. These preliminary data suggest that aspects of physical deconditioning among people with FMS may be highly individualized; therefore, making any generalizations about physical detraining in this population requires more study. Also, results regarding FMS symptoms and psychosocial factors following training versus no training on these eight participants suggest that deconditioning on these factors is very individualized. Knowledge of data-based, deconditioning information relative to FMS is important for professionals who work with older adult patients, especially activity directors who coordinate/direct recreational exercise programs or physical rehabilitation programs that involve exercise in nursing homes. Deconditioning effects from program closings, activity staff absences, or missing sessions for any reason may potentially affect fitness, FMS symptoms, psychosocial function, and possibly activities of daily living (ADL). This potential negative effect on ADL can increase workload and place much more stress on the nursing staff. All of this requires more research for a more thorough understanding.
Disseminated tuberculosis complicating anti‐TNF‐α treatment

An unusually large number of cases of tuberculosis, often of miliary or disseminated form, have been reported in patients receiving infliximab therapy for rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease. We describe a patient with rheumatoid arthritis who was treated with infliximab and became systemically ill with Mycobacterium tuberculosis‐disseminated infection. Patients who are candidates for treatment with tumour necrosis factor‐alfa inhibitors should be evaluated for the presence of latent or active M. tuberculosis infection.
Reference Values for Radiologic Evaluation of Cervical Canal, Vertebral Body, and Torg-Pavlov Ratio

The present study was aimed to analyze the mean values of the cervical dimensions on plain lateral radiographs. The sagittal canal diameter (SCD) and vertebral body diameter (VBD) were measured using an electronic digital caliper from the levels of C2 to C7 in 424 (226 women, 198 men) radiographs of healthy people aged 20 to 50 years. After these measurements, Torg-Pavlov ratio (the ratio between the SCD and the VBD) was estimated. The mean SCD was found between 19.8±1.2 mm and 18.8±0.8 mm from the levels of C2 to C7 in women whereas same dimension was between 20.4±1.1 mm and 19.5±0.9 mm in men. Additionally, the mean values of the VBD were found between 17.1±0.9 mm and 18.4±0.7 mm in women and between 18.0±1.1 mm and 19.4±1.0 mm in men from the levels of C2 to C7. The Torg-Pavlov ratio was observed 1.1 to 0.9 in women and 1.0 to 0.9 in men.
Use of an intra-uterine glass ball protocol to extend luteal function in mares

SUMMARY A 25- or 35-mm diameter glass ball was placed in the uterus of mares to observe the effect on interovulatory interval, luteal function, estrous behavior, the endometrium, and subsequent fertility. The 25-mm glass ball was spontaneously expelled from the uterus of 6 of 12 mares (50%), whereas none of the 35-mm glass balls was expelled. Teasing results were consistent with the concentration of circulating progesterone. Luteal function was extended in 7 of 18 mares (39%) maintaining a glass ball, whereas an extended luteal period occurred in 4 of 32 mares (13%) observed as controls. Extended luteal function occurred in 7 of 62 diestrus periods (11%) among mares following ball placement, whereas 4 of 50 diestrus periods (8%) were extended in control cycles. The mean luteal life span in mares with a glass ball and extended luteal function was 87 days (range, 76 to 109 days); there were no significant differences in length of luteal function in both groups of mares that received the 2 different ball sizes. Endometrial changes observed between preplacement and postremoval samples were minimal. When mares were bred in the season subsequent to glass ball removal, 17 of 23 (74%) conceived. Placing an intrauterine glass ball in a mare may be an alternative to exogenous hormone therapy to prevent cycling in some mares. Luteal function was extended to nearly 90 days in approximately 40% of mares. The 35-mm diameter glass ball appeared to have an advantage for retention over the 25-mm size. Results of our study could not completely
Prescribing for off‐label use and unauthorized medicines in three paediatric wards in Finland, the status before and after the European Union Paediatric Regulation

The European Paediatric Regulation aims to reduce off‐label use of medicines in paediatric pharmacotherapy. Prescribing for off‐label use and unauthorized medicines was common in the paediatric wards of the Kuopio University Hospital in 2001. To evaluate the possible impact of the Regulation on the prevalence and the frequency on such prescribing, we repeated the study in 2011 as it was conducted 10 years earlier.
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Stem cell transplantation has been suggested as a treatment for myocardial infarction, but clinical studies have yet to demonstrate conclusive, positive effects. This may be related to poor survival of the transplanted stem cells due to the in ﬂ ammatory response following myocardial infarction. To address this, a scaffold-based stem cell delivery system was functionalised with anti-in ﬂ ammatory plasmids (inter-leukin-10) to improve stem cell retention and recovery of cardiac function. Myocardial infarction was induced and these functionalised scaffolds were applied over the infarcted myocardium. Four weeks later, stem cell retention, cardiac function, remodelling and in ﬂ ammation were quanti ﬁ ed. Interleukin-10 gene transfer improved stem cell retention by more than ﬁ ve-fold and the hearts treated with scaffold, stem cells and interleukin-10 had signi ﬁ cant functional recovery compared to the scaffold control (scaffold: (cid:1) 10 (cid:3) 7%, scaffold, interleukin-10 and stem cells: þ 7 (cid:3) 6%). This improved function was associated with increased infarcted wall thickness and increased ratios of collagen type III/type I, decreased cell death, and a change in macrophage markers from mainly cytotoxic in the scaffold group to mainly regulatory in scaffold, stem cells and interleukin-10 group. Thus, treatment of myocardial infarction with stem cells and interleukin-10 gene transfer signi ﬁ cantly improved stem cell retention and ultimately improved overall cardiac function.
Is a flavonoid‐rich diet with steamer cooking safe during calcineurin inhibitors therapy?

Dietary therapy is recommended for decreasing the symptoms of the metabolic syndrome and the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in subjects on calcineurin inhibitors. However, food–drug interactions may occur particularly with patients on such immunosuppressive therapy. This article comments on the benefit/risk assessment of a flavonoid‐rich diet and steam‐cooking of such food during calcineurin inhibitors therapy.
Rapid and responsive health technology assessment: the development and evaluation process in the South and West region of England

The Development and Evaluation Committee (DEC) provides local guidance on the value of new and existing health care technologies, including drugs, devices, procedures and health care settings. The system is made up of two components: i) literature review and cost‐effectiveness estimation of the proposed and current technologies, and ii) consideration by the Development and Evaluation Committee which arbitrates, makes recommendations and disseminates results across the South and West region. Sixty‐three reviews have been undertaken to date, including, for example, beta interferon for multiple sclerosis, pulsed dye laser in the treatment of port‐wine stains, and paclitaxel in ovarian cancer. The outcomes of this service are guides to purchasing which are both carefully researched and scrutinized.
Assessment of sanitary and hygienic status of catering establishments of Awassa Town.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the sanitary status and hygienic practices of catering business establishments in Awassa Town, Southern Ethiopia, February to April 1996. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires, free listings, parasitological and bacteriological laboratory analyses. A total of 164 catering establishments were identified and investigated. They had about 1023 workers with daily customer services of about 14,965. Water was found to be available in most (89.7%) of the establishments and sanitation coverage (defined as the presence of latrine) was 98%. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites among food handlers was 63%, with Giardia Lamblia (33.3%), Entamoeba histolytica (21.5%), Ascaris lumbricoid (18.2%) and hookworm species (10.8%). The water supply and sewerage authority (WSSA) water supply was found to be bacteriologically potable. Inadequate follow-up of catering establishments, absence of optimum standard procedures and guidelines for business operation, poor regular refurbishment practice, inappropriate liquid and solid waste disposal system, and poor personal hygiene of food handlers were the major findings. Multi-lateral and inter-sectoral collaboration and cooperation is mandatory to design the rapidly growing urbanization and industrialization of the Town by involving municipalities, the local administrative council, the health sector, owners of the establishments and the community to work together and comply with the optimum standards and procedures. Recommendations are forwarded to ensure customer expectations, needs, and demands. (Ethiopian Journal of Health Development: 2000, 14(1): 91-98)
Comparison of Dynamic Contour Tonometry and Goldmann Applanation Tonometry

Purpose: To compare dynamic contour tonometry (DCT) and Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and investigate the influence of central corneal thickness (CCT) onintraocular pressure. Methods: In a prospective study of 165 eyes with glaucoma (135 eyes), glaucoma suspect (14 eyes), and ocular hypertension (16 eyes), intraocularpressure was measured with DCT and GAT, and followed by measurement of the CCT with ultrasound pachymetry. Statistical analysis were performed with simple linear regression analysis and t-test using SPSS (Statistical software, ver. 10; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Results: A clear correlation between DCT and GAT was found (r =0.733, p＜0.001). The average intraocular pressure was 14.922. 28 mmHg with DCT and 13.973. 12 mmHg with GAT, and the intraocular pressure with DCT was 0.952. 49 mmHg higher than with GAT. A meaningful correlation was shown between GAT and CCT (r2=0.145, p＜0.001), but was not demonstrated between DCT and CCT (r2=0.012, p=0.081). In addition, the difference of intraocular pressure between GAT and DCT (GAT-DCT) showed a significant correlation with CCT (r2=0.145, p＜0.001). Conclusions: DCT appears to be a reliable method for intraocular pressure measurement, which is not influenced by CCT, unlike GAT.
Electronic structure of transparent oxides with the Tran–Blaha modified Becke–Johnson potential

We present electronic band structures of transparent oxides calculated using the Tran–Blaha modified Becke–Johnson (TB-mBJ) potential. We studied the basic n-type conducting binary oxides In2O3, ZnO, CdO and SnO2 along with the p-type conducting ternary oxides delafossite CuXO2 (X=Al, Ga, In) and spinel ZnX2O4 (X=Co, Rh, Ir). The results are presented for calculated band gaps and effective electron masses. We discuss the improvements in the band gap determination using TB-mBJ compared to the standard generalized gradient approximation (GGA) in density functional theory (DFT) and also compare the electronic band structure with available results from the quasiparticle GW method. It is shown that the calculated band gaps compare well with the experimental and GW results, although the electron effective mass is generally overestimated.
Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on metabolic profile in diabetes: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

CoenzymeQ10 (CoQ10), or ubiquinone, is an endogenous enzyme cofactor produced by most human cells. It is a potent antioxidant and is necessary for energy production in mitochondria. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease with multiple metabolic abnormalities, principally resulting from the inflammation and oxidative stress associated with mitochondrial dysfunctions. Clinical trials of the effects of supplementary CoQ10 on metabolic control in diabetes have reported inconsistent results. We undertook a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials to assess the effects of CoQ10 supplementation on glycaemic control, lipid profile and blood pressure in patients with diabetes.
The Wisdom of the Ego

Many of us enter medicine with the hope that facing and caring for suffering people will make us not only good (and rich) but wise. In reality, few physicians enjoy the systematic experience or the support for reflection that might allow them to develop more than curbside wisdom about human nature and what gives life meaning. George Vaillant, a widely acclaimed researcher on adult development and on alcoholism, is one of a handful of master clinician-researchers whose work enhances our understanding not only of disease, but of human character in all its vulnerability and resilience. Vaillant's latest book,The Wisdom of the Ego, focuses on the nature and evolution of psychological defenses over the course of adult life. In the tradition of Sigmund Freud, Anna Freud, and Erik Erikson, Vaillant defines defenses as mental operations that mediate between neurological impulse, learned cultural precepts, social interaction, and the material world. These
The Pedicled Reverse-Flow Lateral Arm Flap for Coverage of Complex Traumatic Elbow Injuries

PurposeThe pedicled reverse-flow lateral arm flap has been described primarily for the reconstruction of nontraumatic elbow wounds. We describe our experience using this flap in staged operations for soft tissue coverage after elbow trauma, including acute coverage of open fractures and salvage of infected hardware. MethodsReview of patients who underwent staged pedicled reverse-flow lateral arm flap transfer for coverage of traumatic elbow defects. ResultsThree patients were identified; all underwent 2-stage repair with flap delay for coverage of traumatic elbow injuries. Each patient had stable wound coverage with this flap. The only complication was 5% distal flap necrosis in 1 patient. ConclusionsThe pedicled reverse-flow lateral arm flap provides reliable soft tissue coverage of traumatic elbow defects with minimal donor-site morbidity.
Isotope effects in water as investigated by neutron diffraction and path integral molecular dynamics

The structures of heavy and light water at 300 K were investigated by using a joint approach in which the method of neutron diffraction with oxygen isotope substitution was complemented by path integral molecular dynamics simulations. The diffraction results, which give intra-molecular O–D and O–H bond distances of 0.985(5) and 0.990(5) Å, were found to be in best agreement with those obtained by using the flexible anharmonic TTM3-F water model. Both techniques show a difference of ≃ 0.5% between the O–D and O–H intra-molecular bond lengths, and the results support a competing quantum effects model for water in which its structural and dynamical properties are governed by an offset between intra-molecular and inter-molecular quantum contributions. Further consideration of the O–O correlations is needed in order to improve agreement with experiment.
Determinants of Help-Seeking Behaviour of Families of Schizophrenic Patients Attending a Teaching Hospital in India: an Indigenous Explanatory Model

A growing body of data derived from field-surveys indicate that many people with psychiatric disorders seek no professional help in any kind of health facility. These results argue for more research on barriers to help-seeking. The determinants and patterns of help-seeking behaviour of 83 families of schizophrenic patients attending a teaching hospital in India was studied in the context of their indigenous concept of health and illness. While all the families consulted any kind of health facility within two years, over 27% of them took more than five years to report to the referral centre. Those who consulted indigenous healers first took a short time to reach the referral centre. Belief in the supernatural causation of schizophrenia was very common. Most of those who believed in supernatural causation, consulted indigenous healers first and those who identified schizophrenia as a medical problem consulted practitioners of modern medicine. These findings suggest that cultural factors like indigenous belief systems about causes of illness are important determinants of patterns of help-seeking behaviour in schizophrenia.
Transforming children's health spaces into learning places

Purpose – Chronic health conditions can cause children extended school absences, creating significant barriers for continued education. Out‐of‐school learning environments, such as hospitals, provide opportunities to maintain children's learning identities during school absences. This paper seeks to present an example of hospital‐based teaching and learning and to explore the challenges of providing child‐centred learning opportunities in this environment.Design/methodology/approach – A case study narrative describes the underpinnings of child‐centred teaching and learning within a children's hospital. The “Around the World” learning activity is used to discuss the challenges and strategies when fostering learning environments for children with diverse needs.Findings – The paper highlights how pedagogy is apparent in a children's health setting. Reflective teacher practice translated pedagogical principles into dynamic, situated learning activities that engaged children visiting a hospital Out‐patients ar.
Experiences of Family Caregiving among Middle-Aged Australian Women

Family caregiving is an unpaid activity that falls inequitably on women. As one component of the Women's Health Australia survey, this article uses quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the impact of family caregiving among middle-aged women. Of 13,888 women, 1775 responded to specific items about caregiving and 185 made openended comments about their experiences. Quantitative analyses showed that caregivers experienced more financial difficulties, poorer physical and psychological health, higher levels of stress and higher use of health care services. Content analysis of comments supported these findings, and in addition identified emerging themes including difficulties with travel, inadequacies in health and welfare systems, a sense of exploitation and fear for the future. These findings support the view that interventions to assist family caregivers must address systemic in addition to individual factors.