Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE LEVELS OF CIRCULATORY FETAL DNA IN MATERNAL PLASMA ARE ELEVATED PRIOR TO THE ONSET OF PREECLAMPSIA

Objective: Elevations in cell free fetal DNA has previously been determined in pregnancies affected by preeclampsia. A recent report has indicated that cell free fetal DNA concentrations are elevated early in pregnancy before disease onset. As we have recently performed a prospective study to examine fetal cell traffic in pregnancies at risk for developing preeclampsia, we now quantify cell free fetal DNA concentrations in these samples. Methods: Blood samples were collected in the second trimester of pregnancy from pregnancies at risk for preeclampsia. Cell free fetal DNA amounts were quantified by real-time PCR. These results were then correlated with subsequent pregnancy outcome. Results: Free fetal DNA levels were significantly higher (median of 422.9 vs. 128.5 copies/mL maternal plasma; p=0.005) in plasma samples from women who developed preeclampsia (n=10) when compared to those who had unremarkable pregnancies (n=40). Conclusions: Our data independently confirm the finding that maternal plasma cell free fetal DNA levels are elevated early in pregnancies, which later develop preeclampsia.
Phylogenetic Diversities and Community Structure of Members of the Extremely Halophilic Archaea (Order Halobacteriales) in Multiple Saline Sediment Habitats

ABSTRACT We investigated the phylogenetic diversity and community structure of members of the halophilic Archaea (order Halobacteriales) in five distinct sediment habitats that experience various levels of salinity and salinity fluctuations (sediments from Great Salt Plains and Zodletone Spring in Oklahoma, mangrove tree sediments in Puerto Rico, sediment underneath salt heaps in a salt-processing plant, and sediments from the Great Salt Lake northern arm) using Halobacteriales-specific 16S rRNA gene primers. Extremely diverse Halobacteriales communities were encountered in all habitats, with 27 (Zodletone) to 37 (mangrove) different genera identified per sample, out of the currently described 38 Halobacteriales genera. With the exception of Zodletone Spring, where the prevalent geochemical conditions are extremely inhospitable to Halobacteriales survival, habitats with fluctuating salinity levels were more diverse than permanently saline habitats. Sequences affiliated with the recently described genera Halogranum, Halolamina, Haloplanus, Halosarcina, and Halorientalis, in addition to the genera Halorubrum, Haloferax, and Halobacterium, were among the most abundant and ubiquitous genera, suggesting a wide distribution of these poorly studied genera in saline sediments. The Halobacteriales sediment communities analyzed in this study were more diverse than and completely distinct from communities from typical hypersaline water bodies. Finally, sequences unaffiliated with currently described genera represented a small fraction of the total Halobacteriales communities, ranging between 2.5% (Zodletone) to 7.0% (mangrove and Great Salt Lake). However, these novel sequences were characterized by remarkably high levels of alpha and beta diversities, suggesting the presence of an enormous, yet-untapped supply of novel Halobacteriales genera within the rare biosphere of various saline ecosystems.
Diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease earlier than current Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines using a feasible spirometry parameter (maximal-mid expiratory flow/forced vital capacity)

Some patients suffer from clinical symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but their pulmonary function tests are in the normal range (at risk group). The objective of this study was to discover a practical test to distinguish these patients from non-COPD subjects. A total of 77 subjects including 40 COPD patients, 37 subjects at risk for developing COPD, and 32 control subjects were entered in this study. The accuracy of maximal-mid expiratory flow (MMEF)/forced vital capacity (FVC) for the diagnosis of COPD in at risk patients and its capability to differentiate from early COPD and normal patients were evaluated. Body plethysmography was used for measurement of lung volume as the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease standard. MMEF/FVC in the at risk group of COPD (0.73 ± 0.19) was significantly lower than the normal control group (0.9 ± 0.24, respectively), and also, it was significantly higher than the COPD group (0.31 ± 0.17). There was significant correlation between the MMEF/FVC and amount of smoking measured by pack year (r 2 = 0.112, p = 0.005) and stages of COPD (Spearman’s ρ = 0.82, p = 0.0001). Early stage COPD (smoker subjects without spirometry derangement) can be diagnosed by MMEF/FVC. Using this tool we may be able to detect this highly preventable disease at an earlier stage.
Impact of physiotherapy on patients with advanced lung cancer

Patients with lung cancer have high mortality and high morbidity. Lung cancer-related symptoms and problems such as dyspnea, fatigue, pain, and cachexia that begin in the early phase later result in poor physical functioning, psychosocial, and quality of life status. In addition, advancing age is associated with significant comorbidity. These patients may benefit from multidisciplinary therapy to reduce the perceived severity of dyspnea and fatigue and increase physical functioning and quality of life. Based on management of symptoms and problems such as dyspnea, physical inactivity, cancer-related fatigue, respiratory secretions, pain, and anxiety–depression of these patients, it is thought that physiotherapy techniques can be used on advanced lung cancer patients following a comprehensive evaluation. However, well-designed, prospective, and randomized-controlled trials are needed to prove the efficacy of physiotherapy and pulmonary rehabilitation in general for patients with advanced lung cancer.
Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Rhode Island Coastal Ponds and the Estuarine Environment of Narragansett Bay

ABSTRACT Quantification of the abundance of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in water and oysters from Rhode Island showed the presence of environmental strains and low levels of potentially pathogenic strains when water temperatures were ≥18°C, with peak levels in late July to early August. A higher abundance of the trh gene than of the tdh gene was observed.
A Comparative Review of the Effectiveness Trial of N-O-T in Alabama

Abstract The American Lung Association’s Not On Tobacco (N-O-T) program is federally recognized as an accessible and effective option for teen smoking cessation. The program is the most widely used teen smoking cessation program in schools and communities across the U.S. Over a decade of research demonstrates the program’s solid evidence base, with overwhelmingly positive findings for both smoking cessation and reduction. A recent publication detailing a Not On Tobacco trial in Alabama reported low impact and negative findings. Given the program’s widespread use across the country, it is important to understand differential outcomes between the Alabama study and past Not On Tobacco studies, and to explore what we can learn from these differences. The current manuscript: (1) details and compares the methodological differences between the Alabama study and previous Not On Tobacco efficacy and effectiveness studies in other states, (2) explores important issues surrounding the analysis of teen smoking cessation outcomes, and (3) provides guidance for future research for Not On Tobacco and other teen smoking cessation interventions.
Hybrid Digital&#8211;Analog Source&#8211;Channel Coding for Bandwidth Compression/Expansion

An approach to hybrid digital-analog (HDA) source-channel coding for the communication of analog sources over memoryless Gaussian channels is introduced. The HDA system, which exploits the advantages of both digital and analog systems, generalizes a scheme previously presented by the authors, and can operate for any bandwidth ratio (bandwidth compression and expansion). It is based on vector quantization and features turbo coding in its digital component and linear/nonlinear processing in its analog part. Simulations illustrate that, under both bandwidth compression and expansion modes of operation, the HDA system provides a robust and graceful performance with good reproduction fidelity for a wide range of channel conditions
Long-term non-invasive ventilation in muscular dystrophy

Long-term non-invasive ventilation (NIV) was introduced in the 1980s, initially mainly for patients with poliomyelitis, muscular dystrophy (MD) or scoliosis. The obesity-hypoventilation syndrome has since become the commonest reason for referral to most centres providing home-NIV. Patients with MD are numerically a much smaller part of the workload, but as their disease progresses the need for ventilatory support changes and they require regular comprehensive assessment of their condition. We have examined the trend in MD use of home-NIV in our unit over the last 25 years. The number of new referrals appears to be stabilizing at around 20–25 over a 5-year period, equivalent to approximately 0.5 per 100,000 of population per year. The mean age at commencement of home-NIV is now 37.5 years, with 5-year survival rates of 70–75%. Ten-year survival rates are just over 40%. The distance of usual place of residence from our unit is fairly stable, currently at a mean of 27 km. Excellent survival rates mean that patients with MD, while numerically small, are likely to remain an important part of the workload of centres providing home-NIV. Our data should prove useful in the planning of future services for this group of patients.
Does the COPD assessment test reflect functional status in patients with COPD?

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) assessment test (CAT) reflects the functional status of patients with COPD. Forty-seven patients underwent anthropometric assessment, spirometry, the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), the Glittre-activity of daily living (ADL) test (TGlittre), the London Chest ADL (LCADL) scale, and the CAT. The total score of the CAT correlated with 6MWT distance, TGlittre time spent, and LCADL%total (r = −0.56, 0.52, and 0.78, respectively; p < 0.05 for all). There was significant difference in 6MWT distance (490 ± 85.4 m vs. 387 ± 56.8 m), TGlittre time spent (3.67 ± 1.07 min vs. 5.03 ± 1.32 min), and LCADL%total (24.2 ± 3.02% vs. 44.4 ± 13.3%) between the low and high impacts of COPD on health status (respectively, p < 0.05 for all) as well as in the LCADL%total between medium and high impact of COPD on health status (31.3 ± 7.35% vs. 44.4 ± 13.3%; p = 0.001). In conclusion, the CAT reflects the functional status of patients with COPD.
TaqMan PCR for Detection of Vibrio cholerae O1, O139, Non-O1, and Non-O139 in Pure Cultures, Raw Oysters, and Synthetic Seawater

ABSTRACT Vibrio cholerae is recognized as a leading human waterborne pathogen. Traditional diagnostic testing forVibrio is not always reliable, because this bacterium can enter a viable but nonculturable state. Therefore, nucleic acid-based tests have emerged as a useful alternative to traditional enrichment testing. In this article, a TaqMan PCR assay is presented for quantitative detection of V. cholerae in pure cultures, oysters, and synthetic seawater. Primers and probe were designed from the nonclassical hemolysin (hlyA) sequence of V. choleraestrains. This probe was applied to DNA from 60 bacterial strains comprising 21 genera. The TaqMan PCR assay was positive for all of the strains of V. cholerae tested and negative for all other species of Vibrio tested. In addition, none of the other genera tested was amplified with the TaqMan primers and probe used in this study. The results of the TaqMan PCR with raw oysters and spiked with V. cholerae serotypes O1 and O139 were comparable to those of pure cultures. The sensitivity of the assay was in the range of 6 to 8 CFU g−1 and 10 CFU ml−1 in spiked raw oyster and synthetic seawater samples, respectively. The total assay could be completed in 3 h. Quantification of the Vibrio cells was linear over at least 6 log units. The TaqMan probe and primer set developed in this study can be used as a rapid screening tool for the presence ofV. cholerae in oysters and seawater without prior isolation and characterization of the bacteria by traditional microbiological methods.
Brain Tissue Oxygen Pressure and Prognosis in Spontaneous Intracerebral Hematomas

Spontaneous intracerebral hematomas are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the modern world. The purpose of our study is to investigate the usefulness of tissue oxygen tension (PtiO2)-monitoring in the prognosis of spontaneous intracerebral hematomas. Thirty-one patients (22 males and 9 females) were included in the study. The Glasgow Coma Scale on admission was ≤8 (n=27) or ≤12 (n=4), followed by an early deterioration. A 3 lumen bolt was used to introduce the catheters of cerebral monitoring into the brain parenchyma. The outcome was assessed with the Glasgow Outcome Scale at 3 and 6 months of follow-up. From the patients included, only 6 had a favorable outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale=4 to 5) and the remaining 25 had an unfavorable outcome. Twenty-one out of them died during the first 6 months after the ictus. Unfavorable outcome was correlated with the presence of an episode of PtiO2 values <5 mm Hg (>30 min) and with the relative total duration of PtiO2 values below that level. PtiO2 monitoring in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hematomas may be a reliable tool for their prognosis.
Sarcopenia and frailty in chronic respiratory disease

Sarcopenia and frailty are geriatric syndromes characterized by multisystem decline, which are related to and reflected by markers of skeletal muscle dysfunction. In older people, sarcopenia and frailty have been used for risk stratification, to predict adverse outcomes and to prompt intervention aimed at preventing decline in those at greatest risk. In this review, we examine sarcopenia and frailty in the context of chronic respiratory disease, providing an overview of the common assessments tools and studies to date in the field. We contrast assessments of sarcopenia, which consider muscle mass and function, with assessments of frailty, which often additionally consider social, cognitive and psychological domains. Frailty is emerging as an important syndrome in respiratory disease, being strongly associated with poor outcome. We also unpick the relationship between sarcopenia, frailty and skeletal muscle dysfunction in chronic respiratory disease and reveal these as interlinked but distinct clinical phenotypes. Suggested areas for future work include the application of sarcopenia and frailty models to restrictive diseases and population-based samples, prospective prognostic assessments of sarcopenia and frailty in relation to common multidimensional indices, plus the investigation of exercise, nutritional and pharmacological strategies to prevent or treat sarcopenia and frailty in chronic respiratory disease.
Prevalence and incidence of noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis among US adults in 2013

Bronchiectasis is an incurable pulmonary disorder that is characterized pathologically by permanent bronchial dilatation and severe bronchial inflammation and clinically by chronic productive cough and recurrent infectious exacerbations; bronchiectasis often occurs in the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is widely believed that increasing use of high-resolution computed tomography has led to a marked rise in the number of persons with diagnosed bronchiectasis in current US clinical practice; up-to-date evidence, however, is lacking. Using a retrospective cohort design and health-care claims data (2009–2013), we estimated the prevalence of bronchiectasis (noncystic fibrosis)—based on narrow case-finding criteria—to be 139 cases per 100,000 persons, to be higher among women versus men (180 vs. 95 per 100 K), and to increase substantially with age (from 7 per 100 K to 812 per 100 K aged 18–34 years and ≥75 years, respectively); annual incidence was estimated to be 29 cases per 100,000 persons. Disease prevalence based on broad case-finding criteria was estimated to be 213 cases per 100,000 persons. The findings of this study suggest that between 340,000 and 522,000 adults were receiving treatment for bronchiectasis and that 70,000 adults were newly diagnosed with bronchiectasis, in 2013 US clinical practice. The findings of this study also suggest that bronchiectasis is much more common than previously reported (annual growth rate since 2001, 8%), presumably due—at least in part—to recent advances in, and increased use of, radiologic techniques. Additional research is needed to validate the findings of this study, to identify the reasons for increased prevalence, and to promote education about bronchiectasis nationally.
Gnathostomiasis, Another Emerging Imported Disease

SUMMARY Gnathostomiasis is a food-borne zoonosis caused by the late-third stage larvae of Gnathostoma spp. It is being seen with increasing frequency in countries where it is not endemic and should be regarded as another emerging imported disease. Previously, its foci of endemicity have been confined to Southeast Asia and Central and South America, but its geographical boundaries appear to be increasing, with recent reports of infection in tourists returning from southern Africa. It has a complex life cycle involving at least two intermediate hosts, with humans being accidental hosts in which the larvae cannot reach sexual maturity. The main risks for acquisition are consumption of raw or undercooked freshwater fish and geographical exposure. Infection results in initial nonspecific symptoms followed by cutaneous and/or visceral larva migrans, with the latter carrying high morbidity and mortality rates if there is central nervous system involvement. We review the literature and describe the epidemiology, life cycle, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gnathostomiasis.
Child Protection Workers’ Perceptions of Foster Carers and the Foster Care System: A Study in Queensland

Abstract Child protection workers are key players in the statutory system for the protection of children and young people. For this reason, their perceptions of the operation of the system are important. This study, conducted in Queensland, Australia, explored the views of child protection workers regarding foster carers and the foster care system. The present study revealed the difficulties the child protection workers encountered in engaging with foster carers. These difficulties were due to the structure of the child protection system and the conflicts experienced by workers in balancing the needs of children and young people, their primary clients and the carers of those children and young people. Several recommendations for policy and practice are made.
How does case management for long-term mentally ill individuals affect their use of health care services? An 18-month follow-up of 10 Swedish case management services

As part of an evaluation of 10 Swedish case management services, outcome in terms of changes in use of health care services was explored. The sample consisted of 176 long-term mentally ill individuals. Changes in use of psychiatric inpatient and outpatient services, primary health care services, and somatic inpatient and outpatient services during an 18-month follow-up were investigated. The results showed a marked and significant decrease in use of psychiatric inpatient services, which were on average reduced by 43% in terms of bed days used. There was no significant change in use of compulsory psychiatric care. The reduction in psychiatric inpatient care was largest for individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Case manager interventions directed towards the client's finances and coordination of care and support was related to less use of psychiatric inpatient services. To have more contacts with the case manager was related to fewer visits in psychiatric outpatient care. The use of primary health care and other somatic health care was unaffected. It is concluded that admission to a case management service resulted in a substantial reduction in use of psychiatric inpatient care, which to some extent was related to specific activities of the case manager.
Reply to Francis: Cumulative power calculations are faulty when based on observed power and a small sample of studies

The conclusions of Francis (1) prompted us to thoroughly review our procedures to check whether bias could in fact have intruded in our recently published studies relating higher social class to increased unethical behavior (2). Selective reporting was definitely not at play: we conducted seven studies and reported our findings for each study. We have also scrutinized our data collection procedures, coding protocols, experimental methods, and debriefing responses. In no case have we found anything untoward. The remaining possibility, then, has been to reexamine the statistical approach that Francis used in inferring bias in our results.
What is the Evidence of Early Intervention, Preventative Services for Black and Minority Ethnic Group Children and their Families?

A focused literature review was undertaken in the summer of 2004 for the National Evaluation of the Children's Fund on early intervention, preventative strategies for black and minority ethnic group children aged 5–13 years of age and their families. Notwithstanding the disappointing evidence from a number of studies that preventative work was rarely undertaken, the literature review identified a set of reports whose main purpose was to examine the delivery of specific forms of family support services delivered in the community and at home. However, it found that social care interventions alone are not enough to support minority ethnic group families under stress and concerns about schooling and education are as urgent and pressing. Thus, the review also includes a discussion of the black voluntary school movement and schemes such as mentoring and mediation that aim to demonstrate community solidarity with families at risk of social exclusion. The overall paucity of evaluated material on family support services for minority ethnic groups was a constant theme in this review and may reflect a lack of appropriate services. The demographic characteristics, on the other hand, point towards particular risk and vulnerability for some ethnic groups.
The relationship of age and satisfaction with physician–patient communication from the 2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between age and satisfaction with patient–physician communication. Data were obtained from the 2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Guided by the Communication Predicament Model, chi square analyses were run to examine the relationship of age and satisfaction with physician–patient communication for persons in general and those in fair to poor health. Regression analyses were run to determine whether older age (65+) increases the likelihood of experiencing communication issues of the physician listening to the older adult's medical concerns, explaining treatment so that the patient understood, treating the patient with respect and spending enough time with the patient. A significant relationship was found between age and dissatisfaction with physician communication. Persons who are 65 and older are 1.35–1.71 times as likely to perceive problems with physician communication. Other factors that increased the likelihood of perceived communication problems were fair to poor physical or mental health, lower educational status, not having a usual provider, being uninsured, and receiving health care in a hospital or hospital emergency room. Suggested interventions included the use of Selective Assertiveness and training for patients and physicians on more effective communication techniques.