Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Health Belief Model and Compliance with CPAP Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Abstract Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a disorder that severely disrupts sleep and may lead to severe long- and short-term health consequences. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is an effective treatment for OSA, but compliance with CPAP is often poor. Forty participants diagnosed with OSA completed a questionnaire based on the health belief model after a one-night first-time trial of CPAP treatment. After a subsequent 1-month period of CPAP use, electronic usage records were downloaded and analysed. Perceived benefits of CPAP use and perceived barriers to use showed multivariate associations with the mean number of hours of daily CPAP use, and perceived benefits of CPAP use was inversely associated with the percentage of days that CPAP was not used. Participants' confidence in their ability to use CPAP showed significant univariate, but not multivariate, relationships with both variables. Findings suggest that patients may benefit from greater levels of information and instruction in CPAP use.
Is medicine turning into unhappy profession?

Background: Stress is one of the most common problems; one manifestation of stress is burnout. Burnout and other stress-related illnesses among medical professionals are receiving increased attention and have been described in many branches of medical practice including dentists, nurses, etc., The purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence of stress and burnout in medical professionals in Rajasthan. Materials and Methods: The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey (MBI-HSS) and a demographic questionnaire of our own design were sent to 1,735 medical professional of various branches and different location throughout the state of Rajasthan. In response to that, 627 (36%) surveys were returned, of which 576 (92%) were found complete for analysis so later group constitute as sample for analysis. Result: 29.16% of medical professional showed high level of emotional exhaustion (EE), 20% showed high level of depersonalization (DP), and 17.9% showed low personal accomplishment (PA). Young professionals showed more sensitivity towards burnout (r = −0.122, P < 0.003). Females were more prone to burnout (40%) as compared to males (27%). Conclusion: Burnout is an important problem in medical professionals in Rajasthan. Difference in approach to work and perceived environment at workplace, unrewarding career, unsupported behavior of peer group, balance between work and family needs appear to be important factors in burnout.
Job satisfaction, job stress and psychosomatic health problems in software professionals in India

This questionnaire based study investigates correlation between job satisfaction, job stress and psychosomatic health in Indian software professionals. Also, examines how yoga practicing Indian software professionals cope up with stress and psychosomatic health problems. The sample consisted of yoga practicing and non-yoga practicing Indian software professionals working in India. The findings of this study have shown that there is significant correlation among job satisfaction, job stress and health. In Yoga practitioners job satisfaction is not significantly related to Psychosomatic health whereas in non-yoga group Psychosomatic Health symptoms showed significant relationship with Job satisfaction.
Health problems among migrant construction workers: A unique public–private partnership project

Background: Construction sector is a booming industry and involves many hazardous activities. Migrant labor in the industry is susceptible to various health and occupational hazards. In a unique public–private partnership project, a medical team from a public sector teaching hospital in Mumbai provided comprehensive on-site health care services to the construction workers of a private construction company. Objective: To study socio-demographic profile and morbidity pattern of construction workers. Setting and Design: A cross-sectional study at construction site Vidyavihar (West), Mumbai, was carried out over the period of May to November 2010. Materials and Methods: A medical team provided comprehensive on-site health care services, and a Health Card was devised to maintain the record of socio-demographic, occupational details, and complete physical examination findings of the workers who participated in the study. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 15.0. Results: Of the 1337 workers (all males) examined, 1289 (96.4%) belonged to 15–45 years age group. The mean age of the workers was 26.25 ± 8.49 years. A third of the migrants belonged to West Bengal. The average number of health problems in the workers was 1.41. Regular consumers of tobacco and alcohol were 50.48 and 14.65%, respectively. Nearly one-fifth of the workers had febrile illness, of which 20.71% had suspected malaria; 12.6% had respiratory infections, while 3.4% were found to have hypertension. There was a statistically significant association (P < 0.05) between type of occupation and morbidity status.
Achieving target recruitment in a primary care trial: lessons from PRIDE

Background: Failure to reach recruitment targets is a widespread problem in RCTs (randomized controlled trials). This paper presents experience of recruiting patients into the PRIDE trial which was carried out in one Primary Care Trust (PCT) in the North West of England. Aim: The aim of this feasibility study was to test the effectiveness of a new model of care for the management of late-life depression. Method: GPs (general practitioners), PNs (practice nurses) and community nurses were invited to refer patients into the study. Over 100 patients were needed (at least 50 in each arm of the trial) for the study to be sufficiently powered. On-target recruitment of over 100 patients over 18 months was achieved. Findings: Data obtained from conversations and from semi-structured interviews with health professionals is presented to give possible explanations for this successful recruitment. Not all practices in the PCT engaged with the study, and the most common reasons given by GPs and their staff for non-participation was being single handed or already having a heavy work-load. All community nurses spoken to agreed to refer patients to the study but only five referrals were made by this group over the course of the study. The main reasons primary care professionals did agree to participate and continue to refer patients was that they felt the trial was offering a local and relevant service to an under-served patient group. The very simple referral process was also an important factor. In addition, the Trial Nurse was perceived to be responsive, responding quickly to referrals made and providing regular and detailed feedback which was perceived to help and support the health professionals in the future management of the patient.
Oral contraceptive pills decrease pulmonary airway resistance in healthy north Indian women.

OBJECTIVES Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) are hormonal pills used by females to prevent conception; they are a combination of estrogen and progestin. There is, however, compelling evidence that throughout the reproductive life of a woman, her airways are subject to the influence of the cyclical variations in sex hormones which occur in relation to circadian rhythms. The present study has been designed to investigate the effects of OCPs on airway resistance in terms of spirometric parameters in OCP users and nonusers. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 100 women (age: 20-40 years) ware selected for the present study. The subjects were provided with a one-month supply of OCPs. The constituents per tablet of MALA-N used were levonorgestrel 0.15 mg and ethinylestradiol 0.03 mg. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced expiratory flow in expiring 25-75% air (FEF 25-75), forced expiratory volume percentage in one second (FEV1% or FEV1/FVC), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were recorded. RESULTS In our study, the FEF 25-75and PEFR increased significantly in OCP users, showing that these hormone pills decrease the resistance offered by small bronchioles.
A comparative study of intraocular pressure changes in postmenopausal normotensive and hypertensive women

Background: Elevated intraocular pressure is a major modifiable risk factor for preventing glaucoma. Changes in intraocular pressure are directly and significantly associated with changes in blood pressure. Menopausal women with hypertension are at an increased risk of developing elevated intraocular pressure. Aim of current study was to compare the intraocular pressure changes in postmenopausal normotensive and hypertensive women. Methods: 35 normotensive and 35 hypertensive (based on JNC7 classification) postmenopausal women in the age group of 45-55 years participated in the study. Blood pressure was recorded in the sitting position with a mercury sphygmomanometer. Intraocular pressure was measured using Goldmann applanation tonometer. Results: Mean Intraocular Pressure in postmenopausal normotensive women was 13.01 ± 2.61 mmHg while that of postmenopausal hypertensive women was 15.15 ± 2.16 mmHg which was statistically significant. A statistically significant correlation was observed between IOP and systolic blood pressure and positive correlation was obtained between IOP and diastolic blood pressure in postmenopausal hypertensive women. Conclusion: Menopausal women are at an increased risk of developing hypertension due to age, hormonal changes and obesity which may lead to increased IOP. IOP is also directly and significantly related to systemic blood pressure hence postmenopausal women with systemic hypertension need periodic ophthalmologic examination. Detecting early IOP changes will help them in identifying the risk groups and formulating strategies for screening glaucoma.
Quality of life in type 2 diabetic patients and related effective factors.

BACKGROUND Diabetes type 2, as one of the most important chronic diseases in the world, reduces quality of life in patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Our research--as a descriptive analytical cross-sectional study--was performed on 120 type 2 diabetics in Tehran 503 hospital in 2008. Diverse domain scores of patients' quality of life were evaluated by SF-36 standard questionnaire. Gained data analyzed by SPSS 16.0 software through statistical tests including Pearson's correlation coefficient, Chi-square test, Independent T-test, Kolmogrov-Smirnov test, Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal Wallis test, ANOVA, and Fisher exact test. RESULTS Age had significant reverse relationship with physical functioning, vitality, mental health, and mental component score. Education level was just directly correlated to bodily pain. Marital status was correlated with social functioning and general health domains. Family income level was directly related to mental health and mental component score domains. No relation was found between years of disease duration, smoking status, workout status, diet follow-up, lack/presence of hypertension, and diverse domains of these patients' quality of life. Hyperlipidemia had meaningful reverse relationship to physical functioning, bodily pain, social functioning, and physical component score domains. Heart diseases had meaningful reverse relationship to physical functioning and mental health domains. Patients' physical component score had direct relationship to mental component score. CONCLUSION Observed scores were meaningfully low in comparison with both healthy people and similar surveys.
Breast Development and Control of Milk Synthesis

We have developed a computerized breast measurement system that can quantitate both long-term (lactation cycle) and short-term (between breastfeedings) changes in breast volume. The increase in breast volume during pregnancy was not related to milk production at one month of lactation, whereas milk production from one to six months of lactation remained constant and was not controlled directly by the suckling-evoked secretion of prolactin. From the measurement of circadian changes in breast volume, it was concluded that infants rarely emptied the breasts at a single breastfeeding and that short-term variation in the rate of synthesis during the day and between the left and right breasts was closely related to the degree of breast fullness. Furthermore, differences between women in the storage capacity of the breasts dictated their flexibility in frequency of breastfeeding. These observations are consistent with the autocrine (local) control of milk synthesis during established lactation in women.
Prevalence of community acquired urinary tract infections in Silchar Medical College, Assam, India and its antimicrobial susceptibility profile.

BACKGROUND This study was conducted to know the rate of prevalence of community acquired UTI infections in both males and females, Assam, North-East India. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 50 μl of urine sample from each of the subjects was streaked on cystine lactose electrolyte-deficient agar medium. The plates were incubated overnight at 37°C. Pure, isolated colonies of each type was separately cultured and characterized. The susceptibility of the clinical isolates to routinely prescribed antibiotics in the hospital was performed against various antibiotics. RESULTS Of the total 40 patients, 26 positive samples were obtained of which 19 females (73.07%) and 7 male (26.92%) patients were shown to be urine culture positive. The most commonly isolated bacterium was Escherichia coli with a frequency rate of (33.3%) followed by Staphyloccous aureus (22.2%), Klebsiella pnemoniae (11.1%), coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) (7.4%), Pseudomonas sp. (7.4%), Proteus myxofaciens (3.7%), Proteus mirabilis (3.7%), Edwardsiella tarda (3.7%), Morganella morganii (3.7%), and Citrobacter fruendii (3.7%). Analysis of the samples showed that UTI was more common in females of younger age group as compared with males. It was also observed that the patients responded effectively to imepenem (IE), cepefime, amikacin, norfloxacin, and co-trimoxazole antimicrobial agents against Gram-negative bacilli. Furthermore, the most effective antibiotics against Gram-positive cocci was found to be ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, IE, and penicillin G (benzyl penicillin). CONCLUSIONS Antibiotics have been in use for a long period and more often the misuse of antimicrobial drugs has today led to a general rise in the emergence of resistant bacteria.
Vitamin D status and its association with antioxidant profiles in diabetic patients: A cross-sectional study in Iran.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES There are increasing evidences about the relationship between vitamin D status and the control of diabetes. Several studies showed that vitamin D has an antioxidant property. In this study, we aimed to determine the relationship between serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OH-D) and glycemic, antioxidant profile in diabetes compared to healthy groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted in 100 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 100 healthy controls. Fasting serum levels of 25-OH-D, calcium, phosphorous, parathyroid hormone, glucose, HbA(1C), insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) were measured. RESULTS Eighty-two percent of type 2 diabetic patients and 75% of healthy subjects were suffering from vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. The activities of GR and GSH-PX were higher in diabetic patients compared to control. There was a negative relationship between 25-OH-D and activity of GR, GSH-PX. Also, 25-OH-D had a positive association with activity of SOD in diabetic patients. In the control group, 25-OH-D had an inverse relationship with SOD, GSH-PX, and positively with GR activities. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS Vitamin D deficiency has a high prevalence among Iranian adult population with and without type 2 diabetes. Our results showed that vitamin D may have a beneficial effect on the control of glycemic profiles and oxidative stress in T2DM patients.
Bedside utility of clinical scoring systems in classifying stroke.

BACKGROUND The study aimed to validate and compare the Siriraj score, Guy's hospital score, Greek score, and Besson score in a group of stroke patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS We assessed the stroke scores and compared them to computed tomography (CT) scan of brain. RESULTS Two hundred stroke patients (129 ischemic stroke) were included. For ischemic stroke, sensitivity and specificity were 71% and 92% (Siriraj score), 73% and 98% (Greek score), 59% and 87% (Guy's hospital score), and 65% and 98% (Besson score), respectively. For intracranial hemorrhage, sensitivity and specificity were 84% and 89% (Siriraj score), 80% and 99% (Greek score), and 63% and 95% (Guy's hospital score), respectively. Using receptor operating characteristic curve, the greatest area under the curve was obtained for Greek score (0.973). For bedside accurate and safe diagnosis of ischemic stroke, the best cut off was for Greek score (1.5) which identified 47% of ischemic stroke patients. CONCLUSIONS The Greek score appears as the single best score. Using the newly developed discriminant cut off value; a substantial number of patients may be started with anti-platelet therapy while awaiting CT scan of brain.
Breast cancer screening (breast self-examination, clinical breast exam, and mammography) in women referred to health centers in Tabriz, Iran.

BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the most common cause of death in Iranian women aged 35-55 years. Breast cancer screening comprises breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE) and mammography. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to examine the performance of screening methods among women referring to health centers of Tabriz, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a descriptive-analytical research carried out on 400 women aged 20-50 years. The samples were chosen through random multistage sampling among health centers of Tabriz then active records of women. A questionnaire and observational checklist was used to elicit socio-demographic information and performance of women towards breast cancer screening methods. Descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square and Fisher's exact test) were used to analyze the data. RESULTS Only 18.8% of women did breast self-examination, 19.1% had clinical breast examination and 3.3% had mammogram. Statistical test showed a significant relationship between performing BSE and educational level, employment, income, number of children, breastfeeding history, breastfeeding quality and family history of breast cancer. There was a significant correlation between performing CBE and history of breast tumor and also, between performing the mammography and family history of breast cancer and history of breast tumor (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The findings showed that the performance of breast cancer screening methods was not satisfactory. Performance in high risk women was very desirable than others. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE The presentation of imperative education about breast cancer screening methods through health staff especially in pregnancy, post-partum and even in pre marriage counseling periods seems necessary.
Epidemiology of infective endocarditis in Chennai, South India.

BACKGROUND Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection of the endocardial surface of the heart. Despite recent advances in diagnosis and treatment, mortality rates remain high. Data on the prevalence, epidemiology and etiology of IE from India are sparse. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, laboratory, microbiological, and echocardiographic characteristics of IE patients in Chennai, south India. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients were classified based on modified Duke criteria. Details of the clinical profile of the patients and laboratory data were recorded. Blood cultures were performed to establish the etiology. RESULTS Ninety six percent of patients had native valve endocarditis. Mitral valve was the most commonly affected valve. CONCLUSION Rheumatic heart disease was the most common predisposing factor and fever was the most common clinical feature. Viridans group streptococci accounted of the culture positive cases.
Malignant mesothelioma not related to asbestos exposure: Analytical scanning electron microscopic analysis of 83 cases and comparison with 442 asbestos-related cases

ABSTRACT Epidemiological studies indicate that 80–90% of mesotheliomas are asbestos related. This suggests that 10–20% are not. Lung fiber burden analysis provides objective information about past exposures to asbestos. We have performed lung fiber burden analysis on a large cohort of mesothelioma cases and compared the findings with a reference population. Herein we report our findings along with demographic and exposure data.
School-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adolescent Depression

The current study evaluated cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for adolescent depression delivered in health clinics and counseling centers in four high schools. Outcomes were benchmarked to results from prior efficacy trials. Fifty adolescents diagnosed with depressive disorders were treated by eight doctoral-level psychologists who followed a manual-guided, 12-session, individual CBT protocol. Referred adolescents presented with high rates of comorbidity, traumatic experiences, and prior suicide attempts. Posttreatment response to school-based CBT (64%) was comparable to results obtained in efficacy trials. On average, symptom reduction in this school-based study was similar to prior efficacy trials, exceeded results from an efficacy trial using the original manual, and exceeded results from a prior school-based CBT trial. Examination of predictors of symptom change and treatment response showed that life stress, trauma history, and depressive symptom severity were negatively associated with outcomes. Results suggest that school-based CBT is a relatively robust treatment for adolescent depression across gender, age, and ethnic groups as well as for adolescents with varied patterns of comorbidity.
Physical Therapists’ Perceptions of Providing Services to Adults With Childhood-Onset Neuromotor Disabilities

ABSTRACT Adults with childhood-onset neuromotor disabilities face problems accessing health care services. There are often challenges finding primary care providers or specialized providers, such as physical therapists, who are knowledgeable about neuromotor disabilities. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of physical therapists regarding (a) barriers to providing therapy to adults with childhood-onset neuromotor disabilities and (b) resources that would be beneficial for improving and/or providing these services. An online questionnaire was sent to 1,250 therapists licensed in Oregon and Southwest Washington. One hundred fifty-two physical therapists responded resulting in a 12% response rate. The top three barriers to providing therapy were extra time for complex patients, lack of insurance coverage, and lack of experience. The three most frequently cited resource needs included information on equipment, continuing education, and written educational materials. These findings suggest that physical therapists may benefit from further education in working with adults with childhood-onset neuromotor disabilities.