Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for refractory Clostridium difficile toxin colitis in chronic kidney disease: case reports and literature review

Clostridium difficile toxin (CDT) colitis is the most common cause of infectious diarrhoea in hospitalized patients and is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Failure to mount an immune response to CDT appears to be an important mechanism for recurrent diarrhoea [1, 2]. One of the factors associated with an increased risk for recurrence of CDT colitis is advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) [1]. There is anecdotal evidence of benefit from treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in adults with refractory CDT colitis [3–7] following failure of standard treatment with metronidazole and vancomycin [8]. However, none of the cases reported have CKD. We report two cases of CKD patients with refractory CDT colitis, treated successfully with IVIG.
Necessity of Grammar Teaching.

Grammar is often misunderstood in the language teaching field. The misconception lies in the view that grammar is a collection of arbitrary rules about static structures in the language. Further questionable claims are that the structures do not have to be thought, learners will acquire them on their own, or if the structures are taught, the lessons that ensue will be boring. This thesis on comparative approach tries to make a brief analysis of necessity of grammar teaching before it gives a relatively objective description of its function and significance in language teaching. It argues that, grammar teaching is necessary in language teaching.
Research Article. Relationship Between High Levels of Salivary Cotinine Test and Demographic Characteristics of Pregnant Smokers from Mures County

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between the frequency of self-declared status regarding smoking in a group of pregnant women from Mures county, Romania and the high levels of Salivary Cotinine (SC) like biomarkers. Material and methods: It was conducted a retrospective study among 230 pregnant women presented for prenatal care at 50 General Practitioners cabinets in Mures county, Romania, in 2015. Data were collected with a validated questionnaire which included age, level of education, socioeconomic status and ethnicity, also the self-reported smoking status. The Salivary Cotinine level was evaluated using NicAlert Saliva test kits. Results: Using salivary test we identified a high prevalence of involuntary exposure to cigarette smoke among both non-smokers and those who quit smoking before pregnancy. Also we registered pregnant women that although declared smoking cessation before pregnancy their salivary Cotinine levels were high, almost like to an active smoker, probably because of second-hand exposure or because they didn’t say the truth about their habit. Conclusions: We underline the importance of implementing more efficient community interventions among this vulnerable group in order to reduce the frequency of smoking and sustain quitting.
Introduction to Historical Linguistics

Originally published by Houghton Mifflin in 1972, this introductory text deals with human language and its relationship to other areas of human culture and behavior. Discussions include such diverse topics as the classification of languages, sound and grammar changes, reconstruction, and social and psychological factors involved in the history and development of language.
Preschool children’s healthy lifestyles: South African parents’ and preschool staff perceptions

Background: The worldwide growth of non-communicable diseases requires important lifestyle adaptations. The earlier a healthy lifestyle is adopted, the better. Enabling a healthy lifestyle for children during the preschool years ideally involves the cooperation of parents and teachers. Health promotion with parents and teachers is most effective if it takes into consideration their views and opinions, as well as context. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore perceptions of health and healthy lifestyle from the perspective of preschool children’s parents, and the staff caring for children attending preschools in three diverse settings. Design: Qualitative in-depth study. Setting: Preschools in Western Cape Province, South Africa. Method: Data were collected through six focus group discussions and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Parents and staff shared a holistic view of health, agreeing that children and their health were primarily the responsibility of the parents. Informants described their own health and that of children as affected by a variety of interconnected factors, including environmental, economic, social and individual influences. Conclusion: When tailoring a health-promoting education programme, it is important to consider the pre-existing knowledge the participants have and the context in which intervention will take place. There is also a need to structurally address social determinants of health that may be beyond the control of the individuals.
Portal hypertension predicts short-term and long-term outcomes after hepatectomy in hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Abstract Background and aims: The impact of portal hypertension (PH) on postoperative short-term outcomes and long-term survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients has lately been discussed controversially. This study aimed to explore the influence of PH on postoperative outcomes in HCC patients undergoing surgical resection. Methods: Patients undergoing hepatectomy for HCC from 2010 to 2014 were enrolled. The impact of PH on postoperative complications, posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) and overall survival (OS) was evaluated. Results: A total of 355 HCC patients were enrolled; 129 (36.3%) experienced postoperative complications and 21 (5.9%) developed PHLF. PH was identified as an independent predictor of PHLF. Patients with PH experienced a higher incidence of complications and PHLF than patients without PH. On the Cox proportional hazards regression model, PH was verified as a risk factor of OS for BCLC stage 0/A and B patients. Patients without PH had significantly better long-term survival compared to patients with PH both in the total cohort and in cirrhosis subgroup. Conclusion: Liver resection in HCC patients with PH showed a significantly increased postoperative complications and PHLF, and revealed a decreasing long-term survival than non-PH patients. Besides, tumor burden also played an important role in determining the OS. However, due to the improvement in surgical technique and perioperative management, surgery was feasible in carefully selected HCC patients with PH.
Mexican-American families experience of type 2 diabetes : a narrative inquiry

Title: Mexican-American Families Experience of Type 2 Diabetes: A Narrative Inquiry Author: Sarah A. Kooienga Approved: Ju th Kendall RN PhD For Mexican-Americans, Type 2 diabetes is the most common and severe chronic illness. Mexican-Americans suffer a disproportionate burden of death and disease from Type 2 diabetes, including metabolically more severe disease, increased incidence and occurrence of complications of diabetes and a lack of access to health care. While much is known of the epidemiology of this disease, less is known of the day to day experience especially for families impacted by this disease. In this qualitative narrative study, stories were elicited from unstructured openended interviews with Mexican-American families about their experiences living with diabetes. Ten Mexican American families living in the mid-Willamette Valley of Oregon participated in this study. Twenty seven interview events occurred with a total of 42 participants, which included persons with diabetes (PWD) and adults and children who were members of the family. Each family had at least one adult member who had lived with Type 2 diabetes for more than six months. Consistent with the methodology, I represented the findings with six story types which occurred across individuals and families. The overriding story for all of these ten families is that Type 2 diabetes creates profound emotional burden and turmoil. The six
Pengaruh Pengaturan Waktu Pemberian Air Minum yang Berbeda Temperatur terhadap Performan Ayam Petelur Periode Grower

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of interaction between drinking water provision and drinking water temperature on performance of growing period laying hens. The research used Complete Randomized Design factorial pattern with two factors. The first factor consisted of five times of drinking water provision, ie, without restriction (WO), reduction in the provision of drinking water 2 hours (W1), 3 hours (W2), 4 hours (W3), and 5 hours per day (W4). The second factor consisted of two drinking water temperatures: 25-27 °C (T0) and 21-23 °C (T1). Each treatment was repeated 3 times and each replication consisted of five chickens. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance and continued with Duncan’s test. There was interaction between drinking water provision and drinking water temperature on body weight and feed conversion. The 2-hour reduction of drinking water provision per day with water temperature 21-23 °C produced the best performance of laying hens in growing period. Key words: laying hens, performance, grower, drinking water
Analyse de la composition en acides gras de la graisse de lait. I. Optimisation et validation d'une méthode générale à haute résolution

Une methode de dosage de la composition en acides gras (env. 70 acides gras) de la graisse de lait par GC sur colonne capillaire CP-Sil 88 de 100 m avec mode d'injection «on column» a ete optimisee et validee selon la norme ISO 17025. Ce mode d'injection a ete choisi en raison des risques moindres de discrimination par rapport au mode « split » entre acides gras de volatilites tres differentes particulierement caracteristiques de la graisse de lait. Les pics ont ete identifies sur la base de substances de reference, de recoupements bibliographiques entre divers auteurs en tenant compte des acides gras et de leurs concentrations connues dans la graisse de lait. Les acides gras C14 a C17 sont elues dans l'ordre satures, iso, monoinsatures trans, anteiso et monoinsatures cis. Leurs concentrations correspondent aux valeurs connues sauf pour quelques acides gras iso, anteiso et cis bien separes et identifies dans nos conditions dont les concentrations sont parfois nettement differentes de celles indiquees dans la bibliographie. L'isomere C18:2 t9t12, un des inhibiteurs reconnus de la Δ6 desaturase, est par exemple nettement separe de l'isomere c9t13 C18:2 et sa teneur dans la graisse de lait est inferieure a celle publiee. Pour les comparaisons entre beurres d'ete et d'hiver suisses, les resultats obtenus sont comparables a ceux des autres pays europeens.
Effect of sodium phosphate loading on endurance and sprint performance in trained females

This study investigated the effects of three doses of sodium phosphate (SP) supplementation on cycling 500 kJ (119.5 kcal) time-trial (TT) performance in female cyclists. Thirteen cyclists participated in a randomised, Latin-square design study where they completed four separate trials after ingesting either a placebo, or one of three different doses (25, 50 or 75 mg·kg fat free mass: FFM) of trisodium phosphate dodecahydrate which was split into four equal doses a day for six days. On the day after the loading phase, the TT was performed on a cycle ergometer. Serum phosphate blood samples were taken at rest both before and after each loading protocol, while a ~21 day washout period separated each loading phase. No significant differences in TT performance were observed between any of the supplementation protocols (p = 0.73) with average completion times for the 25, 50 or 75 mg·kg FFM being, 42:21 ± 07:53, 40:55 ± 07:33 and 40:38 ± 07:20 min respectively, and 40:39 ± 07:51 min for the placebo. Likewise, average and peak power output did not significantly differ between trials (p = 0.06 and p = 0.46, respectively). Consequently, 500 kJ cycling TT performance was not different in any of the supplementation protocols in female cyclists.
Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography ( CTPA ) using a Reduced Dose of Iodine-Ioversol Contrast Medium given in a Multiphasic Injection Poster

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Frecuency of Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders in a Level 4 University Hospital

After the introduction of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation into clinical practice, non-resuscitation orders emerged as an alternative for those patients that, for several reasons, were not candidates to receive this type of medical treatment. Over time, the non-resuscitation orders have increased in number, possibly due to the aging of the population, an increase in the prevalence of oncological pathologies or greater awareness of the physicians regarding the outcomes of the patients being carried to a CPR. According to the above, this study was developed with the objective of knowing and describing the frequency of DNR and CPR in patients who died in a level 4 hospital in the city of Bogota. Likewise, the demographic characteristics of these patients were described.
An overview of non-surgical approaches and their role in Type 2 Diabetes remission

: Diabetes is a major global public health problem. This article is an attempt to provide a short overview of non-surgical approaches that are known to reverse Type 2 Diabetes. A review of existing literature was carried out by using major scientific search database systems. Selected articles from past 6 years were reviewed. Low energy/calorie diet was found to influence in diabetes reversal process. Furthermore, weight loss, counseling and education played an important role in the better glycemic control among samples. The review shares the importance of multipronged approaches in T2D course and prognosis.
Efficient Representations of Signals in Nonlinear Signal Processing with Applications to Inverse Problems

The focus of this thesis is the construction and analysis of efficient representations in nonlinear signal processing, and the applications of these structures to inverse problems in a variety of fields. The work is composed of three major sections, each associated with a different form of data: • Regression and Distance Estimation on Graphs and Riemannian Manifolds. • Instantaneous Time-Frequency Analysis via Synchrosqueezing. • Multiscale Dictionaries of Slepian Functions on the Sphere.
Comparative study of sonosalpingography v/s hysterosalpingography for tubal patency test

Background: Various tubal pathologies accounts for 10% aetiological factors in infertility couples. Easy availability and accessibility of ultrasonography definitely can prove superior to conventional method of diagnosis of tubal patency in such patient. Aims and objectives of the study were to test the sensitivity and specificity of sonosalpingography (SSG) for tubal patency test in cases of infertility patients attending to our OPD and to compare the result of sonosalpingography v/s HSG. Methods: In a non randomised prospective control trial of 50 women complaining of infertility, suspected tubal pathologies underwent various radiological modalities. Sonosalpingography and hysterosalpingography was performed in all cases. Results: By using binomial proportion test there is no significant difference between results of SSG compare to HSG. Acceptability was 100% in SSG compared to 96% in HSG. Conclusions: Various modalities are suggested to evaluate tubal patency test in infertile women. Among those laparoscopic chromopertubation is gold standard method, but for initial workup as cost effectiveness acceptability, accessibility is concerned SSG is always superior to HSG.
Genetic association in chronic periodontitis through dermatoglyphics: An unsolved link?

Introduction: Because dermatoglyphic features are strongly affected by genetic and environmental factors, using it as supportive evidence in the diagnosis of hereditary disorders becomes a reality. Offspring of patients suffering from chronic periodontitis have a high prevalence rate of periodontal breakdown, suggesting strong familial influence. Aims: The present study intends to evaluate and compare the dermatoglyphic patterns in controls and periodontally compromised patients. Settings and Design: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted, including a total of 60 individuals, divided into study and control groups of 30 each. The study group included clinically diagnosed periodontitis patients.Materials and Methods: The digital prints were collected using biometric scanner and palmer prints using digital flatbed scanner. Care was taken to ensure that full prints of ridges were obtained. The periodontal status of all 60 participants was assessed clinically for attachment level and pocket depth. Later, Russell's periodontal index was also calculated. Statistical Analysis: The data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using chi square and Student's t-test. Results: Among the finger ridge patterns, whorl pattern was found to be the most common in the study group whereas loop pattern was the most common in the control group. Mean total finger ridge count in the study group (165.69 ± 25.30) was significantly higher (P = 0.001) than the control group (125.4 ± 16.38). Mean dat angle was significantly higher (P = 0.039) in the study group (60.60 ± 2.76) than the control group (59.20 ± 2.62). Conclusion: Dermatoglyphics may serve as an early predictor in identifying high risk group individuals of developing diseases like periodontitis.
Detection of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) in Peripheral Blood Specimens in Patients before Keratoplasty

Cytomegalovirus is the most important pathogen affecting transplant recipients and causing significant morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of CMV infections in transplant recipient varies from country to country. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of PCR assay for CMV detection in patients before Keratoplasty. A total of 23 patient samples enrolled in this study from March 2008 to Feb 2010. Based on the result the over all incidence of CMV infection was 39.1 percent (9 positive sample) in PCR assay. In this study, the plasma PCR assay proved to be sensitive and specific in order to detect CMV infections.
Corticosteroid therapy in drug‐induced liver injury: Pros and cons

Drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) is a liver toxicity induced by a drug or its metabolite. The incidence of DILI continues to increase and it has been an enormous challenge worldwide, while the prognosis is not optimistic. Currently, the most effective treatment for DILI is to suspend the offending drug(s) and to avoid re‐exposure, with no definitive therapy available for idiosyncratic DILI with or without acute liver failure. Given the anti‐inflammatory effects of corticosteroids, they have been widely used in DILI in clinical practice, although their efficacy remains controversial. Several studies have shown their beneficial effects but a few reports have refuted the efficacy of corticosteroids in treating patients with DILI. In this review, we summarized the history and current status of corticosteroid use in liver diseases and the pros and cons of corticosteroid treatment in DILI, and we explored the DILI candidates who may benefit from corticosteroid therapy, the administration route and dosage, and the adverse effects related to corticosteroid use.
Patient safety monitoring systems using regional administrative data

The aim of this article is to present available strategies to develop healthcare safety systems by merging Hospital Discharge Records and medical malpractice claim data in available regional administrative archives of the Lombardy region (Italy). Firstly, we illustrate the regional database collecting claims and demands of reimbursement declared by patients hospitalized in regional healthcare structures, then we discuss strategies to model the association between quality indicators, obtained by Hospital Discharge Records, and the incidence of clinical errors causing the patient's death or lesions. As first result, the merged database evidences a limited temporal range covered by both informative systems (2004-2006), essentially imputable to a scarce data quality in Hospital Discharge Cards records before 2004 and to a high incidence of open claims in the claims database after 2004. Further, clinical errors show an extreme sparseness among involved Health structures. The analysis, focused on the triennium 2004-2006, was performed in a cross-sectional perspective using Binomial Neg- ative regression models. Results evidenced that re-admissions rate for the same Major Diagnostic Category and discharges against medical advice rate significantly affect the incidence of errors causing the patient's death, whereas unscheduled surgical readmission rate in operating room significantly affects the incidence of surgical error rate.
Computational methods for augmenting association-based gene mapping

The context and motivation for this thesis is gene mapping, the discovery of genetic variants that affect susceptibility to disease. The goals of gene mapping research include understanding of disease mechanisms, evaluating individual disease risks and ultimately developing new medicines and treatments. Traditional genetic association mapping methods test each measured genetic variant independently for association with the disease. One way to improve the power of detecting disease-affecting variants is to base the tests on haplotypes, strings of adjacent variants that are inherited together, instead of individual variants. To enable haplotype analyses in large-scale association studies, this thesis introduces two novel statistical models and gives an efficient algorithm for haplotype reconstruction, jointly called HaploRec. HaploRec is based on modeling local regularities of variable length in the haplotypes of the studied population and using the obtained model to statistically reconstruct the most probable haplotypes for each studied individual. Our experiments demonstrate that HaploRec is especially well suited to data sets with a large number or markers and subjects, such as those typically used in currently popular genome-wide association studies. Public biological databases contain large amounts of data that can help in determining the relevance of putative associations. In this thesis, we introduce Biomine, a database and search engine that integrates data from