Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical course of peritonitis due to Pseudomonas species complicating peritoneal dialysis: a review of 104 cases.

BACKGROUND Peritonitis due to Pseudomonas species is a serious complication in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. The clinical course of peritonitis due to Pseudomonas complicating CAPD remains unclear. METHODS All of the Pseudomonas species episodes of peritonitis in our dialysis unit were studied from 1995 to 1999. During this period, there were 859 episodes of peritonitis recorded, 113 of which were caused by the Pseudomonas species. Nine episodes were excluded because they were mixed growth. The remaining 104 episodes in 68 patients were reviewed. RESULTS The underlying renal diagnosis and prevalence of comorbid conditions of the 68 patients were similar to those found in our entire dialysis population. There was a history of antibiotic therapy within 30 days of the onset of peritonitis due to the Pseudomonas species in 69 episodes (66.3%). In 47 episodes (45.2%) there was a concomitant exit site infection. The overall primary response rate was 60.6% and the complete cure rate was 22.1%. The presence of exit site infection was associated with a lower primary response rate (22 in 47 vs. 41 in 57 episodes, P < 0.01) and a lower complete cure rate (5 in 47 vs. 18 in 57 episodes, P < 0.02). The episodes that had received recent antibiotic therapy had a significantly lower complete cure rate than the de novo cases (8 in 69 vs. 15 in 35 episodes, P < 0.001). Episodes receiving third-generation cephalosporin as part of the initial antibiotic regimen had a significantly higher primary response rate than the ones that initially received aminoglycoside (54 in 81 episodes vs. 8 in 22 episodes, P < 0.05), but their complete cure rates were similar. Twenty-four cases failed to respond to antibiotics and the Tenckhoff catheter was removed. The chance of returning to CAPD was higher when the Tenckhoff catheter was removed on day 10 than on day 15 (9 in 14 cases vs. 5 in 10 cases), although the result was not statistically significant. The Tenckhoff catheter was removed and replaced at another site simultaneously in another 14 cases after the effluent cleared up. None of these patients had a relapse of peritonitis within three months. CONCLUSIONS Recent antibiotic therapy is the major risk factor for peritonitis due to the Pseudomonas species. Exit site infection and recent antibiotic therapy are associated with poor therapeutic response to antibiotics. When the therapeutic response is suboptimal, early Tenckhoff catheter removal may help preserve the peritoneum for further peritoneal dialysis. Elective Tenckhoff catheter exchange after clearing up the peritoneal dialysis effluent may also reduce the likelihood of relapse. It is desirable to use third-generation cephalosporin in the initial antibiotic regimen for peritonitis treatment in localities with a high incidence of peritonitis due to the Pseudomonas species.
Do imaging methods that guide needle placement improve outcome?

For most joints injections following an anatomical landmark are sufficient The year 1949 was a watershed for rheumatology. In that year Hench and his colleagues first described the use of corticosteroids for therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Within a year Hollander and his colleagues, having seen the striking topical anti-inflammatory effects of cortisone, injected cortisone suspension into 25 knee joints inflamed by rheumatoid arthritis, but found only a minimal and transitory benefit.1 However, by 1954, depot steroid preparations for intra-articular injection were part of the standard therapeutic armamentarium.1 Despite the enthusiasm with which injected corticosteroids have been greeted and their widespread continued use, until recently, there has been limited evidence from controlled trials of their effectiveness in conditions such as shoulder disorders.2 Furthermore, for the first 40 years of their use, the accuracy of needle placement was not methodically studied. In 1993, Jones et al studied the accuracy of 109 injections into various joints, by mixing the depot steroid with a radiographic contrast medium.3 They found that approximately one third of knee and ankle injections were extra-articular, only half of the wrist injections were definitely intra-articular, with even less accuracy reported for shoulder injections. Remarkably, even the ability to aspirate synovial fluid was not a perfect predictor of intra-articular placement of steroid injections with almost half of extra-articular injections having been associated with successful aspiration of synovial fluid. Experience beyond advanced trainee/registrar level did not appear to influence the accuracy of injection placement. Despite these findings, almost half of those …
Validation of the HCR-20 Scale for Assessing Risk of Violent Behavior in Israeli Psychiatric Inpatients.

BACKGROUND Assessment of risk of violent behavior in forensic psychiatric practice is a complex and responsible clinical task and the use of a valid instrument can make the expert's work more effective. The Historical Clinical and Risk Management scale 20 (HCR-20) is a widely accepted measure of the risk of violence, sexual and criminal behavior. The aim of this study was to validate the HCR-20 in Israeli psychiatric inpatient settings. METHOD In a prospective design, data were collected on 150 male patients aged 15-65, diagnosed with ICD-10 schizophrenia, who were hospitalized in three wards: an acute psychiatric ward (n=50), a high security ward (n=50), and an open ward (n=50). The HCR-20, as the predictor measure, and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, as a concurrent measure, werecompleted at baseline, and the Violence Assessment Scale, as the outcome measure, was completed at 6-, 12- and 18-month follow-up points. RESULTS Internal consistency reliability was good for the total HCR-20 scale, satisfactory for the H-subscale, but low for the C- and R-subscales. Concurrent validity was good for the C-subscale, and discriminative validity was reasonable for the C- and H-subscales. The total scale as well as the Historical and Clinical subscales predicted the risk of physical as well as physical/sexual violent behavior at both 6- and 18-month follow-up points. CONCLUSIONS Appropriate psychometric properties of the HCR-20 suggest that it can serve as a useful measure of the risk of violent behavior in psychiatric settings in Israel. Further research is necessary to confirm norms and cut-off scores, using a larger representative sample.
Epidemiological investigations on the possible risk of distribution of zoonotic bacteria through apparently healthy homing pigeons

Clinically healthy homing pigeons may serve as an unnoticed reservoir for zoonotic bacteria. Hence, healthy pigeons from 172 different racing pigeon lofts were examined for Salmonella serovars, Campylobacter spp. and Chlamydophila (Chlamydia) psittaci. Two samplings were performed during the racing season in summer (1242 adult and 1164 juvenile pigeons) and two during winter (1074 adult pigeons). Each sampling was accompanied by a questionnaire to identify risk factors for positive lofts. Between 0.9 and 3.7%, 13.1 and 23.7%, and 12.8 and 42.6% of lofts were tested positive by cultural methods or polymerase chain reaction for Salmonella Typhimurium var. Copenhagen, Campylobacter jejuni and C. psittaci, respectively. The detection rate of C. psittaci was twice as high in samples from juvenile pigeons (29.1%) compared with samples from adult pigeons (15.0%, P <0.001). No other influence of age or season was detected. For the first time, pigeon-derived C. jejuni isolates (n=15) were characterized for their ability to invade human enterocytes in vitro. All isolates were invasive with an invasion index between 0.4 and 34.1 (human reference strain: average 11.3). Of 50 C. jejuni isolates tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, 46.0% were resistant to ciprofloxacin. All isolates were sensitive to erythromycin and tetracycline. The analysis of risk factors in association with the infection status of lofts for C. jejuni and C. psittaci suggested that biosecurity measures reduce the risk of infection. This study indicated a zoonotic potential of pigeon-derived C. jejuni. However, clinically healthy homing pigeons pose only a low risk for transmission of the investigated pathogens to humans.
The Prophylactic Efficacy of Fluoxetine in Unipolar Depression

The efficacy of antidepressants is measured primarily by their ability to treat the acute symptoms of depression yet the underlying process may take longer to resolve. A period of emotional frailty follows resolution of the acute stage, during which the patient, although apparently symptom-free, is prone to suffer relapse of the original symptoms. Antidepressants should not be stopped immediately a response is observed, but should be given for a longer period to prevent early relapse. In those suffering from recurrent depression, long-term treatment may prevent later recurrences of new episodes of depression. The distinction between relapse of old symptoms and recurrence of new episodes is of particular importance, both in assessing efficacy of antidepressants during the continuation phase of acute treatment and in the separate assessment of their prophylactic efficacy. Unfortunately, though, many investigations have failed to distinguish between these two distinct phenomena. Klerman & Paykel (1970) emphasised the need to distinguish between early return of depressive symptoms, which they label ‘relapses’, from the later new episodes which they term ‘recurrence’. However, there has been a general lack of systematic investigation of this question, as well as a failure to use sufficiently precise methodology to distinguish between relapse and recurrence. Some studies which purported to be of prophylaxis were in effect only examining the continuation phase of acute treatment.
Adjustment, Spirituality, and Health in Women on Hemodialysis

End stage renal disease (ESRD) is progressive, requiring adjustment. This descriptive correlational study examined levels of and relationships between adjustment, spiritual well-being, and self-perceived health in women with ESRD. The sample included 65 women aged 24 to 82 receiving hemodialysis at five out-patient centers in a large metropolitan area. Frequencies, central tendencies, and correlations were used for analyses. Overall, these women were fairly well adjusted as measured by the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self-Report. They demonstrated fairly high levels of religious, existential, and overall spiritual well-being. Self-perceived health was good. Spiritual well-being variables were all positively and significantly related to overall psychosocial adjustment and psychological distress adjustment. Self-perceived health variables were all positively and significantly related to overall psychosocial adjustment. Few significant relationships were found between spiritual well-being and other adjustment domains and between self-perceived health and other types of adjustment.
Recombinant urate oxidase (Rasburicase) for the treatment of hyperuricemia in pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies: Results of a compassionate prospective multicenter study in Korea

Hyperuricemia accompanying tumor lysis syndrome is a serious complication in neoplasia with rapid proliferation and destruction. To confirm the efficacy of recombinant urate oxidase (rasburicase) and its safety profile, a phase IV compassionate use prospective study was performed in Korean pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies.
The social contagion of antisocial behavior

Previous research has shown that reciprocity can be contagious when there is no option to repay the benefactor and the recipient instead channels repayment toward strangers. In this study, we test whether retaliation can also be contagious. Extending previous work on “paying it forward,” we tested two mechanisms for the social contagion of antisocial behavior: generalized reciprocity (a victim of antisocial behavior is more likely to pay it forward) and third-party influence (an observer of antisocial behavior is more likely to emulate it). We used an online experiment with randomized trials to test the two hypothesized mechanisms and their interaction by manipulating the extent to which participants experienced and observed antisocial behavior. We found that people are more likely to harm others if they have been harmed and they are less likely to do so if they observe that others do not harm.
Creating a Learning Environment to Produce Competent Residents: The Roles of Culture and Context

Six core competencies have been developed for use by residency programs in assessing individual resident training outcomes. The authors propose that it is important to consider the role of residency culture and work context in helping residents achieve the required competencies. Specifically, the development of a learning-oriented culture and favorable work conditions that facilitate the presence of that culture should be a high priority for residency programs and the organizations (e.g., hospitals) in which they are housed. This places formal accountability at the doorstep of these programs and organizations in helping to create a “competent” resident. Using ideas from management theory, the authors identify specific attitudes, behaviors, and interactions that define a learning culture and show their usefulness when applied to residents’ achievement of the competencies. They assert that current features of everyday resident work life decrease the chances that such attitudes, behaviors, and interactions will occur. Identifying and prioritizing the components of desired work environments for promoting a learning-oriented culture, in addition to assessing the presence or absence of both the components and learning best practices within residency programs, should become normal activities that complement the process of assessing competencies.
Improving packaged food quality and safety. Part 2: Nanocomposites

This paper gathers a number of significant results where nanotechnology was satisfactorily applied to improve packaged food quality and safety by increasing the barrier properties to oxygen of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) in dry and under humid conditions and of a poly(lactic acid) (PLA) biopolymer. The nanodispersion in the polymer matrix of modified monolayers of clays included in positive lists for food-contact applications is an adequate methodology to increase packaged food shelf-life. In spite of the fact that, in principle, there is no reason to believe that 'adequately' modified nanocomposites making use of substances in positive lists can impose any immediate risk threat for food-contact applications, further studies concerning potential migration issues and life-cycle analysis have to still emerge within the overall field of nanotechnology to corroborate the fact.
Human herpesviruses and Porphyromonas gingivalis are associated with juvenile periodontitis.

BACKGROUND Although herpesviruses have been associated with adult periodontitis, their relationship with juvenile periodontitis (JP) has not been established. This case-control study examined possible associations between JP and pathogenic bacteria, the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), and the Epstein-Barr type 1 virus (EBV-1). METHODS Subjects were participants in a larger survey of schoolchildren in North-Central Jamaica. Subgingival plaque samples from 15 subjects with JP, 20 with incipient periodontitis (IP), and 65 randomly-selected healthy controls were assayed for Porphyromonas gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans using a 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identification method, and for HCMV and EBV-1 using nested PCR identification. RESULTS Strong bivariate associations were found between JP and P. gingivalis (odds ratio [OR] = 12.7; 95% CI = 2.6, 61.4), HCMV (OR = 10.0; 95% CI = 2.7, 36.3), and A. actinomycetemcomitans (OR = 8.0; 95% CI = 2.3, 27.5), but not EBV-1. In multivariate analyses, P. gingivalis remained a significant explanatory variable (OR = 7.8; 95% CI = 1.5, 40.9); however, the associations were marginal for HCMV (OR = 4.6; 95% CI = 0.9, 22.7), and non-significant for A. actinomycetemcomitans (OR = 2.0; 95% CI = 0.4, 9.7). The associations with JP and the extent of attachment loss were even stronger when both P. gingivalis and HCMV were detected together. P. gingivalis (OR = 3.9; 95% CI = 1.3, 12.0) and EBV-1 (OR = 3.3; 95% CI = 1.0, 10.3) were the only significant explanatory variables in the multivariate analysis of IP. CONCLUSIONS P. gingivalis is the strongest and most stable indicator of periodontitis in Jamaican adolescents. Co-infection with P. gingivalis and HCMV appears to be particularly deleterious to periodontal health.
A Multivariate Analysis of Correlation between Severity and Duration of Symptoms, Patient Profile and Stage of Endometriosis

Background: Endometriosis is an important cause of infertility and chronic pelvic pain. Our study aims to understand the cause and effect relationship of endometriosis with these two clinical presentations. Objectives: 1) To study the correlation between stage of endometriosis with pain and infertility; 2) To evaluate role of transvaginal ultrasound for diagnosis of endometriosis using laparoscopic diagnosis as gold standard. Methodology: Total of 89 women presenting with infertility and or pain and with laparoscopic findings of endometriosis were included in the study. The results were analysed by logistic regression. Results: The mean age of women was 29.67 years. Seventy three percent of patients had moderate to severe disease while 31.46% of patients with endometriosis were infertile. Symptom of pain could be categorised as dysmenorrhea (71.47%), dyspareunia (41.5%) and dyschezia (15.7%). There was no association of endometriosis stage with the pain type, duration of symptoms. Transvaginal ultrasound seems a reliable test for diagnosis of ovarian endometriosis and advanced stage disease. 87.5% of patients with ovarian endometrioma had advanced disease (higher than Stage II rAFS). Conclusion: No correlation was found between the stage of endometriosis and severity of symptoms. Presence of endometrioma on USG was associated with advanced stage of endometriosis.
Avidity and titers of the antibody response to two inactivated poliovirus vaccines with different antigen content

The inactivated poliovirus vaccine is heat stabile, gives high serum IgG concentrations but less pronounced mucosal immunity and must be given as repeated injections. A new enhanced‐potency Dutch inactivated vaccine could circumvent these difficulties. We compared antibody concentrations measured as neutralization or ELISA titers, and avidity of serum and salivary antibodies in children vaccinated with three doses of the earlier Swedish vaccine given over nine months or the new antigen‐rich vaccine. After three doses, but not after two, serum neutralization titers for type 1 and type 3 poliovirus were higher using the new vaccine but secretory IgA levels in saliva were similar. The avidity of the serum IgC antibodies was significantly higher after two doses of the new vaccine than after three doses of the old. Thus the new vaccine gives excellent antibody responses of high titers and avidities, but should preferably be given in three doses.
Do the Contents of Foreign News on Television Match Viewers’ Interests? A 12-Nation Study of Topics and Countries of Interest

This article draws upon content analytic and survey data from a 12-nation comparative study to examine the question of content-interest correspondence (CIC) regarding foreign news on television. That is, to what extent do the contents of foreign news aired on television match the interests that viewers have regarding foreign news? Treating CIC as a variable, the data show that, among the nations studied, CIC concerning foreign countries covered in the news is generally stronger than CIC regarding news topics. At the same time, the analysis examines whether the level of CIC relates to several national, media system, and viewer characteristics. The analysis shows that larger nations exhibit higher levels of CIC regarding topics and lower levels of CIC regarding countries. Also, CIC regarding news topics is lower in countries where the ownership and revenue structure of the television system leans toward commercialism and where television news focuses more heavily on soft news. Implications of the findings and directions for further research are discussed.
Extracellular Nucleotides ATP and UTP Induce a Marked Acute Release of Tissue-type Plasminogen Activator In Vivo in Man

Summary Extracellular nucleotides such as ATP and UTP are released by activation of platelets and ischemic tissue injury. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether ATP and UTP can induce acute tPA release from the vascular endothelium in vivo. Nine healthy subjects were studied in a perfused-forearm model during stepwise intraarterial infusions of ATP and UTP (10-200 nmol/min), and UTP during inhibition of prostanoid and NO synthesis by indomethacin and L-NMMA. ATP and UTP induced a similar and marked stimulation of forearm tPA release which increased 11- and 18-fold above baseline (p ≤ 0.01 for both) in conjunction with pronounced vasodilation. Neither the acute tPA release nor the vasodilation could be abrogated by NO and prostanoid synthesis inhibition. The similar effect of ATP and UTP suggests that P2Y rather than adenosine receptors mediate the response. Release of extracellular nucleotides in ischemic tissue may induce a pronounced activation of the endogenous fibrinolytic system.
Bacteremia in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis: Prevalence and Predictors of Multidrug Resistant Organisms

Goals: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and predictors of multidrug resistant organisms (MDRO) in cirrhotic patients with bacteremia at a large tertiary center in the United States. Background: The epidemiology of bacteremia in patients with liver cirrhosis has not been well studied in the United States. Study: This case-case control study included 180 adults with liver cirrhosis hospitalized from 2011 to 2015. Case group 1 were patients with bacteremia due to a MDRO (n=30). Case group 2 were patients with bacteremia due to a non-MDRO (n=60). Control group comprised patients without bacteremia (n=90). MDRO was defined as bacteria that was nonsusceptible to ≥1 agent in ≥3 antimicrobial categories. Results: Of the 90 bacteremia episodes, 44% were because of gram-positive bacteria, 50% were because of gram-negative bacteria, and 6% were polymicrobial. MDROs caused 30 of 90 (33%) bacteremia episodes, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus species [12% (11/90)], fluoroquinolone-resistant Enterobacteriaceae [10% (9/90)], and Enterococcus faecium [3% (3/90)]. Eight percent of Enterobacteriaceae produced extended-spectrum &bgr;-lactamases. Four independent predictors of MDROs were identified: nonwhite race [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 3.35; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19-9.38], biliary cirrhosis (aOR, 11.75; 95% CI, 2.08-66.32), blood cultures obtained >48 hours after hospital admission (aOR, 6.02; 95% CI, 1.70-21.40), and recent health care exposure (aOR, 9.81; 95% CI, 2.15-44.88). Conclusions: A significant proportion of bacteremia in cirrhotic patients was due to MDROs at a large US tertiary care center. Local epidemiology data and identification of risk factors associated with MDROs may help with optimal empiric antibiotic selection.