Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Depression in caregivers of patients with breast cancer: A cross-sectional study from a cancer research center in South India

Context: Existing literature suggests an alarming rate of depression in cancer caregivers, which is comparable to or even higher than in patients themselves. There are no studies on depression among caregivers of breast cancer from India. Aims: The aim is to study the prevalence and determinants of depression in caregivers of breast cancer. Settings and Design: This is a cross-sectional study of 384 patient-caregiver dyads at a cancer research center in South India. Materials and Methods: Based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision Diagnostic Criteria for Research depression was diagnosed, and the severity of depression was assessed using the Hamilton rating scale for depression. A semi-structured pro forma was used to collect the clinical data under patient, caregivers, and care characteristics. Results: The prevalence of depression in caregivers was 52.5%. Among them, 35% had mild depression, 16% had moderate depression, and 2% had severe depression. Spousal caregivers, those who resided with the patient, those providing financial support and those with noncaring domestic responsibilities appeared as vulnerable determinants in univariate analysis. However, multivariate analysis did not support the same. Conclusion: Depression is common among caregivers of patients with breast cancer. There is a need for focused interventions for this group, which may improve the outcome of the patient as well.
CRA Grid - A preliminary development and calibration of a paper-based objectivization of caries risk assessment in undergraduate dental education

Context: Caries risk assessment (CRA) varies between students and faculty due to the subjectivity inherent in the process as well as in the critical thinking skills required for the processing of information. Aims: The aim was to develop a paper-based, grid system, CRA-Grid, to objectivize and standardize risk assessment and to assess its rating agreement with the critical thinking process of the teachers. Settings and Design: The CRA-Grid was developed and tested in a clinical study, in Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, Puducherry. Materials and Methods: Based on the currently available evidence, specific weightages were assigned to the risk factors in an existing CRA form. A 10 × 10 paper grid was created incorporating these weightages. Shading and summing up the respective squares in the grid provided a percentage score. The class interval of percentage indicating the risk status was determined using historical clinical data. After training, the students performed CRA of 57 patients by using the CRA-Grid. Six faculties were blinded to these scores and assessed the risk by critical thinking process. Statistical Analysis Used: Cohen's weighted kappa (k) for inter-rater agreement was run using Graph Pad QuickCalcs. Results: Cohen's weighted kappa for agreement at 95% confidence interval, between the CRA-Grid and critical thinking process, ranged from “gooda” to “very good. ” Mean percentage of agreement of the six faculty was 79.6%; and with caries grid, was 80.5%. Conclusions: Risk assessment with the paper-based, objectivized, CRA-Grid matched that done by critical thinking process.
Success or failure of endodontic treatments: A retrospective study

Context: Well-conducted endodontic therapy is necessary for the dental rehabilitation of the individuals with cleft lip and palate. Aim: The aim of this study was to verify the success and failure index of endodontic treatments performed in the Endodontic Sector of the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo, (HRAC/USP), Bauru, Brazil. Materials and Methods: The preservation records (at least 2 years) of the endodontic treatments performed in the HRAC/USP were verified, indicating the success or failure of the treatment, and these treatments were divided into three groups (vital pulp, necrotic pulp, and endodontic retreatment). The Chi-square statistical test was applied with a significance level of 5%. Results: A total of 1216 endodontic treatments were quantified with a minimum of 2 years of prenatal care at HRAC/USP. The vital pulp group had a success rate of 99.4% (535 treatments) and 0.6% failure (3 treatments), 98.6% of success in the necrotic pulp group (577 treatments) and 1.4% failure (8 treatments), and 95.6% success rate (89 treatments) and 4.4% failure (4 treatments) in the endodontic reintervention group. Conclusion: From the results found, we can conclude that there was a high success rate in the treatments and endodontic retreatments performed in the Endodontics Sector of the HRAC/USP, considering that well-conducted endodontic therapy is extremely important in the oral rehabilitation of individuals with cleft lip and palate.
Characteristics of mucosa-associated gut microbiota during treatment in Crohn’s disease

BACKGROUND The dysbiosis of the gut microbiome is evident in Crohn’s disease (CD) compared with healthy controls (HC), although the alterations from active CD to remission after treatment are unclear. AIM To characterize the mucosa-associated gut microbiota in patients with CD before and after the induction therapy. METHODS The basic information was collected from the subjects and the CD activity index (CDAI) was calculated in patients. A 16S rRNA sequencing approach was applied to determine the structures of microbial communities in mucosal samples including the terminal ileal, ascending colon, descending colon and rectum. The composition and function of mucosa-associated gut microbiota were compared between samples from the same cohort of patients before and after treatment. Differential taxa were identified to calculate the microbial dysbiosis index (MDI) and the correlation between MDI and CDAI was analyzed using Pearson correlation test. Predictive functional profiling of microbial communities was obtained with PICRUSt. RESULTS There were no significant differences in microbial richness among the four anatomical sites in individuals. Compared to active disease, the alpha diversity of CD in remission was increased towards the level of HC compared to the active stage. The principal coordinate analysis revealed that samples of active CD were clearly separated from those in remission, which clustered close to HC. Sixty-five genera were identified as differentially abundant between active and quiescent CD, with a loss of Fusobacterium and a gain of potential beneficial bacteria including Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, Roseburia, Ruminococcus and Lachnospira after the induction of remission. The combination of these taxa into a MDI showed a positive correlation with clinical disease severity and a negative correlation with species richness. The increased capacity for the inferred pathways including Lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis and Lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis proteins in patients before treatment negatively correlated with the abundance of Roseburia, Ruminococcus and Lachnospira. CONCLUSION The dysbiosis of mucosa-associated microbiota was associated with the disease phenotype and may become a potential diagnostic tool for the recurrence of disease.
Internet Addiction and its Relationships with Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Urban Adolescents of Kamrup District, Assam

BACKGROUND: In these modern times of digitization, the use of Internet has become an integral part of everyday life, especially the lives of adolescents. At the same time, Internet addiction has emerged as a serious affliction. However, the impact of Internet addiction on these crucial years of life has not been well studied in India. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Internet addiction in adolescents of the urban areas of Kamrup district and assess its association with depression, anxiety, and stress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students of higher secondary schools/colleges in the urban areas of Kamrup district in Assam. Out of 103 government and private higher secondary school/colleges of Kamrup district, Assam, 10 colleges were selected randomly, and a total of 440 students were enrolled in the study. A pretested, predesigned questionnaire, Young's Internet Addiction Scale, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales 21 (DASS21) were used in the study. Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to assess the association between Internet addiction and depression, stress, and anxiety. RESULTS: Majority (73.1%) of the respondents were females, and mean age was 17.21 years. The prevalence of Internet addiction was 80.7%. The main purpose of using Internet was social networking (71.4%) followed by study (42.1%), and majority (42.1%) reported spending 3-6 hours a day on internet. There was a significant association between Internet addiction and stress (odds ratio=12), depression (odds ratio=14), and anxiety (odds ratio=3.3). CONCLUSION: Internet addiction is a serious problem with a profound impact on mental health. Therefore, early intervention is crucial.
Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) on Depression and Perceived Stress in Patients with Breast Cancer

Background: Attending to psychological status in patients with breast cancer, because of expanded damage and mortality in these patients, is important. The present study investigated the effectiveness of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) on depression and Perceived Stress in Patients with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This research was a semi-experimental with pretest, post-test and follow-up (1 month), which was conducted from November to February, 2016. In this study, 30 patients with breast cancer who attended Imam Hossein Hospital in Tehran city were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly were assigned in 2 experimental (n=15) and control groups (n=15) and Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale and Center Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale were administrated as pretest. Experimental group received 8 sessions of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy SFBT and control group received no intervention. At the end, post-test was administrated on two groups and, repeated measure multi-variable method was used for data analysis by SPSS-21 software. Results: The results of the present study indicated that there were significant differences between the experimental and control groups after administrating SFBT. Thus, the mean of depression and perceived stress of experimental group decreased (P<0.001). Conclusion: The result of study that showed SFBT is effective in decreasing depression and perceived stress in patients with breast cancer. Therefore, in order to improve the positive psychological state in these patients psychological screening must be performed and if needed clinical trials and appropriate intervention be considered.
Comparative safety analysis of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy versus monotherapy in solid tumors: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Background: Combination treatment (chemotherapy plus immune checkpoint blockade [ICB]) has shown promising activity in terms of efficacy, but it has been suggested that its toxicity profile is less favorable compared to monotherapy. Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of published randomized clinical trials comparing combination treatment to monotherapy (chemotherapy or ICB) in patients with metastatic solid tumors. Differences in rates of safety issues (all-grade adverse events, grade 3/4 adverse events, treatment-related deaths, treatment discontinuations) between groups were estimated. Subgroup analyses for the control group (chemotherapy or ICB as monotherapy) and immune checkpoint inhibitor (anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies) were performed. Results: A total of 4379 patients (ten studies) were included (monotherapy: 2026 patients; combination treatment: 2353 patients). Combination treatment presented more grade 3/4 adverse events (RR 1.32, 95% CI 1.12–1.55) and discontinuations (RR 2.31, 95% CI 1.28–4.16). There were no differences in the mortality rate between groups. Subgroup analyses showed a potentially more toxic profile with anti-CTLA-4 agents. Conclusions: Combination treatment is associated with an increase in grade 3/4 adverse events and treatment discontinuations compared to monotherapy, but not increased mortality. The toxicity profile of combination therapy should be considered with regard to the overlapping safety profiles.
Antidepressant-like effect of a standardized hydroethanolic extract of Asparagus adscendens in mice

OBJECTIVE: Asparagus adscendens Roxb. (Liliaceae), a traditional herbal medicine, has been used as an aphrodisiac and brain tonic in Asian countries. The aim of the present study is to investigate the antidepressant-like effect of standardized hydroethanolic extract of A. adscendens root and its possible mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice administered with vehicle, imipramine (15 mg/kg/day; i.p.), and A. adscendens extract (AAE) (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day; i.p.) for 14 days were subjected to behavioral tests including forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST), and open-field test (OFT) on the 14th day. In order to explore the underlying mechanism behind an antidepressant effect of AAE, the brain monoamine levels, oxidative stress parameters, and serum corticosterone levels were monitored. RESULTS: Our results indicated that pretreatment of AAE (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) for 14 days statistically significantly (P < 0.01) demonstrated antidepressant-like effect as evidenced by reduced immobility time in both FST (105, 78.6, and 53.6 s) and TST (97.6, 73.5, and 54.67 s), with no significant change in spontaneous locomotor activities as observed in OFT. Further, the behavioral improvement was supported by the statistically significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced levels of monoamines and reduced corticosterone level along with amelioration of oxidative stress in AAE-treated animals as compared to vehicle control group. Conclusion: Our findings clearly demonstrated the antidepressant-like effect of AAE, which might have been mediated through the modulation of monoaminergic system and by regulating hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis with amelioration of oxidative stress.
Respiratory Health and Cross-Shift Changes of Foundry Workers in Iran

Background: Respirable dust exposure is associated with increased respiratory impairment. As there are various airborne contaminants in the foundry industry, our aim was to thoroughly examine the acute effects of ambient respiratory dust on the respiratory system. Materials and Methods: A cross-shift study was conducted in a cast iron foundry in Iran. A total of 200 participants, including 110 workers from production department and 90 office workers were enrolled in this study. Workers were evaluated with regard to respiratory symptoms using the American Thoracic Society (ATS) questionnaire and examination of their lung function by spirometry. Results: The mean exposure of all studied substances was higher than occupational exposure limits. The most common respiratory symptom in exposed workers was cough (24.5%). A statistically significant post shift reduction in FEV1 and FEF25-75 was seen in exposed group. After adjusting for age, working history, smoking and Body Mass Index (BMI), there was a significant decrease based on exposure in FEV1 and FVC. Conclusion: Dust exposure was a significant predictor of lung function. Implementing the health promotion program, periodic medical surveillance and efficient use of respiratory protection equipment could help to protect foundry workers from respiratory impairment.
Emotional and Behavioral Problems among Left-Behind Children in Indonesia

Background: The number of migrant workers in Indonesia has been increasing over the years. Most of the migrant workers are females with children, creating a huge number of left-behind children (LBC). The issue of LBC has become important to discuss because LBC tends to experience more emotional and behavioral problems than non-LBC. The aim of this study was to assess and compare emotional and behavioral problems between LBC and non-LBC in Indonesia. This paper analyzes data from a project by the Community Mental Health Research Group from the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Indonesia, held in 2015 − 2016. Materials and Methods: Participants were 629 adolescents: 359 LBC and 270 non-LBC. The data were acquired in a cross-sectional study conducted in rural Indonesia. Data on emotional and behavioral problems were assessed with Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, while data related to risk factor variables were collected using multidimensional scale of perceived social support, the 6-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, and Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems in LBC was 28.4% compared to 21% among non-LBC. Peer attachment, communication, social support, and loneliness were identified as factors that impact the emotional and behavioral problems among LBC. Conclusions: LBC has more emotional and behavioral problems than non-LBC. Comprehensive understanding of various protective and risk factors is needed to provide impactful interventions for LBC.
Awareness and acceptance of H1N1 vaccination among physicians: Experience of 2017 vaccination campaign

CONTEXT: India experienced pandemic phase of H1N1 in May 2009 to December 2010. The postpandemic phase went on from January 2011 to December 2014. As per the WHO, all countries should immunize their health-care workers as a first priority to protect the essential health infrastructure. AIMS: The aim of the study is to assess the level of awareness and acceptance of influenza vaccine among physicians and also the perception of physicians regarding H1N1 infection. This study also examined time of vaccine administration in relation with efficacy concerns based on literature. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A vaccination campaign was conducted for all health-care workers of Seth GSMC and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, in the month of July 2017 based on which a cross-sectional observational study was conducted among the physicians of the same institute. METHODS: After ethical clearance, a prevalidated pretested survey based on a pilot survey of 20 physicians was distributed among physicians, which was based on the awareness and acceptance of H1N1 vaccination among physicians and perception of H1N1 infection. Effective sample size was 272. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were generated for the survey responses. All the continuous variables were reported as mean, median, and range. Categorical variables were reported as tables and pie charts. P < 0.05 was taken as significant. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 21. RESULTS: The overall vaccine compliance was 29.8%. This study has found that area of work, deficiency in knowledge about adverse effect of vaccine, misconceptions regarding vaccine, and concerns about efficacy and duration of vaccine are the important factors which lead to decreased vaccine compliance. Furthermore, it is found during the study that timing of vaccination was not given due importance as considering the epidemiological pattern. CONCLUSIONS: More emphasis should be given to education sessions and counseling of physicians regarding H1N1 vaccination and oseltamivir therapy. At administrative level, more focus should be given on timing of vaccination and other logistics. Vaccine campaigns should be conducted ideally 1 month before expected rise in cases. Quadrivalent vaccine would be more appropriate over trivalent based on epidemiology of infection in India.
Information Sharing as a Competitive Supply Chain Strategy: Mapping the Various Antecedents

Information sharing allows firms to improve their supply chain performance. However, operational and strategic information sharing differ as they are determined by different antecedents. This thesis analyzes and explains inter-dependencies among the antecedents, and their impact on information sharing. Drawing from the analysis, concepts on how to manage the antecedents are developed for achieving mutual information sharing. This allows deriving guidelines for supply chain information sharing.
Determination of alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) activity in peripheral blood leukocytes of pregnant, adult, and kitten Angora cats

This study aimed to determine the alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE) activity of peripheral blood leukocytes in pregnant, kitten, and adult Angora cats. In each group 9 healthy pregnant, adult, and kitten Angora cats constituted the material of the study. Optimum reaction was achieved after a 3 h incubation period at pH 5.8, by ANAE staining. Two types of reaction were observed in ANAE (+) T lymphocytes. The first reaction was a dot-like positivity pattern characterized by the presence of large granules, while the other was a granular positivity pattern characterized by the presence of 3 to 5 small granules. B lymphocytes reacted negatively in ANAE staining. The rate of ANAE (+) lymphocytes in pregnant, kitten, and adult Angora cats was 62.89 ± 1.29%, 68.37 ± 1.22%, and 77.71 ± 1.63%, respectively. In conclusion, the lowest rate of ANAE-positive lymphocytes was detected in the pregnant cats, depending on the maternal immune tolerance supported by hormonal mechanisms. An increased rate of ANAE-positive lymphocytes was detected in the kittens, and the highest rate was measured in the adults, in parallel with the development of the immune system.
The presence of at least three alleles of the ADRB3 Trp64Arg (C/T) and UCP1 -3826A/G polymorphisms is associated with protection to overweight/obesity and with higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in Caucasian-Brazilian patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND We investigated whether the -3826A/G polymorphism (rs1800592) of the uncoupling protein 1 gene (UCP1) and the Trp64Arg polymorphism (rs4994) of the β3-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB3) are associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and features of metabolic syndrome in a Brazilian-Caucasian population. METHODS Both polymorphisms were genotyped in 1015 T2DM patients and 561 nondiabetic subjects. The combined effect of both polymorphisms on T2DM and metabolic syndrome-related parameters was analyzed according to a triallelic inheritance pattern, by which at least three minor alleles from two loci are necessary for trait manifestation. RESULTS UCP1 -3826A/G and ADRB3 Trp64Arg polymorphisms were not associated with T2DM (P>0.05). Patients carrying the ADRB3 64Arg allele had higher fasting plasma glucose and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) than patients with the Trp64Trp genotype (P=0.0001 and P=0.015, respectively). The 64Arg allele was also associated with protection against overweight/obesity (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m(2); odds ratio [OR]=0.598; P=0.014). Interestingly, prevalence of overweight/obesity was lower among carriers of at least three minor alleles of the -3826A/G and ADRB3 Trp64Arg polymorphisms than among patients with fewer than three minor alleles (54.5% vs. 79.1%; OR=0.288; P=0.007, respectively). Subjects with at least three minor alleles also had higher HDL-C levels (P=0.018). CONCLUSIONS UCP1 -3826A/G and ADRB3 Trp64Arg polymorphisms may have a combined effect in the modulation of overweight/obesity and HDL-C levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) Caucasian-Brazilian patients.