Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Needs and support for Ugandan child-headed households: results from a qualitative study

This article presents findings of a study addressing the situation of child-headed households in Uganda's western Kabarole district. As traditional coping mechanisms of strong extended family support become increasingly overburdened, some orphaned children find themselves living in child-headed households without a parent or adult guardian to care for them. The study employed a qualitative study design and used semi-structured interviews with 20 children each heading a household of orphans. The children's urgent needs, existing sources of support, and required support are explored. The children expressed concerns about their situations as child parents as they often felt unsupported at a time when they urgently needed support. The study also reveals the complexity of providing support for children in this situation and highlights the importance of addressing not only their physical but also their emotional needs. The study results demonstrate the challenge of finding appropriate ways to address the children's most urgent needs and initiating interventions that have a long-term focus, which is critical in improving the situation of child-headed households. Important questions about the nature of support by non-governmental organizations to children in these circumstances are discussed. Recommendations are made about various venues through which these children could be effectively supported.
An audit of prescribing for type 2 diabetes in primary care: optimising the role of the community pharmacist in the primary healthcare team

The Government has identified that the pharmacist should have greater involvement in the management of long-term conditions. The aim of this audit was to determine the adherence to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines for type 2 diabetes patients and identify whether there is a potential role for pharmacists in their long-term management. All prescribing, in 194 patients, was within guidance for anti-hyperglycaemics. In all, 87.4% of patients prescribed an anti-hypertensive were prescribed an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or equivalent. A large number of patients remain uncontrolled with respect to blood glucose or blood pressure. There are four potential reasons for this: patients require additional therapy; current therapy has not been optimised; current therapy is not working; or the patient is not fully adherent. Therefore, there may be a role for the pharmacist either in therapy optimisation or improving patient adherence to current therapy in order to support more patients reaching national targets.
Pollen tube access to the ovule is mediated by glycoprotein secretion on the obturator of apple (Malus × domestica, Borkh)

Background and Aims Within the ovary, the obturator bridges the pathway of the pollen tube from the style to the ovule. Despite its widespread presence among flowering plants, its function has only been studied in a handful of species, and the molecules involved in pollen tube-obturator cross-talk have not been explored hitherto. This work evaluates the involvement of glucans and glycoproteins on pollen tube growth in the obturator of apple flowers ( Malus × domestica) . Methods Pollen tube kinetics were sequentially examined in the pistil and related to changes occurring on the obturator using histochemistry and inmunocytochemistry. To discriminate between changes in the obturator induced by pollen tubes from those developmentally regulated, both pollinated and unpollinated pistils were examined. Key Results Pollen tube growth rates were slow in the stigma, faster in the style and slow again in the ovary. The arrival of pollen tubes at the obturator was concomitant with the secretion of proteins, saccharides and glycoprotein epitopes belonging to extensins and arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs). While some of these secretions - extensins and AGPs labelled by JIM13 - were developmentally regulated, others - AGPs labelled by JIM8 - were elicited by the presence of pollen tubes. Following pollen tube passage, all these glycoproteins were depleted. Conclusions The results show a timely secretion of glycoproteins on the obturator surface concomitant with pollen tube arrival at this structure. The fact that their secretion is depleted following pollen tube passage strongly suggests their role in regulating pollen tube access to the ovule. Remarkably, both the regulation of the secretion of the different glycoproteins, as well as their association with the performance of pollen tubes exhibit similarities with those observed in the stigma, in line with their common developmental origin.
Prevalence and factors influencing depression among elderly living in the urban poor locality of Bengaluru city

Background: The Indian elderly population is currently the second largest in the world. Mental disorders have got high prevalence and low priority among elderly in most of the countries around the world, of which depression being the most common treatable condition. In India, there is scarcity of research on prevalence and factors influencing depression among elderly from urban poor locality by adopting a geriatric depression scale-15 (GDS-15) scale. Objectives: (1) To find out the prevalence of geriatric depression, (2) to find out the factors associated with depression. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at urban poor locality of Bengaluru on 100 elderly people by applying GDS-15 Kannada version to assess the prevalence of depression and information regarding the sociodemographic characteristics, financial status, and comorbid conditions were collected. Results: The prevalence of depression assessed by using GDS-15 Kannada version was found to be 36%. Depression was more among 12 (70.6%) from medium standard of living index (SLI) group compared to 24 (28.9%) from high SLI group, which was shown to be statistically significant. Among the elderly with depression, 31 (86.1%) had some medical comorbidities when compared with 33 (51.6%) elderly without depression, which was found to be statistically significant. Conclusions: The current research has shown prevalence of depression according to GDS-15 (Kannada version) as 36% and influenced by SLI, hold on assets, insomnia and comorbidities, which needs to be confirmed by undertaking further studies.
Electrocardiographic imaging (ECGI): a new noninvasive imaging modality for cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmia

Cardiac arrhythmias are a major cause of death (7 million cases annually worldwide; 400,000 in the U.S. alone) and disability. Yet, a noninvasive imaging modality to identify patients at risk, provide accurate diagnosis and guide therapy is not yet available in clinical practice. In my conference presentation and proceedings article, I will describe examples of the application of Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI) in humans. ECGI is a new noninvasive imaging modality for cardiac arrhythmias developed in our laboratory. It combines recordings of 224 body-surface electrocardiograms and a thoracic CT scan to reconstruct potentials, electrograms and isochrones (activation sequences) on the heart surface. Examples include: (1) normal activation and repolarization; (2) activation during ventricular pacing; and (3) atrial flutter.
Effect of Exercise-induced Muscle Damage on Neuromuscular Function of the Quadriceps Muscle

Abstract Exercise-induced muscle injury is commonly accompanied by a reduction of muscular strength. It has been suggested that this reduction in voluntary force is attributable to “peripheral” and “central” mechanisms within the neuromuscular system. The quadriceps muscle of 15 subjects was damaged with four bouts of 25 maximal voluntary concentric-eccentric contractions at a speed of 60°/s. In a time period of 7 days, we investigated the contribution of agonist muscle activation and contractile properties (CP) to changes in isometric maximum voluntary torque (iMVT). In order to provide a comprehensive assessment, the neural drive to muscles was estimated with the interpolated twitch technique and root mean square of the EMG signal. CP were evaluated by analysing the twitch torque signal induced by single and doublet stimulation. Furthermore, we measured changes in alpha motoneuron excitability of vastus medialis at the spinal level due to muscle soreness using the H reflex technique. The iMVT was impaired at post, 24 h and 48 h, while rate of torque development and voluntary activation (VA) were only decreased immediately after the intervention. CP were impaired immediately after exercise and at 24 h. Maximal H reflex (Hmax), maximal M wave (Mmax) and the Hmax/Mmax-ratio were not affected. Sensation of muscle soreness assessment revealed impairments at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. Data suggest that reduced VA and altered CP contribute to the force loss immediately after concentric-eccentric exercise. Thereafter, the impairment of CP seems to be mainly responsible for the reduced iMVT. In addition, there is no evidence for an association between muscle soreness and VA as well as between muscle soreness and spinal excitability.
A community-based Falls Management Exercise Programme (FaME) improves balance, walking speed and reduced fear of falling

Background Although effective community falls prevention programmes for the older persons have been described, challenges remain in translating proven interventions into daily practice. Aim To evaluate the efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of a falls prevention programme that can be integrated into daily activities in a group of community-dwelling older adults with risk of falling. Method A cohort study with intervention and comparison groups was designed to evaluate a 36-week group-based falls prevention exercise programme (FaME) in the community setting. Participants were aged 60 years or older, had fallen in the past 12 months, had fear of falling with avoidance of activities or had deficits in balance control. Primary outcome measures included assessment of balance control and mobility; secondary outcome measures included level of physical activity, assessment of fear of falling and health-related quality of life. Results There were 48 and 51 participants in the intervention and comparison groups, respectively. There were improvements in measurements of balance, walking speed and self-efficacy. The drop out rate was low (14.6% and 3.9% from the intervention and comparison groups, respectively). Overall compliance in the intervention group was 79%. Factors that motivated continued participation include the regular and long-term nature of the programme helping to reinforce their exercise habits, the simplicity of movements and friendliness of the group. Conclusion The FaME programme improves balance, walking speed and reduces fear of falling. It could be widely promoted and integrated into regular health and social activities in community settings.
Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure and Short-Term Maternal and Infant Medical Outcomes

Abstract Objective Examine maternal and infant medical outcomes of prenatal exposure to methamphetamine (MA). Study Design Four hundred and twelve mother-infant pairs (204 MA-exposed and 208 unexposed matched comparisons) were enrolled in the Infant Development, Environment and Lifestyle (IDEAL) study. Exposure was determined by maternal self-report during this pregnancy and/or positive meconium toxicology. Maternal interviews assessed prenatal drug use, pregnancy course, and sociodemographic information. Medical chart reviews provided medical history, obstetric complications, infant outcomes, and discharge placement. Results MA-using mothers were more likely to be poor, to have a psychiatric disorder/emotional illness and less prenatal care, and to be less likely to breast-feed their infant than comparison mothers. After adjusting for covariates, MA-exposed infants were more likely to exhibit poor suck, to have smaller head circumferences and length, to require neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, and to be referred to child protective services (CPS). Several outcomes previously reported from studies that lacked adequate control groups or adjustment for covariates were not significantly different in this study. Conclusion Prenatal MA exposure is associated with maternal psychiatric disorder/emotional illness, poor suck, NICU admission, and CPS involvement, and MA-exposed infants were less likely to be breast-fed; however, the absence of many serious complications, such as fetal distress, chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, placenta previa, abruptio placentae, and cardiac defects, suggests confounding variables influenced prior studies.
Rice Exo70 interacts with a fungal effector, AVR-Pii, and is required for AVR-Pii-triggered immunity.

Vesicle trafficking including the exocytosis pathway is intimately associated with host immunity against pathogens. However, we still have insufficient knowledge about how it contributes to immunity, and how pathogen factors affect it. In this study, we explore host factors that interact with the Magnaporthe oryzae effector AVR-Pii. Gel filtration chromatography and co-immunoprecipitation assays identified a 150 kDa complex of proteins in the soluble fraction comprising AVR-Pii and OsExo70-F2 and OsExo70-F3, two rice Exo70 proteins presumably involved in exocytosis. Simultaneous knockdown of OsExo70-F2 and F3 totally abrogated Pii immune receptor-dependent resistance, but had no effect on Pia- and Pik-dependent resistance. Knockdown levels of OsExo70-F3 but not OsExo70-F2 correlated with reduction of Pii function, suggesting that OsExo70-F3 is specifically involved in Pii-dependent resistance. Under our current experimental conditions, over-expression of AVR-Pii or knockdown of OsExo70-F2 and -F3 genes in rice did not affect the virulence of compatible isolates of M. oryzae. AVR-Pii interaction with OsExo70-F3 appears to play a crucial role in immunity triggered by Pii, suggesting a role for OsExo70 as a decoy or helper in Pii/AVR-Pii interactions.
Medication Decision Making and Patient Outcomes in GP, Nurse and Pharmacist Prescriber Consultations

Aim : The aims of this study were twofold: (a) to explore whether specific components of shared decision making were present in consultations involving nurse prescribers (NPs), pharmacist prescribers (PPs) and general practitioners (GPs) and (b) to relate these to self-reported patient outcomes including satisfaction, adherence and patient perceptions of practitioner empathy.
RESPONDING TO ELDER ABUSE—A FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES

This paper reviews the process of intervention in cases of eider abuse. It discusses the objectives of intervention and the specific strategies which can be employed. It reviews the interventions used and outcomes achieved in a follow-up study of 54 cases of abuse identified in a one year study of an aged care service population. Provision of community services, counselling and respite care were commonly used intervention strategies which were initially effective. In a small proportion of cases, the abusive situation was resolved completely with the victim remaining at home. In other cases of continuing abuse, the victims chose to remain in the abusive situation. However the long-term outcome in the majority of cases was institutionalization. This reflects both the need to separate victim and abuser to completely resolve many cases of abuse, and the high levels of disability and dependency in the population studied.
A 3-D functional–structural grapevine model that couples the dynamics of water transport with leaf gas exchange

Background and Aims Predicting both plant water status and leaf gas exchange under various environmental conditions is essential for anticipating the effects of climate change on plant growth and productivity. This study developed a functional-structural grapevine model which combines a mechanistic understanding of stomatal function and photosynthesis at the leaf level (i.e. extended Farqhuhar-von Caemmerer-Berry model) and the dynamics of water transport from soil to individual leaves (i.e. Tardieu-Davies model). Methods The model included novel features that account for the effects of xylem embolism (fPLC) on leaf hydraulic conductance and residual stomatal conductance (g0), variable root and leaf hydraulic conductance, and the microclimate of individual organs. The model was calibrated with detailed datasets of leaf photosynthesis, leaf water potential, xylem sap abscisic acid (ABA) concentration and hourly whole-plant transpiration observed within a soil drying period, and validated with independent datasets of whole-plant transpiration under both well-watered and water-stressed conditions. Key Results The model well captured the effects of radiation, temperature, CO2 and vapour pressure deficit on leaf photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance and leaf water potential, and correctly reproduced the diurnal pattern and decline of water flux within the soil drying period. In silico analyses revealed that decreases in g0 with increasing fPLC were essential to avoid unrealistic drops in leaf water potential under severe water stress. Additionally, by varying the hydraulic conductance along the pathway (e.g. root and leaves) and changing the sensitivity of stomatal conductance to ABA and leaf water potential, the model can produce different water use behaviours (i.e. iso- and anisohydric). Conclusions The robust performance of this model allows for modelling climate effects from individual plants to fields, and for modelling plants with complex, non-homogenous canopies. In addition, the model provides a basis for future modelling efforts aimed at describing the physiology and growth of individual organs in relation to water status.
The Sources of Carbon and Nitrogen Supplying Leaf Growth. Assessment of the Role of Stores with Compartmental Models1

Patterns of synthesis and breakdown of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stores are relatively well known. But the role of mobilized stores as substrates for growth remains less clear. In this article, a novel approach to estimate C and N import into leaf growth zones was coupled with steady-state labeling of photosynthesis (13CO2/12CO2) and N uptake (15NO3−/14NO3−) and compartmental modeling of tracer fluxes. The contributions of current C assimilation/N uptake and mobilization from stores to the substrate pool supplying leaf growth were then quantified in plants of a C3 (Lolium perenne) and C4 grass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.) manipulated thus to have contrasting C assimilation and N uptake rates. In all cases, leaf growth relied largely on photoassimilates delivered either directly after fixation or short-term storage (turnover rate = 1.6–3.3 d−1). Long-term C stores (turnover rate < 0.09 d−1) were generally of limited relevance. Hence, no link was found between the role of stores and C acquisition rate. Short-term (turnover rate = 0.29–0.90 d−1) and long-term (turnover rate < 0.04 d−1) stores supplied most N used in leaf growth. Compared to dominant (well-lit) plants, subordinate (shaded) plants relied more on mobilization from long-term N stores to support leaf growth. These differences correlated well with the C-to-N ratio of growth substrates and were associated with responses in N uptake. Based on this, we argue that internal regulation of N uptake acts as a main determinant of the importance of mobilized long-term stores as a source of N for leaf growth.
Do not confuse multidisciplinary task management in nursing homes with interprofessional care!

Problem statement Little is known about how interprofessional healthcare providers in nursing homes work together. We know that interprofessional teamwork evolves from trial and error learning and so interprofessional collaboration has to be actively taught. This study aims to gain insights in the perception of professionals towards interprofessional collaboration in nursing homes and the factors that have an impact on interprofessional collaboration. Approach A qualitative descriptive methodology using focus group interviews and additional semi-structured interviews was performed. In total three focus group sessions with healthcare providers from different disciplines were held and additionally nine semi-structured interviews were executed. A thematic analysis was performed. The transcripts were read to immerse in the data and initial ideas were noted. Both open coding (identification of primary themes) and axial coding (analysis of relationships among themes) were conducted and re-focussed into potential themes. Findings Four main themes emerge from the analysis: context, collaboration, care and experience. From the findings it seems that healthcare teams in nursing homes work as ‘separated groups’. A lot of collaboration is perceived, but no common vision or responsibility sharing is found. The role description of the different disciplines does not always seem clear or is not always explicit. Conclusion In usual care the perceived interactions between professionals are called collaboration. Obviously physicians and all healthcare professionals do not work interprofessionally according to definitions from the literature. This study provided evidence of the awareness that interprofessional collaboration in usual care is situational and fragmentary organised.
Prescrição de medicamentos de uso sistêmico por cirurgiões-dentistas, clínicos gerais

OBJETIVO: Estudar o padrao de prescricao de medicacao antimicrobiana e analgesica/ antiinflamatoria de uso sistemico na clinica odontologica. METODOS: Estudo observacional realizado a partir de questionarios respondidos por uma amostra representativa randomica de 163 cirurgioes-dentistas, clinicos gerais, da Regiao Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte. Alguns dos aspectos verificados foram a prevalencia de prescricoes dessas medicacoes nas duas semanas anteriores a aplicacao do questionario; uso do nome generico nas receitas odontologicas; realizacao de cursos de reciclagem em farmacologia; auto-avaliacao sobre o grau de conhecimento e importância dada a esta disciplina para a pratica profissional e preenchimento de fichas clinicas e registro nestas das prescricoes realizadas. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSOES: Observou-se que os medicamentos sao prescritos pelo nome comercial, com tendencia a prescrever mais frequentemente antiinflamatorios em relacao aos analgesicos. Uma percentagem de 13% de individuos nao realiza ficha clinica para todos os seus pacientes e cerca de 43% da amostra nao registra suas prescricoes. Os cursos de reciclagem em farmacologia parecem nao alterar a auto-avaliacao sobre o nivel de conhecimento em farmacologia e o uso do nome generico.
Hormonal Regulation of Female Reproduction

Abstract Reproduction is an event that requires the coordination of peripheral organs with the nervous system to ensure that the internal and external environments are optimal for successful procreation of the species. This is accomplished by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis that coordinates reproductive behavior with ovulation. The primary signal from the central nervous system is gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which modulates the activity of anterior pituitary gonadotropes regulating follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) release. As ovarian follicles develop they release estradiol, which negatively regulates further release of GnRH and FSH. As estradiol concentrations peak they trigger the surge release of GnRH, which leads to LH release inducing ovulation. Release of GnRH within the central nervous system helps modulate reproductive behaviors providing a node at which control of reproduction is regulated. To address these issues, this review focuses on several critical questions. How is the HPG axis regulated in species with different reproductive strategies? What internal and external conditions modulate the synthesis and release of GnRH? How does GnRH modulate reproductive behavior within the hypothalamus? How does disease shift the activity of the HPG axis?