Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of a cancer center based physical activity counseling intervention in breast cancer survivors

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a cancer center-based physical activity counseling program compared to an attention control condition for (a) improving quality of life and (b) increasing physical activity levels in a rural population of breast cancer survivors. Twenty post-treatment breast cancer survivors were recruited through primarily post-treatment follow-up clinics as well as through a fitness center or university listserv and were randomized to a cancer center based physical activity counseling program (CCB) condition or an attention control (AC) condition. Participants randomized to the CCB condition received a 20-30 minutes face-to-face physical activity counseling session using Motivational Interviewing with a trained fitness consultant at the site of recruitment. The intervention lasted four weeks and included weekly telephone calls aimed at providing motivation and exploring topics such as goal setting and overcoming barriers to physical activity. AC condition participants were also telephoned weekly to match the attention that the participants of the CCB group received. Participants in both conditions received a pedometer weekly step logs and a package of print materials tailored for breast cancer survivors outlining many physical activity topics (e.g. benefits and barriers of exercise setting goals support from others and planning an exercise program). Participants in both conditions were instructed to record their steps every day for four weeks and again during the eighth week after the start of the intervention during the follow-up phase. Physical activity was assessed by pedometer steps and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Quality of life was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B). Both the IPAQ and FACT-B questionnaires were administered at the time of recruitment immediately at the end of the four week intervention and after the follow-up phase. Significant improvements in self-reported moderate and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were noted in both conditions across the course of the intervention while no significant improvements were seen in quality of life scores. Participants in the CCB condition had significant improvements in change scores in pedometer steps from pre-intervention to follow-up as compared with the AC condition. Based on these findings the CCB condition was successful in increasing objectively measured physical activity in post-treatment breast cancer survivors compared to the AC condition however it did not improve quality of life. Future efforts should include a larger sample size that better represents the general population of breast cancer survivors and a longer intervention to better determine the effectiveness of this particular intervention.
Non-surgical Treatments of Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer is one of the most common malignancies with a growing occurrence . It presently ranks ninth among the most frequent cancers in the world and the sixth leading cause of death from cancer . For a variety of reasons, the mainstream of patients with esophageal cancer is actually not suitable for Esophagectomy. More than 50% have locally advanced unresectable or metastatic tumors at diagnosis. Other reasons which exclude Esophagectomy include old age, comorbidity or refusal by the patient. For more advanced stages of esophageal cancers, the basis of non-surgical treatment is chemotherapy (CT) or radiotherapy (RT), either alone or in combination as chemoradiotherapy (CRT). The purpose of this study is to summaries and judgmentally analyzes current non-surgical treatments. Although the best treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer is still being debated, the use of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy has gained acceptance.
Traditional therapeutic uses and phytochemical screening of some selected indigenous medicinal plants from Northwest Ethiopia

Background : Medicinal plants including Achyranthes aspera , Brucea antidysentrica and Croton macrostachyus in the Zegie and Lake Tana area are among the main herbal agents traditionally used to treat various illnesses. However, scientific investigations including their phytochemical screening have not been conducted. Objective : To survey the use of these selected medicinal plants by traditional healers and/or herbal medicine users in the Zegie and Lake Tana areas, and conduct phytochemical screening of such commonly used herbal agents. Methodology : Detailed interviews about the therapeutic uses of Achyranthes aspera , Brucea antidysentrica and Croton macrostachyus were conducted among the traditional healers and users in the study area. The plants were collected and separately extracted using water and ethanol and the crude extracts screened for phytochemical components by using standard procedures. Results : The interview results from the traditional healers and users in the study area on the selected medicinal plants pointed to the therapeutic usage of these herbal agents for a variety of disease conditions, including infectious and non-communicable diseases. Plant extracts from Achyranthes aspera and Brucea antidysentrica showed the presence of flavonoids, carbohydrates and vitamin C but the absence of saponins and proteins (peptides). Croton macrostachyus was found to have most of the screened phytochemical constituents (including saponins, flavonoids, carbohydrates, free amino acids and vitamin C) except proteins. Discussion : The herbal agents were found to have a variety of therapeutic uses for various illnesses in the area. The presence of the above mentioned phytoconstituents detected may be responsible for the therapeutic activities of these herbal agents. Key words : Traditional medicines, phytochemicals, Achyranthes aspera , Brucea antidysentrica , Croton macrostachyus
Factors Affecting Utilization of Health Services and Home- and Community-Based Care Programs by Older Taiwanese in the United States

This article examines factors that affect the utilization of health care services and home- and community-based care (HCBC) programs by older Taiwanese, a rapidly growing and newly arrived immigrant group. Currently, knowledge about the health status and utilization of health-related services among newly arrived Asians is limited. This article analyzed data from the 1994 Southern California Taiwanese American Elderly Survey (n = 240) based on a modified Andersen behavioral model that included both cultural and structural variables. Significant variables included health needs, cultural beliefs, and socioeconomic and structural variables; however, variables predicting utilization of health services and HCBC programs were different. Implications for both gerontological research and practice include the following: (1) Future programs addressing service utilizations by older Taiwanese should be culturally sensitive and consider family as a unit of intervention, and (2) more multidisciplinary research should explore how cultural and structural variables contribute to service utilization among newly arrived elderly Asian immigrants.
THE NON-STEROIDAL ANTI- INFLAMMATORY DRUGS-MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION ASSOCIATION: AN INVESTIGATION OF KENTUCKY MEDICAID PRESCRIPTION CLAIMS

OF DISSERTATION THE NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS-MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION ASSOCIATION: AN INVESTIGATION OF KENTUCKY MEDICAID PRESCRIPTION CLAIMS Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most widely used medications globally. There are generally two types: selective (COX-2) and traditional NSAIDs (COX-1). They are primarily used for the treatment of pain. They gained attention after a study about their basic mechanisms highlighted their toxicity. Several studies have reported an association between NSAIDs and risk of myocardial infarction (MI). However, the direction of the relationship is not conclusive. Further studies are needed to ascertain the direction of this relationship and evaluate the present situation with available drugs. Due to the seriousness of cardiovascular diseases as one of the leading cause of death, continuous monitoring of the NSAIDs-MI association is needed. The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the association between NSAIDs and MI in a younger (30-64 years) Kentucky Medicaid population with a 12 year window of data. The three specific aims were: (1) to understand the characteristics of the Kentucky Medicaid population with respect to NSAID use: (2) to evaluate the NSAID-MI relationship with a 12 year follow-up in a young heavily-burdened population for cardiovascular diseases: and (3) to investigate the MI risk of meloxicam, celecoxib and naproxen compared to no exposure. A retrospective study was conducted employing data from January 1 2000 and December 31 2012. The data comprised demographic, prescription and medical files. Within this cohort, a nested case control study was conducted. Cases of MI were matched to four controls on race and gender. The results suggested that exposure to COX 2 presented an increased adjusted risk for MI (1.138(0.983, 1.318)). However, this risk was significantly increased for COX-2 only users compared to COX-1 only users (1.221 (1.03, 1.485)) and 30-40 year olds (1.600 (1.082, 2.367)). Meloxicam, celecoxib and naproxen compared to no exposure showed meloxicam presented a non-significant different risk for MI (1.26 (0.98, 1.63)) and celecoxib presented a significantly increased risk for MI (1.52 (1.26, 1.82)). This study considered pattern of use in determining continuous usage by looking at both continuous and sporadic users of NSAIDs and also considered patient switching patterns between classes of NSAIDs.
Nurses\' accuracy in estimating backrest elevation

Background. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended that the head of the bed of mechanically ventilated patients be elevated to between 30° and 45° to decrease the risk of ventilatorassociated pneumonia (VAP) Compliance with this recommendation may be affected by nurses\' knowledge of the recommendation and their accuracy in estimating the backrest elevation. Objectives. To determine the difference between nurses\' estimation of backrest angle and the actual measured angle; to determine the relationship between nurses\' demographic characteristics and the accuracy of estimation; to determine nurses\' knowledge of why this recommendation has been made. Methods. A convenience sample of 39 nurses working in the selected ICUs of the study hospital was used. The angles of elevation were preselected in each area. Estimated angles were correlated with measured angles and this was correlated with demographic characteristics. Results. Forty-two per cent of the nurses were accurate in their estimation of bedrest angle (correlation, 0.6232). Demographic characteristics had little effect on accuracy. Conclusion. Nurses could benefit from assistance in accurately estimating backrest elevation angle, as well as from education regarding strategies to decrease the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Southern African Journal of Critical Care Vol. 23 (1) 2007: pp. 10-14
Testicular Structure and Spermatogenesis in the Naked Mole-Rat Is Unique (Degenerate) and Atypical Compared to Other Mammals

The naked mole-rat (NMR) queen controls reproduction in her eusocial colony by usually selecting one male for reproduction and suppressing gametogenesis in all other males and females. Simplified, polymorphic and slow-swimming spermatozoa in the NMR seem to have been shaped by a low risk of sperm competition. We hypothesize that this unique mammalian social organization has had a dramatic influence on testicular features and spermatogenesis in the NMR. The testicular structure as well as spermatogenic cell types and its organization in breeding, subordinate and disperser males were studied using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Even though the basic testicular design in NMRs is similar to most Afrotheria as well as some rodents with intra-abdominal testes, the Sertoli and spermatogenic cells have many atypical mammalian features. Seminiferous tubules are distended and contain large volumes of fluid while interstitial tissue cover about 50% of the testicular surface area and is mainly composed of Leydig cells. The Sertoli cell cytoplasm contains an extensive network of membranes and a variety of fluid-containing vesicles. Furthermore, Sertoli cells form numerous phagosomes that often appear as extensive accumulations of myelin. Another unusual feature of mature NMR Sertoli cells is mitotic division. While the main types of spermatogonia and spermatocytes are clearly identifiable, these cells are poorly organized and many spermatids without typical intercellular bridges are present. Spermatid heads appear to be malformed with disorganized chromatin, nuclear fragmentation and an ill-defined acrosome formed from star-like Golgi bodies. Rudimentary manchette development corresponds with the occurrence of abnormal sperm morphology. We also hypothesize that NMR testicular organization and spermiation are modified to produce spermatozoa on demand in a short period of time and subsequently use a Sertoli cell “pump” to flush the spermatozoa into short tubuli recti and simplified rete testis. Despite the difficulty in finding cellular associations during spermatogenesis, six spermatogenic stages could be described in the NMR. These numerous atypical and often simplified features of the NMR further supports the notion of degenerative orthogenesis that was selected for due to the absence of sperm competition.
Antiviral Adaptor MAVS Promotes Murine Lupus With a B Cell Autonomous Role

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by increased production of autoantibodies, which commonly target nuclear antigens, and concomitant deposition of immune complexes that cause inflammation in tissues. SLE is often associated with increased systemic expression of type I interferons, in some cases due to dysregulation in nucleic acid-sensing innate pathways. There is strong genetic evidence for a link between cytoplasmic RNA sensing pathways (RIG-I/MDA5) and SLE, both in human patients and murine models, however questions still remain regarding pathway initiation, cell types involved and downstream effects. Here we show that MAVS, an essential adaptor for RIG-I/MDA5 signaling, is necessary for all symptoms of autoimmune disease that develop spontaneously in the lupus model FcγRIIB−/− mice. This effect was independent of type I interferon signaling, TLR7 expression or STING, all three factors that have been connected to autoimmunity. Mixed bone marrow reconstitution experiments showed reduced occurrence in autoimmune germinal centers and diminished autoantibody production by MAVS-deficient B cells. Thus, MAVS plays a B cell intrinsic role in autoreactive B cell activation that is independent of its anti-viral functions and independent of elevated type I interferon expression.
Retinal changes in pregnancy-induced hypertension

Aims: The aim was to determine the prevalence of retinal changes in pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and any association between the retinal changes and age, parity, blood pressure, proteinuria, and severity of the disease. Settings and Design: Hospital-based cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: All the patients admitted with a diagnosis of PIH were included in this study. Age, gravida, gestation period, blood pressure, and proteinuria were noted from the case records. Fundus examination was done with a direct ophthalmoscope. The findings were noted and were analyzed using SPSS program. Results: A total of 150 patients of PIH were examined. The mean age of patients was 25.1 years. The gestation period ranged from 27 weeks to 42 weeks; 76 (50.67%) were the primi gravida. 92 (61.33%) patients had gestational hypertension, 49 (32.67%) patients had preeclampsia, and 9 (6%) had eclampsia. Retinal changes (hypertensive retinopathy) were noted in 18 (12%) patients - Grade 1 in 12 (8%) and Grade 2 in 6 (4%). Hemorrhages or exudates or retinal detachment were not seen in any patient. There was statistically significant positive association of retinal changes and blood pressure (P = 0.037), proteinuria (P = 0.0005), and severity of the PIH (P = 0.004). Conclusions: Retinal changes were seen in 12% of patients with PIH. Occurrence of hypertensive retinopathy in PIH cases has been decreased due to better antenatal care and early detection and treatment of PIH cases. There is a greater chance of developing retinopathy with increase in blood pressure, severity of PIH, and proteinuria in cases of PIH.
Assessing the recovery of an Antarctic predator from historical exploitation

The recovery of whale populations from centuries of exploitation will have important management and ecological implications due to greater exposure to anthropogenic activities and increasing prey consumption. Here, a Bayesian population model integrates catch data, estimates of abundance, and information on genetics and biology to assess the recovery of western South Atlantic (WSA) humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Modelling scenarios evaluated the sensitivity of model outputs resulting from the use of different data, different model assumptions and uncertainty in catch allocation and in accounting for whales killed but not landed. A long period of exploitation drove WSA humpback whales to the brink of extinction. They declined from nearly 27 000 (95% PI = 22 800–33 000) individuals in 1830 to only 450 (95% PI = 200–1400) whales in the mid-1950s. Protection led to a strong recovery and the current population is estimated to be at 93% (95% PI = 73–100%) of its pre-exploitation size. The recovery of WSA humpback whales may result in large removals of their primary prey, the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), and has the potential to modify the community structure in their feeding grounds. Continued monitoring is needed to understand how these whales will respond to modern threats and to climate-driven changes to their habitats.
Necrotizing fasciitis of the breast in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Northwestern Nigeria

Context: Necrotizing fasciitis of the breast is rare globally. There is an observed increase in the number of cases seen in our hospital. Moreover, there is no previous documentation on the disease from this center. Aims: The aim was to highlight the clinical features, predisposing factors, complications, treatment, and outcome of necrotizing fasciitis of the breast. Settings and Design: It was a 5-year prospective study from January 2012 to December 2016. Subjects and Methods: The biodata, clinical features, predisposing factors, complications, treatment, and outcome of necrotizing fasciitis of the breast were documented. Statistical Analysis Used: The results were analyzed using SPSS software version 21 and presented as percentages and charts. Results: Thirty-nine out of 163 women with infective breast disease had necrotizing fasciitis of the breast. Majority of the patients (28 [71.8%]) were <31 years. Most of the patients had low educational status (33 [84.6%]). The most common clinical features were foul-smelling discharging ulcers/sinuses and necrosis of the skin of the breast in all patients. Majority of the patients (29 [74.4%]) were lactating mothers. Poorly treated mastitis/breast abscess was the predominant predisposing factor. Culture revealed polymicrobial organisms in 20 (51.3%) patients. Thirty-six (92.3%) patients had serial wound debridement, 25 (64.1%) had split-thickness skin grafting, and 3 (7.7%) had toileting mastectomy. Mortality rate was 10.3%. Conclusions: Necrotizing fasciitis of the breast is not uncommon in our center. Majority of the patients were illiterate with low socioeconomic status. Poorly treated mastitis/breast abscess in lactating women was the major predisposing factor.
A deep learning virtual instrument for monitoring extreme UV solar spectral irradiance

Using deep learning, we provide a way of virtually monitoring extreme UV solar spectral irradiance. Measurements of the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) solar spectral irradiance (SSI) are essential for understanding drivers of space weather effects, such as radio blackouts, and aerodynamic drag on satellites during periods of enhanced solar activity. In this paper, we show how to learn a mapping from EUV narrowband images to spectral irradiance measurements using data from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory obtained between 2010 to 2014. We describe a protocol and baselines for measuring the performance of models. Our best performing machine learning (ML) model based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) outperforms other ML models, and a differential emission measure (DEM) based approach, yielding average relative errors of under 4.6% (maximum error over emission lines) and more typically 1.6% (median). We also provide evidence that the proposed method is solving this mapping in a way that makes physical sense and by paying attention to magnetic structures known to drive EUV SSI variability.
Primary actinomycosis of anterior abdominal wall: A rare occurrence, diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology

Actinomycosis, a chronic suppurative and granulomatous infection, is caused by Actinomyces israeli. The common clinical presentations are cervicofacial, abdominal, and thoracic regions. Abdominal wall actinomycosis following pelvic or intraperitoneal involvement is known, but isolated abdominal wall involvement is extremely rare and can mimic malignancy. We report a case of primary actinomycosis of anterior abdominal wall, diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Identifying fluffy colonies and branching swirling filaments positive for fungal and Gram stain on cytology smears aid correct diagnosis. FNAC is an effective and reliable tool for early diagnosis of actinomycosis. The treatment is centered around antibiotics, and thus it is essential to diagnose accurately and avoid unnecessary surgery.