Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Qualitative reports of hearing aid benefit

A simple open-ended questionnaire asking about the benefits and shortcomings of their hearing aid fitting was administered to a series of elderly patients over three months after discharge from a rehabilitation programme. Two-thirds of their benefit responses indicated a reduction in disability and one-third a reduction in handicap. The commonest benefits were with the television, general and one to one conversation and hearing in church and chapel. Main drawbacks were acoustical and practical with few reporting psychological or cosmetic problems. It is concluded that this approach has useful potential in the assessment of hearing impaired patients following rehabilitation and could form a part of the audit process.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Acute Respiratory Infection among School Children in Coastal South India

Background and Objectives: There is a paucity of information available on acute respiratory infection (ARI) among school children in India. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence and certain risk factors associated with ARI among school children. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 397 school children age group of 5-14 years in the seven schools of rural Puducherry, India. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and associated risk factors of ARI were collected by interview using pre-tested structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed by univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Overall, 51.1% (203) of the subjects had at least one symptom of ARI in the preceding 2 weeks. The manifestations of ARI included allergic rhinitis (183, 46.1%), dry cough (75, 18.9%), throat pain and fever (54, 13.6%), wheezing (39, 9.8%) and ear discharge (28, 7.1%). About half of the subjects with ARI (52.2%) belonged to 5-9 year age group and females (52.3%). Mother's education, family history of allergic disorder and asthma, absence of smoke outlet in kitchen and windows in sleeping room were found to be significantly associated with ARI in univariate analysis (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that 5-9 years age group (odds ratio [OR] = 1.7), family history of allergic disorder (OR = 9.6) and asthma (OR = 5.2), presence of smoke outlet in kitchen (OR = 0.5), absence of windows in sleeping room (OR = 3.0) were found to have an independent association with the ARI. About 29.6% (60) of the subjects with ARI had accessed health care facility for treatment. Conclusion: ARI among school children is an important health problem. Interventions like provision of smoke outlets and windows in sleeping room may help in reduction of burden of ARI.
HEALTH AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN FINLAND Baseline Results of the Health 2000 Health Examination Survey

H E A L T H Conducted from 2000 to 2001, the Health 2000 survey was based upon interviews and examinations of 10,000 adults representing the adult population in Finland. The project is coordinated by the National Public Health Institute KTL. Other participants include national health research institutes, Statistics Finland, social insurance institutions and experts from various different organisations.
Evaluation of Geno Type MTBDRplus Line Probe Assay for Early Detection of Drug Resistance in Tuberculous Meningitis Patients in India

Background: Molecular methods which allow for rapid and reliable detection of drug resistance have yet not been sufficiently evaluated for timely management of patients with tuberculous meningitis. Aims: We aimed to evaluate Geno Type MTBDRplus line probe assay for early detection of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates and CSF samples of confirmed tuberculous meningitis patients. Settings and Design: This was a multicentric prospective study carried out from July 2011 to December 2013 in tertiary care hospitals of Delhi. Materials and Methods: The assay was performed on 89 M. tuberculosis isolates and 31 direct CSF samples from microbiologically confirmed tuberculous meningitis patients. The sensitivity and specificity of this assay was calculated in comparison to drug susceptibility testing by BACTEC MGIT 960 system. Results: The sensitivity, specificity for detection of resistance to Isoniazid was 93%, 97% and to Rifampicin was 80%, 98.8%, respectively by this assay in comparison with the phenotypic drug susceptibility testing. The line probe assay could detect M. tuberculosis in 55% of CSF samples from patients with microbiologically confirmed tuberculous meningitis. Only 5/89 isolates (5.6%) were resistant to both Isoniazid and Rifampicin while 9/89 (10%) isolates were additionally resistant to Isoniazid. Resistance to any of the drugs, namely Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Streptomycin or Ethambutol, was seen in 24.7% of strains. Conclusion: The line probe assay has a good sensitivity and specificity for detection of drug resistance to Isoniazid and Rifampicin in M. tuberculosis culture isolates. However, this assay has limited role in detection of M. tuberculosis and drug resistance from direct samples with confirmed diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis.
Prophage Typing of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Tehran, Iran

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of infections among humans and animals and it is known as a community-acquired and nosocomial pathogen. Most of the isolates contain lysogenic phages which are responsible for production of various virulence factors such as enterotoxins, staphylokinase, β-lysin, lipase, exfoliative toxin A and Pantone-vlaentine leukociden (PVL). All staphylococcus isolates are classified in 6 groups according to their sensitivity to 27 known lysogenic phages. Objectives: This study was performed to detect the presence of bacteriophage types and determine antibiotic resistance pattern of methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates obtained from a tertiary care hospital in Tehran, Iran from 2008 to 2010. Materials and Methods: A total of 968 S. aureus isolates were collected from a tertiary care hospital in Tehran, Iran and identified at the species level by PCR and biochemical tests. Susceptibility to 17 antibiotics was determined. Then oxacillin and vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the resistant isolates were determined. Multiplex-PCR was used to detect 6 classes of prophages. Results: Out of the 968 isolates 247 isolates were resistant to methicillin. Highest antibiotic resistance was seen to penicillin (100%), erythromycin (89.8%), kanamycin (89.4%), ciprofloxacin (88.6%) and tobramycin (87.4) respectively. None of the MRSA isolates showed resistance to vancomycin, synercid and linezolid. MIC results indicated that 46.1 and 4.4% of isolates with high (MIC ≥ 128 μg/ml) and low level (MIC ≥ 4 μg/ml) showed resistance to oxacillin, respectively. Four different phage types and eight patterns of prophages were detected. All MRSA isolates contained at least one prophage. Totally, 2.8, 69.2 and 27.9% contained 5, 4 and 3 different prophage types, respectively. Conclusions: High prevalence of different classes of prophages indicating the potential to carry a broad spectrum of virulence factors and high oxacillin resistance were found in the MRSA isolates. Detection of SGF phage in 100% of the isolates indicates the ability of these isolates to produce virulence factors.
Risk Correlates of Diarrhea in Children Under 5 Years of Age in Slums of Bankura, West Bengal

Background: Diarrheal diseases are an important cause of mortality and morbidity globally in children under 5 years of age. Objective: To find the prevalence and risk factors of diarrhea among children under 5 years. Materials and Methods: A population-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban slums of Bankura, West Bengal on the prevalence of diarrhea and feeding practices, nutrition, and immunization among 152 children under 5 years (69 males and 83 females). Results: Overall prevalence of diarrhea was 22.36%; 21.73% males and 22.89% females were affected with diarrhea. There were 57.69% diarrhea cases in children of 7-12 months age group, followed by 25.71% in those of 13-24 months age group; with increasing age, the prevalence of diarrhea gradually decreased. Diarrhea was noted to be 20.33% in exclusively breastfed children and 31.57% in children who were breastfed for less than 6 months. In bottle-fed children, the frequency of diarrhea was 26.08%. The prevalence of diarrhea was 21.83% in completely immunized children and 30% in partially immunized children. Risk of diarrhea was 19.80% in normal participants and 27.45% in undernourished children. Conclusion: The present study identified a high prevalence of diarrhea in children under the age of 5 years. Findings of the study also revealed the demographic features, feeding practices, immunization practices, and nutritional status as risk factors of diarrhea, which can be tackled by effective education of the community.
Survey of HIV and AIDS knowledge in internally displaced persons camps in northern Uganda

This paper is a summary of the results of a survey conducted in the Agoro and Potika internally displaced person’s camps in Kitgum district of northern Uganda. The survey looked at HIV knowledge levels, service knowledge and levels of stigma. The survey found noteworthy results, one being that the “ABC’s” of prevention (Abstain, Be faithful, and use a Condom) were generally well-known; however, many people did not know how the virus was actually transmitted. (11% of men and 17% of women could correctly list the “ABC’s” or prevention, but did not know how the virus was transmitted). We found differences in gender, sex and age for most of the categories and found no difference of knowledge and stigma levels between those who knew someone living with HIV/AIDS and those who did not. Levels of service knowledge were very low; women in particular did not know about MTCT (mother to child transmission) and few had used condoms before. The paper concludes with recommendations for current practices and ideas for expanded efforts.
Alcohol and Violence in a Nonmetropolitan College Town

This study examined the association between alcohol outlet density and violence in a nonmetropolitan college town. Nearly all prior empirical research examining this association has been undertaken in large urban cities. Using data on Bloomington, Indiana, block groups, we estimated ordinary least squared and spatially lagged regression models to determine whether alcohol outlet density was associated with assault density, and we also took into account the seriousness of violence (i.e., simple and aggravated assault) and different alcohol outlet types (i.e., off-premise, restaurants, and bars). The results showed that total alcohol outlet density was significantly associated with both simple and aggravated assault density in a nonmetropolitan college town. In addition, restaurant and bar densities were significantly associated with simple assault density, whereas off-premise and bar densities were significantly associated with aggravated assault density. These results not only extend the geographic scope of this relationship to nonmetropolitan towns but also have important policy implications.
Drugs targeting 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors in acute treatments of migraine attacks. A review of new drugs and new administration forms of established drugs

Introduction: The development of sumatriptan, more than 20 years ago, added substantially to the characterization of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors and their relevance to acute migraine therapy. Recently, 5-HT1F receptor agonists, with no vascular effects, have shown efficacy in the treatment of migraines. Areas covered: This evaluation reviews the recent advances in acute migraine therapy targeting the 5-HT receptor. Specifically, the authors review the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy and safety of 5-HT1F receptor agonists and new formulations of sumatriptan and dihydroergotamine (DHE). Expert opinion: Lasmiditan, a non-vascular acting 5-HT1F receptor agonist, is effective in migraine but causes central nervous system-related adverse events, which may considerably limit its clinical use. The efficacy of transdermal sumatriptan is too low for general use in migraine. Intranasal sumatriptan powder could be a step forward compared with oral sumatriptan, but comparative trials are needed. Orally inhaled DHE has a very quick systemic absorption but the onset of effect in migraine is relatively slow with a maximum effect after 2 h. In contrast, orally inhaled DHE results in a low incidence of recurrence. None of these reviewed treatments are likely to fulfill patients' expectations, and the advancement of acute migraine drugs should likely depend on different mechanisms from current 5-HT-related drugs.
Motor imagery after stroke: where next?

There is considerable interest in using motor imagery to improve recovery after stroke. While motor imagery has a strong neuroscientific rationale, there are significant obstacles to its use and gaps in our knowledge that need to be addressed. Together these may explain the inconsistent results seen in recent randomized placebo-controlled trials of motor imagery training in stroke patients. The first section of this article discusses why assessment of motor imagery ability is crucial when applying motor imagery to stroke patients. Then in the context of current models of recovery after stroke, the second section highlights gaps in the neuroscientific rationale behind the use of motor imagery training. The third section explores the recent randomized trials of motor imagery training in stroke patients and discusses why the findings are inconsistent. Finally, I propose future areas of research that may prove fruitful and will allow motor imagery to fulfill its potential.
Cost Savings and Clinical Effectiveness of an Extension Service Diabetes Program

Objective. To evaluate the cost savings and clinical effectiveness of a Cooperative Extension Service diabetes education program for improving nutrition knowledge, food portioning skills, hemoglobin A1c (A1C), and anthropometric indices. Design. Clients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes enrolled in a 3-month diabetes education course focused on food portioning skills. Pre- and post-course anthropometric measurements, a written food portion test, an observational food portioning skill test, and an A1C test were administered and scored. Paired t tests were calculated between pre- and post-course scores to measure statistical significance. Results. Data analysis showed improvement in food portion knowledge written test scores (49.67% pre- and 59.56% post-course, P = 0.004), food portioning skills (out of a possible score of 5, 2.43 pre-, 4.29 post-course, P = 0.023), A1C results (7.16% pre-, 6.43% post-course, P = 0.000), body mass index (BMI) (32.60 kg/m2 pre-, 31.78 kg/m2 post-course, P = 0.000), weight (202.58 lb pre-, 199.74 lb post-course, P = 0.000), waist circumference (42.43 inches pre-, 41.16 inches post-course, P = 0.000), hip circumference (45.96 inches pre-, 45.36 inches post-course, P = 0.000), and waist-to-hip ratio (0.92 pre-, 0.91 post-course, P = 0.000). Conclusions/Applications. Evaluation of the Utah State University Extension Service diabetes education program showed improved nutrition knowledge, anthropometric measures, and glucose control. These improvements have been estimated to reduce medical costs by $94,010.
Lifestyle, Nutritional Status and Seroclinical Profile of Liver Cirrhotic Patients

Liver cirrhotic patients were investigated for their lifestyle, energy intake, BMI, biochemical and serological indices and prevalent clinical signs. The study included 50 liver cirrhotic patients who were hospitalized in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka Medical College Hospital and BIRDEM Hospital during the period of 1999-2000. Of the fifty cirrhotic patients, hepatitis B virus infection was found responsible for 52% (n=26) of liver cirrhosis, hepatitis C was for only 6% (n=3) patients and etiology for the rest 42% (n=21) patients could not be identified. It was observed that literate, low-mid income and productive male were being suffering from the liver cirrhosis. The patients had good housing status. Low energy intake (1670.6±42.9) and low BMI (19.52±3.48) were present in almost all of the patients. Mean serum haemoglobin, total proteins, and albumin were 96.2±20.5g/L, 63.1±1.01g/L, and 31.30±0.93g/L respectively. Serum bilirubin was raised in 50% patients. Serum SGPT and SGOT levels were increased from 2 to 4 folds in 50% of the patients; alkaline phosphatase was increased only in 8% cirrhotic patients. Anaemia, PEM, ascities, oedema, muscle wasting were prevalently present in vast majority of the patients. Key words: Liver cirrhosis, nutritional status, liver function determinants DOI: 10.3329/bmj.v36i2. 3611 Bangladesh Medical Journal 36(2) 2007 44-47
Peripheral Arterial Disease Predicts Overall and Cardiovascular Mortality in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an important manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis and is common among dialysis patients. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for the leading cause of mortality in dialysis patients, and PAD has been found as a predictor for cardiovascular as well as overall mortality in general population. However, the study on the role of PAD in the prognosis of peritoneal dialysis patients is rather limited. Methods: Prevalent continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients over 60 years old were recruited in this study and were followed-up regularly to death or the end of the study. The diagnosis of PAD was based on ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) < 0.9 or intermittent claudication. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify the risk factors for cardiovascular and overall mortality. Survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method followed by log-rank test to compare the mortality rate between PAD and non-PAD patients. Results: One hundred and seventy-one patients were included and 62 (36%) had PAD complication. In the follow-up of 24.4 (median 34.6) months, 36 deaths were recorded: 19 from PAD group and 17 from non-PAD group. Twenty-one patients died due to CVD: 13 from PAD group and 8 from non-PAD group. The presence of PAD and serum albumin was found independently associated with cardiovascular and overall mortality using Cox proportional hazards model. Conclusion: PAD is very common in aged peritoneal dialysis patients and independently associated with both cardiovascular and overall mortality.
Risk Factors and Severity of Diabetic Retinopathy in Maramureş

Aims: We looked for the factors which can be adjust in order to reduce the frequency and severity of diabetic retinopathy in Maramures County, Romania. Methods: We done a cross-sectional study of 1269 persons with diabetes mellitus registered in the healthcare system in Maramures. The signs of diabetic retinopathy were ascertained from retinal digital photographs. We analyzed different parameters: demographics (age, gender, smoking status, alcohol use, living areas, socioeconomic status); physical measurements (body mass index BMI, abdominal circumference); laboratory measurements (glycemic control, lipid profile, the degree of proteinuria) diabetes characteristics (duration, type, other complications) and characteristics of comorbid diseases. Results: The total number of patients with retinopathy was 246. From these 94 (38.2%) have mild non proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) 78 (31.7%) have moderate NPDR, 52 (21.1%) have severe NPDR and 22 (9.0%) have proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Among our patients 3.2% had maculopathy (0.6% mild, 0.6% moderate and 2.0% severe). The risk factors associated with severity of retinopahy were: diabetes duration (p=0.000), HbA1c (p=0.005), presence of nephropathy (p=0.004), presence of polineuropathy (p=0.002). Risk factors associated with severity of maculopathy was presence of nephropathy (p=0.000). Conclusions: A positive correlation between diabetes duration and diabetes control and severity of retinopathy was found. Severity of retinopathy was higher in the presence of nephropathy and polineuropathy. Severity of maculopathy was higher in the presence of nefropathy.
Phase II drugs that target cholinergic receptors for the treatment of overactive bladder

Introduction: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a term used to describe the symptom syndrome of urgency, with or without urgency incontinence, usually associated with frequency and nocturia. Antimuscarinics are the most widely prescribed class of drugs for OAB, although their systemic adverse effects limit their use in clinical practice as compliance. This has led to developments in the field. Areas covered: In this review, the authors describe Phase II drugs that target cholinergic receptors. First, the authors present the new antimuscarinics (tarafenacin and afacifenacin). This is followed by reports on a combination drug (tolenix) containing a muscarinic antagonist (tolterodine) associated with a muscarinic agonist (pilocarpine). Further, the authors discuss the trials of well-known drugs in either new combination therapy (solifenacin and mirabegron) or with new routes of delivery (oxybutynin vaginal ring). Finally, the authors examine the option of targeting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (dexmecamylamine). Expert opinion: Different strategies have been adopted to improve the efficacy and tolerability of therapeutics for OAB. Nicotinic receptors represent a novel therapeutic target; however, it is unlikely that antimuscarinic agents will be replaced as standard first-line therapy in the near future.
Scope of practice in forensic nursing

1. There is significant role variation, across the Western world, in relation to how forensic nurses practice. 2. The authors conducted a pilot survey of forensic nurses in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and the United Kingdom to examine forensic nursing practice, role definition, and role boundaries. 3. Issues arising from the data include the visibility of forensic nurses, the client group, forensic-specific education, and role development.
Effects and Toxicity of Eugenia punicifolia. Extracts in Streptozotocin-Diabetic Rats

Abstract Extracts and decoctions of Eugenia jambolana. Lam. , Eugenia uniflora. L. , and Eugenia punicifolia. (Humb., Bonpl. & Kunt) DC. are used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes mellitus. Although there have been reports that Eugenia jambolana. and Eugenia uniflora. have antidiabetic effects, no study has yet been made on Eugenia punicifolia. We investigated the effects of aqueous, butanol, and methanol extracts of Eugenia punicifolia. leaves administered by gavage to streptozotocin-diabetic rats for 26 to 29 days. Body weight, food and fluid intake, urine volume, and urinary glucose and urea were evaluated every 7 days. At the end of the experiment, we measured serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, triglycerides and bilirubin, hepatic glycogen and serum marker-enzymes (alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, γ.-glutamyltransferase, L-lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, α.-amylase, and angiotensin I converting enzyme). We found that in rats treated with the aqueous extracts, food and liquid intake, urinary volume, and body weight were all reduced, while for rats treated with the methanol extract, not only were liquid intake, urinary volume and body weight reduced, but urinary glucose and urea also decreased. Rats treated with the butanol extract showed no significant alterations in any of the parameters measured. Chronic treatment with extracts had no effect on the marker enzymes nor on serum bilirubin levels. The results indicate that aqueous extracts of Eugenia punicifolia. leaves produced an anorexic effect and that methanol extracts had a beneficial effect on the diabetic state by improving carbohydrate and protein metabolism without provoking hepatobiliary, microvascular, muscular, or pancreatic toxic effects.