Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Origin and Spread of a Mumps Epidemic: United Kingdom, 2003–2006

Background: The United Kingdom (UK) underwent a massive epidemic of mumps from 2003 through 2006. The origin and spread was mapped in 350 general practices that used office computers to contribute comprehensive medical information on approximately 3 million patients to the General Practice Research Database (GPRD). Methods: The continuous 3-month cumulative incidence of mumps (2003–2006) was estimated by dividing the number of diagnosed cases of mumps each 3 months by the population at risk according to age, region, practice, and calendar time. The effect of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine was estimated by comparing vaccine exposure of those diagnosed with mumps and those who were not. Results: There were 5683 cases of mumps recorded in the Database over the 4-year time period. As the Database represents about 5% of the UK population, we estimate that there were more than 100,000 cases of mumps diagnosed in the UK during these 4 years. The epidemic appears to have started in one practice in Wales in the first 6 months of 2003 and then spread slowly north and east, reaching a peak in 2005. Young adults aged 18–24 years were at the highest risk. There were 3 major MMR vaccination campaigns (1988–1989, 1997, and 2004–2005) that by 2006 provided more than 70% protection against mumps in children younger than 18 years of age. Protection was higher in those who had received 2 doses of the vaccine. Conclusion: A comprehensive program of medical information generated by selected general practitioners has provided a sound basis for the real-time recording of the origin, spread, and scope of an infectious disease.
Assessing Therapy-Relevant Cognitive Capacities in Young People: Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Self-Reflection and Insight Scale for Youth

Background: The effectiveness of cognitive-behaviour therapy with young people may be influenced by a young person's capacity for self-reflection and insight. Clinicians who assess clients' proficiencies in these cognitive capacities can better tailor cognitive and behavioural techniques to the client, facilitating engagement and enhancing treatment outcome. It is therefore important that sound instruments for assessing self-reflection and insight in young people are available. Aims: The aim of the current study was to translate and adapt the Self-Reflection and Insight Scale (SRIS) for use with a child and adolescent population (Study 1), and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the resulting measure, the Self-Reflection and Insight Scale for Youth (SRIS-Y; Study 2). Method: In Study 1 (n = 145), the comprehensibility of the SRIS-Y was assessed in a community sample of children and adolescents. Study 2 (n = 215) then explored the reliability and structural, convergent, and divergent validity of the SRIS-Y. Results: The SRIS-Y was found to be comprehensible to young people, and had good reliability and structural validity. Conclusions: It appears that the SRIS-Y is a sound instrument for assessing therapy-relevant cognitive capacities in young people, of potential benefit in both research and clinical contexts. Future research foci include the predictive validity of the instrument.
Barriers against returning to work – as perceived by disability pensioners with back pain: A focus group based qualitative study

Purpose. The aim of this study was to explore the issue of perceived barriers for returning to work, based on the experiences and beliefs in a group of disability pensioners with back pain. Method. Focus groups were used to interview 12 women and five men, aged 38 – 56, who participated in a larger project aiming to help disability pensioners back to work. Results. The barriers appearing were related to earlier negative experiences, poor self-judgement of work ability and low self-esteem, lack of support from social security authorities and unsuitable economic arrangements. The pensioners also suggested alternative solutions for making a possible return to work. Conclusions. Our study provides insight into the perceived barriers of returning to work and might be useful in future efforts aiming to help disability pensioners back to work.
Intercellular calcium waves in rat pancreatic acini: mechanism of transmission.

Digital-imaging microfluorimetry, together with microinjection of marker/messenger molecules, was utilized to investigate intercellular Ca2+ signaling in rat pancreatic acinar cells. Stimulation of acini with low concentrations of secretagogues [< 100 pM cholecystokinin (CCK), < 1 microM carbachol (CCh)] resulted in asynchronous but coordinated increases in Ca2+ that appeared to pass in a "wavelike" fashion between cells. In contrast, at higher supermaximal concentrations of agonists (> 300 pM CCK, > 1 microM CCh), which induce a large "peak-and-plateau" intracellular Ca2+ signal, all cells in the acinus appeared to increase Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]) in synchrony. Microinjection of lissarhodamine, a marker of gap-junctional permeability, into cells previously loaded with fura 2 allowed the simultaneous measurement of gap-junctional coupling and [Ca2+]. Stimulation with supermaximal concentrations of agonists resulted in the attenuation of junctional permeability, whereas, during stimulation with physiological concentrations of agonist, junctional communication remained operable. Injection of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] into one cell of an acinar cluster resulted in the generation of a Ca2+ signal in the injected cell and adjacent cells. In contrast, injection of CaCl2 itself did not result in propagation of the signal. When CaCl2 was injected into cells that had been previously stimulated with a threshold concentration of CCK, propagation of a signal was observed between cells. On the basis of these data, a model is proposed in which Ca2+ acts as coagonist with Ins(1,4,5)P3 to potentiate the Ca(2+)-releasing action of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and, by diffusion of the two molecules through gap junctions, underlies intercellular signaling in acinar cells. Gap-junctional communication may be an important factor in amplifying a threshold signal produced in one cell throughout the acinus, resulting in enhanced stimulated secretion in acinar preparations compared with preparations of isolated cells.
Effectiveness of nicotine patches in relation to genotype in women versus men: randomised controlled trial

The overall effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy could be greater if the therapy were targeted at those most likely to respond. Variants of the dopamine D2 receptor ( DRD2 32806 C/T) have been implicated in the initiation and maintenance of smoking,1 2 and these variants may also be related to response to nicotine replacement therapy.3 Additionally, mechanisms of nicotine addiction may differ in men and women.4 With this evidence in mind, we examined whether the response to nicotine replacement therapy is modified by sex and genotype. A randomised controlled trial of nicotine patches in 1991-2 recruited 1686 heavy smokers (≥15 cigarettes a day). 5 The participants wore patches for 12 weeks. Abstinence from smoking was confirmed at one week by expired carbon monoxide concentration ≤ 10 ppm, and at 12, 24, and 52 weeks by salivary cotinine concentration ≤ 20 ng/ml (89% of cases) or by expired carbon monoxide concentration ≤10 ppm. In 1999-2000, we contacted 1532 of the 1625 participants still alive; the mean …
Modification of an Open Area Okumura-Hata Propagation Model Suitable for Oman

This paper examines the applicability of Okumura-Hata model in Oman in GSM frequency band. The study was carried out for open area only, since measurements provided from OmanMobile were about the open areas. The mean square error (MSE) was calculated between measured path loss values and those predicated on basis of Okumura-Hata model for an open area [1 ]. The MSE is up to 6dB, which is an acceptable value for the signal prediction [1]. Therefore, the model gave a significant difference in an open area that allowed necessary changes to be introduced in the model. That error was minimized by subtracting the calculated MSE (15.31dB) from the original equation of open area for Okumura-Hata model. Modified equation was also verified for another cell in an open area in Oman and gave acceptable results.
Design and implementation of an electronic goniometer for gait analysis

Walking is the main mean of movement for Man, therefore in the last century many studies have been carried out to reach a better understanding the human walk. The study of this latter is multidisciplinary and, from a biomechanical point of view, it is based on records of the kinematics and dynamics of the different body segments set in motion (Neelesh et al. 2009). Motion capture devices are used in medical application to help practitioners in the clinical interventions and to improve performance of athletes, and in the analysis of the subject gait to evaluate the condition of the joints and bones (Yazdifar et al. 2013). Gait analysis aims to measure the angular variations of the body joints, mainly those of the lower limbs :the hip, the knee and the ankle (Neelesh et al. 2009). A functional implant or prosthesis requires an understanding of the basic mechanics of motion and load transfer which should be reflected in the implant design (Link and Keller 2003). Traditional goniometers are clinically used to measure joint angles, for example the maximum knee angle flexion/extension achieved by a patient under treatment (Yazdifar et al. 2013). This paper describes the design and realization of a system for recording real-time angles measurements (hip, knee and ankle) obtained on the basis of electronic goniometers for the lower limbs for the sagittal plane, intended for the North African population (Anthropometric measures: segment length, weight, height . etc.) by following and developing an appropriate and methodological design process. The identification and adaptation of appropriate tools and environments for the process design is proposed in order to improve the gait evaluation as a first step, and the design of medical devices as a second step.
People with Mental Illness can Tackle Tobacco

Objective: To evaluate a smoking reduction and cessation intervention tailored for people with significant disability associated with mental illness. Method: The intervention was a 10 week group programme, which tailored smoking cessation interventions to the needs of people living with mental illness. It was facilitated by mental health workers and peer workers and was promoted through mental health services, general practitioners and the Quitline phone service. Participants were people living with mental illness who had asked for help to quit or reduce their tobacco use. Participants were interviewed before starting the course, twice during the course and at 3, 6 and 12 months post course completion. Results: Overall, 226 people expressed interest, 183 attended at least one session of the course and 105 attended at least 10 sessions. Of the 183 participants, 79.8% reported they did not smoke for at least 24 hours, with 30.6% stopping for at least 30 days. At the 12 month follow up 16.6% of participants reported they were not smoking. Of the 105 participants who attended at least 10 sessions of the course, 85.7% reported they did not smoke for at least 24 hours and 37.1% stopping for at least 30 days. At 12 month follow up 21.3% reported they were not smoking. Cigarettes smoked per day declined among those who did not quit, and was still significantly lower after 12 months. Motivation to try to quit was high among those still smoking at 12 months, with 83.9% wanting to try again to quit. Conclusions: This programme has shown many people with significant disability associated with mental illness are motivated to attend a smoking reduction and cessation group programme. A programme tailored to meet the specific needs of this group can be effective in helping many to quit or reduce their tobacco use.
Positive association of sperm dysfunction in the pathogenesis of recurrent pregnancy loss.

BACKGROUND Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is one of the most frustrating and difficult areas in reproductive medicine, because the aetiology is often unknown and there are few evidence-based diagnostic and treatment strategies. RPL diagnosis is mainly focused on the female partner. The male factor contributing in evaluation of RPL has been less investigated, it is restricted to karyotype and basic semen analysis, assessment of functionality of sperm is largely ignored. AIM AND OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of sperm factors in RPL through regular semen analysis preceded with sperm function tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a case control study of 95 males whose partner has experienced two or more pregnancy loss as case and 37 volunteers who had fathered child/children without the history of RPL as control group. Basic semen analysis and sperm function test (Nuclear chromatin decondensation {NCD}, Hypo osmotic swelling {HOS} and Acrosome intactness test {AIT} was performed. The results were analysed by performing Independent-sample t-test using SPSS (version 14.0). RESULTS One individual had anatomical abnormality which was confirmed through trans-rectal ultrasound scanning and RPL group showed statistically significant (p<0.05) value for NCD, HOS and AIT and 36.8% of RPL individuals had reduced score for sperm count and motility. Less than 4% normal morphology was recorded in 16.8% individuals of RPL group. CONCLUSION Our study revealed that the positive association of sperm dysfunction in RPL cases, hence male may be considered for a routine part of the evaluation along with his partner in the near future in order to achieve desirable outcome.
Recent developments in the theory and applications of ‘acoustic black holes’

`Acoustic black holes' are relatively new physical objects that have been introduced and investigated mainly during the last decade. They can absorb almost 100% of the incident wave energy, which makes them attractive for such traditional engineering applications as vibration damping and sound absorption. They could be useful also for some ultrasonic devices using Lamb waves to provide anechoic termination. So far, acoustic black holes have been investigated mainly for flexural waves in thin plates for which the required gradual changes in local wave velocity with distance can be easily achieved by changing the plate local thickness. The present paper provides a brief review of the theory of acoustic black holes, including their comparison with `optic black holes' introduced about three years ago. Review is also given of the recent experimental work carried out at Loughborough University on damping structural vibrations using the acoustic black hole effect. This is followed by the discussion on potential applications of the acoustic black hole effect for sound absorption in air.
Interleukin‐6 Gene Polymorphism Is Related to Bone Mineral Density During and After Puberty in Healthy White Males: A Cross‐Sectional and Longitudinal Study

Bone mineral density (BMD) is under strong genetic control and is the major determinant of fracture risk. The cytokine interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is an important regulator of bone metabolism and is involved in mediating the effects of androgens and estrogens on bone. Recently, a G/C polymorphism in position −174 of the IL‐6 gene promoter was found. We investigated this genetic polymorphism in relation to BMD during late puberty and to peak bone mass, in healthy white males. We identified the IL‐6 genotypes (GG, GC, and CC) in 90 boys, age 16.9 ± 0.3 years (mean ± SD), using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). BMD (g/cm2) at the femoral neck, lumbar spine, and total body was measured using dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry. The volumetric BMD (vBMD; mg/cm3) of the lumbar spine was estimated. Differences in BMD in relation to the genotypes were calculated using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Subjects with the CC genotype had 7.9% higher BMD of the femoral neck (p = 0.03), 7.0% higher BMD of the lumbar spine (p < 0.05), and 7.6% higher vBMD of the lumbar spine (p = 0.04), compared with their GG counterparts. Using multiple regression, the IL‐6 genotypes were independently related to total body BMD (CC > GG; p = 0.03), humerus BMD (CC > GG; p < 0.05), neck BMD (CC > GG; p = 0.01), spine BMD (CC > GG; p = 0.01), and spine vBMD (CC > GG; p = 0.008). At age 19.3 ± 0.7 years (mean ± SD; 88 men) the IL‐6 genotypes were still independent predictors for total body BMD (CC > GG; p = 0.03), humerus BMD (CC > GG; p = 0.03), spine BMD (CC > GG; p = 0.02), and spine vBMD (CC > GG; p = 0.003), while the IL‐6 genotypes were not related to the increase in bone density seen after 2 years. We have shown that polymorphism of the IL‐6 gene is an independent predictor of BMD during late puberty and of peak bone mass in healthy white men.
The Effect of Technique Failure on Outcome in Black Patients on Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

Background We previously reported that, while black patients have a better patient survival than white patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), they also have a significantly higher technique failure rate (39% vs 8%, p < 0.0001). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of technique failure/transfer to hemodialysis (HD) on patient survival in black PD patients. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 137 incident black patients entering our PD program from January 1987 to December 1997. During the course of follow-up, 82 (60%) patients remained on PD (PD group) while 55 (40%) patients were permanently transferred to HD (PD–HD group). The primary outcome measured was patient survival. Results Average age was 49 ± 15 years, 42% were male, and 40% had diabetes mellitus. At baseline, serum creatinine was 10.8 ± 5.4 mg/dL, serum albumin 3.4 ± 0.7 g/dL, body mass index 27.3 ± 6.5 kg/m2, peritoneal transport status was high in 18% and high-average in 61%, and residual glomerular filtration rate was 3.4 ± 3.5 mL/minute. There were no significant differences in clinical features, nutritional status, peritoneal transport, residual renal function, or dialysis adequacy at baseline between the PD group and PD–HD group. While a greater proportion of patients transferring to HD had cardiac disease (53% vs 32%, p < 0.05), there were no other significant differences in 15 comorbid conditions assessed at baseline. The primary reason for transfer was peritonitis (64%) and the overall peritonitis rate in the PD–HD group was significantly higher than in the PD group (2.21 vs 1.17 episodes/patient-year, p < 0.0001). Overall follow-up was 34 ± 25 months for PD group and 44 ± 26 months for PD–HD group (p < 0.01), with a mean time on PD prior to transfer to HD of 22 ± 18 months. During the course of follow-up, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the number of patients transplanted or deaths. Patient survival at 1, 2, and 5 years was 91%, 80%, and 57% for PD group and 96%, 92%, and 55% for PD–HD group [p = not significant (NS)]. A risk-adjusted time-dependent Cox regression analysis resulted in an adjusted relative risk of death that was not significantly different for those who transferred from PD to HD versus those who remained on PD (relative risk 1.49; 95% confidence interval 0.77–2.89; p = NS). Conclusions In black patients on PD, transfer to HD is not associated with any significant difference in patient survival compared to patients remaining on PD. While a high rate of peritonitis predisposes to technique failure, we found no features at baseline predictive of patients at greatest risk to fail PD. Since technique failure does not portend a poorer prognosis, PD remains a viable option for black patients entering an end-stage renal disease program.
Analysis of Dietary Intake during Consecutive-Day Chemotherapy for Bone and Soft-Tissue Sarcomas

Background Bone and soft tissue sarcomas are commonly treated with consecutive-day chemotherapy regimens consisting of multiple anticancer agents. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a serious adverse effect of these regimens and may result in decreased energy intake during chemotherapy. Decreased energy intake may lead to undernutrition and may cause adverse effects on patient quality of life and survival. Methods Patients with bone and soft tissue sarcomas who received consecutive-day chemotherapy were retrospectively evaluated. CINV and dietary energy intake were assessed, as well as the occurrences of hiccups and constipation during chemotherapy. Results A total of 13 patients, 10 males and 3 females, with a total 16 chemotherapy courses were included in the study. All patients received antiemetic prophylaxis. The CINV control rate, defined as no emesis and no rescue therapy, gradually decreased from chemotherapy day 1 (94%) to day 5 (75%). Four patients experienced emesis, two of whom had been treated with a cisplatin-containing regimen. Decreased dietary energy intake was possibly associated with CINV during chemotherapy. Anorexia was grade 2 except for one case of grade 3. The incidences of hiccups and constipation were high on days 3–5. Conclusion Antiemetic prophylaxis treatment did not prevent emesis due to consecutive-day chemotherapy, especially with cisplatin-containing regimens, in patients with bone and soft-tissue tumors. Dietary energy intake decreased during chemotherapy, and this appeared to be associated with CINV. In addition, the incidence of hiccups and constipation increased during the course of consecutive-day chemotherapy regimens. Although these results are based on a small number of patients, it may be important to observe nutritional status during chemotherapy, as this may reflect a patient’s general condition. Nutritional counseling might be useful in supporting nutritional status in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Active and passive cation transport and L antigen hertogeneity in low potassium sheep red cells

Several lines of experimental evidence are presented suggesting that the L antigens in low potassium (LK) sheep red cells are associated with separate Na(+)K(+) pump flux is distinct from the action of anti-L(l) on K(+) leak flux, implying that K(+) leak transport sites may not be converted into active pumps by the L antiserum. Treatment of LK red cells with trypsin completely abolished both the stimulation of K(+) pump flux and the enhancement of the rate of ouabain binding brought about by anti- L. That this effect is due to a total destruction of the L(p) determinant associated with the LK pump was evident from the complete failure of anti-L(p) to bind to trypsinized LK red cells. The L(p) antigen can be effectively protected against the trypsin attack by prior incubation with anti-L, indicating that the sites for antibody binding and trypsin action may be closely adjacent at the structural level. Trypsin treatment, however, did not interfere with anti-L(l) reducing ouabain insensitive K(+) leak influx, nor did it prevent binding of anti-L(ly), the hemolytically active L antibody which is probably identical with anti-L(l). The functional independence of the L(p) and L(l) sites was documented by the observation that anti-L(l) still reduced K(+) leak influx in LK cells with experimentally induced high potassium concentrations, at which K(+) pump flux is fully suppressed, whether or not anti-L(p) was binding to the L(p) antigen associated with the LK pump.