Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Homeopathy for menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors: a preliminary randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES To carry out a preliminary trial evaluating the effectiveness of two types of homeopathy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms in breast cancer survivors. DESIGN Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled. SETTINGS/LOCATION Private medical clinic, Seattle, WA. SUBJECTS Women with a history of breast cancer who had completed all surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment and who had an average of at least three hot flashes per day for the previous month. INTERVENTIONS Subjects were randomized to receive either an individualized homeopathic single remedy, a homeopathic combination medicine, or placebo. Patients were seen by homeopathic providers every 2 months for 1 year. OUTCOME MEASURES Hot flash frequency and severity, Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI), Short Form 36 (SF-36). RESULTS There was no significant difference found in the primary outcome measure, the hot flash severity score, although there was a positive trend in the single remedy group during the first 3 months of the study (p = 0.1). A statistically significant improvement in general health score in both homeopathy groups (p < 0.05) on the SF-36 after 1 year was found. Evidence of a homeopathic "drug proving" in the subjects receiving the homeopathic combination medicine who were not taking tamoxifen also was found. CONCLUSIONS Small sample size precludes definitive answers, but results from this preliminary trial suggest that homeopathy may be of value in the treatment of menopausal symptoms and improving quality of life, especially in those women not on tamoxifen. Larger studies should be carried out that also include healthy women who want to avoid hormone replacement therapy.
Road traffic crashes among farm vehicle drivers in southern China: A cross-sectional survey

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence and potential risk factors of farm vehicle–related road traffic crashes among farm vehicle drivers in southern China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was used to interview 1,422 farm vehicle drivers in southern China. Farm vehicle–related road traffic crashes that occurred from December 2013 to November 2014 were investigated. Data on farm vehicle–related road traffic crashes and related factors were collected by face-to-face interviews. Results: The prevalence of farm vehicle–related road traffic crashes among the investigated drivers was 7.2%. Farm vehicle–related road traffic crashes were significantly associated with self-reported vision problem (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.48, 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.86–10.87), self-reported sleep disorders (AOR = 10.03, 95% CI, 6.28–15.99), self-reported stress (AOR = 20.47, 95% CI, 9.96–42.08), reported history of crashes (AOR = 5.40, 95% CI, 3.47–8.42), reported history of drunk driving (AOR = 5.07, 95% CI, 2.97–8.65), and reported history of fatigued driving (AOR = 5.72, 95% CI, 3.73–8.78). The number of road traffic crashes was highest in the daytime and during harvest season. In over 96% of farm vehicle–related road traffic crashes, drivers were believed to be responsible for the crash. Major crash-causing factors included improper driving, careless driving, violating of traffic signals or signs, and being in the wrong lane. Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest that farm vehicle–related road traffic crashes have become a burgeoning public health problem in China. Programs need to be developed to prevent farm vehicle–related road traffic crashes in this emerging country.
Clinical implications of a staging model for bipolar disorders

A model of staging in the field of bipolar disorder (BD) should offer a means for clinicians to predict response to treatment and more general outcome measures, such as the level of functioning and autonomy. The present staging model emphasizes the assessment of patients in the interepisodic period and includes: latent phase: individuals who present mood and anxiety symptoms and increased risk for developing threshold BD; Stage I – patients with BD who present well established periods of euthymia and absence of overt psychiatric morbidity between episodes; Stage II – patients who present rapid cycling or current axis I or II comorbidities; Stage III – patients who present a clinically relevant pattern of cognitive and functioning deterioration, as well as altered biomarkers; and Stage IV – patients who are unable to live autonomously and present altered brain scans and biomarkers. Such a model implies a longitudinal appraisal of clinical variables, as well as assessment of neurocognition and biomarkers in the interepisodic period. Staging facilitates understanding of the mechanisms underlying progression of the disorder, assists in treatment planning and prognosis and, finally, underscores the imperative for early intervention.
The characteristics of railway service disruption: implications for disruption management

Abstract Rail disruption management is central to operational continuity and customer satisfaction. Disruption is not a unitary phenomenon – it varies by time, cause, location and complexity of coordination. Effective, user-centred technology for rail disruption must reflect this variety. A repertory grid study was conducted to elicit disruption characteristics. Construct elicitation with a group of experts (n = 7) captured 26 characteristics relevant to rail disruption. A larger group of operational staff (n = 28) rated 10 types of rail incident against the 26 characteristics. The results revealed distinctions such as business impact and public perception, and the importance of management of the disruption over initial detection. There were clear differences between those events that stop the traffic, as opposed to those that only slow the traffic. The results also demonstrate the utility of repertory grid for capturing the characteristics of complex work domains. Practitioner Summary: The aim of the paper is to understand how variety in rail disruption influences socio-technical design. It uses repertory grid to identify and prioritise 26 constructs, and group 10 disruption types, identifying critical factors such as whether an incident stops or merely slows the service, and business reputation.
Elementary Neurocognition, Learning Potential, and Functional Life Skills: What is the Relationship?

3 Introduction Etiology.4 Incidence.6 Cost to Society.6 Symptomatology.7 Neurocognition . 11 Learning Potential.16 Present Study.21 Methods Participants.25 Assessment Measures . 25 Calculating Learning Potential.28 Data Analysis.29 Results.31 Discussion.34 References.38 Tables and Figures Table 1.44 Table 2.45 Table 3.46 Table 4.47 Figure 1.48 Elementary Neurocognition 2
Ground Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Assemblages in Organic, No-Till, and Chisel-Till Cropping Systems in Maryland

Abstract Ground beetle assemblages were compared in organic, no-till, and chisel-till cropping systems of the USDA Farming Systems Project in Maryland. The cropping systems consisted of 3-yr rotations of corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) that were planted to corn and soybean during the 2 yr of field sampling (2001–2002). Each year, ground beetles were sampled using pitfall traps during three 9- to 14-d periods corresponding to spring, summer, and fall. A total of 2,313 specimens, representing 31 species, were collected over the 2 yr of sampling. The eight most common species represented 87% of the total specimens collected and included Scarites quadriceps Chaudoir, Elaphropus anceps (LeConte), Bembidion rapidum (LeConte), Harpalus pensylvanicus (DeGeer), Poecilus chalcites (Say), Clivina impressefrons LeConte, Agonum punctiforme (Say), and Amara aenea (DeGeer). Canonical variates analysis based on the 10 most abundant species showed that the carabid assemblages in the three cropping systems were distinguishable from each other. The organic system was found to be more different from the no-till and chisel-till systems than these two systems were from each other. In 2002, ground beetle relative abundance, measured species richness, and species diversity were greater in the organic than in the chisel-till system. Similar trends were found in 2001, but no significant differences were found in these measurements. Relatively few differences were found between the no-till and chisel-till systems. The estimated species richness of ground beetles based on several common estimators did not show differences among the three cropping systems. The potential use of ground beetles as ecological indicators is discussed.
Acute changes in regional cerebral (18)F-FDG kinetics in patients with traumatic brain injury.

UNLABELLED During the acute phase after traumatic brain injury (TBI), the metabolic state is regionally heterogeneous. The purpose of this study was to characterize contusional, pericontusional, and remote regions of TBI by estimating glucose transporter and hexokinase activities on the basis of (18)F-FDG kinetic modeling. METHODS A standard 2-compartment model was used to measure (18)F-FDG kinetic parameters in 21 TBI patients with cerebral contusions studied during the acute phase (3.1 +/- 2.1 [mean +/- SD] d after injury). Nineteen patients also underwent (15)O-water PET to measure regional cerebral blood flow (CBF). A control study ((18)F-FDG and (15)O-water) was done with 18 healthy volunteers. The rate constants K(i), K(1), and k(3) were assumed to represent the uptake, transport, and hexokinase activity of (18)F-FDG, respectively; K(i) was calculated as K(1) x [k(3)/(k(2) + k(3))]. RESULTS The areas of contusional and pericontusional tissues located 4.5, 13.5, and 22.5 mm away from the contusion (PC(4.5), PC(13.5), and PC(22.5), respectively) demonstrated significantly reduced K(1) values, whereas the K(1) values for remote areas remained normal. The k(3) values were significantly reduced regardless of the distance from the contusion. Pericontusional areas with CT- or MRI-evidenced tissue damage showed significantly lower K(i) (P < 0.001), CBF (P < 0.01), and K(1) (P < 0.0001) values than did areas without such damage, whereas the k(3) values did not differ significantly. Seven patients showed regionally increased (18)F-FDG uptake (hot spots) in pericontusional areas. The k(3) value for the hot spots (0.086 +/- 0.024/min) was significantly higher than that for the remote cortex (P < 0.01), whereas the K(i), CBF, and K(1) values did not show significant differences. Patients with hot spots showed significantly higher K(i) and k(3) values in PC(4.5) (P < 0.05) and higher k(3) values in PC(22.5) (P < 0.05) than did patients without hot spots, whereas the K(1) and CBF values did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION Brain tissue (18)F-FDG kinetics in TBI patients were consistent with reduced hexokinase activity in the whole brain (including apparently uninjured cortex), whereas glucose transport was impaired only in the area immediately around the contusion. Pericontusional high levels of (18)F-FDG uptake observed in a subgroup of patients could have been the result of regionally increased hexokinase activity.
An Evidence-Based Model to Inform System Reform

Healthcare systems are in the process of reforming themselves to better meet the needs of people with, or at risk of developing, chronic diseases and long term conditions. One goal of these efforts is the coproduction of activated, informed, engaged and motivated patients and citizens. The clinical, public health and financial benefits of achieving such a goal may be dramatic. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a proven and practical front-line approach which can help deliver this goal whilst also helping to deliver such policy objectives and intermediate outcomes as increased levels of patient centered care, participatory or shared decision making, evidence-based healthcare and improved clinician-patient relationships. Until now, MI has been passively diffusing through the system as a result of the innovation and early uptake by insightful individuals and organizations. If healthcare systems want to breakthrough to higher levels of performance, investment in the conscious and deliberate implementation of MI into front-line settings may prove helpful.
Parents' Optimism, Positive Parenting, and Child Peer Competence in Mexican-Origin Families

SYNOPSIS Objective . This study focused on how parents' optimism influences positive parenting and child peer competence in Mexican-origin families. Design . A sample of 521 families (521 mothers, 438 fathers, and 521 11-year-olds) participated in the cross-sectional study. The structural equation modeling framework was used to assess whether effective parenting would mediate the effect of parents' optimism on child peer competence, and whether mothers' and fathers' optimism would moderate the relation between positive parenting and child social competence. Results . Mothers' and fathers' optimism were associated with effective parenting, which in turn was related to children's peer competence. Mothers' and fathers' optimism also moderated the effect of parenting on child peer competence. High levels of parental optimism buffered children against poor parenting; at low levels of parental optimism, positive parenting was more strongly related to child peer competence. Conclusions . Results are consistent with the hypothesis that positive parenting is promoted by parents' optimism, and is a proximal driver of child social competence. Parental optimism moderates effects of parenting on child outcomes.
Initial tissue response to anti-washout apatite cement in the rat palatal region: comparison with conventional apatite cement.

Initial tissue response to anti-washout apatite cement (aw-AC) in the palatal region was studied. Conventional apatite cement (c-AC) was employed as a control material. Bone defects generated in the rat palatal region, where complete hemostasis is difficult to effect, were filled with both cement types and examined histologically for up to 8 weeks. At 1-week postfilling, a portion of the c-AC had washed out, resulting in slight inflammation and severe foreign-body response. The degree of foreign-body response to c-AC was reduced over time; however, foreign-body response continued to be in evidence 8 weeks after surgery. As a result, poor bone formation was observed in the case of c-AC at 8 weeks post-surgery. In contrast, aw-AC set well, maintained its shape at implantation, and caused little foreign-body response. Osteoblasts were observed at 2 weeks following surgery. Moreover, the bone defect was completely covered with new bone at 8 weeks post-surgery. This observation suggests that aw-AC may be used without complication in cases where complete hemostasis is difficult to achieve, that is, where the use of c-AC is contraindicated.
The use of case-based learning in the development of student teachers’ levels of moral reasoning

The important role of the teacher in developing morally sensitive individuals is widely acknowledged. This paper examines the integration of context-specific moral development interventions within a four-year undergraduate teacher education programme in Ireland. The intervention strategy employed a case-based pedagogical approach where participants (n = 123) explored and discussed classroom scenarios to prepare them for a six-week school-based placement. Using the Defining Issues Test, results indicate statistically significant increases in levels of moral reasoning post intervention, suggesting that the use of a layered case-based pedagogical strategy provides students with alternative perspectives on their classroom practices and challenges their lay theories.
Sex‐related differences in small intestinal transit and serotonin dynamics in high‐fat‐diet‐induced obesity in mice

What is the central question of this study? Are the sex differences in the effects of obesity on serotonin signaling mechanisms in the small intestine? What is the main finding and its importance? We demonstrate that small intestinal transit is altered in male and female obese mice. We found sex differences in intestinal 5‐HT signalling in the jejunum of male and female obese mice that may underlie the altered intestinal transit. Our results reveal important sex differences in 5‐HT‐linked intestinal dysfunction in obesity.
Comments on "On the Bounds of Feedback Rates for Pilot-Assisted MIMO Systems"

In ldquoOn the bounds of feedback rates for pilot-assisted MIMO systems,rdquo by Zhang , the authors calculated the bounds of feedback rates for pilot-assisted multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) systems. However, the nontrivial error of an equation in the Appendix has been found in the derivations, which led to inexact numerical results on the capacity with respect to the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). We correct the error by recalculating the bounds of feedback rates.
Unrecognized Carcinoma of Caecum Presenting as Acute Appendicitis or Appendix Abscess

two live anencephalics and the absence of histological degenerative changes in the placenta in the present series suggests the possibility of interfering with placental hormone production without necessarily affecting placental transport function. This may well be the case, as Cassmer (1959) has produced experimental evidence that dissociation of even oestrogen and progesterone production by the placenta can occur. The successful induction of labour in four patients when the glucose concentration of the amniotic fluid was always less than 5 g. /100 ml. suggests that replacement of the amniotic fluid with solutions of lower tonicity than 50% glucose may also be effective in the termination of pregnancy. Bengtsson and Csapo's theory that the onset of labour is due to a fall in progesterone production by the placenta is an attractive one and is supported by their endocrinological and histological findings. We have, unfortunately, no comparable endocrinological studies of the plasma progesterone before and after the injections (see Addendum), but gross and histological examination of the membranes and placenta disclosed no evidence of change in any of our cases. While this is in contrast to their findings of haemorrhages and infarcts of the placenta, it is in agreement with Brosset's findings in mid-pregnancy. The association of deaths due to hypoxia with low urinary pregnanediol and deaths due to hydrops or foetal abnormality with normal levels is interesting. Von Wagenan and Jenkins (1939) first showed in the rhesus monkey that removal of the foetus early in pregnancy did not disturb the placenta, which remained in situ and active till near term. Cassmer (1939) showed that interruption of the circulation in the human umbilical cord during mid-pregnancy was followed by a rapid fall in urinary oestrogen but only a slight decrease in urinary pregnanediol. His experiments indicated that the foetal circulation is essential for the maintenance of the urinary oestrogen levels in pregnancy but not for the production of progesterone. If we assume that the hypoxic deaths in our series are secondary to placental failure, and if the deaths due to hydrops are regarded as primarily foetal, then our findings of low pregnanediol and low oestrogen levels in the former and low oestrogen levels only in the latter are in agreement with Cassmer's results.
Instability of simple sequence DNA in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

All eukaryotic genomes thus far examined contain simple sequence repeats. A particularly common simple sequence in many organisms (including humans) consists of tracts of alternating GT residues on one strand. Allelic poly(GT) tracts are often of different lengths in different individuals, indicating that they are likely to be unstable. We examined the instability of poly(GT) and poly(G) tracts in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We found that these tracts were dramatically unstable, altering length at a minimal rate of 10(-4) events per division. Most of the changes involved one or two repeat unit additions or deletions, although one alteration involved an interaction with the yeast telomeres.
Expression and function of pituitary tumour transforming gene for T‐lymphocyte activation

Summary. Pituitary tumour transforming gene (PTTG) isolated from pituitary tumour cells transforms cells in vitro and causes in vivo tumour formation. PTTG is expressed in several human tumours and cell lines. In normal adult tissues, the testis expresses abundant levels of PTTG mRNA comparable to that found in tumour cells. Although PTTG is not expressed in resting T cells, we showed here that activation of normal adult human T cells using either immobilized anti‐CD3 antibodies or phytohaemagglutinin was accompanied by marked PTTG induction, reaching levels observed in human tumour cells. Inhibitors of T‐cell functions, such as cyclosporin A and hydrocortisone, decreased induction of PTTG mRNA expression. During T‐cell activation, PTTG mRNA abundance corresponded with the increase in S‐phase cells, suggesting PTTG involvement in cell cycle‐dependent processes. These results showed that PTTG‐1 expression follows cell cycling patterns in T lymphocytes, providing a convenient model for studying PTTG functions in normal cells.
Age alters regional distribution of blood flow during moderate-intensity exercise.

During dynamic exercise in warm environments, requisite increases in skin and active muscle blood flows are supported by increasing cardiac output (Qc) and redistributing flow away from splanchnic and renal circulations. To examine the effect of age on these responses, six young (Y; 26 +/- 2 yr) and six older (O; 64 +/- 2 yr) men performed upright cycle exercise at 35 and 60% of peak O2 consumption (VO2peak) in 22 and 36 degrees C environments. To further isolate age, the two age groups were closely matched for VO2peak, weight, surface area, and body composition. Measurements included heart rate, Qc (CO2 rebreathing), skin blood flow (from increases in forearm blood flow (venous occlusion plethysmography), splanchnic blood flow (indocyanine green dilution), renal blood flow (p-amino-hippurate clearance), and plasma norepinephrine concentration. There were no significant age differences in Qc; however, in both environments the O group maintained Qc at a higher stroke volume and lower heart rate. At 60% VO2peak, forearm blood flow was significantly lower in the O subjects in each environment. Splanchnic blood flow fell (by 12-14% in both groups) at the lower intensity, then decreased to a greater extent at 60% VO2peak in Y than in O subjects (e.g., -45 +/- 2 vs. -33 +/- 3% for the hot environment, P < 0.01). Renal blood flow was lower at rest in the O group, remained relatively constant at 35% VO2peak, then decreased by 20-25% in both groups at 60% VO2peak. At 60% VO2peak, 27 and 37% more total blood flow was redistributed away from these two circulations in the Y than in the O group at 22 and 36 degrees, respectively. It was concluded that the greater increase in skin blood flow in Y subjects is partially supported by a greater redistribution of blood flow away from splanchnic and renal vascular beds.
Revision total hip arthroplasty with a modular tapered stem

Femoral stem revision surgery with proximal bone loss may be treated with modular uncemented distal fixation stems. Early results of the ZMR tapered stems with relatively fewer cases were encouraging. In this prospective study, we evaluated the 2 to 10 years survivorship, associated complications and functional outcomes of 84 cases of femoral revision using the ZMR tapered stem. The indications for revision were aseptic loosening (50), periprosthetic fracture (12), infection (17), stem fracture (4) and instability (1). The mean follow-up was 46 months (range, 25–117). The Kaplan-Meier survival with femoral re-revision for any reason as an end-point was 92.7% (95% CI: 87.7%-97.7%). The mean Harris hip score improved from 37 (10–77) points before operation to 72 (41–96) points at last follow-up. The ZMR tapered stem has shown satisfactory results in 2 to 10 years followup in various femoral stem revision conditions.