Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiographic technical quality of root canal fillings performed by dental students in Palestine

Objectives: The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the radiographic technical quality of root canal fillings and the incidence of iatrogenic errors in treatments performed by undergraduate students. Materials and Methods: A total of 612 periapical radiographs were used to assess the radiographic technical quality of 1013 root canals performed by the 4 th and 5 th undergraduate students between the years 2009 and 2012. Two variables were examined: The length and the density of the fillings, categorized as acceptable and unacceptable. The presence of ledges, root perforation and fractured instruments were also investigated. Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis of the results. A P Results: Nearly, 65% and 76.4% of the root canal fillings had adequate length and density respectively; with 58% of root canals fulfilled these two criteria at the same time. There was no significant difference between the maxillary and mandibular teeth according to the adequacy of the root fillings. The highest percentage of adequate root fillings was found in mandibular anteriors (68.8%) while maxillary molars were associated with the lowest level of acceptability (35.5%). Ledges were detected in 11.7% of root canals. Conclusion: The quality of root canal fillings performed by undergraduate dental students at the Arab American University Dental School, Palestine was satisfactory. Changes in teaching curriculum and introduction of new treatment techniques may be required to improve the technical quality of root canal treatment done by dental students.
Modified trapezius transfer technique for restoration of shoulder abduction in brachial plexus injury

Aims and Objectives: Shoulder stability and restoration are very important in providing greater range of motion to the arm and forearm. When brachial plexus repair does not have the desired outcome and in patients with long standing denervation, the trapezius muscle is frequently used for transfer to restore the shoulder abduction and external rotation. We propose a modified simple technique for trapezius muscle transfer. Materials and Methods: From February 2004 to February 2006, eight patients with posttraumatic brachial plexus injury with insufficient shoulder abduction were treated by trapezius muscle transfer. All patients with brachial plexus palsy were posttraumatic, often resulted from motor cycle accidents. Before operation a full evaluation of muscle function in the affected arm was carried out. All patients were treated with trapezius muscle transfer performed by the modified technique. S-shaped incision from the anterior border of the trapezius just above the clavicle to the Deltoid up to its insertion was made. The accessory nerve and its branches to the trapezius were secured. The trapezius was dissected and detached from its insertion along with the periosteum and sutured to the insertion of the Deltoid muscle. Results: All patients had improved functions and were satisfied with the outcome. The average increase in active abduction of shoulder was from 13.7 degrees (0 to 35 degrees) preoperatively to 116 degrees (45 to 180 degrees) postoperatively and of shoulder flexion from 24.3 degrees (15 to 30 degrees) to 107 degrees (90 to 180 degrees). Conclusion: The modified technique proposed here for trapezius transfer is safe, convenient, simple and reliable for restoration of shoulder abduction and stability with clear subjective benefits.
PTGDR gene in asthma: a functional, genetic, and epigenetic study

To cite this article: Isidoro‐García M, Sanz C, García‐Solaesa V, Pascual M, Pescador DB, Lorente F, Dávila I. PTGDR gene in asthma: a functional, genetic, and epigenetic study. Allergy 2011; 66: 1553–1562.
The metabolic syndrome: linking oxidative stress and inflammation to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and the syndrome

Metabolic syndrome defined by a cluster of clinical features increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The original hypothesis linking this syndrome to these diseases was based on insulin resistance and the effect of hyperinsulinemia on atherogenesis. However, inflammatory processes have now been linked to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and insulin resistance. Novel data have shown the effect of macronutrients on inflammatory mediators and the anti‐inflammatory effects of insulin that is secreted in response to food intake. This review attempts to provide an alternative explanation for the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome and the increase in risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes on the basis of these findings. Drug Dev. Res. 67:619–626, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acceptability of an Electronic Self-report Assessment Program for Patients With Cancer

Eliciting symptom and quality of life information from patients is an important component of medical and nursing care processes. Traditionally, this information has been collected with paper and pencil. However, this approach presents several barriers, including delays in receiving information, difficulty in integrating responses with electronic records, and the time required to manually score questionnaires for measurement purposes. One solution that addresses many of these barriers is the adoption of computerized screening for symptom and quality-of-life information. This research explored the acceptability of asking symptom and quality-of-life questions using the Electronic Self Report Assessment-Cancer program on wireless laptops equipped with touch-screen format. Acceptability data were explored with respect to whether any differences may be attributed to demographics and symptom and quality-of-life levels, such as depression and cognitive and emotional functioning. This evaluation used descriptive and univariate statistics to examine data from 342 participants from the ongoing ESRA-C randomized clinical trial. Research participants for the ESRA-C study were recruited from the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, a consortium among the University of Washington Medical Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle, WA. The sample consisted of 342 adult participants who completed both baseline and follow-up survey sessions. Medical oncology represented the largest recruitment group (45.3%), followed by stem cell transplant (34.5%) and radiation oncology (20.2%). The primary finding was that patients were generally able to use ESRA-C quickly and without difficulty in a real-world clinical setting and that they were overall quite satisfied with the ESRA-C program. Significant differences were found in several acceptability areas with respect to demographics and quality of life measures such as age, sex, and severe distress. This analysis confirms that the ESRA-C application for collecting symptom and quality of life information is easy for patients to use and acceptable across a range of user characteristics. We intend to build on our work by using the survey platform in other modalities while ensuring that the patient's preferences are considered at all times.
Nursing Student Control Over Using a Computer Simulation Program About Empowering Discourse

Nurses find empowering discourse as a patient education intervention demanding, so using methods that support the constructive learning of empowering discourse during their education would be helpful. The aim of this descriptive, comparative study was to evaluate student control when using a computer simulation program that facilitates learning about empowering discourse. The study hypothesis was as follows: Students can control the use of an empowering discourse computer simulation program regardless of their sociodemographic background and study orientation. In the study, 69 students completed an educational session culminating in a computer simulation in which the students responded to a simulated patient’s statements in their choice of six content areas in three sections by using a multiple-choice method, an open-ended method, or both methods. The students used all the options in the program despite their background and study orientations. The findings provided evidence that nursing students had control over the use of the computer simulation program to manage their own learning and were able to construct personal knowledge about empowering discourse using the computer simulation regardless of their study orientations.
The 8‐year follow‐up of the PIAMA intervention study assessing the effect of mite‐impermeable mattress covers

To cite this article: Gehring U, de Jongste JC, Kerkhof M, Oldewening M, Postma D, van Strien RT, Wijga AH, Willers SM, Wolse A, Gerritsen J, Smit HA, Brunekreef B. The 8‐year follow‐up of the PIAMA intervention study assessing the effect of mite‐impermeable mattress covers. Allergy 2012; 67: 248–256.
A review of the use of human factors classification frameworks that identify causal factors for adverse events in the hospital setting

Various human factors classification frameworks have been used to identified causal factors for clinical adverse events. A systematic review was conducted to identify human factors classification frameworks that identified the causal factors (including human error) of adverse events in a hospital setting. Six electronic databases were searched, identifying 1997 articles and 38 of these met inclusion criteria. Most studies included causal contributing factors as well as error and error type, but the nature of coding varied considerably between studies. The ability of human factors classification frameworks to provide information on specific causal factors for an adverse event enables the focus of preventive attention on areas where improvements are most needed. This review highlighted some areas needing considerable improvement in order to meet this need, including better definition of terms, more emphasis on assessing reliability of coding and greater sophistication in analysis of results of the classification. Practitioner Summary: Human factors classification frameworks can be used to identify causal factors of clinical adverse events. However, this review suggests that existing frameworks are diverse, limited in their identification of the context of human error and have poor reliability when used by different individuals.
Tryptase and histamine metabolites as diagnostic indicators of indolent systemic mastocytosis without skin lesions

Risk indicators of indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM) in adults with clinical suspicion of ISM without accompanying skin lesions [urticaria pigmentosa (UP)] are lacking. This study aimed at creating a decision tree using clinical characteristics, serum tryptase, and the urinary histamine metabolites methylimidazole acetic acid (MIMA) and methylhistamine (MH) to select patients for bone marrow investigations to diagnose ISM.
Influence of foot orthosis customisation on perceived comfort during running

Although running is associated with many health benefits, it also exposes the body to greater risk of injury. Foot orthoses are an effective strategy to prevent such injuries. Comfort is an essential element in orthosis design since any discomfort alters the runner's biomechanics, compromising performance and increasing the risk of injury. The present study analyses the perceived comfort of three types of orthoses: custom-made, prefabricated and original running shoe insoles. Nine comfort variables for each insole were assessed in a sample of 40 runners. Custom-made and prefabricated insoles were both perceived as significantly more comfortable than the original insoles. The differences were clinically relevant and were potentially causes of modifications in running gait. Although the prefabricated insoles were rated slightly higher than the custom-made insoles, the differences were not statistically significant. This study shows that prefabricated insoles constitute a reasonable alternative to custom-made insoles in terms of comfort. Practitioner Summary: The perceived level of comfort of footwear is considered to be a protective measure of the potential risk of running injuries. We here compared runners' perception of comfort of custom-made and prefabricated orthoses while running. We found that even though custom-made orthoses are closely matched to each individual's foot, such customisation does not necessarily imply greater comfort.
Mental health promotion for South East Asian Refugees in the USA

The migration of refugees is generally divided into three stages: antecedents of flight, the period of flight and the resettlement process. Each stage presents unique problems of its own, and any programme for refugees should be developed in accordance with specific features, conditions and problems inherent in each stage of migration. This article presents the development of a mental health prevention/promotion programme for South East Asian refugees in the resettlement period in the USA, using two public health prevention models as its conceptual framework. Since 1975, over 860,000 South East Asian refugees have resettled in the USA. Voluminous studies on physical and mental health among South East Asian refugees have consistently indicated a considerable rate of psychiatric and psychosomatic problems. Flaskerund and Anh (1988) report that, in early studies, the prevalence of psychiatric problems among South East Asian refugees was at 10 percent, with depression and anxiety the most common diagnoses. By 1985, the prevalence of depression among Vietnamese refugees in two primary care clinics was found to be 40 to 50 percent (Flaskerund and Anh, 1988: 453). Westermeyer (1988), who studied mental illnesses among South East Asian refugees, reports the rate of serious depression at 20 percent. Since most of the studies were done with clinic patients, a built-in bias with the sample population should be recognized and interpretation of findings requires a little caution. However, it can fairly safely be concluded that the various studies on South East Asian refugees over the years have
Down to the Fundamentals of Telehealth and Home Healthcare Nursing

Many changes have taken place in the field of home healthcare. Because of these changes, home health agencies must be creative and implement various tools that help improve quality of care for their patients. Starting with the most basic intervention definitely can lend a hand in improving patient outcomes. Phone monitoring, the most basic form of telehealth, can be an important aspect in a patient's plan of care.
Interstitial deletion of 10p and atrial septal defect in DiGeorge 2 syndrome

We present molecular genetic investigations of a 4‐year‐old boy with craniofacial dysmorphism and developmental delay. Trivial mitral and tricuspid regurgitation without gross structural abnormality was diagnosed by echocardiography. High‐resolution chromosome analysis revealed an interstitial deletion, del(10)(p12.1p12.32). To characterize the deletion size and breakpoints, we performed fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis using 27 BAC clones. Our data demonstrate an approximately 5.5 Mb deletion del(10)(p12.1p12.31). Surprisingly, the BAC clone RP11‐56H7 that contains NEBL, an apparent downstream gene of the cardiogenic transcription factor HAND2 previously shown to be deleted in the patients with DiGeorge 2 syndrome and 10p13 deletion, was deleted in our patient with 10p12.1‐p12.31 deletion. In addition, we provide clinical data and results of molecular analysis for a patient with multiple congenital anomalies including Ebstein's anomaly, kidney malformations, and 10p13‐p14 deletion. We also reviewed 19 patients with congenital heart defects and deletions involving 10p and propose that atrial septal defect (ASD) is a common cardiac anomaly associated with DiGeorge 2 syndrome. Based on genotype–phenotype analysis of published patients and those reported herein, we propose an approximately 1.0 Mb critical region between loci D10S547 and D10S2176 in 10p14 to be associated with ASD. Considering that septal defects are the most frequent congenital heart anomaly, we suggest that further investigations in the 10p critical region are important to identify gene(s) responsible for this common birth defect.
The effects of military body armour on the lower back and knee mechanics during toe-touch and two-legged squat tasks

While effective in the prevention of otherwise lethal injuries, military body armour (BA) has been suggested to reduce warfighter's performance and increase injury-related musculoskeletal conditions. Providing the significant role of joint biomechanics in both performance and risk of injury, the immediate and prolonged effects of wearing BA on biomechanics of the lower back and knee during toe-touch (TT) and two-legged squat (TLS) tasks were investigated. The immediate effects of BA were an increase of >40 ms (p ≤ 0.02) in flexion duration of the dominant joint and an ∼1 s (p ≤ 0.02) increase in overall task duration as well as an ∼18% (p = 0.03) decrease in the lumbopelvic rhythm ratio near the mid-range of trunk flexion. In general the prolonged duration of wearing BA (i.e. 45 min of walking) was not found to cause more changes in our measures than walking without BA. Practitioner Summary: The effects of wearing military BA on biomechanics of the lower back and knee during TT and TLS tasks were investigated. The immediate effects of BA were increased flexion duration, increased overall trial duration and decreased lumbopelvic rhythm near the mid-range of trunk flexion.
FBN1 mutation screening of patients with Marfan syndrome and related disorders: detection of 46 novel FBN1 mutations

Fibrillin‐1 gene (FBN1) mutations cause Marfan syndrome (MFS), an inherited connective tissue disorder with autosomal dominant transmission. Major clinical manifestations affect cardiovascular and skeletal apparatuses and ocular and central nervous systems. We analyzed FBN1 gene in 99 patients referred to our Center for Marfan Syndrome and Related Disorders (University of Florence, Florence, Italy): 85 were affected by MFS and 14 by other fibrillinopathies type I. We identified mutations in 80 patients. Among the 77 different mutational events, 46 had not been previously reported. They are represented by 49 missense (61%), 1 silent (1%), 13 nonsense (16%), 6 donor splice site mutations (8%), 8 small deletions (10%), and 3 small duplications (4%). The majority of missense mutations were within the calcium‐binding epidermal growth factor‐like domains. We found preferential associations between The Cys‐missense mutations and ectopia lentis and premature termination codon mutations and skeletal manifestations. In contrast to what reported in literature, the cardiovascular system is severely affected also in patients carrying mutations in exons 1–10 and 59–65. In conclusion, we were able to detect FBN1 mutations in 88% of patients with MFS and in 36% of patients with other fibrillinopathies type I, confirming that FBN1 mutations are good predictors of classic MFS.
Immune and inflammatory responses of Australian firefighters after repeated exposures to the heat

When firefighters work in hot conditions, altered immune and inflammatory responses may increase the risk of a cardiac event. The present study aimed to establish the time course of such responses. Forty-two urban firefighters completed a repeat work protocol in a heat chamber (100 ± 5°C). Changes to leukocytes, platelets, TNFα, IL-6, IL-10, LPS and CRP were evaluated immediately post-work and also after 1 and 24 h of rest. Increases in core temperatures were associated with significant increases in leukocytes, platelets and TNFα directly following work. Further, platelets continued to increase at 1 h (+31.2 ± 31.3 × 109 l, p < 0.01) and remained elevated at 24 h (+15.9 ± 19.6 × 109 l, p < 0.01). Sustained increases in leukocytes and platelets may increase the risk of cardiac events in firefighters when performing repeat work tasks in the heat. This is particularly relevant during multi-day deployments following natural disasters. Practitioner Summary: Firefighters regularly re-enter fire affected buildings or are redeployed to further operational tasks. Should work in the heat lead to sustained immune and inflammatory changes following extended rest periods, incident controllers should plan appropriate work/rest cycles to minimise these changes and any subsequent risks of cardiac events.
Multiple granular cell tumors are an associated feature of LEOPARD syndrome caused by mutation in PTPN11

We report a patient with a clinical and molecular diagnosis of LEOPARD syndrome (LS) associated with multiple granular cell tumors (MGCT). Bidirectional sequencing of exons 7, 12, and 13 of the PTPN11 gene revealed the T468M missense mutation in exon 12. This mutation has been previously reported in patients with LS. To our knowledge, this is the first report of MGCT associated with molecularly characterized LS and provides the first molecular evidence linking granular cell tumors (GCT) to the Ras/mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. We propose that MGCT can be associated with LS. Analysis of GCT from this case tested negatively for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the PTPN11 and NF1 loci and did not show deletions of the PTEN gene. The absence of LOH of PTPN11 supports published functional data that T468M is a dominant‐negative mutation.
A survey of anthropometry and physical accommodation in ergonomics curricula

The size and shape of users are an important consideration for many products and environments. Designers and engineers in many disciplines must often accommodate these attributes to meet objectives such as fit and safety. When practitioners have academic training in addressing these issues, it is typically through courses in Human Factors/Ergonomics (HF/E). This paper investigates education related to physical accommodation and offers suggestions for improvement. A survey was conducted wherein 21 instructors at 18 universities in the United States provided syllabi for 29 courses, which were analysed to determine topics related to anthropometry and resources used for the courses. The results show that within the US, anthropometry is covered in the majority of courses discussing physical ergonomics, but important related concepts were often omitted (e.g. digital human modelling, multivariate accommodation and variability across global populations). Curricula could be improved by incorporating more accurate anthropometry, multivariate problems and interactive online tools. Practitioner Summary: This paper describes a study investigating collegiate ergonomics courses within the US in the area of physical accommodation. Course schedules and texts were studied for their treatment of several topics related to accommodating the spatial requirements (anthropometry) of users. Recommendations are made for improving course curricula.