Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Equine laminitis 2. Management and prognosis in the chronic stage

CHRONIC laminitis commences when structural changes occur within the digit as a result of the pathophysiological processes outlined in Part 1 of this article (In Practice, September 2006, volume 28, pp 434–443). Chronic laminitis may develop rapidly as a progression from acute or subacute laminitis or over months or years without prior evidence of digital pain or lameness. The clinical presentation is determined by the degree of laminar separation and any secondary pathologies that occur. The diverse nature of the disease has led to the development of definitions based on clinical findings to allow more precise description and evaluation of cases. This article discusses the management of chronic equine laminitis, and provides some guidelines on assessing prognosis. Treatment options for acute laminitis were reviewed in Part 1.
Attitudes and Willingness of Nursing Students towards Caring for Patients Infected with HIV in South Africa

Department of Public Health, University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus), South AfricaThe objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess attitudes and willingness of caring for patients infected with HIV in South Africa among 122 nursing students using self-administered questionnaires. Majority of the nursing students possess positive attitudes towards patients infected with HIV and are more than willing to provide care to such patients but lacked knowledge regarding HIV policies. Nursing curricula should include extensive teaching about HIV legislation including internal and external work policies on HIV/AIDS.
Safety and feasibility of post-stroke care and exercise after minor ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack: MotiveS & MoveIT.

BACKGROUND Despite the beneficial effect of cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction, a rehabilitation program to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and influence secondary prevention has not been implemented for ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA). OBJECTIVE To investigate the safety and feasibility of a post-stroke care including an exercise program after minor ischemic stroke or TIA. METHODS In a randomised controlled trial, 20 patients with a recent minor stroke or TIA without cardiac contraindications were randomly assigned to one of the two interventions; post-stroke care without exercise or post-stroke care with exercise. Patients were evaluated at baseline, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS Eighteen patients completed the intervention. In none of the patients cardiopulmonary contraindications for the maximal exercise test and exercise program were found. No cardiovascular events occurred during the maximal exercise tests and exercise program. After one year, significantly more patients in the post-stroke care with exercise group achieved the composite endpoint of optimal medical therapy. CONCLUSIONS Post-stroke care including an exercise program is safe and feasible in the acute phase after minor stroke or TIA and might be a way to increase effectiveness of secondary stroke prevention. We are currently conducting a larger trial to validate these results.
Stature estimation from bi-acromial and bi-iliocristal measurements

Identification studies about stature estimation provide useful information in individual cases. Many studies put forward the relationship between height and some parts of the skeleton and the body parts in consideration. The classical measurements (foot, hand and long bones) for stature estimation have been already studied in different populations, whereas very few is available concerning Bi-acromial Breadth (BAB) and Bi-iliocristal Breadth (BICB). Anthropometrical measurements were performed by middle-income 337 volunteers; 216 males and 121 females. These measurements were studied by SPSS routines and linear regression formulas were defined for variables included in significant correlation related to stature. There was a statistically significancy (p<0.01) between stature and variables (BAB, BICB). Sex differences were found to be highly significant for all the measurements. In this research, best correlation was examined in males for BAB (r=0.42), but for BICB there was a very weak correlation in both males (r=0.21) and females (r=0.19). When both variables were studied, relation with stature in males reached to r=0.43. Even though variables' relations with stature were found weak, in cases of impaired integrity of corpses, regression formulas about stature estimation specific to Turkish population may provide useful information.
Frailty and Mortality Among the Elderly

Society's image offrailty in old age may be characterized as one of a poor, wizened, old woman, wasting away from neglect until her heart finally stops. This article seeks to develop a more scientific profile of the "frail" elderly by examining mortality records of those deaths listed under International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision code, E-904, distinguishing deaths due to neglect, lack offood or water, exposure, and privation, for the period from 1979 to 1985. Approximately 200 deaths for people over 60 years old were listed under this code annually. An analysis of the demographic and locational characteristics of these decedents yielded two distinct profiles. Hunger decedents were older, White, and female, fitting the frail elderly stereotype. Exposure decedents were younger, male, and more likely to be nonmetropolitan or minority elderly. Strategies to reach these two groups are discussed.
Mechanical and thermal hypersensitivities associated with orthodontic tooth movement: a behavioral rat model for orthodontic tooth movement-induced pain.

AIM To test whether orofacial mechanical and thermal hypersensitivities occur in rats during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats (140 to 160 g) were divided into an experimental (E) group (n =7), with an active orthodontic spring placed in the right side of their mouth, and a sham (S) group (n = 7), with an inactive orthodontic spring. Mechanical sensitivity was tested preoperatively (1 day before attaching the orthodontic spring) and postoperatively (1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours, days 1 to 7, day 14, day 21, and day 28 after orthodontic spring attachment) on the cheek, upper lip, and maxillary incisor labial gingiva bilaterally by recording the threshold for a head withdrawal response evoked by von Frey filaments. Thermal sensitivity was also tested preoperatively and postoperatively on the cheek bilaterally by applying a noxious thermal stimulus and measuring head withdrawal response duration, response score, and response percentile rate. Statistical analyses involved a mixed-model repeated-measures analysis of variance (MMRM ANOVA). RESULTS The mechanical and thermal sensitivities at all bilateral sites were significantly increased (P < .01) in the E group in the early postoperative period (1 to 5 days), with peaks reached on day 1, and then returned to and remained at preoperative levels until postoperative day 28. However, there was no significant change from the preoperative levels in mechanical and thermal sensitivities for the S group for all the tested sites. CONCLUSION This rat OTM-induced pain model correlates with the time course of OTM-induced pain in humans and suggests that OTM-induced mechanical and thermal hypersensitivities may be useful measures of OTM-induced pain.
Neuromuscular Training for Prevention of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Female Athletes

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury occurs often in athletes. The ACL can become twisted during rapid deceleration and sudden cutting, leading to ACL tears or ruptures.1 ACL injury is four to six times more common among female athletes than among male athletes.2 These sex differences indicate that female athletes are more likely to experience ACL injury during high-intensity exercise than male athletes are.3 In the United States, 95,000 people experience ACL injuries each year. Among female athletes with ACL injuries, 70% decide to undergo surgery.4 One year of rehabilitation is necessary following ACL reconstruction surgery, which requires a considerable amount of money and time. In addition, only 30% to 50% of athletes are able to return to the field successfully.3 ACL injury often results in knee osteoarthritis, causing knee inflammation and pain that affect athletic performance and shorten athletic careers.5 Therefore, athletes must focus on preventing ACL injury. Anterior knee laxity and lower extremity strength are easier to find in female athletes than in male athletes. Thus, the unstable knee structure that leads to ACL injury is more likely to occur in female athletes during certain activities, particularly landing.6,7 Strength training for lower extremity muscles must be included in physical training programs for female athletes to improve knee instability and prevent ACL injury.8 Neuromuscular training is often used in physical training for athletes and in rehabilitation training for athletes with sports injuries.9 Neuromuscular control emphasizes the conscious control of the body and the coordination of various special movements to maintain stability, and is used in lower extremity training for preventing ACL injury. Training the hamstring muscles and quadriceps to generate tension through antagonistic movement reduces the risk of ACL injury.10 Female athletes lack muscle strength and stability compared with that of male athletes. Therefore, neuromuscular control is a common type of physical training.6,8 Studies have often investigated the therapeutic effects of The prevention of anterior cruciate ligament injury in female athletes through neuromuscular training is explored.
Determining past leaf-out times of New England's deciduous forests from herbarium specimens.

UNLABELLED • PREMISE OF THE STUDY There is great interest in studying leaf-out times of temperate forests because of the importance of leaf-out in controlling ecosystem processes, especially in the face of a changing climate. Remote sensing and modeling, combined with weather records and field observations, are increasing our knowledge of factors affecting variation in leaf-out times. Herbarium specimens represent a potential new source of information to determine whether the variation in leaf-out times observed in recent decades is comparable to longer time frames over past centuries. • METHODS Here we introduce the use of herbarium specimens as a method for studying long-term changes in leaf-out times of deciduous trees. We collected historical leaf-out data for the years 1834-2008 from common deciduous trees in New England using 1599 dated herbarium specimens with young leaves. • KEY RESULTS We found that leaf-out dates are strongly affected by spring temperature, with trees leafing out 2.70 d earlier for each degree C increase in mean April temperature. For each degree C increase in local temperature, trees leafed out 2.06 d earlier. Additionally, the mean response of leaf-out dates across all species and sites over time was 0.4 d earlier per decade. Our results are of comparable magnitude to results from studies using remote sensing and direct field observations. • CONCLUSIONS Across New England, mean leaf-out dates varied geographically in close correspondence with those observed in studies using satellite data. This study demonstrates that herbarium specimens can be a valuable source of data on past leaf-out times of deciduous trees.
Lung Disease in Premature Neonates: Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation

Pulmonary disease is the most important cause of morbidity in preterm neonates, whose lungs are often physiologically and morphologically immature. Surfactant deficiency in immature lungs triggers a cascade of alveolar instability and collapse, capillary leak edema, and hyaline membrane formation. The term respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) has come to represent the clinical expression of surfactant deficiency and its nonspecific histologic counterpart, hyaline membrane disease. Historically, chest radiographs of infants with RDS predictably demonstrated decreased pulmonary expansion, symmetric generalized reticulogranular lung opacities, and air bronchograms. Refinements in perinatal medicine, including antenatal glucocorticoid administration, surfactant replacement therapy, and increasingly sophisticated ventilatory strategies have decreased the prevalence of RDS and air leak, altered familiar radiographic features, and lowered the threshold of potential viability to a gestational age of approximately .
Service users' priorities and preferences for treatment of psychosis: a user-led Delphi study.

OBJECTIVE Service users may have different priorities and preferences for treatment compared with mental health professionals. Few studies have explored these potentially important differences. This study sought consensus from a sample of service users regarding priorities and preferences for treatment of psychosis. METHODS A three-stage Delphi study exploring treatment priorities and preferences was conducted with a sample of mental health service users ("experts by experience"). After generation of an initial statement list (stage 1, N=6 participants), 64 diverse elements of mental health treatment were rated during a two-stage online survey process (stage 2, N=32; stage 3, N=21). RESULTS Fifteen of 64 treatment-related statements were endorsed as important or essential treatment priorities or preferences by more than 80% of participants during stage 2. Two further statements were similarly endorsed during stage 3. CONCLUSIONS This study is among the first of its kind and highlights the importance of assessing individual treatment priorities.
Possible Protective Effect of Nigella Sativa Oil Against Piroxicam‐Induced Gastric Mucosal Damage in Adult Male Albino Rats (Light and Scanning Electron Microscopic Study)

Introduction: The non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) Piroxicam is widely used especially in treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, it has many side effects; the most common of them is gastrointestinal intolerance and ulceration. The Nigella Sativa Oil (NSO) was reported to have anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Aim of the Work: To investigate the histopathological effects of piroxicam on the gastric mucosa of adult male albino rats and the possible protective role of Nigella Sativa Oil (NSO). Materials and Methods: Fourty adult male albino rats were randomized into 4 groups (N=10). They received 2 ml of the following oral treatments through an orogastric tube: Group I (Control) received a single dose of saline, Group II (NSO) received a single dose of NSO; 10 ml/kg BW, Group III (Piroxicam) received piroxicam 20 mg/kg BW and Group IV (NSO/ piroxicam) received NSO one hour before administration of piroxicam. The gastric mucosa from the body of the stomach was processed for histological stains (H&E and PAS) and for examination with scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results: Piroxicam produced erosions, congestion, extravasated RBCs and inflammatory cell infiltration. It also led to increase in the gastric mucus. The SEM results revealed marked damage of the gastric mucosal surface and complete loss of the normal architecture. In NSO prior to piroxicam group, the structure of the mucosa was nearly similar to control by both light and SEM however, there was marked increase in mucus secretion. Conclusion: NSO can partly protect the gastric mucosa against piroxicam induced damage.
Pre-weaning mortality and productivity indices for goats and sheep on a Masai group ranch in south-central Kenya

In an examination of the productivity of goats and sheep on a Masai group ranch in Kenya, estimated least-squares means for pre-weaning mortality were 28·6% for goats and 32·1% for sheep. Three productivity indices based on total live weight of young produced per female per year, per kg female per year and per kg metabolic weight per year gave values of 11·1 kg, 410 g and 0·99 kg for goats and 14·1 kg, 473 g and 1·18 kg for sheep. The effects of environmental variables on these indices, the comparative advantage accruing to the variables, mortality, reproductive success and weight gain were used to construct a proposed set of interventions for the improvement of small ruminant production in south-central Kenya.
Isolation and speciation of enterococci from various clinical samples and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern with special reference to high level aminoglycoside resistance

Background and Objectives: Enterococci are important nosocomial agents and strains resistant to penicillin and other antibiotics occur frequently. Enterococci are intrinsically resistant to cephalosporins and offer low level resistance to aminoglycosides. In penicillin sensitive strains, synergism occurs with combination treatment with penicillin and aminoglycoside. Serious infections caused by them are treated with penicillin and aminoglycoside combination. But the synergistic effect is lost, when the strain develops high level aminoglycoside resistance. The choice of drug for infections due to such strains is vancomycin. The present study was carried out to isolate and speciateEnterococci from various clinical samples, to know the susceptibility pattern of the i solates, to determine the High Level Aminoglycoside Resistance (HLAR) among Enterococcal isolates.Methods: A total of One hundred Enterococcal species isolated from vari ous clinical samples were identified by various biochemical reactions.Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and HLAR were determined by Kirby- Bauer disc diffusion method.Results: Out of 100 Enterococcal isolates, 59 were E.faecalis, 38 were E. faecium,3 were other Enterococcal species. Among these 53 isolates showed High Level Aminoglycoside Resistance. Conclusion: Present study shows the presence of drug resistance to most of commonly used antibiotics and HLAR is also more in E.faecium compared to E.fecalis.
Local survelance study on etiology of community-and hospital-acquired urinary tract infections (UTI) and antimicrobial susceptibility of uropathogens

This study was conduced during October 2010-March 2011 with the collaboration of the microbiology laboratory of International Evangelical Hospital (Voltri division) to identify the most frequent pathogens isolates from Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) and to evaluate their antibiotics susceptibility patterns. Overall, 780 consecutive, non duplicate strains were collected and sent to the coordinating laboratory. 143 strains were from Healthcare settings and 637 from comunity acqueired infections.The most rappresented pathogens was E. coli. In our region the epidemiological community landscape in terms of resistance, is getting closer to the nosocomial setting.
Temporal Adverse Effects in Leprosy Saudi Patients Receiving Multi Drug Therapy

Background/Purpose: Leprosy or Hansen’s disease is an infectious disease that yet represents major socioeconomic burden to humanity. It results in permanent physical disabilities besides disgraceful social perception to patients. Multi Drug Therapy (MDT) treatment protocol is a combinatorial anti microbial treatments which has been approved by the WHO as the best treatment option for Hansen’s disease. Side effects to MDT protocol are the main limiting obstacle for the treatment course completion that might differ from population to another. Methods: Herein, we are assessing the temporal hematological and biochemical markers of side effects in Saudi leprosy patients treated with MDT protocol for one year. Results: Hematological assessment revealed progressive temporal but mild decline in all the examined parameters (RBC, PCV, Hb, MCH and MCHC) in males and females patients treated with MDT compared to control group. Biochemical assessment for MDT treated leprosy Saudi patients presented mild progressive temporal hepato-renal complications. Patients were fully recovered from all hemato-biochemical adverse effects after 6 months of the MDT treatment completion. Conclusion: MDT was well tolerated in Saudi leprosy patients with mild to moderate temporal hematological and biochemical adverse reactions.
Molecular phylogenetics of the palm subtribe Ptychospermatinae (Arecaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY We examined the phylogeny and intergeneric relationships among the 12 genera of the palm subtribe Ptychospermatinae. While many of these taxa are familiar, cultivated ornamental palms in warm areas of the world, the monophyly of the subtribe and its component genera required testing. We also examined the biogeographic relationships of this lineage, which has a significant radiation east of Wallace's Line. METHODS Phylogenetic analyses were based on maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses of nucleotide sequences of two low-copy nuclear genes: intron 4 of phosphoribulokinase and intron 23 of RNA polymerase II. Biogeographical reconstructions were explored using S-DIVA. KEY RESULTS The two-gene, combined analysis yielded a monophyletic subtribe with six major clades. The biogeographical analysis suggests that the subtribe originated in New Guinea. CONCLUSIONS The phylogenetic hypotheses support the monophyly of the subtribe. The genera Drymophloeus, Ponapea, and Veitchia, as presently circumscribed, are not monophyletic. The resurrection and expanded circumscription of the genus Ponapea are supported. A newly discovered species of Adonidia is confirmed as sister species to Adonidia merrillii. Our phylogenetic hypothesis suggests that the Ptychospermatinae diverged into six major clades with repeated radiations into Australia and the western Pacific. The presence of Adonidia to the west of Wallace's Line is likely to be the result of long-distance dispersal. The following new combinations are made to restore monophyly to Veitchia and Ponapea: Veitchia pachyclada, V. subisticha, V. lepidota, and Ponapea hentyi.
Diurnal Blood Pressure Changes in Primary Aldosteronism - A Study of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring and Neurohormonal Changes

The study was aimed to investigate the relationship between the 24-hour blood pressure and neurohormonal change in patients with secondary hypertension. Circadian blood pressure variation was studied in patients with chronic renal failure and primary aldosteronism. Ambulatory blood pressure was monitored every 10 minutes during daytime and every 30 minutes during nighttime. The daytime and nighttime systolic/diastolic blood pressures (SBP/DBP) in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism were significantly higher than those with primary hypertension (SBP:147 16 vs 125 11 mmHg, daytime; 142 23 vs 118 13 mmHg, nighttime; DBP: 96 18 vs 85 8 mmHg, daytime; 91 24 vs 81 9 mmHg, nighttime). In the renal form of secondary hypertension, the blood pressure did not reveal a significant difference with diurnal change in comparison with primary hypertension. The reduction in nocturnal blood pressure was less in primary hyperaldosteronism than in primary hypertension. Insufficient decrease of blood pressure during nighttime may warrant further investigation to diagnose secondary hypertension.