Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Safety of peginterferon alfa‐2a plus ribavirin in a large multinational cohort of chronic hepatitis C patients

Peginterferon plus ribavirin has been the standard of care for chronic hepatitis C for a decade and an essential component of combination regimens for this disease. This large multinational open‐label study aimed to better define the incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs) and non‐serious adverse events of special interest in patients receiving peginterferon alfa‐2a/ribavirin.
Evaluation of different adsorbents for acidity reduction in residual oils

ABSTRACT This work aims to evaluate the adsorption potential of bentonite and sugarcane bagasse clay for the reduction of free fatty acids in cooking oil through batch technique, experimental planning with different operating conditions (temperature, adsorbent mass and agitation). After were carried out kinetic studies and thermodynamic studies. Thus, both adsorbents were characterized by nitrogen dispersion, scanning electron microscopy with coupled energy dispersion spectroscopy. The sugarcane bagasse provided higher reductions compared to the bentonite clay, 58 and 50%, respectively. In the kinetic studies, it was observed that the pseudo-secunda model for both materials. Among the isotherms studied, the Langmuir model was better adjusted for sugarcane bagasse and Freundlich for bentonite clay. Thermodynamic parameters indicated spontaneous and endothermic adsorption at temperatures of 18°C, 20°C and 25°C. Both materials showed an advantageous result with the reduction to the adsorption of free fatty acids in the residual oil, considering that they are low-cost materials, their pre-treatment is simple from the operational point of view and their physical and chemical characteristics are favorable to the adsorption process, sugarcane bagasse contains about 42% hemicellulose, which is a hydroxyl-rich material that attracts the H+ ions from the medium.
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients using NCEP/ATP III and IDF criteria in Nepal

Background : With increasing trends towards sedentary life style, obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rising in our country. In view of importance of diagnosis of MetS in day to day medical practice for early institution of life style therapies to reduce the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in susceptible population like in diabetes mellitus, this study has been undertaken to study the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Nepalese diabetes by applying National Cholesterol Education Programme/Adult Treatment panel (NCEP/ATP) III and International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Methods : This is a hospital based cross sectional study conducted in diabetes patients aged between 25-75 years of age presenting to Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara. Different components of MetS were studied in diabetes subjects and prevalence of metabolic syndrome was obtained by applying NCEP/ATP III and IDF criteria respectively. The data were collected as per preformed proforma and results analyzed by SPSS-16 software. Results : The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in diabetes patients as per NCEP/ATP III and IDF criteria were 71% and 82% respectively. A higher number of cases with metabolic syndrome were detected using IDF criteria as opposed to NCEP/ATP III criteria in diabetes patients. Nepalese diabetes subjects showed high prevalence of abdominal obesity followed by hypertension. Conclusion s: The results of the present study show high prevalence of Mets in Nepalese diabetes patients and more number of cases can be diagnosed by applying IDF criteria as compared to NCEP/ATP III criteria. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/njms.v1i2. 6604 Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences. 2012;1(2): 78-83
Using population‐based cancer registry data to assess the burden of human papillomavirus‐associated cancers in the United States: Overview of methods

Increased attention to human papillomavirus (HPV)‐associated cancers in light of the recent release of an HPV vaccine, as well as increased availability of cancer registry data that now include reporting from a large proportion of the US population, prompted the current assessment of HPV‐associated cancers. This article describes methods used to assess the burden of HPV‐associated cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, anal, and oral cavity/oropharyngeal cancers in the United States during 1998 through 2003 using cancer registry data, and it provides a brief overview of the epidemiology of these cancers. Cancer 2008;113(10 suppl):2841–54. Published 2008 by the American Cancer Society.
Total burden and incidence of in situ and invasive cervical carcinoma in Michigan, 1985–2003

With the recent licensure of a vaccine that protects against human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18, US women are expected to experience lower rates of cervical cancer. However, surveillance systems must be in place in the US to measure the real‐world effectiveness of vaccination programs. Although population‐based registries will provide invasive cervical cancer (ICC) incidence and burden data, the impact of HPV vaccine on cervical cancer will not be measurable for several decades. Cervical carcinoma in situ (CIS), a cervical precancer and the immediate precursor to ICC, is an earlier presentation of HPV‐related cervical disease that affects a much larger number of women, and monitoring trends in CIS could provide an earlier measure of HPV vaccine effectiveness. Currently, registries do not collect data on CIS except for the state cancer registry in Michigan, which has been continually collecting CIS data since 1985.
Prognostic nomogram for sunitinib in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

In a randomized, phase 3 trial, sunitinib demonstrated superior efficacy over interferon‐alfa as first‐line therapy in patients with metastatic clear‐cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). On the basis of outcome data from that trial, the authors developed a nomogram for predicting the probability of 12‐month progression‐free survival for patients who received sunitinib therapy.
CLOSED GLOBE MACULAR INJURIES AFTER BLASTS IN COMBAT

Purpose: To describe the macular findings after closed globe ocular injuries sustained from blasts. Methods: A retrospective chart review from February 2003 to March 2010 of all soldiers with closed globe ocular injuries sustained during combat with macular findings of trauma on examination was completed. Results: There were 36 eyes that met the inclusion criteria. The mean age of the soldiers was 29.5 years and 97% were men. The average follow-up time was 18.6 months. Improvised explosive device blasts accounted for 86% of injuries. Forty-five percent of soldiers had bilateral ocular injuries. Eight of 36 eyes (22.2%) developed a macular hole. One eye had spontaneous closure and five eyes underwent surgical repair. There was a range of macular findings from retinal pigment epitheliopathy alone to retinal pigment epitheliopathy with full-thickness atrophy. Eight eyes (22.2%) had macular scarring on examination but no optical coherence tomography study. One eye (2.8%) developed phthisis bulbi. Fifteen eyes (42%) had an orbital fracture. Seven eyes (19%) sustained optic neuropathy. Conclusion: Closed globe injuries after blasts resulted in a spectrum of macular findings. The integrity of the foveal inner segment/outer segment junction was the most important retinal factor in visual outcomes. Orbital fractures were not found to be a risk factor for developing optic neuropathy and may improve visual outcomes. The rate of long-term complications is unknown, and it is important for ophthalmologists to follow these patients closely.
Idiopathic multifocal choroiditis: a comment on present and past nomenclature.

The term “multifocal choroiditis” (MFC) is generally used to refer to that group of disorders characterized by multifocal choroidal inflammatory lesions occurring predominantly in young myopic females, idiopathic in origin, and not part of a systemic disorder or other recognized ocular syndrome. Any subsequent sequelae, such as choroidal neovascularization or circumscribed areas of chorioretinal atrophy, are regarded as the sequelae of MFC or old MFC (Figure 1). The purpose of this article is to define the disease entity idiopathic MFC and also to clarify the multitude of alternative names that have been given to this idiopathic disease over the years. In some instances, granulomatous or infectious diseases can cause a similar picture to idiopathic MFC, and workup for these diseases may be appropriate before diagnosing idiopathic MFC. Examples of disorders that most closely resemble idiopathic MFC are tuberculosis, brucellosis, coccidiomycosis, candidiasis (and other fungal septicaemias), plus sarcoidosis and other granulomatous diseases (e.g., Blau syndrome). There may be clinical features that differentiate these cases from typical idiopathic MFC—sarcoid, for example, tends to cause inferior lesions—however, the similarities often justify further investigation, particularly in the setting of active disease. These differential diagnoses will not be further discussed here. In 1970, the term MFC was used to describe eyes with presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (POHS) by Krill and Archer. This usage persisted until at least 1981. The disease POHS does not, however, fall within the modern definition of MFC. The term multifocal choroiditis (possibly with the prefix “recurrent”) then evolved to describe a distinct entity, separate to and distinct from POHS, predominantly affecting young myopic females and variably associated with vitritis/anterior chamber inflammation and subretinal fibrosis. This entity also includes the condition know as punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC). Although it is perfectly reasonable to describe any multifocal inflammatory choroidal disease as MFC, if the disease does not fit this description, it should be made clear that it is distinct from this syndrome. There are numerous diseases characterized by multifocal choroidal inflammation. Although some are truly distinct disease entities, with recognized pathogenesis, a number of these, listed below, simply refer to the syndrome idiopathic MFC or its sequelae. There is no evidence to support them as separate entities: their clinical course is similar, the treatments are identical, and all are idiopathic. Usage of these terms should therefore be discouraged—these diseases should be included under the single diagnosis idiopathic MFC unless there is evidence to support a distinct disease entity (which at present there is not).
Earplugs improve patients' subjective experience of sleep in critical care.

AIMS This study aimed to determine the effects of earplug use on the subjective experience of sleep for patients in critical care. BACKGROUND The negative effects of noise in critical care include sleep disturbances, increased stress response, and reduced patient satisfaction. The nature of critical care often precludes quiet time protocols. Previous studies indicated that earplugs can improve REM sleep and sleep efficiency. This study examined the effects of earplugs as a non-invasive method for improving the subjective sleep experience and increasing patient satisfaction. DESIGN Quasi-experimental intervention study with random assignment of subjects. METHOD Subjects were non-ventilated, non-sedated adults admitted to critical care. The intervention group used earplugs during nighttime sleep hours allowing short term removal during patient care. Participants completed the Verran-Snyder-Halpern Sleep Scale, an 8-question visual analogue scale, to describe their subjective response to sleep. Two sample T-tests were used to detect differences between the group scores. RESULTS 88 participants (49 intervention/39 control) completed the study. Mean age 63, 56% males, 93% Caucasian. Total sleep satisfaction scores were significantly better for the intervention group (p = .002). Seven of the subjective categories were independently significant (p = .005-.044). One category, satisfaction with the amount of time needed to fall asleep, was not significant (p = .111). CONCLUSIONS Earplug use improved the subjective experience of sleep for un-medicated critical care patients without interfering with care delivery. RELEVANCE TO PRACTICE The negligible cost and low level of invasiveness of earplugs makes this preferable as a primary intervention to promote sleep while avoiding unnecessary sedating medications.
ESTUDO EPIDEMIOLÓGICO DE ESTEREOTIPIAS EM EQÜINOS DE CAVALARIA

Seventy two horses, forty three geldings and twenty nine no pregnant females, from five to seventeen years old were inspectioned. It has been observed the type and regularity of stereotypies, diet and stalls where the equines were stayed. The stereotypies more observed were coprophagy (80%) followed by trough, walls and chains licking (23,6%). Six equines did repetitive vertical head movement (8,3%), three had wood and chain cribbing (4,2%) and two did aerophagy (2,8%). The coprophagy was observed more frequently during the night, at time that the horses didn’t eat forrage (during forteen to sixteen hours) and the stalls weren’t clean. The trough and chains licking ocurred during the day, between meals. According to the findings, the equine stereotypies are variable and were founded many importants predisposed factors.
Increasing positive end expiratory pressure at extubation reduces subglottic secretion aspiration in a bench-top model.

AIM To estimate the ability of simulated tracheal suction, adjusting the positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) settings on the ventilator or compressing a self-inflating bag to minimize aspiration during cuff deflation and extubation in a bench-top model. BACKGROUND During intubation, colonized secretions accumulate in the subglottic space above the endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff. Consequently, during cuff deflation and extubation, there is a risk of aspiration of the secretions. This may result in pneumonitis or pneumonia. There are a number of techniques used during cuff deflation and extubation to prevent secretion aspiration. METHOD A model trachea was intubated and the proximal end of the ETT was attached to a mechanical ventilator. Ten millilitres of water was placed above the inflated cuff and then nine test protocols were implemented in a random order to simulate tracheal suction, adjusting the PEEP settings on the ventilator or compressing a self-inflating bag. The volume of water 'aspirated' by the model was determined by weighing the apparatus pre- and post-extubation. Statistical analysis was performed using regression analysis and heteroscedastic t tests with a Bonferroni correction. RESULTS The level of PEEP was negatively correlated with the volume of fluid aspirated [co-efficient -0.24 (99% confidence interval -0.31 to -0.17), R(2) = 0.75]. Significantly less fluid was aspirated when a PEEP of 35 cmH(2)O was applied when compared with competing techniques. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that applying PEEP during cuff deflation and extubation is protective against aspiration. We conclude that unless there is a contraindication, the application of PEEP should be considered when extubating patients.
ADDING SILVER AND COPPER TO HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AND PERACETIC ACID IN THE DISINFECTION OF AN ADVANCED PRIMARY TREATMENT EFFLUENT

Abstract This paper evaluates the efficacy of hydrogen peroxide (HP) and peracetic acid (PAA) in the disinfection of an Advanced Primary Treatment (APT) effluent, and how said disinfection capacities can be enhanced by combining the oxidants with copper (Cu2+) and silver (Ag). The treatment sequence consisted of APT (adding chemicals to water to remove suspended solids by coagulation and flocculation), followed by disinfection with various doses of HP, HP+Cu2+, HP+Ag, PAA and PAA+Ag. Microbiological quality was determined by monitoring concentrations of fecal coliforms (FC), pathogenic bacteria (PB) and helminth eggs (HE) throughout the sequence. The results revealed that APT effluent still contains very high levels of bacteria as the treatment only removes 1–2 log of FC and PB, but the reduction in the number of viable helminth eggs was 83%. Subsequent disinfection stages demonstrated that both HP+Cu2+ and HP+Ag have a marked disinfection capacity for bacteria (3.9 and 3.4 log‐inactivation, respectively). Peracetic acid on its own was already extremely efficient at disinfecting for bacteria, and the effect was enhanced when combining PAA with silver (PAA+Ag). The best result for HE removal was achieved by combining PAA with silver (PAA+Ag) at doses of 20 + 2.0 mg l−1, respectively. The study concluded that the PAA+Ag and HP+Ag combinations were good alternatives for APT effluent disinfection, because the disinfected effluents met the standards in NOM‐001‐SEMARNAT‐1996, Mexico’s regulation governing the microbiological quality required in treated wastewater destined for unrestricted reuse in agricultural irrigation (≤ 1 helminths per litre). Combining either of these disinfection treatments with a primary method such as APT, therefore, offers an effective and practical way of reducing the health risks normally associated with the reuse of wastewaters.
POSTOPERATIVE OUTCOMES AFTER FLUOCINOLONE ACETONIDE IMPLANT SURGERY IN PATIENTS WITH BIRDSHOT CHORIORETINITIS AND OTHER TYPES OF POSTERIOR AND PANUVEITIS

Purposes: To evaluate outcomes after placement of fluocinolone acetonide (FA) implants in eyes with birdshot chorioretinitis and to compare these outcomes with eyes with posterior and panuveitis. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 48 eyes from patients with posterior and panuveitis treated with FA implants from 2006 to 2010. Outcome measures include visual acuity, intraocular pressure, need for glaucoma surgery, postoperative complications, and control of inflammation. Results: All eyes treated with FA implants achieved improved control of inflammation and decreased reliance on adjunctive therapy. Birdshot chorioretinitis eyes had a statistically significant increase in intraocular pressure in the first 4 months after FA implantation (P = 0.04) compared with baseline intraocular pressure. A higher percentage of eyes with birdshot chorioretinitis required glaucoma surgery and after a shorter time period after FA implantation than did eyes with other forms of posterior and panuveitis (0.42/eye-year vs. 0.11/eye-year; median time to glaucoma surgery: 15.5 months vs. 31.5 months respectively, hazard ratio, 3.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.0–10.8, P = 0.04). Conclusion: Although the FA implant is effective in controlling inflammation and reducing the need for systemic immunosuppressive therapy, eyes of patients with birdshot chorioretinitis tend to have a more robust intraocular pressure response to the FA implant than eyes with other types of posterior and panuveitis.
Physiotherapy management of cerebral palsy: current evidence and pilot analysis

AbstractCerebral palsy is the main neurological referral within paediatric physiotherapy. The management of such children echoes the key elements of multidisciplinary, client centered, evaluative practice reinforced by the legislation and research of the past decade. This current paper reviews the issues involved in the management of children with cerebral palsy through a literature review and pilot study of paediatric physiotherapists working within a Scottish rural environment. A comparison between physiotherapists working within a child development unit and rural community paediatric teams was undertaken, to establish whether practice differed across sectors of care. Its aim was to analyse whether existing principles were reflective of guidelines laid down by legislation and literature. A high response rate of 85% was recorded. Results highlighted inter-disciplinary practice prominent with physiotherapists in both environments and the other paramedical professions but lacking in relation to educational.
Promoter methylation of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling antagonist Dkk‐3 is associated with poor survival in gastric cancer

Abnormal activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway is common and critical in the pathogenesis of digestive cancers. In this study, the authors investigated the promoter methylation of the dickkopf homolog 3 gene Dkk‐3 in these cancers and its prognostic significance in gastric cancer.
The Value of Home Monitoring Kits in Diabetes, Hypertension, Asthma, and Oral Anticoagulation Therapy

Home monitoring devices encourage people to actively participate in their health care management. In addition, access to more data may help to make better decisions, which may ultimately lead to better health outcomes. The primary focus of this article will be on blood glucose, blood pressure, prothrombin time, and peak flow meters. The empirical evidence on the accuracy and usefulness of these home monitoring devices is discussed. Based on the evidence from the literature, erroneous reporting of the readings by the patients is a major concern. Therefore, primary practitioners are encouraged to consult with patients’ log books and their meters (if memory feature is available), instead of relying solely on self-reported values. Patients also need to be educated and trained adequately about the proper measurement technique and relevance and interpretation of the readings. Continuing education is necessary regarding the behavioral and therapeutic changes patients should carry out in accordance with performing regular home monitoring.
Motivos que influenciam a não-realização do exame de papanicolaou segundo a percepção de mulheres

Abstract Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las razones queinfluenciaron un grupo de mujeres que nunca realizaron laprueba de Papanicolaou mismo despues de que iniciaron laactividad sexual. Es una investigacion cualitativa, se utilizo laentrevista con la cuestion guia: ? Por que nunca habia ustedrealizado el examen preventivo anteriormente? La tecnica delanalisis de contenido propuesta por Bardin fue utilizada parael analisis de las descripciones. Las mujeres demostrarondesconocimiento del cancer, de la tecnica y de la importanciadel preventivo. Revelaron aun miedo en la realizacion yresultado del examen. La verguenza y reparo fueronsentimientos que expresaron por la exposicion de la intimidada la que se someten. Tambien dijeron poseer valores culturalesque dificultan un cambio de actitud. El acceso al servicio, tenertrabajo e hijos tambien fueron relatados como impedimento.Los resultados muestran la importancia de acciones educativassobre la necesidad del preventivo al iniciar las actividadessexuales y desmitificar la tecnica y resultado.Palabras clave: Neoplasias del cuello uterino. Frotis vaginal.Salud de la mujer.
Epidemics, Panic and Power: Representations of Measles and Measles Vaccines

In anglophone countries, there have been increasing efforts to vaccinate the total population. A number of strategies have been employed in order to achieve this goal, including compulsory vaccination before children can attend school (USA); financial incentives to general practitioners and other vaccinators to achieve vaccination targets (UK); and, in New Zealand, a system known as mandatory choice. The New Zealand system involves education centres being co-opted into the medical domain to encourage parents to vaccinate their children. In order to promulgate such strategies, ‘vaccinepreventable’ diseases, vaccines, parents of unvaccinated children, and the children themselves are represented in particular ways. This paper examines the last three ‘epidemics’ of measles in New Zealand and the way in which the campaigns to prevent these epidemics represented the disease and other agents. Drawing on Foucault’s concepts of governmentality and bio-power, the paper explores the linkages between disease representations and the state.