Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Disparities in patient-centered communication for Black and Latino men in the U.S.: Cross-sectional results from the 2010 health and retirement study

Background A lack of patient-centered communication (PCC) with health providers plays an important role in perpetuating disparities in health care outcomes and experiences for minority men. This study aimed to identify factors associated with any racial differences in the experience of PCC among Black and Latino men in a nationally representative sample. Methods We employed a cross-sectional analysis of four indicators of PCC representative of interactions with doctors and nurses from (N = 3082) non-Latino White, Latino, and Black males from the 2010 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) Core and the linked HRS Health Care Mail in Survey (HCMS). Men’s mean age was 66.76 years. The primary independent variable was Race/Ethnicity (i.e. Black and Hispanic/Latino compared to white males) and covariates included age, education, marital status, insurance status, place of care, and self-rated health. Results Bivariate manova analyses revealed racial differences across each of the four facets of PCC experience such that non-Hispanic white men reported PC experiences most frequently followed by black then Hispanic/Latino men. Multivariate linear regressions predictive of PCC by race/ethnicity revealed that for Black men, fewer PCC experiences were predicted by discriminatory experiences, reporting fewer chronic conditions and a lack of insurance coverage. For Hispanic/Latino men, access to a provider proved key where not having a place of usual care solely predicted lower PCC frequency. Implications Researchers and health practitioners should continue to explore the impact of inadequate health care coverage, time-limited medical visits and implicit racial bias on medical encounters for underrepresented patients, and to advocate for accessible, inclusive and responsive communication between minority male patients and their health providers.
Attitudes, practices, and zoonoses awareness of community members involved in the bushmeat trade near Murchison Falls National Park, northern Uganda

The harvest of bushmeat is widespread in the tropics and sub-tropics. Often in these communities, there is a dependence on bushmeat for both food security and basic income. Despite the importance of bushmeat for households worldwide, the practice raises concern for transmission of zoonotic pathogens through hunting, food preparation, and consumption. In Uganda, harvest of wildlife is illegal, but bushmeat hunting, is commonplace. We interviewed 292 women who cook for their households and 180 self-identified hunters from 21 villages bordering Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda to gain insights into bushmeat preferences, opportunity for zoonotic pathogen transmission, and awareness of common wildlife-associated zoonoses. Both hunters and women who cook considered primates to be the most likely wildlife species to carry diseases humans can catch. Among common zoonotic pathogens, the greatest proportions of women who cook and hunters believed that pathogens causing stomach ache or diarrhea and monkeypox can be transmitted by wildlife. Neither women who cook nor hunters report being frequently injury during cooking, butchering, or hunting, and few report taking precautions while handling bushmeat. The majority of women who cook believe that hunters and dealers never or rarely disguise primate meat as another kind of meat in market, while the majority of hunters report that they usually disguise primate meat as another kind of meat. These data play a crucial role in our understanding of potential for exposure to and infection with zoonotic pathogens in the bushmeat trade. Expanding our knowledge of awareness, perceptions and risks enables us to identify opportunities to mitigate infections and injury risk and promote safe handling practices.
Determinants of Maternal Satisfaction with Existing Delivery Care at Wolaita Sodo University Teaching and Referral Hospital, Ethiopia

Background Assessing maternal satisfaction on delivery service has significant public health importance to measure the quality of maternal and child care services in a country. Therefore, the objective of this study was to further investigate the determinants of maternal satisfaction on delivery service provided at the Woliata Sodo University Teaching and Referral Hospital, Ethiopia. Methods An institutionally based cross-sectional study was employed at the Wolaita Sodo University Hospital, Ethiopia. All mothers who gave birth between March and May 2018 were included in the study. Data were collected through using a pretested and structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. A P value of <0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Result A total of 398 delivered mothers were included in the study. The rate of maternal satisfaction on existing delivery care was found to be 67.3%. Being less educated (AOR = 5.06, [2.22-11.53]), primigravida (AOR = 3.59, [1.17-11.04]), planned and wanted pregnancy (AOR = 2.74, [1.21-6.18]), having antenatal care follow-up for current pregnancy (AOR = 4.48, [2.04-9.83]), ever used family planning service (AOR = 3.83, [1.95-67.52]), labor duration of less than 6 hours (AOR = 5.96, [2.61-13.57]), and spontaneous vaginal delivery (AOR = 2.82, [1.07-7.42]) were factors significantly associated with maternal satisfaction. Conclusion In this study setting, maternal satisfaction was lower compared to other studies. Unreserved effort should be considered for future interventions.
Routine screening for SARS CoV-2 in unselected pregnant women at delivery

Background South America has become the epicenter of coronavirus pandemic. It seems that asymptomatic population may contribute importantly to the spread of the disease. Transmission from asymptomatic pregnant patients’ needs to be characterized in larger population cohorts and symptom assessment needs to be standardized. Objective To assess the prevalence of SARS CoV-2 infection in an unselected obstetrical population and to describe their presentation and clinical evolution. Methods A cross-sectional study was designed. Medical records of pregnant women admitted at the Obstetrics & Gynecology department of Clínica Dávila for labor & delivery, between April 27th and June 7th, 2020 were reviewed. All patients were screened with RT-PCR for SARS CoV-2 at admission. After delivery, positive cases were inquired by the researchers for clinical symptoms presented before admission and clinical evolution. All neonates born from mothers with confirmed SARS CoV-2 were isolated and tested for SARS CoV-2 infection. Results A total of 586 patients were tested for SARS CoV-2 during the study period. Outcomes were obtained from 583 patients which were included in the study. Thirty-seven pregnant women had a positive test for SARS CoV-2 at admission. Cumulative prevalence of confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection was 6.35% (37/583) [CI 95%: 4.63–8.65]. From confirmed cases, 43.2% (16/37) were asymptomatic. From symptomatic patients 85.7% (18/21) had mild symptoms and evolved without complications and 14.3% (3/21) presented severe symptoms requiring admission to intensive care unit. Only 5.4% (2/37) of the neonates born to mothers with a positive test at admission had a positive RT-PCR for SARS CoV-2. Conclusion In our study nearly half of pregnant patients with SARS CoV-2 were asymptomatic at the time of delivery. Universal screening, in endemic areas, is necessary for adequate patient isolation, prompt neonatal testing and targeted follow-up.
Preliminary study on an added vestibular-ocular reflex visual conflict task for postural control

Background: Using the modified-Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance (m-CTSIB), clinicians can assess sensory feedback systems of the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems on postural control. However, with growing vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) assessment, the addition of a VOR task, for sensory feedback on postural control has yet to be investigated. Aim: The aim of the study was to examine the preliminary effect of an added VOR visual conflict task during postural control conditions of the m-CTSIB at baseline and re-test reliability. Methods: Seventeen healthy college-aged individuals completed a baseline m-CTSIB with an added VOR visual conflict condition consisting of a lateral headshake and follow-up assessment occurring 72-h after baseline. Measures consisted of m-CTSIB sway scores on individual conditions of eyes open and eyes closed tasks on firm and foam surfaces. A series of Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank tests were conducted to determine the differences between the VOR condition and the m-CTSIB conditions. A Spearman Rank Order correlation was used to examine the retest reliability. Results: The VOR visual conflict task condition produced worse sway index scores than eyes-open firm and foam (p<0.001), but better scores than eyes-closed foam (P=0.01) conditions at baseline. VOR tasks on their respective firm (rs=0.81) and foam surface (rs=0.83) were strongly correlated at 72-h retest. Conclusions: The addition of a VOR visual conflict task condition differed from the other conditions of the m-CTSIB, further targeting the vestibular-ocular system from the vestibular-spinal system during postural control. Incorporating a VOR task during postural stability may create greater postural control deficits in individuals with vestibular-ocular dysfunction. Test-retest correlations at 72-h were clinically acceptable. Relevance for patients: Addition of a VOR task as visual conflict condition of the m-CTSIB may assist in additional sensory system feedback for concussion assessment.
Does the therapist matter? Therapist characteristics and their relation to outcome in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for children and adolescents

ABSTRACT Background There is a broad evidence-base for the effectiveness of Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) in treating children and adolescents with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The effect of therapist characteristics on patient symptoms has been neglected in psychotraumatology research and necessitates further investigation. Objective This study aims to investigate the impact of therapist characteristics (gender, clinical experience and theoretical background) on posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in a heterogeneous and international sample of traumatized children and adolescents. Method Data from two RCTs on the effectiveness of TF-CBT in Norway and Germany were included, comprising N = 52 therapists (78.8% female) and N = 153 patients (72.3% female). All therapists underwent thorough training and continuous supervision in TF-CBT. The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Children and Adolescents (CAPS-CA) assessed pre- and post-treatment served as the outcome variable in a linear mixed-effects model with therapists’ theoretical background, prior clinical experience and gender as independent variables, adjusted for patient gender, measurement time and country. The possibility of an interaction between therapist and patient gender was investigated subsequently. Results None of the therapist characteristics were significantly related to PTSS. There was no indication of an interaction between patient and therapist gender (p =.878). Conclusion The lack of evidence for a relationship of therapists’ theoretical orientation and clinical experience with outcome suggests that a wider dissemination of TF-CBT may be warranted. More studies with larger therapist and patient sample sizes and including only community practice are needed.
Effect of Plant Spacing on Yield and Yield Components of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Shewarobit, Central Ethiopia

Inappropriate spacing is one of the major problems in tomato production at the study area. A field experiment was conducted to determine inter- and intrarow plant spacing for yield and yield components of tomato at Shewarobit, central rift valley of Ethiopia, under irrigation condition. The treatment comprises of three intrarow spacing (20, 30, and 40 cm) and four interrow spacing (60, 80, 100, and 120 cm) replicated three times and arranged in randomized complete block design using tomato variety Weyno. Data collected on fruit yield and yield components were analysed using SAS. The main effect of interrow spacing significantly affected marketable fruit, unmarketable fruit, marketable fruit number, unmarketable fruit number, and fruit diameter. The 20 cm interrow spacing showed a marked increase in marketable fruit yield by 35.96% as compared to 30 cm spacing used by farmers. Planting tomato in closer interrow spacing (60 cm) resulted in 50% yield increment than the widest (120 cm) space between rows. Interaction effects of both inter- and intrarow spacing significantly (p < 0.05) affected plant height and fruit length. An intrarow and interrow spacing of 20 ∗ 100 cm and 20 ∗ 120 cm resulted in tallest plants and widest fruits, respectively. Therefore, farmers can use 20 cm intrarow spacing and 60 cm interrow spacing for planting of tomato seedling of Weyno variety.
Cisplatin-Induced Stria Vascularis Damage Is Associated with Inflammation and Fibrosis

The stria vascularis (SV) generates the endocochlear potential (EP) in the inner ear and is necessary for proper hair cell (HC) mechanotransduction and hearing. Cell junctions are indispensable for the establishment of compositionally distinct fluid compartments in the inner ear. Ototoxic drug cisplatin can damage SV and cause sensorineural hearing loss; however, the underlying mechanisms behind such injury are unclear. In this study, after the intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (3 mg/kg/day for 7 days) in mice, we determined the auditory function by EP recording and auditory brainstem response (ABR) analysis, observed the ultrastructure of SV by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and examined the expression and distribution of cell junction proteins by western blot, PCR, and immunofluorescence staining. We discovered that the EP was significantly reduced while ABR thresholds were significantly elevated in cisplatin-treated mice; cisplatin induced ultrastructural changes in marginal cells (MCs), endothelial cells (ECs), pericytes, etc. We found that cisplatin insulted auditory function not only by reducing the expression of zonula occludens protein-1 (ZO-1) in MCs of the SV but also by decreasing the expression of connexin 26 (Cx26) and connexin 43 (Cx43) in MCs and basal cells (BCs). More importantly, cisplatin induced activations of perivascular-resident macrophage-like melanocytes (PVM/Ms) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) as well as increased expressions of profibrotic proteins such as laminin and collagen IV in SV. Thus, our results firstly showed that cisplatin induced fibrosis, inflammation, and the complex expression change of cell junctions in SV.
Post-traumatic stress disorder in volunteer firefighters: influence of specific risk and protective factors

ABSTRACT Background Volunteer firefighters belong to a risk population regarding the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, given the frequency of work-related trauma, PTSD prevalences seem relatively low. Protective factors appear to be effective and are the focus of this study. Objective We investigated the PTSD-prevalence as well as the influence of trauma exposure and the impact of protective factors resilience and Sense of Coherence (SoC) on symptoms of PTSD in volunteer firefighters. Method Data from 232 participants of an online questionnaire study were analysed using a path model approach. Results ‘The results suggest a possible prevalence of PTSD of 12.5% and 2.2% for partial PTSD based on self-report measures. SoC and trauma event load proved to be independent of each other, as no intercorrelations were found. But both directly predicted PTSD severity. Higher resilience scores predicted the participants’ Sense of Coherence, but PTSD severity was only indirectly affected by resilience, which was entirely mediated by SoC. Further, although SoC and trauma load increase with age and years of job experience, it is only SoC that affects PTSD severity, not age or years of experience. Conclusions The results emphasize that not only exposure to potentially traumatic events predicts the later probability of developing symptoms of PTSD, but that the integration of stressful experiences into the self-concept (associated with SoC) is essential for the development of PTSD. Future research should address the question of causality between SoC and PTSD, and consider which factors moderate the SoC.
Comparing rates of ICD-11 and DSM-5 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Austrian children and adolescents in foster care: prevalence, comorbidity and predictors

ABSTRACT Background The diagnostic criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) differ between the DSM-5 and the ICD-11, affecting prevalence and associated metrics of PTSD. Objective Investigating the effects of the diverging DSM-5 and ICD-11 PTSD conceptualizations on prevalence and comorbidity rates, as well as predictor impact in a sample of foster children and adolescents using manual-specific measures. Method The sample consisted of n = 145 foster children and adolescents. PTSD rates were assessed and compared utilizing the International Trauma Questionnaire – Child and Adolescent Version (ICD-11) and the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (DSM-5). PTSD comorbidities with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) were assessed. The predictive value of age, gender and cumulative trauma for PTSD was determined. Results A non-significant trend for higher DSM-5 (21.4%) vs. ICD-11 (16.7%) PTSD prevalence was observed. Significantly elevated DSM-5 vs. ICD-11 diagnostic rates were recorded in the re-experience (diff. = 18.3%) and hyperarousal (diff. = 10.1%) clusters. DSM-5 PTSD showed a non-significant trend for higher comorbidities with GAD and MDD. Gender and cumulative trauma predicted PTSD significantly and approximately equally according to both taxonomies. Conclusion The study supports the assumption that utilizing manual-specific PTSD measures in children and adolescents leads to higher rates of DSM-5 PTSD compared to ICD-11 PTSD. The exact methodological reasons for diverging diagnostic rates need to be analysed.
Antiplasmodial and Genotoxic Study of Selected Ghanaian Medicinal Plants

Results Five out of the eight plants, A. boonei stem bark, S; siamea Lam root, M. lucida Benth leaves, P. niruri, and A. hispidum DC whole plants, showed varying degrees of antiplasmodial activity against the asexual stage of the parasite. The most active extract against chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and chloroquine-resistant (Dd2) P. falciparum strains is the A. hispidum extract which yielded a mean inhibitory concentration at 50% (IC50) of 3.66 µg/ml and 3.71 µg/ml for 3D7 and Dd2, respectively. This was followed by S. siamea Lam with 3.95 µg/ml for 3D7 and 4.47 µg/ml for Dd2. The IC50 values of the A. boonei extract against 3D7 and Dd2 P. falciparum parasites were 5.13 µg/ml and 3.62 µg/ml, respectively. For the M. lucida Benth extract, the least IC50 value was 6.46 µg/ml. All five extracts exhibited dose-dependent antiplasmodial activity. Assessment of the genotoxic effects the A. hispidum extract by the comet assay revealed substantial damage to P. falciparum DNA. Conclusion This study demonstrates that the crude extract of A. hispidum DC, one of the plants used traditionally to treat malaria, inhibits the growth of P. falciparum in vitro and could be a potential source of antimalarial drug. The report has highlighted genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of the selected plant extracts on human leukocytes as well.
Simplified cough test can predict the risk for pneumonia in patients with acute stroke

We investigated the association between the results of a simplified cough test and pneumonia onset in 226 patients with acute stroke admitted to Suiseikai Kajikawa Hospital from April to December, 2018. For the simplified cough test, performed on admission, patients orally inhaled a mist of 1% citric acid–physiological saline using a portable mesh nebulizer. When the first cough was evoked or if it remained absent for 30 seconds (indicating an abnormal result), the test was ended. Patients also completed the repetitive saliva swallowing test (RSST) and modified water swallowing test. We monitored patients for pneumonia signs for 30 days post-admission. Eighteen patients exhibited an abnormal simplified cough test result. On multivariate analysis, an abnormal RSST result was independently associated with an abnormal simplified cough test result. Seventeen patients developed pneumonia. The adjusted Cox proportional hazard model for pneumonia onset revealed that the simplified cough test had predictive power for pneumonia onset (hazard ratio, 10.52; 95% confidence interval, 3.72–29.72). The simplified cough test is a strong indicator for predicting the pneumonia development in patients with acute stroke; it should be added to existing bedside screening tests for predicting pneumonia risk, allowing appropriate and timely intervention.
Biochemical Constituent of Ginkgo biloba (Seed) 80% Methanol Extract Inhibits Cholinesterase Enzymes in Javanese Medaka (Oryzias javanicus) Model

Background Pathophysiological changes leading to the death of nerve cells present in the brain and spinal cord are referred to as neurodegenerative diseases. Presently, treatment of these diseases is not effective and encounters many challenges due to the cost of drug and side effects. Thus, the search for the alternative agents to replace synthetic drugs is in high demand. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the anticholinesterase properties of Ginkgo biloba seed. Methods The seed was extracted with 80% methanol. Toxicity studies and evaluation of anticholinesterase activities were carried out in adult Javanese medaka (Oryzias javanicus). Phytochemical study to identify the bioactive lead constituents of the crude extract was also carried out using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results The result shows activities with high significant differences at P < 0.001 between the treated and nontreated groups. A bioactive compound (vitaxin) was identified with the aid of HPLC method. Conclusion The presence of bioactive compound vitaxin is among the major secondary metabolites that contribute to increasing activities of this plant extract. High anticholinesterase activities and low toxicity effect of this plant show its benefit to be used as natural medicine or supplements.