Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THU0334 Evaluation of subclinical vascular damage in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica: a cross-sectional study using an integrated, non-invasive approach of color doppler ultrasound and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) measurement of arterial stiffness

Background The association of chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorders with an increased risk of vascular disease, especially cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, is a consolidated matter, but data on polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) are still inconsistent. Objectives The aim of our cross-sectional study was to investigate the presence of vascular damage in patients with PMR by analyzing subclinical vascular disease through validated, non-invasive cardiovascular disease markers. Methods We enrolled patients with PMR diagnosed according to the EULAR classification criteria and, as controls, patients with major cardiovascular risk factors (MCVRF) including hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, cigarette smoking, and obesity. In all of them we performed color Doppler ultrasound to evaluate the common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), the prevalence of carotid artery stenosis and of anterior-posterior abdominal aortic diameter (APAD); we also assessed the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) to measure arterial stiffness and contextually the ankle-brachial index (ABI) to investigate the presence of lower-extremity peripheral arterial disease. Results Forty-eight patients with PMR and 56 with MCVRF were included. Demographic parameters were balanced between groups. A significant increase of IMT (1.03±0.23 vs 0.89±0.20; p=0.02), CAVI (8.59±1.23 vs 7.59±0.93; p=0.01) and APAD values (22.03±4.86 vs 19.14±4.65; p=0.03) was found in PMR patients with respect to MCVRF controls. No differences were reported with regards to the prevalence of carotid artery stenosis or ABI values between the two groups. No significant correlation between disease duration or duration of glucocorticoid treatment and IMT or CAVI values was found in PMR patients. Results of bivariate analysis showed a significant correlation between IMT and CAVI in both PMR and MCVRF patients (r2=0.845 and 0.556, respectively; p<0.001). Conclusions Our study adds new information on cardiovascular risk in PMR patients, showing an increase in subclinical cardiovascular lesions and paving the way for further studies to define the utility and modality of cardiovascular screening for primary prevention in these patients. References Hancock AT et al. Risk of vascular events in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica. CMAJ 2014; 186: E495–501. Shirai K et al. A novel blood pressure–independent arterial wall stiffness parameter; cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI). J Atheroscler Thromb 2006; 13101–7. Masugata H et al. Cardio-ankle vascular index for evaluating immunosuppressive therapy in a patient with aortitis syndrome. Tohoku J Exp Med 2010; 222:77–81. Disclosure of Interest None declared
A Finite-Memory Discretization Algorithm for the Distributed Parameter Maxwell-Slip Model

Modeling and compensating for hysteresis are widely adopted to eliminate hysteresis. The distributed parameter Maxwell-slip (DPMS) model is developed from the Maxwell-slip model by replacing the spring-slider elements with an elastic-sliding cell with distributed parameters. Motivated by the mechanism of human memory, this article proposes a finite-memory (FM) discretization approach for the DPMS model. The change in the infinite internal state is represented by updating the finite peak points. The FM approach is verified using a piezoelectric actuator, and the normalized mean square error is 0.27%. Thus, the FM approach is also advantageous for managing small-amplitude excitations.
The Effect of Nutrition Education Program on Biochemical Parameters Among Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Undergoing Hemodialysis

Background: Nutrition is considered an important part of treatment in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, poor nutrition leads to decreased life quality and increased complications of hemodialysis as well as mortality in these patients. This study aimed at investigating the effect of nutrition education program (NEP) on biochemical parameters among patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 30 patients who referred to hemodialysis unit at Ayatollah Taleghani hospital in Urmia province, Iran. The sampling method was purposive. Data were collected through interviews and data collection instruments consisted of demographic questionnaires and checklist. In the pre-education stage, the demographic questionnaire was completed and a 2month average of biochemical parameters (sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphor, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine) were measured and recorded in the checklist by the researcher. Then, the patients received four 30minute educational sessions on nutrition using learning assistant tools. Two months after the education program, the laboratory results were measured and recorded again by the researcher. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 14 and paired t test, and significance level was set at 0.05 (P < 0.5). Results: The findings revealed a significant decrease in sodium, potassium, calcium, blood urea nitrogen (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found in the laboratory results of phosphor and creatinine (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The implementation of nutrition education program (NEP) for patients under hemodialysis can improve biochemical parameters as well as complications resulting from their imbalance. Therefore, this program is recommended for this group of
Prevalence and Factors that Influence Hypertension in Adolescents in Central Jakarta

Hypertension in adolescent has been often associated with other cardiovascular risk factors. Contributing factors of hypertension in adolescent are multifactorial. We aim to determine the prevalence of hypertension in adolescent and its potentially associated factors. A cross-sectional study involved 313 children aged 12-18 years, where were randomly selected from Junior High Schools in Central Jakarta. Information about family history, race/ethnic, birth weight, physical activity levels, smoking and consumption of alcohol was gathered by questionnaire. Body weight, height, and blood pressure were measured. Hypertension was defined according to the Fourth Report of National High Blood Pressure Education Programme Working Group on High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescent. The study included 313 adolescents with mean age 13.97±1.02 years. Prevalence of hypertension was 9.6%. Bivariate analysis showed that family history of hypertension (parental hypertension; p = 0.012; CI 95% = 1,20-6,02) and overweight/obesity (p<0.001; CI 95% = 2,99-14,42) were significantly associated with hypertension. The multivariate analysis indicated that overweight/obese adolescents displayed six times more chance of having hypertension than adolescents with light/normal weight (OR = 6.5; CI 95% = 2.99-14.43). Gender, low birth weight, race/ethnic, physical activity, and smoking were not significantly associated with hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension in the sample studied was high. Overweight/obesity and family history of hypertension were significantly associated with hypertension. The prevention of overweight and obesity can decrease the prevalence of hypertension.
Early rule out of acute myocardial infarction

Any measures taken to safely reduce the numbers of patients in the crowded emergency room are more than welcome. Patients with suspicion of acute myocardial infarctions (AMI) make up a substantial number of such patients, about 10%, and these patients deserve special attention, since rapid actions are often required in whom the diagnosis of AMI is established. Diagnostic algorithms are continuously upgraded by international expert groups to define the criteria for AMI, i.e., to rule-in the patient and refer him/her to appropriate actions.
Comparison of Post Intubation Complications of Endotracheal Tube and Laryngeal Mask Airway in Pediatrics

Materials & Methods: Seventy six patients between 2-12 years old with ASA class I-II who underwent cochlear implant surgery were enrolled and randomly divided in to two groups including ETT or LMA for airway management. The incidence of complications including sore throat, apnea, vomiting, laryngospasm, post operative cough, intra and post operative arrhythmia and the influence of these equipments on O2 saturation,End tidal co2, airway pressure, hemodynamic changes during operation were compared. Wong-Baker facial grimace scale was used to evaluate the severity of pain.
First record of the alien invasive biofouling mussel Mytella strigata (Hanley, 1843) (Mollusca: Mytilidae) from Indian waters

The invasive tropical American brackish water mussel Mytella strigata is recorded for the first time from the Indian sub-continent and this is the fourth report from the Indo-Pacific. The mussels were found attached in high densities (120 ± 24 ind. 25 cm) to floating plastic bottles, wooden pilings, walls of fish cages, hulls of boats and bottom sediment in the Cochin backwater, Kerala, India during summer 2019. The only other bivalve species found with this population was Perna viridis. The mean length to height ratio for the Cochin population of M. strigata was 2.06 ± 0.26 cm with the largest individual having a length of 5.9 cm. The general external colour of the shells in Cochin population was uniformly black when wet but they exhibit dark green over the dorsal and posterior areas with faint paler streaks when dry. In addition some of the individuals rarely form bright green colour and pattern as seen in Singapore populations. The mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequences of mussels from this study were consistent with specimens in their native range, from Colombia, and from Singapore where it has recently been reported as invasive. The invasion of this species in Cochin may be through ballast water or fouling on ships hulls from its native range or from Singapore where it has been established recently. Their rapid growth, early maturity and wide salinity tolerance make them a potentially alarming fouling species in all brackish waters of India and neighbouring countries.
EFFECT OF HYDROCELECTOMY ON TESTICULAR SIZE IN ADULT PATIENTS WITH UNILATERAL IDIOPATHIC HYDROCELE (HYDROCELECTOMY & TESTICULAR SIZE)

Background: The testes are paired organs that lie within the scrotal sac which is subdivided into two compartments by the scrotal septum, and supported by the tunica vaginalis, which is formed of 2 layers. In most normal subjects, small amount of fluid (1-2mL) can be seen within the leaves of the tunica vaginalis. Hydrocele is exist when an excessive amount of fluid is present. Hydrocele is divided into congenital & acquired. Virtually all hydroceles are congenital in neonates and infants, whereas most of the acquired causes of hydrocele are idiopathic. Other causes of acquired hydrocele include: infection, tumors, trauma, and torsion and trradiation therapy. Hydrocele is the most common cause of painless scrotal swelling. Objective: to determine whether there is an effect of hydrocelectomy on testicular size in adult patients with unilateral idiopathic hydrocele. Patients and Methods: This prospective study was done in the ultrasound unit of ALkadhimyia teaching hospital from the period of July 2006 to November 2007. Thirty three patients with a mean age of 35.8 years who had unilateral idiopathic hydrocele and who underwent unilateral hydrocelectomy were included in the study. The ultrasound examination was done in the supine position & included the preoperative evaluation of the hydrocele, & assessment of the testicular volume of the involved and uninvolved sides before and after surgery. Calculating the testicular volume from the formula: volume = length × width × depth × 0.52 Results: a statistically significant differences in the testicular volumes between the normal side (mean ± SD, 18.42± 2.02 mL) and the side with the hydrocele (23.23± 2.31 mL) before surgery (p < 0.001), and in the volumes in the side with the hydrocele before (23.23± 2.31 mL) and after (17.77± 2.22 mL) surgery (p < 0.001). No such difference in volume was seen in the normal side before (18.42± 2.02 mL) and after (18.46± 2.05 mL) surgery (p = 0.200). Also no significant difference in the testicular volumes of the normal side (18.46± 2.05 mL) and the side with hydrocele (17.77± 2.22 mL) after surgery (p = 0.150). The mean reduction in volume in the testis with the hydrocele after hydrocelectomy was 23.22%. Conclusions: There is an association between the development of an idiopathic hydrocele and testicular size. We believe that the increment in the volume is due to an increase in the impedance to venous and lymphatic flow. Surgeons should be aware that there is a decrease in testicular volume after hydrocelectomy so they do not misdiagnose this change as post-operative trauma or atrophy often in correlation with clinical symptoms, clinical examination & assessment.
Clinical Inertia in Management of Type 2 Diabetes Among Different Ethnic Groups

Author(s): Yang, Sophia | Advisor(s): Billimek, John | Abstract: Clinical inertia is defined as a delay in intensifying medical treatment despite the fact that patients have not met clinical goals for control of their medical conditions. Little is known about clinical inertia among racial/ethnic minority groups with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This analysis uses three constructs—Access, Beliefs/Preferences, Communication—represented by the proxies of insurance status, race/ethnicity minority status, and English language fluency status—to evaluate the effect of race/ethnicity on clinical inertia in diabetes outcomes. This study was an observational retrospective review of a database of outpatient medical visits from January 2012 to December 2014. The database was organized to analyze clinical inertia for these patients, which was defined as the time to medication intensification after having a HbA1C greater than the target HbA1C≥8%. English-fluent patients were found to have greater odds of receiving medication intensification during a given time period, supporting the idea that non-English-fluent patients may be disproportionately affected by clinical inertia.
Adverse Juvenile Probation Supervision Outcomes: Noncompliance, Revocation, and Failure to Appear at Review Hearings

Despite widespread use of community-based supervision for justice-involved youth, little research has examined what might contribute to youth performance under supervision. A recent investigation of probation practices in one jurisdiction noted that failure to appear at a review hearing was strongly associated with probation revocation. To determine whether these findings would replicate elsewhere and to identify youth characteristics and behaviors significantly related to failure to appear at review hearings, the current study examined probation records for 200 youth under supervision in another large mid-Atlantic county. Some similarities between jurisdictional findings arose, but notable differences were also observed. For instance, results revealed significant relationships between youth “absent without leave” status and two outcomes: failure to appear at the next hearing and probation revocation at their next hearing appearance. Findings further develop existing understanding of youth performance under supervision and suggest potential avenues for further investigation and future intervention.
CHEMICAL NATURE OF VARIOUS TYPES OF RENAL STONES IN THE POPULATION OF DISTRICT MULTAN PAKISTAN

Objective: Renal stones are widespread urological sickness in the whole world. Pakistan has possibly one of the uppermost occurrences of renal stone sickness. The main purpose of this study is to determine the chemical composition of renal stones in District Multan, Punjab, Pakistan. Study design: Cohort study Place & Duration of study: Different hospitals of District Multan, Punjab, Pakistan, June-2014 to June-2015 (one year) Materials and Methods : The study included 340 subjects operated for renal stones. The stones were removed and send for analysis to laboratory. The stones were examined by using stone analysis kit (Merk) the various components of stones were resolute by titrimetric as well as colorimetric method. Results: Renal stones were analyzed having different materials i.e. Pure Calcium oxalate stones were present in 136 patients, mixed stones of Uric acid and Calcium oxalate were present in 34 patients. There are also number of mixed stones were obtained having different concentrations. On the contrary, the present study is also compared with other studies conducted in different areas of Pakistan and other countries as well. Conclusion: Renal stones problem is very much prevailing (especially pure calcium oxalate) in our population. Dietary habits and life style have major role to overcome in prevalence of kidney stone problems. Keywords : Calcium Oxalate, Mixed stones, Chemical composition, Uric acid
Nail changes in psoriasis – A profile

Background Nail involvement in psoriasis is quite common and is seen in 50% of all cases. Patients and methods For the present study, we selected 100 patients of psoriasis with nail changes coming from various walks of life. The data was collected and statistical analysis of the data was done. Results Pitting was the most common finding in psoriasis, accounting for 70% cases. Next most common nail changes were onycholysis in 52% and subungual hyperkeratosis in 40%cases. Discoloration was found in 25% cases followed by paronychia in10% cases. Splinter hemorrhages were seen in 12% and Beau’s lines were observed in 14% cases. Conclusion Nail changes are frequently observed in psoriatic patients which are usually pitting, onycholysis and subungual hyperkeratosis.
The acute response to sprint interval exercise and moderate intensity continuous exercise in adults with and without airway hyperresponsiveness

iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.iv TABLE OF CONTENTS.v LIST OF TABLES. viii LIST OF FIGURES. ix LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS. x CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION. 1 1.1 Thesis Introduction. 2 1.2 Thesis Research Questions. 3 1.3 References. 4 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW. 6 2.1 Terminology. 7 2.2 Mechanisms that Trigger Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction. 8 2.3 Airway response to Exercise in Individuals without Hyperresponsiveness.8 2.4 Airway response to Exercise in Individuals with Hyperresponsiveness.9 2.5 Benefits of Exercise in Adults with Airway Hyperresponsiveness.10 2.6 Potential Benefit of Interval Exercise. 11 2.7 High Intensity Interval Exercise compared to Moderate Intensity Continuous Exercise. 12 2.8 Ventilatory Responses to Sprint Interval Exercise. 13 2.9 Measurement of Tissue Oxygenation. 14 2.10 Tissue Oxygenation during Interval Exercise. 15 2.11 Tissue Oxygenation in Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.16 2.12 Affect during Interval Exercise. 17 2.13 Gaps Identified. 19 Joshua Good. Section 1. vi 2.14 Objectives. 19 2.15 Hypotheses. 20 2.16 References. 21 CHAPTER 3: RESPIRATORY RESPONSES TO SPRINT-INTERVAL EXERCISE IN ADULTS WITH AIRWAY HYPERRESPONSIVENESS.28 3.1 Abstract. 29 3.2 Introduction. 30 3.3 Methods. 32 3.4 Results. 37 3.5 Discussion. 40 3.6 References. 47 CHAPTER 4: SUBJECTIVE RESPONSES TO SPRINT INTERVAL EXERCISE IN ADULTS WITH AND WITHOUT EXERCISE-INDUCED BRONCHOCONSTRICTION. 58 4.1 Abstract. 59 4.2 Introduction. 60 4.3 Methods. 61 4.4 Results. 65 4.5 Discussion. 68 4.6 References. 73 CHAPTER 5: GENERAL DISCUSSION. 83 5.1 Overview. 84 5.2 Sensitivity of Eucapnic Voluntary Hyperpnea. 85 5.3 Refractory Period during Sprint Interval Exercise. 86 5.4 Strengths. 87 5.5 Limitations. 87 5.6 Future Research. 89 5.7 Conclusions. 89 5.8 References. 91 Joshua Good. Section 1. vii APPENDICES. 93 A1 Signs/symptoms severity scale.94 A2 Eligibility questionnaire. 95 A3 Demographic questionnaire. 96 A4 Late phase asthma symptom questionnaire. 97 A5 Data collection sheet – Session 1. 98 A6 Data collection sheet – Session 2. 100 A7 Data collection sheet – Session 3 . 103 A8 Data collection sheet – Session 4. 107 A9 Power Output during SIE. 111 B1 Ethics approval letter. 113 Joshua Good. Section 1.
Study of Combined Laparoscopic and Hysteroscopic Findings in 100 Cases of Infertility

Results: Age ranged from 21 to 38 years, and mean age was 25.98 years. Abnormal laparoscopic findings were noted in 41% cases, abnormal hysteroscopy seen in 24% cases, and 17% cases showed abnormality in both. Bilateral tubal patency was demonstrated in 81% cases. Tubal blockage was bilateral in 5% and unilateral in 9% cases. In 2% cases, bilateral block with beaded appearance found suggestive of tuberculosis. Of total 100 cases, 12% cases were found to have endometriosis, 8% had polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), chocolate cyst was found in 5% cases, and 7% had functional cyst of ovary. Pelvic adhesions were found in 15% patients. Myomas were found in 8% cases. Endometrial polyps were revealed in 5% and Asherman’s syndrome in 6% patients. Combined laparoscopy and hysteroscopy was diagnostic in 17% of cases, 41% were diagnosed through laparoscopy alone, 24% through hysteroscopy alone, while in 18% cases findings were normal. In our study, tuboperitoneal factors were responsible for infertility in 40% cases, ovarian factors in 26% cases, and PCOS in 8% cases.
Management and Nutrition for Milking Sheep in Short and Frequent Lactations

Traditional sheep dairy production is seasonal. The lack of year-round availability of fresh product has deterred steady sales and buyers’ markets of sheep milk and sheep milk products in the US. Research from Europe suggests seasonal income, as well as difficulties to coordinate lambing seasons (Sitzia et al., 2015), as interference to an even and reliable marketplace. The 30% rise in consumption of dairy sheep products in the past 20 years (Thomas, 2014) the US imports 50 to 60% of the world’s annual exports in sheep dairy products (Thomas, 2014) indicates a dramatic increase in US demand for sheep milk products. Official FAO data from 2011 lists an import amount of 26 million kg of sheep milk cheese. With a cheese yield of ~18-25% that is equivalent to ~123 million kg of raw sheep milk.
Industrial Innovation, Labour Productivity, Sales and Employment

Abstract This article examines the relationship between firm-level innovation and employment growth for industrial firms in the Netherlands. The empirical analysis uses four waves of the CIS survey for the period 2002-2010. It extends the literature by making an explicit split between the expansion effect of innovation and the labour productivity effect. The results show that both product and process innovation increase labour productivity and therefore induce direct reductions in employment. However, these negative employment effects are more than compensated by increases in sales, implying that both process and product innovations increase employment. In this article for the first time the relationship between both product and process innovations and employment is decomposed in a systematic manner based on explicit econometric equations on the relationship between innovation and labour productivity respectively sales. It is argued that the effects for sales and labour productivity are probably underestimated in all research that uses CIS survey data because these do not show the price effects of increased productivity, but that this effect cancels out in the estimated employment equation.