Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Error in the Urease Method for the Determination of Urea.∗

Estimates of the urea concentration of the blood, muscle and liver tissue of rats were carried out in connection with a study of the effects of high protein diets. The urease method was used. A typical result is given in Table I. The high concentration of urea shown here for the rat's liver is at variance with the observation of Marshall 1 who found an approximate equality of urea concentration in the blood, muscle and liver of other animals. In obtaining the results shown in Table I the rats were anesthetized with ether, and bled to death by cutting the abdominal aorta. The tissues were removed immediately, weighed, ground in a mortar and quantitatively transferred with water to large aeration tubes. The method used has been described in detail elsewhere. 2 The only changes made were those which were necessitated by the fact that the tissues and blood were made up with water to a volume of 30 cc. This method is simply a special adaptation of the aeration method described by Marshall. 1 The urea is calculated from the amount of additional ammonia formed after incubation of the tissue with the filtrate from a suspension in water of freshly ground jack beans. When the liver was heatcd before adding the jack bean filtrate an entirely different result was obtained, the previous high level of urea concentration in the liver was no longer found, and the estimates showed an approximate equallity of concentration in blood, muscle, and liver, in accordance with the conclusion reached by Nf arshall. (Table 11.) A linear relation is attained ktween the quantities of urea produced and the quantities of “urease” used when the ratio between liver and urease is neither too small nor too large. Fig. 1 shows the result of an experiment in which the liver was held constant at 2.26 gm. and the urease was varied from 0.2 to 1.0 gm. The mixtures were incubated for 2 hours at a temperature of 37” C. The reaction was maintained at pH 7.2 by phosphate.
Mortality among Cancer Patients within 90 Days of Therapy in a Tertiary Hospital, Tanzania: Is Our Pretherapy Screening Effective?

Background A high mortality has been reported during the first ninety days of cancer therapy and is more pronounced in patients with febrile neutropenia. The Bugando Medical Center oncology department offers cancer diagnosis and treatment services to the population of the Lake Zone of Tanzania with limited data on the outcome within 90 days of therapy. Here, we report the 90-day mortality and factors associated with it among cancer patients attending the oncology department of the tertiary hospital in Tanzania. Methodology. Enrolled participants underwent baseline physical examinations, and their functional status was assessed using Karnofsky score. On each clinic visit, full blood picture was taken and patients were investigated for infections. Data were entered in the Microsoft Excel, cleaned and coded and then transferred to STATA version 13 for analysis. Results A total of 102 participants were included in the final analysis. Their median age was 50 years (38-60). The majority of the study participants were females 76 (75%), and 82 (80.4%) had primary school education. The majority of the patients had solid cancer 96 (94.1%). A total of 12 (11.8%) patients died within 90 days of starting therapy. Low hemoglobin level at the start of cancer therapy, Karnofsky score below 80%, and using 5-fluorouracil-containing therapy were statistically significantly found to be associated with mortality within 90 days of therapy among cancer patients. Conclusion One tenth of cancer patients at Bugando Medical Center do not survive within 90 days of therapy; the mortality is significantly high among anemic patients, with poor performance status, on 5-fluorouracil regimen, and diagnosed with head and neck cancer, necessitating close follow-up of these patients.
Plasma Treatment Limits Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Development In Vitro and In Vivo

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most prevalent cancer worldwide, increasing the cost of healthcare services and with a high rate of morbidity. Its etiology is linked to chronic ultraviolet (UV) exposure that leads to malignant transformation of keratinocytes. Invasive growth and metastasis are severe consequences of this process. Therapy-resistant and highly aggressive SCC is frequently fatal, exemplifying the need for novel treatment strategies. Cold physical plasma is a partially ionized gas, expelling therapeutic doses of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that were investigated for their anticancer capacity against SCC in vitro and SCC-like lesions in vivo. Using the kINPen argon plasma jet, a selective growth-reducing action of plasma treatment was identified in two SCC cell lines in 2D and 3D cultures. In vivo, plasma treatment limited the progression of UVB-induced SSC-like skin lesions and dermal degeneration without compromising lesional or non-lesional skin. In lesional tissue, this was associated with a decrease in cell proliferation and the antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2 following plasma treatment, while catalase expression was increased. Analysis of skin adjacent to the lesions and determination of global antioxidant parameters confirmed the local but not systemic action of the plasma anticancer therapy in vivo.
Preliminary screening of the possible protective effect of Moroccan propolis against chromium-induced nephrotoxicity in animal model

Background and Aim: Hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) compounds have been shown to induce nephrotoxicity associated with oxidative stress in humans and animals. The aim of the present study was to investigate the nephroprotective effect of bee propolis, as highly antioxidant natural product, in vivo using an animal model. Materials and Methods: First of all, total phenol and flavonoid contents of propolis sample were estimated in vitro. Afterward, to study the protective effect of propolis on renal damages caused by an injection of a single dose of potassium dichromate (15 mg/kg b.wt), 24 male Wister rats were divided into test and control groups. Propolis treatment was performed by oral gavage of 100 mg/kg b.wt/day, while the control groups received water instead. The 24 h urine was collected and blood samples were withdrawn before and after each treatment for further analysis. Results: Propolis revealed to be rich in polyphenols and flavonoids. Chromate provoked a nephrotoxic effect expressed by a drastic decrease in glomerular filtration assessed by creatinine clearance. However, the administration of propolis attenuated the renal damages induced by the chromate. This attenuation can be seen by the increase of creatinine clearance when comparing propolis treated group to the non-treated group. Conclusion: Propolis showed a protective potential against chromate-induced nephrotoxicity through the amelioration of chromate’s toxic effects. It might be concluded that propolis could be effective as chemoprotectant in the management of potassium dichromate-induced nephrotoxicity.
Systemic Treatment Selection for Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours (PanNETs)

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PanNETs) are rare diseases and a good example of how research is not only feasible, but also of crucial importance in the scenario of rare tumours. Many clinical trials have been performed over the past two decades expanding therapeutic options for patients with advanced PanNETs. Adequate management relies on optimal selection of treatment, which may be challenging for clinicians due to the fact that multiple options of therapy are currently available. A number of therapies already exist, which are supported by data from phase III studies, including somatostatin analogues and targeted therapies (sunitinib and everolimus). In addition, chemotherapy remains an option, with temozolomide and capecitabine being one of the most popular doublets to use. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy was successfully implemented in patients with well-differentiated gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours, but with certain questions waiting to be solved for the management of PanNETs. Finally, the role of immunotherapy is still poorly understood. In this review, the data supporting current systemic treatment options for locally advanced or metastatic PanNETs are summarized. Strategies for treatment selection in patients with PanNETs based on patient, disease, or drug characteristics is provided, as well as a summary of current evidence on prognostic and predictive biomarkers. Future perspectives are discussed, focusing on current and forthcoming challenges and unmet needs of patients with these rare tumours.
Mobility but Not Balance Limitations Are Associated With Cognitive Decline among Older Hispanics

Aging is associated with changes in lower-body functioning. The extent to which lower-body function is associated with cognitive changes over time is unclear, especially among older Hispanics, a high-risk population for declines in physical and cognitive functioning. We sought to determine if the association between lower-body functioning and cognitive decline over 9-years differentially varied with respect to balance, gait speed, lower-body strength (chair stands), or a summary score of the three measures. This retrospective cohort study used clinical performance data from the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (H-EPESE). Cognitive function was measured using the Mini-Mental Status Exam. Linear mixed modeling was used to investigate the association between lower-body function and cognitive decline, controlling for patients’ demographic and health characteristics. We found that gait speed and timed chair stands but not balance were associated with accelerated cognitive decline in Mexican-Americans age 75 years and older. These parameters of lower-body function can be feasibly measured in any clinic. As limitations in lower-body functioning may be an early marker of cognitive decline, this suggests an opportunity for the development of interventions to slow cognitive and physical disablement and promote successful aging among persons older than 75 years.
Ecological Exploration of Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Tobacco and E-Cigarettes Among Primary School Children, Teachers, and Parents in Wales: A Qualitative Study

Experimentation with e-cigarettes has grown rapidly among UK adolescents. To date, this topic has been primarily researched in secondary schools, with less understanding of development of attitudes and behaviours at an earlier age. This research reports qualitative data from interviews with pupils, parents, and teachers at 4 case study schools in Wales (N = 42). It draws on Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory to consider how the intersection of systems surrounding primary school-age children and their interaction with these systems, shape knowledge, and attitudes towards e-cigarettes and tobacco. Findings indicate that consistent messaging on smoking from school and family was reflected in strong disapproval among pupils and clear understanding of harms. This was less evident for e-cigarettes, where messages were mixed and inconsistent between home and school, with concerns over what to tell children about e-cigarettes in light of mixed messages and absence of official guidance. Implications of findings for policy and teaching are discussed.
Community-Based Health Insurance Enrollment and Child Health Service Utilization in Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Case Comparison Study

Purpose Utilization of primary healthcare services in the rural communities of Ethiopia is very low. The Ethiopian government has introduced community-based health insurance (CBHI) to improve the health service utilization of the rural community. Thus, this study was conducted to examine the association between CBHI enrollment and child health service utilization in northwest Ethiopia. Patients and Methods A cross-sectional case comparison study among CBHI enrolled and unenrolled households was conducted. A total of 226 sick children from 2008 surveyed households were included in the study. Bivariate-probit regression analysis was employed to account the endogenous nature of insurance enrollment and child health services utilization. Results The results showed that the overall sick child healthcare visit in the CBHI enrolled group was about 0.44 (44%) point more compared to those unenrolled households. CBHI enrolled households in the poorest wealth group have a higher probability of visiting healthcare facilities for their sick children (coefficient: 0.13, SD: 0.07, 95% CI: −0.01, 0.27), whereas CBHI enrolled households with older age household head have a lower probability of visiting healthcare facilities for their sick children (coefficient: −0.16, SD: 0.08, 95% CI: −0.32, 0.01). Conclusion A promising positive effect on sick children’s health services utilization among CBHI enrolled was noticed. Moreover, households in the poorest wealth status and older age head affect the use of sick children’s healthcare services among those CBHI enrolled. Therefore, policy measures to expand benefit packages and supply-side interventions are essential to enhance the effects of CBHI on different health service utilization.
Conventional Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty for Hip Osteoarthritis after Distal Trochanteric Transfer: A Report of Two Cases

Distal trochanteric transfer (DTT) has been widely performed to treat developmental dysplasia of the hip or Perthes disease. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) following DTT in patients with hip osteoarthritis is one of the most challenging procedures for hip surgeons, because great care must be taken regarding anatomical abnormalities of the greater trochanter and the soft tissue attached to the greater trochanter. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports on THA after DTT. We herein report two cases of patients who underwent THA post DTT using cementless components. After THA, both patients developed abduction temporary contraction because of leg length extension and gluteus medius hypertension. However, in both cases, the contraction was reversible within two months and the final clinical result was good. Therefore, THA can be considered an effective and safe choice for treating osteoarthritis after DTT.
Frailty in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Risk of Exacerbations and Hospitalizations

Background Frailty is a complex clinical syndrome associated with vulnerability to adverse health outcomes. While frailty is thought to be common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the relationship between frailty and COPD-related outcomes such as risk of acute exacerbations of COPD (AE-COPD) and hospitalizations is unclear. Purpose To examine the association between physical frailty and risk of acute exacerbations, hospitalizations, and mortality in patients with COPD. Methods A longitudinal analysis of data from a cohort of 280 participants was performed. Baseline frailty measures included exhaustion, weakness, low activity, slowness, and undernutrition. Outcome measures included AE-COPD, hospitalizations, and mortality over 2 years. Negative binomial regression and Cox proportional hazard modeling were used. Results Sixty-two percent of the study population met criteria for pre-frail and 23% were frail. In adjusted analyses, the frailty syndrome was not associated with COPD exacerbations. However, among the individual components of the frailty syndrome, weakness measured by handgrip strength was associated with increased risk of COPD exacerbations (IRR 1.46, 95% CI 1.09–1.97). The frailty phenotype was not associated with all-cause hospitalizations but was associated with increased risk of non-COPD-related hospitalizations. Conclusion This longitudinal cohort study shows that a high proportion of patients with COPD are pre-frail or frail. The frailty phenotype was associated with an increased risk of non-COPD hospitalizations but not with all-cause hospitalizations or COPD exacerbations. Among the individual frailty components, low handgrip strength was associated with increased risk of COPD exacerbations over a 2-year period. Measuring handgrip strength may identify COPD patients who could benefit from programs to reduce COPD exacerbations.
An Analysis of High-Resolution Computed Tomography Chest Manifestations of COVID-19 Patients in Pakistan

Objective The objective of the present study is to describe high-resolution CT (HRCT) chest manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients presenting to a tertiary healthcare facility in Punjab, Pakistan, and to analyze the distribution of the disease in lung fields. Additionally, we assess the role of chest CT severity scoring (CT-SS) in determining the severity of pneumonia. Methods In this cross-sectional descriptive study conducted from March 30, 2020, to May 30, 2020, 87 confirmed COVID-19 patients undergoing HRCT scan in a tertiary care facility in Punjab, Pakistan were included. The HRCT chest was performed on the patients using a standard protocol. Each study was evaluated for the presence of ground-glass opacities (GGOs), consolidation, mixed pattern, distribution, crazy paving, reverse halo sign, nodules, pleural effusion, and other findings. Additionally, CT-SS was calculated by dividing each lung into 20 zones. Each zone was scored as 0, 1, and 2, representing no involvement, <50% involvement, and >50% involvement of one zone respectively (total score: 0-40 for each patient). The patients were classified into mild, moderate, and severe cases (mild: CT-SS of <20, moderate: CT-SS of 20-30, and severe: CT-SS of >30). Results GGO was the most common finding, as seen in 88.5% of the patients, followed by consolidations (52.8%) and crazy paving (33.3%). The majority of the patients showed the bilateral and peripheral distribution of the disease process. Vascular dilatation and bronchiectasis were seen in 10 patients; pleural effusions were observed in only two study patients, while no patient exhibited reverse halo sign or pulmonary nodules. The superior segment of lower lobes was the most commonly involved segment bilaterally. According to CT-SS, 78 (89.6%), six (6.9%), and three (3.45%) patients had mild, moderate, and severe disease respectively. Conclusion The typical imaging findings of COVID-19 on HRCT are GGOs with multilobe involvement and bilateral, peripheral, and basal predominance. CT-SS is helpful in categorizing pneumonia into mild, moderate, and severe types, thereby helping to identify patients with severe disease. This is particularly helpful in settings where fast triage is required.
The Effect of Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction on Teacher Burnout: A Controlled Trial

Burnout is a well-known phenomenon with significant social, biological and economic costs. In particular, teacher burnout is associated with unfavorable mental health outcomes and economic costs due to reduced hours and teacher turnover. This study investigated the effect of an Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) cognitive-reframing program on teacher burnout using a quasi-experimental design. Fifty-three teachers participated in a prospective intervention with a passive control group. The intervention group completed a 12-week IBSR program with 4.5 h of weekly engagement. Relative to control, teachers in the intervention group showed greater improvements in emotional exhaustion (18.8 ± 5.2 to 15.9 ± 5.7 vs. 16.0 ± 4.8 to 17.4 ± 4.8; p = 0.01) and personal accomplishment (21.8 ± 5.0 to 24.6 ± 4.3 vs. 21.9 ± 4.5 to 22.8 ± 4.3; p = 0.04). Significant correlations were found between change in emotional exhaustion and negative affect (positive correlation; r = 0.32; p = 0.034) and between personal accomplishment and perceived stress (negative correlation; r = −0.451; p = 0.002). This study demonstrates the potential of IBSR to improve teacher well-being. Future randomized studies are needed to evaluate the causality of IBSR in reducing burnout among teachers and other high-stress workplaces.
The Swamp Rabbit (Sylvilagus aquaticus) in Indiana

Swamp-rabbit (Sylvilagus aquaticus) distribution, habitat, population characters and behavioral traits were studied in Indiana in 1968-69. Swamp rabbits were found in 25 swampy forested tracts in the six most southwestern counties. All sites were within the Southern Swamp Forest type, with the most northern site about 18 km S of Vincennes. The most frequently used winter foods were cross vine (Bignonia capreolata), sedges (Carex spp.) and poison ivy (Rhus radicans). Body characters of swamp rabbits from Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Georgia probably follow Bergmann's Rule, but the data are not conclusive. Approximately 4050 ha of habitat remain from a presettlement area of 40,500 ha. The state population estimate was 1,000, with a probable annual successful natality of 50-55%, and an annual hunter kill of 40-45%. The mean home range on Cane Ridge was 4.4 ha, with a population density of one rabbit per 2.4 ha. Permanent nonrandom log transects can probablv be used to (1) estimate hunter kill in per cent of the population, ( 2) reveal long-term population trends, and (3) when combined with hunter rabbit-kill data, to calculate the rabbit density. INTRODUCTION The first positively identified swamp rabbits (Syivilagus aquaticus) from Indiana were reported in 1930 when four were shot in the canebrakes in Point Township, Posev Co. (Harrison and Hickie, 1931). Lyon (1936) published records for Posey and Warrick counties. In 1959, Kirkpatrick (1961) collected a swamp rabbit from Spencer Co. Specimens were obtained by T. Tichenor in the Broad Pond Swamp in Gibson Co. in 1966. In 1967, a cooperative program was established between Purdue University's Department of Forestry and Conservation and the Indiana Division of Fish and Game to determine the status of the swamp rabbit in Indiana. The objectives, of the study were: (1) to delineate the distribution of the swamp rabbit in Indiana, (2) to obtain population data and (3) to gain a more complete ecological perspective of the species.
Prevalence and lifestyle-associated risk factors of metabolic syndrome among commercial motor vehicle drivers in a metropolitan city in Ghana

Introduction commercial motor vehicle drivers are at risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) due to the nature of their work as they tend to go to work early, work for more hours, have irregular dietary habits and patterns, have little sleep and live sedentary lifestyle. The study sought to determine the prevalence and lifestyle-related risk factors of MetS among commercial taxi drivers around Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) campus, in the Kumasi metropolis, Ghana. Methods a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 100 commercial taxi drivers in 3 selected taxi ranks around KNUST campus. Fasting blood lipid and fasting blood glucose levels, blood pressure and anthropometric characteristics were determined using WHO and NCEP-ATP III criteria. Lifestyle-related risk factors of MetS were assessed using a semi-structured questionnaire and dietary pattern was assessed using food frequency questionnaire. Bivariate analysis and linear correlation were used to determine the relationship between lifestyle practices and MetS. Results the prevalence of diabetes, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, overweight and obesity were 12%, 63%, 40%, 32% and 13% respectively. The prevalence of MetS was 5% according to NCEP-ATP III (2005) criteria. The lifestyle behaviours of the drivers were, alcohol intake, irregular dietary pattern, long working hours, lack of exercise and tiredness due to driving. Tobacco use (R = 0.405, p = 0.041) and time of supper (R = 0.931, p = 0.047) were related with MetS among the participants. Conclusion though prevalence of MetS (5%) was low among the drivers, the need for intervention to promote positive lifestyle change and curb the high prevalence of overweight/obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and dyslipidemia is necessary to improve the health of the drivers and the safety of passengers.