Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reliability and Validity Testing of the FAMCARE-2 Scale: Thai Translation

Objective: Measuring the satisfaction of family caregivers regarding the palliative care provided to their family members is very important for quality improvement in the palliative care system. The aim of this study was to test the psychometric properties (i.e., reliability and validity) of the FAMCARE-2 Scale: Thai Translation for measuring family caregiver satisfaction. Methods: A forward–backward translation process was utilized to produce the 17-item FAMCARE-2 Scale: Thai Translation. The questionnaire and the demographic data form were hand-delivered to the primary family caregivers of 66 palliative care patients of the inpatient wards at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, on the patient discharge date. Internal consistency reliability testing of the FAMCARE-2 Scale: Thai Translation was assessed by calculating the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Factor analysis was used to test construct validity. Results: The FAMCARE-2 Scale: Thai Translation showed a high level of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.94) and an item-to-total correlation coefficient of 0.13–0.77. Factor analysis of FAMCARE-2 revealed a four-factor structure: management of physical symptoms and comfort, patient care and sharing information, symptoms and side effects, and family and patient support. Conclusions: The FAMCARE-2 Scale: Thai Translation was found to be a valid psychometric tool for measuring family caregiver satisfaction within the Thai context of palliative care.
Association between first-trimester maternal level of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A and adverse pregnancy outcomes

Objectives To study the association between low first-trimester pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Background PAPP-A is produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Low plasma level of this protein has been suggested as a biochemical marker for pregnancies with aneuploidy fetuses. Other studies found associations between low PAPP-A and adverse pregnancy outcomes during the first-trimester screening. Patients and methods The present study was conducted at Al-Amrya General Hospital, Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, after informed consent from participants was taken. The research ethics committee at Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, approved it. The study included 90 pregnant women booked for routine antenatal care while they were in their first-trimester after fulfilling the inclusion criteria. A blood sample (3–4 ml of venous blood) was withdrawn from all study participants. Then, samples were collected in plain tubes, followed by centrifugation of the samples, where the sera were collected for PAPP-A assay and stored at −20°C. Actual assay of PAPP-A would not be done except after development of any of adverse pregnancy outcome, including preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, intrauterine growth restriction, intrauterine fetal death, or spontaneous preterm. Results There is an association between low PAPP-A less than or equal to 0.41 in the first-trimester and development of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion Maternal serum PAPP-A level was significantly lower during the first-trimester in women who developed adverse pregnancy outcomes than women who did not develop.
Ectopic pregnancy at a teaching hospital, Nigeria: an analysis of presentation and risk factors

Objective The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate the incidence, clinical presentation and risk factors of ectopic pregnancies. Background Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening gynaecological emergency, and a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. Patients and methods This was a retrospective, descriptive study of ectopic pregnancies managed during the study period (1 January 2009 to 31 December 2013). The medical records of the patients managed for ectopic pregnancy as well as the total birth record and gynaecological admission records during the period under review were retrieved, and data were collected. There were 3719 gynaecological admissions and 14 150 deliveries, with 121 cases of ectopic pregnancies. A total of 115 cases were suitable for analysis after excluding cases with incomplete and missing records. The relevant data collected were analysed with simple descriptive statistics and presented in frequency charts and tables. Results Ectopic pregnancy constituted 3.25% of all gynaecological admissions, and its incidence was 0.86%. The mean age of the patients was 28.6 ± 6.6 years. The common (99 of 115, 86.09%) clinical presentation was abdominal pain, and the commonly (79 of 115, 68.70%) identified risk factor was a previous history of miscarriage. Conclusion Ectopic pregnancy is a recognised cause of maternal morbidity and mortality and has remained a reproductive health challenge to Nigerian women, as well as a threat to efforts in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 in sub-Saharan Africa.
Priapism in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Meeting at the Crossroads and Heading in Different Directions

Abstract Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is the most common leukemia presenting with priapism. Due to social stigma or shyness, the real incidence of priapism in our population is difficult to estimate. Since the successful development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, the life expectancy of CML-chronic phase (CML-CP) has been comparable to the healthy population, and the importance of priapism has further magnified. As of now, the long-term outcome and fertility issues are not very well known. We present the case of a 24-year-old previously healthy gentleman who presented with priapism and was diagnosed as CML-CP. He achieved major molecular response at 18 months. On follow-up at 2 years since the diagnosis, he offers no complaint except moderate erectile dysfunction (International Index of Erectile Function score 11), compromising his quality of life.
The Functional Response of Parasitoids and its Implications for Biological Control

The parasitoid functional response is regarded as central to host–parasitoid dynamics. If so, then the shape of this response may be related to parasitoid success in biological control programmes. We test this by reviewing the literature on the functional response together with the BIOCAT database. Only 32 out of 94 papers have dealt experimentally with the functional response of parasitoids used in biocontrol. The study suggests that most parasitoid species have a type II response. Also, there is no clear relationship between curve shape and success in control. We conclude that other aspects of the parasitoid behaviour deserve more attention in order to understand and predict these insects’ success as control agents.
PCSK9 Monoclonal Antibodies: An Overview

PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies are novel lipid-lowering therapy that have been extensively studied in patients with hypercholesterolemia either as monotherapy or as an add-on to other LLTs. PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies have significantly reduced the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) plasma level resulting in a better LDL-C goal attainment. The commercially available PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies, alirocumab and evolocumab, have demonstrated reductions in major adverse cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction, stroke, unstable angina, and the need for coronary revascularization but not mortality. PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies have demonstrated a favorable safety profile. The most reported side effects are mild injection site with no causal relationship proven between the inhibition of PCSK9 and neurocognitive or glycemic adverse events. In this overview, the efficacy and safety of PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of primary and familial hypercholesterolemia will be discussed.
Synthesis and Antinociceptive Profile of Novel Acidic Sulphonylhydrazone Derivatives From Natural Safrole

The synthesis and antinociceptive activity of new sulphonylhydrazone derivatives is described. The synthetic route started from safrole, an abundant Brazilian natural product which occurs in sassafras oil (Ocotea pretiosa). The active compounds were obtained by introducing an acidic moiety in the phenyl ring of the sulphonylhydrazone framework. The compounds were tested for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity in the acetic acidinduced abdominal constriction and carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema tests, respectively. The most active analgesic was (4′-carboxybenzylidene) 6-methyl-3,4-methylene-dioxyphenylsulphonylhydrazide which was approximately 1.5-fold more potent than the standard dipyrone (52.4 vs 35.9% inhibition, respectively). The most active anti-inflammatory was the phenol compound (4′-hydroxy-3,5-ditert-butylbenzylidene) 6-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyphenylsulphonylhydrazide (30% inhibition). The introduction of an acidic substituent in the phenyl ring of the sulphonylhydrazone moiety led to new lead compounds from safrole with analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity.
Cellular Scale Imaging of Transparent Retinal Structures and Processes Using Adaptive Optics Optical Coherence Tomography.

High-resolution retinal imaging is revolutionizing how scientists and clinicians study the retina on the cellular scale. Its exquisite sensitivity enables time-lapse optical biopsies that capture minute changes in the structure and physiological processes of cells in the living eye. This information is increasingly used to detect disease onset and monitor disease progression during early stages, raising the possibility of personalized eye care. Powerful high-resolution imaging tools have been in development for more than two decades; one that has garnered considerable interest in recent years is optical coherence tomography enhanced with adaptive optics. State-of-the-art adaptive optics optical coherence tomography (AO-OCT) makes it possible to visualize even highly transparent cells and measure some of their internal processes at all depths within the retina, permitting reconstruction of a 3D view of the living microscopic retina. In this review, we report current AO-OCT performance and its success in visualizing and quantifying these once-invisible cells in human eyes. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Vision Science, Volume 6 is September 15, 2020. Please see http://www.annualreviews. org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
The contribution and direct-use value of livestock to rural livelihoods in the Sand River catchment, South Africa

The productive functions of livestock ownership in communal areas are multipurpose in character, comprising a mix of stock types and a range of goods and services used. When all these multiple uses are accounted for, the cash and direct-use returns of livestock in communal areas can be comparable to commercial systems, although temporally and spatially variable. Yet previous work has generally excluded small stock from such analyses, as well as benefits and costs to non-owning households. This paper presents empirical results of a study in the Sand River catchment, assessing the benefits and costs accruing to owners and non-owners for both cattle and goats within a livelihoods analysis framework. Results indicate that cattle are used for a greater variety of goods and services than are goats. The savings value represented the most important function, followed by milk and then manure. Even if savings value was excluded, cattle ownership made a significant contribution to local livelihoods. Goats also provided a net positive benefit, represented largely by the savings value, followed by meat and cash sales. Non-owners also benefited through donations of manure, milk, draught and meat for free, or at a cheaper rate than alternatives. The majority of non-owners aspired to livestock ownership, although the risk of theft of animals was of growing concern. Averaged across the whole catchment, the net value of goods and services from livestock was just over R400 per hectare, with an annual return to capital of 36%. Cattle contributed the bulk of the value by virtue of their greater numbers and larger size, but on a per kilogramme basis goats provided higher value. Many of the goods and services obtained from livestock were not enumerated in regional or national economic statistics.
GENETIC VARIATION FOR LIGNIN CONTENT AND CELL WALL DIGESTIBILITY IN EARLY MAIZE LINES DERIVED FROM ANCIENT LANDRACES

Remarkable genetic improvement in maize yield, lodging resistance, biotic and abiotic stress toler- ance were obtained during the 1955 - 2000 period in Eu- rope. However, a decline in the average cell wall di- gestibility of maize hybrids has been observed during the 1980 - 2000 period. This trend has now ceased with the breeding of specialized silage varieties. The cell wall degradability of the best current hybrids does not yet equal that of better old types of the 1960s era such as IN- RA258, mostly because the germplasm currently used in maize breeding corresponds to progenies of resources ini- tially chosen for grain maize breeding. Nearly 110 new lines were thus derived by self-pollination in old or un- used landraces and accessions in order to test the interest of this kind of genetic resources in maize breeding for cell wall degradability traits. Based on per se and top- cross experiments, several lines representative of different and new germplasm displayed high or medium high cell wall digestibility. F7103 (Argentina-BBC143), F7104 (Ar- gentina-BBC325), F7106 (Gelderland-VC150), F7114 (Za- karpatskaja-Zeltaja-Zubovidnaja), and F7121 (Comptons- Early) are likely among the more promising new resource lines for improvement of cell wall digestibility in elite dent or flint germplasm. These lines covered a large ge- netic diversity as F7103 and F7104 are mostly lowland tropical, F7106 and F7121 mostly northern flint, F7114 mostly Oh43/Minnesota13 related. Two other lines of medium-high cell wall digestibility, F7101 (St Engrace) and F7112 (Mecklenburger), were shown to be signifi- cantly related to lowland tropical germplasm. Several lan- draces or old varieties also gave lines of low cell wall di- gestibility such as F7124 (Curaco-de-Velez) or F7126 (Baanbreker), both related to the northern flint group. Av- erage yield of top-crossed lines was nearly 7 t/ha lower than the average value of the three control hybrids and only one hybrid (F7104 x UH002) had yield and earliness equal to those of control hybrids. These low values were related to the fact that investigated lines were derived from old resources that did not get the last 60 years ge- netic improvements, and also to the only use of a flint male for top-crosses that did not optimize the genetic dis- tance with all top-crossed lines. Allele sequencing and as- sociation genetics should give markers for targeted intro- gression of new alleles of interest originating from this specific set of lines in elite lines.
The Emergence of the Cercariae of Fasciola hepatica from the Snail Limnaea truncatula.

1. Observations on Fasciola hepatica in Limnaea truncatula under laboratory conditions showed that the cercariae did not emerge at temperatures below 9°C. Above 9°C. emergence proceeded indiscriminately up to the limit of experimental observation (26°C). 2. Experience showed that emergence occurred in the light or in darkness while changes in the hydrogen-ion concentration of the water containing the snails (within the range 5.5 to 8.5) had no effect on emergence. There was some evidence that an increase of carbondioxide in the water slowed but did not inhibit emergence but depletion of oxygen had no apparent effect. 3. In the laboratory, emergence could be induced by removing snails from dry habitats and immersing them in water or by removing snails from watery habitats and placing them in fresh water. We were unable to determine the exact physical.or chemical factors acting as a stimulus under such conditions.
Rumen degradation and fermentation characteristics of forage rape

This paper integrates results from 3 separate experiments conducted to evaluate the rumen degradability and fermentation characteristics of forage rape (Brassica napus) when fed with other feed ingredients. The first experiment studied the rumen digestion kinetics of forage rape fractions (leaves, petioles and stems). The results indicated similar total degradation rate for leaves at different stages of maturity but faster disappearance of leaves > petioles > stems, although the rate of degradation decreased with maturity. Experiment 2 was a 3 ◊
The Impact of Robotic-Assisted Surgery on Team Performance: A Systematic Mixed Studies Review

Objective The aim of this study is to describe the impact of robotic-assisted surgery on team performance in the operating room. Background The introduction of surgical robots has improved the technical performance of surgical procedures but has also contributed to unexpected interactions in surgical teams, leading to new types of errors. Method A systematic literature search of Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, ProQuest, Cochrane, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases using key words and MeSH terms was conducted. Screening identified studies employing qualitative and quantitative methods published between January 2000 and September 2019. Two reviewers independently appraised the methodological quality of the articles using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (2018). Discussions were held among authors to examine quality scores of the studies and emergent themes, and agreement was reached through consensus. Themes were derived using inductive content analysis. Results Combined searches identified 1,065 citations. Of these, 19 articles, 16 quantitative and 3 qualitative, were included. Robotic-assisted surgeries included urology, gynecology, cardiac, and general procedures involving surgeons, anesthetists, nurses, and technicians. Three themes emerged: Negotiating the altered physical environs and adapting team communications to manage task and technology; managing the robotic system to optimize workflow efficiency; and technical proficiency depends on experience, team familiarity, and case complexity. Conclusion Inclusion of a robot as a team member adds further complexity to the work of surgery. Application These review findings will inform training programs specifically designed to optimize teamwork, workflow efficiency, and learning needs.
Subsurface and nighttime behaviour of pantropical spotted dolphins in Hawai'i

Pantropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata) are found in both pelagic waters and around oceanic is- lands. A variety of differences exist between populations in these types of areas, including average group sizes, extent of movements, and frequency of multi-species associations. Diving and nighttime behaviour of pantropical spotted dolphins were studied near the islands of Maui and Lanai, Hawaii, in 1999. Suction-cup-attached time-depth recorder/VHF-radio tags were deployed on six dolphins for a total of 29 h. Rates of movements of tagged dolphins were substantially lower than reported in pelagic waters. Average diving depths and durations were shallower and shorter than reported for other similar-sized odontocetes but were similar to those reported in a study of pantropical spotted dolphins in the pelagic waters of the eastern tropical Pacific. Dives (defined as >5 m deep) at night were deeper (mean = 57.0 m, SD = 23.5 m, n = 2 individuals, maximum depth 213 m) than during the day (mean = 12.8 m, SD = 2.1 m, n = 4 individuals, maximum depth 122 m), and swim velocity also increased after dark. These results, together with the series of deep dives recorded immediately after sunset, suggest that pantropical spotted dolphins around Hawaii feed primarily at night on organisms associated with the deep-scattering layer as it rises up to the surface after dark. Resume : Les Dauphins tachetes pantropicaux (Stenella attenuata) frequentent aussi bien les eaux des zones pelagiques que les eaux qui bordent les iles oceaniques. Il existe un certain nombre de differences entre les populations de ces types de milieux, notamment dans le nombre moyen de dauphins par groupe, l'importance des deplacements et la frequence des associations multispecifiques. Les plongees et les comportements nocturnes des Dauphins tachetes pantropicaux ont ete etudies au large des iles Maui et Lanai, aH awaii, en 1999. Des chronobathymetres/marqueurs radio VHF ont ete attaches a six dauphins au moyen de ventouses pendant 29 h au total. Les taux de deplacement des dauphins marques sont considerablement plus faibles que ceux signales dans les eaux pelagiques. La profondeur et la duree moyennes des plongees sont moins elevees que celles enregistrees chez des odontocetes de meme taille, mais sont semblables a celles observees au cours d'une etude sur les Dauphins tachetes pantropicaux dans les zones pelagiques du Pacifique tropical oriental. Les plongees (de plus de 5 m) sont plus profondes (en moyenne = 57,0 m, ecart type = 23,5 m, n = 2 indivi- dus, profondeur maximale de 213 m) la nuit que le jour (en moyenne = 12,8 m, ecart type = 2,1 m, n = 4 individus, profondeur maximale de 122 m) et la vitesse de la nage augmente egalement a l'obscurite. Ces resultats, ajoutes a l'observation de plongees profondes immediatement apres le coucher du soleil, indiquent que les Dauphins tachetes pantropicaux se nourrissent surtout la nuit d'organismes associes a la couche diffusante profonde, pendant sa remontee vers la surface la nuit. (Traduit par la Redaction) 996
Rediscovery of pycnidia in Thamnolia vermicularis: implications for chemotype occurrence and distribution

Abstract Thamnolia vermicularis is a globally widespread arctic-alpine lichen with two distinct chemotypes. The intermixing of these chemotypes at the local scale and lack of genetic variation between them is puzzling given the apparent absence of specialized reproductive structures. Apothecia and conidiomata were originally reported for Thamnolia in the second half of the 19th century, but putative apothecia proved to be parasitic in origin. This study presents conclusive microscopic evidence for the existence of pycnidial conidiomata containing conidia on thalli of Thamnolia vermicularis from geographically widespread locations. Sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA from excised pycnidial conidiomata matched that of thallus tips from individual Thamnolia thalli. Our examination of the historic literature found that the occurrence of pycnidial conidiomata was never disproved, but this information was lost from the post-1920s English-language literature. Our rediscovery of pycnidial conidiomata indicates that Thamnolia vermicularis possesses a reproductive strategy with the potential for long-distance dispersal of multitudes of mitotically produced conidia, providing a plausible explanation for the cosmopolitan distribution of the species and the low levels of genetic variation among populations. Reversible processes, for example alternative splicing, warrant consideration as explanations for chemotype intermixing.