Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development and Testing of the UK SF-12

Objectives: The 36 item short form health survey (SF-36) has proved to be of use in a variety of settings where a short generic health measure of patient-assessed outcome is required. This measure can provide an eight dimension profile of health status, and two summary scores assessing physical function and mental well-being. The developers of the SF-36 in America have developed algorithms to yield the two summary component scores in a questionnaire containing only one-third of the original 36 items, the SF-12. This paper documents the construction of the UK SF-12 summary measures from a large-scale dataset from the UK in which the SF-36, together with other questions on health and lifestyles, was sent to randomly selected members of the population. Using these data we attempt here to replicate the findings of the SF-36 developers in the UK setting, and then to assess the use of SF-12 summary scores in a variety of clinical conditions. Methods: Factor analytical methods were used to derive the weights used to construct the physical and mental component scales from the SF-36. Regression methods were used to weight the 12 items recommended by the developers to construct the SF-12 physical and mental component scores. This analysis was undertaken on a large community sample (n = 9332), and then the results of the SF-36 and SF-12 were compared across diverse patient groups (Parkinson's disease, congestive heart failure, sleep apnoea, benign prostatic hypertrophy). Results: Factor analysis of the SF-36 produced a two factor solution. The factor loadings were used to weight the physical component summary score (PCS-36) and mental component summary score (MCS-36). Results gained from the use of these measures were compared with results gained from the PCS-12 and MCS-12, and were found to be highly correlated (PCS: ρ = 0.94, p < 0.001; MCS: ρ = 0.96, p < 0.001), and produce remarkably similar results, both in the community sample and across a variety of patient groups. Conclusions: The SF-12 is able to produce the two summary scales originally developed from the SF-36 with considerable accuracy and yet with far less respondent burden. Consequently, the SF-12 may be an instrument of choice where a short generic measure providing summary information on physical and mental health status is required. Crispin Jenkinson DPhil, Deputy Director
Evaluation of the Springfield MENU Program

iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to the Mason Square Health Task Force and the Dunbar YMCA for so warmly welcoming me into their community. I specifically would like to thank Tasha Moultrie-Phillips and Wanda Givens, the " Dunbar Divas, " and all of the study participants from the Let's Get Task Force Fit program. I would also like to thank Dr. Elena Carbone, my mentor, thesis committee chair, and academic advisor, for her continued guidance and support over the past three years. I would also like to thank my committee member Dr. Lindiwe Sibeko for her input and expertise. I am honored to have been involved in the Live Well Springfield Campaign, and am so grateful for the invaluable experiences I gained as a community nutrition researcher. Thank you to Thank you to my ever-supportive parents and sister, and thank you to my friends and classmates for their encouragement throughout my entire graduate career. Studies have shown that many low-income and disadvantaged Americans have a poor diet quality, which increases obesity and chronic disease risk. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, education and income levels of Springfield residents are well below state averages, and racial diversity in Springfield has increased significantly over the past few decades. Springfield's demographics increase the risk of health disparities in the community, and higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity are seen in Springfield. To promote healthy eating behaviors among Springfield residents, Mason Square Health Task Force (MSHTF), a Live Well Springfield (LWS) partner, created a 6-session nutrition curriculum, entitled The MENU Program. The goal was to increase overall health awareness and healthy eating behaviors among residents in communities that are being targeted by the LWS initiative. Topics of the The MENU Program included MyPlate guidelines and label reading, budget shopping and cooking, healthy restaurant choices, diet and chronic disease, and food justice. The objective of this study was to evaluate The MENU Program to assess its strengths, weaknesses, and effectiveness using both quantitative and qualitative data from surveys, process vi evaluation, and facilitator observations. There were two phases of this study: Phase 1 was the evaluation of the pilot program delivered to a group of senior women recruited through the Dunbar YMCA; Phase 2 evaluated the second offering of the curriculum to Mason Square residents enrolled in the Task Force Fit Challenge. All participants responded positively to The MENU Program sessions and …
Vitiligo with raised inflammatory borders: involvement ofT cell immunity and keratinocytes expressing MHC class IIand ICAM-1 molecules

Vitiligo is an acquired, idiopathic, melanin pigmentary disorder, which is characterized by the development of patchy, depigmented macules with a tendency to expand in a centrifugal fashion [1]. Melanocytes and melanin pigment are absent in vitiligo lesions [2]. It is speculated that this disease results from an autoimmune process, although it remains unelucidated whether the primary abnormality is in the melanocytes themselves or in [. ]
Can a negative procalcitonin level guide antibiotic therapy in early-onset neonatal sepsis?

Background Procalcitonin (PCT) has been used in the diagnosis of early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS) in conjunction with other markers of infection and levels are highest at the onset of infection and decline over time. This study evaluated whether an initial negative PCT could be used to withhold antibiotics in neonates presenting with suspected EONS and if this level differed between premature and term babies. Methods Neonates undergoing evaluation for suspected sepsis in the Neonatal Unit, Johannesburg Hospital, South Africa, within 24 hours of birth between July and September 2004 were included. Patients were categorised into various categories of infection using risk factors for infection, white cell count (WCC), platelet count, C reactive protein (CRP) and blood culture results. Babies were started on empiric parenteral antibiotics as per unit protocols. PCT was correlated with infection categories. Results The final analysis included 194 babies, 131 premature and 63 terms. 145 had “no infection”, 47 “probable infection” and 2 “definite infection”. The mean PCT level (and range) in ng/ml for each category was 1.6 (0.5 – 37.5), 11.9 (0.5 – 150.4) and 6.7 (0.5 – 12.9) respectively. Using a cut off of 0.5ng/ml, the negative predictive value (NPV) of PCT was 80% and the positive predictive value (PPV) 39%. Increasing the cut off of PCT had no effect on the NPV. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis had an area under the curve of 0.631. Conclusions The NPV of PCT on admission for suspected EONS is better than the PPV, but not sufficiently reliable to exclude sepsis, even when using higher cut off values. PCT levels did not differ significantly between premature and term babies.
Therapeutic Vaccination against Cancers - A Conceptual Overview with Updates on the Immunological Approach

Cancer immunotherapy has now finally made its way and entered a new era, after decades of intensive searching of a cure for the incurable. Current attentions are particularly drawn by the very promising outcomes from a series of experimental and clinical studies recently concluded [1], having tested and verified the “Immune Checkpoint Blockade” working hypothesis initially proposed by Dr. James Allison nearly 20 years ago [2]. The next central question is about how to extend or maximize the therapeutic and survival benefits for greater numbers of patients, and of different cancer types. This may be achieved by further identifications of new target checkpoint inhibitors, emphasizing more on the tumor-specific antigenic signals, and through combination with the therapeutic vaccination approach in particular. Here, by joining in the discussion, I intend to start with direct reference to various basic yet constantly evolving concepts based on which vaccination against neoplasm has been developed along, and now progressing towards.
EFFICACY OF COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH AN EARLY-PSYCHOSIS EPISODE: A REVIEW

particular, are very disabling mental disorders whose standard treatment, until very recently, has been pharmacological combined with case management (Tarrier, 2008). Over time, and despite pharmacotherapy having evolved over the years, and second generation antipsychotic drugs becoming the first choice owing to the advantages they provide regarding safety and greater tolerance in comparison to classical antipsychotic medication, and therefore, greater long-term treatment adherence (Emsley et al., 1999; Sanger et al., 1999), these have not yet been able to completely resolve what for most patients is essential: the improvement of quality of life, as many of these patients continue to experience social and functional dysfunctions regardless of antipsychotic medication efficacy and the remission of symptoms (Uzenoff et al., 2010). Cognitive therapy in psychosis has been developed based on the cognitive-behavioral intervention principles previously applied in the treatment of anxiety (Beck, Emery, and Greenberg, 2005) and depression (Rush, 1979), but has been modified and adapted to the treatment of psychotic symptoms according to the vulnerability-stress model and from a biopsychosocial understanding of the disorder (Zubin y Spring, 1977). Since Beck first described a case of schizophrenia treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) (Beck, 2002) in 1952, to date, the necessity of implementing these types of therapies within a comprehensive treatment program has been proposed to help the patient, in addition to improving his/her symptomatology, become integrated in the most efficient manner in our society, improving his/her psychological and psychosocial functioning (Addington and Gleeson, 2005). During the last decade, special attention has been dedicated to the prevention of the disorder, and today, many studies are being carried out with promising results. For example, the pioneers of the early intervention research EPPIC program (Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre) from the ORYGEN research center at the University of Melbourne (Australia) have found that 40% of the sample with a high risk for psychosis becomes EFFICACY OF COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH AN EARLY-PSYCHOSIS EPISODE: A REVIEW
Study of Thyroid Auto-Antibodies in Patients with Bronchial Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis

Background: Authors of a few reports have stated that autoimmunity increases the frequency of Grave's disease in some patients with allergic rhinitis. Also, seasonal allergic rhinitis has been reported to be more frequent in Grave's disease but rare in painless thyroiditis. However, little is known about the relation between thyroid disease and allergic diseases. Aim of Our Work: Our aim was to study the coexistence of thyroid auto-antibodies in patients with bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. Methods: Forty patients with allergic diseases (20 patients with bronchial asthma (BA) and 20 patients with allergic rhinitis (AR)) and 20 3 healthy control subjects were included in the study. We measured the free triiodothyronine (FT ), free thyroxin 4 (FT ) by radioimmunoassay (RIA), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH); thyroid auto-antibodies (anti- thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG)) by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA); the complete blood picture; allergic skin tests; and peak expiratory flow rate measured by spirometry. Results: Thyroid auto-antibodies levels were higher in patients with BA and AR compared to healthy subjects 34 (P 0.05). Conclusion: Thyroid auto-immunity was associated with allergic disease but was not reflected in changed thyroid biochemical profiles.
Systematic Reviewing in the Social Sciences: Outcomes and Explanation

There is growing interest in methods of systematic research review as a means to accumulate a solid evidence base to inform policymakers. This article examines three alternative methodological approaches to conducting a systematic review within the social sciences: the original evidence-based medicine approach; theory-driven approaches; and mixed methods. The discussion draws upon two existing examples of systematic reviews focused upon interventions to support unpaid, family carers and the implications for a proposed new review of carer interventions are considered. It is concluded that the apparent extremes of the evidence-based medicine approach and theory-driven approaches could potentially be combined together in a mixed methods review to optimise the insight gained.
Evaluation of the Effect of Quercus infectoria Olivier (Fagaceae) in Experimentally Induced Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Rats.

In the present study evaluation of the effect of Quercus infectoria olivier (fagaceae) in experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease in rats was carried out for that Sprague Dawley rats (200–300 gm) of either sex were randomly allocated to 6 groups (n=6). Except Group I (normal) and II (vehicle control) colitis was induced on 11th day by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM, 3%, 0.1 ml, intrarectally) in animals of groups III (model control), IV (std), V (test-300 mg/kg p.o) and VI (test-450 mg/kg p.o). 5-Amino salicylic acid (100 mg/kg p.o), Quercus infectoria 300 mg/kg and 450 mg/kg was administered to groups IV, V and IV respectively for 18 days orally. During the study, animals were observed for various physical parameters.On 18th day of study rats were sacrificed, colon was scored histologically and various antioxidant parameters were measured in isolated colon tissue. Treatment with 5-Amino salicylic acid, Quercus infectoria significantly prevented the changes induced by NEM in physical and oxidative stress parameters. There was also significant improvement in histological scoring like colon mucosal damage index (CMDI), disease activity index (DAI), microscopic scoring, macroscopic scoring and histopathology of treatment groups as observed in group III. So, the results of our study suggest that Quercus infectoria therapy has beneficial effects on the course of experimental colitis.
The APACHE II Score and Mortality in Relation to Hypocalcaemia in Critically Ill Patients

Background: Electrolyte imbalance is commonly seen in the intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Hypocalcaemia is one of the most common electrolyte deficiencies found in these patients. Methods: This study was conducted on 110 critically ill patients who were admitted to the ICU (71 males and 39 females). The patients were classified into two groups, group I (patients expired) and group II (patients completely recovered). We further subclassified the patients, based on the APACHE II score into three groups as group A (APACHE II score 25). The serum calcium, magnesium and albumin levels were determined by using a clinical chemistry auto analyzer. Corrected calcium was calculated by using formula. Type of study: Prospective/Retrospective Results: There was a significant decrease in the calcium and the corrected calcium levels in the group I patients as compared to those in group II (p<0.05). There was significant hypocalcaemia in the group C patients as compared to the group A and group B patients (p<0.01). The calcium levels correlated negatively with the APACHE II score. Conclusions: There is a direct correlation between hypocalcaemia and mortality in the critically ill patients. Hypocalcaemia and the APACHE II score were negatively correlated.
Sağlık çalışanları, tıp öğrencileri ve hemşirelik öğrencilerinde insan papilloma virüsü, servikal kanser ve HPV aşısı farkındalığı

Amac: Saglik calisanlarinin halki bilgilendirmedeki etkin rolu goz onune alindiginda hemsirelik ogrencileri, tip ogrencileri ve hemsirelerin serviks kanseri, HPV ve HPV asilari hakkindaki bilinc duzeyinin tespit edilmesini ve bilinclendirme ihtiyacinin arastirilmasini amacladik ve Istanbul Bilim Universitesi ogrencileri ve afiliye hastanelerdeki saglik calisanlarinin HPV ve serviks kanseri hakkindaki bilgilerini degerlendirdik. Gerec ve yontem: Saglik personeli, toplumu bilgilendirme ve yonlendirme yaptigi icin, anket, tip fakultesi ilk 3 yil ogrencilerine, hemsirelik ogrencilerine ve hemsirelere yapildi. Dorduncu siniftan itibaren jinekoloji derslerinin baslamasiyla birlikte bilinc yerini bilgiye biraktigi icin sadece ilk uc yildaki tip ogrencileri secilmistir. Anket sorularini cevaplandirmasi istenen 743 katilimcinin 603 tanesi (% 81,2) anketimizi cevaplamayi kabul etti. Daha sonra kimlik bilgisi istenmeyen anketler degerlendirmeye alindi. Bulgular: Hemsireler ve hemsirelik ogrencileri, tip fakultesi ogrencileri (ilk 3 yil) ve diger saglik calisanlariyla kiyaslandiginda smear test konusunda daha bilgiliydiler. Katilimcilarin sadece %52\'si kizlarinin asilanmasina itiraz etmeyecegini beyan etti. Asiyi kabul etmeyenlerin kabul etmeme gerekceleri asinin guvenirliligi hakkindaki endiseler (% 41), asinin maliyeti (%10) ve asilanmadan sonra cinsel iliski serbestisinin onaylanmasi fikri (%5) idi. Dini konular engel olarak degerlendirilmedi. Sonuc: HPV, serviks kanseri ve HPV asilari hakkindaki farkindaligin artirilmasi gerekmektedir.
Modulation of fibroblast proliferation and inflammatory response by low-intensity laser therapy in tissue repair process * Modulação da proliferação fibroblástica e da resposta inflamatória pela terapia a laser de baixa intensidade no

BACKGROUND - Several studies have been performed to understand the tissue repair process as well as the possible effects of laser therapy in wound healing. OBJECTIVES - To study the behavior of skin wounds induced in the dorsal region of Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus), which were submitted to the low-intensity laser therapy at 3.8 J/cm 2 dosage, 15mW potency, during 15 seconds. MATERIAL AND METHODS - The animals (n=12) were divided into two groups - control and laser-treat- ed. The latter comprised three applications (immediately after surgery, 48 hours and 7 days after induction of surgical wounds). Ten days after surgery samples of the wounds were collected and submitted to histopathological and histomorphometric studies. RESULTS - Neovascularization, fibroblast proliferation and reduced inflammatory infiltrate in surgical wound submitted to laser therapy were demonstrated. CONCLUSION - Taken together, the results suggest that low-intensity laser therapy is an effective method to modulate tissue repair, thus significantly contributing to a faster and more organized healing process. Keywords: Laser therapy, low-level; Rats; Wound healing Resumo: FUNDAMENTOS - Ao longo dos anos, diversos estudos tem sido realizados para compreen- der o processo de reparo tecidual, bem como os possiveis efeitos da terapia a laser no processo de cicatrizacao de feridas. OBJETIVOS - Investigar o comportamento de feridas cutâneas provocadas na regiao dorsal de ratos Wistar (Rattus norvegicus), que foram submetidos ao tratamento com laser de baixa intensidade, com 3,8 J/cm 2 de dosagem, 15mW de potencia e tempo de aplicacao de 15s. METODOS - Os animais (n = 12) foram divididos em dois grupos, um controle e outro tratado com laser. Foram realizadas, no grupo tratado, tres aplicacoes (imediatamente apos o ato cirurgico, 48 horas e sete dias apos a realizacao das feridas cirurgicas). Dez dias apos o ato cirurgico foram colhidas amostras das lesoes de ambos os grupos para realizacao de estudo histopatologico e his- tomorfometrico. RESULTADOS - Foram evidenciados aumentos da neovascularizacao e da proliferacao fibroblastica, e diminuicao da quantidade de infiltrado inflamatorio nas lesoes cirurgicas submetidas a terapia com laser. CONCLUSAO - Os resultados em conjunto sugerem que a terapia a laser de baixa intensidade e um metodo eficaz no processo de modulacao da reparacao tecidual, contribuindo significativamente para a cicatrizacao tecidual mais rapida e organizada. Palavras-chave: Cicatrizacao de feridas; Ratos; Terapia a laser de baixa intensidade
The Prevalence of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Hyderabad Sindh

A B ST R A C T Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis . We have studied 276 cases in Hyderabad to investigate the persistence of TB and potential threat aspects for condensing TB, within which the positive kinfolk’s history of TB proves to be substantial threat factor. Previously diagnosed patients were poorly obedient to anti-TB treatment. This study focuses the exposure of convicts to TB due to the presence of highly transmittable cases. This study sturdily specified the necessity of an effective treatment program in the broad-spectrum community. This study was conducted in medical units 1of Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences (LUMHS) Jamshoro. Out of total, 274 patients studied, majority of the patients were from poor, deprived and lower social class. To control this infection early diagnosis of the disease and its treatment under the supervision is very important.
Intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections Vs. dextrose prolotherapy in the treatment of osteoarthritic knee pain

Background : Conservative treatment needs to be tried prior to surgical treatment of knee osteoarthritis. This study was designed to evaluate the short-term effects of dextrose prolotherapy on pain relief and functional improvement in knee osteoarthritis in comparison with intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections. Methods : In this double blind clinical trial, 100 patients, aged 40-70 years, with complaints of knee pain lasting >3 months were recruited in Akhtar hospital during the years 2010 to 2011. The patients met the criteria proposed by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) for knee osteoarthritis. 50 patients in hyaluronic acid group received five 2 ml injections of hyaluronic acid (Synocrom Forte® 1%) weekly and 50 patients in dextrose prolotherapy group received three 2 ml bimonthly injections of 25% dextrose. The patients were evaluated before and after treatment in terms of pain and functionality using the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) self-questionnaire. The patients were followed up for 12 weeks and were examined 12 weeks after the injections by an observer unaware of group assignments. The data were recorded for statistical analysis. Results : The mean age of the patients was 60.68.2 years. No significant differences were found between the two groups with respect to pre- and post-treatment KOOS scores. The scores showed significant improvements in all items following treatment in both groups (P Conclusion : It seems that intra-articular injections of 25% dextrose prolotherapy could be as effective as hyaluronic acid injections for the treatment of knee pain due to OA.
Residuos organoclorados en tejido adiposo mamario y su relación con el cáncer de mama

Taking into consideration the sanitary repercussion that organochlorate residues may have, levels of organochlorate pesticides and polychlorate biphenyls were determinated in samples of adipose tissue from donors with mammary cancer (group with malignant pathology) and beneficial alteration (group control). Furthermore, a study was made about these women epidemiologic data and, posteriorlly, the relation organochlorate residues/epidemiologic data was studed. The levels of Aldrin, PCB congener n° 28 and PCB n° 52 were statistically different in the control and malignant pathology groups. The mean concentrations of these compounds were lower in the control group than in the malignant pathology group, and this suggests the possibility of a positive relation between these residues and the malignancy of the tumours.