Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension among adults: the first cross-sectional national population-based survey in Laos

Aim The aim of this study was to determine the national prevalence of hypertension and its awareness, treatment, and control in Laos. Methods A national cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013. Using stratified cluster random sampling, 2,543 individuals aged 18–64 years were included from Laos. According to WHO STEPS methodology, questionnaire interview, anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, and biochemistry tests were conducted. Logistic regressions were used to estimate the determinants of hypertension (SBP [and/or DBP] ≥140 [90] mmHg or use of antihypertensive medications). Results Overall, 20.0% of the population had hypertension, 18.5% among men and 21.1% among women. Among hypertensives, 29.4% were aware, 18.2% were currently using antihypertensive medication, and 16.7% had controlled their blood pressure (<140 mmHg SBP and DBP <90 mmHg). In fully adjusted models in both men and women, older age and general obesity were positively associated with hypertension. In addition, among men having raised cholesterol and completed primary education, and among women central obesity and hazardous or harmful alcohol users were positively associated with hypertension. Conclusion The study found a significant prevalence of hypertension and low awareness, treatment, and control rates of hypertension among adults in Laos.
Uncovering the Motivational Core of Traits: The Case of Conscientiousness

Knowledge of the motivational bases of conscientiousness would be crucial for disentangling competing explanations about the processes underlying this trait. Thereby, building on the results of a previous investigation identifying 21 goal classes connected to conscientiousness, we performed three studies aimed at clarifying the full spectrum of goals and motives underlying this trait. In Study 1 (N = 299), we conceptually replicated the original associations between goal classes and conscientiousness poles, and we identified nine goal classes that individuals ascribe to conscientious profiles more than to other profiles. In Study 2 (N = 329), we examined the associations between the subjective importance of conscientious and unconscientious goal classes and personality traits, as well as the role of goals for the desire to change one's conscientiousness. In Study 3 (N = 432), we developed a 72–item assessment of nine goal classes and explored their connections with the most important facets of conscientiousness, self–control, future orientation, and the consideration of future consequences, using network analysis. We discuss the relevance of our results for research on conscientiousness and its underlying processes. © 2020 European Association of Personality Psychology
Genetic ablation of TAZ induces HepG2 liver cancer cell apoptosis through activating the CaMKII/MIEF1 signaling pathway

Background and objective Transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) has been found to be associated with tumor progression. Mitochondrial homeostasis regulates cancer cell viability and metastasis. However, the roles of TAZ and mitochondrial homeostasis in liver cancer viability have not been explored. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of TAZ on HepG2 liver cancer cell apoptosis. Materials and methods HepG2 liver cancer cell was used in the present study, and shRNA against TAZ was transfected into HepG2 cell to knockdown TAZ expression. Mitochondrial function was analyzed using Western blotting, immunofluorescence assay, and flow cytometry. Pathway blocker was used to confirm the role of CaMKII pathway in TAZ-mediated cancer cell death. Results Our results indicated that TAZ deletion induced death in HepG2 cell via apoptosis. Biological analysis demonstrated that mitochondrial stress, including mitochondrial bioenergetics disorder, mitochondrial oxidative stress, and mitochondrial apoptosis, were activated by TAZ deletion. Furthermore, we found that TAZ affected mitochondrial stress by triggering mitochondrial elongation factor 1 (MIEF1)-related mitochondrial dysfunction. The loss of MIEF1 sustained mitochondrial function and promoted cancer cell survival. Molecular investigation illustrated that TAZ regulated MIEF1 expression via the CaMKII signaling pathway. Blockade of the CaMKII pathway prevented TAZ-mediated MIEF1 upregulation and improved cancer cell survival. Conclusion Taken together, our results highlight the key role of TAZ as a master regulator of HepG2 liver cancer cell viability via the modulation of MIEF1-related mitochondrial stress and the CaMKII signaling pathway. These findings define TAZ and MIEF1-related mitochondrial dysfunction as tumor suppressors that act by promoting cancer apoptosis via the CaMKII signaling pathway, with potential implications for new approaches to liver cancer therapy.
Health-related quality of life outcomes, economic burden, and associated costs among diagnosed and undiagnosed depression patients in Japan

Purpose Depression is associated with substantial health and economic burden. This study examined the impact of diagnosed and undiagnosed depression on health-related outcomes and costs among Japanese adults. Methods A retrospective, observational study was conducted using 2012–2014 Japan National Health and Wellness Survey (N=83,504) data. Differences between respondents diagnosed with depression (n=2,843) and undiagnosed with depression (weighted n=2,717) and controls without depression (weighted n=2,801) in health-related quality of life, impairment to work productivity and daily activities (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire), health care resource utilization, and annual costs were evaluated. Propensity score weighting and weighted generalized linear models were used to compare groups on the outcome variables, after adjusting for covariates. Results Overall, respondents with undiagnosed depression had significantly better outcomes than those diagnosed with depression, but significantly worse outcomes than controls (for all, P<0.001). The mean Mental Component Summary scores were lower in the diagnosed group when compared with undiagnosed respondents and controls (33.2 vs 34.5 vs 48.6). Similar findings were obtained for mean Physical Component Summary (49.2 vs 49.5 vs 52.8) and health state utility scores (0.61 vs 0.62 vs 0.76). Additionally, the diagnosed group reported greater absenteeism (13.1 vs 6.6 vs 2.5%), presenteeism (41.4 vs 38.1 vs 18.8%), overall work productivity impairment (47.2 vs 41.1 vs 20.2%), and activity impairment (48.4 vs 43.3 vs 21.1%) than the undiagnosed and control groups, respectively. Consistently, patients with diagnosed depression had higher annual per patient direct (1.6-fold) and indirect costs (1.1-fold) than those in the undiagnosed depression group. Conclusion Diagnosed depression was associated with lower health-related quality of life and greater impairment in work productivity and daily activities, higher health care resource utilization, and higher costs, compared with undiagnosed respondents and controls. These study findings suggest a need for greater awareness of depression symptoms among Japanese adults, which is needed to facilitate proper diagnosis and treatment.
Genetic basis for metronidazole and clarithromycin resistance in Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from patients with gastroduodenal disorders

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance and genetic basis for metronidazole (Mtz) and clarithromycin (Cla) resistance in strains of Helicobacter pylori, isolated from patients with gastroduodenal disorders. Patients and methods A total of 157 H. pylori isolates (from 22 gastric cancer, 38 peptic ulcer disease, and 97 non-ulcer dyspepsia patients) were analyzed for drug susceptibility to Mtz and Cla, by gradient diffusion test (E-test, MAST). The PCR and sequence analysis of the rdxA and frxA for Mtz-resistant strains and the 23S rRNA for Cla-resistant strains were used to determine the genetic basis of drug resistance in H. pylori strains. Increased expression of TolC homologous genes (hefA) that upregulates efflux pump activity was determined in multidrug-resistant (MDR) strain of H. pylori by real-time PCR technique. Results Among 157 H. pylori isolates, 32 (20.4%) strains were resistant to at least one of the antimicrobial agents. The highest resistance rate was attributed to Mtz (n=69, 43.94%). Among the resistant strains of H. pylori, 15 cases (9.55%) were detected as MDR. Mutations in the rdxA (85.5%) and A2143G point mutations (63.1%) in the 23S rRNA were the most common cause of resistance to Mtz and Cla in strains of H. pylori, respectively. In MDR strains, the rdxA mutation and A2143G-point mutation in the 23S rRNA were the most abundant mutations responsible for drug resistance. The relative expression of hefA in MDR strains (mean 3.706) was higher than the susceptible strains (mean 1.07). Conclusion Mutational inactivation and efflux pump overexpression are two mechanisms that increase the resistance to H. pylori antimicrobial agents and the rate of MDR strains. In Iran, the mutations of rdxA and frxA in Mtz-resistant strains and A2143G and A2142G of the 23S rRNA in Cla-resistant strains were significant. The screening for these mutations could help to prevent antibiotic resistance, and to determine the most effective anti-H. pylori drugs.
COPD classification models and mortality prediction capacity

Objective Our aim was to assess the impact of comorbidities on existing COPD prognosis scores. Patients and methods A total of 543 patients with COPD (FEV1 <80% and FEV1/FVC <70%) were included between January 2003 and January 2004. Patients were stable for at least 6 weeks before inclusion and were followed for 5 years without any intervention by the research team. Comorbidities and causes of death were established from medical reports or information from primary care medical records. The GOLD system and the body mass index, obstruction, dyspnea and exercise (BODE) index were used for COPD classification. Patients were also classified into four clusters depending on the respiratory disease and comorbidities. Cluster analysis was performed by combining multiple correspondence analyses and automatic classification. Receiver operating characteristic curves and the area under the curve (AUC) were calculated for each model, and the DeLong test was used to evaluate differences between AUCs. Improvement in prediction ability was analyzed by the DeLong test, category-free net reclassification improvement and the integrated discrimination index. Results Among the 543 patients enrolled, 521 (96%) were male, with a mean age of 68 years, mean body mass index 28.3 and mean FEV1% 55%. A total of 167 patients died during the study follow-up. Comorbidities were prevalent in our cohort, with a mean Charlson index of 2.4. The most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. On comparing the BODE index, GOLDABCD, GOLD2017 and cluster analysis for predicting mortality, cluster system was found to be superior compared with GOLD2017 (0.654 vs 0.722, P=0.006), without significant differences between other classification models. When cardiovascular comorbidities and chronic renal failure were added to the existing scores, their prognostic capacity was statistically superior (P<0.001). Conclusion Comorbidities should be taken into account in COPD management scores due to their prevalence and impact on mortality.
Effect of Hypoxemia in the Determination of Short-Term Prognosis of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patients: A Prospective Study

Background Respiratory failure and hypoxemia are the known complications of anesthesia and surgery. As a major surgery mainly at advanced ages, the coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery could lead to hypoxemia in the early post-operative phase. Currently, the fraction of partial pressure of arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen (PiO2/FiO2) is used to determine the severity of the respiratory assault. Objectives This study aimed to find the effect of hypoxemia measured by PaO2/FiO2 at the first hour following CABG in the determination of short-term prognosis of CABG. Methods Being approved by a local ethics committee, this observational cross-sectional study was conducted in 212 patients undergoing CABG on the cardiopulmonary pump, with no concurrent surgery or other cardiac pathologies. Factors like age, sex, weight, height, the duration of pump and cross-clamp, as well as other medical conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes mellitus (DM), opioid use, ejection fraction (EF), and creatinine clearance (CrCl) before the surgery were brought into consideration as possible confounders. The ratio of PiO2/FiO2 in the first hour after the surgery was measured, and its effect on intubation time and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay was evaluated as the primary outcomes. The t-test and chi-squared were used to compare quantitative and qualitative variables, respectively. The repeated measures ANOVA test was used to compare the means. Results There was no significant relationship between hypoxemia measured as the ratio of PaO2/FiO2 and the duration of ICU length of stay (P value = 0.220) and the total intubation time (P value = 0.661). Among the qualitative variables, just opium addiction in patients with PaO2/FiO2 > 300 was associated with significantly longer intubation time (P value = 0.016). Furthermore, in the quantitative variables, longer intubation time was associated with higher cross-clamp time (P value = 0.035) in hypoxemia in the range of ARDS patients. Conclusions Hypoxemia after the CABG surgery is common and does not affect the short-term prognosis of CABG patients.
Exploring Gamification for Reinforcing Geometrical Concepts and Skills at the Primary Level in Trinidad: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study

Though games have had popular use in primary schools over time, there is increased interest in using elements of gaming in the classroom to promote motivation and thinking skills. This paper reports on a mixed methods intervention pilot study in one primary school in Trinidad that explored the effects of a gamified classroom on reinforcing geometric concepts and skills. Familiar learning tools, like tangrams and origami, were used. A non-equivalent control group mixed method design was used with both groups taking the pre- and post-tests. Only the experimental group used the gamified activities. Qualitative data were obtained from the experimental group teacher’s interview and observational notes, and analysed to reveal three interpretive themes about students’ perspectives: favourable, unfavourable and change. Overall, students reported that games made mathematics easier to remember. The teacher reported high student engagement, collaborative problem solving, and respectful competition among teams. Quantitative data were obtained from a pre/post achievement test. Analyses reveal significant differences in the experimental group’s pre-test and post-test scores. Results from the pilot study were instrumental in developing the gamification approach for the larger study of 10 primary schools.
Determinants of self-medication among undergraduate students at King Saud University: Knowledge, attitude and practice

Background and Objectives: In Saudi Arabia, most drugs can be obtained from pharmacies without a professional prescription, and despite the prevalence of self-medication, few comprehensive studies were conducted to assess this practice. This study was performed to evaluate self-medication and its pattern among different groups of King Saud University students. Materials and Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2014 to April 2015. The targeted population of the study was 477 out of 35,810 undergraduate medical and non-medical students at King Saud University. Data were analysed using SPSS (21.0), and descriptive statistics was used to describe the categorical study and outcome variables. Chi-square test was used to compare the distribution of proportions. Results: The prevalence of self-medication within the study period was 50.9% of the respondents (45.18% male and 54.02% female). Cold and flu symptoms were the most common indication among medical (74%) and non-medical students (88.2%). Bacterial and viral infections (P = 0.001) were a common indication among the medical students (19.4%). Analgesics (P = 0.333) was the most common drug used in self-medication among medical (89.7%) and non-medical students (85.3%). Aspirin (P = 0.013) and herbals (P = 0.0001) were reported to be predominantly used by the non-medical students. Conclusion: Half of the respondents practice self-medication; which demonstrates the need to raise public awareness, becoming more conscious during drug utilisation and the pharmacists' advisory role. In addition, further studies should be conducted to assess the herbals' practice in our community as their use was reported to be high in the results.
An Experiential Online Training Approach for Underrepresented Engineering and Technology Students

Workforce pipelines are essential to sustain a productive workforce in an increasingly competitive, high-tech environment. Advanced automation, sensors, materials and data analytics will increase the need for highly skilled workers in the manufacturing (and manufactured construction) sector. Attracting and developing the next-generation workforce is not without its challenges; however, students are often deficient in technical skills and generally have negative perceptions about manufacturing and construction. As a result, new education and training models have been developed to provide instruction at all levels of the educational system, with a focus on both traditional students and non-traditional students, including ethnic minorities, women, veterans, disabled persons and older adult learners. This study focused specifically on certain underrepresented students in STEM programs offered at community colleges in the Great Plains region of the U.S. An available online training program by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers was used as a contextualized online training tool. The Learning Management System embedded in this online training tool was used to gather student data. Conducting multiple regression analyses on the test outcomes, completion rates, and improvement between post-test and pre-test scores showed that female participants achieved greater improvement between pre- and post-test scores than males, and achieved higher rates of credentialing compared to all other demographic groups. African American participants achieved greatest improvement between pre- and post-test scores than all other ethnic groups while Hispanics achieved higher rates of module completion. Additionally, this study also examines the background related to contextualized teaching and learning, as well as the effectiveness of this delivery method for these underrepresented populations.
SERVIÇO DE EMERGÊNCIA PSIQUIÁTRICA EM HOSPITAL GERAL: ESTUDO RETROSPECTIVO

O Servico de Emergencia Psiquiatrica em Hospital Geral (SEPHG) e uma proposta articulada ao movimento da reforma psiquiatrica. Objetivou-se caracterizar os clientes com sofrimento psiquico assistidos no SEPHG Dr. Estevam, em Sobral-CE. Estudo do tipo documental com abordagem quantitativa envolvendo 191 clientes atendidos no SEPHG no periodo de janeiro a dezembro de 2007. Os dados foram coletados a partir de um livro de registro, cujas informacoes nele contidas foram retiradas dos prontuarios dos clientes. Observou-se predominio de pacientes do sexo masculino (70,15%), com idade entre 30-49 anos (48,71%) e solteiros (74,86%). A maioria era proveniente da cidade de Sobral (69,64 %). Em 42,40% dos casos, o diagnostico foi transtorno do uso de alcool. Grande parte da clientela (66,50%) deu entrada no servico por demanda espontânea. Apos avaliacao do SEPHG, 43,45% desses clientes foram encaminhados ao CAPS–ad. Pelos resultados depreende-se quao imprescindiveis sao os servicos de saude mental.
Uncovering the Associations between Child Sexual Abuse, Peer Victimization and Behavior Problems Using Child, Parent and Teacher Reports

ABSTRACT Sexual abuse and peer victimization often co-occur and generate similar repercussions. The current study aimed to determine the extent to which child sexual abuse is associated to peer victimization. The unique contribution of these two distinct forms of victimization to the prediction of behavior problems was also investigated in a sample of 532 school-aged victims of sexual abuse and non-victims. Child sexual abuse was associated with a two-fold increased risk of peer victimization, as evaluated by the parent and the teacher. Results revealed that parent and teacher reports of peer victimization, but not the child’s, were associated with higher levels of internalized and externalized behavior problems, beyond the effect of child sexual abuse. The results suggest that child sexual abuse and peer victimization have unique and cumulative effects on behavior problems in children.
Student Incivility and Its Impact on Nursing Faculty and the Nursing Profession

Student Incivility and Its Impact on Nursing Faculty and the Nursing Profession by Tamara Lynette Williams MSN, Walden University, 2009 BSN, Concordia University, 1998 Project Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University April 2017 Abstract Incivility disrupts the learning environment for nursing students and faculty, and contributes to the national nursing shortage since many nursing faculty reportedly leave academia because of disruptive student behaviors. Academic leaders at a midwestern college of nursing are concerned by the increasing number of students engaging in uncivil behaviors and are seeking solutions. Using Clark’s conceptual model, whichIncivility disrupts the learning environment for nursing students and faculty, and contributes to the national nursing shortage since many nursing faculty reportedly leave academia because of disruptive student behaviors. Academic leaders at a midwestern college of nursing are concerned by the increasing number of students engaging in uncivil behaviors and are seeking solutions. Using Clark’s conceptual model, which holds that incivility can be mitigated with effective communication and engagement, this qualitative case study was designed to understand what faculty perceive as the cause of student incivility, and what actions they believe would decrease these uncivil behaviors. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with 10 purposefully selected faculty members who met the established criteria for participation. The data were transcribed, member checked, and coded for emerging themes. Coding was completed using an open and axial coding process. Nursing faculty communicated a lack of knowledge regarding how to address student incivility, and expressed not feeling properly skilled to defuse uncivil encounters. Five major themes emerged, as follows: classroom expectations, caring culture, organizational support, orientation, and student entitlement. A 3-day professional development workshop on managing student disruptive behaviors and promoting civility within the learning environment was developed as the project outcome. Addressing incivility by learning effective ways to respond, manage, and diminish disruptive behaviors has the potential to positively impact the nursing profession, the patients in nurses’ care, and the healthcare system. Student Incivility and Its Impact on Nursing Faculty and the Nursing Profession by Tamara Lynette Williams MSN, Walden University, 2009 BSN, Concordia University, 1998 Project Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of