Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of HUMAC training on balance and range of motion in an Achilles tendon repair patient: A case study

Introduction: A tear or rupture in the Achilles tendon may require surgery and extensive rehabilitation to fully recover. Balance training is an important aspect of rehabilitation of an Achilles tendon repair. The HUMAC balance board system provides multiple training programs as well as balance tests to utilize in a therapy program. Although, the influence of a 10-week HUMAC balance board training intervention on balance and range of motion (ROM) in an Achilles tendon repair patient was unclear. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of a 10-week HUMAC therapy intervention on balance and ROM in an Achilles tendon repair patient. Methods: One Achilles tendon repair patient who was receiving rehabilitation at a physical therapy clinic in central Florida took part in this study. The participant completed the HUMAC m-CTSIB and BESS testing weekly and utilized various HUMAC programs for balance rehabilitation at least twice a week. ROM was also measured. Descriptive statistics and t-tests with an alpha level of 0.05 were used in data analysis. Results: After the training, the average score for the pre-test on the m-CTSIB was 144.4 and declined to 142.8 (p < 0.153). The average number of errors for the pre-test on the BESS was 3.71 errors and declined to 1.71 errors (p < 0.046). Plantarflexion ROM increased to 32 degrees (23.1% change), dorsiflexion increased to 28 degrees (380% change), and inversion increased to 24 degrees (20.0% change). Eversion slightly decreased to 22 degrees (-8.3% change). Conclusions: Based on the results of the BESS, ROM measurements, as well as the path length and velocity aspects of the m-CTSIB, a 10-week HUMAC therapy intervention helps return a patient to normal functioning in an Achilles tendon repair therapy program.
A revision of the endemic South African spider genus Austrachelas , with its transfer to the Gallieniellidae (Arachnida: Araneae)

The endemic South African spider genus Austrachelas Lawrence, 1938 is revised. The type species, A. incertus Lawrence, 1938, and A. natalensis Lawrence, 1942, are redescribed, and their males described for the first time. Seven new species are described: A. bergi n. sp. (female only), A. kalaharinus n. sp. (male only), A. merwei n. sp. (both sexes), A. pondoensis n. sp. (both sexes), A. reavelli n. sp. (both sexes), A. sexoculata n. sp. (male only), and A. wassenaari n. sp. (both sexes). A cladistic analysis performed including Austrachelas and various species of the corinnid subfamilies Trachelinae, Castianeirinae, Corinninae and Phrurolithinae, and species from the Liocranidae, Gallieniellidae, Gnaphosidae and Lamponidae, suggests that Austrachelas is currently misplaced. Its transfer to the Gallieniellidae is proposed.
Psychological profiles after percutaneous coronary intervention : Explaining heterogeneity

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Multiwavelength fluorescence studies of Bacillus bacterial spores

Fluorescence techniques are being considered for the detection and identification of bacterial spores. This thesis sets out to empirically characterize the detailed autofluorescence spectroscopic properties of spores and their target molecules. The multiwavelength fluorescence studies from a unique endogenous biomarker, dipicolinic acid (DPA) and its calcium salt (CaDPA) in bacterial spores are found to be useful for fluorescence characterization of spores. A systematic determination of the fluorescence profile of the major chemical components of Bacillus spores and the effect of UV irradiation on them has been performed in dry samples, wet paste and in aqueous solution. The thesis applies reliable tools for accurately describing complex nature of spectral profile from bacterial spores, and for interpreting and identifying their spectral properties. We show that multiwavelength fluorescence technique combined with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) clearly indicates identifiable grouping among dry and wet Bacillus spore species. Differences are also observed between dried, wet and redried spores, indicating the stark effect of hydration on fluorescence fingerprints. The study revealed that changes in fluorescence of spores due to hydration/drying were reversible and supports a recent model of a dynamic and dormant spore structure. The spectra were analysed with PCA, revealing several spectroscopically characteristic features enabling spore species separation. The identified spectral features could be attributed to specific spore chemical components by comparing the spore sample signals with spectra obtained from the target molecules. PCA indicated underlying spectral patterns strongly related to species and the derived components were correlated with the chemical composition of the spore samples. More importantly, we examined and compared the fluorescence of normal spores with a mutant of the same strain whose spores lack DPA. We discovered that the dramatic fluorescence enhancement of Bacillus spores can be caused by UV irradiation in the spectral region of this unique biomarker without any pre treatment. Differences between spectra of spores, spore strains and other biological samples are very marked and are due to the dominance of the dipicolinate features in the spore spectra. This could lead to a cheap, more sensitive, faster and reagentless bacterial spore detector. Index Heading: Fluorescence; Excitation-Emission matrix; Hydration; Bacterial spores; Principal Components Analysis; Dipicolinic acid; UV irradiation
A Study of the Biological Significance of a Male Color Polymorphism in the Lizard Sceloporus minor

of a dissertation at the University of Miami. Dissertation supervised by Professor Richard Tokarz. No. of pages in text. (187) Males of the Mexican lizard Sceloporus minor (Phrynosomatidae) exhibit striking variation in dorsal coloration, both within and among populations, which may have arisen by sexual selection. The possible significance of this trait was investigated through a combination of observational and experimental approaches. This research revealed that males in one population (La Manzana) in NW Hidalgo exhibit three discrete color morphs (blue, yellow, red) each characterized by morphological, physiological and behavioral differences. Furthermore, these morphs can be identified by an objective approach to color assessment (spectroradiometry). In addition, males in a second population (Escalerillas) from SE San Luis Potosí were also found to occur in at least two color morphs (yellow and red), suggesting that color polymorphism may be general in this species. The hypothesis of sensory exploitation by male contest competition was tested for S. minor from Escalerillas; however, no support for this hypothesis was found. Overall, results from this study are consistent with the hypothesis of alternative reproductive tactics in S. minor.
Aetiology of acute pyogenic meningitis in children in a tertiary care hospital, Kerala

INTRODUCTION: Acute bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency, and the diagnosis is by culture of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In this study, we looked at the changing aetiology of acute pyogenic meningitis in the context of the availability of several vaccines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aim of this study was to find out the aetiology and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of acute pyogenic meningitis in children between one month and 12 years in one year in a tertiary care centre. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Medical College Hospital, Trivandrum, in collaboration with Department of Paediatrics, SATH, Trivandrum and Christian Medical College, Vellore. CSF samples were processed by doing Gram-staining and culture in appropriate media. Latex agglutination test (LAT) and PCR were done in all cases for the primary pathogens. Blood culture and sensitivity were also done for all patients. RESULTS: Streptococcus pneumoniae (62.5%) was the most common aetiological agent for acute bacterial meningitis followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae subspp pneumoniae, Group B haemolytic Streptococci and Elizabethkingia meningosepticum. LAT could pick up one culture negative case of pneumococcal meningitis. Blood culture was positive in 37.5% of CSF culture positive cases.
Medically unexplained syndromes: irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue

SUMMARY This is a review of three of the more common medically unexplained syndromes that present for treatment to liaison psychiatry services in general medical hospitals: chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome. The three are interrelated, extremely disabling and comorbid mood disorders are frequent. In general, treatment, whether psychological or medical, has very modest impact. The disputed classification of medically unexplained syndromes is also reviewed. There is a clear gulf between the views and experiences of patients with these syndromes and the medical establishment. In this article I summarise give the evidence for pharmacological, psychosocial and ‘alternative’ or ‘complementary’ interventions for a range of disorders, about which there is some dispute. I leave it to the reader to decide which interventions hold the most promise. LEARNING OBJECTIVES • To become aware of the high prevalence of medically unexplained syndromes• To review the effectiveness of treatment of medically unexplained syndromes• To be familiar with the conflict between health professionals and patients and the difficulty this continues to create DECLARATION OF INTEREST None.
Cancer symptom response as an oncology clinical trial end point

ABSTRACT Introduction: A critical challenge in oncology is interpreting clinical trial results to inform clinical decision making. Clinical trials typically focus on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) as primary end points, which do not reflect early signs of meaningful patient benefit or harm. Cancer symptom response (CSR) can provide information about early treatment response, and studies show that CSR predicts long-term health outcomes. Areas covered: CSR requires careful consideration of its measurement and interpretation to facilitate integration into clinical practice. We describe considerations for the evaluation, analysis, and interpretation of CSR in clinical trials. To illustrate the potential clinical value of CSR, a retrospective analysis of a three-arm randomized cooperative-group clinical trial was performed. Expert commentary: Evaluation of CSR provides a meaningful assessment of early cancer treatment effects. It can act as an early signal of disease progression and death and thus can identify which patients with stable disease will have a more favorable prognosis. Future research will include development of methods for more accurate assessment of CSR, reduction of the number of symptoms used as signals for disease progression or survival by tumor type, and statistical methods that effectively correct for missing data and informative censoring.
Aspects of joint protection education in people with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective: To systematically review educational or psycho-educational interventions for patients with rheumatoid arthritis focusing on long-term effects, especially health status. Methods: Two independent reviewers appraised the methodologic quality of the included randomized controlled trials, published between 1980 and July 2002. Results: Validity scores of studies ranged from 3 to 9 (of 11). The 7 educational programs mainly improved knowledge and compliance in the short and long term, but there was no improvement in health status. All 4 psycho-educational programs improved coping behavior in the short term, 2 of them showing a positive long-term effect on physical or psychological health variables. Conclusion: Methodologically better-designed studies had more difficulties demonstrating positive outcome results. Short-term effects in program targets are generally observed, whereas long-term changes in health status are not convincingly demonstrated. There is a need to find better strategies to enhance the transfer of short-term effects into gains in health status.
In vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of ethanolic extracts from whole plants of three Impatiens species (balsaminaceae)

Context: Plants of Impatiens genus are recognized source of extracts with antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, including I. balsamina(Sanskrit name: Tairini), a plant traditionally used in Asia to treat infections and inflammation. However, there is little information related to activities of whole plant extracts. Aim: To investigate the in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the ethanolic extract from whole plant of I. balsamina, I. hawkeri and I. walleriana. Methods: Whole plant material of each species was macerated with ethanol (80% v/v). Phytochemical screening was applied for detection of different metabolites. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC) were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods respectively. In vitro antioxidant properties were evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, potassium ferricyanide antioxidant reducing power (PFRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. In vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus(ATCC 29737), Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228), Streptococcus pyogenes (ATCC 19615), Streptococcus pneumoniae (clinical isolate), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027), Escherichia coli(ATCC 10536), Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) and Aspergillus niger (ATCC 16404) using microdilution assay for minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assessment. Statistical Analysis Used: Results were expressed as mean ± SD. Data obtained were analyzed statistically using ANOVA (one-way) followed by Tukey's post hoc test. Correlation analyses were performed using Pearson correlation test. Results: I. hawkeri extract showed the highest phenolic content (TPC: 44.04 mg GAE/g; TFC: 55, 02 mg QE/g) and was the most antioxidant extract. I. balsamina extract was the most active against all Gram positive bacteria (MIC: 2.5-10 mg/ml) tested and> over C. albicans (MIC: 10 mg/ml). This extract also showed the widest antimicrobial spectrum. Conclusions: The evaluated Impatiens whole plant extracts are also promising sources of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents.
Factors Affecting Birth Preparedness among Pregnant Women Attending Public Antenatal Clinics in Migori County, Kenya

Background: Death of a pregnant woman is very devastating for the family and the community at large. Most of the causes of death are preventable through various strategies such as birth preparedness. When there is preparation early in advance, delays which can lead to morbidities or mortalities can be averted. Despite the strategy being in place for over 20 years, there are factors which affect its practice. This study sought to establish the factors affecting birth preparedness among pregnant women attending public antenatal clinics in Maori County. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study employing quantitative method though use of interviewer-administered questionnaire and qualitative method using focus group discussion. The study was carried out among pregnant women attending public ANC clinics in Migori County. Data analyzed using Strata version 11software. Results: The factors which affected birth preparedness were marital status (p=0.004), residence (p<0.001), maternal occupation (p=0.01) and the partner’s level of education (p=0.001). Also, the type of health facility attended by the respondent was significantly associated with birth preparedness (p<0.001). Conclusion: There are socio-demographic, economic and socio-cultural factors affecting birth preparedness.
Consumption of Sweets as a Risk Factor for Diabetes Mellitus among Adults in Odisha-A Cross-sectional Study

Background moderate workers group, 12% were at high risk and 44% were at moderate risk. Among heavy workers population, there was none in a high-risk category and only 12% were found to have a moderate risk. The relative risks of people consuming sweets with IDRS score >30 (with risk) were 1.25, 1.07 and 0.54 in sedentary, moderate and heavy workers respectively. Interpretations and Conclusions: The proportion of sweets intake, reduced physical activity and significant family history were associated with diabetic risk. Educating the population about diets having low glycaemic index and incorporating healthy food and exercise as a habit will go a long way in abetting the rising incidence of diabetes.
The (in)visible ‘mother’: Diabetes specialist nurses in Swedish primary healthcare

This study aimed to explore how diabetes specialist nurses (DSNs) discursively construct and reconstruct their professional position in their working relationships with physicians and thereby the relation with patients in primary healthcare in Sweden. Twenty-nine DSNs working in diabetes care from 21 primary healthcare centres were included in focus-group interviews. The interviews were analysed using discourse analysis. From a social constructionist perspective, findings showed that the working relationship between the DSNs, physicians and thereby the relation with patients was discursively constructed as a relationship within a gendered discourse. The DSNs constructed their subject position metaphorically as ‘mothers’ in this relationship. The construction of doing gender implies that the DSNs became visible as biological women, but invisible in being perceived as competent, well-educated professionals, because skills such as multitasking and versatility are often associated with female abilities.
ProteomicsDB

Abstract ProteomicsDB (https://www.ProteomicsDB.org) is a protein-centric in-memory database for the exploration of large collections of quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics data. ProteomicsDB was first released in 2014 to enable the interactive exploration of the first draft of the human proteome. To date, it contains quantitative data from 78 projects totalling over 19k LC–MS/MS experiments. A standardized analysis pipeline enables comparisons between multiple datasets to facilitate the exploration of protein expression across hundreds of tissues, body fluids and cell lines. We recently extended the data model to enable the storage and integrated visualization of other quantitative omics data. This includes transcriptomics data from e.g. NCBI GEO, protein–protein interaction information from STRING, functional annotations from KEGG, drug-sensitivity/selectivity data from several public sources and reference mass spectra from the ProteomeTools project. The extended functionality transforms ProteomicsDB into a multi-purpose resource connecting quantification and meta-data for each protein. The rich user interface helps researchers to navigate all data sources in either a protein-centric or multi-protein-centric manner. Several options are available to download data manually, while our application programming interface enables accessing quantitative data systematically.
Impact of Metabolic-Syndrome Risk Factors on the Absenteeism of Health Workers from a Brazilian University Hospital

Objective: Analyzing the association between Metabolic Syndrome (MS) risk factors and work absenteeism due to illnesses among University Hospital employees in Salvador City, Bahia, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study comprised 1173 Bahia Federal University Hospital employees: 57.3% of them were federal employees (statutory officers) and 42.7% were civil servants (CLT employees). Participants were in the age group 41.5 years: 69.4% were female and 30.6% were male. Results: MS prevalence in employees reached 6.6%; women accounted for 69.7% of the total. The percentage increases with age and has similar proportion among directcare providers and ancillary supports personnel, 40.8% and 39.5%, respectively. The risk factor analysis showed 25% hypertension, 54.6% weight excess (18.4% obese and 36.2% overweight patients), 20% hypercholesterolemia, 9.9% hypertriglyceridemia and 6.5% diabetes mellitus prevalence. Absenteeism longer than one day within the studied population reached 40.1%. Osteoarticular diseases were the most common reason for absenteeism, accounting for 50.7% of it: 62.6% of whom were either overweight or obese. The mean cost with absenteeism per employee was R$5492.87 ($2347.00 US Dollars), and it corresponds to annual cost of R 2,587,139.53 ($1,105,610.00 US Dollars). The highest cost with absenteeism caused by illnesses was recorded for female workers; for federal employees who were patient caregivers, who worked in the Pediatric Centre and who worked at night shifts. Conclusion: The high Metabolic Syndrome risk factors and overweight incidence are responsible for the increased costs faced by hospitals due to high absenteeism rates.
Indwelling pleural catheters for recurrent pleural effusions: A useful clinical tool with serious implications

Background: Indwelling pleural catheters (IPC) have been used increasingly in patients with recurrent pleural effusions. However, data about mortality after IPC use are limited. Objectives: We sought to determine the natural history following IPC placement in Lubbock, Texas, in terms of life expectancy and pleurodesis rates in patients with both malignant and benign effusions. Methods: A retrospective review of patients who had IPC insertion from March 2014 through December 2016 at University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas, was performed. Patients 18 years and older who had IPC placement for recurrent pleural effusions were included. The duration of IPC placement, the type of pleural effusion, the volume of fluid, pleurodesis, complications, and mortality after IPC placement were retrieved from electronic medical records. Results: There were 45 patients included in the study; 20 patients (44%) were male, and 25 patients (56%) were female. The mean age was 63.5 years old. There were 33 patients with malignant pleural effusion and 12 patients with benign pleural effusion. No patients with malignant effusion were known to be alive at the time of mortality calculation, whereas two patients with benign effusion were known to be alive. Median survival was 468 days in the benign effusion group and 115 days in the malignant effusion group. The 30-day mortality was not significantly different between the two groups (malignant 34.5% vs. benign 25.0%). However, 1-year mortality was significantly higher in the malignant effusion group (89.7%) than in the benign effusion group (41.7%) (p < 0.005). Conclusion: The use of indwelling pleural catheters in Lubbock, Texas, has comparable results to published studies. These catheters should be considered as a bridge to a long-term treatment rather than a definitive therapy.