Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dependence on Walking Aids at 2- And 5-Years after Total Hip Arthroplasty is ssociated with Pain and Mobility Limitation

Objective: To assess the association of dependence on walking aids at 2- and 5-years after total hip arthroplasty (THA) with pain and function outcomes. Methods: We used the Mayo Clinic Total Joint Registry to study patients who underwent primary or revision THA between 1993-2005 and completed a 2-year or 5-year Mayo Hip Survey consisting of pain and function assessments. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression assessed the associations, adjusting for clinical/ demographic variables and preoperative pain and function. Results: Primary THA cohort had 5,707 patients at 2-year and 3,289 at 5-years; revision THA included 2,667 patients at 2-year and 1,627 patients at 5-years. Compared to patients with no dependence on walking aids, patients with some dependence or complete dependence on walking aids, respectively, had significantly higher odds (95% confidence interval) of: (1) moderate- severe pain post-primary THA at 2-years: 3.40 (2.06, 5.62) and 4.79 (2.88, 7.97); (2) moderate-severe pain post-primary THA at 5-years: 3.92 (2.21, 6.95) and 3.47 (1.97, 6.11); (3) moderate-severe pain post-revision THA at 2-years, 4.67 (2.76, 7.91) and 2.95 (1.65, 5.27); (4) moderate-severe pain post-revision THA at 5-years: 3.95 (1.86, 8.38) and 5.16 (2.59, 10.3); (5) moderate-severe mobility limitation post-primary THA at 2-years: 10.7 (6.78, 17.0) and 14.2 (8.32, 24.3); (6) moderate-severe mobility limitation postprimary THA at 5-years: 13.2 (7.34, 23.7) and 21.4 (10.6, 43.2); (7) moderate-severe mobility limitation postrevision THA at 2-years: 4.90 (2.87, 8.37) and 8.26 (4.12, 16.6); (8) moderate-severe mobility limitation postrevision THA at 5-years: 5.12 (2.32, 11.3) and 10.1 (4.53, 22.7), respectively. Conclusions: Post-THA dependence on walking aids at 2- and 5-years was associated with worse pain and function outcomes post-THA.
A content analysis of articles focusing on single-case research design: ACA journals between 2003 and 2014

ABSTRACT This content analysis presents an overview of single-case-specific articles published between 2003 and 2014 in 20 American Counselling Association (ACA) journals. In addition to the frequency of single-case design articles, contributors and their affiliation, methodological design, participant populations, and topics of interest and application settings are analysed.
Minder neonatale morbiditeit na electieve sectio caesarea vanaf een amenorroeduur van 39 weken

To assess the effect of a local guideline advising elective caesarean section without maternal comorbidity at a gestational age of >or= 39+0 weeks. Retrospective cohort study. Children born by elective caesarean section in the period 2003-2007 at the VUmc with a gestational age >or= 37+0 weeks and without maternal comorbidity were included. Respiratory complications, length of hospital stay, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), respiratory support and medication were recorded from charts of admitted children. These data were compared with data collected in 1994-1998 before implementation of the local guideline. In 2003-2007, 501 children were born from 486 elective caesarean sections. In 1994-1998, 333 children were born from 324 elective caesarean sections. In 2003-2007, mean maternal age was younger, local anaesthesia more frequent, elective caesarean section was more often performed at >or= 39+0 weeks (p <0.001) and the birth weight was higher. In 2003-2007, fewer infants were admitted to an NICU than in 1994-1998 (6/501 versus 17/333, p <0.001), of whom fewer infants were born with gestational age <or= 39+0 weeks (50% versus 94%, p = 0.04). In 2003-2007, respiratory morbidity was lower in the group with gestational age 38+0/7-38+6 weeks than in 1994-1998. This is explained by the higher number of elective caesarean sections performed at gestational age of 38+4/7-38+6 weeks in 2003-2007 (63%) compared with 1994-1998 (28%; p <0.001). After correction for confounders, the odds ratio for developing respiratory morbidity in 2003-2007 was 0.27 compared with 1994-1998 (95% CI: 0.10-0.70). Implementation of the guideline reduced elective caesarean sections before a gestational age of 39+0 weeks and consequently reduced neonatal respiratory morbidity
Oesophagectomy without thoracotomy : First 250 patients

But : Evaluer la morbidite, la mortalite, et le taux de guerison apres oesophagectomie sans thoracotomie pour cancer de l'oesophage. Type d'etude : Audit prospectif. Provenance : Hopital universitaire, Inde. Patients : Deux cent cinquante patients consecutifs ayant eu une oesophagectomie sans thoracotomie avec anastomose oesogastrique cervicale pour un cancer de l'oesophage, de Decembre 1986 a Juin 1993. Methodes : Oesophagectomie sans thoracotomie. Principaux criteres de jugement : La morbidite et la mortalite. Resultats : La mortalite a ete de 6% (14/250) et il y a eu 35 paralysies recurrentielles (14%), 38 desunions anastomotiques (15%), 8 insuffisances respiratoires (3%), 44 stenoses anastomotiques (18%), et 3 recidives anastomotiques (1%). Le taux de survie actuarielle etait de 45% a un an et de 5% a 5 ans. Conclusions : A condition d'etre realisee avec soins, l'oesophagectomie sans thoracotomie est un procede fiable et bien tolere, pour le traitement des cancers de l'oesophage. L'absence de thoracotomie, une marge de securite suffisante en hauteur, siege cervical de l'anastomose, et la reduction de la duree operatoire en sont les principaux avantages.
Repositioning an Old Anti-Alcoholism Drug: Disulfiram as a Selective,Effective and Economical Anticancer Agent

Disulfiram (tetra ethyl thiuram disulfide, or DSF), is a disulfide derivative of N, N-diethyl dithiocarbamate (DEDTC). DSF is an FDA approved drug for the treatment of alcoholism, and at low doses continues to be a useful treatment option for those suffering from the disease. DSF is a member of the dithiocarbamate family, and is thus a metal chelator. Many cancer cells have elevated levels of copper, a metal to which DSF can bind. Thus, DSF is of great interest in cancer research as an antitumor agent, as studies suggest the DSF-copper complex may be cytotoxic to cancer cells. This could allow for targeting of some types of cancer cells with elevated copper levels by DSF.
The Bayesian approach

'The problem of diagnosis has been solved, in principle, by the Bayesian approach. ' This is a remark that I heard made wo or three years ago by an operations research worker in the medical field. 'The foundation stone of the Bayesian approach is a subjective interpretation of probability'‐G. J. Glasser,5 vice chairman of a university department of business statistics.
Effect of fasting in Ramadan on plasma lipoproteins and apoproteins

Controle de la concentration du cholesterol et des triglycerides dans les fractions lipoproteiques principales chez 30 sujets volontaires en bonne sante au debut et a la fin du Ramadan. On constate une augmentation du cholesterol plasmatique ainsi qu'une augmentation dans les fractions lipoproteiques de basse et tres basse densite les triglycerides augmentent egalement par contre, on constate une diminution importante du taux d'apoproteines. Les medecins travaillant dans les pays islamiques doivent savoir que le jeune du Ramadan a une incidence sur certains resultats biologiques
Clinical Study of Causative Factors, Precautionary Measures and the Treatment of Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) in Elective General Surgery Cases at Dr B.R.AMCH

Introduction: Surgical Site Infections (SSI) still remains a significant problem following an operation and the third most frequently reported nosocomial infections. SSI contributes significantly to increased health care costs in terms of prolonged hospital stay and lost work days. Objective: The current study was undertaken to identify incidence of SSI and the risk factors associated with it, and the common organism isolated and its antibiotic sensitivity and resistance. Material and Methods: A total number of 3211 patients admitted in general surgical wards for elective surgery in the study period, out of which 1225 were clean and clean contaminated cases, fulfilling our study criteria. Totally 56 cases had surgical site infections which had been taken up for this study. Wound discharges were sent for culture and sensitivity. Results and Conclusions: The overall infection rate was 4.57%. The SSI rate was almost equal in clean surgeries and clean contaminated ones. Superficial surgical site infections in the most commonest type and accounted for about 66.07% of all the SSI’s and deep surgical site infection accounted for about 25% with 8.92% was organ space. The most commonly isolated organism from surgical site infections was staphylococcus aureus followed by pseudomonas and then E. coli. Drains, prosthesis usage and other risk factors of SSI have been identified. Most of the organisms which were isolated were multidrug resistant. The high rate of resistance to many antibiotics underscored the need for a policy that could promote a more rational use of antibiotics. Key-wordsSurgical site infections, National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) risk index, Antibiotic prophylaxis -------------------------------------------------IJLSSR----------------------------------------------INTRODUCTION Surgical site infections are the commonest nosocomial infections which significantly prolong the duration of hospitalization, thus adding the economic burden. Surgical infections are those that occur as a result of a surgical procedure or those that require surgical intervention as part of their treatment. Access this article online Quick Response Code: Website:
Influence of Age, Gender and School Class of Nigerian Secondary School Students on Their Attitude towards Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Objective: The aim of this study was to find out the influence of age, gender and school class on the attitude of secondary school students towards cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Materials and Methods: The pretest-posttest design type of quasi-experimental study was adopted with participants drawn from both public and private senior secondary schools in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, South-South, Nigeria. Three hundred and thirty two (322) participants (155 males, 167 females) with two age groups (Group 1, 12-15 year-olds) and (Group 2, 16-19 year-olds) from senior secondary class 1 (SS1) and senior secondary class 2 (SS2) were assessed on their attitude towards CPR using the same questionnaire before CPR training, immediately after CPR training and six weeks post CPR training. Parametric and non-parametric statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: While age was found to have statistically significant influence on the attitude of the participants towards CPR (P < 0.05), gender and school class did not. Conclusions / Recommendations: Although gender and school class did not influence attitude of the participants towards CPR, there is need for a similar study in a Muslim-dominated part of the country due to the different religious and socio-cultural background.
“One size fits all, depending on the situation”: HIV counseling on disclosure to sexual partners

ABSTRACT The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that HIV care providers apply cultural competency when counseling clients about partner notification. In this study, we analyzed transcription data from HIV providers in Alabama (N = 27) and North Carolina (N = 20) using a constant-comparative method to determine whether providers tailored their messages to the demographics of their clientele. Most HIV providers (76.5%) stated that client demographics did not affect their counseling style, but instead emphasized “individual circumstances” or “one-size-fits-all” approaches to advising clients about partner notification. These results suggest that HIV providers do not approach disclosure counseling with cultural awareness.
The risk factors associated with complications of coronary angiogram: A cross-sectional observational study

Background: Over the years, coronary angiogram (CAG) has evolved to become indispensable diagnostic and therapeutic procedure for coronary artery disease (CAD). The procedure even though minimally invasive with shorter length of hospital stay and low cost has some risk for morbidity and even mortality. Large extents of the risks are dependent on the clinical status of the patient at the time of the study and comorbid illness. Aims: The present study was planned to assess the complications and to identify the risk factors associated with complications among patients undergoing CAG for CAD. Methods: A cross-sectional observational design was used in 250 patients who underwent diagnostic or interventional procedure of CAG through either transradial or femoral route. The convenience sampling technique was used to select the study sample. Results: Majority (32.8%) of the patients were in the age group of 50-59 years, followed by 28.0% of the patients in the age group of 60-69 years. Male preponderance was noted (87.6%). About 6.8% of the participants had developed complications, among them 4.4% had hematoma, 1.2% had vasovagal reactions, and 1.2% had periprocedural myocardial infarction. History of current smoking was identified as risk factor for complications (P< 0.05). The risk of complications was higher in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients, (odds ratio 6.21 [1.96-19.68] at 95% confidence interval) and who had femoral access site (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Even as the improved patient outcome is seen with cardiac catheterization, it is not totally free from risk. Newer strategies such as radial approach have managed to reduce the risks considerably. History of smoking, femoral access, and PCI were identified as risk factor for complications following CAG.
Evaluating the Relationships Among Teacher Characteristics, Implementation Factors, and Student Outcomes of Children Participating in an Experiential School-Based Nutrition Program

The purpose of this study was to examine whether teacher characteristics and implementation factors influenced the effectiveness of a multicomponent nutrition education program to improve nutrition-related knowledge and behavior among fourth-grade children. Schools implemented the Shaping Healthy Choices Program (SHCP), a multicomponent nutrition intervention, during 2013-2014. Fourth-grade teachers (n = 8) at two schools facilitated nutrition education using an experiential, garden-enhanced nutrition curriculum among students (n = 173) in their classrooms. Teacher characteristics of teaching experience, self-efficacy in teaching nutrition, and knowledge about nutrition were collected at baseline. Implementation factors of fidelity and completion were measured using self-reports and qualitative observations. Student outcomes included body mass index percentile-for-age, nutrition knowledge, critical thinking skills, and identification of vegetables and were measured pre/post. Relationships were analyzed using multivariate mixed-model regression with classroom as a random effect. Pre/post changes were analyzed using t tests. Students improved body mass index percentile-for-age (−1.99 ± 7.95) and increased nutrition knowledge (2.28 ± 3.40), critical thinking skills (1.98 ± 3.28), and the ability to identify vegetables (0.87 ± 1.09). Teachers’ characteristics of teaching experience, experience teaching nutrition, attendance in a college nutrition course, self-efficacy, and nutrition knowledge were significantly related to fidelity and completeness of program implementation. This study demonstrated implementation of SHCP by teachers can positively influence student outcomes, though program implementation depends on teacher characteristics.
The role of interleukin-1b in febrile seizures

Febrile seizures (FS) occur in children as a result of fever. Despite their prevalence, the pathophysiology of FS has remained unclear. Recent evidence from clinical and experimental studies has highlighted a potential role of immune generated products in the genesis of FS. Of particular interest are the pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1beta (IL-1b) and its naturally occurring antagonist, interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). Using a novel animal model of FS, involving the generation of physiological fever, we investigated the role of the IL-1b/IL-1ra system in the genesis of FS. We found that animals with FS had increased hippocampal and hypothalamic IL-1b compared to equally treated animals without FS, which was first evident at onset of FS in the hippocampus. There were no differences in IL-1ra levels. ICV IL-1b increased the number of animals with FS while IL-1ra had an opposite anti-convulsant effect. The data from these studies, in combination with recent results from other laboratories, have established a putative role for the IL-1b/IL-1ra system in the genesis of FS. 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
EVALUATION OF NON-TRADITIONALLY AND TRADITIONALLY PREPARED TEACHERS' PEDAGOGICAL CONTENT KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE USING PERFORMANCE-BASED EVIDENCE

This study was designed to compare teachers certified in South Carolina that were trained in two different methods: through traditional college preparation programs and through the Program of Alternative Certification for Educators (PACE). This study explored three research questions. The first question addressed differences in pedagogical knowledge based on the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) examination. There was a significant difference between the mean scores of the traditionally trained teachers and the alternatively trained teachers. The second question addressed differences in the evaluation of teaching performance based on the Assisting, Developing, and Evaluation of Professional Teaching (ADEPT) school district level evaluator’s perception of teachers’ performance on the individual performance dimension and the sum of rating on the performance dimensions. There was not a significant difference between any of the mean scores for the individual performance dimensions, nor the sum of the mean scores for the individual performance dimensions. And, the third question addressed differences in performance by teachers certified by the two methods based on demographic variables. There were no significant differences in mean scores based on age, gender, or race at the . 05 level. The analysis of the demographic variable highest degree earned revealed there was a significant difference in the performance between teachers who had a master’s degree and teachers who had a master’s with additional graduate hours or a doctorate. And, this difference was true for both alternatively and traditionally certified teachers.
Bayesian Expectancy Invalidates Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Medical Trials

Double-blind RCTs are viewed as the gold standard in eliminating placebo effects and identifying non-placebo physiological effects. Expectancy theory posits that subjects have better present health in response to better expected future health. We show that if subjects Bayesian update about efficacy based upon physiological responses during a single-stage RCT, expected placebo effects are generally unequal across treatment and control groups. Thus, the difference between mean health across treatment and control groups is a biased estimator of the mean non-placebo physiological effect. RCTs featuring low treatment probabilities are robust: Bias approaches zero as the treated group measure approaches zero.
Evolutionary Aspects of Electrocardiographic and Echocardiographic Manifestations in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Descriptive Longitudinal Study about 25 Cases in 18-Month Monitoring

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus is a major systemic autoimmune disease of unknown cause. It can affect all organs and especially the heart with different proportions. The aim of this study was to determine the evolving electrocardiographic and echocardiographic features in systemic lupus erythematosus. Methodology: This study was carried out at the cardiology and dermatology Aristide Le Dantec Hospital. This is a descriptive longitudinal study conducted from January 2013 to October 2014. We included SLE patients who had at least two echocardiograms and electrocardiograms performed at least 3 months apart. Anamnestic information, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic features were reported on a pre-established survey form. Data were entered using Epi -info software version 3.5. 1. Results: We included 25 patients. It was mentioned a female predominance (88%). The average age of patients was 35.5 years. All patients had dermatological signs of systemic lupus erythematosus. Cardiac events were found on clinical examination in 20% of cases. Sixty four percent (64%) of patients had an abnormal electrocardiogram dominated by left ventricular hypertrophy (24%). During 18 months of follow-up, we noted some electrocardiographic changes in 16% of cases. Ultrasound abnormalities were found in 40% of patients: 8% presented a slight expansion of the OG, a patient had impaired left ventricular function with the presence of a spontaneous contrast intra VG and increased filling pressures. Right ventricular function was impaired in one patient. Other abnormalities were found: 12% of aneurysm of the interatrial septum, 4% of atrial septal defect and 4% of pericardial detachment. Conclusion: Cardiovascular violations are fairly common in SLE patients. A study on a large sample and longterm could better assess cardiovascular complications in SLE patients and how they occurred.
Using Heart Failure Instruments to Determine when to Refer Heart Failure Patients to Palliative Care

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) or the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) are associated with traditionally used scores for heart failure patients — specifically, the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), an overall health visual analog scale (VAS), and the Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM). Furthermore, we sought to determine whether the PPS or the ESAS provided additional information on quality of life, symptom severity, or prognosis above that provided by the traditional scores for patients with heart failure. Methods: We administered the ESAS, MLHFQ, VAS, PPS, and SHFM in a shuffled manner to 78 New York Heart Association Functional Classification (NYHA-FC) III-IV ambulatory heart failure patients. Pearson's r correlation was used to determine whether the scores from the ESAS and PPS correlated with the scores from the MLHFQ, VAS, and SHFM. Results: The sample was predominately male (62.8 percent), mean age 60.1 ± 13 years, with a diagnosis of idiopathic cardiomyopathy (45 percent). Moderate correlations were found between the ESAS and MLHFQ (r=0.483, p<0.01), the ESAS and VAS (r=-0.345, p<0.01), the PPS and MLHFQ (r=-0.54, p<0.01), and the PPS and VAS (r=0.53, p<0.01). There was no significant correlation between the PPS and SHFM. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that administration of the ESAS and PPS provides additional information on symptom severity and functional decline for patients with heart failure. Standardized administration of these scales may aid in the assessment and evaluation of heart failure patients.