Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ambulatory Use of Handheld Point-of-Care Ultrasound (HH-POCUS) in Rural Brandenburg – A Pilot Study

Abstract Purpose This study aims to evaluate the use of handheld ultrasound devices (HHUS) for point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to improve outpatient care in rural Brandenburg. Materials and Methods A group of general practitioners (n = 9), palliative care physicians (n = 6), emergency physicians (n = 4), and nurses from palliative care services (n = 5) participated in this study. Following a 3-hour workshop and 2 weeks of individual training, participants performed POCUS using HHUS (HH-POCUS). Indications, examination results, and resulting treatment changes (e. g., acute interventions, new medication) were documented in a standardized data entry form. Results 19 physicians with different ultrasound experience and 5 palliative care nurses attended the workshop program and took part in the study. Three of the participating physicians were out of training in ultrasound and received prolonged supervision. Among 427 HH-POCUS examinations, the FAST scan and kidney scan were performed most often. Pain and dyspnea were the most common indications for HH-POCUS. Among the examinations performed by physicians (n = 311), ascites was the most common pathology (27 % of cases). Using a simplified examination protocol, palliative care nurses diagnosed fluid collections, hydronephrosis and transurethral catheter position or urinary retention. In 80.4 % of physician-performed cases, HH-POCUS made a valuable impact on patient management. HH-POCUS contributed to treatment decisions in 49.5 % of cases, including a change of medication in 29.6 % and performance of therapeutic interventions in 19.9 %. Hospital admission or referral to an ambulatory specialist was initiated due to HH-POCUS findings in 17.7 % of patients. Conclusion HH-POCUS helped doctors in rural areas to optimize patient care through rapid on-site collection of therapeutically relevant findings. In addition, it was shown that specialized and motivated nurses can independently detect simple ultrasound findings and thus provide clinically relevant information to doctors.
The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Sloanea sinensis

Abstract Sloanea sinensis (Hance) Hu is a tree species and member of the Elaeocarpaceae family. It’s an excellent commercial tree species which has a relatively high net growth as forests. Here, we report the complete chloroplast genome sequence of a Sloanea genus for the first time. The complete chloroplast sequence of S. sinensis is 158,001 bp in length, including a large single copy region (LSC: 88,481 bp) and a small single copy region (SSC: 17,481 bp), the latter of which is separated by a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs: 26,051 bp). Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the Elaeocarpaceae is a family within the Oxalidales may be more appropriate than belongs to Malvales as traditional plant taxonomy.
Impact of Match Violations on Applicants’ Perceptions and Rankings of Residency Programs

Introduction The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) requires all Match participants to adhere to a strict code of conduct known as the Match Participation Agreement, yet Match violations continue to occur. We sought to determine how interview experiences, including Match violations, impact applicants’ perceptions and rankings of residency programs. Methods An electronic survey was sent to all accredited medical school Deans of Student Affairs and Association of American Medical Colleges Student Representatives for distribution to fourth-year medical students. Questions assessed pressures that residency programs placed on applicants during interview season and their impact on applicants. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Results Of the 433 included respondents, 31.2% (n = 135) reported breaches of the NRMP Match Participation Agreement. Of those, 63% (n = 85) had a negative perception of the violating programs, and 37.8% (n = 51) were less likely to rank those programs highly. Violations included asking applicants about the locations of their other interviews (60.3%, n = 261), pressuring applicants to reveal their ranking (24.0%, n = 104), explicitly requesting applicants to reveal their ranking (6.5%, n = 28), asking applicants to provide a commitment before Match day (3.9%, n = 17), and other behavior that was felt to ignore the spirit of the Match (16.4%, n = 71). Implying that applicants would match into a program if they ranked it highly (37.2%, n = 161) was received positively by 65.2% (n = 105) of applicants experiencing this breach, with 42.2% (n = 68) ranking the program more highly. Three major themes impacting applicants’ impressions of residency programs emerged from the qualitative data: interview experience, professionalism, and post-interview communication (PIC). Respondents overwhelmingly agreed that PIC should either be eliminated or that programs should set clear expectations for PIC. Conclusions Match violations continue to occur, despite the NRMP Match Participation Agreement. With the notable exception of communication implying that applicants would match into a program, applicants overwhelmingly view programs that commit these violations negatively and often rank these programs lower as a result.
Early Experience With Brolucizumab Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Importance Outcome data are limited regarding early experience with brolucizumab, the most recently approved anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Objective To report clinical outcomes after intravitreous injection (IVI) of brolucizumab, 6 mg, for nAMD. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective case series conducted at 15 private or academic ophthalmological centers in the United States included all consecutive patients with eyes treated with brolucizumab by 6 retina specialists between October 17, 2019, and April 1, 2020. Exposures Treatment with brolucizumab IVI, 6 mg. Main Outcomes and Measures Change in mean visual acuity (VA) and optical coherence tomography parameters, including mean central subfield thickness and presence or absence of subretinal and/or intraretinal fluid. Secondary outcomes included ocular and systemic safety. Results A total of 172 eyes from 152 patients (87 women [57.2%]; mean [SD] age, 80.0 [8.0] years) were included. Most eyes (166 [96.5%]) were not treatment naive, and 65.7% of these eyes (109 of 166) were switched from the prior anti-VEGF agent because of persistent fluid detected on optical coherence tomography scans. Study eyes received a mean (SD) of 1.46 (0.62) brolucizumab IVIs. The mean (SD) VA prior to starting brolucizumab was a 64.1 (15.9) Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letter score (Snellen equivalent, 20/50) and was a 63.3 (17.2) ETDRS letter score (Snellen equivalent, 20/63) at the last study evaluation (mean difference, 0.8; 95% CI, -2.7 to 4.3; P = .65). When analyzed by number of brolucizumab IVIs, the presence or absence of fluid prior to starting brolucizumab, or the presence or absence of intraocular inflammation after receiving brolucizumab, there was no difference in mean VA prior to starting brolucizumab compared with after brolucizumab IVIs or at the final study evaluation. The mean (SD) central subfield thickness in all eyes prior to starting brolucizumab was 296.7 (88.0) μm and was 269.8 (66.5) μm at the last study examination (mean difference, 26.9 µm; 95% CI, 9.0-44.7 µm; P = .003). Intraocular inflammation was reported in 14 eyes (8.1%) and was self-limited and resolved without treatment in almost half those eyes (n = 6). One previously reported eye (0.6%) had occlusive retinal vasculitis and severe loss of vision. Conclusions and Relevance In this analysis of brolucizumab IVI for nAMD, VA remained stable, with a reduction in central subfield thickness. Intraocular inflammation events ranged from mild with spontaneous resolution to severe occlusive retinal vasculitis in 1 eye.
Oxidative stress, inflammation, blood rheology, and microcirculation in adults with sickle cell disease: Effects of hydroxyurea treatment and impact of sickle cell syndrome

Inflammation and oxidative stress play a key role in the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease (SCD). However, the potential influence of different sickle genotypes, or hydroxyurea (HU) treatment, on these factors remains poorly documented. The present study compared several plasma markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as microvascular function, between patients with sickle SC disease (HbSC, n = 19) and patients with sickle cell anemia (HbSS) under hydroxyurea (HU) treatment (n = 16), or not (n = 13). Hemorheological parameters and levels of inflammatory (IL‐6, IL‐8, IFN‐γ, MCP‐1, MIP‐1β, TNF‐α) and oxidative stress (AOPP, MDA, MPO) markers were determined. Peripheral microcirculatory cutaneous blood flow and immediate microvascular response to local heat were evaluated using laser Doppler flowmetry. Oxidative stress and inflammation were lower in HbSC patients and HbSS patients under HU therapy compared to HbSS patients not treated with HU. Blood viscosity was higher in HbSC than in HbSS patients treated with or not with HU. Vasodilation response of the cutaneous microcirculation to heat stress was higher in HbSS patients receiving HU treatment. Our results clearly established that both sickle cell genotype and HU treatment modulate inflammation and oxidative stress.
Cognitive reserve: a multidimensional protective factor in Parkinson’s disease related cognitive impairment

ABSTRACT We explored the association between cognitive reserve (CR) and Parkinson' s disease (PD) related cognitive deterioration. Forty PD patients and 12 matched healthy controls (HC) were enrolled. The PD group was balanced for the presence/absence of cognitive impairment. All participants underwent MOCA. CR was measured by the Brief Intelligence Test, and a new comprehensive tool, named Cognitive Reserve Test (CoRe-T), including sections on leisure activities and creativity. Participants with higher CR obtained a better MOCA score irrespective of the group they belonged to. At the same time, irrespective of the CR level, the performance of the HC group was always better in comparison to the PD group. Within the PD group, a higher frequency of leisure activities was associated to be cognitively unimpaired, independently by the severity of motor symptoms and age. CR could help to cope with PD-related cognitive decline. Its multidimensional nature could have important applications in prevention and rehabilitation interventions.
Comparison of headspace solvent microextraction, hydrodistillation solvent microextraction, and solid-phase microextraction for the study of volatile components of Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. by GC-MS

Summary Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. is a wild and endangered endemic plant found only in limited areas of central Zagros mountains, Iran. Three microextraction methods, that is, headspace solvent microextraction (HS-SME), hydrodistillation solvent microextraction (HD-SME), and solid-phase microextraction (SPME), and a conventional hydrodistillation method were used and compared for the extraction and gas chromatography- mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis of volatile components of the plant. In the HS-SME and HD-SME methods, a suspended n-heptadecane microdroplet was used for the extraction from the sample headspace, while in the SPME method, a PDMS fiber was applied. The highest extraction efficiency was obtained for the SPME method, with the highest number of identified components and best precision. As a consequence, the SPME method was used for the comparison of the volatile components of seeds, leaves, and pedicles of K. odoratissima collected from three different regions. One of the major componen.
Abscisic acid mediates barley rhizosheath formation under mild soil drying by 2 promoting root hair growth and auxin response

31 ABSTRACT 32 Soil drying enhances root ABA accumulation and rhizosheath formation, but whether 33 ABA mediates rhizosheath formation is unclear. Here, we used the ABA–deficient 34 mutant Az34 to investigate molecular and morphological changes by which ABA 35 could affect rhizosheath formation. Mild soil drying with intermittent watering 36 increased rhizosheath formation by promoting root and root hair elongation. 37 Attenuated root ABA accumulation in Az34 barley constrained the promotion of root 38 length and root hair length by drying soil, such that Az34 had a smaller rhizosheath. 39 Pharmacological experiments of adding fluridone (an ABA biosynthesis inhibitor) 40 and ABA to drying soil restricted and enhanced rhizosheath formation respectively in 41 Az34 and wild–type Steptoe barley. RNA sequencing suggested that ABA 42 accumulation mediates auxin synthesis and responses, root and root hair elongation in 43 drying soil. In addition, adding indole–3–acetic acid (IAA) to drying soil increased 44 rhizosheath formation by promoting root and root hair elongation in Steptoe and Az34 45 barley. Together, these results show that ABA accumulation induced by mild soil 46 drying enhance barley rhizosheath formation, which may be achieved through 47 promoting auxin response. 48 49 Soil drying enhances root ABA accumulation and rhizosheath formation, but whether ABA mediates rhizosheath formation is unclear. Here, we show that ABA accumulation induced by mild soil drying enhance barley rhizosheath formation, which may be achieved through promoting auxin response.
High Schools Struggle to Adopt Evidence Based Practices for the Management of Exertional Heat Stroke.

CONTEXT Exertional heat stroke (EHS) deaths can be prevented by adhering to best practices. OBJECTIVE We investigated the adoption of policies and procedures for the recognition and treatment of EHS and the factors influencing the adoption of a comprehensive policy. DESIGN Cross Sectional. SETTING Online questionnaire. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Athletic trainers (ATs) practicing in the high school (HS) setting. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Using the NATA Position Statement: Exertional Heat Illness, an online questionnaire was developed and distributed to ATs to ascertain their schools' current written policies for the use of rectal temperature and cold-water immersion (CWI). The Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM), allowed for responses to be presented across the various health behavior stages ("Unaware if have the policy", "Unaware for the need for the policy", "Unengaged", "Undecided", "Decided Not to Act", "Decided to Act", "Acting", and "Maintaining"). Additional questions included perceptions of facilitators and barriers. Data are presented as proportions. RESULTS A total of 531 ATs completed this questionnaire. Overall, 16.9% (n=62) report adoption of all components for proper recognition and treatment of EHS. The policy component with the highest adoption was "cool first transport second" with 74.1% (n=110) of ATs reporting "Acting" or "Maintaining. " The most variability in the PAPM responses was for a rectal temperature policy, with 28.7% (n=103) of ATs reporting "Decided not to Act" and 20.1% (n=72) reporting "Maintaining. " The most commonly reported facilitator and barrier for rectal temperature included state mandate from state HS athletics association (n=274,51.5%) and resistance or apprehension from parents or legal guardians (n=311,58.5%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS ATs in the HS setting appear to be struggling to adopt a comprehensive EHS strategy, with rectal temperature continuing to appear as the biggest undertaking. Tailored strategies based on health behavior, facilitators and barriers may aid in changing this paradigm.
Common Vertical Jump and Reactive Strength Index Measuring Devices: A Validity and Reliability Analysis

Abstract Montalvo, S, Gonzalez, MP, Dietze-Hermosa, M, Eggleston, JD, and Dorgo, S. Common vertical jump and reactive strength index measuring devices: A validity and reliability analysis. J Strength Cond Res 35(5): 1234–1243, 2021—Several field-test devices exist to assess vertical jump, but they either lack proper validation or have been validated for the countermovement jump (CMJ) only. This study aimed to quantify the validity and reliability of metrics, including jump height and the calculated reactive strength index (RSI), obtained using the flight-time method from 4 different assessment devices with 3 different vertical jump modalities in comparison to a force platform (criterion assessment). The Optojump, Push-Band 2.0, MyJump2 mobile application, and What'sMyVert mobile application were used synchronously and together with the force platforms. Thirty subjects (17 males and 13 females; age ± SD: 23.37 ± 1.87 years) performed 5 repetitions of CMJ, squat jump (SQJ), and drop jump (DJ) with a standardized 90° knee flexion for all jumps. Relative reliability was determined by intraclass correlation (ICC) and absolute reliability by coefficient of variation (CV) analyses. Excellent reliability was considered as ICC > 0.9 and CV < 10%. Validity was obtained through an ordinary least products regression, ICC, and CV. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Reliability was excellent on jump height for the CMJ (ICC ≥ 0.98; CV ≤ 8.14%) for all instruments. With the exception of the Optojump, all instruments also had excellent reliability for the SQJ (ICC ≥ 0.98; CV ≤ 6.62) and DJ (ICC ≥ 0.94; CV ≤ 8.19). For the RSI metric, all instruments had excellent relative reliability (ICC ≥ 0.92), but none had excellent absolute reliability (CV ≥ 12.5%). The MyJump2 and What'sMyVert apps showed excellent validity on all jump modalities and RSI. The Optojump and Push-Band 2.0 devices both showed system and proportional bias for several jump modalities and RSI. Overall, both mobile applications may provide coaches with a cost-effective and reliable measurement of various vertical jumps.
Validation and Adaptation of the Brief Self-Control Scale With Spanish Adolescents: Factorial Structure and Evidences of Reliability, Validity, and Factor Invariance Across Gender and Age

During adolescence, the difficulty to control impulses is especially notable. The Brief Self-Control Scale has been used in different countries for years to study associations between self-control and other variables. However, its factor structure is not completely clear, and it is necessary to have a scale with psychometric assurances that evaluates self-control in adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine the factorial structure of the Brief Self-Control Scale and to provide evidences of reliability, validity, and factor invariance across gender and age in a sample of Spanish adolescents. Participants were 693 adolescents from Southeastern Spain, aged 13 to 18 years. Data supported an excellent fit to a two-dimensional model and evidences of reliability, validity and factor invariance across gender and age were obtained. This study provides new data on the two-dimensionality of self-control. The need of this tool becomes increasingly relevant to the susceptibility of new emerging addictions, such as mobile phones or internet.
Chromatographic separation of flaxseed phenolics

A column chromatography method for separation of phenolic compounds from flaxseed using Sephadex LH-20, RP-8 and silica gel is described. TLC analysis proved that separated fractions contained numerous phenolic compounds. All fractions exhibited a maximum UV absorption between 270 and 290 nm. Additional shoulders were observed between 274 and 350 nm. These results imply that lignans and their derivatives are the main phenolic compounds present in flaxseed.
Is a fixed low-dose protamine better at reducing postoperative bleeding in off pump coronary artery bypass grafting?

Context Protamine is used ubiquitously in all cardiac surgeries for reversal of heparin. Risk of postoperative bleeding is increased with inadequate heparin reversal or due to anticoagulant side effects of protamine; hence, it is important to dose protamine properly. This study compares 80% protamine dose with full dose on postoperative bleeding and transfusion needs in OPCAB. Aims The aim of our study was to find whether lower dose of protamine could reduce postoperative bleeding and need for blood product transfusions in off pump coronary artery bypass grafting as compared to the regular dose of protamine. Settings and design This was a double-blinded randomised controlled trial where patients posted for off pump CABG meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Methods and material Ninety patients were randomised to two groups, group F receiving full dose of protamine of 1 mg per mg heparin used, and group L received 0.8 mg per mg. Postoperative activated clotting time, bleeding at 1 h, 4 h, 24 h and total drainage till drains removal and blood product transfusion requirements were noted. Statistical analysis used: SPSS software. Results Both groups were matched in demographics, preoperative cessation of heparin and aspirin and platelet counts. Both groups received equal heparin dose, activated clotting time before protamine, activated clotting time post protamine in OT and ICU were equal as were the conduits used. There was no significant difference between the groups in post-operative drainage over time or in the need for blood product transfusions. Conclusions Eighty per cent of the dose of protamine can adequately reverse the heparin used during off pump cardiac surgery without any increase in incidence of postoperative bleeding or need for blood product transfusions.
The Older, the Happier?: A Cross-Sectional Study on the “Paradox of Aging” in China

The “paradox of aging” refers to the phenomenon that even though people’s physical health and functions may decline when they enter later adulthood, their happiness does not necessarily. Previous studies have shown that older adults’ better emotional regulation skills may contribute to the maintenance of their happiness. This study aims to examine the relationship between age, health, and happiness, and the moderating role of emotional stability. We adopted a nationally representative sample (n = 10,968) from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) and performed weight-adjusted regression models with interaction terms. There is generally an S-shaped age-happiness relationship with significant urban-rural differences. Emotional stability buffers the negative association between health and happiness, and this moderating effect was stronger among older than younger adults, especially in rural China. This study calls for special attention paid to the oldest-old population in rural China and older adults’ emotional regulation skills.