Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vietnamese Immigrants in Brisbane, Australia: Perception of Parenting Roles, Child Development, Child Health, Illness, and Disability, and Health Service Utilisation

The limited research into Vietnamese immigrants suggests that this group may have different perceptions relating to parenting roles, child development, child health, illness, and disability, and differing patterns of health service utilisation. The author conducted a pilot study exploring how Vietnamese immigrants differ from Anglo-Australian in relation to these issues. The pilot, utilising a mixed quantitative and qualitative method, was conducted in Brisbane, Australia, with subjects being existing clients of a health centre. Two focus group discussions were conducted and a structured questionnaire developed from the discussions. Vietnamese immigrants in contrast to Australian-born Caucasians regard the general practitioner as the main health care provider and were less satisfied with English-speaking health services. This study highlights potentially important health-related issues for children of Vietnamese immigrants living in Brisbane, the importance of further research in this area, and the methodological challenges faced when conducting research into Vietnamese immigrants.
Reproducibility of food and nutrient intake estimates using a semi-quantitative FFQ in Australian adults

Abstract Objective To assess the reproducibility of a 135-item self-administered semi-quantitative FFQ. Design Control subjects who had previously completed an FFQ relating to usual dietary intake in a nationwide case–control study of cancer between November 2003 and April 2004 were randomly selected, re-contacted, and invited to complete the same FFQ a second time approximately one year later (between January and April 2005). Agreement between the two FFQ was compared using weighted kappa statistics and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for food groups and nutrients. Summary questions, included in the FFQ, were used to assess overall intakes of vegetables, fruits and meat. Setting General community in Australia. Subjects One hundred men and women aged 22–79 years, randomly selected from the previous control population. Results The weighted κ and ICC measures of agreement for food groups were moderate to substantial for seventeen of the eighteen food groups. For nutrients, weighted κ ranged from 0·44 for starch to 0·83 for alcohol while ICC ranged from 0·51 to 0·91 for the same nutrients. Estimates of meat, fruit and vegetable intake using summary questions were similar for both survey periods, but were significantly lower than estimates from summed individual food items. Conclusions The FFQ produced reproducible results and is reasonable in assessing the usual intake of various foods and nutrients among an Australian adult population.
A Survey of Compounds from the Antiradiation Drug Development Program of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command

Abstract : Female mice of the Walter Reed Bagg Swiss or Inbred Charles River (ICR) strains, 5-6 weeks old and weighing 21-25g, were randomly assigned to treatment groups. An estimation of the toxicity of each compound to be tested for antiradiation activity, i.e., a determination of the approximate LD50 (ALD 50), was obtained in separate experiments prior to irradiation. Toxicity estimations were based upon animal survival over a ten-day observation period following intraperitoneal or oral administration of each agent in graded doses using 10 mice at each dose level. Adverse symptomatology was noted and, in addition, each mouse was subjected to a post mortem examination. The highest dose of each compound administered for antiradiation testing was about two thirds of the ALD50 unless a lower dose was indicated by adverse symptomatology or pathologic changes; the selected doses of each compound were administered 15- 30 minutes before exposure to lethal whole body irradiation. Mortality was tabulated for a 30-day period for each individual animal and all data computerized. Under our conditions, approximately 800r x-ray and 1000r Co-60 gamma irradiation were equally lethal (LD-10030), all control animals dying between the tenth and twenty-first days following exposure.
Complication of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

A 19-year-old boy with tuberculous meningitis had a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt in August 2005 for an obstructed hydrocephalus. He discontinued antituberculous treatment (ATT). One year later, he presented again with features of intracranial hypertension. The shunt had occluded and was replaced. Antituberculous treatment was restarted. On the fourth postoperative day, the patient developed painless progressive asymmetrical distension of the lower abdomen. Now, on examination, he was afebrile. There was no focal neurological deficit. Abdomen examination showed a localized cystic mass occupying the lower abdomen, pelvis, and either flanks. Shifting dullness and fluid thrill could not be elicited. Hematologic and biochemical investigations were noncontributory. Chest radiograph was normal. Sonogram of the abdomen revealed 1 large encysted collection with coarse internal echoes occupying almost the entire abdomen and stretching anterior to the great vessels and a smaller second pseudocyst anterior to the left kidney. Computed tomogram confirmed a nonenhancing noncalcified large hypodense cystic lesion measuring 20.3 9.6 cm (Hounsfield unit was 15) within the peritoneal cavity extending from the second lumbar vertebra to the pelvis with thin septations (Fig. 1). The straw-colored cystic fluid on aspiration had a protein content of 4.5 g/dL with several lymphocytes. Culture was negative for microorganisms and acid-fast bacillus. Patient is symptomatically better with ATT and is on follow-up.
Something fishy? News media presentation of complex health issues related to fish consumption guidelines

Abstract Objective The news media are an important source of dietary information. Understanding news content, particularly the portrayal of risks and benefits of certain foods, is relevant for effective public health communication. Fish consumption may reduce risk for CVD and aid neonatal development, but recent work shows public confusion about the benefits of fish, challenged by the evidence of mercury and other contaminants in fish. We present an analysis of the messages about fish in US news media over 15 years, identifying trends in coverage and highlighting implications of current messaging. Design We conducted a descriptive text analysis and coded for manifest content: locality of focus, story frame, reference to studies, inclusion of government guidelines and portrayal of uncertainty. We identified chronological patterns and analysed the data for statistically significant relationships between media source and content. Setting News stories were selected from five daily newspapers and five television networks (1993–2007). Subjects We analysed 310 health-related news stories on fish. Results Risk messages outweighed benefit messages four to one, and health benefits only became prominent after 2002. No difference existed in coverage topic by news source. Fish consumption has increasingly become a national issue. Conclusions With the bulk of messages about fish consumption focused on risk, the benefits may be lost to consumers. This gap creates a need for public health to work with news media to more effectively communicate benefits and risks around fish consumption and health and to consider options for communicating tailored information where it can be more readily utilised.
A workplace feasibility study of the effect of a minimal fruit intervention on fruit intake

Abstract Objective The main purpose of the study was to investigate the feasibility of using workplaces to increase the fruit consumption of participants by increasing fruit availability and accessibility by a minimal fruit programme. Furthermore, it was investigated whether a potential increase in fruit intake would affect vegetable, total energy and nutrient intake. Design A 5-month, controlled, workplace study where workplaces were divided into an intervention group (IG) and a control group (CG). At least one piece of free fruit was available per person per day in the IG. Total fruit and dietary intake was assessed, using two 24 h dietary recalls at baseline and at endpoint. Setting Eight Danish workplaces were enrolled in the study. Five workplaces were in the IG and three were in the CG. Subjects One hundred and twenty-four (IG, n 68; CG, n 56) healthy, mainly normal-weight participants were recruited. Results Mean daily fruit intake increased significantly from baseline to endpoint only in the IG by 112(se 35) g. In the IG, mean daily intake of added sugar decreased significantly by 10·7(se 4·4) g, whereas mean daily intake of dietary fibre increased significantly by 3·0(se 1·1) g. Vegetable, total energy and macronutrient intake remained unchanged through the intervention period for both groups. Conclusions The present study showed that it is feasible to increase the average fruit intake at workplaces by simply increasing fruit availability and accessibility. Increased fruit intake possibly substituted intake of foods containing added sugar. In this study population the increased fruit intake did not affect total energy intake.
Physical Rehabilitation Approaches for the Recovery of Function and Mobility After Stroke: Major Update

Various physical rehabilitation approaches may be used to promote recovery of function and mobility after stroke. Controversy and debate about the relative effectiveness of approaches persist. We aimed to determine whether physical rehabilitation approaches are effective in recovery of function and mobility in people with stroke, and to assess whether any one physical rehabilitation approach is more effective than any other approach. A stakeholder group, comprising stroke survivors, caregivers, and physiotherapists, made decisions using consensus-making techniques relating to the scope and focus of this updated review.1 We performed a comprehensive search (to December 2012), …
A nested case-control study of first-trimester maternal vitamin D status and risk for spontaneous preterm birth.

We assessed if first-trimester vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent in women who experienced a spontaneous preterm birth compared with women who delivered at term. We conducted a nested case-control study of pregnant women who had previously given blood for first-trimester combined screening for trisomy 21 and subsequently delivered at a tertiary hospital between November 2004 and July 2009. From an overall cohort of 4225 women, 40 cases of spontaneous preterm birth (≥ 23 (0/7) and ≤ 34 (6/7) weeks) were matched by race/ethnicity with 120 women delivering at term (≥ 37 (0/7) weeks) with uncomplicated pregnancies. Banked maternal serum was used to measure maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. The prevalence of first-trimester maternal vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L] was comparable among women who subsequently delivered preterm compared with controls (7.5% versus 6.7%, P = 0.90). The median 25(OH)D level for all subjects was 89 nmol/L (interquartile range, 73 to 106 nmol/L). Seventy-three percent (117/160) of the cohort had sufficient vitamin D levels [25(OH)D ≥ 75 nmol/L]. In a cohort of pregnant women with mostly sufficient levels of first-trimester serum 25(OH)D, vitamin D deficiency was not associated with spontaneous preterm birth.
Second-line treatment in advanced pancreatic cancer: a comprehensive analysis of published clinical trials.

BACKGROUND There is currently no standard of care for the second-line treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. The aim of this analysis was to compare the different therapeutic approaches in this setting. METHODS We carried out a systematic analysis of second-line studies in advanced pancreatic cancer that have progressed on or following gemcitabine and published or presented from 2000 to 2012. RESULTS Forty-four clinical trials (t) were identified; of which 34 met the inclusion criteria treating an aggregate total of 1503 patients (n). Patients who received treatments (t: 33; n: 1269) had a median overall survival (OS) of 6 months compared with 2.8 months for patients who received best supportive care only (t: 2; n: 234) (P = 0.013). The gemcitabine and platinum-based combination (t: 5; n: 154) provided a median progression-free survival and OS of 4 and 6 months compared with 1.6 and 5.3 for the rest of the regimens (t: 29; n: 1349) (P = 0.059 and 0.10, respectively) and 2.9 and 5.7 for the combination of 5-fluorouracil and platinum agents (t: 12; n: 450) (P = 0.60 and 0.22, respectively). CONCLUSION(S) Although not conclusive, these data showed that the advantage of second-line chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer is very limited and there is a need for more studies.
Acculturation, physical activity and television viewing in Hispanic women: findings from the 2005 California Women's Health Survey

Abstract Objective To assess the relationship of acculturation with physical activity and sedentary behaviours among Hispanic women in California. Design Data from the 2005 California Women's Health Survey (CWHS) – a cross-sectional telephonic survey of health indicators and health-related behaviours and attitudes – were used. Setting Using a random-digit dialling process, data were collected monthly from January to December 2005. Subjects A total of 1298 women aged ≥18 years in California who self-identified as Hispanic. Results Of the participants included in the analysis, 49 % were adherent to physical activity recommendations (with 150 min of weekly activity signifying adherence). There was no significant association between language acculturation and moderate or vigorous physical activity after controlling for potential confounders such as smoking, age and employment status. There was also no association between duration of residence in the USA and moderate or vigorous physical activity. Language acculturation was positively associated with television (TV) viewing, with highly acculturated women reporting more hours of TV viewing compared with women with an intermediate acculturation score (P = 0·0001), and those with an intermediate score reporting more hours of TV viewing compared with those with a low score (P = 0·003). This relationship persisted after inclusion of smoking, employment status, age and education in the model. Conclusions Higher levels of language acculturation may be associated with increased sedentary behaviours because of the influence of US culture on those women who have assimilated to the culture. Acculturation is an important factor to be taken into account when designing health education interventions for the Hispanic female population.
Is the Mediterranean diet adequate to satisfy zinc requirements during adolescence?

Abstract Objective To evaluate Zn utilization and status among a sample of Spanish boys consuming a diet based on Mediterranean patterns. Design Dietary Zn balance was assessed by means of Zn intake in food and Zn output in faeces and urine as measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In addition, biomarkers of Zn status were analysed. Setting Province of Granada, Spain. Subjects Twenty healthy male adolescents aged 11–14 years, selected based on medical questionnaire, physical examination and nutritional survey of food habits and lifestyle. Results Mean Zn intake was 11·36 (se 0·31) mg/d, 76% of the recommended value for Spanish adolescents. Zn absorption (2·53 (se 0·55) mg/d) was close to the value of 3·0 mg/d required for the growth spurt. Zn status biomarkers and growth parameters were within the normal values for this age group. Conclusions Although a diet based on Mediterranean patterns is associated with factors which can affect Zn absorption, such as high consumption of phytate, its consumption in adequate amounts allows Zn status to be maintained during adolescence. Due to the importance of Zn in preventing growth and behavioural disorders among adolescents, long-term intervention trials to investigate the suitability of the Mediterranean diet with respect to Zn requirements at this time of life are needed.
Television watching from adolescence to adulthood and its association with BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and obesity: a longitudinal study

Abstract Objective To examine the prospective association of television (TV) watching from adolescence to young adulthood with BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and obesity. Design A community-based longitudinal cohort study. Setting Mater–University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy (MUSP) Cohort, Brisbane, Australia. Subjects A sub-sample of 2439 children was followed up at ages 14 years and 21 years as part of a population-based birth cohort. Offspring reported the number of TV viewing hours each day at 14 and 21 years. BMI, WC and WHR were measured at 21 years. Results In the adjusted model, offspring who watched TV for <3 h/d at 14 years but for ≥3 h/d at 21 years, or who watched TV for ≥3 h/d at 14 and 21 years, had greater BMI, WC and WHR at 21 years. Offspring who watched TV for ≥3 h/d at 14 years but for <3 h/d at 21 years had similar mean BMI, WC and WHR at 21 years to those who watched TV for <3 h/d at 14 and 21 years. Those offspring who reduced their TV watching hours to <3 h/d during the transition from adolescence into young adulthood were at less risk of becoming obese and those who continued or increased their TV watching to ≥3 h/d were at greater risk of becoming obese. This association remained independent of the potential confounding factors considered. Conclusions The present findings suggest that our efforts to decrease obesity by reducing TV watching hours among adults should consider interventions to reduce TV time among adolescents.
Defining and Measuring Program Effectiveness at a Mental Health/ Social Services Agency

Defining and measuring outcome effectiveness is key to understanding whether a service makes a difference. The Village for Families & Children in Hartford, Connecticut, has promoted the use of outcome effectiveness studies for more than a decade. The authors describe the outcome effectiveness process used by this agency, beginning with the formation of a team, consisting of both program staff and evaluators. Going beyond written material to unwritten philosophies and accepted practice, the team then carefully defines effectiveness. Multiple sources of information are then identified to answer the efficacy question. The article concludes with a description of the definition and measures used to assess the effectiveness of an intensive family preservation program.
Insights from the evaluation of a provincial healthy eating strategy in Nova Scotia, Canada

Abstract Objective Healthy Eating Nova Scotia represents the first provincial comprehensive healthy eating strategy in Canada and a strategy that is framed within a population-health model. Five years after strategy launch, our objective was to evaluate Healthy Eating Nova Scotia to determine perceptions of strategy implementation and strategy outputs. The focus of the current paper is on the findings of this evaluation. Design We conducted an evaluation of the strategy through three activities that included a document review, survey of key stakeholders and in-depth interviews with key strategy informants. The findings from each of the activities were integrated to determine what has worked well with strategy implementation, what could be improved and what outputs have resulted. Setting The evaluation was conducted in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Participants Participants for this evaluation included survey respondents (n 120) and key informants (n 16). A total of 156 documents were also reviewed. Results Significant investments have been made towards inter-sectoral partnerships and resourcing that has provided the necessary leadership and momentum for the strategy. Policy development has been leveraged through the strategy primarily in the health and education sectors and is perceived as a visible success. Clarity of human resource roles and funding within the context of a provincial strategy may be beneficial for continued strategy implementation, as is expansion of policy development. Conclusions Known to be the first evaluation of its kind, these findings and related considerations will be of interest to policy makers developing and implementing similar strategies in their own jurisdictions.
Screening for coronary artery disease after mediastinal irradiation in Hodgkin lymphoma survivors: phase II study of indication and acceptance†.

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular diseases are the most common nonmalignant cause of death in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors, especially after mediastinal irradiation. We investigated the role of computed tomographic coronary angiography (CTA) as a screening tool for coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic HL survivors, and related CTA findings to exercise testing and subsequent interventions. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients were eligible for this phase II study if at least 10 years disease-free and treated with mediastinal radiotherapy. Screening consisted of electrocardiogram, exercise testing and CTA. Primary end point was significant CAD (stenosis >50%) on CTA. CTA screening was considered to be indicated for testing in a larger population if ≥6 of 50 CTA scanned patients (12%) would need revascularization. Screening was evaluated with a questionnaire before and after screening. RESULTS Fifty-two patients were included, and 48 patients underwent CTA. Median age was 47 years, time since HL diagnosis 21 years. There were 45 evaluable scans. Significant CAD on CTA was found in 20% (N = 9), significantly increased compared with the 7% expected abnormalities (P = 0.01, 95% confidence interval 8.3% to 31.7%). In 11% (N = 5), significant stenosis was confirmed at coronary angiography, and revascularization was carried out. Additionally, two patients were treated with optimal medical therapy. Ninety percent of patients were content with screening, regardless whether the CTA showed abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS Prevalence of significant CAD among HL survivors is high, while asymptomatic even in the presence of life-threatening CAD. This might justify screening by CTA in asymptomatic HL survivors who had mediastinal radiotherapy, but needs to be evaluated in a larger cohort. The trial protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the LUMC and registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01271127.
Building Research Data Management Infrastructure using Open Source Software

The implementation of a research data management infrastructure for a large interdisciplinary research project is presented here, based on well‐established Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial (FOSS4G) products such as MapServer, MapProxy, GeoExt and pyCSW, as well as the (not primarily geospatial) open source technologies Typo3 and CKAN. The presented implementation depends primarily on the demands for research data management infrastructure by the funding research agency. It also aligns to theory and practice in Research Data Management (RDM) and e‐Science. After the research project and related work in the field of RDM are introduced, a detailed description of the architecture and its implementation is given. The article discusses why Open Source and open standards are chosen to implement the infrastructure and provides some suggestions and examples on how to make it easier and more attractive for researchers to upload and publish their primary research data.