Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
OPINIONS ON A STRATEGY TO PROMOTE NURSES' HEALTH RESEARCH CONTRIBU- TION IN SOUTH AFRICA

This is the second article in a series of three articles on a strategy to promote nurses’ health research contribution in South Africa. This article describes a Delphi study that was conducted to explore the panel of experts’ opinions on nurses’ health research contribution and to develop a strategy to promote this contribution. A qualitative and quantitative, descriptive design was used. A Delphi study consisting of three successive rounds was conducted from January 2005 to February 2006. A panel of experts (round one: n=28; round two: n=31; round three: n=18), selected from multiple health-related and health research-related clusters, participated. Professional nurses in academic/ educational positions were the main participants. Multi-disciplinary team members, other than nurses, at international as well as national level, also made valuable contributions as part of the panel. Data were gathered by circulating a list of open-ended questions (round one) as well as questionnaires (rounds two and three). Analysis was done using open coding and descriptive statistics. Findings were processed and, in an anonymous way, fed back to panellists to re-assess and change if necessary. In this way, outcomes in the various rounds resulted in a move towards consensus in opinions between the panelists. Elements essential to a strategy to improve research done by nurses, could be identified, namely research capacity building, collaboration, dissemination and utilisation of research results, quality of research conducted by nurses, leadership, resources and research priorities. These elements are seen as a framework for a strategy, and this framework was explored further in a subsequent article.
Reducing university dropout rates with entrance tests – self-fulfilling prophecy or high quality students

In periods of student booms in tertiary education, the selection of students entering universities gains importance. Consequently, assessing the suitability of different selection methods is crucial for a fair selection process. This paper analyzes whether study success before and after the introduction of an aptitude test is a reasonable measure for the performance of such a test. Employing data from Swiss medical schools, we exploit the implementation of an aptitude test in 1998. The dropout rate in medical schools decreased significantly after the introduction of the test. However, utilizing the performance of transfer students from medical schools – students leaving medical sciences for another subject area – we demonstrate that this reduction in student dropout was not solely a result of better student quality but also of reduced standards in those medical schools. Applying a difference-in-differences strategy, we provide evidence for the endogeneity of dropout rates in medical sciences.
PSYCHOMETRIC PERFORMANCE OF THE ARABIC VERSIONS OF THE CANCER BEHAVIOR INVENTORY-BRIEF AND THE FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF CANCER THERAPY-BREAST IN SAUDI ARABIA

Background: Arabic is the mother tongue of 26 countries, including Saudi Arabia where cancer is the fourth leading cause of death. Cancer is a sensitive issue in the Arabic population and a clear understanding of patients’ perceptions of self-efficacy for coping with cancer and quality of life helps assess interventions designed to facilitate optimal patient outcomes. In preliminary studies, the Cancer Behavior Inventory-Brief (CBI-B) was translated and back translated between English and Arabic, and reviewed for translational validity by an expert panel. The Arabic version of the CBI-B (CBI-BA) had acceptable evidence of translational validity with an overall translational validity index of 0.83. The CBI-BA was tested for evidence of internal consistency reliability with Arabicspeaking patients with cancer in Houston, Texas. Cronbach’s alphas were ≥ . 76, indicating acceptable evidence of reliability. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop psychometrically sound and culturally acceptable measures of self-efficacy for coping with cancer and quality of life for the Arabic-speaking population. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, Arabic-speaking patients with cancer were recruited from two oncology centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All patients completed the CBI-BA; a randomly selected subsample participated in cognitive interviews to
The Prevalence of Post-Traumatic Growth in Emergency Ambulance Personnel Shakespeare-Finch, J.E., 1 Smith, S.G., Gow, K.M. 2 , Embelton, G. & Baird, L.

Departing from a deprivation approach to the study of trauma, a small body of literature has recently emerged that examines positive, rather than negative, post-trauma changes. Studies to date have focused on individuals’ positive reactions to a personally endured traumatic event for example, as bereaved parents, living with HIV/AIDS, or surviving cancer. Negative symptoms following a traumatic event that is experienced during the course of fulfilling professional obligations (e.g., in ambulance, fire and police services), are reported to be akin to the negative post-trauma symptoms found in direct survivors of a traumatic event. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of self-reported positive changes (posttraumatic growth) in emergency ambulance personnel, a population that are readily exposed to potentially traumatic incidents. Results indicated that a large proportion of both seasoned ambulance personnel and new recruits to the service, perceived positive changes in themselves that they attributed to having experienced a traumatic event at work. A significant mean difference was also detected between personnel who had endured a personal trauma in addition to a work-related trauma (n = 281) and personnel who had endured trauma only in the course of their employment responsibilities (n = 217). The study supports theoretical and clinical expectations that the experience of occupational trauma can act as a catalyst for significant positive post-trauma changes.
Guía de práctica clínica en el pie diabético

Un pie diabetico es un pie con heridas o ulceras en una persona que padece de diabetes. El pie diabetico se produce debido a la disfuncion de los nervios perifericos en estos pacientes. En Espana la diabetes mellitus afecta a mas del 13% de la poblacion adulta mayor de 18 anos y su prevalencia sigue aumentando ano tras ano. Enfermeria es la encargada de realizar las curas a dichos pacientes. Este trabajo trata sobre una revision bibliografica sobre el pie diabetico, en que consiste, los cuidados que requiere, su tratamiento y su relacion con la labor actual de enfermeria en dicho campo.
Pseudohyperkalemia - Potassium released from cells due to clotting and centrifugation - a case report

Hyperkalemia is a potentially lethal condition. Pseudohyperkalemia should be always excluded before implementing treatment to prevent inappropriate cause of hypokalemia – equally a potentially lethal condition. Here we present a case report of a 62 year female with chronic myeloproliferative disorder, i.e. essential thrombocythemia. The laboratory test results for potassium concentration were 6.3 mmol/L, for platelet count 1305 x109/L and for leukocyte count 39.8 x109/L. This was due to a temporary drug withdrawal after a surgical intervention for gastric bleeding. Potassium concentration in lithium heparin plasma collected in a vacuum tube without gel separator and in whole blood syringe were 4.6 mmol/L and 3.4 mmol/L, respectively. It means that mechanical stress such as centrifugation can contribute to spurious hyperkalemia. Prior to reporting unexpected hyperkalemia result, pseudohyperkalemia should always be considered by the laboratory. Such potassium results require investigation in case it is pseudohyperkalemia, which may be due to thrombocytosis and leukocytosis. In cases where thrombocytosis or leukocytosis exists, an interpretative comment indicating these conditions inserted with the results of the potassium concentration can increase awareness for more accurate patient care decisions.
The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Drug Resistant Pulmonary Tuberculosis Investigated at One University Hospital in Seoul

Background : The prevalence of tuberculosis is slowly decreasing in Korea. However, the drug-resistance of pulmonary tuberculosis is a major risk factor of treatment failure. Moreover, the National Surveillance System has recently been discontinued. Therefore, a continuous survey is necessary for the exact detection of the rate of drug resistance. We studied the recent 4-year drug resistance rate of tuberculosis at a single University hospital in Seoul. Materials and Methods : The study included 239 pulmonary tuberculosis patients performed with a tuberculosis culture and a drug-sensitivity test at Hanyang University Medical Center from March 1999 to March 2003. Results : Of the 239 patients included in the study during the 4-year period, 52 patients showed resistance to one or more anti-tuberculosis drug (21.8%). The rate of multi-drug resistance was 12.6%. The resistance rates to isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, streptomycin and pyrazinamide were 18.4%, 13.8%, 11.7%, 6.7% and 8.4%, respectively. Ninety patients had a history of previous anti-tuberculosis treatment, and the rates of the overall drug resistance and multi-drug resistance of these patients were 36.7% and 25.6%, respectively. The patients with drug-resistance showed a higher rate of a previous tuberculosis treatment history (63.5%) than the drug-sensitive group patients (30.5%). Conclusion : The rate of drug resistant tuberculosis is 21.8%, and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis is 12.6%. The rate of drug resistance is higher in those previously treated for tuberculosis.
Does Starting With the Behavioural Component of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Increase Patients’ Retention in Therapy?

This study examined whether starting with the behavioural component of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) decreases the drop-out rate in outpatients with comorbid anxiety and depression. Retrospective data were collected on 60 patients with anxiety and depression. Mean values of different psychosocial assessment scales during screening, mid-session and discharge session were compared between the patients receiving and not receiving any type of behavioural interventions and among the patients receiving different types of behavioural interventions. A significant relationship was found (p < .05) between behavioural interventions and retention in therapy. Patients who did not receive any sort of behavioural intervention showed a greater rate of drop-out than those who received behavioural interventions. In the group of patients receiving different types of behavioural interventions, there was significant improvement in mental health scores between the screening and discharge sessions in those who received exposure therapy. The study findings will be helpful to retain patients with comorbid anxiety and depression in an outpatient therapy setting. If patient retention is increased, CBT can be more effectively delivered and thereby achieve better health outcomes for patients, more effective use of therapy service resources, and decrease the socioeconomic burden of anxiety and depression on the community.
Consent and Community Engagement in Diverse Research Contexts: Reviewing and Developing Research and Practice

Consent and community engagement (CE) in health research are two aspects of a single concern—that research is carried out in a respectful manner where social value is maximized. There are important overlaps and interdependencies between consent and CE; for example, CE can provide insights into how best to tailor consent to context and can be an important component of consent processes. Engaging communities can also have intrinsic and instrumental value beyond consent; for example, as a means of showing respect and identifying appropriate ways of working respectfully. In this paper we critically examine how CE and consent processes are characterized, conducted, and evaluated in diverse health research contexts, and propose a preliminary research agenda to support future learning in these critical areas.
Keeping Pace with Interstitial Cells of Cajal: Modelling Gastrointestinal Electrophysiology

Gastrointestinal (GI) motility is coordinated by several cooperating mechanisms, including myogenic, neural and hormonal control systems. This thesis focuses on one of these mechanisms: an intrinsic bioelectrical activity called slow waves, which originates in pacemaker cells called interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) located within the smooth muscle layers of the GI tract. The mechanism by which ICC generate slow waves is a matter of ongoing research, although rhythmic calcium (Ca) oscillations are known to underlie slow wave activity, and both voltageand Ca-dependent ion channels are involved in the pacemaker mechanism. In this thesis, mathematical models of pacemaker activity were developed to investigate the mechanisms by which slow waves are generated and regulated in ICC. The literature was reviewed to determine the ion channels and Ca dynamics likely to contribute to ICC pacemaker activity, particularly the identity of the pacemaker channel that initiates the slow wave and the channels that contribute to the characteristic plateau phase of the slow wave. A pacemaker hypothesis was proposed in which the pacemaker channel is a Ca-activated chloride (Cl−) channel called anoctamin 1 (Ano1), which is activated by a localised increase in intracellular Ca concentration ([Ca]i). Cyclical release of Ca from intracellular stores is believed to initiate pacemaker activity, so Ano1 was proposed to be activated by Ca influx through store-operated Ca (SOC) channels. A novel mathematical model of Ano1 current was constructed. The Ano1 model reproduced experimentally observed behaviour, including the steady-state voltageand Ca-dependent activation profile, slow activation at low [Ca]i, rapid activation at high [Ca]i, and slow deactivation when [Ca ]i is reduced.
The Effect of Resistance Training on Cardio-Metabolic Factors in Males with Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Diabetes is one of the most important metabolic diseases in the world and exercise is a common advice to manage diabetes and reduce its complications. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance training on blood glucose, blood pressure and resting heart rate in males with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 20 males with type 2 diabetes with mean age of 46 ± 3.4 years old who met the inclusion criteria were selected. The participants were randomly assigned into resistance training (n = 10) and control (n = 10) groups. Resistance exercise training program was performed for eight weeks, three sessions per week. Cardiovascular and biochemical parameters were measured before and after the intervention. To analyze the measured parameters changes t-test was used at P ≤ 0.05 significance level. Results: After eight weeks, a significant decrease in fasting blood sugar (P = 0.002), glycosylated hemoglobin (P = 0.025) and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.022) was observed in the resistance group. In addition, there was a significant difference in blood sugar (P = 0.003) and glycosylated hemoglobin (P = 0.031) between the two groups. Conclusions: Findings of this study confirmed the positive influence of resistance training to control blood glucose and blood pressure in males with type 2 diabetes.
Animal Models in Endometriosis Research

The initiation of endometriosis in women is difficult to investigate, because there is usually a delay of several years from the onset of lesion development to the clinical diagnosis. Animal models of endometriosis, on the other hand, provide an important contribution to the investigation of the disease pathogenesis and the efficacy of therapeutic intervention strategies.
Détection d’Acinetobacter baumannii, agent pathogène opportuniste et multirésistant dans les infections bucco-dentaires à Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Introduction : Acinetobacter est une bacterie opportuniste multiresistante. Cette etude visait a detecter Acinetobacter baumanii dans les infections bucco-dentaires au Burkina Faso. Cette bacterie a ete retenue compte tenu du caractere emergent de sa resistance aux antibiotiques dans le monde, de sa pathogenicite opportuniste, de son pouvoir de diffusion epidemique et de l’impasse therapeutique qu’elle engendre. Materiel et methodes : C’est une etude prospective conduite au Centre municipal de sante bucco-dentaire de Ouagadougou de juin 2014 a octobre 2014. Les donnees cliniques ont ete recueillies a l’aide d’une fiche de collecte. Les bacteries ont ete identifiees avec la galerie API 20E. La sensibilite aux antibiotiques et la detection de β-lactamases a spectre etendu (BLSE) ont ete realisees par la methode de diffusion sur milieu gelose. Resultats : Une predominance de la tranche d’âge 19-40 ans (55,2 %) sur les 125 patients recus a ete observee. Trois souches d’ Acinetobacter baumannii (2,4 %) ont ete isolees des cellulites chroniques et identifiees. Elles etaient totoresistantes aux 21 antibiotiques testes et ne produisaient pas de BLSE. Conclusion : Au regard de la totoresistance d’ Acinetobacter baumannii et de l’impasse therapeutique qu’elle engendre, sa detection chez un patient doit faire l’objet de declaration officielle.
Home Environmental Health Risks of People With Developmental Disabilities Living in Community-Based Residential Settings: Implications for Community-Health Nurses

Chronic, long-term exposure to indoor air pollutants is increasingly being recognized as a threat to health. Vulnerable populations, such as those with cognitive disabilities, the elderly, and children, are frequently at increased risk from these hazards. This study assessed home environmental health hazards, home characteristics, and household practices that create risk in a sample of community-based group homes. A survey and a home environmental assessment of each home were used to assess the presence of neurotoxicants, such as lead, mercury, and pesticides, in the home and use of protective measures such as carbon monoxide detectors and radon testing.
Alternative Strategies to Achieve Cardiovascular Mortality Goals in China and IndiaCLINICAL PERSPECTIVE

Background— The World Health Organization aims to reduce mortality from chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease (CVD) by 25% by 2025. High blood pressure is a leading CVD risk factor. We sought to compare 3 strategies for treating blood pressure in China and India: a treat-to-target (TTT) strategy emphasizing lowering blood pressure to a target, a benefit-based tailored treatment (BTT) strategy emphasizing lowering CVD risk, or a hybrid strategy currently recommended by the World Health Organization. Methods and Results— We developed a microsimulation model of adults aged 30 to 70 years in China and in India to compare the 2 treatment approaches across a 10-year policy-planning horizon. In the model, a BTT strategy treating adults with a 10-year CVD event risk of ≥10% used similar financial resources but averted ≈5 million more disability-adjusted life-years in both China and India than a TTT approach based on current US guidelines. The hybrid strategy in the current World Health Organization guidelines produced no substantial benefits over TTT. BTT was more cost-effective at $205 to $272/disability-adjusted life-year averted, which was $142 to $182 less per disability-adjusted life-year than TTT or hybrid strategies. The comparative effectiveness of BTT was robust to uncertainties in CVD risk estimation and to variations in the age range analyzed, the BTT treatment threshold, or rates of treatment access, adherence, or concurrent statin therapy. Conclusions— In model-based analyses, a simple BTT strategy was more effective and cost-effective than TTT or hybrid strategies in reducing mortality. # CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE {#article-title-44}
Comparison of 12-Month Courses of Interferon-α-2b–Lamivudine Combination Therapy and Interferon-α-2b Monotherapy among Patients with Untreated Chronic Hepatitis B

We compared the use of prolonged synchronous combination therapy with interferon (IFN)-alpha-2b and lamivudine with the use of IFN-alpha-2b monotherapy in patients with untreated hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Thirty-three patients received therapy with lamivudine (100 mg daily) and IFN-alpha-2b (10 million U 3 times per week) for 12 months; 16 patients received IFN-alpha-2b alone (10 million U 3 times per week for 12 months). The primary end point was sustained suppression of HBV DNA and HBeAg seroconversion, which was observed in 15 (45%) of 33 patients treated with combination therapy and in 3 (19%) of 16 patients treated with monotherapy (P=.133). Both therapeutic regimens were well tolerated. Combination therapy increased the rate of sustained suppression of HBeAg and resulted in significant improvement in Knodell histologic activity index scores, compared with monotherapy. However, there was no significant difference in rates of sustained suppression between the 2 groups at the end of follow-up.
FUTURES: Forecasting the Unexpected Transfer to Upgraded Resources in Sepsis

Sepsis is one of the most deadly and costly diseases. The Emergency Department (ED) is the initial point of care for most patients who become hospitalized due to sepsis. Quantifying the accuracy of ED clinician forecasting regarding patients’ clinical trajectories and outcomes can provide insight into clinical decision making and inform sepsis management.
Identification of differentially expressed proteins in obese rats fed different high fat diets using proteomics and bioinformatics approaches

Obesity is a medical condition in which an energy imbalance leads to excessive accumulation of body fat. Obesity leads to a reduction in life expectancy through its association with chronic diseases of lifestyle. The prevalence of obesity is rapidly increasing throughout the world. It is now accepted that most cases of obesity result from an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. This rapid increase in obesity generally leads to an increase in morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis and cancer of which obesity is a risk factor. There is a lack of information in molecular research to explain how obesity predisposes individuals to these diseases. Proteomics is a molecular tool and a set of techniques used to identify changes at protein level from a diseased state. This study aims to identify differentially expressed proteins in serum of obese rats fed different isocaloric diets using proteomics.
New techniques for sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is still the standard of care for axillary nodal staging in patients with invasive breast cancer (BC) and clinically negative lymph nodes (LNs). It successfully replaced the more invasive and morbid axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). The actual standard for SLNB is the radioisotope (RI) with or without blue dye (BD) technique. Because of several drawbacks reported in worldwide experiences, new techniques have been developed in the last years: indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence, superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) using microbubbles. Whilst each technique has its own advantages/disadvantages they are increasing their efficacy and are candidate to represent a new standard for SLNB in next future. This is a comprehensive review of current limitations of conventional techniques besides the improvements and innovations of new methods which, anyway, need future randomized controlled trials to be fully validated.