Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Erratum: ATS Statement: Guidelines for the Six-Minute Walk Test.

It has been brought to the Journal’s attention by Dr. Gunnar Borg that there are errors in the 2002 publication of the official American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines for the 6-minute-walk test (1). Table 2 in the ATS statement contains a representation of a Borg category scale with ratio properties; however, this scale had been incorrectly altered from the published version (2). For the convenience of our readers, we include the Borg CR10 Scale®. This scale reproduced here (Figure 1) is not the one that was published in Reference 2; rather, we include an updated version of the scale that was kindly provided to us by Dr. Borg (personal communication, Borg G, Borg, E. The Borg CR Scales® Folder. Hasselby, Sweden: Borg Perception; 2016, borgperception@telia.com). Subsequently, new ATS/ERS Technical Standards on the 6-minute-walk test have been published (3); these standards are intended to supersede the statement that is being corrected here. We apologize for the inconvenience to our readers. n
Women and research on cardiovascular diseases in Europe: a report from the European Heart Health Strategy (EuroHeart) project

Cardiovascular diseases represent the major cause of mortality in women and in men.1,2 However, gender differences in the clinical presentation of cardiovascular diseases have been demonstrated3 and some therapeutic options may not be equally effective and safe in men and women.4 Furthermore, gender differences in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics may contribute to a different response to cardiovascular drugs in women when compared with men.5,6 Accordingly, preventive and therapeutical interventions should be tested in populations that fairly represent the gender distribution. In contrast, under-representation of women in cardiovascular trials has been clearly demonstrated in the past. The European Heart Health Strategy (EuroHeart) project of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Heart Network (EHN), co-funded by the European Commission, addressed the issue of women representation in cardiovascular clinical research in Europe. The enrolment of women in cardiovascular clinical trials funded by the NHLBI was 38% between 1965 and 19987 and 27% between 1997 and 2006.8 Furthermore, only 13 of 19 studies reported gender-based outcomes. In the European cardiovascular clinical trials of the same period, the proportion of women enrolled varied between 16 and 25%, although the female prevalence of clinical conditions under study in the general population was similar to that of men. In 2005, the European Medicines Agency and the ESC Policy Conference on Cardiovascular Diseases in Women recommended a significant representation of women in clinical trials.3 The current representation of women in European cardiovascular research has been assessed in the EuroHeart project. Observational studies; randomized clinical trials, including meta-analyses; European registries; Guidelines and Statements of European Scientific Societies, published between 2006 and June 2009, have been analysed, focusing on the number and percentage of women enrolled, age of participants, time of follow-up, availability of the analysis of …
Pro-Angiogenesis Therapy and Aging: A Mini-Review

Apart from major illnesses and chronic afflictions, the elderly experience lesser ailments, such as muscle weakness, cold intolerance, and transient memory lapses. Physical signs in the aged include wrinkled skin and the slow healing of skin abrasions. These ailments and signs are grouped together because they may be due in part to an age-linked, waning microcirculation. A reduced capillary density (CD) throughout the body of aged people and animals has been reported in over 40 papers. The reduced CD is due in turn to declining levels of angiogenic growth factors (AGFs) throughout the body during old age, as documented in 7 reports in the literature. From this perspective, old age is a deficiency state of AGFs, much like the reduced testosterone levels in elderly males. The above data on reduced CD and AGFs are the basis for the “angiogenesis hypothesis of aging”, whose corollary suggests pro-angiogenesis therapy for symptoms and signs of old age. Several AGFs are now available in recombinant forms (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor) and have been used safely in animal experiments and in short-term clinical trials.
Emerging infections: pandemic influenza.

The report of the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Emerging Microbial Threats to Health in the United States, published in 1992, defines influenza virus as the prototype emerging infection (1). Pandemics of influenza have been recognized since earliest recorded history and, because of the mutability of the virus, still represent a formidable threat to the health of the nation. Although much progress has been made in describing the molecular aspects of the virus, in elucidating the epidemiology and modes of spread, and in developing methods for prevention and treatment, a rational strategy for control has not been established. The trends of modern society, including the increasing availability of rapid human transportation and the urbanization of the rapidly expanding human population, tend to facilitate the spread of influenza and increase morbidity. Modern medicine can reduce the mortality that resulted from complications of infection with influenza virus during earlier epidemics, but the cost of medical interventions has increased to the point that effective methods of epidemic control should be considered. This challenge provides an opportunity to develop, test, and have in place a strategy for control of interpandemic influenza before the next pandemic. Pandemics result from the emergence of an influenza A virus that is novel for the human population. Evidence for recycling of subtypes of influenza A after intervals of 60 years or more has been derived by determining antibody prevalence in elderly populations prior to the emergence of subtypes H2N2 in 1957 and H3N2 in 1968 (2, 3). A more ominous threat is the reservoir of 14 influenza A subtypes that persist in avian hosts (4). An avian virus can reassort with a human virus, as occurred in 1957 and 1968, to allow the creation of progeny that possess novel surface antigens with the potential to spread in human popu-
Coping with the cold – exploring relationships between cold housing, health and social wellbeing in a sample of older people in Ireland

Purpose – Older people are vulnerable to fuel poverty on the island of Ireland. This paper seeks to explore the lived experiences of older people in cold weather with a view to informing fuel poverty policy and service responses.Design/methodology/approach – A postal and online survey utilising an opportunistic sample of older people living in Ireland and linked with a range of services/community and voluntary groups was undertaken in January‐April 2011. Data on the experiences of 722 older people in the cold weather of winter 2010/2011 were analysed in the context of socio‐economic, health, and housing circumstances.Findings – During the period of extreme cold weather half of the sample reported that they went without other household necessities due to the cost of home‐heating. In general, 62 per cent of those surveyed worried about the cost of home‐heating. Homes considered “too cold” were more likely to lack central heating and experience damp/draughts. Staying indoors, keeping the heating on, and eati.
Depression and diabetes comorbidity: psychotherapy treatment preferences among a predominantly mexican sample of primary care patients with diabetes

Depression and diabetes comorbidity: Psychotherapy treatment preferences among a predominantly Mexican sample of primary care patients with diabetes. "Depression and diabetes comorbidity: Psychotherapy treatment preferences among a predominantly Mexican sample of primary care patients with diabetes. Depression and diabetes are highly comorbid problems yet their conjoint treatment, particularly the use of evidence based psychological treatments among diabetics, warrants further research. Specifically, little is known about the treatment of depression among diabetic Latinos, one of the fastest growing populations with comorbid depression and diabetes. Because of this scarce research among Latino diabetics, the present study aims to test whether educating Latino diabetics about treatment options for depression would differentiate their choice of one treatment over the other. Secondary aims were to investigate the degree to which cultural, depression, and diabetic factors differentiated treatment choice. Thirty two participants were provided with brief treatment rationale scripts on three empirically supportive treatments for major depression (e.g., cognitive therapy, behavioral activation, interpersonal therapy). After rationales were presented, participants were asked to choose their preferred treatment to treat depression. Results showed that participants preferred all treatments over cognitive therapy and that cultural variables were related to treatment rationale selection. 3 Acknowledgements This project would not have been made possible without the support of People's Health Center (PHC) as a data collection site, and the support from Alex Gomez, M.S., diabetes educator, and Dr. Maryam Mahmoodian. I would like to thank the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for an excellent graduate training experience, and my advisor, Dr. McChargue, for his support throughout my graduate career. My appreciation also extends to my committee members: want to thank my family – Mamá, Rita, Carmen, and Daniel – for your unconditional support. To the bravest woman in my world, my mother, gracias por todo tus sacrificios porque sin ti, esto no hubiese sido posible. 4 Dedication This study is dedicated to the many diabetic Latino men and women of Nebraska. Este studio esta dedicado a las mujeres y hombres con diabetis de Nebraska.
Decreased angiogenesis and arthritic disease in rabbits treated with an αvβ3 antagonist

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease associated with intense angiogenesis and vascular expression of integrin αvβ3. Intra-articular administration of a cyclic peptide antagonist of integrin αvβ3 to rabbits with antigen-induced arthritis early in disease resulted in inhibition of synovial angiogenesis and reduced synovial cell infiltrate, pannus formation, and cartilage erosions. These effects were not associated with lymphopenia or impairment of leukocyte function. Furthermore, when administered in chronic, preexisting disease, the αvβ3 antagonist effectively diminished arthritis severity and was associated with a quantitative increase in apoptosis of the angiogenic blood vessels. Therefore, angiogenesis appears to be a central factor in the initiation and persistence of arthritic disease, and antagonists of integrin αvβ3 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for RA.
Context-dependent recruitment of Guettarda viburnoides in a Neotropical forest-savanna mosaic.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Seed dispersal is a key process for plant regeneration in tropical areas. Differences in disperser behavior result in a nonrandom distribution of seeds among habitats. Patterns of seed dispersal may cascade through the entire recruitment phase or uncoupling between developmental stages may occur such that patterns of seed dispersal are discordant with patterns of recruitment. Here, we analyzed how habitat and interannual variability affect the recruitment dynamics of a bird-dispersed tree, Guettarda viburnoides (RUB.). METHODS Over 3 years, we determined the habitats where seeds of G. viburnoides are dispersed, and we experimentally quantified postdispersal seed predation, seedling emergence, and survival in four habitats of a forest-savanna mosaic in Bolivia. KEY RESULTS Habitat affected seed dispersal, seed predation, and seedling emergence. The strength of postdispersal processes, however, varied between years and no consistent within-habitat pattern emerged. Uncoupling among different life-stages was observed across habitats, and spatial concordance was found between seed rain and sapling recruitment patterns. CONCLUSIONS Habitat can affect seed dispersal, postdispersal processes and the recruitment dynamics of a Neotropical tree in a heterogeneous landscape. Additionally, our results show interannual variability in the strength of postdispersal processes, which leads to shifts in habitat suitability between years. Therefore, to better understand the role of site suitability for recruitment, we need to explicitly consider not only variation in habitat-specificity for dispersal and postdispersal processes, but also how this variation can shift under different environmental conditions-that is, the context dependence of suitability.
Impaired Carbon Monoxide Diffusing Capacity is the Strongest Predictor of Exercise Intolerance in COPD

Abstract Background: Exercise intolerance is a hallmark of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) is the traditional metric used to define the severity of COPD. However, there is dissociation between FEV1 and exercise capacity in a large proportion of subjects with COPD. The aim of this study was to investigate whether other lung function parameters have an additive, predictive value for exercise capacity and whether this differs according to the COPD stage. Methods: Spirometry, body plethysmography and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were performed on 88 patients with COPD GOLD stages II-IV. Exercise capacity (EC) was determined in all subjects by symptom-limited, incremental cycle ergometer testing. Results: Significant relationships were found between EC and the majority of lung function parameters. DLCO, FEV1 and inspiratory capacity (IC) were found to be the best predictors of EC in a stepwise regression analysis explaining 72% of EC. These lung function parameters explained 76% of EC in GOLD II, 72% in GOLD III and 40% in GOLD IV. DLCO alone was the best predictor of exercise capacity in all GOLD stages. Conclusions: Diffusing capacity was the strongest predictor of exercise capacity in all subjects. In addition to FEV1, DLCO and IC provided a significantly higher predictive value regarding exercise capacity in COPD patients. This suggests that it is beneficial to add measurements of diffusing capacity and inspiratory capacity when clinically monitoring COPD patients.
Resistance exercise in osteoarthritis: a review

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease in the world, and in Brazil it is estimated to affect 6 to 12% of the adults and one third of the elderly population. There is evidence that exercise, especially resistance exercise, may reduce disease progression. Objective: The aim of this study was to review the literature regarding resistance exercise as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Method: Articles indexed in the PubMed database were reviewed by employing the “therapy narrow” filter, through the “clinical queries” interface. Twenty studies were selected for full text review. Several types of resistance exercise interventions, with different intensities, duration and speed were studied by other authors. Results: The various types of resistance exercise seem to be safe and effective in promoting functional improvements and pain reduction in osteoarthritis patients. Low intensity and isometric exercises can also promote benefits. Conclusion: Adherence to the programs is close to 50% and the combined use of supplements or drugs along with exercise has been little studied so far in this population.
Association between Type, Amount, and Pattern of Carbohydrate Consumption with Dental Caries in 12-Year-Olds in Puerto Rico

Objective: To identify the types, food sources, and pattern of carbohydrates that significantly contribute to dental caries in Puerto Rican children. Methods: As part of an island-wide cross-sectional oral health study in 1,587 twelve-year-olds, diet intake was assessed in a representative subset (n = 801) with a 24-hour dietary recall. Carbohydrate intake was quantified using a computer-based diet analysis program. Caries was assessed using the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research diagnostic criteria. Odds ratios were used to associate carbohydrate intake quartiles with caries, after controlling for important confounders. Results: A total of 723 subjects had complete data. Most were females (54%) and attended public schools (77%). The caries prevalence was 33%. The highest quartile intake for the following sugars significantly increased the odds of caries compared to the lowest quartile: total carbohydrates (OR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.08-3.46), total sugars (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.01-351), sucrose (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.13-3.70), fructose (OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.05-3.62), and inositol (OR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.38-4.63). The main food sources of these sugars were juices, including natural juices with no added sugars, and sweetened beverages. The odds of caries also increased significantly in children whose 10% of total energy intake was from total sugars (OR = 3.76, 95% CI = 1.03-13.7). Conclusion: After adjusting for important caries risk factors, total carbohydrates, total sugars, ≥10% kilocaloric energy from total sugars, and sucrose, fructose, and inositol intake significantly increased caries risk. Our findings can help raise awareness about the potential caries risk from the main sources of these sugars, natural fruit juices and sweetened beverages, which are consumed in great quantities in many societies.
Cambios a lo largo del tiempo en la distribución de los complejos de clones dominantes de Staphylococcus aureus resistente a la meticilina en Medellín, Colombia

Introduccion. Parte del exito de Staphylococcus aureus resistente a la meticilina (SARM) como patogeno se debe a la rapida diseminacion de linajes pandemicos con perfiles variables de virulencia y sensibilidad antimicrobiana. En Colombia se han identificado clones asociados al hospital como el pediatrico (CC5-ST5-SCCmecIV), el brasilero (CC8-ST239-SCCmecIII) y el chileno/cordobes (CC5-ST5-SCCmecI). Asimismo, se describio el USA300 (CC8-ST8-SCCmecIV), tradicionalmente asociado a la comunidad, causante de infecciones hospitalarias. Objetivo. Describir el comportamiento en el tiempo de los clones de SARM provenientes de un hospital universitario de Medellin en aislamientos recolectados con una decada de diferencia. Materiales y metodos. Se analizaron 398 aislamientos de SARM, 67 recolectados en 1994 y 331 recolectados entre 2008 y 2010. La identificacion y la sensibilidad a la meticilina se confirmaron mediante los genes nuc y mecA. La caracterizacion molecular incluyo la tipificacion de spa, SCCmec, la electroforesis en gel de campo pulsado (Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis, PFGE), y la tipificacion por secuenciacion de locus multiples (Multilocus Sequence Typing, MLST). Resultados. Al analizar los aislamientos de SARM de 1994 se encontro que pertenecian a un unico linaje, el CC5-SCCmecIV, mientras que los aislamientos de 2008 a 2010 presentaron dos linajes dominantes: el CC8-SCCmecIVc, con cepas de los tipos spa t008 y t1610, estrechamente relacionadas con el clon USA 300, y el CC5-SCCmecI, con las de tipo spa t149, relacionadas con el clon chileno; no se detectaron cepas del linaje encontrado en 1994. Conclusiones. En este estudio se demuestra una dinamica en el tiempo de las cepas de S. aureu s, y se senala la importancia de la vigilancia local y la difusion de los resultados, sobre todo en paises como el nuestro, donde SARM es prevalente y la comprension de su epidemiologia es limitada.
Sinusbodenaugmentation mit simultaner Implantatinsertion unter Verwendung von rekombinantem humanem Osteogenic Protein-1

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine whether the combination of an osteoinductive protein (recombinant human osteogenic protein- (rhOP-1 = bone morphogenetic protein-7) with natural bovine bone mineral (BioOss®) would improve ossification and the bone-implant contact (BIC) in a sinus floor augmentation with simultaneous placement of implants. Material and Methods: In this study, the maxillary sinus floors in five miniature pigs were augmented with 3 ml BioOss® containing 420 μg rhOP-1 on the test side and 3 ml BioOss® alone on the control side. At the time of augmentation a titanium implant (ITI®) was inserted from a laterocaudal direction. Results: After 6 months of healing the sites of augmentation were removed and examined in non-decalcified sections by microradiography, fluorescence microscopy of sequentially labelled specimens and by histometry. On both sides, significant amounts of newly formed bone were observed. However, on the test sites, the BIC in the augmented area was 80.0% versus 38.6% on control sites. It can be concluded that the application of bone morphogenetic proteins caused a more rapid and enhanced osseointegration of simultaneously placed implants when compared to the bone substitute alone. Discussion: Therefore recombinant human osteogenic protein-1 delivered by natural bone mineral has the potential to become a clinical alternative for autogenous bone grafts in sinus floor augmentation.
Cannabinoids against pain. Efficacy and strategies to reduce psychoactivity: a clinical perspective

The clinical use of cannabinoids is currently a topic of interest not exclusively, but most importantly, concerning different areas of pain therapy. One of the major obstacles in developing clinically acceptable compounds is the cannabimimetic side-effect profile of δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids. This article gives a brief overview of the endocannabinoid system, its components and functions and explains the current approaches to avoiding cannabimimetic side effects by separating them from the therapeutic effects. One of these approaches is the addition of cannabidiol (CBD) as well as the use of preparations suitable for oromucosal application. Also cannabinoids, which primarily stimulate peripheral cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptors or selectively cannabinoid-2 (CB2) receptors, can further separate analgesic activity from cannabimimetic activity. Local or topical modes of application are another attempt aiming in the same direction. Modulating the endogenous cannabinoid tone (via the inhibition of endocannabinoid-metabolising enzymes) is another strategy. The combination of THC in low, non-psychoactive doses with opioids has a synergistic effect and reduces opioid tolerance effects. Available data from these approaches are summarised and their more and less promising aspects are discussed.
Community midwifery education program in Afghanistan

Afghanistan's health services in the immediate post conflict period were in a deplorable and chaotic state. In 2002, its maternal mortality ratio was the second highest in the world, reflecting a lack of access and utilization of reproductive health services and skilled care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the first month after delivery. These services are key to saving women at risk of dying due to pregnancy and childbirth complications. In a society where women seek care only from female providers, one barrier to expansion of services was the lack of qualified female health workers to deploy to remote health facilities to make up for the shortfall of female staff. Some 77 percent of the population was living in rural areas, where women are usually excluded from access to skilled and emergency health care. In 2003 for example, most Afghan women delivered at home, and fewer than 10 percent of births were attended by a skilled provider. Very few midwives trained in Kabul or other big cities were willing to work in rural areas where the needs were much higher. Moreover, there were no education facilities and too few female school graduates who could be trained in the provinces. Given the dire situation, the shortage of midwives had to be remedied urgently. The community Midwifery Education (CME) Program was created.