Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Safety issues in the management of autoimmune hepatitis

Background: Prednisone and azathioprine are effective in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis, but diverse side effects can diminish their net benefit. Objectives: Describe the frequency and nature of these side effects and propose management strategies to minimize their impact. Methods: Pertinent articles published from 1970 to 2007 were identified by Medline search and through a personal library. Results: Medication is prematurely discontinued in 13% of patients mainly because of cosmetic changes, cytopenia, or osteopenia. Populations at high risk are the elderly, those with pre-existent co-morbidities, patients with near-zero thiopurine methyltransferase activity, individuals who are treatment-dependent, pregnant women, and asymptomatic patients who are over-treated. Conclusions: Proper patient selection, effective pre-treatment counseling, pre-emptive protective measures, realistic treatment objectives, and early identification of problematic patients can reduce complications. Individualized dosing schedules and the emergence of non-steroidal medications are realistic expectations.
State of the Art Reviews: Health Benefits Related to Exercise in Patients With Chronic Low-Grade Systemic Inflammation

Today, there is substantial evidence to suggest that regular exercise has health-promoting effects, which are beyond its effect on weight control. Regular exercise offers protection against all-cause mortality, and there is evidence from randomized intervention studies that physical training is effective as a treatment in patients with chronic heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, and symptoms related with the metabolic syndrome. Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes are associated with chronic low-grade systemic inflammation. This review focuses on the anti-inflammatory effects of exercise that are mediated by muscle-derived cytokines (myokines). It is suggested that myokines may be involved in mediating the health-beneficial effects of exercise and that these in particular are involved in the protection against chronic diseases associated with low-grade inflammation.
HIV/AIDS TESTING IN BOTSWANA: A CASE STUDY OF SELEBI PHIKWE

INTRODUCTION HIV/AIDS is one of the most critical current global socio-economic problems. Apparently, there is no country that has not suffered the epidemic. It is a disease that has crippled many governments’ budgets and disrupted medical research, since no cure has been found. Thus it has caused a lot of strain, especially, in the Third World, where poverty is a major problem. This is mainly because of lack of resources and facilities, poor general health and long periods of social unrest and economic disruption (Monkge,, 1999).
Nutrition beliefs of disadvantaged parents of overweight children

Objective: To explore low socioeconomic parents’ beliefs in relation to children’s nutrition. Design: A qualitative, longitudinal study over 12 months involving 37 low socioeconomic parents. Setting: Perth, Western Australia. Method: Parents’ nutrition-related beliefs were explored via interviews, focus groups and self-introspections. All parents participating in the study had at least one overweight or obese child aged five to nine years. Results: Seven beliefs that are inconsistent with the recommendations in the nutrition literature were common among the study participants: (1) treats are appropriate for daily consumption; (2) food rewards are appropriate for encouraging good behaviour; (3) overweight children will outgrow their weight problems; (4) it is appropriate for children to regularly eat in front of the television; (5) if children do not get the food they want they will refuse to eat so it is appropriate to give them any food they will eat; (6) it can be difficult to get children to eat breakfast so it is appropriate to give them any food they will eat; and (7) serving cordial is an appropriate way to encourage children to drink more fluids. Conclusion: The suboptimal beliefs that were identified among these low SES parents are likely to be contributing to their children’s overweight status and thus are in need of attention in child obesity interventions in general and parent education programmes in particular.
Comparative Evaluation of Serologic Tests for Celiac Disease: A European Initiative Toward Standardization

Background Serologic methods have been used widely to test for celiac disease and have gained importance in diagnostic definition and in new epidemiologic findings. However, there is no standardization, and there are no reference protocols and materials. Methods The European working group on Serological Screening for Celiac Disease has defined robust noncommercial test protocols for immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgA gliadin antibodies and for IgA autoantibodies against endomysium and tissue transglutaminase. Standard curves were linear in the decisive range, and intra-assay variation coefficients were less than 5% to 10%. Calibration was performed with a group reference serum. Joint cutoff limits were used. Seven laboratories took part in the final collaborative study on 252 randomized sera classified by histology (103 pediatric and adult patients with active celiac disease, 89 disease control subjects, and 60 blood donors). Results IgA autoantibodies against endomysium and tissue transglutaminase rendered superior sensitivity (90% and 93%, respectively) and specificity (99% and 95%, respectively) over IgA and IgG gliadin antibodies. Tissue transglutaminase antibody testing showed superior receiver operating characteristic performance compared with gliadin antibodies. The &kgr; values for interlaboratory reproducibility showed superiority for IgA endomysium (0.93) in comparison with tissue transglutaminase antibodies (0.83) and gliadin antibodies (0.82 for IgG, 0.62 for IgA). Conclusions Basic criteria of standardization and quality assessment must be fulfilled by any given test protocol proposed for serologic investigation of celiac disease. The working group has produced robust test protocols and reference materials available for standardization to further improve reliability of serologic testing for celiac disease.
State of play of CME in Europe in 2014: proceedings from the Seventh Annual Meeting of the European CME Forum

European CME Forum is a not-for-profit organisation that was established in 2007 in order to bring together all stakeholder groups with an interest in European CME and promote multi-channel discussion in an independent and neutral environment. This report summarises the presentations and discussions that took place at the 7th Annual Meeting of the European CME Forum in London on 13–14 November 2014. The meeting was held at a time of great uncertainty in European CME and gave attendees opportunity to consider many unanswered questions regarding how CME in Europe will be funded, accredited and regulated in the future. The programme for the forum was developed based on a needs assessment conducted among a variety of CME stakeholders in Europe and beyond. This exercise identified a number of issues that are rarely covered at similar gatherings and which were therefore given prominence during the meeting. Chief among these “hot topics” were how to ensure effective measurement of outcomes in CME programmes and how to encourage and manage the transparency of relationships between industry and healthcare professionals. Other subjects covered in depth during the forum included the future funding of CME, e-learning innovations and potential, and the value, or otherwise, of CME accreditation. The forum made use of a number of interactive meeting formats which ensured the days’ proceedings were characterised by a series of lively discussions and stimulating debates.
The Maltreatment and Adolescent Pathways (MAP) Project: Using Adolescent Child Protective Services Population-Based Research to Identify Research Questions

This article introduces readers to the Maltreatment and Adolescent Pathways (MAP) study. The MAP is a longitudinal study that follows active case ﬁles of mid-adolescents in a large urban child protective services (CPS) system. The MAP is a unique opportunity to collect information from teens about their physical health (e.g., sleep quality), mental health (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder) and cognitive style (e.g., attention, memory). The MAP study samples the population of CPS teens on questions that are used in provincial teen surveys, allowing for points of comparison to non-CPS teens. The MAP tracks youth development over 2.5 years. Although the MAP currently has a very small number of Aboriginal teens, the responses of these teens may focus practitioner and researcher attention to priority areas for further research. This includes the investigation of how some research issues, such as maltreatment history, personal safety, relationship to primary CPS worker and suicidal ideation, may be cross-informative. It is known that teen risk behaviours cluster together, but it is important to understand the relationships among these variables. An understanding of these relationships can drive knowledge creation, as well as practice and policy change. Finally, the MAPstudy has succeeded given a successful collaborative partnership between hospital, university, and CPS partners who both strive to keep the youths’ best interests in the forefront.
Efecto Mozart en el Aprendizaje Práctico de la Anatomía

El termino efecto Mozart comienza a utilizarse a partir de los trabajos de Rauscher et al. (1993), quienes observaron mejores resultados en tareas que requerian orientacion temporo-espacial en estudiantes universitarios. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar el efecto que tiene en el aprendizaje practico de la anatomia la aplicacion de estimulos musicales relacionados con el denominado efecto Mozart. Participaron 254 estudiantes de las carreras de Odontologia, Fonoaudiologia y Tecnologia Medica. Los grupos de estudio fueron sometidos durante toda una Unidad tematica a estimulacion auditiva utilizando el primer movimiento de la Sonata para dos Pianos en D Mayor (K. 448) de Mozart, los grupos controles desarrollaron su actividad practica sin estimulacion auditiva, al finalizar la unidad se realizo una evaluacion practica de reconocimiento de estructuras en el cadaver. Las medias de los resultados obtenidos fueron superiores en los sujetos sometidos a estimulacion auditiva, estos resultados fueron estadisticamente significativos en las carreras de Odontologia y Fonoaudiologia, pero no en Tecnologia Medica.
The link between polycystic ovary syndrome and Type 2 diabetes: what do we know today?

SUMMARY Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition estimated to affect 4–18% of women of reproductive age. PCOS is associated with reproductive and metabolic sequelae. These sequelae include increased risk factors for impaired glucose tolerance, Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease. Insulin resistance is proposed as a key pathophysiological feature of PCOS contributing to both the reproductive and metabolic disturbances as well as contributing to an increased cardiometabolic risk for women with PCOS. In this article we have discussed the inter-relationship between PCOS, insulin resistance and T2DM as well as various risk factors present in women with PCOS that predisposes them to develop T2DM.
Promotion of ethical principles in provision of medication therapy management services

As pharmacists move toward more patient-centered care through medication therapy management (MTM), important issues and conflicts may arise within the therapeutic relationship, requiring pharmacists to use ethical knowledge and skills toward conflictresolution. The purpose of this paper is to explore practical strategies that pharmacists and other champions of MTM may utilize to support the ethical principles of autonomy, veracity, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice, along with an ethic of care during the provision of MTM services. With a deeper understanding of ethical principles and the Code of Ethics for Pharmacists, pharmacists may be more prepared to make difficult ethical decisions, and ultimately, guide better patient care.
Realities of Respite Care

Respite care in the form of day care centres, in-home respite and institutional care, has been the cornerstone of care for the disabled elderly. Evidence for its effectiveness in helping carers or disabled clients is hard to come by. In this paper, a proposition is put forward for a carefully designed study to answer some of the important points often raised by the providers of such services.
The study of MDCT of Radiation dose in the department of Radiology of general hospitals in the local area

Abstract The difference of radiation dose of MDCT due to different proto cols between hospitals was analyzed by CTDI, DLP, the number of Slice and the number of DLP/Slice in 3 0 cases of the head, the abdomen and the chest that have 10 cases each from MDCT examination of the depa rtment of diagnostic imaging of three general hospitals in Gyeongsangbuk-do. The difference of image quality, CTDI, DLP, radiation dose in the eye and radiation dose in thyroid was analyzed after both helical s can and normal scan for head CT were performed because a protocol of head CT is relatively simple and head CT is the most frequent case.Head CT was significantly higher in two-thirds of hospitals com pared to A hospital that does not exceed a CTDI diagnostic reference level (IAEA 50mGy, Korea 60mGy) (p<0. 001). DLP was higher in one-third of hospitals than a diagnostic reference level of IAEA 1,050mGy.cm and Korea 1,000mGy.cm and two-thirds exceeded the recommendation of Korea and those were significant ly higher than A hospital that does not exceed a diagnostic reference level (p<0.001). Abdomen CT showed 119mGy that was higher than a diagnostic refe rence level of IAEA 25mGy and Korea 20mGy in one-third. DLP in all hospitals was higher that Korea recommendation of 700mGy.cm. Among target hospitals, C hospital showed high radiation dose in all tests b ecause MPR and 3D were of great importance due to low pitch and high Tube Curren.To analyze the difference of radiation dose by scan methods, no rmal scan and helical scan for head CT of the same patient were performed. In the result, CTDI and DLP of helical CT were higher 63.4% and 93.7% than normal scan (p<0.05, p<0.01). However, normal scan of radi ation dose in thyroid was higher 87.26% (p<0.01). Beam of helical CT looked like a bell in the deep par t and the marginal part so thyroid was exposed with low radiation dose deviated from central beam. In addition , helical scan used Gantry angle perpendicularly and normal scan used it parallel to the orbitomeatal line. Ther efore, radiation dose in thyroid decreased in helical scan. However, a protocol in this study showed higher r adiation dose than diagnostic reference level of KFDA. To obey the recommendation of KFDA, low Tube Curren and h igh pitch were demanded. In this study, the difference of image quality between normal scan and helical scan was not significant. Therefore, a standardized protocol of normal scan was generally used and pro tective gear for thyroid was needed except a special case.
Peer injecting: implications for injecting order and blood-borne viruses among men and women who inject heroin

A large body of research has highlighted practices and rituals that characterise injecting drug use and behavioural and environmental risks that can contribute to the transmission of blood-borne viruses. Compared with other injecting practices, considerably less is known about peer injecting, i.e. receiving or giving injections, particularly the social context in which it occurs. In this article, we explore peer injecting and injecting order at initiation into injecting drug user (IDU) and during subsequent injection episodes. Using data from semi-structured interviews, we highlight the experiences of 41 males and females who had received injections from other IDUs. Respondents were recruited through various strategies, largely chain referral. The results suggest gendered similarities as well as differences in terms of peer injecting, the order of injection and micro-risk contexts for blood-borne viruses.
SMYD3 promoter hypomethylation is associated with the risk of colorectal cancer.

AIM SMYD3 encodes histone lysine methyltransferase. The goal of our study was to investigate the association between SMYD3 methylation and colorectal cancer (CRC). MATERIALS & METHODS SMYD3 methylation was measured by quantitative methylation-specific PCR method in 117 pairs of CRC tumor and para-tumor tissues. RESULTS Significantly lower SMYD3 methylation was observed in CRC tumor tissues than para-tumor tissues (p = 0.002). Further subgroup analysis by clinical features showed that significantly lower SMYD3 methylation were only observed in the CRC patients with tumors of moderately and well differentiation, positive lymph node metastasis, and stage III + IV. CONCLUSION Our work reported for the first time that SMYD3 promoter hypomethylation was associated with CRC.
Educational Quality of Independent Colleges in China：The Perceptions of Students and Teachers

The purpose of this study is to examine the educational quality of the independent colleges − the newest higher education institutions in China. In order to investigate this issue, the study explored motivations of students for choosing independent colleges, the experiences of their learning processes, as well as their perceptions of learning environment. Motivation theory, social cognitive theory and its processes consisting to the research questions were applied in this study. A qualitative research strategy using principles of case study was utilized for the research. Individual semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 5 groups of students, teachers and staff in College X. Data collected during the interviews was analyzed according to the themes identified in theoretical framework. The research findings indicated that both of the students and teachers generally had high-level satisfaction with respect to students’ learning experiences and environments. This could be interpreted as an indication of relatively high educational quality of independent colleges. However, there were also some additional findings highlighting the difficulties the students experienced. The implications for students, teachers and school managers were discussed with the aim to establish a better learning environment for students, as well as to improve the educational quality of independent colleges.
Beneficial Effects of a Soy-Based Dietary Supplement on Lipid Levels and Cardiovascular Risk Markers in Type 2 Diabetic Subjects

OBJECTIVE — Consumption of soy protein has recently been shown to improve the blood lipid levels in nondiabetic subjects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if a dietary supplement of soy protein, isoflavones, and cotyledon fiber (Abalon) affects cardiovascular risk markers, blood glucose, and insulin levels in type 2 diabetic subjects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS — Twenty type 2 diabetic subjects participated in a crossover trial. They were randomized to double-blind supplementation for 6 weeks with Abalon (soy protein [50 g/day] with high levels of isoflavones [minimum 165 mg/day] and cotyledon fiber [20 g/day]) or placebo (casein [50 g/day] and cellulose [20 g/day]), separated by a 3-week wash-out period. RESULTS — The results are expressed as means ± SD. The percentage mean treatment difference between Abalon and placebo demonstrated significantly lower mean values after Abalon for LDL cholesterol (10 ± 15%, P < 0.05), LDL/HDL ratio (12 ± 18%, P < 0.05), apolipoprotein (apo) B100 (30 ± 38%, P < 0.01), triglycerides (22 ± 10%, P < 0.05), and homocysteine (14 ± 21%, P < 0.01), whereas the total cholesterol value tended to be less significant but still lower (8 ± 15%, P < 0.08). No change occurred in HDL cholesterol, apo B100/apo A1 ratio, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, factor VIIc, von Willebrand factor, fibrinogen, lipoprotein(a), glucose, HbAlc, or 24-h blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS — These results indicate beneficial effects of dietary supplementation with Abalon on cardiovascular risk markers in type 2 diabetic subjects. This improvement is seen even in individuals with near-normal lipid values.
Investigation of the pharmacokinetics of a novel sustained release metformin hydrochloride suspension with ion exchange resin as carriers in beagle dogs

A novel metformin hydrochloride sustained-release suspension containing ion exchange resin as carriers have been reported in a previous study. In the present study, the pharmacokinetics of this sustained-release suspension in beagle dogs was investigated. A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was established to detect the amount of metformin hydrochloride in vivo. The pharmacokinetics parameters of the metformin hydrochloride sustained-release suspension and a reference metformin hydrochloride tablet were: AUC0~24(μg·h·ml-1) 72.94 and 78.07, Cmax (μg·ml-1) 7.97 and 15.42, Tmax (h) 4.2 and 1.83 respectively. The results indicated that the suspension was bioequivalent with the reference tablet, and had an obvious sustained-release effect. Keywords: Metformin hydrochloride, sustained-release, ion exchange resin, in vivo, pharmacokinetics.
Mental health publications from the Arab world cited in PubMed, 1987-2002.

The study aimed to identify mental health publications in Arab countries cited in PubMed from 1987 to 2002 and to analyse the year of publication, journal and field of research, specifically for child and adolescent mental health studies. A PubMed search was performed for all mental health publications followed by an analysis of child and adolescent mental health citations. The total number of mental health research citations published in Arab countries over the last 15 years was 338, 1.2% of the total number of citations for biomedical research; 17% were on child and adolescent mental health. The most dynamic fields of mental health research are anxiety and mood disorders and substance abuse. Child psychiatry, especially attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and child autism, are not gaining much interest from Arab researchers. Publications sur la sante mentale provenant du monde arabe citees dans PubMed, 1987-2002 RESUME Cette etude visait a identifier les publications sur la sante mentale dans les pays arabes citees dans PubMed de 1987 a 2002 et a analyser l'annee de publication, la revue et le domaine de recherche, notamment pour les etudes sur la sante mentale de l'enfant et de l'adolescent. Une recherche dans PubMed a ete effectuee pour toutes les publications sur la sante mentale suivie d'une analyse des citations concer- nant la sante mentale de l'enfant et de l'adolescent. Le nombre total de citations de recherches en sante mentale publiees dans des pays arabes au cours des 15 dernieres annees etait de 338 - 1,2 % du nombre total de citations pour la recherche biomedicale ; 17 % concernaient la sante mentale de l'enfant et de l'adolescent. Les domaines de recherche en sante mentale les plus dynamiques etaient l'anxiete et les troubles de l'humeur ainsi que la toxicomanie. La psychiatrie infantile, notamment le trouble d'hyperactivite avec deficit de l'attention et l'autisme de l'enfant, ne suscite pas beaucoup d'interet chez les chercheurs arabes.