Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dysphagia Following Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: Assessment Using an Abridged SWAL-QOL

ABSTRACT Background: Study design: Retrospective cohort study. Objective: To determine which components of the swallowing disorders quality of life (SWAL-QOL) survey are most relevant to assess dysphagia following anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS). Summary of background data: The SWAL-QOL survey is an instrument that has been applied to patients undergoing ACSS procedures as a means of objectifying swallow function. However, the SWAL-QOL is lengthy, cumbersome, and primarily used for otolaryngological procedures. Methods: Patients undergoing ACSS procedures were administered the SWAL-QOL prior to surgery and at 6- and 12-week postoperative visits. The preoperative and postoperative SWAL-QOL scores were compared using paired t tests. Questions with statistically and clinically significant postoperative changes were used to create an abridged survey. Results: Fifty patients completed surveys at all 3 encounters and were included in the analysis. The total scaled score at 6 weeks was significantly lower than the preoperative score (P = .003) but returned to near baseline scores by 12 weeks (P = .178). Five sections had significantly lower scores at both postoperative visits compared to their respective preoperative values. Additionally, 13 individual questions had significantly lower scores at both postoperative visits, while 8 had significantly lower scores at only 1 of the postoperative visits. Of these 21 questions demonstrating statistical significance, 16 also demonstrated a clinically significant decrease (>5.0%) from preoperative scores. These 16 questions were included in the abridged survey developed for use in ACSS patients. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that several questions in the full SWAL-QOL questionnaire demonstrated minor or no changes at postoperative visits following ACSS. As a result, we propose a modified, 16-question SWAL-QOL survey including only questions that were both statistically and clinically significant. This truncated survey may be better suited for use in cervical spine patients.
Mitigating Malicious Envy: Why Successful Individuals Should Reveal Their Failures

People often feel malicious envy, a destructive interpersonal emotion, when they compare themselves to successful peers. Across 3 online experiments and a field experiment of entrepreneurs, we identify an interpersonal strategy that can mitigate feelings of malicious envy in observers: revealing one’s failures. Despite a general reluctance to reveal one’s failures—as they are happening and after they have occurred—across four experiments, we find that revealing both successes and failures encountered on the path to success (compared to revealing only successes) decreases observers’ malicious envy. This effect holds regardless of the discloser’s status and cannot be explained by a decrease in perceived status of the individual. Then, in a field experiment at an entrepreneurial pitch competition, where pride displays are common and stakes are high, we find suggestive evidence that learning about the failures of a successful entrepreneur decreases observers’ malicious envy while increasing their benign envy and decreasing their perceptions of the entrepreneur’s hubristic pride (i.e., arrogance) while increasing their perceptions of the entrepreneur’s authentic pride (i.e., confidence). These findings align with previous work on the social-functional relation of envy and pride. Taken together, our results highlight how revealing failures encountered on the way to success can be a counterintuitive yet effective interpersonal emotion regulation strategy.
Reply: Is the glass of delirium half full or half empty?

1. Patel SB, Poston JT, Pohlman A, Hall JB, Kress JP. Rapidly reversible, sedation-related delirium versus persistent delirium in the intensive care unit. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2014;189: 658–665. 2. Pandharipande P, Shintani A, Peterson J, Pun BT, Wilkinson GR, Dittus RS, Bernard GR, Ely EW. Lorazepam is an independent risk factor for transitioning to delirium in intensive care unit patients. Anesthesiology 2006;104:21–26. 3. Barr J, Fraser GL, Puntillo K, Ely EW, Gélinas C, Dasta JF, Davidson JE, Devlin JW, Kress JP, Joffe AM, et al.; American College of Critical Care Medicine. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of pain, agitation, and delirium in adult patients in the intensive care unit. Crit Care Med 2013;41:263–306.
A review of the immunopathogenesis of Brucellosis

Abstract Brucellosis, caused by the intracellular pathogens Brucella, is one of the major zoonotic infections. Considering the economic burden, its prevalence has been a health concern especially in endemic regions. Brucella is able to survive and replicate within host cells by expressing different virulence factors and using various strategies to avoid the host’s immune response. This leads to progression of the disease from an acute phase to chronic brucellosis. Exploration of genetic variations has confirmed the expected influence of gene polymorphisms on susceptibility and resistance to brucellosis of humans. Since there is no approved human vaccine and treatment is uncertain with risk of relapse, it is important to increase knowledge about pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of brucellosis in order to manage and control this infection, especially in endemic regions.
Sex differences and correlates of poor glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study in Brazil and Venezuela

Objective Examine whether glycaemic control varies according to sex and whether the latter plays a role in modifying factors associated with inadequate glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Brazil and Venezuela. Design, setting and participants This was a cross-sectional, nationwide survey conducted in Brazil and Venezuela from February 2006 to June 2007 to obtain information about glycaemic control and its determinants in patients with diabetes mellitus attending outpatient clinics. Main outcome measures Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level was measured by liquid chromatography, and patients with HbA1c ≥7.0% (53 mmol/mol) were considered to have inadequate glycaemic control. The association of selected variables with glycaemic control was analysed by multivariate linear regression, using HbA1c as the dependent variable. Results A total of 9418 patients with T2D were enrolled in Brazil (n=5692) and in Venezuela (n=3726). They included 6214 (66%) women and 3204 (34%) men. On average, HbA1c levels in women were 0.13 (95% CI 0.03 to 0.24; p=0.015) higher than in men, after adjusting for age, marital status, education, race, country, body mass index, duration of disease, complications, type of healthcare, adherence to diet, adherence to treatment and previous measurement of HbA1c. Sex modified the effect of some factors associated with glycaemic control in patients with T2D in our study, but had no noteworthy effect in others. Conclusions Women with T2D had worse glycaemic control than men. Possible causes for poorer glycaemic control in women compared with men include differences in glucose homeostasis, treatment response and psychological factors. In addition, sex modified factors associated with glycaemic control, suggesting the need to develop specific treatment guidelines for men and women.
In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils against Salmonella enterica Serotypes Enteritidis and Typhimurium Strains Isolated from Poultry

Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis and S. enterica serotype Typhimurium are frequently present among poultry and are associated with outbreaks of human salmonellosis. The study investigated the in vitro antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EOs) obtained from Aloysia triphylla, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cymbopogon citratus, Litsea cubeba, Mentha piperita, Syzygium aromaticum against S. Enteritidis and S. Thyphimurium strains previously isolated from poultry. A 1:1 mixture of C. zeylanicum and S. aromaticum was also tested. The activity of all compounds was evaluated against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, commonly used as probiotic. The highest antibacterial activity was observed for C. zeylanicum (minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 1.26 mg/mL to 0.63 mg/mL), S. aromaticum (MICs from 2.637 mg/mL to 0.164 mg/mL) and the mixture (MICs from 1.289 mg/mL to 0.322 mg/mL). No activity was recorded against S. cerevisiae. The results suggest a possible use of C. zeylanicum and S. aromaticum, alone or in combination, in the farm environment for disinfection and in poultry diet, combined with S. cerevisiae administration, for an integrated approach to avoid Salmonella intestinal colonization.
Association of blood pressure with clinical outcomes in older adults with chronic kidney disease

Abstract Background in chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypertension is associated with poor outcomes at ages <70 years. At older ages, this association is unclear. We tested 10-year mortality and cardiovascular outcomes by clinical systolic blood pressure (SBP) in older CKD Stages 3 and 4 patients without diabetes or proteinuria. Methods retrospective cohort in population representative primary care electronic medical records linked to hospital data from the UK. CKD staged by CKD-EPI equation (≥2 creatinine measurements ≥90 days apart). SBPs were 3-year medians before baseline, with mean follow-up 5.7 years. Cox competing models accounted for mortality. Results about 158,713 subjects with CKD3 and 6,611 with CKD4 met inclusion criteria. Mortality increased with increasing CKD stage in all subjects aged >60. In the 70 plus group with SBPs 140–169 mmHg, there was no increase in mortality, versus SBP 130–139. Similarly, SBPs 140–169 mmHg were not associated with increased incident heart failure, stroke or myocardial infarctions. SBPs <120 mmHg were associated with increased mortality and cardiovascular risk. At ages 60–69, there was increased mortality at SBP <120 and SBP >150 mmHg. Results were little altered after excluding those with declining SBPs during 5 years before baseline, or for longer-term outcomes (5–10 years after baseline). Conclusions in older primary care patients, CKD3 or 4 was the dominant outcome predictor. SBP 140–169 mmHg having little additional predictive value, <120 mmHg was associated with increased mortality. Prospective studies of representative older adults with CKD are required to establish optimum BP targets.
Dialysis Reimbursement: What Impact Do Different Models Have on Clinical Choices?

Allowing patients to live for decades without the function of a vital organ is a medical miracle, but one that is not without cost both in terms of morbidity and quality of life and in economic terms. Renal replacement therapy (RRT) consumes between 2% and 5% of the overall health care expenditure in countries where dialysis is available without restrictions. While transplantation is the preferred treatment in patients without contraindications, old age and comorbidity limit its indications, and low organ availability may result in long waiting times. As a consequence, 30–70% of the patients depend on dialysis, which remains the main determinant of the cost of RRT. Costs of dialysis are differently defined, and its reimbursement follows different rules. There are three main ways of establishing dialysis reimbursement. The first involves dividing dialysis into a series of elements and reimbursing each one separately (dialysis itself, medications, drugs, transportation, hospitalisation, etc.). The second, known as the capitation system, consists of merging these elements in a per capita reimbursement, while the third, usually called the bundle system, entails identifying a core of procedures intrinsically linked to treatment (e.g., dialysis sessions, tests, intradialyitc drugs). Each one has advantages and drawbacks, and impacts differently on the organization and delivery of care: payment per session may favour fragmentation and make a global appraisal difficult; a correct capitation system needs a careful correction for comorbidity, and may exacerbate competition between public and private settings, the latter aiming at selecting the least complex cases; a bundle system, in which the main elements linked to the dialysis sessions are considered together, may be a good compromise but risks penalising complex patients, and requires a rapid adaptation to treatment changes. Retarding dialysis is a clinical and economical goal, but the incentives for predialysis care are not established and its development may be unfavourable for the provider. A closer cooperation between policymakers, economists and nephrologists is needed to ensure a high quality of dialysis care.
Computerised memory specificity training (c-MeST) for the treatment of major depression: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Introduction Major depression is a prevalent and debilitating disorder, but many sufferers do not receive support or respond to current treatments. The development of easily accessible and low-intensity treatments that have clear cognitive mechanisms of change is indicated. Memory specificity training (MeST) is an intervention for depression that targets deficits in recalling detailed memories of past experiences through repeated practice of autobiographical memory retrieval. This randomised controlled trial will assess the efficacy of an online, computerised version of MeST (c-MeST). Methods and analysis Adults aged 18 and over with a current major depressive episode (MDE) will be recruited and randomised to have access to the seven session, online c-MeST programme for 2 weeks, or to a wait-list control group. The primary outcomes will be diagnostic status of MDE and self-reported depressive symptoms at postintervention. One-month and three-month follow-ups will be collected. Increases in autobiographical memory specificity will be assessed as a mediator of change, as well as other variables thought to contribute to reduced memory specificity, such as rumination and cognitive avoidance. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval has been granted by the Deakin University Human Research Ethics Committee to conduct the study (ID: 2017_168). The findings will be disseminated through scholarly publications and workshops and will inform future trials, such as with an active comparator or as an adjunct treatment. Trial registration number ACTRN12618000257268; Pre-results.
The Biology, Epidemiology, and Management of Rice Tungro Disease in Asia.

Many farmers in South and Southeast Asia describe rice tungro disease as a cancer disease because of the severe damage it causes and the difficulty of controlling it (121). As the most important of the 14 rice viral diseases, tungro was first recognized as a leafhopper-transmitted virus disease in 1963 (88). However, tungro, which means “degenerated growth” in a Filipino dialect, has a much longer history. It is almost certain that tungro was responsible for a disease outbreak that occurred in 1859 in Indonesia, which was referred to at the time as mentek (83). In the past, a variety of names has been given to tungro, including accep na pula in the Philippines, penyakit merah in Malaysia, and yelloworange leaf in Thailand (83).
First Report of the Prevalence of Benzimidazole-Resistant Isolates in a Population of Cylindrocladium pauciramosum in Italy.

Cylindrocladium pauciramosum C.L. Schoch & Crous (teleomorph Calonectria pauciramosa C.L. Schoch & Crous), described as a member of the Cylindrocladium candelabrum Viégas complex (4), was recently reported from Europe (3). In southern Italy, the fungus has caused extensive losses, and chemical control measures are necessary, especially in ornamental nurseries. Several researchers have found benzimidazole fungicides to be effective for control of different species of Cylindrocladium, however, in fungicide trials conducted on myrtle plants infected by C. pauciramosum, benomyl was ineffective (2). Another study showed that mycelial growth of six isolates was completely inhibited by carbendazim at a concentration of 1 μg a.i./ml whereas, concentrations of 10, 100, and 500 μg a.i./ml did not completely inhibit growth of four isolates (1). To examine benzimidazole resistance in C. pauciramosum, 200 single-conidia isolates were tested. These were collected during 1996 and 1997 from several symptomatic hosts in different nurseries located in Sicily and Calabria and identified through morphological characteristics as well as mating-type studies with tester strains. Sensitivity to benomyl was determined by plating mycelial plugs on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with benomyl at 1, 10, 100, and 500 μg a.i./ml. For 20 benomyl-resistant isolates, fungal growth was also determined at the same concentrations on carbendazim-amended PDA. Sensitivity was expressed as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (the lowest fungicide concentration that completely prevented fungal growth). Isolates that did not grow on benzimidazole-amended PDA were classed as sensitive. Isolates were considered resistant to benzimidazole if MIC values were greater than 1 μg a.i./ml. Of the 200 isolates tested, 58% were resistant to benomyl. The benomyl-resistant isolates tested for carbendazim sensitivity were cross-resistant to carbendazim. Most resistant isolates grew in the presence of benomyl at 500 μg a.i./ml. On agar culture, the isolates were either the fast-growing or slow-growing type. The slow-growing phenotype appears to be related to the higher level of resistance (500 μg a.i./ml). On the basis of these data, the use of benzimidazole for the control of this pathogen should be seriously questioned. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the prevalence of benzimidazole resistance in a population of C. pauciramosum. References: (1) G. Polizzi. Inf. Fitopatol. 11:39, 2000. (2) G. Polizzi and A. Azzaro. Petria 6:117, 1996. (3) G. Polizzi and P. W. Crous. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 105:407, 1999. (4) C. L. Schoch et al. Mycologia 91:286, 1999.
Knockdown of the TP53-Induced Glycolysis and Apoptosis Regulator (TIGAR) Sensitizes Glioma Cells to Hypoxia, Irradiation and Temozolomide

The TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) has been shown to decrease glycolysis, to activate the pentose phosphate pathway, and to provide protection against oxidative damage. Hypoxic regions are considered characteristic of glioblastoma and linked with resistance to current treatment strategies. Here, we established that LNT-229 glioma cell lines stably expressed shRNA constructs targeting TIGAR, and exposed them to hypoxia, irradiation and temozolomide. The disruption of TIGAR enhanced levels of reactive oxygen species and cell death under hypoxic conditions, as well as the effectiveness of irradiation and temozolomide. In addition, TIGAR was upregulated by HIF-1α. As a component of a complex network, TIGAR contributes to the metabolic adjustments that arise from either spontaneous or therapy-induced changes in tumor microenvironment.
Mississippi Diabetes Telehealth Network: A Collaborative Approach to Chronic Care Management.

Background/Introduction: Ineffective management of chronic illness and lack of referral sources in underserved areas has contributed to increased health care spending and a decline in quality of life for the affected. In 2016, 15.4% of the adult population of Mississippi had diabetes. Telehealth in the home is a viable way to bring a care team to patients to assist them as they manage their illnesses. The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between the Mississippi Diabetes Telehealth Network clinical care model and selected diabetes outcomes over time. METHODS A prospective, longitudinal cohort study design evaluated the relationship between using telehealth for chronic care management and diabetes outcomes over a 12-month period. Eligible participants were patients over 18 years old diagnosed with diabetes at a rural health clinic with an hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) ≥7.0%. Rolling enrollment continued until the pool of eligible participants was depleted. A total of 171 were enrolled. RESULTS There was a significant difference in HbA1c values from baseline to 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month values. A significant difference was found between baseline and 12-month measures for total cholesterol, low density lipoproteins (LDL), high density lipoproteins (HDL), triglycerides, creatinine clearance, glomerular filtration rate, and potassium. There were no differences in baseline and 12-month measures for weight, blood pressure, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and microalbumin. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS Even with the limited sample size and design, remote patient monitoring and telehealth may be an effective tool for assisting home-based patients in the self-management of diabetes in rural areas. The maximum benefit was achieved after 3-4 months on the program and maintained over the 12-month period.
Correction of Lower Eyelid Retraction with En Glove Placement of Porcine Dermal Collagen Matrix Implant

Summary: The authors conducted a retrospective case series of patients undergoing a lateral tarsal strip procedure with “en glove” placement of an acellular porcine dermal collagen matrix for correction of mild to moderate lower eyelid retraction. A detailed description of this minimally invasive technique with retrospective analysis of outcomes is provided. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.
A Review of Heavy Metal Contamination of Food Crops in Nigeria

Heavy metal contamination of food crops is an issue of global concern that ultimately results in toxicity and diseases in humans and animals through consumption of contaminated soils and food crops. With a population of 182 million people, Nigeria is regarded as the most populous country in Africa. The people suffer environmental pollution from high levels of heavy metal accumulation in the environment and in food crops. Heavy metals have atomic densities higher than 4 g/cm3, and these include lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), silver (Ag), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and platinum (Pt). The high level of environmental contamination by these metals is dangerous because their uptake by plants and subsequent accumulation in food crops consumed by humans and animals is deleterious to health. There are many known sources of harmful metals, including the earth, which releases them into food, air, and water, and anthropogenic activities, such as the application of fertilizer in agriculture, the use of pesticides and herbicides, and irrigation. Other sources are automobile emissions, paints, cigarette smoking, industries, and sewage and waste disposal. Evidence shows that vegetables and other food crops consumed in Nigeria are contaminated by heavy metals, and this is associated with adverse health issues, such as cancer, which is currently on the rise in Nigeria. It is therefore vital that communities with high levels of heavy metal pollution avoid eating large quantities of these food items. There is also the need for the monitoring of levels of these injurious elements in food crops.