Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sociocultural and Health Correlates Related to Colorectal Cancer Screening Adherence Among Urban African Americans

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality are highest among African Americans. African Americans lag behind whites in CRC screening rates. Research has examined the role of CRC screening knowledge and beliefs and their relationship to CRC screening adherence. However, studies have not examined the effect cultural identity, social support, CRC beliefs, an informed decision, and having a chronic disease has on CRC screening among African Americans. Objectives: This study examined CRC screening adherence among African Americans within the context of sociocultural variables, an informed decision, and health factors. Methods: A secondary data analysis was performed on survey data collected from 129 African American men and women. Results: Social support and family influence were related to having a colonoscopy. Having diabetes was negatively related to having a colonoscopy. There was no relationship between having a primary care provider and making an informed decision about CRC screening. Religiosity and having a primary care provider predicted colonoscopy. Conclusions: The results indicate that certain sociocultural variables are related to colonoscopy. However, those same variables may not be related to or predictive of fecal occult blood test adherence. The diagnosis of diabetes may present a challenge to CRC screening adherence. Implications for Practice: The results of the study suggest that social support and family influence concerning CRC screening be assessed to provide additional support to colonoscopy adherence. The results also suggest that diabetic patients may require additional intervention to increase colonoscopy adherence rates.
Transradial percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction

Abstract Although transradial coronary intervention is widely applied for percutaneous procedures, its safety in the setting of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is controversial. The benefit of transradial approach in terms of reducing access site complications is well documented. However, higher rate of procedural failure and longer procedural times reported by some authors raise concerns regarding its applicability in STEMI. Our aim was to review the safety and efficacy of transradial coronary intervention versus transfemoral intervention in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction. This review focuses on key aspects of safety and efficacy: adverse ischemic and bleeding events, reperfusion times and radiation exposure.
Developmental and interactive effects of arsenic and chromium to developing Ambystoma maculatum embryos: Toxicity, teratogenicity, and whole-body concentrations

ABSTRACT Anthropogenic activity has contributed to elevated environmental concentrations of arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr). The spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, may be useful for identifying developmental effects produced by exposure to these contaminants as adults breed and larvae develop in water that may contain As or Cr. Three sample sets among 700 developing larvae were exposed to a range of As, Cr, or 2.5:1 mixture of As:Cr concentrations, respectively. From these 700 larvae, samples containing approximately 24 larvae showed different patterns of whole-body As and Cr from individual and mixture exposure. Whole-body As concentrations were 20.27 and 45.4 µg/g dry weight for larvae exposed to 20 mg/L As and 25:10 mg/L As:Cr, respectively, while whole-body Cr concentrations were 24.8 and 22 µg/g dry weight for larvae exposed to 20 mg/L Cr and 25:10 As:Cr, respectively. Observed malformations included edema, tail kinking, facial deformities, and abnormal bending. Twelve-day lethal concentrations for As and Cr in Ambystoma maculatum larvae were 261.17 mg/L and 71.93 mg/L, respectively, while 12-d effective concentrations to induce malformations were 158.82 and 26.05 mg/L, giving teratogenic indices of 1.64 and 2.76 for individual metal exposure. Exposure to a mixture of As and Cr resulted in a response addition and yielded lower lethal and effective concentration values with a teratogenic index of 2.78, indicating that these contaminants are developmentally toxic at lower concentrations when exposed as a mixture. Data demonstrate that As and Cr affect development of amphibian larvae, and that Ambystoma maculatum may be a useful indicator of environmental toxicity for these metals.
Effects of Occupational Silica Exposure on OXIDATIVE Stress and Immune System Parameters in Ceramic Workers in TURKEY

ABSTRACT Silica is the second most common element after oxygen, and therefore, exposures to crystalline silica dust occur in a large variety of occupations such as metal foundries, constructions, and ceramic, quarry, and pottery industries. Since crystalline silica exposure has been linked with silicosis, lung cancer, and other pulmonary diseases, adverse effect attributed to this element has be a cause for concern worldwide. Silica dust exposure in workers is still considered to be important health problem especially in developing countries. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of occupational silica exposure on oxidative stress parameters including the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and levels of total glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) as well as immune system parameters such as interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in Turkish ceramic workers. In this study, nearly 50% of Turkish ceramic workers were diagnosed with silicosis. Eighty-four percent of these silicotic workers were found to present with profusion category 1 silicosis, whereas controls (n = 81) all displayed normal chest radiographs. Data demonstrated a significant decrease in levels of GSH and activities of CAT, SOD, and GPx, but a significant increase in MDA levels and activity of GR in all workers. Further, workers possessed significantly higher levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α. These observations suggest that ceramic workers may have impaired antioxidant/oxidant status and activated immune system indicative of inflammatory responses.
Metabolic Syndrome according to Three Definitions in Hammam-Sousse Sahloul Heart Study: A City Based Tunisian Study

Objectives. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major risk factor of CVD. The aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence of the MetS, its components, and its different profiles according to NCEP-ATP III 2001, IDF 2005, and JIS 2009 definitions in Hammam-Sousse Sahloul Heart Study (HSHS). Study Design. The study involved 1121 participants (364 men and 757 women; sex-ratio = 0.48; mean age = 47.49 ± 16.24 years) living in Hammam Sousse city, located in the east of Tunisia. Methods. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, lipids levels, glycemia, insulinemia, and body mass index were measured. Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS16.0. Results. The percentage of participants who had MetS defined according to NCEP ATP III, IDF 2005, and JIS 2009 definitions was respectively, 29.5%, 38.4%, and 39.6%. With regard to gender, the prevalence of MetS is higher in men than in women according to IDF 2005 definition (38.5% men versus 38.3% women, ) and according to JIS 2009 definition (41.8% men versus 38.6% women, ), whereas, according to NCEP ATP III definition, the prevalence of MetS is higher in women than in men (30% versus 28.6%, ). The prevalence of MetS increased with increasing age according to the three definitions () and peaked in the oldest age group (≥70 years) according to IDF 2005 and JIS 2009. Furthermore, a significant difference in the prevalence of MetS components according to gender was observed. Indeed, the abdominal obesity is the most frequent MetS compound in women group, but hypertension and low HDL-C are the most frequent in men. In addition, according to the three definitions, the most frequent MetS profile in our study is “higher waist circumference, hypertension, and low HDL-C. ” Conclusion. The high prevalence of MetS is a serious public health problem in Hammam-Sousse Sahloul community. Higher waist circumference, hypertension, and low HDL-C were the most frequent profile in our study.
An Intervention to Decrease Uncertainty and Distress Among Parents of Children Newly Diagnosed With Diabetes: A Pilot Study.

This pilot study reports findings from a randomized clinical trial of a novel intervention for parents of children newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. The intervention was designed to decrease parental uncertainty and distress as well as child behavioral problems by teaching parents skills to manage uncertainty. Thirty-four families were randomly assigned to either an intervention (IG) or a treatment as usual (TAU) group. Parents completed measures of distress, uncertainty, and child behavior problems at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months postintervention. In the IG, significant reductions were observed for maternal and paternal distress as well as maternal ratings of child behavior problems. No changes were observed for the TAU, except for father-reported reductions in child internalizing symptoms at 1 month postintervention. Preliminary data suggest that, with further development and testing, the intervention has potential to be an effective tool to reduce paternal distress and possibly child behavior problems.
Staring at My Body: The Experience of Body Reconstruction in Breast Cancer Long-term Survivors

Background: Breast cancer takes time for its survivors after a mastectomy to adjust to their changed bodies. There are limited studies about the process of how those survivors accept the changes of their bodies and how they reestablish their new selves. Objective: The aim of this study was to understand the perception of body from women diagnosed with breast cancer more than 5 years previously and whose treatment included a mastectomy. Methods: A phenomenological method was applied to this study. Women who received a mastectomy at least 5 years previously were invited to participate. Eight participants were recruited from southern Taiwan. Results: Twenty transcripts were obtained and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. Three themes were obtained from the data analysis: “restoration of the body image,” “abandonment of objectification,” and “redefinition of self. ” Subthemes were also identified and described. Conclusion: The results indicate that women with breast cancer have embodied the recovering experience to a new self and have adapted to identify their new bodies. They overcome being a female body with an absent breast(s) by discovering the value of their existence and being free from self-objectification. Implications for Practice: This study contributes to the understanding of the perception of body in long-term breast cancer survivors, which reflects the process of adjusting to the loss of a breast/breasts to reconstructing a new body experience. Health professionals could help and encourage women undergoing a mastectomy to engage in self-recovery by searching for and affirming self-value.
The Differences in Preference for Truth-telling of Patients With Cancer of Different Genders

Background: Patients' personality traits, especially age, gender, and cancer stage, tend to affect doctors' truth-telling methods. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the influence of patients' gender on truth-telling, especially for Asian cultures. Objective: The aims of this study were to qualitatively investigate the differences in preferences for truth-telling for patients with cancer of different genders and explore patients' preferences for decision making. Methods: For this descriptive qualitative study, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 patients with cancer (10 men and 10 women) using a semistructured interview guide. All interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Data collection and analysis occurred concurrently; content analysis developed categories and themes. Results: Data analysis revealed 2 themes: (1) similar gender preferences for truth-telling and decision making: knowledge of their medical condition, direct and frank truthfulness, and assistance in decision making for subsequent treatment programs, and (2) preferences in truth-telling that differed by gender: women wanted family members present for confirmation of diagnosis, whereas men did not; men preferred truth-telling for only key points of their cancer, whereas women wanted detailed information; and men did not want to know their survival period, whereas women wanted this information. Conclusions: Our study revealed similar gender preferences for truth-telling regarding knowledge and decision making; however, preferences differed for family support, scope of information, and survival time. Implications for Practice: These findings can serve as a reference for nurses and other healthcare personnel when implementing truth-telling for patients given a diagnosis of cancer. Strategies can be targeted for specific preferences of men and women.
A Preliminary Study Examining Relationships Between Childhood Maltreatment, Dissociation, and Self-Injury in Psychiatric Outpatients

This study aimed to examine the relationships between childhood maltreatment, dissociation, and self-injury. Unlike much previous research, this study included 5 different types of childhood maltreatment in addition to sexual and physical abuse, and it looked at parameters of maltreatment such as onset and duration. Participants (n = 58) were psychiatric outpatients. The different types of maltreatment co-occurred, with most participants suffering 4 or all 5 types. It was found that childhood maltreatment rather than dissociation predicted self-injury. Furthermore, physical abuse rather than the other kinds of childhood maltreatment was significantly related to self-injury.
Posttraumatic Symptomatology and Dissociation in Outpatients with Chronic Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

A number of studies have concluded that dissociative features are common in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The present study aimed to investigate correlates of dissociation in outpatients with chronic PTSD in Scotland. For the purposes of this study, a total of 102 participants completed the Dissociative Experiences Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale. Information regarding trauma characteristics (i.e., type and presence of physical injury) was also collected. Regression analysis revealed that increased severity and frequency of posttraumatic symptoms, as measured by the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale total, was the only significant predictor of dissociation. In line with previous research, our findings indicate that chronic PTSD symptoms could be contributing to the maintenance of clinical dissociation and vice versa in this sample of Scottish outpatients.
Papel de la biopsia hepática en el diagnóstico y el control de la hepatitis C crónica

Resumen La biopsia hepatica ha sido desde hace tiempo el patron de referencia para evaluar el estado de la enfermedad hepatica en pacientes con hepatitis C cronica. Aunque se sigue recomendando, este metodo se esta cambiando por 2 motivos fundamentales: a) el tratamiento es mas efectivo, y b) las pruebas bioquimicas y los test serologicos aportan mucha informacion sobre el estado de la enfermedad. Los patologos pueden aumentar la relevancia y la utilidad de la biopsia hepatica en la hepatitis C cronica, informando no solo del estadio de la fibrosis y la actividad necroinflamatoria, sino tambien del grado de esteatosis y la acumulacion de hierro, que estan implicados en la progresion de la enfermedad. Ademas, pueden identificar otras enfermedades, como la esteatohepatitis y la hemocromatosis hereditaria. No obstante, con la utilizacion de los test serologicos se reduciran las indicaciones de la biopsia hepatica.
The Impact of Women's Literacy on Child Health and its Interaction with Access to Health Services

Research has consistently demonstrated a strong correlation between women's education and child health, but the absence of data from intervention studies has left open the possibility that this may be due to the confounding effects of wealth or social privilege. Moreover, it is not known what mechanisms mediate the education-health link, nor how it is affected by access to health services. In Nicaragua during the 1980s, thousands of adults became literate through a mass education campaign. This provided a rare opportunity to measure the impact of women's literacy on child health for women who otherwise would have almost certainly remained illiterate for the rest of their lives, and to assess whether access to health services increases or decreases the advantage conferred by education. Results from this retrospective cohort study of 4434 women show that among the children of women who became literate exclusively by adult education, mortality and risk of malnutrition are significantly lower than among those.
Dissociation in Sexually Abused Puerto Rican Children: A Replication Utilizing Social Workers as Informers

This study explores dissociative symptoms in 3 different groups of Puerto Rican children. Data were collected on 40 children with documented sexual abuse history, 39 children with psychiatric disorders but without a history of sexual abuse, and 40 community control children. Dissociative symptoms were assessed with the child using the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC); a social worker answered the Child Dissociative Checklist (CDC). Results indicated that children with sexual abuse obtained significantly different scores on both the TSCC and the CDC. Further analysis indicated that child and social worker reports of dissociative symptoms were highly correlated (r = .73). Furthermore, 30% of the children in the sexual abuse group scored at or above the cutoff point of 12 on the CDC, which is indicative of a dissociative disorder. None of the children in the other 2 groups obtained such a score. The results suggest that children with documented sexual abuse victimization demonstrate a significant number of dissociative phenomena that not only are subjectively experienced but also can be observed by a non–family member. Finally, as nearly a third of the abused children obtained a score of 12 or higher on the CDC, the next step is to prepare clinicians to conduct a proper and formal diagnosis assessment of dissociative disorders.
What Contributes to Predicting Change in the Treatment of Dissociation: Initial Levels of Dissociation, PTSD, or Overall Distress?

Individuals with dissociative disorders (DDs) suffer from high levels of dissociation as well as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and general distress. No research has investigated how changes in dissociation relate to changes in other symptoms over the course of treatment in patients with DD. Using a prospective, naturalistic design, we collected reports of symptoms from a sample of therapists and their patients diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder or dissociative disorder not otherwise specified who participated in the Treatment Outcome of Patients with Dissociative Disorders study. The patients completed surveys at intake (Time 1) into the study and at 30-month follow-up (Time 4). We found that dissociative symptoms, including amnesia, depersonalization/derealization, and absorption, at the initial assessment of the study (“initial”) were related to initial levels of PTSD and general distress and that changes in dissociative symptoms were related to changes in PTSD and general distress. Initial dissociation was a significant predictor of change in dissociation at 30 months when we controlled for length of time for follow-up, length of time practicing therapy, and length of time treating dissociative patients. Our results suggest that a reduction in dissociative symptoms in DD patients is associated with reductions in the overall severity of dissociative, posttraumatic stress, and distress symptoms.
Long‐term monitoring shows hepatitis B virus resistance to entecavir in nucleoside‐naïve patients is rare through 5 years of therapy

Patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection who develop antiviral resistance lose benefits of therapy and may be predisposed to further resistance. Entecavir (ETV) resistance (ETVr) results from HBV reverse transcriptase substitutions at positions T184, S202, or M250, which emerge in the presence of lamivudine (LVD) resistance substitutions M204I/V ± L180M. Here, we summarize results from comprehensive resistance monitoring of patients with HBV who were continuously treated with ETV for up to 5 years. Monitoring included genotypic analysis of isolates from all patients at baseline and when HBV DNA was detectable by polymerase chain reaction (≥300 copies/mL) from Years 1 through 5. In addition, genotyping was performed on isolates from patients experiencing virologic breakthrough (≥1 log10 rise in HBV DNA). In vitro phenotypic ETV susceptibility was determined for virologic breakthrough isolates, and for HBV containing novel substitutions emerging during treatment. The results over 5 years of therapy showed that in nucleoside‐naïve patients, the cumulative probability of genotypic ETVr and genotypic ETVr associated with virologic breakthrough was 1.2% and 0.8%, respectively. In contrast, a reduced barrier to resistance was observed in LVD‐refractory patients, as the LVD resistance substitutions, a partial requirement for ETVr, preexist, resulting in a 5‐year cumulative probability of genotypic ETVr and genotypic ETVr associated with breakthrough of 51% and 43%, respectively. Importantly, only four patients who achieved <300 copies/mL HBV DNA subsequently developed ETVr. Conclusion: Long‐term monitoring showed low rates of resistance in nucleoside‐naïve patients during 5 years of ETV therapy, corresponding with potent viral suppression and a high genetic barrier to resistance. These findings support ETV as a primary therapy that enables prolonged treatment with potent viral suppression and minimal resistance. (HEPATOLOGY 2009.)
The Experiences of Mental Health Professionals Using Structured Family-Centered Interventions to Support Children of Cancer Patients

Background: Increasing interest has been focused on providing psychosocial support and preventive care for the children of adult cancer patients. Objective: The primary purpose of this study was to describe clinicians' experiences using structured family-centered interventions to address the needs of children whose parent has cancer. Methods: Using a narrative method, qualitative data were collected from interviews with 7 experienced clinicians who had used structured family-centered interventions in families with a parent with cancer. Results: Narrative analysis revealed 4 primary thematic categories: interteam collaboration, focus on the children, death, and perceived impact of interventions. Conclusions: It is important to identify the needs of children and provide appropriate support to the entire family of adult cancer patients. To effectively support a family with divergent needs requires good interteam collaboration and networking with local services that are available for children. It is important to acknowledge and address the needs of children of cancer patients. In so doing, parents benefit and are empowered in their parenting role. Families can be helped to address their concerns, particularly death issues, through effective interteam collaboration. Clinical Implications: Evidence gained from the experiences of health professionals in clinical practice is important and forms a basis for focusing next on producing research-based evidence regarding the effects of interventions. The benefits of the interventions we describe must be clearly demonstrated by comparison with usual treatment practices before applying them widely in clinical practice.