Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hematologic iron analyte values as an indicator of hepatic hemosiderosis in callitrichidae

Hepatic hemosiderosis is one of the most common postmortem findings in captive callitrichid species. Noninvasive evaluation of hematologic iron analytes has been used to diagnose hepatic iron storage disease in humans, lemurs, and bats. This study evaluated the relationship between hematologic iron analyte values (iron, ferritin, total iron binding capacity, and percent transferrin saturation) and hepatic hemosiderosis in callitrichids at the Wildlife Conservation Society's Central Park and Bronx Zoos. Results revealed that both ferritin and percent transferrin saturation levels had strong positive correlations with hepatic iron concentration (P<0.001, r=0.77, n=20; P<0.001, r=0.85, n=10, respectively). Serum iron levels positively correlated with hepatic iron concentration (P=0.06, r=0.56, n=11), but this finding was not significant. Serum total iron binding capacity did not significantly correlate with hepatic iron concentration (P=0.47, r=0.25, n=10). Both ferritin and hepatic iron concentration positively correlated with severity of hepatic iron deposition on histology (P<0.05, r=0.49, n=21; P<0.001, r=0.67, n=21, respectively). This study suggests that ferritin, serum iron concentration, and percent transferrin saturation are convenient, noninvasive, antemortem methods for assessing severity of hemosiderosis in callitrichids. Am. J. Primatol. 70:629–633, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ICU nurses' experiences and perspectives of caring for obstetric patients in intensive care: a qualitative study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the experiences and perspectives of intensive care nurses caring for critically ill obstetric patients. BACKGROUND Current literature suggests critically ill obstetric patients need specialised, technically appropriate care to meet their specific needs with which many intensive care nurses are unfamiliar. Furthermore, there is little research and evidence to guide the care of this distinct patient group. DESIGN This study used a descriptive qualitative design. METHODS Two focus groups were used to collect data from 10 Australian intensive care units nurses in May 2007. Open-ended questions were used to guide the discussion. Latent content analysis was used to analyse the data set. Each interview lasted no longer than 60 minutes and was recorded using audio tape. The full interviews were transcribed prior to in-depth analysis to identify major themes. RESULTS The themes identified from the focus group interviews were competence with knowledge and skills for managing obstetric patients in the intensive care unit, confidence in caring for obstetric patients admitted to the intensive care unit and acceptance of an expanded scope of practice perceived to include fundamental midwifery knowledge and skills. CONCLUSION The expressed lack of confidence and competence in meeting the obstetric and support needs of critically ill obstetric women indicates a clear need for greater assistance and education of intensive care nurses. This in turn may encourage critical care nurses to accept an expanded role of clinical practice in caring for critically ill obstetric patients. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Recognition of the issues for nurses in successfully caring for obstetric patients admitted to an adult intensive care setting provides direction for designing education packages, ensuring specific carepaths and guidelines are in place and that support from a multidisciplinary team is available including midwifery staff.
First description of the surgical anatomy of the cynomolgus monkey liver

No detailed description of nonhuman primate liver anatomy has been reported and little is known about the similarity between such livers and human liver. The cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) was used to establish a preclinical model of genetically modified hepatocytes auto transplantation. Here, we report information gleaned from careful observation and notes obtained from 59 female cynomolgus monkeys undergoing 44 anatomical hepatic resections, 12 main portal vein division dissections and selective branch ligations, and 46 portographies. Additionally, three anatomical liver dissections after total resection at autopsy were performed and served to confirm peroperative observations and for photography to provide illustrations. Our results indicate that the cynomolgus monkey liver has four lobes: the median (the largest), the right and left lateral, and the caudate lobes. In 60% (N=20) of individuals the portal bifurcates into right and left portal veins, in the remaining 40% (N=14) the portal vein trifurcates into right anterior, right posterior, and left portal veins. The anatomy and branching pattern of the hepatic artery and bile ducts closely follow those of the portal branches. Functionally, the cynomolgus monkey liver can be divided into eight independent segments. Thus, we report the first detailed description of the hepatic and portal surgical anatomy of the cynomolgus monkey. The cynomolgus monkey liver is more similar to the human liver than are livers of any small or large nonprimate mammals that have been described. Am. J. Primatol. 71:400–408, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Halogenated phenolic contaminants inhibit the in vitro activity of the thyroid-regulating deiodinases in human liver.

Halogenated contaminants, particularly brominated flame retardants, disrupt circulating levels of thyroid hormones (THs), potentially affecting growth and development. Disruption may be mediated by impacts on deiodinase (DI) activity, which regulate the levels of active hormones available to bind to nuclear receptors. The goal of this study was to develop a mass spectrometry-based method for measuring the activity of DIs in human liver microsomes and to examine the effect of halogenated phenolic contaminants on DI activity. Thyroxine (T4) and reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) deiodination kinetics were measured by incubating pooled human liver microsomes with T4 or rT3 and monitoring the production of T3, rT3, 3,3'-diiodothyronine, and 3-monoiodothyronine by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Using this method, we examined the effects of several halogenated contaminants, including 2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE 99), several hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-BDEs), tribromophenol, tetrabromobisphenol A, and triclosan, on DI activity. The Michaelis constants (K(M)) of rT3 and T4 deiodination were determined to be 3.2 ± 0.7 and 17.3 ± 2. 3μM. The V(max) was 160 ± 5.8 and 2.8 ± 0.10 pmol/min.mg protein, respectively. All studied contaminants inhibited DI activity in a dose-response manner, with the exception of BDE 99 and two OH-BDEs. 5'-Hydroxy 2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether was found to be the most potent inhibitor of DI activity, and phenolic structures containing iodine were generally more potent inhibitors of DI activity relative to brominated, chlorinated, and fluorinated analogues. This study suggests that some halogenated phenolics, including current use compounds such as plastic monomers, flame retardants, and their metabolites, may disrupt TH homeostasis through the inhibition of DI activity in vivo.
Thromboprophylaxis in orthopaedic surgery

This thesis describes the use of thromboprophylatic modalities after total hip and total knee arthroplasty by Dutch orthopedic departments over a period of ten years and several uncertainties regarding thromboprophylaxis in other areas of orthopedic surgery. In this thesis some of these uncertainties are addressed: the incidence of venous thromboembolism after arthroscopic cruciate ligament reconstruction, lower extremity amputation, and shoulder arthroplasty and a case of pulmonary embolism during trial hip plaster cast immobilization.
Social learning of diet and foraging skills by wild immature Bornean orangutans: implications for culture

Studies of social learning in the wild are important to complement findings from experiments in captivity. In this field study, immature Bornean orangutans rarely foraged independently but consistently followed their mothers' choices. Their diets were essentially identical to their mothers' even though not all mothers had the same diet. This suggests vertical transmission of diet by enhancement. Also, immatures selectively observed their mothers during extractive foraging, which increased goal‐directed practice but not general manipulation of similar objects, suggesting observational forms of learning of complex skills. Teaching was not observed. These results are consistent with the reported presence of food traditions and skill cultures in wild orangutans. We suggest that food traditions can develop wherever association commonly allows for social learning. However, the capacity for observational learning, and thus more complex culture, is more likely to evolve among extractive foragers with prolonged association between adults and immatures. Am. J. Primatol. 72:62–71, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Tool for Understanding Residents' Needs as Individual Persons (TURNIP): construction and initial testing.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To construct and evaluate an intervention tool for increasing the person-centredness of care in residential aged care services. BACKGROUND Providing care that is person-centred and evidence-based is increasingly being regarded as synonymous with best quality aged care. However, consensus about how person-centred care should be defined, operationalised and implemented has not yet been reached. DESIGN Literature reviews, expert consultation (n = 22) and stakeholder interviews (n = 67) were undertaken to develop the Tool for Understanding Residents' Needs as Individual Persons (TURNIP). METHODS Statistical estimates of validity and reliability were employed to evaluate the tool in an Australian convenience sample of aged care staff (n = 220). RESULTS The 39 item TURNIP conceptualised person-centred care into five dimensions: (1) the care environment, (2) staff members' attitudes towards dementia, (3) staff members' knowledge about dementia, (4) the care organisation and (5) the content of care provided. Psychometric testing indicated satisfactory validity and reliability, as shown for example in a total Cronbach's alpha of 0·89. CONCLUSIONS The TURNIP adds to current literature on person-centred care by presenting a rigorously developed intervention tool based on an explicit conceptual structure that can inform the design, employment and communication of clinical interventions aiming to promote person-centred care. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The TURNIP contains clinically relevant items that are ready to be applied in clinical aged care. The tool can be used as a base for clinical interventions applying discussions in aged care organisations about the quality of current care and how to increase person-centredness of the care provided.
Nursing home caregivers' explanations for and coping strategies with residents' aggression: a qualitative study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This study explored caregivers' perspectives regarding the conditions and situations of resident aggression and practical strategies caregivers use to deal with aggression. BACKGROUND Working in a nursing home is associated with a high risk to experience aggression from residents or patients. Despite existing recommendations for dealing with aggression there is a lack of information about caregivers' ways of dealing with it in practice. DESIGN A qualitative study with focus group method was conducted. METHOD Five focus group interviews, with a total of 30 participants, from nursing homes in Switzerland were undertaken employing a semi-structured interview guideline. For analysing the data, qualitative content analysis was employed. RESULTS Analysis of the data produced three themes with additional sub-themes. One main theme concerns the explanations of the caregivers in regard to the occurrence of aggressive behaviour. This theme is subdivided into two areas, the contributory resident related factors and the caregiver related factors. The measures for handling aggressive behaviour are illustrated in the second theme 'dealing with residents'. The third theme refers to the strategies of the caregivers when confronted with aggressive behaviour -'self-protection' and 'coping with the situation'. CONCLUSION Caregivers use a broad spectrum of interventions for reducing aggression, some of which are recommended by guidelines but often ignore the link between aggressive behaviour and physiological issues like pain or elimination. The caregivers only very rarely linked their practical knowledge about aggressive behaviour with theoretical knowledge. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The results give insight into the caregivers' perspectives on factors leading to aggression and their coping strategies. Caregivers are informed about relevant reasons for aggressive behaviour and its management, but do not apply a systematic approach. Furthermore, the anxiety of caregivers involved in aggression incidents is an under examined area.
Effects of tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate and tris(1-chloropropyl) phosphate on cytotoxicity and mRNA expression in primary cultures of avian hepatocytes and neuronal cells.

Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) and tris(1-chloropropyl) phosphate (TCPP) belong to a group of chemicals collectively known as triester organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs). OPFRs are used in a wide range of consumer products and have been detected in biota, including free-living avian species; however, data on toxicological and molecular effects of exposure are limited. An in vitro screening approach was used to compare concentration-dependent effects of TDCPP and TCPP on cytotoxicity and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in cultured hepatocytes and neuronal cells derived from embryonic chickens. TDCPP was toxic to hepatocytes (LC₅₀ = 60.3 ± 45.8μM) and neuronal cells (LC₅₀ = 28.7 ± 19.1μM), whereas TCPP did not affect viability in either cell type up to the highest concentration administered, 300μM. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR revealed alterations in mRNA abundance of genes associated with phase I and II metabolism, the thyroid hormone (TH) pathway, lipid regulation, and growth in hepatocytes. None of the transcripts measured in neuronal cells (D2, D3, RC3, and Oct-1) varied in response to TDCPP or TCPP exposure. Exposure to ≥ 10μM TDCPP and TCPP resulted in significant upregulation of CYP2H1 (4- to 8-fold), CYP3A37 (13- to 127-fold), and UGT1A9 (3.5- to 7-fold) mRNA levels. Transthyretin was significantly downregulated more than twofold by TCPP at 100μM; however, TDCPP did not alter its expression. Liver fatty acid-binding protein, TH-responsive spot 14-α, and insulin-like growth factor-1 were all downregulated (up to 10-fold) in hepatocytes exposed to ≥ 0. 01μM TDCPP and TCPP. Taken together, our results indicate that genes associated with xenobiotic metabolism, the TH pathway, lipid regulation, and growth are vulnerable to TDCPP and TCPP administration in cultured avian hepatocytes. The mRNA expression data were similar to those from a previous study with hexabromocyclododecane.
Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with cancer in northern Turkey: analysis of cost and satisfaction.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to determine (1) the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine use among patients with cancer, (2) the method of use of the particular therapy, (3) the reasons for using complementary and alternative medicine therapies, (4) the benefits experienced by the use of complementary and alternative medicine, (5) the source of information about complementary and alternative medicine therapies and, (6) the satisfaction and cost of complementary and alternative medicine. BACKGROUND Complementary and alternative medicine consists of diverse medical and healthcare systems, practices and products that are not considered at present to be a part of conventional medicine. The majority of patients who use complementary and alternative medicine use more than one method. Complementary and alternative medicine use is more common in cases of advanced disease or poor prognosis. DESIGN This is a descriptive study of complementary and alternative medicine. METHODS This study was conducted in the Chemotherapy Unit at Ondokuz Mayıs University, Faculty of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey, between 18 March 2008-30 June 2008. Two hundred fifty-three patients with cancer, among 281 patients who applied to the chemotherapy clinic between these dates, agreed to take part in the study with whom contact could be made were included. A questionnaire including descriptive characteristics in collecting data, characteristics about diseases and their treatments, complementary and alternative medicine information and implementation situations and a control list about complementary and alternative medicine implementations were given. The collected data were evaluated by computer using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test and Student's t-test. RESULTS In this study, 94·1% of the patients were content with medical treatment, 58·9% of them used complementary and alternative medicine treatments, 41·1% did not use any complementary and alternative medicine treatments. The satisfaction level of the patients with complementary and alternative medicine methods was slightly above mediocre (2·33 SD 0·64, on a scale of 1-3). The average cost per capita spent by the patients using complementary and alternative medicine for all the different methods was US$288·26. CONCLUSIONS It was determined that although patients did not have enough knowledge about complementary and alternative medicine methods, the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine and satisfaction levels are high that complementary and alternative medicine users spend substantial sums of money for these methods. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE To sustain medical treatment and prognosis of cancer, it is important for nurses to consult with their patients regarding the use and potential risks of some complementary and alternative medicine.
Kinda baboons (Papio kindae) and grayfoot chacma baboons (P. ursinus griseipes) hybridize in the Kafue river valley, Zambia

The ranges of small kinda (Papio kindae) and much larger grayfooted chacma (P. ursinus griseipes) baboons adjoin in the Kafue National Park, Zambia. In a visual survey of baboons at 48 sites in the Kafue River drainage we found that, contrary to previous reports, groups at the species interface near the town of Ngoma are phenotypically diverse and presumably formed by multigenerational hybridization. Mitochondrial and/or Y‐chromosome genetic markers from fecal samples (N=164) collected at 29 sites support this conclusion. Groups with phenotypic signs of a history of hybridization also had taxon‐specific mitochondria and Y‐haplotypes from both parental species. Although the distribution of mitochondrial haplotypes largely mirrored that of external phenotypes, a significant proportion of male specimens from grayfoot as well as hybrid groups carried kinda Y‐chromosomes, and kinda Y‐chromosomes were involved in all observed cases of mitochondrial/Y‐chromosome discordance. These observations are consistent with, though they do not prove, a population history in which the range of chacmas and the hybrid zone have advanced at the expense of the kinda range. They also suggest that, unexpectedly, kinda male×chacma female matings are much more common than the reciprocal cross in the ancestry of hybrids. We suggest that distinctive male kinda behavior and the “juvenile” appearance of kinda baboons of both sexes, perhaps combined with obstetric difficulties of a small kinda female carrying the large offspring of a chacma male, may account for this bias. Am. J. Primatol. 73:291–303, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Investigating factors associated with depression of vitiligo patients in Singapore.

AIMS To explore the depression level of a group of vitiligo patients in Singapore and to identify factors associated with depression. BACKGROUND Unlike most internal illness, skin disease is often immediately visible to others and therefore people suffers from dermatological conditions may suffer psychological consequences. DESIGN A descriptive survey was conducted during the period October 2009-August 2010 in Singapore; 145 vitiligo patients aged 21+ completed a structured questionnaire. METHODS Three main outcome variables were employed in the study: demographic characteristics, clinical and psychosocial outcomes. RESULTS Among the patients, 17·2% (n = 25) had been identified as depressed. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify a model to predict vitiligo patients who will have depression. The results showed that females (p = 0·05), aged below 50 years old (p = 0·016), having 5+ years of illness (p = 0·021) and with low self-esteem (p = 0·002) and poor quality of life scores (p = 0·004) were significant risk factors for depression. CONCLUSION Providing a suitable health care consultation for vitiligo patients may reduces depressive symptoms and maintaining their psychological health may be crucial for preventing suffering from depressive symptoms. Apart from the findings, these conclusions resonate with recent Singapore guidance on managing depression in vitiligo patients. This stresses the importance of prevention, early detection and stepped care with a multifaceted approach to management. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE It is important to regularly screen for depressive symptoms among vitiligo patients. Focusing on vitiligo patients with enhancing self-esteem and improving quality of life should help in both the prevention and recognition of onset of depression among vitiligo patients.
Frugivory in four sympatric lemurs: implications for the future of Madagascar's forests

Although some conservationists accept that not all species can be saved, we illustrate the difficulty in deciding which species are dispensable. In this article, we examine the possibility that the integrity of a forest relies on its entire faunal assemblage. In Madagascar, one faunal group, the lemurs, accounts for the greatest biomass and species richness among frugivores. For example, 7 of the 13 sympatric lemur species in Madagascar's eastern rainforests consume primarily fruit. Because of this, we suggest that some tree species may rely heavily on particular lemur taxa for both seed dispersal and germination. In Ranomafana National Park, the diets for four of the day‐active lemur frugivores have been documented during annual cycles over a 5‐year period. We predicted that, although the fruit of some plant taxa would be exploited by multiple lemur species, the fruit of others would be eaten by one lemur species alone. Analyses reveal that while lemurs overlap in a number of fruit taxa exploited, 46% (16/35) of families and 56% (29/52) of genera are eaten exclusively by one lemur species. We, therefore, predict local changes in forest composition and structure if certain of these lemur species are eliminated from a forest owing to hunting, disease, or habitat disturbance. We also suggest that this result may be of global significance because carbon sequestration by the tropical forests in Madagascar may be reduced as a result of this predicted change in forest composition. Am. J. Primatol. 73:585–602, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.