Machine Learning (ML) methods have become important for enhancing the performance of decision-support predictive models. However, class imbalance is one of the main challenges for developing ML models, because it may bias the learning process and the model generalization ability. In this paper, we consider oversampling methods for generating synthetic categorical clinical data aiming to improve the ...

According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, vitamin D might decrease the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, less is known about the association with cancers in different subsites of the colon and in the rectum. The aim of this study was to examine associations between pre-diagnostic intake of vitamin D and risk of CRC by anatomical subsites. Data from 95 416 participants in the ...

The self-assessed threshold temperature for cold in the workplace is not well known. We asked 392 chicken industry workers in Thailand what they regard as the cold threshold (CT) and compared subgroups of workers using linear and quantile regressions by CT sextiles (percentiles P₁₇, P₃₃, P₅₀, P₆₇, and P₈₃, from warmest to coldest). The variables ...

Objectives: Although many trials have assessed the effect of acupuncture on knee osteoarthritis (KOA), its efficacy remains controversial. Sham acupuncture techniques are regarded as representative control interventions in acupuncture trials and sometimes incorporate the use of sham devices (base units) to support a non-penetrating needle. To achieve successful blinding, these trials also use ...

<p><i>Introduction:</i> Freezing cold injuries (FCI) are a common risk in extreme cold weather warfare operations. The Norwegian Armed Forces (NAF) have the expertise and capabilities in education and training for warfighting capabilities in the Arctic. Nevertheless, a substantial number of Norwegian soldiers sustain freezing cold injuries annually. The aim of this study was to describe the FCI in ...

People are increasingly able to generate their own health data through new technologies such as wearables and online symptom checkers. However, generating data is one thing, interpreting them another. General practitioners (GPs) are likely to be the first to help with interpretations. Policymakers in the European Union are investing heavily in infrastructures to provide GPs access to patient ...

Background Cancer survivors are a diverse group with varying needs that are patient-, disease-, and/or treatmentspecific. Cancer survivors have reported supplementing conventional anti-cancer treatment with Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM). Although female cancer survivors are reported to have more severe anticancer adverse effects, little is known about the association between ...

OBJECTIVES: Aging is associated with changes in body composition. Excess adiposity among older adults has been linked with metabolic syndromes and aggravated age-associated decline in physical functioning. Few longitudinal studies have explored the association between dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-derived total as well as central adiposity measures and frailty. We examined the association ...

Background and purpose The Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) is an instrument for the assessment of qual‑ ity of life (QOL) in diseases of the upper and lower GI tract, which is validated in several languages around the world. The purpose of this literature review is the assessment of the GIQLI in patients with benign colorectal diseases. Reports on GIQLI data are collected from ...

After more than 50 years of studying soldiers in the cold, we are well past the phase of defining the unique problems; the research requirements are known but the solutions have been slow in coming. This requires iterative testing of proposed lab-based solutions with soldiers in the real environment. Representing a renewed effort to produce and implement solutions to human biomedical challenges in ...