Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Antenatal Breastfeeding Education on Young Women’s Breastfeeding Self-efficacy and Breastfeeding Rates

Background: Despite the known benefits of breastfeeding to the mother, baby and society as a whole, young women’s breastfeeding rates are generally poor compared to older mothers. Effective antenatal education has been identified as one way to improve these rates. Whether or not antenatal breastfeeding education for young women can make a significant impact on their breastfeeding success is of paramount concern in this research. An important and modifiable variable, identified in the literature as influencing breastfeeding outcomes, is self-efficacy (confidence in ability to breastfeed). This breastfeeding self-efficacy in young mothers is of great interest due to this group and their infants being vulnerable in terms of breastfeeding initiation and continuation. Aim: This study aimed to identify the effects of antenatal breastfeeding education on the self-efficacy, experience and duration of breastfeeding for young women. It also aimed to replicate aspects of prior research in this area conducted overseas to see if those findings could be generalized to a New Zealand setting. Method: A repeated measure design using an existing validated tool was utilised to quantify breastfeeding self-efficacy, prior to and following, an antenatal breastfeeding education session for young pregnant women aged less than 25 years old. Findings: Breastfeeding antenatal education improved breastfeeding self-efficacy scores in urban young women less than 25 years of age. The Breastfeeding Self-efficacy Scale (short form), was found to be a reliable tool to test this. Whilst initiation rates were high in this group, there was no statistically significant link with breastfeeding self-efficacy and the duration and continuation of breastfeeding. Conclusion: Whilst breastfeeding antenatal education was shown to increase breastfeeding self-efficacy, there are many confounding factors influencing breastfeeding initiation and continuation for young women. The findings have contributed to the knowledge about breastfeeding patterns of young New Zealand women. It may be that despite international findings, an increased breastfeeding self-efficacy in this setting doesn’t impact on the rates of breastfeeding of urban New Zealand young mothers. Further research with an increased sample size and comparison groups is warranted.
Ultrasound for Assessing Disease Activity in IBD Patients: A Systematic Review of Activity Scores

Background and Aims Ultrasound [US] indices for assessing disease activity in IBD patients have never been critically reviewed. We aimed to systematically review the quality and reliability of available ultrasound [US] indices compared with reference standards for grading disease activity in IBD patients. Methods Pubmed, Embase and Medline were searched for relevant literature published within the period 1990 to June 2017. Relevant publications were identified through full text review after initial screening by two investigators. Data on methodology and index characteristics were collected. Study quality was assessed using a modified version of the Quadas-2 tool for risk of bias assessment. Results Of 20 studies with an US index, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. Out of these 11 studies, 7 and 4 studied Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC0 activity indices, respectively. Parameters that were used in these indices included bowel wall thickness [BWT], Doppler signal [DS], wall layer stratification [WLS], compressibility, peristalsis, haustrations, fatty wrapping, contrast enhancement [CE], and strain pattern. Study quality was graded high in 5 studies, moderate in 3 studies and low in 3 studies. Ileocolonoscopy was used as the reference standard in 9 studies. In 1 study a combined index of ileocolonoscopy and barium contrast radiography and in 1 study histology was used as the reference standard. Only 5 studies used an established endoscopic index for comparison with US. Conclusions Several US indices for assessing disease activity in IBD are available; however, the methodology for development was suboptimal in most studies. For the development of future indices, stringent methodological design is required.
Progressive impairment of testicular endocrine function in ageing men: Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone decrease, and luteinizing hormone increases, in men transitioning from the 8th to 9th decades of life

Sex hormone trajectories in ageing men and their health implications remain unclear. We examined longitudinal trajectories and associations of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), oestradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH) and sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) in oldest old men.
Effects of Light and Water Availability on the Performance of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Hemiptera: Adelgidae)

ABSTRACT Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carriere) is a dominant shade-tolerant tree in northeastern United States that has been declining since the arrival of the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand). Determining where A. tsugae settles under different abiotic conditions is important in understanding the insect's expansion. Resource availability such as light and water can affect herbivore selectivity and damage. We examined how A. tsugae settlement and survival were affected by differences in light intensity and water availability, and how adelgid affected tree performance growing in these different abiotic treatments. In a greenhouse at the University of Rhode Island, we conducted an experiment in which the factors light (full-sun, shaded), water (water-stressed, watered), and adelgid (infested, insect-free) were fully crossed for a total of eight treatments (20 two-year-old hemlock saplings per treatment). We measured photosynthesis, transpiration, water potential, relative water content, adelgid density, and survival throughout the experiment. Adelgid settlement was higher on the old-growth foliage of shaded and water-stressed trees, but their survival was not altered by foliage age or either abiotic factor. The trees responded more to the light treatments than the water treatments. Light treatments caused a difference in relative water content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration, and water potential; however, water availability did not alter these variables. Adelgid did not enhance the impact of these abiotic treatments. Further studies are needed to get a better understanding of how these abiotic factors impact adelgid densities and tree health, and to determine why adelgid settlement was higher in the shaded treatments.
Canadian Glaucoma Study: 3. Impact of risk factors and intraocular pressure reduction on the rates of visual field change.

OBJECTIVES To determine rates of visual field change associated with risk factors for progression in the Canadian Glaucoma Study (abnormal anticardiolipin antibody level, age, female sex, and mean follow-up intraocular pressure [IOP]), and to evaluate the effect of IOP reduction on subsequent rates of visual field change in progressing patients. METHODS Two hundred sixteen patients (median age, 65.2 years) were followed up at 4-month intervals with perimetry and were monitored for progression. Patients reaching an end point based on total deviation analysis underwent 20% or greater reduction in IOP. Rates of mean deviation (MD) change were calculated. RESULTS Patients with 0, 1, and 2 end points had a median of 18, 23, and 25 examinations, respectively. The median MD rate in progressing patients prior to the first end point was significantly worse compared with those with no progression (-0.35 and 0.05 dB/y, respectively). An abnormal anticardiolipin antibody level was associated with a significantly worse MD rate compared with a normal anticardiolipin antibody level (-0.57 and -0.03 dB/y, respectively). Increasing age was associated with a worse MD rate, but female sex and mean follow-up IOP were not. After the first end point, the median IOP decreased from 18.0 to 14.8 mm Hg (20% in individual patients), resulting in a significant MD rate change from -0.36 to -0.11 dB/y. CONCLUSIONS Patients with abnormal anticardiolipin antibody levels and increasing age had faster visual field change. Modest IOP reduction in progressing patients significantly ameliorated the rate of visual field decline. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00262626.
Iodine deficiency in Europe: a continuing concern.

Overview of Iodine Nutrition: Iodine Nutrition: Sources of Dietary Iodine in Industrialized Countries J.T. Dunn. Iodine and Physiopathology of the Thyroid: Control of Thyroid Growth J. Dumont. Methodology of Evaluation of Iodine Nutrition in Developed Countries: Biochemical Evaluation of Iodine Status P.L. Bourdoux. Status of Iodine Nutrition in North America, Japan, and Australia. Consequences of Iodine Deficiency in Europe on Agriculture and Socioeconomic Development. Consequences of Iodine Deficiency in Europe on Specific Target Groups. Consequences of Iodine Deficiency in Europe in Relation to Nuclear Hazards. Iodine Prophylaxis in Industrialized Countries. Iodine Nutrition in Individual European Countries: Current Research in Iodine Deficiency in Europe. General Comments, Conclusions, and Final Recommendations. 55 additional articles. Index.
Prothrombin Complex Concentrate for Major Bleeding on Factor Xa Inhibitors: A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract Oral factor Xa inhibitors are increasingly used for anticoagulation, but there is no approved reversal agent. Prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) for the management of Xa-inhibitor–associated bleeding has been described in small case series and one cohort study. Patients on apixaban or rivaroxaban, suffering a major bleed, were treated at nine Canadian hospitals as per existing hospital protocol with a fixed dose of PCC 2,000 units and subsequently recruited for a 30-day follow-up. The treating physician evaluated the haemostatic effectiveness as observed during the first day as good, moderate or poor/none, using an assessment guide. Safety outcomes were thromboembolism or death. We recruited 66 patients with major bleeding who were treated with PCC and who were receiving rivaroxaban (56%) or apixaban (44%). The effectiveness was assessed as good in 65% (95% confidence interval [CI], 53–77), moderate in 20% (95% CI, 10–30) and poor/none in 15% (95% CI, 6–24). For the 36 patients with intracranial haemorrhage, the corresponding ratings were 67, 17 and 17%, and for 16 patients with gastrointestinal bleeding they were 69, 12 and 19%, respectively. There were nine deaths (14%) by 30 days, and five (8%) major thromboembolic events. In a post hoc analysis, according to International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis criteria, reversal was effective in 68% and ineffective in 32%. For major bleeding associated with oral Xa inhibitors, PCC may have a beneficial effect. The risk of thromboembolism after reversal of anticoagulation in patients with a prothrombotic background has to be taken into account.
Vitreoretinal surgery in the setting of permanent keratoprosthesis.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the surgical management of vitreoretinal pathology in patients with a permanent Boston Type 1 keratoprosthesis (hereafter referred to as a KPro) in the era of small-gauge vitrectomy techniques. METHODS Retrospective review of 23 small-gauge vitreoretinal surgical procedures during or after Dohlman-Doane KPro placement in 14 eyes. RESULTS Established and innovative techniques were used, including sutureless small-gauge vitrectomy, temporal positioning of surgeon, long-term tamponades, and exploratory endoscopy. Retro-KPro membranes formed less frequently when vitrectomy was performed during KPro placement. Anatomical goals were achieved, and no serious complications directly resulted from these techniques. Visual acuity, frequently limited by preexisting pathology, improved in most cases. CONCLUSIONS Modern posterior segment surgical techniques, including small-gauge sutureless vitrectomy, can be effectively used for patients with a permanent KPro. Vitrectomy and glaucoma tube revision by a team of subspecialists at the time of KPro placement may reduce subsequent complications.
Combining Taxonomic and Functional Approaches to Unravel the Spatial Distribution of an Amazonian Butterfly Community

Abstract This study investigated the spatial distribution of an Amazonian fruit-feeding butterfly assemblage by linking species taxonomic and functional approaches.We hypothesized that: 1) vegetation richness (i.e., resources) and abundance of insectivorous birds (i.e., predators) should drive changes in butterfly taxonomic composition, 2) larval diet breadth should decrease with increase of plant species richness, 3) small-sized adults should be favored by higher abundance of birds, and 4) communities with eyespot markings should be able to exploit areas with higher predation pressure. Fruit-feeding butterflies were sampled with bait traps and insect nets across 25 km2 of an Amazonian ombrophilous forest in Brazil. We measured larval diet breadth, adult body size, and wing marking of all butterflies. Our results showed that plant species richness explainedmost of the variation in butterfly taxonomic turnover. Also, community average diet breadth decreased with increase of plant species richness, which supports our expectations. In contrast, community average body size increased with the abundance of birds, refuting our hypothesis.We detected no influence of environmental gradients on the occurrence of species with eyespot markings. The association between butterfly taxonomic and functional composition points to a mediator role of the functional traits in the environmental filtering of butterflies. The incorporation of the functional approach into the analyses allowed for the detection of relationships that were not observed using a strictly taxonomic perspective and provided an extra insight into comprehending the potential adaptive strategies of butterflies.
Sonoelastographic Features of the Patellar Ligament in Clinically Normal Dogs

Abstract Objective This article describes the sonoelastographic features of the patellar ligament of sound dogs and tests feasibility, reproducibility and repeatability. Methods Clinically healthy medium-to-large breed dogs were enrolled. Sonoelastographic images of the patellar ligaments were obtained in lateral recumbency with the stifle flexed by an experienced operator and by a senior veterinary student. The elasticity colour map included red (soft), green (intermediate) and blue (hard). Tissue elasticity was measured by calculating the percentage of softness with dedicated software. Categorical, qualitative data analysis was performed using a weighted kappa statistic for repeatability and reproducibility. A categorical qualitative assessment was performed based on a grading scale of 1 to 5 (soft, mostly soft, intermediate, mostly hard and hard). Results Fourteen clinically normal dogs were considered. A total of 28 patellar ligaments were examined. Overall, 25 of the patellar ligaments were graded as soft or mostly soft and the remaining 3 as intermediate. Repeatability was 86.2%, with a weighted kappa of 0.64 (good), for the well-trained sonographer and 83.3%, with a weighted kappa of 0.53 (moderate), for the senior student. Reproducibility was 86.2%, with a weighed kappa of 0.65 (good). Clinical Significance Sonoelastography of the canine patellar ligament is a feasible and reproducible technique. Patellar ligaments in clinically normal dogs showed highly elastic biomechanical properties.
Computer-mediated counseling: an empirical study of a new mental health treatment

ABSTRACT Although several mental health professionals now offer counseling via the Internet, little empirical research exists on how this mode of delivery impacts clients. The current study compares the effects of computer-mediated counseling and traditional face-to-face counseling on anxiety and attitudes toward counseling. While clients demonstrated a significant decrease in anxiety following each mode of delivery, their anxiety was not significantly impacted by the mode of delivery they received. In addition, participants' ratings of counselors on expertness, attractiveness, and trustworthiness were not affected by mode of delivery. These findings warrant further exploration of how computer-mediated counseling might be effectively used as an alternative or an adjunct to face-to-face counseling.
A Study to Investigate the Available Range of Movement in Two Makes of Commercial Wrist Orthoses

This study compared the degree of wrist movement available in two commercial wrist orthoses of the same design but constructed of different fabrics. Twenty participants with normal wrist movement had their right dominant wrist range of flexion and extension measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. The results showed that neither orthosis immobilised the wrist. The mean total range of movement in the neoprene orthosis (73.55°) was significantly greater (p<0.001) than that in the elastic orthosis (53.30°). The elastic orthosis provided a greater degree of restriction of movement and more consistent control than the neoprene orthosis. Neither orthosis should be used where immobilisation is the treatment aim.
Review of the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in Indigenous Australians

The purpose of this review is to compare the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) between Indigenous and non‐Indigenous Australians with Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Australian DR prevalence data from 6 Indigenous studies (n = 2865) and 5 non‐Indigenous studies (n = 9801) conducted between 1985 and 2013 were included for analysis. Estimated prevalence of any DR among Indigenous Australians with DM was 23.4% compared with 28.9% for non‐Indigenous Australians (χ2 = 26.9, P < 0.001). In studies performed after 1990, a significantly higher rate of diabetic macular edema was found in Indigenous compared with non‐Indigenous Australians with DM (7.6% versus 4.9%, χ2 = 6.67, P = 0.01). Although there are limitations in comparing these studies, one explanation for the observed data could be a model in which Indigenous Australians are relatively resistant to early stage DR, but with a subset progressing to sight threatening DR due to individual genetic and environmental susceptibility factors coupled with poor glycemic control.
Experimental and genetic models of hypertension

Blood pressure measurement in rats, R.D. Bunag hemodynamics of the conscious rat, P.B. Persson experimental renovascular hypertension - methodological aspects and role of the renin-angiotensin system, M. Ruzicka and F.H. H. Leenen antihypertensive function of the renal papilla in different models of hypertension, E.E. Muirhead hypertensive models for diabetes, obesity, or aging, R.D. Bunag experimental hypertension following kidney transplantation in the rat, R. Rettig and B. Schmitt genetic hypertension in mice, G. Schlager strategies for the identification of chromosomal loci associated with hypertension in hereditary hypertensive rats, N. Hubner et al the genetics of hypertension in Dahl rats, J.P. Rapp maintenance of hypertensive rats, with special reference to the use of genetic markers for defining rat strains, M.F. W. Festing hypertension in the genetically hypertensive (GH) strain, F.O. Simpson et al the Sabra hypertension-prone and -resistant strains, D. Ben-Ishay and Y. Yagil the Lyon strains of hypertensive, normotensive and low blood pressure rats, M. Vincent and J. Sassard the Milan hypertensive strain - a description of the model, P. Ferrari and G. Bianchi development of the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), the stroke-prone SHR (SHRSP) and their various substrain models for hypertension-related cardiovascular diseases, Y. Yamori pathophysiological aspects of genetically determined hypertension in rats, with special emphasis on stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats, M. Volpe and S. Rubattu the central nervous system and hypertension - the role of catecholamines and neuropeptides, D.H. G. Versteeg et al angiotensin mechanisms in hypertension, C.M. Ferrario et al brain lesions and hypertension, W.T. Talman and D.J. Reis neurogenic hypertension in the rat, K.G. Franchini and E.M. Krieger neurogenic hypertension, M. Weinstock social interaction, salt, and hypertension in mice and rats, J.P. Henry experimental hypertension in the pig, A.F. Dominiczak and D.F. Bohr ACTH-induced hypertension in the sheep - an update, D.G. Parkes et al transgenic animals - new models in hypertension research, M. Paul et al.
Dietary ω-3 fatty acid and fish intake and incident age-related macular degeneration in women.

OBJECTIVE To examine whether intake of ω-3 fatty acids and fish affects incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in women. DESIGN A detailed food-frequency questionnaire was administered at baseline among 39 876 female health professionals (mean [SD] age: 54.6 [7.0] years). A total of 38 022 women completed the questionnaire and were free of a diagnosis of AMD. The main outcome measure was incident AMD responsible for a reduction in best-corrected visual acuity to 20/30 or worse based on self-report confirmed by medical record review. RESULTS A total of 235 cases of AMD, most characterized by some combination of drusen and retinal pigment epithelial changes, were confirmed during an average of 10 years of follow-up. Women in the highest tertile of intake for docosahexaenoic acid, compared with those in the lowest, had a multivariate-adjusted relative risk of AMD of 0.62 (95% confidence interval, 0.44-0.87). For eicosapentaenoic acid, women in the highest tertile of intake had a relative risk of 0.66 (95% confidence interval, 0.48-0.92). Consistent with the findings for docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, women who consumed 1 or more servings of fish per week, compared with those who consumed less than 1 serving per month, had a relative risk of AMD of 0.58 (95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.87). CONCLUSION These prospective data from a large cohort of female health professionals without a diagnosis of AMD at baseline indicate that regular consumption of docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid and fish was associated with a significantly decreased risk of incident AMD and may be of benefit in primary prevention of AMD.
Characterization of limbal stem cell deficiency by in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy: a microstructural approach.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cellular changes in the corneal epithelium and surrounding structures in limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) by using in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy. METHODS This was a prospective comparative study that included 27 eyes of 20 patients with LSCD and 12 eyes of 10 healthy subjects. All subjects underwent slitlamp examination, and LSCD was classified into 3 groups on the basis of clinical presentation. Confocal imaging of the central cornea and 4 locations of limbus was performed. Morphologic characteristics of the corneal epithelium were studied. The basal epithelial cell density and subbasal nerve density in the central cornea were calculated, and a potential correlation between the decrease in basal epithelial cell density and subbasal nerve density in LSCD was investigated. RESULTS The wing and basal epithelial cells became progressively metaplastic, and the basal epithelial cell density and subbasal nerve density in the early and intermittent stages decreased significantly compared with controls (all P < .01). Normal basal epithelial cell morphology was completely lost and subbasal nerves were absent in the late stage of LSCD. The decrease in basal cell density correlated with the decrease in subbasal nerve density in patients with LSCD (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS There are significant microstructural changes associated with early LSCD. These cellular changes could help to understand the disease process and classify and monitor limbal stem cell dysfunction.