Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
First time mothers’ pregnancy and birth experiences varying by age

Background. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive picture of the young to the old first time mother as she presents to the clinician in terms of background, expectations, experiences and outcome of labour. Methods. A longitudinal cohort study was conducted, including 1,302 primiparous women recruited at their first booking visit, at 593 antenatal clinics in Sweden (97% of all clinics), during three 1‐week periods, evenly spread over 1 year in 1999 and 2000. Two questionnaires were posted and completed: in the second trimester and 2 months after the birth. Women were divided into 5 age groups, with women aged 26–29 as reference. Results. The very young women, aged 15–20 years, had the most negative expectations of the upcoming birth. During pregnancy they were more worried and a depressive mood was more common than in the reference group, as were social problems such as unemployment and lack of support. After the birth, they remembered being more afraid and experiencing more pain and lack of control during labour. In spite of this, their overall experience of childbirth did not differ from the reference group. In contrast, the oldest women, aged 35–43 years, did not have negative feelings about the upcoming birth during pregnancy, and did not remember being afraid or experiencing more pain than the reference group, but experienced childbirth overall as more difficult. Only 57% of the oldest women had a normal vaginal delivery compared with 77% of the youngest women. In addition, 7% of the newborns in the oldest group were transferred to the neonatal clinic after the birth, which was almost 3 times as often as in the reference group. Conclusion. This study showed that expectations and experiences of childbirth vary by maternal age. Whereas the youngest women were more exposed to social and psychological problems, which may have affected their expectations and experiences during labour, the oldest women may have suffered from the biological disadvantage of high maternal age, which is associated with a more complicated delivery. When looking back at labour and birth, the youngest women probably felt that the total experience was better than expected, whereas the opposite may have been the case for the oldest group.
Microbial studies on frozen shrimps processed in Ibadan and Lagos, Nigeria

This study reports the microbial investigation on shrimps, a frozen seafood, processed at ten different processing plants in Ibadan and Lagos, Nigeria. Samples processed and unprocessed shrimps were collected and analyzed for the presence of microorganisms. Microbial loads were enumerated using microbiological media. A total of 120 isolates characterized as Bacillus sp. ,Salmonella sp. , Shigella sp. , Enterobacter sp. , Micrococcus sp. , Escherichia coli,Flavobacterium sp. , Staphylococcus auerus, Pseudomonas sp. , Rhizopus sp. ,Aspergillus flavis, Aspergillus formigatus, Mucor mucido, and Sacchromyces sp. were isolated from shrimps. No Vibrio sp. was isolated from any of the shrimp sample. Rhizopus sp. , A. flavis, and M. mucido were only found in unprocessed shrimp while Sacchromyces sp. and A. formigatus was found on processed shrimps only. Bacillus sp. were the most predominant species and most frequently isolated organism in this study, all the shrimps sampled haboured Bacillus sp. [20(16.7%)], followed by Salmonella sp. [18 (15.0%)], Shigella sp. [18 (15.0%)],Enterobacter sp. [13(10.8%)], Micrococcus sp. [13(10.8%)], E. coli [12(10.0%)],Flavobacterium sp. [5(4.2%)], S. auerus [5(4.2%)] and Pseudomonas sp. [1(0.8%)]. Rhizopus sp [8(6.7%)] was the most frequently implicated fungi in this study, followed by A. flavis [3(2.5%)], A. formigatus [1(0.8%)], M.r mucido[1(0.8%)], and Sacchromyces sp. [1(0.8%)]. The microbial loads at 24 and 48 h incubation showed that most of the shrimps exceed the FAO/WHO standard limit for food and water. At 24 and 48 h, processed shrimps gave total viable counts 70 - 440 and 100-1000 CFU/ml) coliform bacilli, 0 - 120 and 20 - 150 CFU/ml; Salmonella-Shigella (SS) counts, 0 - 120 and 0 - 700 CFU/ml and fungi count, 0 - 30 and 0 - 50 CFU/ml respectively, while unprocessed shrimps gave total viable counts, 390 - 1200 and 500 - 2000 CFU/ml; coliform bacilli, 120 - 350 and 380 - 1280 CFU/ml; SS counts, 80 - 1800 and 220 – 1850 CFU/ml and fungi count 70 - 260 and 120 - 600 CFU/ml respectively. The findings of this study indicates that none of the shrimps of the food processors and the water samples were within acceptable FAO/WHO/NAFDAC standards due to high colony counts, presence of indicator organisms /index of food quality - E. coli, Salmonella sp. , Shigella sp. , andS. auerus. This study suggests that most shrimps sold in the market may be sources of microbial food poison and intoxication hence, they are counter productive by being responsible for public health hazard and loss of revenue. Therefore, there is the need to improve on hygienic and sanitary practices in seafood processing plants and retail service outlets in order to obtain relatively safe processed seafood products for human consumption. Key words: Microbial loads, index of food quality, microbiological quality, pathogens, shrimps.
Debris, roughness and friction of stainless steel archwires following clinical use.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the degree of debris, roughness, and friction of stainless steel orthodontic archwires before and after clinical use. MATERIALS AND METHODS For eight individuals, two sets of three brackets (n = 16) each were bonded from the first molar to the first premolar. A passive segment of 0.019- x 0.025-inch stainless steel archwire was inserted into the brackets and tied by elastomeric ligature. Debris level (via scanning electron microscopy), roughness, and frictional force were evaluated as-received and after 8 weeks of intraoral exposure. Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon signed-rank, and Spearman correlation tests were used for statistical analysis at the . 05 level of significance. RESULTS There were significant increases in the level of debris (P = .0004), roughness of orthodontic wires (P = .002), and friction (P = .0001) after intraoral exposure. Significant positive correlations (P < .05) were observed between these three variables. CONCLUSION Stainless steel rectangular wires, when exposed to the intraoral environment for 8 weeks, showed a significant increase in the degree of debris and surface roughness, causing an increase in friction between the wire and bracket during the mechanics of sliding.
Three-dimensional Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Müllerian Duct Anomalies

Aims: We studied the effectiveness of three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography in the diagnosis of uterine malformations. Methods: 175 patients with clinical or ultrasonographic suspicion of uterine malformation were studied between November 2004 and June 2008. In all women we measured uterine volume for processing and later reconstruction of 3D images. Cases in which no anomaly was detected with the 3D technique were excluded from study. A thorough physical genital examination with speculum was done before or after ultrasonography, except in three women with an imperforate hymen. Uterine malformations were recorded in detail, and the findings were catalogued according to the American Fertility Society (AFS) classification. In 32 women magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was also used, and agreement between the two techniques was calculated with the kappa index. Results: The 175 mullerian anomalies we analyzed were diagnosed as agenesis (1 case), unicornuate uterus (1 genuine, 1 communicating), didelphys uterus (4), bicornuate uterus (22), septate uterus (80, 8 with two cervices) and arcuate uterus (68). For 1 unicornuate, 3 bicornuate, 25 septate (4 with two cervices) and 3 arcuate uteri we performed MR imaging. Diagnostic correlation between 3D ultrasonography and MR imaging was obtained in all cases according to the AFS classification (kappa = 100%); concordance was also seen for descriptions of associated uterine malformations except for two cases: 1 bicornuate uterus with the additional presence of a cervical septum as detected by MR imaging, which was not found on hysteroscopy for resection, and 1 septate uterus that appeared to have two cervices on 3D ultrasonography in a patient in whom physical examination was not possible, and in whom MR imaging showed a complete septum with hypointense signals (kappa = 93.45%; 95% confidence interval 80.75100%). Discussion: Owing to its ability to clearly render contours of anatomical structures, 3D ultrasonography provides detailed images of uterine malformations and yields very similar results to those obtained with MR imaging. For an accurate comparison of the two techniques, ultrasonography should be accompanied by gynecologic physical exploration, since the two methods yield equivalent results for the relation between the uterine cavity and the fundus. MR imaging is especially useful to evaluate the cervix and vagina.
3D evaluation of mandibular skeletal changes in juvenile arthritis patients treated with a distraction splint: A retrospective follow-up.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate three-dimensional (3D) condylar and mandibular growth in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) with unilateral temporomandibular joint involvement treated with a distraction splint. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were taken for 16 patients with JIA with unilateral TMJ involvement before treatment (T0) and 2 years after treatment (T1). All patients received orthopedic treatment with a distraction splint. Eleven patients without JIA who were undergoing orthodontic treatment without a functional appliance or Class II mechanics and who had taken CBCT scans before and after treatment, served as controls. Reconstructed 3D models of the mandibles at T0 and T1 were superimposed on stable structures. Intra- and intergroup growth differences in condylar and mandibular ramus modifications and growth vector direction of the mandibular ramus were evaluated. RESULTS In all patients with JIA there were asymmetric condylar volume, distal and vertical condylar displacement, and ramus length differences that were smaller on the affected side. Condylar displacement was more distal and less vertical in the JIA group than in the control group. A larger distal growth of the condylar head and a more medial rotation of the ramus on the affected side were found in the JIA group. CONCLUSION The orthopedic functional treatment for patients with JIA allows for condylar adaptation and modeling, thereby hindering, although with a widely variable response, a further worsening of the asymmetry. Unilateral affection has a possible influence on the growth of the nonaffected side.
Rapid palatal expansion effects on nasal airway dimensions as measured by acoustic rhinometry. A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate available information on the effects of rapid maxillary expansion on nasal airway minimal cross-sectional area and volume, as measured by acoustic rhinometry. MATERIALS AND METHODS An electronic database search was conducted. Based on abstracts/titles, articles were initially selected; then full articles were retrieved and were further sorted according to secondary, more stringent criteria. References from selected articles were hand-searched for potential missed publications. Clinical trials using acoustic rhinometry on subjects undergoing rapid maxillary expansion therapy were included. Syndromic or medically compromised patients and absence of an untreated control group were reasons for exclusion. Selected studies thereafter were evaluated methodologically. RESULTS Only four articles reached final selection, and their overall methodology scores were low, limiting the applicability of results. After rapid maxillary expansion, three of four studies found statistically significant increases in minimal cross-sectional area, and two of three studies reported statistically significant increases in nasal cavity volume as compared with control groups. It appears that any increase is less stable if a traditional technique is used on patients who have passed their peak growth spurt. CONCLUSIONS Although some increases in nasal dimensions have been reported, the changes in nasal volume were small and should not be presented to patients as a clinically significant indication for therapeutic maxillary expansion.
Comparison of anterior and posterior mini-implant-assisted maxillary incisor intrusion: Root resorption and treatment efficiency.

OBJECTIVE To compare, through cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), the root resorption and treatment efficiency of two different mini-implant-assisted modalities in intruding the maxillary incisors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-two adults who had deep bite and elongated maxillary incisors were randomly allocated to two groups: anterior mini-implant group (AMG) and posterior mini-implant group (PMG). In the AMG, approximately 40 g of force was applied per side with elastic chains from mini-implants placed between the lateral incisors and canines and in the PMG, with beta-titanium wires from mini-implants placed between the second premolars and first molars. This study was conducted on CBCT scans taken before intrusion and after 4 months of intrusion. Data were analyzed by means of a paired t-test, independent t-test, and Pearson's correlation test. RESULTS One patient was excluded from the AMG due to mini-implant loosening. While the incisors showed a significant reduction in length and volume, this amount was greater in the AMG, especially in the central incisors (P < .05). Together with the mean intrusion rates of 0.62 and 0.39 mm/mo in the AMG and PMG respectively, the center of resistance of the incisors showed distal movement with labial tipping; these changes were greater in the PMG (P < .001). Volumetric root resorption was correlated with the amount of intrusion (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Intrusion anchoring from posterior mini-implants is preferred in cases of upright incisors, as the use of such mechanics directs the roots into the spongiosa where they undergo less root resorption and more labial tipping.
Pyrosequencing Unveils Cystic Fibrosis Lung Microbiome Differences Associated with a Severe Lung Function Decline

Chronic airway infection is a hallmark feature of cystic fibrosis (CF) disease. In the present study, sputum samples from CF patients were collected and characterized by 16S rRNA gene-targeted approach, to assess how lung microbiota composition changes following a severe decline in lung function. In particular, we compared the airway microbiota of two groups of patients with CF, i.e. patients with a substantial decline in their lung function (SD) and patients with a stable lung function (S). The two groups showed a different bacterial composition, with SD patients reporting a more heterogeneous community than the S ones. Pseudomonas was the dominant genus in both S and SD patients followed by Staphylococcus and Prevotella. Other than the classical CF pathogens and the most commonly identified non-classical genera in CF, we found the presence of the unusual anaerobic genus Sneathia. Moreover, the oligotyping analysis revealed the presence of other minor genera described in CF, highlighting the polymicrobial nature of CF infection. Finally, the analysis of correlation and anti-correlation networks showed the presence of antagonism and ecological independence between members of Pseudomonas genus and the rest of CF airways microbiota, with S patients showing a more interconnected community in S patients than in SD ones. This population structure suggests a higher resilience of S microbiota with respect to SD, which in turn may hinder the potential adverse impact of aggressive pathogens (e.g. Pseudomonas). In conclusion, our findings shed a new light on CF airway microbiota ecology, improving current knowledge about its composition and polymicrobial interactions in patients with CF.
Associations of C-Reactive Protein, Granulocytes and Granulocyte-to-Lymphocyte Ratio with Mortality from Breast Cancer in Non-Institutionalized American Women

Inflammation may play a role in breast cancer, but evidence in the general population is lacking. We investigated the association between serum inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), absolute granulocyte count (AGC) and granulocyte-to-lymphocyte (G/L) ratio) and breast cancer (BCa) mortality in American women while accounting for adiposity. From the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) we selected all women aged 20+ without any known history of cancer (n = 7,780). Multivariable Cox regression models were used to assess CRP, AGC and G/L ratio in relation to mortality from BCa, all cancer, cardiovascular disease and all causes. Stratification analyses by body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were performed to investigate the effect of adiposity on this association. During a mean follow-up of 167 months, 44 women died from BCa. After adjustments for BMI and waist circumference, only G/L ratio was associated to risk of BCa death (e.g. HR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.36–4.06 for the 3rd compared to the 1st tertile, Ptrend = 0.01). Except for a borderline interaction between CRP categories and obesity by BMI, no statistically significant interaction between markers and categories of BMI or waist circumference was observed. All three markers were associated with mortality from cardiovascular disease and all causes. Our findings support a role of inflammation in BCa mortality which may involve mechanisms apart from obesity, and potential usefulness of GLR as a marker in assessing inflammation and cancer.
Public mental health: the local tangibles

Public mental health involves a number of important elements relevant to psychiatrists. This includes estimation of the level and impact of unmet need for treatment of mental disorder, prevention of mental disorder and promotion of mental well-being particularly in higher-risk groups. In the UK, the majority of people with mental disorder receive no intervention. This is despite the large impact and costs of mental disorder and existence of cost-effective interventions which result in economic savings even in the short term. Furthermore, spend is virtually absent for interventions to prevent mental disorder and promote mental well-being despite prominence within government policy and a good evidence base. At a time of budget cuts, local information about level, impact and costs of such unmet need as well as effective interventions are important to accurately inform the required investment for treatment of mental disorder, its prevention and promotion of mental well-being. Information about impact of interventions including economic savings across a broad range of sectors can also be estimated. This article summarises recent public mental health commissioning guidance which provides such information.
Root proximity and cortical bone thickness effects on the success rate of orthodontic micro-implants using cone beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate factors (root proximity and cortical bone thickness) affecting the success rate of orthodontic micro-implants (OMIs) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined 172 OMIs (1.2-1.3 mm in diameter, 8 mm in length) implanted into the maxillary buccal alveolar bone of 94 patients (33 men, 61 women) with malocclusion. Root proximity and cortical bone thickness were measured, and the correlations between these measurements and OMI success rates were evaluated. RESULTS The overall success rate was 90.7% (156/172). The success rate increased as the distance between the root surface and OMI increased, showing a highly significant statistical correlation (P < .05). As the cortical bone thickness increased, the success rate increased, showing a slight, nonsignificant correlation (P > .05). Thus, the success rate of OMIs was affected more significantly by root proximity than cortical bone thickness. CONCLUSIONS When inserting OMIs, increasing the distance from the OMI to the root surface will significantly improve success rates.
Relationship between P561T and C422F polymorphisms in growth hormone receptor gene and mandibular prognathism.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the allele and genotype frequencies of the P561T and C422F polymorphic sites of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene and the relationship between mandibular prognathism (MP) and these two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 99 subjects with severe skeletal Class III MP who planned to undergo orthognathic surgery and 99 subjects with Class I occlusion were examined in this study to evaluate the relationship between MP and two SNPs in exon 10 of the GHR gene. GHR was chosen as a candidate gene because growth hormone plays an important role in cartilage growth. A blood sample was used to extract genomic DNA, and the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used to determine genotypes of P561T and C422F. The Minitab 14.0 packet program was used to perform statistical analysis. RESULTS Allele frequencies of the C422F and P561T variants were determined. Because of the low allele frequency of the control group, statistical analysis could not be performed to test the difference between MP and control groups. Therefore, the data were combined to determine the association between the P561T polymorphism and craniofacial measurements. Effective mandibular length (condylion-gnathion) and lower face height (anterior nasal spina-menton) were associated with the P561T variant. CONCLUSION This finding supports that the GHR might be a candidate gene for mandibular morphogenesis in this population.
Calcium Reduces Liver Injury in Mice on a High-Fat Diet: Alterations in Microbial and Bile Acid Profiles

A high-fat “Western-style” diet (HFWD) promotes obesity-related conditions including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the histologic manifestation of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In addition to high saturated fat and processed carbohydrates, the typical HFWD is deficient in calcium. Calcium-deficiency is an independent risk factor for many conditions associated with the Western-style diet. However, calcium has not been widely evaluated in the context of NAFLD. The goal of the present study was to determine if dietary calcium supplementation could protect mice fed a HFWD from NAFLD, specifically by decreasing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and its down-stream consequences. Male C57BL/6NCrl mice were maintained for 18-months on a HFWD containing dietary calcium at either 0.41 gm/kg feed (unsupplemented) or 5.25 gm/kg feed (supplemented). Although there was no difference in body weight or steatosis, calcium-supplemented mice were protected against downstream consequences of hepatic steatosis, manifested by lower inflammation, less fibrosis, and by lower overall histologic NAFLD activity scores (NAS). Calcium supplementation correlated with distinctly segregating gut fecal and cecal microbial communities as defined by 16S rRNA gene sequence. Further, calcium supplementation also correlated with decreased hepatic concentration of the major conjugated murine primary bile acid, tauro-β-muricholic acid (as well as a decrease in the parent unconjugated bile acid). Thus, calcium was protective against progression of diet-induced hepatic steatosis to NASH and end-stage liver disease, suggesting that calcium supplementation may effectively protect against adverse hepatic consequences of HFWD in cases where overall diet modification cannot be sustained. This protective effect occurred in concert with calcium-mediated gut microbial community shifts and alterations of the hepatic bile acid pool.