Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sex-specific association of a common GNAS polymorphism with self-reported cognitive empathy in healthy volunteers

Background In a recent study, we found associations of a common oxytocin receptor (OXTR) polymorphism with inter-individual differences in empathy, especially with emotional empathy in women. Many other studies found specific associations of oxytocin, arginine-vasopressin, serotonin and dopamine receptor gene polymorphisms with various aspects of trait empathy. As all these receptors belong to the guanine-binding protein (G protein) coupled receptor family, it is a reasonable assumption, that alterations in genes encoding G protein subunits also influence the signal transduction in empathy related circuits. However, to the best of our knowledge, these genomic variations have not yet been studied in genetic research on empathy. Methods Here, we analysed associations of a common polymorphism of the GNAS gene (C393T) in a previously characterized sample of 421 healthy blood donors (231 M, 190 F; age 18–74). The GNAS gene encodes the G protein adenylyl cyclase stimulator (Gαs) G protein subunit, which activates cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent pathways by stimulating the adenylyl cyclase. Cognitive and emotional aspects of dispositional empathy were tested using Davis’ Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Results In the complete sample, associations of C393T genotype with IRI empathy scores, including cognitive empathy (p = 0.055) and perspective taking (p = 0.057) scores did not reach a level of significance. None of the IRI scores was near to being significantly associated with C393T genotype for men alone. In females, however, genotype was significantly associated with cognitive empathy (r = -.204, p = 0.005) and perspective taking (r = -.209, p = 0.004), accounting for 4.2% and 4.4% of variability. The association of genotype with perspective taking remained significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons (p = 0.045). The 393C-allele, which had been identified as a risk factor in several medical conditions such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes, was associated with higher cognitive empathy compared to the T allele in our sample. Conclusions The results suggest a significant association of GNAS C393T genotypes with the cognitive empathic capacity of perspective taking. This association could only be found in female participants.
Attention to family planning and avoidable reproductive risk: a transversal study

Aim: To know the profile of women assisted in the family planning program and to verify the presence of reproductive risks. Method: This is an analytic, transversal study performed with 264 users of the family planning program of the public health system of the city of Fortaleza, Brazil, from March to June 2010. The data was collected through interviews and then submitted to a descriptive statistical analysis. Results: The predominant age group was between 20 and 28 years old (52.7%), with a single partner (84.1%), completed high school (59.5%) and income above three times the minimum wage (42.4%). The prevailing reproductive risk factor was teenage pregnancy (36%), followed by a pregnancy interval below two years (15.9%), multiparity, that is more than four deliveries, (6.4%) and pregnancy above the age of 35 years old (3%). Discussion: The findings demonstrate an elevated prevalence of reproductive risks in women assisted by the family planning program. Conclusion: Avoidable risk factors must be the focus of education in health programs, so couples can plan pregnancies without risks.
Revascularização miocárdica em pacientes octogenários: estudo retrospectivo e comparativo entre pacientes operados com e sem circulação extracorpórea

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study is to compare and analyze the benefits of this operation with and without cardiopulmonary bypass in octogenarian patients. METHOD: Retrospective data of the patients aged eighty years or more from December 1995 to December 2003 were analyzed. During this period 73 patients were submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 26 (35.6%) on-pump and 47 (64.4%) off-pump. A comparison was made of the demographic data, preoperative risks, concurrent morbid conditions, types of angina, postoperative complications and surgical outcomes between the on-pump and off-pump groups. The Student t-test was used to compare the groups and the level of significance was set at p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: Both groups showed a high preoperative risk, although the off-pump group presented less surgical mortality (11.5% vs 2.1%, p < 0.05). No strokes were observed in the patients operated on off-pump (11.5% vs 0.0%, p < 0.005). Atrial fibrillation (AF) in the immediate postoperative period was present less often in the off-pump group (30.8% vs 12.8%, p < 0.005). The postoperative mechanical ventilation time and the presence of respiratory failure were less in the off-pump group (p < 0.005). The presence of acute renal insufficiency (ARI) was 19.2% in the on-pump group and 0% in the off-pump group (p < 0.05). There was less need for transfusion of blood or blood derivatives in the off-pump group (69.2% vs 31.9%, p < 0.005). The mean sojourn in the intensive care unit (ICU) was shorter in the off-pump group (p < 0.05). The percentage of patients with no postoperative complications was higher in the off-pump group than in the on-pump group (89.4% vs 61.5%, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that patients aged eighty years and over benefit when submitted to off-pump CABG and that this procedure is associated with low rates of postoperative complications such as stroke, AF, ARI and respiratory insufficiency, and with less time in the ICU, a shorter hospital sojourn, less use of blood derivatives and lower mortality. In octogenarian patients off-pump CABG surgery is a safe and effective technique, and may be the operation of choice when correctly indicated.
Higher-level cognitive functions in Dutch elite and sub-elite table tennis players

This study aimed to investigate the higher-level cognitive functions (i.e. metacognition and executive functions) of Dutch competitive table tennis players to better understand its relevance for performance in this fast and complex sport. Thirty elite (age 16 ± 4) and thirty age and sex-matched sub-elite peers (age 16 ± 5) were assessed on metacognition and executive functions (working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility) using D-KEFS tests. Compared to norm scores, both the Dutch competitive elite and sub-elite table tennis players scored above average on all tests (p < 0.05). MANOVA showed a main effect for performance level (elites outscored sub-elites; p < 0.05). T-tests revealed that elite players make less mistakes on tests for inhibitory control (CWI-3: 0.9 ± 0.9; CWI-4: 1.1 ± 1.2) than sub-elite players (CWI-3: 1.8 ± 1.1; CWI-4: 2.6 ± 1.5) (p < 0.05). When controlling for training hours in a MANCOVA, no significant main effect of performance level remained (p > 0.05). In conclusion, Dutch elite and sub-elite table tennis players are characterized by above-average scores on higher-level cognitive functions compared to norm scores. A relation with performance level has been shown, which may be explained by the greater exposure to table tennis for elite compared to sub-elite players. However, longitudinal research is needed to indicate the direction of this association.
A lightweight piecewise linear synthesis method for standard 12-lead ECG signals based on adaptive region segmentation

This paper presents a lightweight synthesis algorithm, named adaptive region segmentation based piecewise linear (ARSPL) algorithm, for reconstructing standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) signals from a 3-lead subset (I, II and V2). Such a lightweight algorithm is particularly suitable for healthcare mobile devices with limited resources for computing, communication and data storage. After detection of R-peaks, the ECGs are segmented by cardiac cycles. Each cycle is further divided into four regions according to different cardiac electrical activity stages. A personalized linear regression algorithm is then applied to these regions respectively for improved ECG synthesis. The proposed ARSPL method has been tested on 39 subjects randomly selected from the PTB diagnostic ECG database and achieved accurate synthesis of remaining leads with an average correlation coefficient of 0.947, an average root-mean-square error of 55. 4μV, and an average runtime performance of 114ms. Overall, these results are significantly better than those of the common linear regression method, the back propagation (BP) neural network and the BP optimized using the genetic algorithm. We have also used the reconstructed ECG signals to evaluate the denivelation of ST segment, which is a potential symptom of intrinsic myocardial disease. After ARSPL, only 10.71% of the synthesized ECG cycles are with a ST-level synthesis error larger than 0.1mV, which is also better than those of the three above-mentioned methods.
Physical and Sexual Abuse Among Women and Men with Substance Use Disorders

Abstract This study focuses on the association of physical and sexual abuse with psychological symptoms and associated functioning among substance use disorder (SUD) patients and whether patient gender moderates these associations. A total of 24,959 treatment seeking patients who had SUDs were assessed with the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) as part of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) initiative to evaluate the quality of VA mental health treatment. A high proportion of SUD patients had trauma histories and women experienced more sexual victimization and more dual abuse (both physical and sexual abuse) than men. Abuse history was associated with more problems across ASI domains, which include alcohol, drug, psychiatric, medical, social/family, legal, and employment problems. In addition, abuse was related to receiving comorbid psychiatric diagnoses, including affective, anxiety, and psychotic disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Patient gender emerged as a moderator of several of these associations. Clinicians who work with female and male patients with SUDs and comorbid histories of interpersonal trauma should be aware of the distinct clinical presentation and consequent treatment needs.
Effects of selective tibial nerve neurotomy as a treatment for adults presenting with spastic equinovarus foot: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE Spastic equinovarus foot is a major cause of disability for neurorehabilitation patients, impairing their daily activities, social participation and general quality of life. Selective tibial nerve neurotomy is a neurosurgical treatment for focal spasticity, whose acceptance as treatment for spastic equinovarus foot remains controversial. We performed a systematic review of the literature to assess the efficacy of tibial nerve neurotomy as a treatment for adult patients presenting with spastic equinovarus foot. METHODS We queried PubMed, Science Direct, Trip Database and PEDro databases with the following keywords: "equinus deformity" OR "muscle spasticity" AND "neurotomy. " RESULTS We selected a total of 11 non-randomized and uncontrolled studies, suggesting that neurotomy could be an efficient treatment to reduce impairments in spastic equinovarus foot patients. DISCUSSION Our conclusions are based primarily on case series studies. The effects of tibial nerve neurotomy had not been compared with a reference treatment through a randomized controlled trial, which would be necessary to increase the level of scientific evidence. Moreover, further studies using quantitative, validated and objective assessment tools are required to evaluate the efficacy of tibial nerve neurotomy accurately based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health from the World Health Organization.
Screening for persistent high-risk HPV infections may be a valuable screening method for young women; A retrospective cohort study

Introduction Screening of young women is often discouraged because of the high risk of unnecessary diagnostics or overtreatment. Multiple countries therefore use cytology instead of high risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV)-testing as screening method for young women because of the limited specificity of hrHPV-testing. The objective of this study was to investigate how hrHPV screening before the age of 30, can be used to reduce the future prevalence of high-grade cervical lesions in young women. Methods We retrospectively analyzed follow-up data from a cohort study on HPV prevalence in unscreened Dutch women aged 18–29 years. Women performed multiple self-collected cervico-vaginal samples for HPV detection and genotyping. At least one valid cervical pathology result was obtained from 1,018 women. Women were categorized as hrHPV negative, cleared- or persistent hrHPV infection. Anonymized follow-up data for each group was obtained. Composite outcome measures were defined as; normal, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). The association between prior hrHPV status and cytology and histology outcome was analyzed. Results After exclusion, a pathology result was registered for 962 women. The prevalence of HSIL was 19.3% in women with a persistent HPV infection at a younger age. This is significantly higher (p<0,001) compared with the HSIL prevalence of 1.5% in HPV-negative women, and 3.1% (n = 8) in women who cleared the hrHPV infection in the past. Conclusion Women with a persistent hrHPV infection in their 20s, show an increased prevalence of HSIL lesions in their early 30s. Screening for persistent hrHPV infections, instead of cytology screening before the age of 30, can be used to reduce the future prevalence of cervical cancer in young women.
Robotic training and clinical assessment of upper extremity movements after spinal cord injury: a single case report.

CASE REPORT A 28-year-old woman, with incomplete spinal cord injury at the C2 level, classified as American Spinal Injury Impairment Scale C (AIS), participated in a robotic rehabilitation program 29 months after injury. Robotic training was provided to both upper extremities using the MAHI Exo-II, an exoskeleton device designed for rehabilitation of the upper limb, for 12 × 3-h sessions over 4 weeks. Training involved elbow flexion/extension, forearm supination/pronation, wrist flexion/extension, and radial/ulnar deviation. RESULTS Outcome measures were Action Research Arm Test, Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test, and AIS-upper extremity motor score. Safety measures included fatigue, pain and discomfort level using a 5-point rating scale. Following training, improvements were observed in the left arm and hand function, whereas the right arm and hand function showed no improvement in any of the functional outcome measures. No excessive pain, discomfort or fatigue was reported. CONCLUSION Data from one subject demonstrate valuable information on the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of robotic-assisted training of upper-extremity motor functions after incomplete spinal cord injury.
Home-based telerehabilitation shows improved upper limb function in adults with chronic stroke: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE This pilot study investigates the use of telerehabilitation to improve upper limb performance in chronic stages of stroke recovery. DESIGN Intervention study with pre/post/one month follow-up tests. METHODS Seven adults with chronic stroke participated in the study. Tests consisted of lab-based clinical and kinematic assessments. Participants completed the Upper Limb Training and Assessment (ULTrA) program at home. Training was 5 days/week, 60 min/day for 6 weeks with intermittent supervision of participants. RESULTS Participants showed improvements in the training program tasks as well as clinical and kinematic assessments. Results also suggest there may be auxiliary benefits in cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS A home-based telerehabilitation program is a viable approach to provide rehabilitation in chronic stages of stroke.
Pneumococcal colonization among tracheostomy tube dependent children

Streptococcus pneumoniae colonization is a precursor to pneumococcal disease. Although children with a tracheostomy have an increased risk of pneumococcal pneumonia, the pneumococci colonizing their lower airways remain largely uncharacterized. We sought to compare lower respiratory tract isolates colonizing tracheostomy patients and a convenience sample of isolates from individuals intubated for acute conditions. We collected pneumococcal isolates from the lower respiratory tract of 27 patients with a tracheostomy and 42 patients intubated for acute conditions. We compared the penicillin susceptibility, rates of co-colonization, genetic background, and serotype of isolates colonizing these patient populations. Isolates from both groups showed high genetic diversity. Forty multi-locus sequence types and 20 serotypes were identified. There was no significant difference in serotype distribution, co-colonization rates, vaccine coverage, or non-susceptibility to penicillin among pneumococcal isolates from the two groups. Colonization of the lower airways with non-vaccine serotypes 15B/C, 23B and 35B was noted for the first time in patients with tracheostomies and supports recently observed increases in nasopharyngeal colonization and disease due to these serotypes.
ABO blood types and major outcomes in patients with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure: A multicenter retrospective cohort study

Introduction ABO blood type A was reported to correlate with an increased risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in white patients with severe sepsis and major trauma compared with patients with other blood types. Information regarding ABO phenotypes and major outcomes in patients with ARDS is unavailable. The primary aim was to determine the relationship between ABO blood type A and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF). The secondary aim was to describe the association between ABO blood type A and ICU length of stay (LOS) in this study population. Methods In a multicenter, retrospective cohort study, we collected the clinical records of patients admitted from January 2012 to December 2014 in five ICUs of Northern Italy. We included adult white patients admitted to the ICU who were diagnosed with AHRF requiring mechanical ventilation. Results The electronic records of 1732 patients with AHRF were reviewed. The proportion of patients with ABO blood type A versus other blood types was 39.9% versus 60.1%. ICU mortality (25%) and ICU LOS (median [interquartile range], 5 [2–12] days) were not different when stratified by ABO blood type (ICU mortality, overall p value = 0.905; ICU LOS, overall p value = 0.609). SAPSII was a positive predictor of ICU mortality (odds ration [OR], 32.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 18.80–57.24; p < 0.001) and ICU LOS (β coefficient, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.35–0.75; p < 0.001) at multivariate analyses, whereas ABO blood type did not predict ICU outcome when forced into the model. Conclusion ABO blood type did not correlate with ICU mortality and ICU LOS in adult patients with AHRF who were mechanically ventilated.
General Pressures to Adhere to Psychiatric Treatment in the Community

We sought to determine the prevalence and the sources of pressures to keep appointments and/or to take medications among people receiving services in the community for serious mental illness. Self-report data from 1,011 adult outpatients from mental health centers located in five states were gathered. Current treatment pressures were found to be quite common: between 41 and 55% of patients experienced feeling at least one pressure to adhere to treatment in the past six months In addition, the average number of pressure sources was slightly more than three, with one-fifth of the sample experiencing pressure from six or more sources. Health service providers were the most frequent source of pressures, followed by family members and friends. These data add to a growing literature indicating that pressure and leverage are commonly used to induce treatment adherence in patients with mental illness.
Immune diversity sheds light on missing variation in worldwide genetic diversity panels

Defining worldwide human genetic variation is a critical step to reveal how genome plasticity contributes to disease. Yet, there is currently no metric to assess the representativeness and completeness of current and widely used data on genetic variation. We show here that Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genes can serve as such metric as they are both the most polymorphic and the most studied genetic system. As a test case, we investigated the 1,000 Genomes Project panel. Using high-accuracy in silico HLA typing, we find that over 20% of the common HLA variants and over 70% of the rare HLA variants are missing in this reference panel for worldwide genetic variation, due to undersampling and incomplete geographical coverage, in particular in Oceania and West Asia. Because common and rare variants both contribute to disease, this study thus illustrates how HLA diversity can detect and help fix incomplete sampling and hence accelerate efforts to draw a comprehensive overview of the genetic variation that is relevant to health and disease.
Durability of surface treatments and intermediate agents used for repair of a polished composite.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of surface treatment and intermediate agent hydrophilicity on durability of the composite repair by means of the microtensile bond strength test (microTBS) and silver nitrate uptake (SNU) and the effects of surface treatment on composite roughness (Ra) and micromorphological features (SEM). METHODS Thirty resin composite blocks (4x6x6 mm) (Opallis, FGM) were polished after seven days and divided into three groups: no treatment (NT); roughening with a fine-grit diamond bur (DB); 50 microm aluminum oxide sandblasting (AO). A hydrophobic (Adhesive bottle, Scotchbond MultiPurpose [SBMP]) or hydrophilic adhesive (Adper Single Bond 2 [SB]) was then applied. The same composite was used for repair. Composite-composite bonded sticks (0.6 mm2) were tested immediately ([IM) or after six months (6 M) of water storage in tension (1.0 mm/minute). Two bonded sticks from each resin composite block were immersed in a 50% (w/v) solution of silver nitrate, photo-developed and analyzed by SEM. The composite specimens after surface treatments were analyzed with a contact profilometer (Ra) and SEM. Three-way repeated measures and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze data from the microTBS and Ra, respectively (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS AO showed the highest composite repair strength (MPa) and Ra (microm) (52.7 +/- 6.4; 4.1 +/- 0.5), while the no treatment group (36.1 +/- 6.1; 0.57 +/- 0.5) showed the low est. DB (44.1 +/- 5.6; 1.5 +/- 0.2) had an intermediate performance. The Ra results were confirmed by SEM images. SNU was observed only in SB specimens after 6M for all groups. CONCLUSIONS Aluminum oxide treatment provides the highest composite repair strength, regardless of the hydrophilicity of the intermediate agent and storage period. Early signs of degradation were detected for SB after six months as silver nitrate deposits within the adhesive layer.