Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Childhood hearing loss detected beyond the newborn screen

Abstract Objective To understand the characteristics of postnatal hearing loss (PNHL) identified via different referral pathways, to inform childhood hearing screening and referral practices. Design Retrospective analysis of screening and audiology records. Study sample A cohort of 385 children who passed newborn hearing screening in Queensland, Australia between September 2004 and December 2017 and were later diagnosed with permanent hearing loss. Results Neonatally identified risk factors facilitated detection for half the cohort, with PNHL detected earlier (average age of 31 months) and at a milder degree. PNHL was detected at an average age of 49 months via other pathways. Proportions of bilateral moderate or greater PNHL were greatest in children with significant medical circumstances (60.7%) and those with noted delays or concerns (39.2%), whereas childhood hearing screening programs detected greater proportions of unilateral moderate or greater PNHL (47.4%). Conclusions Risk-factor-based surveillance detects PNHL early but does not detect all cases. Screening children with speech and language delays, parental or professional concern, or with relevant medical circumstances (eg meningitis or chemotherapy) is warranted based on the types of PNHL detected. Further evidence may be required to justify the rollout of postnatal population childhood screening programs.
Crown of thorns starfish life-history traits contribute to outbreaks, a continuing concern for coral reefs

Crown of thorns starfish (COTS, Acanthaster sp.) are notorious for their destructive consumption of coral that decimates tropical reefs, an attribute unique among tropical marine invertebrates. Their populations can rapidly increase from 0–1 COTS ha−1 to more than 10–1000 COTS ha−1 in short order causing a drastic change to benthic communities and reducing the functional and species diversity of coral reef ecosystems. Population outbreaks were first identified to be a significant threat to coral reefs in the 1960s. Since then, they have become one of the leading causes of coral loss along with coral bleaching. Decades of research and significant investment in Australia and elsewhere, particularly Japan, have been directed towards identifying, understanding, and managing the potential causes of outbreaks and designing population control methods. Despite this, the drivers of outbreaks remain elusive. What is becoming increasingly clear is that the success of COTS is tied to their inherent biological traits, especially in early life. Survival of larval and juvenile COTS is likely to be enhanced by their dietary flexibility and resilience to variable food conditions as well as their phenotypically plastic growth dynamics, all magnified by the extreme reproductive potential of COTS. These traits enable COTS to capitalise on anthropogenic disturbances to reef systems as well as endure less favourable conditions.
Another new attempt to repair finger pulp defects: retrograde island flap bridge transfer of the adjacent phalangeal artery combined with vascular pedicle tubular skin grafting

This study investigated the surgical method and therapeutic effect of retrograde island flap bridge transfer of the adjacent phalangeal artery combined with vascular pedicle tubular skin grafting to repair finger pulp defects. From June 2008 to May 2020, 21 fingers (19 patients) were repaired using this method. The postoperative flap survival rate and complications, and the clinical effect, were evaluated. All flaps survived, and all patients were followed-up for 12 to 46 months. The static two-point discrimination (2PD) was 7 to 11 mm, no apparent complications were observed in the donor area and the McIndoe cold intolerance symptom severity (CISS) scores indicated mild severity. The Michigan hand outcome questionnaire (MHQ) indicated that all patients were satisfied with their overall hand appearance and function. Results were excellent in 15 cases and good in 4 cases, according to the Dargan function evaluation (DFE). It is safe and effective to repair finger pulp defects with a retrograde island flap bridge transfer of the adjacent phalangeal artery combined with vascular pedicle tubular skin grafting. This skin flap has the advantages of simple severing, good texture and concealed donor area, which is convenient for early postoperative functional exercise of the finger.
Association between vaccination and immunobullous disorders: a brief, updated systematic review with focus on COVID‐19

Editor, Autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBDs), including the heterogeneous groups pemphigus and pemphigoid, are rare and potentially life-threatening chronic inflammatory blistering disorders characterized by autoantibodies against desmosomal adhesion proteins and structural proteins of the dermal–epidermal junction, respectively. We have previously provided an overview of different vaccines against bacterial and viral infections possibly associated with the development of AIBDs, but information specifically pertaining to COVID-19 vaccines was lacking at the time of publication. Given the accumulating evidence of a possible association between COVID-19 vaccines and AIBDs since then, a rapid, updated systematic review focusing on this potential link was performed. The systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Literature from the inception of the database until 09 February 2022 was explored using PubMed. Keywords were ‘pemphigus’ or ‘pemphigoid’ or ‘bullous’ or ‘blistering’ combined with ‘COVID-19 vaccination’ or ‘COVID19 vaccine’ or ‘SARS-CoV-2 vaccination’ or ‘SARS-CoV-2 vaccine’. Additional author searches, including screening of bibliographies, were done to find further relevant publications.
Neuropsychological assessment in the multicultural memory clinic: development and feasibility of the TULIPA battery

Neuropsychological assessment of culturally diverse populations is hindered by barriers in language, culture, education, and a lack of suitable tests. Furthermore, individuals from diverse backgrounds are often unfamiliar with being cognitively tested. The aim of this study was to develop a new neuropsychological test battery and study its feasibility in multicultural memory clinics.
Experiences of physical activity and exercise among women with obstructive pulmonary disease

ABSTRACT Background With more women being diagnosed with obstructive pulmonary disease, it is important to know how women experience non-pharmacological rehabilitation including different types of physical activity and exercise. Objective This study aimed to explore how women with obstructive pulmonary disease experienced participating in pulmonary rehabilitation including yoga or strength- and endurance training to promote physical activity. A second aim included exploring experiences of physical activity and exercise through life. Methods Fifteen women with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were interviewed about their experiences of participating in an exercise intervention and about their experiences of physical activity and exercise in their lives. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results An overall theme, “Wishing to succeed in attending physical activity and exercise,” emerged. Three categories were identified: 1) strategies to overcome insecurity; 2) a life situation which enables and hinders; and 3) an inner drive and focus on myself. Conclusions The women’s wishes to be physically activity and exercise involved hindering and enabling factors. Specifically, their gender roles as women were described as a hinder. This suggests a need to include a gender perspective when promoting physical activity and exercise to women with obstructive pulmonary disease.
Digital cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia (dCBT‐I): Chronotype moderation on intervention outcomes

Using data from 1721 participants in a community‐based randomized control trial of digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia compared with patient education, we employed linear mixed modelling analyses to examine whether chronotype moderated the benefits of digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia on self‐reported levels of insomnia severity, fatigue and psychological distress. Baseline self‐ratings on the reduced version of the Horne–Östberg Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire were used to categorize the sample into three chronotypes: morning type (n = 345; 20%); intermediate type (n = 843; 49%); and evening type (n = 524; 30%). Insomnia Severity Index, Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were assessed pre‐ and post‐intervention (9 weeks). For individuals with self‐reported morning or intermediate chronotypes, digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia was superior to patient education on all ratings (Insomnia Severity Index, Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) at follow‐up (p‐values ≤ 0.05). For individuals with self‐reported evening chronotype, digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia was superior to patient education for Insomnia Severity Index and Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire, but not on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (p = 0.139). There were significant differences in the treatment effects between the three chronotypes on the Insomnia Severity Index (p = 0.023) estimated difference between evening and morning type of −1.70, 95% confidence interval: −2.96 to −0.45, p = 0.008, and estimated difference between evening and intermediate type −1.53, 95% confidence interval: −3.04 to −0.03, p = 0.046. There were no significant differences in the treatment effects between the three chronotypes on the Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire (p = 0.488) or the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (p = 0.536). We conclude that self‐reported chronotype moderates the effects of digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia on insomnia severity, but not on psychological distress or fatigue.
Associations, microbiology and outcomes of pre-training peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis

Background: Pre-training peritonitis (PTP), defined as peritonitis that occurred after catheter insertion and before peritoneal dialysis (PD) training, is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for adverse patient outcomes, yet poorly understood with limited studies conducted to date. This study was conducted to identify the associations, microbiologic profiles and outcomes of PTP compared to post-training peritonitis. Methods: This single-centre, case-control study involved patients with kidney failure who had PD as their first kidney replacement therapy and had experienced an episode of PD peritonitis between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2015. Individuals experiencing their first episode of peritonitis were included in the study and categorized according to whether it occurred pre- or post-training. The primary outcome was peritonitis cure rates and composite outcome of hemodialysis (HD) transfer for ≥30 days or death. The secondary outcomes included catheter removal and refractory peritonitis rates. Results: Among 683 patients who received PD for the first time, 121 (17.7%) had PTP while 265 (38.8%) had post-training peritonitis. PTP patients were more likely to have had exit-site infection (ESI) prior to peritonitis (24.8% compared to 17% in the post-training peritonitis group, p = 0.2). Culture-negative peritonitis was significantly more common in the PTP patients (53.7%) than in the post-training group (27.3%, p < 0.001). The cure was achieved in 68.9% of cases and was not significantly different between the PTP and post-training peritonitis groups (66.1% vs. 70.2%; OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.51–1.35). Lower odds of cure were associated with peritonitis caused by moderate and high severity organisms (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.29–0.85; OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.08–0.43, respectively). Composite outcome of HD transfer or death was more commonly observed among patients with PTP (87.5% vs. 75.8%; OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.20–4.48) in whom significantly shorter median time to HD transfer was observed (PTP 10.7 months vs. post-training peritonitis 21.9 months, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: PTP is a common condition that is highly associated with preceding ESI, is frequently culture-negative and is associated with worse composite outcome of HD transfer or death. PTP rates should be routinely monitored and reported by PD units for continuous quality improvement. Graphical Abstract This is a visual representation of the abstract.
Unequal neurorehabilitation trajectories – a longitudinal case study combining field structures with social Class–Based Capital Conversion

ABSTRACT Inequalities in illness, service provision, and outcomes are well documented in the Nordic universal welfare state. The ways in which inequalities are produced during illness recovery trajectories remain largely unknown. Long-term brain injury rehabilitation in this context provides a window into veiled aspects of inequality and the underlying mechanisms. We examine inequality empirically by combing framing field structures with the classed abilities of families to mobilise capital after a severe acquired brain injury (severe ABI). Using a Bourdieuan theoretical framework, informed by the concepts of field, doxa, cultural health capital (CHC), and rehabilitation capital (RC), we designed a longitudinal case study encompassing professional records, observations, and interviews that tracked and analysed subjects' trajectories. We found that families’ consistent accumulation and conversion of capital was crucial after a severe ABI because of the multifaceted rehabilitation process involving many different field specific agendas and doxas. This study supplements previous concepts (CHC and RC) developed in a health care context by including other rehabilitation contexts. These disparities in forms of capital amongst social classes result in winners and losers and were reflected in the rehabilitation trajectories of the young adults, characterised by continuity on one extreme and broken trajectories on the other.
Reference intervals for thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, and total triiodothyronine in the Lebanese adult population

Background For a better assessment of thyroid function, each laboratory should establish its own reference intervals (RI). In Lebanon, no previous study has been conducted to establish the reference values for thyroid function tests. Methods This cross-sectional study included 301 volunteers aged between 18 and 65 years (65.8% women, 34.2% men), free from any thyroid pathology and any condition that could affect thyroid function tests. The reference intervals of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free T4 (FT4), free T3 (FT3), and total T3 (TT3) were measured on the Roche Cobas e411 machine. 39 subjects tested positive for thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and/or thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb), were excluded from the study. Results There was an increase in the 2.5th percentile for the TSH compared to the value provided by the manufacturer (from 0.27 to 0.53 mlU/L) as well as a decrease in the 97.5th percentile for the FT4, TT3, and FT3 (respectively, from 22 to 19.78 pmol/L for FT4, from 3.1 to 2.71 nmol/L for TT3, and from 6.80 to 6.10 pmol/L for FT3). Higher TT3 and FT3 values were noted in men compared to women (respectively, p = 0.068 and p < 0.0001). An age decrease in FT4 and FT3 was also observed (respectively, p = 0.045 and p < 0.0001). Conclusion The established RI of thyroid function tests for the Lebanese population were significantly different from the values recommended by the manufacturer (Roche Diagnostics). Changing our RI values will allow a more accurate diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction.
The prevalence, molecular characterization and antimicrobial resistance profiling of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from clinical mastitis cases on large dairy farms in China

Abstract This research communication aims to characterize the prevalence, molecular characterization and antimicrobial resistance profiling of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from clinical mastitis in China. A total of 140 Strep. agalactiae isolates were identified from 12 out of 201 farms in 6 provinces, overall herd prevalence was 18.6% and the MLST analysis showed clonal complexes (CC) 103 and CC 67 were present in these herds with CC 103 predominant, accounting for 97.9%. Isolates were mostly sensitive to the tested antimicrobials: penicillin, ceftiofur, amoxi/clav, cefquinome, and vancomycin (100%), followed by cefalexin (97.9%), oxacillin (96.4%), enrofloxacin (95.7%), erythromycin (89.3%), and clindamycin (88.6%). Only 19.3 and 0.7% of isolates were sensitive to tetracycline and daptomycin, respectively, and sequence type (ST) 103 was most resistant to antimicrobials. In conclusion, CC 103 was the predominant subgroup of bovine mastitis Strep. agalactiae in China, and most antimicrobials apart from tetracycline and daptomycin were effective.
Association of Diabetes Mellitus Status and Hyperglycemia With Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis

Emerging evidence indicates that hyperglycemia has an adverse impact on the knee joint which, in turn, may increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA), but evidence from the real‐life settings of large‐scale cohort studies remains unclear. We sought to evaluate the association of glycemic control and the risk of symptomatic knee OA in a community‐based cohort of older adults.
The effect of bovine serum albumin-glutaraldehyde and polyethylene glycol polymer on local tissue reaction and inflammation in rabbit carotid artery anastomosis

Objectives In addition to the hemostatic properties of hemostatic agents, the investigation of their immunogenic properties, their local effects on application area has been the subject of many experimental studies. There are limited data on the inflammatory effects of Bovine serum albumin-glutaraldehyde and Polyethylene glycol polymer. Therefore, we investigated the effects of these agents on tissue reactions and inflammation in rabbit carotid artery anastomosis in our experimental study. Methods Twenty-one New Zealand male rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. The right carotid artery anastomosis was performed on the control group after transection. Hemostatic agents were applied locally to other two groups separately after transection and anastomosis. At the end of 28 days, the type of inflammation, inflammatory cell infiltration, degree of inflammation, and amount of residual adhesives were examined and compared statistically. Results Cell infiltrations associated with inflammation on the anastomosis site (eosinophils, epithelioid/giant cells, lymphocytes, and plasma cells) and inflammation grade in the groups of hemostatic agents were significantly lower compared to the control group (p < .05). There was no difference between the hemostatic agents. While mild inflammation (61.9%) was dominant in the groups of hemostatic agents, moderate inflammation (85.7%) was more common in the control group. No severe inflammation was observed in any of the three groups. Residual sealant grade between hemostatic agents did not differ significantly. Conclusions When inflammation and tissue reactions of the 4th week were evaluated, it was determined that both hemostatic agents did not cause severe inflammation. However, comparative results at multiple time intervals are needed due to the dynamic process of inflammation.
Regional cerebral blood flow in major depression treated with electroconvulsive therapy: an arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance study

ABSTRACT Until recently, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) using arterial spin labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have seldom been studied. We report here 10 patients with MDD treated by bilateral frontotemporal ECT. rCBF was assessed with ASL MRI pre- and post-ECT, and compared with patients treated by antidepressants. Compared to pre-ECT, rCBF significantly decreased in the bilateral frontal gyrus. Compared to medication, in patients treated with ECT, rCBF showed a significant decrease in the left amygdala, parahippocampal and olfactory gyrus, and right occipital, lingual, calcarine gyrus, and significantly increased in the bilateral frontal gyrus and right frontal gyrus. Compared with antidepressants, ECT altered rCBF, and showed potential to be a superior treatment for major depressive disorder.
Push‐out bond strength of the calcium silicate‐based endodontic cements in the presence of blood: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of in vitro studies

The push‐out bond strength (POBS) of calcium silicate‐based cements (CSCs) to the dentinal wall is considered one of the essential physical properties for clinical success. The presence of blood in the treatment area affects the POBS of these types of cement. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of blood contamination on the bond strength of CSCs and dentinal walls.
Effects of Slow Deep Breathing on Acute Clinical Pain in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Slow deep breathing (SDB) may help patients with acute pain. The primary aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the effects of SDB on acute pain. Secondary aims include investigating the effects of SDB on acute pain-related physical and emotional functioning. An a priori protocol was registered and a database search was conducted by a reference librarian. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) were eligible for inclusion and exclusion criteria included studies of SDB for non-pain indications and studies that applied SDB as a component of an encompassing intervention. The risk or bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's revised tool for assessing risk of bias in randomized trials. Meta-analysis was conducted using the random effects model. A total of 11 968 studies were screened and seven RCTs met inclusion criteria; five were judged to have low risk of bias. Meta-analysis of post-intervention pain scores demonstrated that SDB was associated with significantly lower pain scores compared with a control group, but with high levels of heterogeneity. Subgroup analyzes demonstrated that trials of burn pain were associated with a larger reduction in pain which partially explains the heterogeneity. Very low certainty evidence suggests that SDB may reduce acute pain intensity. Further research is needed to identify patients who are candidates for SDB and determine the best approach to deliver this therapy.
Noninvasive Quantification of Cerebral Blood Flow Using Hybrid PET/MR Imaging to Extract the [15O]H2O Image‐Derived Input Function Free of Partial Volume Errors

Quantification of cerebral blood flow (CBF) with [15O]H2O‐positron emission tomography (PET) requires arterial sampling to measure the input function. This invasive procedure can be avoided by extracting an image‐derived input function (IDIF); however, IDIFs are sensitive to partial volume errors due to the limited spatial resolution of PET.