Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lactation and Changes in Maternal Metabolic Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between duration of lactation and changes in maternal metabolic risk factors. METHODS: This 3-year prospective study examined changes in metabolic risk factors among lactating women from preconception to postweaning and among nonlactating women from preconception to postdelivery, in comparison with nongravid women. Of 1,051 (490 black, 561 white) women who attended two consecutive study visits in years 7 (1992–1993) and 10 (1995–1996), 942 were nongravid and 109 had one interim birth. Of parous women, 48 (45%) did not lactate, and 61 (55%) lactated and weaned before year 10. The lactated and weaned women were subdivided by duration of lactation into less than 3 months and 3 months or more. Multiple linear regression models estimated mean 3-year changes in metabolic risk factors adjusted for age, race, parity, education, and behavioral covariates. RESULTS: Both parous women who did not lactate and parous women who lactated and weaned gained more weight (+5.6, +4.4 kg) and waist girth (+5.3, +4.9 cm) than nongravid women over the 3-year interval; P<. 001. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (+6.7 mg/dL, P<.05) and fasting insulin (+2.6 microunits, P=.06) increased more for parous women who did not lactate than for nongravid and parous women who lactated and weaned. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol decrements for both parous women who did not lactate and parous women who lactated and weaned were 4.0 mg/dL greater than for nongravid women (P<.001). Among parous, lactated and weaned women, lactation for 3 months or longer was associated with a smaller decrement in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (–1.3 mg/dL versus –7.3 mg/dL for less than 3 months; P<.01). CONCLUSION: Lactation may attenuate unfavorable metabolic risk factor changes that occur with pregnancy, with effects apparent after weaning. As a modifiable behavior, lactation may affect women's future risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II
An accurate hysteresis model for ferroresonance analysis of a transformer

Summary form only given. This paper introduces an accurate transformer core model, using the Preisach Theory, to represent the core magnetization characteristic. This modeling approach provides the required precision to match major and minor hysteresis loops of the model with those of the actual transformer core material. Using the proposed model, the ferroresonance phenomenon of a Voltage Transformer (VT) is simulated and compared to the corresponding experimental results. In addition, the simulated ferroresonance behavior of the VT based on (i) the EMTP-RV Hysteric Reactor model, (ii) the EMTP Reactor Type-96 model, and (iii) a single-valued polynomial as magnetization characteristic, is also deduced and compared with the proposed model and the experimental results.
A particle-based simulation tool for ultrasound blood flow imaging: Validation of high-speed Echo-PIV

This work aims to study the potential of high-speed echographic particle image velocimetry (Echo-PIV) technique based on plane wave excitation in physiological flows. We evaluate the Echo-PIV technique using a simulation environment integrating smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH), a mesh-free method in computational mechanics, and linear acoustics. In SPH, the fluid domain is divided into a set of particles and the physical properties of each particle are calculated based on the properties of the neighboring particles. By contrast with standard computational methods, fluid-acoustic coupling is effortless since SPH particles can be used directly as sound scatterers. Field II is used as a scattering acoustic model. SPH particles are insonified with ultrasound plane waves and the backscattered RF signals are analyzed. The Poiseuille and Womersley flows, as standard benchmark cases, and then pulsatile flow in a bifurcation artery are insonified perpendicularly by acoustic plane waves at a rate higher than 1000 fps. The velocity fields are then determined using iterative multigrid PIV processing on the RF images. The velocity profiles derived by high-speed Echo-PIV were very concordant with those yielded by SPH.
Immunotherapy with allergen-loaded nanoparticles containing lipopolysaccharide from Brucella ovis Condensed title : Gantrez nanoparticles for immunotherapy

Immunotherapy with allergen-loaded nanoparticles containing lipopolysaccharide from Brucella ovis Condensed title: Gantrez nanoparticles for immunotherapy Authors: Sara Gómez, Carlos Gamazo, Beatriz San Roman, Marta Ferrer, Maria Luisa Sanz, Juan M. Irache Adjuvant Unit, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Microbiology, University of Navarra, 31080 Pamplona, Spain. Allergy Department, University Hospital of Navarra, 31080 Pamplona, Spain.
Anthropometric indices as measures of body fat assessed by DXA in relation to cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents: NHANES 1999-2004.

OBJECTIVE Anthropometrics are commonly used indices of total and central adiposity. No study has compared anthropometric measurements to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements as correlates of cardiovascular risks in a nationally representative sample of youth. We aimed to evaluate the validity of anthropometrics compared to DXA-assessed adiposity in relation to cardiovascular risks in youth aged 8-19 years. METHODS Data were from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004 (n=7013). We examined the correlations between anthropometric and DXA measures of adiposity (i.e., body mass index (BMI) versus percent fat mass (%FM) and fat mass index, and waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) versus percent trunk fat mass (%TFM)) with nine cardiovascular risks, stratified by sex and age, or race-ethnicity. RESULTS Anthropometric and DXA adiposity measures were significantly correlated with insulin (r: 0.48 to 0.66), C-reactive protein (r: 0.47 to 0.58), triglycerides (r: 0.15 to 0.41), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, r: -0.44 to -0.22), systolic blood pressure (SBP, r: 0.10 to 0.31), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r: 0.09 to 0.30), total cholesterol (TC, r: 0.01 to 0.29) and glucose (r: 0.05 to 0.20). Only in all youth, BMI was more strongly correlated with SBP (0.22 vs. 0.12, P<0.0001) and HDL-C (-0.34 vs. -0.25, P<0.0001) than %FM; WC but not WHtR was more strongly correlated with HDL-C (-0.37 vs. -0.30, P<0.0001) but less strongly associated with TC (0.12 vs. 0.21, P<0.0001) than %TFM. CONCLUSIONS DXA adiposity measures do not produce stronger associations with cardiovascular risk factors in youth than BMI or WC.
Effects of Short–Term Medical Mission Trips to Chiapas, Mexico, on the Religiosity of the Missionaries

This study evaluates the effects that short-term, foreign, Catholic medical mission trips had on the religiosity of the United States-based participants. The subjects of this study participated in Catholic medical missions to Chiapas State, Mexico, in 2014 and 2015. Twenty-two of forty-two participants responded to a survey to assess for any changes in their religiosity and associated attitudes and behaviors. The results revealed that participation in the medical mission was associated with a significant increase in non-organizational religious activity, intrinsic religiosity, concern for health disparities and the burden of illness in the developing world, the promotion of further missions, the provision of service and/or monetary aid to the poor in the missionary's local community, and an increased likelihood to discuss the Christian faith in conversations with others. There was no statistically significant association with organizational religious activity or local participation in evangelization activities. Summary This article reports on the changes seen in the religious attitudes and charitable works performed following participation in a short-term medical mission. After serving on a mission trip to Mexico, we found that United States-based missionaries had an increase in their private religious activities, felt closer to God, were more likely to help the poor in their own neighborhoods, and were more likely to discuss their Christian faith than prior to the mission trip. We discuss possible reasons for these changes.
Identification of Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate-Dependent Aldehyde Reductase in A Rhodotorula Strain

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-aldehyde reductase was isolated in 24% yield and 66-fold purification from a dl-glyceraldehyde-grown Rhodotorula species. This enzyme was specific for NADPH, and d-, l-, or dl-glyceraldehyde were equally good substrates. Other substrates had activities as follows: methylglyoxal, 50%; fructose, 33%; d- and l-arabinose, 12%; d-xylose, 8%; d-glucose, 5%; d-erythrose and d-threose, 0 to 5%. The product from the reduction of dl-glyceraldehyde was glycerol, as shown by high voltage electrophoresis, paper chromatography, and direct enzymatic analysis. Kinetic studies gave Km values of 0.89 mm and 0.013 mm for dl-glyceraldehyde and NADPH, respectively. An optimal pH range of 6.3 to 6.7 was found for maximal activity. Reduction of NADP+ by glycerol was not demonstrable. This Rhodotorula NADPH-aldehyde reductase activity was compared to similar enzymes from other sources.
C-reactive protein in schoolchildren and its relation to adiposity, physical activity, aerobic fitness and habitual diet

Objective: To investigate the relation between C-reactive protein (CRP), adiposity, physical activity, aerobic fitness and habitual diet in a cohort of schoolchildren. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 164 schoolchildren aged 12–13 years was conducted in two schools. Adiposity was estimated using body mass index and waist circumference. Blood samples were taken after an overnight fast and measured for CRP. Aerobic fitness and habitual physical activity were assessed using the 20 metres multistage fitness test, and a seven-day recall, respectively. A seven-day food diary provided measures of dietary intake. Results: To improve the distribution of this variable, CRP levels were logarithmically transformed in all analyses. There was no significant difference in mean CRP concentration between boys (1.07 (1.33) mg/l) and girls (1.24 (1.87) mg/l) (p⩾0.05). Compared to girls, boys reported significantly higher (i) aerobic fitness 59.2 (20.3) shuttles vs 42.9 (15.3) shuttles, (ii) vigorous activity levels per week 92 (123) minutes vs 11.2 (34.6) minutes and (iii) waist circumference 69.8 (1.1) cm vs 65.2 (0.9) cm (p⩽0.05). Among boys and girls, adiposity was significantly associated with log transformed CRP (p⩽0.05). CRP was not significantly related to any other variable. Conclusion: Elevated CRP was evident in this cohort; however, whether high CRP levels during childhood and adolescence leads to an increased risk of CVD in later life has not been determined. Adiposity was related to CRP concentration, suggesting that reducing adiposity may be effective in lowering CRP and preventing future cardiovascular events.
Transient nuclear envelope rupturing during interphase in human cancer cells

Neoplastic cells are often characterized by specific morphological abnormalities of the nuclear envelope (NE), which have been used for cancer diagnosis for more than a century. The NE is a double phospholipid bilayer that encapsulates the nuclear genome, regulates all nuclear trafficking of RNAs and proteins and prevents the passive diffusion of macromolecules between the nucleoplasm and the cytoplasm. Whether there is a consequence to the proper functioning of the cell and loss of structural integrity of the nucleus remains unclear. Using live cell imaging, we characterize a phenomenon wherein nuclei of several proliferating human cancer cell lines become temporarily ruptured during interphase. Strikingly, NE rupturing was associated with the mislocalization of nucleoplasmic and cytoplasmic proteins and, in the most extreme cases, the entrapment of cytoplasmic organelles in the nuclear interior. In addition, we observed the formation of micronuclei-like structures during interphase and the movement of chromatin out of the nuclear space. The frequency of these NE rupturing events was higher in cells in which the nuclear lamina, a network of intermediate filaments providing mechanical support to the NE, was not properly formed. Our data uncover the existence of a NE instability that has the potential to change the genomic landscape of cancer cells.
Being a donor-child: wishes for parental support, peer support and counseling

Abstract Objectives: We aimed at exploring the wishes of Dutch donor-conceived offspring for parental support, peer support and counseling and sought to contribute to the improvement of health care for all parties involved with assisted reproductive technologies. Methods: We held semi-structured in-depth interviews with 24 donor-conceived offspring (Mage = 26.9, range 17–41) born within father–mother, two-mother and single mother families. The majority of the donor offspring was conceived with semen of anonymous donors. All offspring were recruited by network organizations and snowball sampling. The interviews were fully transcribed and analyzed using the constant comparative method. Results: Donor-conceived offspring wished that their parents had talked openly about donor conception and had missed parental support. They wished that their parents would have received counseling before donor sperm treatment on how to talk with their children about donor conception in several stages of life. They valued the availability of peer contact to exchange stories with other donor-conceived offspring and would have liked assistance in getting access to trustworthy information about characteristics and identifying information of their donor. Donor-conceived offspring wished to know where to find specialist counseling when needed. Conclusions: Peer support and counseling by professionals for donor-conceived offspring should be available for those who need it. The findings also support professional counseling for intended parents before treatment to improve parental support for donor-children.
Comparison of ProTaper, RaCe and Safesider instruments in the induction of dentinal microcracks: a micro-CT study.

AIM To evaluate ex vivo the incidence of microcracks in root dentine after canal preparation with ProTaper Universal (PTU), RaCe or Safesider instrumentation systems using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). METHODOLOGY Thirty freshly extracted mandibular molars with two separate mesial canals and foramina were used. The roots were allocated into three similar groups according to curvature angles and radii of the canals and lengths of the roots. Distal roots were removed and mesial roots were embedded in acrylic resin and instrumented with the PTU, RaCe or Safesider systems up to size 30 (F3 for PTU, size 30, 0.04 taper for RaCe and Safesider) for all instrumentation groups. Dentinal microcracks were evaluated on micro-CT images of the apical 10 mm of the roots with 1-mm intervals. Two experienced observers evaluated the images twice in a blinded fashion. The presence of dentinal microcracks (complete/incomplete cracks and craze lines) was noted and analysed statistically using McNemar and chi-square tests (P = 0.05). RESULTS There were microcracks on uninstrumented root sections. All instrumentation systems significantly increased the number of dentinal microcracks when compared to preoperative specimens (P < 0.05). There were new microcracks on the postoperative samples. The PTU system (42%) led to greater number of post-instrumentation microcracks than Safesider (35%) and RaCe (25%) systems, respectively. The difference between PTU and RaCe system was significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS All instrumentation systems significantly increased the number of microcracks compared with preoperative specimens. The PTU system generated more post-instrumentation dentinal microcracks than the RaCe system.
Cross-validation of a Shortened Battery for the Assessment of Dysexecutive Disorders in Alzheimer Disease

The frequency of executive disorders in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer disease (AD) has been demonstrated by the application of a comprehensive battery. The present study analyzed data from 2 recent multicenter studies based on the same executive battery. The objective was to derive a shortened battery by using the GREFEX population as a training dataset and by cross-validating the results in the REFLEX population. A total of 102 AD patients of the GREFEX study (MMSE=23.2±2.9) and 72 patients of the REFLEX study (MMSE=20.8±3.5) were included. Tests were selected and receiver operating characteristic curves were generated relative to the performance of 780 controls from the GREFEX study. Stepwise logistic regression identified 3 cognitive tests (Six Elements Task, categorical fluency and Trail Making Test B error) and behavioral disorders globally referred as global hypoactivity (P=0.0001, all). This shortened battery was as accurate as the entire GREFEX battery in diagnosing dysexecutive disorders in both training group and the validation group. Bootstrap procedure confirmed the stability of AUC. A shortened battery based on 3 cognitive tests and 3 behavioral domains provides a high diagnosis accuracy of executive disorders in mild-to-moderate AD.
Prediction of a major clinical response (BASDAI 50) to tumour necrosis factor α blockers in ankylosing spondylitis

Background: TNFα blockers have been shown to be highly efficacious in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Objective: To identify parameters predicting the clinical response to TNF blockers in AS. Methods: Patients with active AS participated in two placebo controlled, randomised trials conducted in Germany with infliximab (n = 69) and etanercept (n = 30), respectively. For inclusion in either trial patients had to have high disease activity (BASDAI ⩾4) and a spinal pain score (numerical rating scale 0–10) ⩾4 despite treatment with NSAIDs. A major clinical response was defined as a 50% improvement of the initial BASDAI (BASDAI 50) after 12 weeks’ treatment with active drug. Logistic regression likelihood ratio tests (univariate and multivariate), Student’s t test, and χ2 tests were performed. Results: Univariate analysis showed the following to be predictors of a major response (BASDAI 50) to treatment: shorter disease duration (p = 0.003); lower BASFI (p = 0.007); younger age (p = 0.009); raised ESR (p = 0.033); raised CRP (p = 0.035). After adjustment for disease duration, BASFI, ESR, and CRP, but not age, remained significantly associated. After adjustment for disease duration and for BASFI, ESR, CRP, and in addition, a higher BASDAI were significantly associated with response. The best multivariate model built by stepwise regression contained the covariables disease duration, BASFI, BASDAI, and CRP. Conclusion: A shorter disease duration, younger age, and a lower BASFI are predictors of a major clinical response to TNF blockers in active AS. Raised CRP and a higher BASDAI may also be valuable predictors. These data need to be confirmed in further studies.
M-tip electro-ablation of pneumo-cysts for treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax as a secondary method to stapling: a confirmation study.

BACKGROUND We recently established new guidelines for our electro-ablation technique, which has been shown to be a ubiquitous, easy, and cost effective method secondary to stapled resection of pneumo-cysts for the treatment of pneumothorax. The present study was conducted as a confirmation of the effectiveness of this technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between July 1998 and June 2003, 164 consecutive patients with spontaneous pneumothorax underwent surgery. Dependent lesions were resected using staplers. If found, residual lesions were ablated using M-tip electro-ablation (Group M). When the ablated pneumo-cysts were greater than 2 cm in diameter, pleural treatment was carried out by covering the surface with absorbable mesh sheets (Group L). RESULTS There were 7 cases (4.2%) of relapse of spontaneous pneumothorax and each underwent another operation due to the relapse. None of the lesions in the relapse cases received electro-ablation in the first operation. Relapse-free cases were 97/103 (94%) in Group N (no ablation group), 48/49 (98%) in Group M, and 12/12 (100%) in Group L (P=0.4). COMMENTS Our results demonstrated the safety and efficacy of our M-tip electro-ablation technique for pneumo-cysts as a secondary method to stapling. We considered that it was feasible for the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax.
Experimental analysis of eosinophil-associated gastrointestinal diseases

Eosinophil infiltration into the gastrointestinal tract occurs in a wide range of diseases. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in eosinophil migration and the role of eosinophils in disease pathogenesis are largely unknown. Recent studies using experimental models of eosinophil-associated gastrointestinal allergy have revealed differential roles for IL-5 and eotaxin in the modulation of eosinophil accumulation into various regions of the gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, such studies have revealed a possible role for eosinophils in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal disorders. The present review describes the clinical manifestations of various eosinophil-associated gastrointestinal disorders and the current understanding of the role of IL-5 and eotaxin in the allergic inflammatory response, and the participation of the eosinophilic granulocyte in the expression of disease.
Reliability and Validity of the Life Problems Inventory, A Self-Report Measure of Borderline Personality Features, in a College Student Sample

Rathus, Wagner, and Miller recently reported on the development and psychometric evaluation of the Life problems Inventory (LPI), a self report tool to measure Linehan’s conceptualition of borderline personality disorder (BPD) as a disorder primarily of the emotion regulation system, and in particular, problems with regulation of emotions, impulses, relationships, and self. Thus, the LPI maps onto the content of her skills training component of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), with scales assessing problems addressed in DBT skills modules targeting emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness. The present study furthers the investigation of the LPI’s psychometrics by examining internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity with depression, suicidality and mindfulness, and discriminant validity with social desirability in an adolescent/young adult, non-clinical, suburban college student sample (N = 99). The LPI was found to be internally consistent, stable over a two-week retest interval, and related in expected ways with clinical constructs. We discuss implications for further development and application of the LPI and its utility in a college population.
Motion-induced Monte Carlo dose calculation using deformable tetrahedral meshes

The distribution patterns estimation of energy and dose in respiratory-induced organ motion represents a technical challenge for hadron therapy treatment planning. This paper focuses on the comparison between deformable tetrahedral meshes and the conventional voxel-based structures, used as computational phantoms in four-dimensional dose calculations. The movement issued from deformable image registration of CT-images is used for both representations to calculate the 4D dose distributions. An implementation of the dose computation method for tetrahedral meshes on a deformable anatomy in case of passive scattering beam line is given using the Geant4 code. Tissue tracking is implicitly performed by the fact that the meshes maintain their topology during deformations, and the dose distribution is calculated using time-dependent tetrahedral density map issued from 4D-CT scans. Our results show that dose distributions for voxel and tetrahedral meshes are in good agreement, and dose homogeneity is almost the same.