Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Procedure for optimal implementation of automatic tube potential selection in pediatric CT to reduce radiation dose and improve workflow

Abstract It is important to employ radiation dose reduction techniques in pediatric computed tomography (CT) to reduce potential risks of radiation‐induced malignancy. Automatic tube potential (kV) selection tools have been developed and become available on many CT scanners, which select the optimum kV based on the patient size and clinical task to improve the radiation dose efficiency. However, its use in pediatric CT has been mostly empirical, following manufacturer’s default recommendation without solid demonstration for quality improvement. This study aimed to implement an automatic tube potential tool (CAREkV, Siemens Healthcare) into routine pediatric CT practice, using the “Plan‐Do‐Study‐Act” quality improvement process, in place of an existing kV/mAs technique chart. The design of this quality improvement project involved Plan‐Do‐Study‐Act stages. Plan and Do stages identified the criteria for optimal automatic kV selection; a range of phantoms representing typical pediatric groups were scanned on a dual‐source 128‐slice scanner using a fast‐pitch scanning mode. The identified CAREkV settings were implemented into the CT protocol and evaluated after a 6‐month period. In the Study stage, an objective evaluation of the image metrics and radiation dose for two similar patient cohorts using CAREkV and the technique‐chart, respectively, were compared. The kV selected, image quality and radiation dose determined by CAREkV were comparable to those obtained while using the technique‐chart. The CAREkV was successfully implemented into our pediatric abdominopelvic CT practice. By utilizing the “PDSA” process optimal image quality and radiation dose reduction were achieved with an automatic kV selection tool to improve CT workflow.
Systemic Sclerosis Sine Scleroderma After Silicone Breast Implants.

To the Editor: S ystemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by skin thickness and the involvement of other systems such as the esophagus, bowel, heart, kidneys, and lungs. The pathophysiological mechanisms are linked to vasculopathy, fibrosis, and autoimmunity with the production of autoantibodies such as anti–Scl-70 and anticentromere. There are 2 main clinical forms of SSc in clinical practice: a limited form and a diffuse one. The first is associated with less involvement of the skin, with a predominance of pulmonary arterial hypertension and anticentromere antibodies; the second entity is associated with more diffuse skin involvement, proximal to elbows and knees, and it is also associated with an interstitial pulmonary disease and anti–Scl-70 antibodies. There is a third clinical form for SSc, which is very atypical characterized by no skin involvement, and it is named systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma (ssSSc). Systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma may involve several organs and systems such as interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary arterial hypertension, esophageal dysmotility, kidney disorders, Raynaud phenomenon, and the emergence of SSc-related autoantibodies, although there is no evidence for clinical skin involvement. Approximately 218 cases of ssSSc were published in large cohorts, and others are described as case reports. Shoenfeld syndrome or ASIA (autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants) is a recently described autoimmune disorder, characterized by autoimmune manifestations or disease development after adjuvants contact. An extensive description of ASIA's 500 subjects was published, showing a female predominance, and most cases were well-defined immune diseases and were linked to exposure to hepatitis B and influenza vaccinations. There are several autoimmunity cases after silicone breast implants (SBIs) represented as Sjögren syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, Still's disease, undifferentiated connective disease, and others. In the detailed description mentioned previously, 12.5% of the cases were associated with silicone implants. However, to the best of our
Layered Double Hydroxide as a Potent Non-viral Vector for Nucleic Acid Delivery Using Gene-Activated Scaffolds for Tissue Regeneration Applications

Nonviral vectors offer a safe alternative to viral vectors for gene therapy applications, albeit typically exhibiting lower transfection efficiencies. As a result, there remains a significant need for the development of a nonviral delivery system with low cytotoxicity and high transfection efficacy as a tool for safe and transient gene delivery. This study assesses MgAl-NO3 layered double hydroxide (LDH) as a nonviral vector to deliver nucleic acids (pDNA, miRNA and siRNA) to mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in 2D culture and using a 3D tissue engineering scaffold approach. Nanoparticles were formulated by complexing LDH with pDNA, microRNA (miRNA) mimics and inhibitors, and siRNA at varying mass ratios of LDH:nucleic acid. In 2D monolayer, pDNA delivery demonstrated significant cytotoxicity issues, and low cellular transfection was deemed to be a result of the poor physicochemical properties of the LDH–pDNA nanoparticles. However, the lower mass ratios required to successfully complex with miRNA and siRNA cargo allowed for efficient delivery to MSCs. Furthermore, incorporation of LDH–miRNA nanoparticles into collagen-nanohydroxyapatite scaffolds resulted in successful overexpression of miRNA in MSCs, demonstrating the development of an efficacious miRNA delivery platform for gene therapy applications in regenerative medicine.
Zebrafish models of acute leukemias: Current models and future directions

Acute myeloid leukemias (AML) and acute lymphoid leukemias (ALL) are heterogenous diseases encompassing a wide array of genetic mutations with both loss and gain of function phenotypes. Ultimately, these both result in the clonal overgrowth of blast cells in the bone marrow, peripheral blood, and other tissues. As a consequence of this, normal hematopoietic stem cell function is severely hampered. Technologies allowing for the early detection of genetic alterations and understanding of these varied molecular pathologies have helped to advance our treatment regimens toward personalized targeted therapies. In spite of this, both AML and ALL continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, in part because molecular therapies for the plethora of genetic abnormalities have not been developed. This underscores the current need for better model systems for therapy development. This article reviews the current zebrafish models of AML and ALL and discusses how novel gene editing tools can be implemented to generate better models of acute leukemias.
A Revised Model of Anatomically Modern Human Expansions Out of Africa through a Machine Learning Approximate Bayesian Computation Approach

There is a wide consensus in considering Africa as the birthplace of anatomically modern humans (AMH), but the dispersal pattern and the main routes followed by our ancestors to colonize the world are still matters of debate. It is still an open question whether AMH left Africa through a single process, dispersing almost simultaneously over Asia and Europe, or in two main waves, first through the Arab Peninsula into southern Asia and Australo-Melanesia, and later through a northern route crossing the Levant. The development of new methodologies for inferring population history and the availability of worldwide high-coverage whole-genome sequences did not resolve this debate. In this work, we test the two main out-of-Africa hypotheses through an Approximate Bayesian Computation approach, based on the Random-Forest algorithm. We evaluated the ability of the method to discriminate between the alternative models of AMH out-of-Africa, using simulated data. Once assessed that the models are distinguishable, we compared simulated data with real genomic variation, from modern and archaic populations. This analysis showed that a model of multiple dispersals is four-fold as likely as the alternative single-dispersal model. According to our estimates, the two dispersal processes may be placed, respectively, around 74,000 and around 46,000 years ago.
Environmental fluctuations and their effects on microbial communities, populations and individuals

ABSTRACT From the homeostasis of human health to the cycling of Earth's elements, microbial activities underlie environmental, medical and industrial processes. These activities occur in chemical and physical landscapes that are highly dynamic and experienced by bacteria as fluctuations. In this review, we first discuss how bacteria can experience both spatial and temporal heterogeneity in their environments as temporal fluctuations of various timescales (seconds to seasons) and types (nutrient, sunlight, fluid flow, etc.). We then focus primarily on nutrient fluctuations to discuss how bacterial communities, populations and single cells respond to environmental fluctuations. Overall, we find that environmental fluctuations are ubiquitous and diverse, and strongly shape microbial behavior, ecology and evolution when compared with environments in which conditions remain constant over time. We hope this review may serve as a guide toward understanding the significance of environmental fluctuations in microbial life, such that their contributions and implications can be better assessed and exploited.
Spirituality and practice of the euphemism in the workplace: perceptions of a nursing team.

OBJECTIVES to understand the spirituality and the practice of euphemism experienced by nursing professionals in the hospital scenario. METHODS a descriptive, exploratory research with a qualitative approach, carried out with 18 nursing professionals from a hospital in southern Brazil. Data collection took place from September to October 2018, through recorded audio interviews. The reports were submitted to thematic content analysis and the discussion was based on the theory of transpersonal care. RESULTS four categories emerged from the speeches: Motivational reflection of spirituality in the work environment; Adherence to the practice of euphemism by nursing professionals; Satisfaction and frustration in the practice of euphemism by nursing professionals and; Spirituality as an increase in human faith. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS professionals understand spirituality and the practice of euphemism as a tool that helps in motivating the team to face difficulties at work and increase the faith of hospitalized patients.
Nurses and physicians' perception of the care of oncology patients in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVES to understand nurses' and physicians' perceptions of the care of people with cancer admitted to an emergency department of a general hospital. METHODS descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Data collection took place from September to November 2017 through semi-structured interviews in which participated 12 professionals from the emergency department, including nurses and physicians. The data were analyzed using Minayo's operative proposal. RESULTS three categories emerged: 1) The person with cancer from nurses and physicians' perspective; 2) Comprehensive care of people with cancer or deconfiguration in the emergency department? ; and 3) The context of the emergency department and the repercussions on the care of people with cancer. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS we identified that the care provided to people with cancer in the emergency department is carried out differently regarding the overall population due to the disease's particularities, which lead us to reflect on the quality and humanization of care.
Risk for Clostridioides difficile infection among hospitalized patients associated with multiple healthcare exposures prior to admission.

PURPOSE Clostridioides difficile infections (CDIs) are a common healthcare-associated infection and often used as indicators of hospital safety or quality. However, healthcare exposures occurring prior to hospitalization may increase risk for CDI. We conduct a case-control study comparing hospitalized patients with and without CDI to determine if healthcare exposures prior to hospitalization (i.e., clinic visits, antibiotics, family members with CDI) were associated with increased risk for hospital onset CDI, and how risk varied with time between exposure and hospitalization. METHODS Records were collected from a large insurance-claims database from 2001-2017 for hospitalized adult patients. Prior healthcare exposures were identified using inpatient, outpatient, emergency department, and prescription drug claims; results were compared between various CDI case definitions. RESULTS Hospitalized patients with CDI had significantly more frequent healthcare exposures prior to admission. Healthcare visits, antibiotics and family exposures were associated with greater likelihood of CDI during hospitalization. The degree of association diminished with time between exposure and hospitalization. Results were consistent across CDI case definitions. CONCLUSIONS Many different prior healthcare exposures appear to increase risk for CDI presenting during hospitalization. Moreover, patients with CDI typically have multiple exposures prior to admission, confounding the ability to attribute cases to a particular stay.
Preceptorship in nursing-midwifery: a training-intervention in health work.

OBJECTIVES to analyze how certified nurse-midwives identify preceptorship in a nursing-midwifery enhancing course conducted by the Universidade Federal Fluminense as a possibility of training to promote institutional support and intervention. METHODS a descriptive, exploratory research with qualitative approach. Six certified nurse-midwife preceptors from the Nursing-Midwifery Enhancing Course participated in the study in 2019. Two public maternity hospitals in Rio de Janeiro were settings of the research. Individual interview and thematic content analysis were used to collect and analyze data. RESULTS exchange of knowledge between preceptors and trainees encouraged learning and reflection stemming from delivery and birth, contributing to expansion of autonomy and professional leading role in training, health care, and management. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS collective meetings that promote work analysis and value the performance of certified nurse-midwives have led to intervention processes and institutional support in maternity hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Enhancing the surface properties of linen by non-thermal atmospheric air-plasma treatment

Abstract In this research, a diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge (DCSBD) type plasma reactor was used for the surface modification of raw linen fabric. Changes in physical properties and chemical composition of the fiber surface as well as color of the fabric were measured as a function of time of the atmospheric air plasma treatment. Furthermore, ageing of the effects created on the fiber surface by plasma treatment was also characterized in a period of 0-14 days elapsed after the plasma treatment. Significant differences were found between the properties of the raw and plasma treated linen fabrics, including increase of wettability, wickability, surface energy and O/C ratio, and decrease of water contact angle and deterioration of the waxy outer layer of the fibers. Most of the parameters depended on the time of plasma treatment (0–180 s). O/C ratio increased steadily with the increase of duration of the plasma treatment, which was explained by destruction of the waxy surface layer, creation of polar groups and exposure of cellulosic components. Most of the properties tested were found to be stable during two weeks of storage after the plasma treatment, indicating that the surface ‘topography’ created by plasma remained almost unaltered and the recovery of the etched waxy coverage of the fiber did not occur. Graphical Abstract
Mitochondrial Localization of the Yeast Forkhead Factor Hcm1

Hcm1 is a member of the forkhead transcription factor family involved in segregation, spindle pole dynamics, and budding in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our group described the role of Hcm1 in mitochondrial biogenesis and stress resistance, and in the cellular adaptation to mitochondrial respiratory metabolism when nutrients decrease. Regulation of Hcm1 activity occurs at the protein level, subcellular localization, and transcriptional activity. Here we report that the amount of protein increased in the G1/S transition phase when the factor accumulated in the nucleus. In the G2/M phases, the Hcm1 amount decreased, and it was translocated outside the nucleus with a network-like localization. Preparation of highly purified mitochondria by a sucrose gradient density demonstrated that Hcm1 colocalized with mitochondrial markers, inducing expression of COX1, a mitochondrial encoded subunit of cytochrome oxidase, in the G2/M phases. Taken together, these results show a new localization of Hcm1 and suggest that it acts as a mitochondrial transcription factor regulating the metabolism of this organelle.
Electrovoltaic effects and symmetric band bending: Inverse photoemission of epitaxial Bi/GaAs(110) between 60 and 300 K

Electron‐induced surface electrovoltaic effects are determined as a function of temperature and dopant concentration for epitaxial Bi/GaAs(110) by using inverse photoemission. Results obtained with an incident electron flux of 1014‐1015 cm−2 s−1 show opposite shifts of empty state features of the Bi overlayers on p‐ and n‐type GaAs(110). These shifts depend upon the bulk dopant concentration and overlayer thickness, and they increase as the temperature is cooled from 300 to 60 K. They reveal a nonequilibrium charge distribution associated with electron–hole creation in the GaAs depletion region. Reversible, symmetric steady‐state band bending movements for n‐ and p‐type GaAs(110) are determined as a function of temperature for a variety of coverages by using thermal cycling 300→60→300 K. The suppression of electron–hole recombination at low temperature results in significant band flattening similar to that observed in low temperature photoemission studies for metal–GaAs(110) interfaces.
Differentially Expressed Genes Shared by Two Distinct Cytoplasmic Male Sterility (CMS) Types of Silene vulgaris Suggest the Importance of Oxidative Stress in Pollen Abortion

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS), encoded by the interacting mitochondrial and nuclear genes, causes pollen abortion or non-viability. CMS is widely used in agriculture and extensively studied in crops. Much less is known about CMS in wild species. We performed a comparative transcriptomic analysis of male sterile and fertile individuals of Silene vulgaris, a model plant for the study of gynodioecy, to reveal the genes responsible for pollen abortion in this species. We used RNA-seq datasets previously employed for the analysis of mitochondrial and plastid transcriptomes of female and hermaphrodite flower buds, making it possible to compare the transcriptomes derived from three genomes in the same RNA specimen. We assembled de novo transcriptomes for two haplotypes of S. vulgaris and identified differentially expressed genes between the females and hermaphrodites, associated with stress response or pollen development. The gene for alternative oxidase was downregulated in females. The genetic pathways controlling CMS in S. vulgaris are similar to those in crops. The high number of the differentially expressed nuclear genes contrasts with the uniformity of organellar transcriptomes across genders, which suggests these pathways are evolutionarily conserved and that selective mechanisms may shield organellar transcription against changes in the cytoplasmic transcriptome.
Lime Juice Enhances Calcium Bioaccessibility from Yogurt Snacks Formulated with Whey Minerals and Proteins

Yogurt-based snacks originally with a calcium content between 0.10 and 0.17 mmol/g dry matter were enriched with a whey mineral concentrate and whey protein isolate or hydrolysate. Whey mineral concentrate was added to increase the total amount of calcium by 0.030 mmol/g dry matter. Calcium bioaccessibility was determined following an in vitro protocol including oral, gastric, and intestinal digestion, with special focus on the effect of lime juice quantifying calcium concentration and activity. Calcium bioaccessibility, defined as soluble calcium divided by total calcium after intestinal digestion amounted to between 17 and 25% for snacks without lime juice. For snacks with lime juice, the bioaccessibility increased to between 24 and 40%, an effect attributed to the presence of citric acid. Citric acid increased the calcium solubility both from whey mineral concentrate and yogurt, and the citrate anion kept supersaturated calcium soluble in the chyme. The binding of calcium in the chyme from snacks with or without lime juice was compared electrochemically, showing that citrate increased the amount of bound calcium but with lower affinity. The results indicated that whey minerals, a waste from cheese production, may be utilized in snacks enhancing calcium bioaccessibility when combined with lime juice.
Synthesis of and nuclear magnetic resonance and conformational studies on some 1,2-linked disaccharide methyl glycosides containing D-mannose and L-rhamnose

Syntheses have been performed of eight 1,2- linked disaccharide methyl glycosides in which the glycosidic linkages have different stereochemical surroundings. A factor in common has been that the substituted hydroxy group is axial. 1H and 13C NMR studies and conformational analysis, using the HSEA-approach, indicate a number of proton–oxygen and proton–proton interactions, resulting, inter alia, in downfield and upfield shifts of signals from protons at or near the glycosidic linkage, and upfield shifts of signals from carbons with their attached protons in -γ-gauche contact.
The influence of voxel size and artifact reduction on the detection of vertical root fracture in endodontically treated teeth

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of voxel size and artefact reduction (AR) on the identification of vertical root fractures (VRFs) in endodontically treated teeth. Methods A total of a hundred sound, extracted human mandibular single-rooted premolars were decoronated, after which root canal preparation was performed, canals were filled with gutta percha by single cone technique. Randomly selected fifty specimens were fractured, repositioned and glued together. The teeth were examined with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in five different voxel sizes (0.125, 0.200, 0.250, 0.300, and 0.400 voxels). Two scans were performed for each tooth, one with AR and one without AR. Two radiologists evaluated the CBCT scans. Results All voxel dimensions were successful in detecting VRFs in CBCT scans. But as the voxel size increased, the percentage of detecting VRFs decreased. High accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were found for VRF detection on CBCT scans. Accuracy and sensitivity values decreased (from 100 to 82) while voxel dimensions increased (from 0.125 to 0.400). High-resolution images (0.125, 0.200, and 0.250 voxels) caused an increase in sensitivity for detection of VRFs. AR did not affect the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and predictive values for VRF detection on CBCT scans. Conclusions High-resolution CBCT images resulted in an increase in sensitivity and specificity for detection of VRFs compared with lower-resolution CBCT images. The use of AR did not further improve its diagnostic potential.