Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical Impact of Pregnancy in Mastocytosis: A Study of the Spanish Network on Mastocytosis (REMA) in 45 Cases

Background: The impact of pregnancy on mast cell (MC)-related symptoms and newborn outcome in women with mastocytosis is not well described. We report a series of 30 women who had 45 pregnancies. Methods: Patients completed a specific questionnaire concerning MC mediator release symptoms graded according to their frequency to detect clinical changes occurring during pregestation and pregnancy as well as postpartum. Information about the medications received during pregnancy and labor and about newborn medical complications was also recorded. Results: Worsening of MC-related symptoms during pregnancy was observed in 10 cases (22%); additionally, 1 woman developed skin lesions as a manifestation of indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM) within the third trimester of pregnancy. Conversely, 15 cases (33%) experienced clinical improvement during pregnancy, with a complete resolution of pregestational symptoms in 7 cases. MC mediator release symptoms intrapartum were observed in 5 cases (11%) without any fatal outcome. Newborn medical complications (e.g. prematurity, low birth weight, and respiratory distress) were detected in 7 infants (16%) who were all successfully managed with conservative measures. One infant developed cutaneous mastocytosis several years after birth. Conclusions: Mastocytosis has a heterogeneous clinical behavior during pregnancy: the profile of MC-related symptoms remained unchanged in half of the cases, while in the other half pregnant women experienced either an improvement or an exacerbation of the symptoms, with the manifestation of ISM during pregnancy in 1 case. To prevent potential life-threatening MC-related symptoms, adequate prophylactic antimediator therapy intrapartum should be systematically administered. The absence of both maternal and infant severe complications suggests that patients with nonaggressive categories of mastocytosis should not be advised against pregnancy.
Morphological Plasticity in the Reef Zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum as an Adaptive Strategy

We compared morphology of Palythoa caribaeorum (number of polyps, area, diameter and height) occupying three sites located at different distances from a harbor area and with different environmental conditions, such as sedimentation. Seasonality was also considered by comparing morphology during the wet and dry seasons. GLM analyses showed significant main and first-order interaction effects between sites and seasons for each of the four morphological variables measured. Only at the site directly in front of the harbor area there was no seasonal variation. At the other two sites, no significant differences were found when the average pairwise distance of each morphological character was compared between seasons for each site. This indicates that these characters vary in a similar way and suggests growth conditions intrinsic to the species. Environmental homogeneity at the harbor area seems to promote homogeneous morphometry, which indicates different biological strategies and suggests that this species adapts to distinct environments.
Stimulated Brillouin scattering with a 1 ps laser pulse in a preformed underdense plasma.

An experimental study of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) with a 1 ps laser pulse in a large underdense preformed plasma is presented. It is shown that the SBS reflectivity increases from ${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4}$ to ${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ as the intensity of the interaction beam rises from 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{14}$ to ${10}^{16}$ W/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$; for intensities between ${10}^{16}$ and ${10}^{17}$ W/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, a saturation level at 10% is experimentally established. This experimental result is compared with theoretical estimates of time-integrated SBS reflectivity in the transient phase of the so-called modified decay regime. The latter results are seen to be consistent with the experimental data provided that there exists a nonthermal noise in the plasma depending on the laser intensity.
Breast cancer in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

In the effort to determine if the risk factors for breast cancer differed between premenopausal and postmenopausal women, a case control study was conducted. The study sample included 95 premenopausal and 278 postmenopausal women with breast cancer admitted to the Ontario Cancer Foundation Clinic in London, Canada during the June 1967 to February 1971 period. The controls were 106 premenopausal and 480 postmenopausal women with benign and malignant diseases of sites other than breast admitted to the same clinic during the same period. The breast cancer risk increased with increasing age at 1st pregnancy among postmenopausal women only. Among the prememopausal women, increased breast cancer was associated with early menarche. Late age at natural menopause was an important risk factor for postmenopausal women. The risk in women experiencing natural menopause over the age of 55 was 2.5 times as great as that of women undergoing menopause before age 40. A longer interval between age at menarche and age at 1st pregnancy increased the risk in both groups. Oral contraceptive use, or duration of use, did not increase the risk of breast cancer. Among oral contraceptive users, there was a trend toward greater risk with increasing age at 1st use of OCs.
CD8+ T cells inhibit immunoglobulin E synthesis in low responder SJL/J mice

In an effort to examine the basis for low IgE responsiveness of SJL/J strain mice, we analysed the profiles of cytokines, such as interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), IL‐4 and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), in SJL/J and A.SW/SnJ mice following immunization. Splenocytes of ovalbumin (OVA) ‐immunized SJL/J mice, secreted significantly higher levels of IL‐4 and lower levels of IFN‐γ than those of A.SW/SnJ mice. A time–course analysis of cytokine expression in in vitro cultures of spleen cells indicated that the levels of IL‐4 and IL‐2 remained persistently high throughout in the cultures of SJL/J splenocytes as opposed to those of A.SW/SnJ. Depletion of CD4+ T cells in vivo suppressed the production of IL‐2, IL‐4 and IFN‐γ suggesting that CD4 T cells are the producers of most cytokines in both SJL/J and A.SW/SnJ mice. Depletion of CD8+ T cells in vivo not only induced productive ε transcript but also enhanced IgE production in SJL/J mice. Moreover, CD8 depletion in SJL/J mice led to decreased production of IFN‐γ, resulting in a net decrease in the ratio of IFN‐γ to IL‐4. A similar shift in the IFN‐γ/IL‐4 ratio was found in splenocytes of SJL/J mice following irradiation, which is known to enhance IgE synthesis in these mice. Taken together, it is concluded that low IgE responsiveness in SJL/J mice is not due to a defect in IL‐4 production per se. Increased IFN‐γ production by the CD8+ T cells inhibits class switch and suppresses IgE antibody production in SJL/J mice.
Handwashing compliance by health care workers: The impact of introducing an accessible, alcohol-based hand antiseptic.

CONTEXT Under routine hospital conditions handwashing compliance of health care workers including nurses, physicians, and others (eg, physical therapists and radiologic technicians) is unacceptably low. OBJECTIVES To investigate the efficacy of an education/ feedback intervention and patient awareness program (cognitive approach) on handwashing compliance of health care workers; and to compare the acceptance of a new and increasingly accessible alcohol-based waterless hand disinfectant (technical approach) with the standard sink/soap combination. DESIGN A 6-month, prospective, observational study. SETTING One medical intensive care unit (ICU), 1 cardiac surgery ICU, and 1 general medical ward located in a 728-bed, tertiary care, teaching facility. PARTICIPANTS Medical caregivers in each of the above settings. INTERVENTIONS Implementation of an education/ feedback intervention program (6 in-service sessions per each ICU) and patient awareness program, followed by a new, increasingly accessible, alcohol-based, waterless hand antiseptic agent, initially available at a ratio of 1 dispenser for every 4 patients and subsequently 1 for each patient. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Direct observation of hand-washing for 1575 potential opportunities monitored over 120 hours randomized for both time of day and bed locations. RESULTS Baseline handwashing compliance before and after defined events was 9% and 22% for health care workers in the medical ICU and 3% and 13% for health care workers in the cardiac surgery ICU, respectively. After the education/feedback intervention program, handwashing compliance changed little (medical ICU, 14% [before] and 25% [after]; cardiac surgery ICU, 6% [before] and 13% [after]). Observations after introduction of the new, increasingly accessible, alcohol-based, waterless hand antiseptic revealed significantly higher handwashing rates (P<.05), and handwashing compliance improved as accessibility was enhanced-before 19% and after 41% with 1 dispenser per 4 beds; and before 23% and after 48% with 1 dispenser for each bed. CONCLUSIONS Education/feedback intervention and patient awareness programs failed to improve handwashing compliance. However, introduction of easily accessible dispensers with an alcohol-based waterless handwashing antiseptic led to significantly higher handwashing rates among health care workers.
Foreword: celebrating the first ten years of research excellence from the Jackson Heart Study.

Over the past 60 years, age-adjusted rates of death from heart attacks and strokes have declined by nearly 60% in the United States. While all populations have benefitted, minority populations – especially African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans – have always had higher risk of heart attack and stroke than Caucasians. Disparities in benefits have continued to plague the African American population, especially in the South. Both genetic factors and environmental factors contribute to the risk of cardiovascular disease. Health care is a cooperative venture. The groups who have benefitted most from research advances have assumed substantial responsibility for their own care, as well as having access to medical care. If the highest risk populations are to benefit from current research, participants must be fully engaged, work must be done in the communities in which they live, and the findings must be known to, and used by, the people living in those communities.The Jackson Heart Study began in 2000 to build upon existing knowledge to explore the unique factors of inheritance, environment, history and community affecting African Americans living in areas at highest risk of cardiovascular disease. The NHLBI is honored to support this study, which aims to tap into and strengthen the institutions of higher learning in Mississippi, engage students, create an empowered community, and provide the resources to conduct important scientific work whose impact is potentially global. As the JHS evolves, we expect new opportunities to improve prevention and treatments, and a whole new generation of scientists whose careers will proceed in ways of which we have not even dreamed. In the 20 century, cardiovascular disease was primarily a concern for wealthy countries. In the 21 century, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in lowand middle-income countries, and increasingly a scourge in the poorest nations. The increasing burden of heart disease and stroke in poorer nations reflects both greatly improved care, with decreasing rates of death early in life from preventable causes such as infectious diseases and complications of childbirth, and the impact of unhealthy trends in lifestyle – unhealthy diets, smoking, lack of physical activity, excessive consumption of alcohol and other drugs. The challenges that confront Jackson, Mississippi face the entire world. The legacy of the Jackson Heart Study will be not only the benefit it brings to the community in which its participants live and work, but to the global community with related inherited and environmental risks.
Automated Vocal Analysis of Children With Hearing Loss and Their Typical and Atypical Peers

Objectives: This study investigated automatic assessment of vocal development in children with hearing loss compared with children who are typically developing, have language delays, and have autism spectrum disorder. Statistical models are examined for performance in a classification model and to predict age within the four groups of children. Design: The vocal analysis system analyzed 1913 whole-day, naturalistic acoustic recordings from 273 toddlers and preschoolers comprising children who were typically developing, hard of hearing, language delayed, or autistic. Results: Samples from children who were hard of hearing patterned more similarly to those of typically developing children than to the language delayed or autistic samples. The statistical models were able to classify children from the four groups examined and estimate developmental age based on automated vocal analysis. Conclusions: This work shows a broad similarity between children with hearing loss and typically developing children, although children with hearing loss show some delay in their production of speech. Automatic acoustic analysis can now be used to quantitatively compare vocal development in children with and without speech-related disorders. The work may serve to better distinguish among various developmental disorders and ultimately contribute to improved intervention.
Vitamin D depletion following burn injury in children: a possible factor in post-burn osteopenia.

BACKGROUND Children burned > 40% total body surface area (TBSA) have chronically low bone mineral density (BMD) and increased risk for fractures and adult-onset osteoporosis. Because they are advised to avoid sunlight to prevent burn scar hyperpigmentation, we hypothesized that they develop vitamin D depletion, which could contribute to post-burn osteopenia. METHODS We studied 24 children, ages 5-20 years, burned > or = 40% TBSA 7.1 +/- 3.8 (SD) years, range 1.9-13.3 years, previously (n = 12) and 2.0 +/- 0.2, range 1.4-2.1 years, previously (n = 12), of which half received recombinant human growth hormone during the first post-burn year. We measured lumbar spine BMD, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), intact PTH (iPTH), and osteocalcin. RESULTS Serum 25(OH)D was low in 10/11 patients and 1,25(OH)2D was low in 5/11 at 7 years post-burn. Serum 25(OH)D was low in 10/12, while 1,25(OH)2D was low in 0/12 at 2 years; osteocalcin was low in 9/12 in the 7-year group; iPTH levels were in the lowest quartile in 5/12 patients at 7 years and 10/12 patients at 2 years. Serum 25(OH)D levels correlated with BMD z-scores, r = 0.53, p < 0.05, and inversely with iPTH levels, r = -0.66, p < 0.05, in the 7-year group. CONCLUSION Burned children have low circulating levels of 25(OH)D which correlated with BMD z-scores, suggesting that post-burn vitamin D depletion may play a role in the chronically low bone density observed in these children.
Support system for learning mathematics in engineering higher education programmes: The case of the ‘Mathematics Digital Practice Office’

In 2013, a program called `Mathematics Digital Practice Office' (CDM), was created at the School of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP). Its goals were to offer the students of mathematical courses (curricular units), more opportunities (besides contact hours/classes) to train the exercises, to clarify remaining and last minute doubts and to test their knowledge on the subjects throughout the semester, with the purpose of increasing academic success and mitigating dropout rates in mathematics curricular units/courses. In this scope, a program was implemented, covering, now, 642 students of six mathematics courses of engineering programs. It aims to provide additional support to the face-to-face classes, based on a distance education system, using technology and social networks to enhance learning, with multiple learning strategies (forum, videoconferences, multiple-choice tests, materials repository, etc). For the evaluation of the impact of this initiative, data was collected from different methods allowing us to realize that students are highly satisfied with the initiative and how it is being implemented, that they recognize the importance of the program for their academic success. Regarding students' academic results, the collected data revealed that final grades have increased, for all courses, since the CDM program has been implemented, as well as approval rates. Dropout rates after the first test are lower in courses supported by CDM. The main contribution of this work, is to describe how, in a high and constant academic failure and still relatively high dropout context, a distance learning program - able to be replicated in any course of any given higher education institution - was created and successfully mitigated this situation with the use of virtual platforms and social media to enhance formative assessment.
ZnO nanorod/CdS nanocrystal core/shell-type heterostructures for solar cell applications

ZnO/CdS core/shell nanorod arrays were fabricated by a two-step method. Single-crystalline ZnO nanorod arrays were first electrochemically grown on SnO2:F (FTO) glass substrates. Then, CdS nanocrystals were deposited onto the ZnO nanorods, using the successive ion layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique, to form core/shell nanocable architectures. Structural, morphological and optical properties of the nanorod heterojunctions were investigated. The results indicate that CdS single-crystalline domains with a mean diameter of about 7 nm are uniformly and conformally covered on the surface of the single-crystalline ZnO nanorods. ZnO absorption with a bandgap energy value of 3.30 ± 0.02 eV is present in all optical transmittance spectra. Another absorption edge close to 500 nm corresponding to CdS with bandgap energy values between 2.43 and 2.59 eV is observed. The dispersion in this value may originate in quantum confinement inside the nanocrystalline material. The appearance of both edges corresponds with the separation of ZnO and CdS phases and reveals the absorption increase due to CdS sensitizer. The photovoltaic performance of the resulting ZnO/CdS core/shell nanorod arrays has been investigated as solar cell photoanodes in a photoelectrochemical cell under white illumination. In comparison with bare ZnO nanorod arrays, a 13-fold enhancement in photoactivity was observed using the ZnO/CdS coaxial heterostructures.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Sinonasal Malignancies

Objectives: To discuss common sinonasal malignancies with emphasis on squamous cell carcinoma and describe preoperative and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging evaluation for these lesions. Methods: Literature and institutional review. Results: Because of the large variety of the normal cell population, a variety of malignant neoplasms may occur in the sinonasal tract. For a large number of reasons, they are often advanced at the time of diagnosis and are difficult to treat given the complex anatomy of the sinonasal region and its proximity to critical structures. Magnetic resonance imaging is a vital tool in the diagnosis of these lesions and is used in conjunction with computed tomography to precisely delineate the extent of these neoplasms. Involvement of the skull base, the orbits, the intracranial compartment, and potential perineural spread of tumor can influence treatment options. Magnetic resonance is essential to evaluate these tumors. Conclusions: Magnetic resonance plays a vital role in the diagnosis of sinonasal neoplasms and is essential to accurately determine the precise extent of these tumors for treatment planning. It is also a useful tool in tumor surveillance.
A prospective, clinical and radiological study of early psoriatic arthritis: an early synovitis clinic experience.

OBJECTIVE To determine the clinical presentation and clinical and radiological outcome of early psoriatic arthritis (PsA) at 1 and 2 yr. METHODS Patients with PsA were assessed at the St. Vincent's University Hospital Early Synovitis Clinic. Standardized clinical and laboratory assessment was performed at presentation and 1- and 2-yr follow-up. Radiographs of the hands and feet were evaluated in chronological order by two trained observers using the Sharp method modified to include the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints. RESULTS A total of 129 (12.7%) of 1018 patients were diagnosed with PsA [mean age at onset of arthritis was 40.4 yr (range 11-76); mean duration of disease was 9.9 months (range 0.3-48); 52 oligoarticular, 77 polyarticular]. Means and standard deviations of indices of disease activity at presentation were: 10-cm visual analogue scale = 4.8 +/- 2.7, HAQ score = 0.71 +/- 0.64, ACR functional class III/IV = 41 (35%), Ritchie Articular Index = 5.6 +/- 6, swollen joint count = 6.9 +/- 8, erythrocyte sedimentation rate = 24 +/- 26.4 mm/h, C-reactive protein = 27.6 +/- 58.5 mg/l. At presentation, 49 (38%) patients had peripheral enthesopathy, 13 patients (10%) had inflammatory spine pain and 50 (39%) patients had DIP involvement. A total of 119 had psoriasis at the time of presentation [plaque psoriasis in 112 (94%), mean age of psoriasis onset was 29.8 +/- 16.2 yr, nail dystrophy present in 78 patients (67%)]. At 1 yr of follow-up, 119 (92%) patients were reassessed and 70 (59%) were taking a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). At 2 yr, 97 (75%) patients were reassessed and 54 (56%) were taking a DMARD. Despite considerable improvement in inflammation and function scores, only 31 (26%) patients were in remission at 1 yr with 20 (21%) in remission at 2 yr. There was a low rate of DMARD-free remission [14 (12%) at 1 yr and 11 (11%) at 2 yr]. Radiographs of hands and feet were obtained for 117 (91%) patients at presentation and 86 (67%) patients at a median follow-up of 24 months (range 11-56); 47% of patients had joint erosions in hands or feet at follow-up with a mean Sharp erosion score of 3 (0) +/- 5.2 (range 0-25) and a mean Sharp narrowing score of 3.2 (0) +/- 7.5 (range 0-48). CONCLUSION This study confirms that PsA is a chronic, progressive disease in the majority of patients. Despite clinical improvement with current DMARD treatment, PsA results in radiological damage in up to 47% of patients at a median interval of 2 yr.
Reproductive decisions by women with bipolar disorder after prepregnancy psychiatric consultation.

OBJECTIVE This study ascertained family planning decisions by women with bipolar disorder after psychiatric consultation. METHOD The authors surveyed 116 women with DSM-IV bipolar disorder after specialized consultation about treatment options and risks regarding pregnancy. RESULTS Of 70 respondents, 45% had been advised to avoid pregnancy by a health care professional before consultation. After consultation, 63% decided to pursue pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS Women with bipolar disorder often encounter obstacles from health care professionals regarding pregnancy. Individualized comprehensive review of risks and benefits of treatment options during specialized preconception consultation can support thoughtful clinical planning.
A community based investigation of the association between cannabis use, injuries and accidents

There are well documented acute and chronic effects of cannabis use. However, less is known about any effects on safety within the context of work and everyday life. The aim of the study was to examine any association between cannabis use and injuries and accidents. A postal questionnaire survey was conducted among people selected at random from the electoral registers of Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil. Cannabis use was associated with both minor injuries and accidents, particularly among those with high levels of other associated risk factors. Cannabis use was associated with a significant detrimental impact on safety. It is possible that this is linked to an amplification of other risk factors associated with accidents and injuries. This has potentially wide reaching implications particularly in the context of other work and lifestyle characteristics.