Preferential associated anomalies in 818 cases of microtia in South america

The etiology of microtia remains unknown in most cases. The identification of patterns of associated anomalies (i.e., other anomalies that occur with a given congenital anomaly in a higher than expected frequency), is a methodology that has been used for research into the etiology of birth defects. We conducted a study based on cases of microtia that were diagnosed from more than 5 million live (LB)- and stillbirths (SB) examined in hospitals participating in ECLAMC (Latin American Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations) between 1967 and 2009. We identified 818 LB and SB with microtia and at least one additional non-related major congenital anomaly (cases) and 15,969 LB and SB with two or more unrelated major congenital anomalies except microtia (controls). A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the congenital anomalies preferentially associated with microtia. Preferential associations were observed for 10 congenital anomalies, most of them in the craniofacial region, including facial asymmetry, choanal atresia, and eyelid colobomata. The analysis by type of microtia showed that for anomalies such as cleft lip and palate, macrostomia, and limb reduction defects, the frequency increased with the severity of the microtia. In contrast, for other anomalies the frequency tended to be the same across all types of microtia. Based on these results we will integrate data on the developmental pathways related to preferentially associated congenital anomalies for future studies investigating the etiology of microtia.Fil: Luquetti, Daniela V.. University of Washington; Estados Unidos. Seattle Children’s Research Institute; Estados UnidosFil: Cox, Thimoty C.. Monash University; Australia. University of Washington; Estados UnidosFil: López Camelo, Jorge Santiago. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno". CEMIC-CONICET.; ArgentinaFil: Dutra, Maria da Graça. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: Cunningham, Michael L.. University of Washington; Estados Unidos. Seattle Children’s Research Institute; Estados UnidosFil: Castilla, Eduardo Enrique. Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas “Norberto Quirno”; Argentina. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz; Brasil. Instituto Nacional de Genética Médica Populacional; Brasi

Acoustic transport of electrons in parallel quantum wires

Over the last few years we have developed a new method to control single-electrons by isolating and moving them through a submicron width channel formed in a GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure using a surface acoustic wave. The acoustic wave acts to push electrons through the depleted submicron channel in packets each containing an integer number of electrons. Our primary motivation for studying this system has been to develop a new standard of dc current for metrological purposes, but our recent focus has widened to investigate the possibility of single-photon emission. Here we show new experimental results which demonstrate acoustoelectric current flow in adjacent 1D wires. These results have relevance both to the use of the system in a single-photon emission scheme, as well as in the creation of a proposed acoustoelectric quantum computer

Woodland birds and rural towns: artificial clutch survival in fragmented Box-Ironbark forests

Woodland birds are declining throughout the agricultural landscapes of south-eastern Australia, but the specific mechanisms driving these declines remain unclear. Reproductive failure via clutch depredation could conceivably contribute to these declines. Although site-scale habitat may influence the risk of clutch failure, larger-scale influences, such as whether a landscape contains a rural town or not (‘landscape type’), may also play a role. This study monitored artificial open-cup nests deployed in three pairs of the two landscape types and: 1) indexed clutch survival and predator assemblage; and 2) determined if clutch survival was influenced by landscape type and/or local habitat characteristics. High levels of clutch depredation were observed in both landscape types and for all landscapes, with no evidence to suggest that landscape type or habitat characteristics influenced clutch survival or the time-to-first-predator visit. Predator assemblage also was consistent between landscape types. Generalist avian predators were the most common egg predators. Such egg predators may be ubiquitous throughout the fragmented Box-Ironbark woodlands of south-eastern Australia

Death and Emergency Readmission of Infants Discharged After Interventions for Congenital Heart Disease: A National Study of 7643 Infants to Inform Service Improvement.

Improvements in hospital-based care have reduced early mortality in congenital heart disease. Later adverse outcomes may be reducible by focusing on care at or after discharge. We aimed to identify risk factors for such events within 1 year of discharge after intervention in infancy and, separately, to identify subgroups that might benefit from different forms of intervention.Cardiac procedures performed in infants between 2005 and 2010 in England and Wales from the UK National Congenital Heart Disease Audit were linked to intensive care records. Among 7976 infants, 333 (4.2%) died before discharge. Of 7643 infants discharged alive, 246 (3.2%) died outside the hospital or after an unplanned readmission to intensive care (risk factors were age, weight-for-age, cardiac procedure, cardiac diagnosis, congenital anomaly, preprocedural clinical deterioration, prematurity, ethnicity, and duration of initial admission; c-statistic 0.78 [0.75-0.82]). Of the 7643, 514 (6.7%) died outside the hospital or had an unplanned intensive care readmission (same risk factors but with neurodevelopmental condition and acquired cardiac diagnosis and without preprocedural deterioration; c-statistic 0.78 [0.75-0.80]). Classification and regression tree analysis were used to identify 6 subgroups stratified by the level (3-24%) and nature of risk for death outside the hospital or unplanned intensive care readmission based on neurodevelopmental condition, cardiac diagnosis, congenital anomaly, and duration of initial admission. An additional 115 patients died after planned intensive care admission (typically following elective surgery).Adverse outcomes in the year after discharge are of similar magnitude to in-hospital mortality, warrant service improvements, and are not confined to diagnostic groups currently targeted with enhanced monitoring

Branched Copolymer Surfactants as Versatile Templates for Responsive Emulsifiers with Bespoke Temperature‐Triggered Emulsion‐Breaking or Gelation

© 2023 The Authors. Advanced Materials Interfaces published by Wiley-VCH GmbH. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY), https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/It has been found that the thermoresponsive behavior of emulsions stabilized by block copolymer surfactants (BCSs) can induce either gelation or emulsion break‐up with mild temperature changes. A hydrophilic, steric‐stabilizing component of the BCS, polyethylene glycol methacrylate (PEGMA), is crucial to control the thermoresponsive behavior of the emulsions: longer PEG chains (950 g mol−1) lead to thermoregulation, whereas shorter PEGM chains (500 or 300 g mol−1) lead to emulsion break‐up upon mild heating. Additionally, the relative abundance of PEGMA to the thermoresponsive component in the BCS controls the gelation temperature of BCS‐stabilized emulsions. Small‐angle neutron scattering and transmission electron microscopy reveal that the BCS forms oblate ellipsoids which grow anisotropically with temperature. In samples that form a gel, there is evidence that these nano‐objects form supra‐colloidal structures, which are responsible for the gel mesophase formation. An optimal BCS can form emulsions that transition from a liquid to gel state when warmed above 32 °C. This makes the system ideal for in situ gelation upon contact with the body. Overall, this study highlights the great potential of BCSs in generating thermoresponsive emulsions for drug delivery and other healthcare applications.Peer reviewe

Surveying uveitis specialists—a call for consensus

Thomas Brennan became disillusioned with popular law school rankings and so decided to survey 100 academics, judges, and lawyers on his own, asking them to rank a list of ten schools he provided. He used a composite index similar in structure, but different in content, to those used by main-stream surveyors, such as U.S. News & World Report. As expected, many of the big name schools—Harvard, Yale, Stanford—made it to the top of the list. Penn State, as Brennan recalled, “[Was] about in the middle of the pack. Maybe fifth among the 10 schools listed. ” There was one small problem, however. Penn State had no law school at the time. Brennan had included it to make a point: surveys are limited by both the quality of the questions asked and by how familiar respondents are with the subject being surveyed [1, 2]

Quantifying the third sector in Portugal : an overview and evolution from 1997 to 2007

I am grateful to the Portuguese Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity, Statistics Department, for access to the data used in this study (Quadros de Pessoal). I would also like to express my gratitude to Miguel Reis Portela and Nelson Areal for their assistance in dealing with the database and STATA. I am also indebted to two anonymous reviewers for their useful comments on an earlier version of this paper.This paper presents a global overview of the third sector in Portugal drawing on data from a linked employer-employee database – “Quadros de Pessoal”, which is based on a compulsory annual inquiry to organizations, making it a better source of information than those based on sample surveys and estimates. This study advances on previous overviews by providing more updated numbers for organization size, age, gross revenue and employment levels, as well as their distribution across the ICNPO third sector activity classification. The evolution of these variables from the period 1997-2007 is also analyzed. The Portuguese third sector has been fast growing, with revenues amounting to 5.64% of Portugal’s GDP and employment representing 4% of the country’s employment in 2007. It is mainly composed of very small organizations, with diminutive revenues. Perhaps its most striking features are the uneven distribution of employment and revenue and the strong concentration on Social services

Norma percebida de consumo de maconha sobre os pares de estudantes universitários

This article describes the relationship between the perceived norm for marijuana use among peers and the use reported by university students in Chile. This is a qualitative, multicenter, cross-sectional study. A total 449 students participated with free consent. Data collection was performed using a self-administered questionnaire, and SPSS 15.0 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: most participants were women, single, between 20 and 21 years of age, students of nursing and education. The perceived norm is higher than reports from national studies (32.1% against 21%) and higher than the self-reported use (32.1% against 5.6%). Marijuana use is higher among women, in nursing and education courses. It was confirmed that marijuana use among women begins at the university; as it was used as a recreational drug and there was more tolerance among peers. It was observed that marijuana use was overestimated, which, according to the Theory of Social Norms and Normalization, has an effect on the increase of drug use. This study is a contribution for the country's and the university's policies.En este estudio se describe la relación entre la norma percibida del consumo de marihuana en los pares y el consumo real informado por alumnos de una universidad chilena. Se trata de un estudio cuantitativo, multicéntrico y transversal. Participaron 449 estudiantes previa firma del consentimiento informado. La información se recolectó con un cuestionario autoaplicado y se analizó con el programa SPSS 15.0. Fue encontrado que la mayoría son mujeres solteras, entre 20 y 21 años de edad, estudiantes de enfermería y educación. La norma percibida fue mayor que la de estudios nacionales (32,1% versus 21%); también el consumo autoinformado fue mayor que el nacional (32,1% versus 5,6%). Se observa un mayor consumo entre las mujeres, en educación y enfermería. Se confirma la feminización del consumo; el inicio del consumo en la universidad, el uso recreativo y la mayor tolerancia al consumo en los pares. Existe una sobreestimación del consumo de marihuana, lo que de acuerdo a la Teoría de las Normas Sociales y de Normalización influye en el aumento del consumo. Esta investigación constituye un aporte a las políticas de la salud del país y de la universidad.Descreve-se, aqui, a relação entre norma percebida de consumo de maconha entre os pares e consumo reportado em alunos de uma universidade chilena. Este é um estudo quantitativo, multicêntrico, transversal. Participaram 449 estudantes, com livre consentimento. As informações foram coletadas mediante questionário autoaplicado e analisadas através do programa SPSS 15.0. RESULTADOS: a maioria são mulheres, solteiras, entre 20 e 21 anos, estudantes de enfermagem e educação. A norma percebida é maior do que nos estudos nacionais (32,1% vs 21%) e maior do que o consumo autorreportado (32,1% vs 5,6%). Observa-se maior consumo nas mulheres, e dos cursos de educação e de enfermagem. Confirma-se a feminização do consumo, o qual se inicia na universidade, por uso recreativo, e haver maior tolerância ao consumo entre os pares. Observa-se, também, maior estimação do consumo de maconha o que, de acordo a Teoria das Normas Sociais e de Normalização, tem influência no aumento do consumo. Esta pesquisa constitui-se em contribuição às políticas do país e da universidade

Normas percebidas por estudantes universitários de enfermagem sobre seus pares e o uso de drogas, em Lima, Peru

This quantitative, cross-sectional study was performed to estimate the difference between the perceived norms among university students, based on a survey of 196 nursing students from Lima, Peru. A questionnaire was used to measure the students' perception about drug use and their actual use. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed, considering a value greater, smaller or equal to 10 to establish the difference. The perceived norms for alcohol and tobacco were above 50%, against 6% for marijuana and cocaine; with 57.7% of participants reporting tobacco use, 84.7% alcohol, 2.6% marijuana and 1% cocaine. Marijuana and cocaine use was overestimated, while alcohol use was underestimated. The perception of tobacco use was correct. The study findings are useful to sensitize university authorities and put prevention policies in practice.Con el objetivo de estimar la diferencia entre las normas percibidas sobre el uso de drogas por los pares y el uso real de drogas entre estudiantes universitarios se efectuó un estudio cuantitativo transversal, basado en una encuesta de 196 estudiantes de enfermería de Lima. Se utilizó un cuestionario que midió la percepción del uso de drogas y el propio uso. La información fue analizada con estadística descriptiva; fue considerando un valor mayor, menor o igual a 10% para establecer la diferencia. Las normas percibidas para alcohol y tabaco fueron mayores de 50%, mientras que para marihuana y cocaína fue de 6%. El 57,7% informó haber usado tabaco, 84,7% alcohol, 2,6% marihuana y 1% cocaína; se encontró que existe sobreestimación sobre el uso de marihuana y cocaína, subestimación para el alcohol, y percepción exacta para el uso de tabaco. Los resultados serán de utilidad para sensibilizar a las autoridades universitarias e para implementar políticas o programas de prevención.Com o objetivo de estimar a diferença entre as normas percebidas sobre o uso de drogas por estudantes universitários, foi realizado estudo quantitativo transversal, baseado em censo com 196 estudantes de enfermagem de Lima, Peru. Utilizou-se questionário com a finalidade de medir a percepção do uso de drogas e do próprio uso, analisando-se a informação com estatística descritiva, considerando valor maior, menor ou igual a 10 pontos para estabelecer a diferença. As normas percebidas para o álcool e tabaco foram maiores que 50%, enquanto que para maconha e cocaína foi de 6%; 57,7% referiram ter usado tabaco, 84,7% álcool, 2,6% maconha e 1% cocaína. Existe superestimação do uso de maconha e cocaína, subestimação para o uso de álcool e percepção exata para o uso de tabaco. Os resultados são úteis para sensibilizar as autoridades universitárias e implementar políticas de prevenção

Normas percibidas por estudiantes peruanos acerca de sus pares y el uso de drogas

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a diferença entre as normas percebidas pelos estudantes universitários, com idade entre 18 e 24 anos, sobre o uso de drogas pelos seus pares e o uso de drogas relatado pelos próprios estudantes em cursos da área da saúde. Foi usado o método transversal, baseado em censo realizado através de questionário, preenchido pelos próprios estudantes, sem identificação. O número de participantes foi de 306 (82%). Como resultados obteve-se: a proporção de estudantes que utilizou drogas no último ano foi de 51,3% para o tabaco, 90,8% para o álcool, 5,9% para a maconha e 0,7% para a cocaína. Diferença entre as normas percebidas e o uso de drogas foi observada para o tabaco (70% vs 51,3%), maconha (10% vs 5.9%) e cocaína (8,3% vs 0,7%). Conclui-se que os estudantes universitários apresentaram estimativa aumentada sobre o consumo de tabaco, maconha e cocaína entre seus pares.El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar la diferencia entre las normas percibidas sobre el uso de drogas por sus pares y el uso real de drogas entre universitarios, entre 18 y 24 años, de las áreas de salud. Se trata de un estudio transversal, basado en un censo y en un cuestionario anónimo y autoaplicado. Participaron 306 estudiantes (82%). La proporción del consumo, en el último año, fue de 51,3% para el tabaco, 90,8% para el alcohol, 5,9% para la marihuana y 0,7% para la cocaína. Se observó una diferencia entre la norma percibida de consumo y la proporción de uso real informado para el tabaco (70% vs. 51.3%), marihuana (10% vs. 5.9%) y cocaína (8.3% vs. 0.7%). Se concluye que los universitarios sobrestiman el consumo de tabaco, marihuana y cocaína de sus pares.Objective: to evaluate the difference between perceived norms about drug use among peer and actual drug use as reported by the same university students. The students were between 18 and 24 years old and attended health courses. Method: cross-sectional study based on a survey, using an anonymous questionnaire filled out by the students. RESULTS: There were 306 participants. Senior students used drugs as follows: 51.3% used tobacco, 90.8% used alcohol, 5.9% used marijuana, and 0.7% used cocaine. Differences were observed between perceived norms and actual drug use for tobacco (70% vs. 51.3%), marijuana (10% vs. 5.9%) and cocaine (8.3% vs. 0.7%). CONCLUSIONS: university students presented an overestimated rate for the use of tobacco, marijuana and cocaine among their peers