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This article examines the accuracy and interoperator variability in the subjective evaluation of fetal renal aspect and explores the use of radiomic techniques and a machine learning model to predict outcomes in fetuses with unilateral urinary tract obstructions. The study involved a retrospective analysis of renal ultrasound images in 86 fetuses with unilateral obstructive uropathy. The results showed moderate agreement between two expert operators in the subjective assessment of fetal renal parenchyma, with poor agreement in the evaluation of renal echogenicity. The machine learning model demonstrated improved accuracy in predicting postnatal renal outcomes compared to the subjective predictions of fetal experts. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses a study conducted in the Netherlands that aimed to analyze the incidence, characteristics, and prognostic implications of three antenatal pop-off mechanisms in fetuses with megacystis. The three mechanisms identified were umbilical cord cysts, extravasation, and mega-ureter/ureterocele. The study found that umbilical cord cysts were associated with early-onset megacystis, normal amniotic fluid index, and other congenital anomalies, and had the highest prevalence of intrauterine fetal demise. Extravasation was correlated with severe megacystis, abnormal amniotic fluid index, and associated congenital anomalies, and was associated with high rates of pregnancy termination and neonatal death. Mega-ureter/ureterocele mainly occurred in late-onset and isolated megacystis, had a thickened bladder wall, low prevalence of other congenital anomalies, and the highest survival rates. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses a study conducted between 2013 and 2023 that aimed to understand the postnatal diagnosis and outcomes of fetuses with suspected obstructive uropathies and/or hydronephrosis in the third trimester of pregnancy. The study included 213 fetuses with ultrasound suspicion of hydronephrosis and/or obstructive uropathies. The results showed that 65% of the fetuses were diagnosed with upper urinary tract obstruction, 12% with lower urinary tract obstruction, and 11% with a pathologic duplex system. The overall survival rate was 98%, but there were significant morbidity and the need for surgical intervention in cases of lower urinary tract obstruction, vesicoureteral reflux, and a pathologic duplex system. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the use of machine learning models to improve the prediction of prognosis in fetuses with unilateral obstructive uropathy. The study collected fetal ultrasound images and extracted radiomics shape features and subjective texture assessments of the renal parenchyma. The results showed that a machine learning model based solely on radiomics shape features had promising results in predicting prognosis. Although subjective renal texture features were correlated with unfavorable outcomes, adding them to the model did not significantly improve accuracy. The study suggests further exploration of texture features using radiomics or deep learning algorithms. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses a study conducted in the Netherlands between 2013 and 2023, which aimed to assess the prevalence, accuracy of antenatal diagnosis, and prognosis of Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction (LUTO) in fetuses with hydronephrosis and/or obstructive uropathy. The study found that LUTO was postnatally diagnosed in 9% of the 437 fetuses included in the study, with a higher prevalence in male cases. Neonatal mortality occurred in 13% of the LUTO cases. The study also revealed that a significant percentage of postnatally diagnosed LUTO cases did not present the classical antenatal indicators of LUTO, highlighting the importance of thorough postnatal follow-up. [Extracted from the article]

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is often associated with allergic asthma (AA). Inhalation of allergens influences the activity of AA but the effect on the skin in AD is unclear. Objectives We evaluated the degree of bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine in eight AD patients with AA (AD+) and eight AD patients without AA (AD-) and studied bronchial and cutaneous responses after allergen inhalation challenge. Methods All patients were treated in hospital for their eczema with tar ointment (pix liquids) and orally administered antihistamines (mean hospital stay 37 days). After clearing of the skin lesions allergen inhalation challenge was performed. Cutaneous responses were studied by measuring the 'Costa' score before and 24 h after allergen inhalation challenge. Results The median value of the provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall (PC20 Mch) in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was significantly higher in the AD- group compared to the AD+ group with median values of 10.70 and 0.60 mg/mL, respectively. These values did not change significantly in both groups during hospital stay. After challenge all AD+ patients showed early and late asthmatic responses whereas only four AD- patients showed early asthmatic responses (mean values of the maximal fall in FEV1 during the EAR 37%/16% and in PEF during the LAR 27%/4% for AD+ and AD- patients, respectively). The 'Costa' score increased in both groups (mean score before 19.1/24.4 and after challenge 26.8/26.9 for AD+ and AD- patients, respectively). The increase in the AD+ group was significantly higher compared with the AD- group (P = 0.016). Conclusion We conclude that allergen inhalation challenge causes a flare up of the skin lesions in atopic dermatitis patients. This was more prominent in atopic dermatitis patients who already suffered from an IgE-mediated allergic inflammation in the lung. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To compare the strength of weight bias to other common biases, and to develop a psychometrically sound measure to assess and compare bias against different targets.Subjects:A total of 368 university students (75.4% women, 47.6% white, mean age: 21.53 years, mean body mass index (BMI): 23.01 kg/m2).Measurements:A measure was developed to assess bias against different targets. Three versions of the universal measure of bias (UMB) were developed and validated, each focusing on either ‘fat,’ ‘gay’ or ‘Muslim’ individuals. These were administered to participants, along with two established scales of bias against each target and a measure of socially desirable response style.Results:The UMB demonstrated good internal consistency, appropriate item-total and inter-item correlations, and a clear factor structure suggesting components of Negative Judgment, Distance, Attraction and Equal Rights. Construct validity was indicated by strong correlations between established measures of bias and each corresponding version of the new scale. In contrast to previously established measures of weight bias, the new measure was independent of socially desirable response style. Although homosexual orientation was associated with lower gay bias (P<0.05), greater BMI was not associated with any decrease in weight bias. When comparing the relative strength of bias against different targets, weight bias was significantly greater than bias against both gays and Muslims (P<0.001).Conclusion:Weight bias is significantly stronger than other major targets of bias. This is the first study to develop a universal measure to assess bias against different targets. The excellent psychometric properties of this measure will permit further investigation into the relative severity of different types of prejudice over time and across samples. The present findings suggest that the pervasive discrimination against obese individuals may be more socially acceptable than discrimination against other groups.International Journal of Obesity (2008) 32, 1145–1152; doi:10.1038/ijo.2008.53; published online 15 April 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]