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Background and study aims: Neoplastic lesions can be missed during colonoscopy, especially when cleansing is inadequate. Bowel preparation scales have significant limitations and no objective and standardized method currently exists to establish colon cleanliness during colonoscopy. The aims of our study are to create a software algorithm that is able to analyze bowel cleansing during colonoscopies and to compare it to a validate bowel preparation scale. Patients and methods: A software application (the Clean Colon Software Program, CCSP) was developed. Fifty colonoscopies were carried out and video-recorded. Each video was divided into 3 segments: cecum-hepatic flexure (1st Segment), hepatic flexure-descending colon (2nd Segment) and rectosigmoid segment (3rd Segment). Each segment was recorded twice, both before and after careful cleansing of the intestinal wall. A score from 0 (dirty) to 3 (clean) was then assigned by CCSP. All the videos were also viewed by four endoscopists and colon cleansing was established using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale. Interclass correlation coefficient was then calculated between the endoscopists and the software. Results: The cleansing score of the prelavage colonoscopies was 1.56 ± 0.52 and the postlavage one was 2,08 ± 0,59 (P

The time window between the disclosure of a new cyber vulnerability and its use by cybercriminals has been getting smaller and smaller over time. Recent episodes, such as Log4j vulnerability, exemplifies this well. Within hours after the exploit being released, attackers started scanning the internet looking for vulnerable hosts to deploy threats like cryptocurrency miners and ransomware on vulnerable systems. Thus, it becomes imperative for the cybersecurity defense strategy to detect threats and their capabilities as early as possible to maximize the success of prevention actions. Although crucial, discovering new threats is a challenging activity for security analysts due to the immense volume of data and information sources to be analyzed for signs that a threat is emerging. In this sense, we present a framework for automatic identification and profiling of emerging threats using Twitter messages as a source of events and MITRE ATT&CK as a source of knowledge for threat characterization. The framework comprises three main parts: identification of cyber threats and their names; profiling the identified threat in terms of its intentions or goals by employing two machine learning layers to filter and classify tweets; and alarm generation based on the threat’s risk. The main contribution of our work is the approach to characterize or profile the identified threats in terms of their intentions or goals, providing additional context on the threat and avenues for mitigation. In our experiments, the profiling stage reached an F1 score of 77% in correctly profiling discovered threats.

Background: The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with hemophilia (PWH) is an important issue, especially considering people suffering from chronic diseases beyond hemophilia. The principal aim of this study was to investigate the presence and relevance of psychological symptoms, both internalizing and externalizing, lifestyle, and HRQoL in a group of Italian PWH with chronic bloodborne co-infections and comorbidities. Furthermore, the research describes the association between psychological aspects and the impact of disease-related characteristics (type of hemophilia, presence of co-infections, and comorbidities) on them. Methods: Seventy patients (mean age 46.77±11.3), 64 with severe hemophilia A (Factor VIII: C < 1 IU/dL) and 6 with severe hemophilia B (Factor IX

Acquired Hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by the onset of a sudden and unexpected bleeding episode in a patient with no personal or family history of bleeding diathesis, and with a typical laboratory feature, i.e., a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time that is not otherwise explained. This bleeding disorder is caused by autoantibodies directed against the coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). AHA is idiopathic in 50% of cases and is secondary to well-defined diseases in the remaining 50%. AHA affects elderly patients although it has also been observed in the post-partum period. Bleeding manifestations are heterogeneous, ranging from mild to life-threatening bleeds involving limbs and organs. Severe bleeding with a significant decrease in hemoglobin levels must be promptly and adequately treated in order to avoid a worsening of the hemorrhages and their complications. According to international recommendations, the bypass agents (i.e., activated prothrombin complex concentrate and activated recombinant factor VII) and the replacement therapy with recombinant porcine FVIII are considered as the first-line therapy for bleeding control, due to their proven clinical efficacy. Plasma-derived or recombinant FVIII concentrates could be used as second-line treatments. Emicizumab may represent a valid and interesting therapeutic option for prophylaxis of bleeding recurrences.

About 5000 people in Italy suffer from hemophilia, the most common coagulation disorder. As for other chronic diseases, even in the case of hemophilia, the engagement of the patient is essential: the patients, in fact, must be empowered and helped to become strong partners of the care team and sensitized with respect to their rights and duties for the successful achievement of the goals set by their healthcare path. Hence the initiative to start a new research-intervention project in the field of hemophilia. The study had different phases of research: a first moment inspired by the principles of narrative medicine, aimed at collecting stories and narratives of patients with hemophilia related to the experience of the disease and therapy and expectations of active involvement in the relationship with the clinician. At the same time, among hematologists and patients has been surveyed the experience of therapeutical relationship and communication, to capture the aspects in which they feel effective and the areas of improvement and unmet needs. Subsequently, a workshop dedicated to patients and hematologists was organized to foster mutual awareness between these two targets and the formation of a better communication and relational skills of clinicians. The results of the project formed the basis for a policy brief document, aimed at disseminating recommendations to support better relationship and empathic communication between clinicians and patients.

A análise do perfil de discentes e servidores que compuseram a Escola de Aprendizes e Artífices em Natal, entre os anos de 1909 e 1937, é parte de uma pesquisa mais ampla, realizada em programa de doutoramento, que foi desenvolvida a partir de projetos de pesquisa contemplados com bolsa pelo Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, campus São Gonçalo do Amarante. Tem como objetivo construir um perfil socioeconômico dos aprendizes que ingressaram na Escola no referido período, de modo a entender, entre outros aspectos, as razões para um elevado índice de evasão na instituição, bem como os mecanismos de disciplina usados no espaço escolar. Já em relação aos servidores, objetivou-se saber, entre outras questões, se havia um perfil específico desejado para esses profissionais, bem como se fatores políticos eram considerados para sua nomeação. Em busca das respostas aos questionamentos propostos, exploramos, entre outras fontes, livros de matrícula, diários de classe e termos de posse. Com isso conseguiu-se mapear mais de 1.400 registros de alunos e mais de 60 servidores, durante o período pesquisado.

O artigo analisa as diferentes concepções politico-educativas sobre o ensino profissional no Brasil, desde os Liceus e Casas de Educandos, no período imperial, até as Escolas de Aprendizes, estabelecidas nas capitais brasileiras a partir de 1910, durante a Primeira República. Discute, ao longo dos diferentes períodos, a associação entre o ensino profissional e o controle das denominadas “classes perigosas”. Especificamente em relação à República, observa o diálogo entre esse regime, que procura se associar às ideias do novo e do progresso, e as Escolas enquanto instituições modernas responsáveis por estabelecer padrões de comportamento e valores. Em conclusão, afirma que os caminhos para consolidação do ensino profissional no Brasil foram tortuosos, tendo como reflexo, entre outros pontos, os altos índices de evasão verificados nas Escolas de Aprendizes.

This study aimed to identify the characteristics of patients with hemophilia B eligible for once-weekly treatment with Nonacog alfa. Methods: A survey was conducted in 14 Hemophilia (HCs) of Italy. These centers were given a questionnaire consisting of ten closed multiple-choice questions. The centers were asked: (a) the percentages of their hemophilia B (HB) patients undergoing replacement therapy, “On-demand”, or weekly prophylaxis, (b) the criteria guiding the monitoring of patients, the advantages according to the age of patients, and (c) the obstacles to prophylaxis. The percentage of patients receiving “On-demand” (OD) treatment or continuous prophylaxis (prophy) differed depending on patient age and the severity of the disease. Only 57% of HCs provided “On-demand” therapy to the mild HB patients, about 93% to moderate ones, of whom 43% on prophylaxis. About 78% of patients 65 years old. Many centers assigned a medium-high score to the baseline concentration of FIX level at diagnosis in all age groups. Most HCs attributed a medium-high score to type of genetic mutation in the younger age groups. As for socio-cultural barriers and quality of life, the majority of respondents gave a medium-high score in all age groups. For periodic monitoring of patients receiving continuous prophylaxis, 59% of the centers reported using clinical assessment. With regard to prophylaxis administration method, the majority of hemophiliacs were given infusions twice weekly, while as regards to the dose of FIX concentrate delivered, 50% of the centers reported administering prophylaxis once-weekly at a dose ranging from 5−100 IU/kg in 10−50% of HB patients. Thus, 93% of the centers reported using a dose of 25−50 IU/kg for twice-weekly prophylaxis in 6−100% of the patients. The majority of centers (86%) believe that, in a program of early primary prevention, once-weekly treatment with nonacog alfa may represent an alternative strategy to dose escalation. The results show that patients with mild hemophilia, with functional musculoskeletal status and difficulties with venous access, are candidates for once-weekly prophylaxis with nonacog alfa. For such patients, this regimen can improve treatment compliance and quality of life.

OBJETIVO: investigar a micronucleação (MN) em células esfoliadas do colo uterino de mulheres HIV+ observando as condições de imunidade aferidas pelos níveis de linfócitos CD4+ e da carga viral para o HIV (CV). MÉTODOS: foram obtidas coletas citológicas da junção escamocolunar de 23 pacientes HIV+ de Ambulatório de DST/AIDS. O grupo controle foi composto por mulheres assintomáticas do Ambulatório de Prevenção de Câncer Ginecológico do mesmo serviço. O material foi submetido a processamento citológico para leitura em microscopia de luz, com objetiva de imersão em 2.000 células por paciente. Para avaliação da condição imunitária das pacientes HIV+ investigamos os níveis de linfócitos CD4+ e CV. A análise estatística dos resultados se fez com os testes do Χ2 e Kolmogorov-Smirnov. RESULTADOS: vinte e três pacientes compuseram o grupo de mulheres HIV+ e 19 formaram o grupo controle. Em todas as pacientes HIV+ e em 84,2% do grupo controle detectamos MN. Dezessete pacientes HIV+ (73,9%) tiveram mais de 7 MN. No grupo controle tivemos apenas 1 caso (5,2%) com mais de 7 MN. Houve tendência na associação de maiores quantidades de MN em mulheres com baixos níveis de linfócitos CD4+ e maiores níveis de CV, sem caracterizar correlação estatística. CONCLUSÕES: pacientes HIV+ em fase de AIDS têm maior ocorrência de MN que o grupo controle e, também, a frequência com que são detectados MN parece estar associada a piores condições clínicas da imunossupressão.PURPOSE: to investigate the micronucleation (MN) of exfoliated cells from the uterine cervix of HIV+ women according to immunocompetence status. We investigated the clinical conditions of immunocompetence by analyzing the levels of CD4+ lymphocytes and viral count for HIV (VC). METHODS: biological material was collected from 23 HIV+ patients whose cervical oncologic cytology results were negative. They were patients from the STD/AIDS-FCMS-PUCSP who underwent a cytobrush collection in the squamous columnar junction. Similar material was obtained from 19 healthy control women. The material, about 2000 cells per patient, was processed for cytology using light microscopy and an immersion objective. To analyze the immunological status of HIV+ patients we used CD4+ count and VC. Statistical analysis was performed using the Χ2 and Kolmorogov-Smirnov tests. RESULTS: twenty-three pacients composed the group of HIV+ women and 19 composed the control group. We found micronuclei (MN) in all HIV+ patients and in 84.2% of the control group. In 17 73.9% of the HIV+ patients and in 5.2% of the control group we found more than 7 MN cells. MN tended to occur more among women with poorer immunological status in the HIV+ group. CONCLUSIONS: HIV+ patients in the AIDS phase have a higher prevalence of micronucleated cells, as opposed to a control group. Also, the frequency of MN was associated with worse conditions of immunosuppression.

Type 3 Von Willebrand disease is an autosomal recessive disease caused by the virtual absence of the von Willebrand factor (VWF). A rare 253 kb gene deletion on chromosome 12, identified only in Italian and German families, involves both the VWF gene and the N-terminus of the neighbouring TMEM16B/ANO2 gene, a member of the family named transmembrane 16 (TMEM16) or anoctamin (ANO). TMEM16B is a calcium-activated chloride channel expressed in the olfactory epithelium. As a patient homozygous for the 253 kb deletion has been reported to have an olfactory impairment possibly related to the partial deletion of TMEM16B, we assessed the olfactory function in other patients using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT). The average UPSIT score of 4 homozygous patients was significantly lower than that of 5 healthy subjects with similar sex, age and education. However, 4 other members of the same family, 3 heterozygous for the deletion and 1 wild type, had a slightly reduced olfactory function indicating that socio-cultural or other factors were likely to be responsible for the observed difference. These results show that the ability to identify odorants of the homozygous patients for the deletion was not significantly different from that of the other members of the family, showing that the 253 kb deletion does not affect the olfactory performance. As other genes may compensate for the lack of TMEM16B, we identified some predicted functional partners from in silico studies of the protein-protein network of TMEM16B. Calculation of diversity for the corresponding genes for individuals of the 1000 Genomes Project showed that TMEM16B has the highest level of diversity among all genes of the network, indicating that TMEM16B may not be under purifying selection and suggesting that other genes in the network could compensate for its function for olfactory ability.

En las próximas décadas, las ciudades de todo el mundo experimentarán los impactos del aumento de la temperatura global. Sin embargo, a diferencia de la mitigación, la adaptación de las ciudades de nuestro entorno permanece como una cuestión secundaria. Este artículo revisa la literatura sobre adaptación al cambio climático en las poblaciones con el objetivo de comprender los retos y las dimensiones implicadas en la adaptación de las ciudades. Identificamos seis grandes retos en la adaptación de las ciudades. Caracterizamos las distintas estrategias de adaptación existentes e ilustramos estas intervenciones a partir de casos concretos documentados en distintas ciudades. Finalmente, discutimos la necesidad de evaluar e investigar de modo sistemático la capacidad de adaptación de las poblaciones de nuestro entorno al cambio climático.