Publications by authors named "Rachel Cruz"

Introduction: Targeted ultrasound is commonly used to identify lesions characterized on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that were not recognized on initial mammography or ultrasound and is especially valuable for guiding percutaneous biopsies. Although artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms have been used to differentiate benign from malignant breast lesions on ultrasound, their application in classifying lesions on targeted ultrasound has not yet been studied.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of AI-based software in predicting malignancy risk in breast lesions identified on targeted ultrasound.

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Introduction: Addressing the opioid overdose crisis requires developing contextually specific strategies promoting the adoption of evidence-based practices (EBPs) to prevent and treat opioid use disorder (OUD), including overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) and medications for OUD (MOUD). To effectively reach the groups most affected by the opioid crisis, EBP strategies must be adjusted to fit the culture and contexts of different communities.

Methods: The HEALing Communities Study engaged coalitions in 67 communities across four states to select and implement EBP strategies to reduce opioid overdose mortality.

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Background: Trastuzumab is an effective treatment for HER2-positive cancers that has known cardiotoxic properties. Discovering biomarkers that assess cardiotoxicity risk before trastuzumab therapy is essential for protecting the cardiovascular health of cancer patients.

Objective: To examine the associations between pre-treatment epigenetic age acceleration, circulating leukocyte composition, and candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with cardiotoxicity risk in breast cancer patients receiving trastuzumab.

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Objectives: to analyze sexual dysfunction in women in the late postpartum period and correlate it with sexual satisfaction.

Methods: this is a cross-sectional study conducted with 351 women in the late postpartum period, linked to the Family Health Strategy. Three questionnaires were used for data collection.

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Background: Treatment for oral or oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (O&OSCC) often leads to problems with speech articulation. Articulatory-kinematic data may be especially informative in designing new therapeutic approaches for individuals treated for these tumours.

Aims: To provide a systematic review of the literature assessing the articulatory-kinematic consequences of oral and oropharyngeal cancer treatment.

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Context: Self-measured blood pressure monitoring (SMBP) with clinical support is effective at reducing blood pressure for people with hypertension. Although strengths and challenges around SMBP are well-documented, few studies describe the complexities of real-world implementation of SMBP with clinical support in the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) setting.

Program: Between 2019 and 2023, the Ohio Department of Health funded the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers to manage a multiyear quality improvement (QI) project with 21 FQHCs.

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Objective: To evaluate the results obtained with an artificial intelligence-based software for predicting the risk of malignancy in breast masses from ultrasound images.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center study evaluating 555 breast masses submitted to percutaneous biopsy at a cancer referral center. Ultrasonographic findings were classified in accordance with the BI-RADS lexicon.

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Cantando En La Sombras is a cathartic work that provides an unexpected repose to my consistently restless mind. A multi-sensory experience, this essay is a self-reflective piece that speaks to my sexual identity and journey of self-discovery through prose and song. Inspired by the groundbreaking work (Trujillo, 1994), I found the fortitude and autochthonous voice to tell my story, my way, through the candor, realism, and integrity in the stories of women who not only dared to live their truths but to immortalize them in words.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study explored how nursing student mothers view their preferred delivery method compared to what they actually experienced during childbirth.
  • The research revealed a significant gap between the mothers' desire for vaginal delivery, linked to their understanding of its benefits, and the more common occurrence of cesarean sections, often due to complications, fear, financial constraints, and influence from healthcare professionals.
  • The findings highlight the need for improved respect for mothers' preferences and better communication in obstetric care to promote a more humanized approach to childbirth.
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Warts, hypogammaglobulinemia, infections, and myelokathexis (WHIM) syndrome (WS) is a combined immunodeficiency caused by gain-of-function mutations in the C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) gene. We characterize a unique international cohort of 66 patients, including 57 (86%) cases previously unreported, with variable clinical phenotypes. Of 17 distinct CXCR4 genetic variants within our cohort, 11 were novel pathogenic variants affecting 15 individuals (23%).

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The recombination-activating genes (RAG) 1 and 2 are indispensable for diversifying the primary B cell receptor repertoire and pruning self-reactive clones via receptor editing in the bone marrow; however, the impact of RAG1/RAG2 on peripheral tolerance is unknown. Partial RAG deficiency (pRD) manifesting with late-onset immune dysregulation represents an 'experiment of nature' to explore this conundrum. By studying B cell development and subset-specific repertoires in pRD, we demonstrate that reduced RAG activity impinges on peripheral tolerance through the generation of a restricted primary B cell repertoire, persistent antigenic stimulation and an inflammatory milieu with elevated B cell-activating factor.

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Background: Patients with inborn errors of immunity (IEI) have increased risk of developing cancers secondary to impaired anti-tumor immunity. Treatment of patients with IEI and cancer is challenging as chemotherapy can exacerbate infectious susceptibility. However, the literature on optimal cancer treatment in the setting of IEI is sparse.

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Objectives: to identify how nurses are trained to manage care.

Methods: an integrative review, guided by the research question: "How does the training of nurses for care management occur?" The studied performed the search on LILACS, BDENF, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, BVS, and SciELO, using combined strategies to select publications indexed in databases and electronic libraries. The analysis involved bibliometric aspects and the evidence on nursing education contained in the articles.

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We treated three pediatric cardiac transplant patients with chronic parvovirus viremia with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (HD-IVIG). One patient with severe T-cell lymphopenia suffered recurrent viremia and aseptic meningitis, which resolved remarkably when he was switched to high-dose hyaluronidase-facilitated subcutaneous immunoglobulin (HD-SCIG-Hy). We discuss the advantages of HD-SCIG-Hy vs HD-IVIG treatment for similar cases.

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The scope of this study is to analyze the prevalence and factors associated with Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases (CNCD) in adults living in an impoverished urban area located in Recife in the Brazilian northeast. It is a cross-sectional study with a sample of 631 adults of 20 to 59 years of age. The possible associations of CNCD with demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral and health-related factors were analyzed using Poisson Regression, considering a p value of < 0.

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Introduction: Exclusive breastfeeding (BF), after the sixth month of life, as a single food source is not recommended. It is believed that it is not possible to supply the caloric needs of protein, iron and vitamin without adequate food supplementation.

Objective: To comparethe nutritional statusof children withexclusive breastfeeding(BF)for more than 6monthsversuschildren with otherbreastfeeding practices.

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Objectives: The management of pediatric mid-dermal burns is challenging. Anecdotal evidence suggests Biobrane™ (UDL Laboratories, Inc., Sugar Land, TX) may expedite epithelization, reducing the requirement for skin grafting.

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Background: Dementia residential facilities can be described as traditional or non-traditional facilities. Non-traditional facilities aim to utilise principles of environmental design to create a milieu that supports persons experiencing cognitive decline. This study aimed to compare these two environments in rural Australia, and their influence on residents' occupational engagement.

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Background: Fucosidosis results from lack of α-L-fucosidase activity, with accumulation of fucose-linked substrates in the nervous system and viscera leading to progressive motor and mental deterioration, and death. The naturally occurring dog model of fucosidosis was used to evaluate the neuropathological responses to partial enzyme replacement, and substrate reduction in early disease following treatment with recombinant canine α-L-fucosidase delivered through cerebrospinal fluid.

Methods: Neuropathology in both treated (n = 3) and untreated fucosidosis-affected (n = 3) animals was evaluated with immunohistochemistry, image analysis, manual quantification and gene expression analysis and compared with unaffected age-matched controls (n = 3) in an extension of our previous biochemical report on the same cohort.

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Article Synopsis
  • Burns are really painful for young kids, and if not managed well, can cause long-lasting issues.
  • A study was done to see if Child Life Therapy (CLT) helps reduce pain and anxiety during burn dressing changes compared to regular care.
  • Results showed that kids who had CLT felt less pain and anxiety during their treatment than those who got standard care.
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Introduction: Conventional surgical debridement of burn wounds consists of tangential excision of eschar using a knife or dermabrasion until viable dermis or punctate bleeding occurs. The Versajet™ (Smith and Nephew, St. Petersburg, FL, USA) hydrosurgery system has also been advocated for burn wound debridement, with the suggestion that enhanced preservation of dermal tissue might reduce subsequent scarring.

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Introduction: Despite the scientific consensus on the benefits that breastfeeding provides for the mother, the baby, the family and the environment, and also the recommendation to breastfeed exclusively for six months, this practice is far from being achieved.

Objective: To analyze the factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for at least six month, as opposed to weaning up to the second month of life in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil.

Methods: A case-control study of 124 cases (EBF for at least six months) matched for age and sex with 248 controls (weaning up to the second month of life).

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Background: Chemical burns account for a small proportion of total burns in children, but may require specific first aid and different modes of prevention.

Methods: A retrospective study between 2006 and 2012 of children ≤16 years treated with chemical burns at a specialist paediatric burn centre. Data were extracted from a prospectively maintained database.

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