bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interpretación del desempeño operativo de las pruebas de tamizaje y de diagnóstico de enfermedades en obstetricia y ginecología
Authors: Gaitán-Duarte Hernando , Rubio-Romero Jorge Andrés , Gómez-Chantraine Margarita
Published: February 2020

Objetivo: explicar tanto los conceptos que subyacen a la evaluación de la validez de una prueba diagnóstica empleada para realizar tamizaje o para confirmar o descartar una enfermedad y aclarar cómo se aplican las características operativas de una prueba diagnóstica para disminuir la incertidumbre acerca de la presencia de la enfermedad para la cual ésta es utilizada.Metodología: a partir de un caso hipotético, se emplean los estimadores del desempeño de una prueba diagnóstica, los conceptos que subyacen a la evaluación e interpretación de las pruebas de tamizaje y de diagnóstico y los métodos propios para evaluar las características operativas. Finalmente, se concluye con la puesta en práctica de los estimadores de validez para resolver un problema planteado.Resultados: los conceptos de la historia natural de la enfermedad, la definición de normalidad, las proporciones y las razones son primordiales para el uso y la interpretación adecuada de las características operativas de una prueba de tamizaje o de diagnóstico. La determinación de la probabilidad preprueba y el conocimiento de la razón de probabilidades positiva y negativa de las pruebas son necesarios para reducir el nivel de incertidumbre en el proceso de diagnóstico.Conclusión: la interpretación adecuada de las características operativas de las pruebas de tamizaje y de diagnóstico es útil para dar solución de manera explícita a los problemas que se enfrentan en la práctica clínica diaria.
THE ROLE OF MODERN PHYSIOTHERAPY IN THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF GYNECOLOGICAL DISEASES (REVIEW OF LITERATURE)
Authors: Ozolinya Lyudmila A. , Savchenko T. N , Anisimova M. A
Published: February 2020

Physiotherapy is an important component in the prevention and treatment of obstetric and gynecological pathology. Physical factors should be used as primary or secondary treatment methods. The effects of physiotherapy are based on the absorption of physical (electrical, radiation, magnetic, etc.) energy by living tissues. The result of treatment depends on the physical factor, the number and a single dose of the procedures received. The best is the use of physiotherapy during several procedures (course of treatment). In connection with the progress of science and technology, new methods of physiotherapy have appeared: magnetic, infrared-laser-therapy, ozone, impulse-low-frequence-physiopherapeutical-apparat (ILPHYSA)-therapy, extremely-hign-frequence(EHF)-therapy. These methods began widely to use in gynecology.
COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF HORMONAL DRUGS FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE ENDOMETRIUM FOR ABLATION IN PREMENOPAUSAL PATIENTS
Authors: Sinchikhin Sergey P. , Kostenko E. V , Stepanyan L. V
Published: February 2020

The aim of the study is to compare the effectiveness of the use of hormonal drugs before hysteroresectoscopic ablation of the endometrium in premenopausal patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. Were examined 145 women aged from 45 to 54 years with recurrent endometrial hyperplasia, which were divided into three groups depending on the preoperative use of one of the hormonal drugs (gestagen preparation, microdose estrogen-gestagen contraceptive, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist - GnRHa). When medication-induced endometrial atrophy was achieved, the patients underwent hysteroresectoscopic endometrial ablation using the coagulation vaporization technique. The results of the study showed the feasibility of preoperative thinning of the uterine mucosa to improve the results of treatment of its benign changes. The most effective means for accelerating the attainment of drug regression of the endometrium were GnRHa, whose effectiveness was 95.7%. The estrogen-gestagen-containing contraceptive and gestagen preparation showed an efficacy of 65.3% and 42.8%, respectively. The results of the study should be considered when choosing the optimal tactics for management of premenopausal patients with abnormal uterine bleeding.
On the Distributed Order Fractional Multi-Strain Tuberculosis Model: a Numerical Study
Authors: Sweilam Nasser , M. AL-Mekhlafi S. , O. Albalawi A.
Published: February 2020

In this paper, a novel mathematical distributed order fractional model of multistrain Tuberculosis is presented. The proposed model is governed by a system of distributed order fractional differential equations, where the distributed order fractional derivative is defined in the sense of the Grünwald-Letinkov definition. A nonstandard finite difference method is proposed to study the resulting system. The stability analysis of the proposed model is discussed. Numerical simulations show that the nonstandard finite difference method can be applied to solve such distributed order fractional differential equations simply and eectively.
Probability Model Based on Cluster Analysis to Classify Sequences of Observations for Small Training Sets
Authors: Yulin Sergey S , Palamar Irina N
Published: February 2020

The problem of recognizing patterns, when there are few training data available, is particularly relevant and arises in cases when collection of training data is expensive or essentially impossible. The work proposes a new probability model MC&CL (Markov Chain and Clusters) based on a combination of markov chain and algorithm of clustering (self-organizing map of Kohonen, k-means method), to solve a problem of classifying sequences of observations, when the amount of training dataset is low. An original experimental comparison is made between the developed model (MC&CL) and a number of the other popular models to classify sequences: HMM (Hidden Markov Model), HCRF (Hidden Conditional Random Fields),LSTM (Long Short-Term Memory), kNN+DTW (k-Nearest Neighbors algorithm + Dynamic Time Warping algorithm). A comparison is made using synthetic random sequences, generated from the hidden markov model, with noise added to training specimens. The best accuracy of classifying the suggested model is shown, as compared to those under review, when the amount of training data is low.
A Consensus Clustering Method for Clustering Social Networks
Authors: Kheirkhahzadeh Masoumeh , Analoui Morteza
Published: February 2020

Detecting Communities in networks is one of the appealing fields in computer science. A wide range of methods are proposed for this problem. These methods employ different strategies and optimization functions to detect communities (or clusters). Therefore, it seems a good idea to combine these strategies to take advantage of the strengths of the methods and overcome their problems. This is the idea behind consensus clustering technique which combines several clustering results into one. In this paper, we propose a very good-performing method based on consensus clustering to detect communities of a network. Our method, called “Azar”, employed several community detection methods as base methods. Then Azar generates a new compressed network based on the common views of the used base methods and, gives this new compressed network to the last community detection method to find the final partition. We evaluate our approach by employing real and artificial datasets. The implementation results compare the base methods with Azar according to accuracy measures such as modularity and Normalized Mutual Information (NMI). The results show the good-performing behavior of Azar even for the most difficult networks. The results show the brilliant power of Azar in comparison with all the other methods.
A THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE MIDDLE VALUE OF THE INDONESIAN VERSION OF EMOTIONAL LEARNING INSTRUMENT
Authors: Sulaeman Erwin , Rahayu Wardani , Kamaruddin Erdawaty , Widodo Winona Amanda Tiara , Widodo Winona Amanda Tiara
Published: February 2020

This article discusses the psychometric validity of the Indonesian version of emotional learning instruments with a scale of five and four response categories. The purpose of this study is to produce an Indonesian version of emotional learning instrument with an effective response category scale used by Indonesians. The instrument is a modification of the scale of the Learning Environment Research Questionnaire on Emotional Climate Classroom. This study is a survey of 1494 responses of 7th and 8th grade junior high school students. Samples were selected by random sampling and based on considerations of schools implementing the 2013 Curriculum. Modification instruments consisting of 43 items were tested in obtaining validity based on item difficulty estimations and psychometric criteria with Rasch modeling. The results of this study indicate that the Andrich threshold validity testing meets the monotonic characteristics and the Standardized Residual Correlation is higher, so the scale of the five response categories is more effective to measure the Indonesian version of emotional learning instruments than the scale of the four response categories.

Keywords: Functionality of middle value, ELVI, Rasch Modeling
A HIDDEN CURRICULUM PRACTICES
Authors: Kurniawati Atik
Published: February 2020

This paper departs from the issue of the hidden curriculum that occurred during the last 10 years. Hidden curriculum is the practice of school education that contributes to education. Previous studies discuss the role of the state, the role of the school and the teacher's role in the practice of hidden curriculum separately.While in this paper, the researchers wanted to demonstrate the practice of hidden curriculum in a comprehensive manner by using thought Henry Giroux. This research is a case study with a qualitative approach. This research was conducted in 2019 by conducting in-depth interviews, observation and documents. The findings in this study (1) there is a contestation of values ​​due to differences in ideology trustees and teachers that are implemented in the practice of hidden curriculum, (2) The practice of hidden curriculum is done by the board of trustees behind the development of a formal curriculum, and carried out by the teacher to maintain the old identity through daily practices, (3) impacted on the delay on student achievement, because it is generally the practice of hidden curriculum support the practice of the formal curriculum, but the opposite what happened.. advice in this study is need to agree and trust between the board of trustees and school teachers in order to get maximum achievement.
Ujian Nasional sebagai Panoptikon Bangsa
Authors: Gianto Gianto
Published: February 2020

National Examination is the assessment of learning outcomes by the government which aims to assess the achievement of national competency on specific subjects in the group of subjects in science and technology. The results are used as one of the considerations for mapping the program quality or the educational unit, as the basic selection to the next education level, determining students' graduation, and giving scholarship for improving the quality of education. Panopticon was originally a concept of the prison building designed by English philosopher and social theorist Jeremy Bentham in 1785. The design concept was allowing a guard to watch  prisoners everywhere. Later, Panopticon not merely architectural designs, but he became a model of community supervision and discipline, which also applied today. National Exam as State Panoptikon is a philosophical concept where the values in National Examination is examined or analyzed using the concepts and values of Panoptikon
Model Evaluasi Penilaian Ranah Afektif Siswa dalam Pembelajaran PAI di SMP Negeri Samarinda
Authors: Sunarmi Sri
Published: February 2020

Islamic education is a compulsory subject in every educational institution. Students are expected do not only know theory of religion but they also understand, feel, and implement theory of religion. Therefore, evaluation instrument of affective domain for Islamic education subject need to be developed and taken care since there has not been any evaluation instrument yet which is particularly developed for Islamic education subject. So this research aim at developing evaluation instrument of affective domain for Islamic education subject that fulfill validity and reliability requirement. Population of research object is evaluation instrument of affective domain assessment and population of research subjects are Junior High School students in Samarinda. Sample of this research is taken by using stratified proportional random sampling technique. Referring to the instrument construction, the use of revised GBPP of Islamic education subject for Junior High School is considered as the correct option. Data collection was done by using questionnaire technique. Data was analyzed by using Iteman analysis technique to find out degree of validity and reliability. Data analysis result reveals Likert method questionnaire, from the test of construct validity shows cumulative variant value 90.4% or it can show 94% of theory construct which has been stated. Reliability coefficient obtained is 0.914 with 0.124 SEM value which indicate very good quality of affective domain instrument. The use of sentences in constructing Likert method instrument assisted respondents to respond the instrument well. In Likert method, constructing questionnaire takes long sentences so that the respondents feel tired to read those statements. Likert method require sequence of words to formulate a good and objective statement. The implementation is that in Islamic education subject require efforts to take the decision.
Analisis Manajemen PAUD Berbasis Standar Akreditasi PAUD dan PNF di Kutai Kartanegara
Authors: Asiah Siti Nor
Published: February 2020

Achieving the objectives of Early Childhood Education is needed by an institution that deserves good quality and educational services. Then a quality assessment is needed in the feasibility of conducting education in an education unit called accreditation. The aim of the study was to describe PAUD management based on the National Accreditation Agency Standards in Kutai Kartanegara (Standard Levels of Achievement of Development, Content Standards and Process Standards). The methodology of this research uses qualitative research methods based on postpositivism philosophy or interpretive, naturalistic qualitative research methods whose processes are inductive, the data obtained are qualitative data, which will later be interpreted so that the meaning is understood. Data collection techniques are interviews, observation and documentation. The results showed that Mutiara Bunda Kindergarten was considered very Complete for Standard-based administration of the National Accreditation Agency, from 3 (three) standards, namely Standards for Achieving Child Development, Content and Process Standards, almost all documents owned. From the results of this study Mutiara Bunda Kindergarten has run its management management based on PAUD and PNF National Accreditation Standards as it should, from the 3 (three) standards it can be proved the administrative completeness of Mutiara Bunda Kindergarten so that it deserves A level of accreditation given by PAUD and PNF National Accreditation Agency in 2016. It is appropriate for the administration of documents from planning, implementation to evaluation to be carried out continuously not only at any time so that all management of the institution can be carried out professionally with the achievement of the level of development of students who are very good.
Las voces del interior rural valenciano: recursos naturales y resistencias al desarrollo
Authors: Calvo Palomares Ricard , Sigalat Signes Enric , Roig Merino Bernat , Buitrago Vera Juan Manuel
Published: February 2020

En este trabajo se muestran los resultados de los diagnósticos territoriales para el empleo y el desarrollo local realizados en dos comarcas rurales de la provincia de València. Diagnósticos que pusieron de manifiesto que se trata de territorios que cuentan con abundantes recursos naturales, pero que adolecen de actores suficientemente competentes para dinamizarlos de la manera más adecuada. Bien porque carecen de los medios para ello (acceso a fuentes de financiación, transportes o infraestructuras básicas), porque no están capacitados para ello (población envejecida con carencias de formación), o porque no tienen la iniciativa suficiente (instalados en una zona de confort).
Symptom attribution in ischemic stroke: a strategy to increase thrombolysis rate
Authors: González-Aquines Alejandro , Cordero-Pérez Adolfo C , Pérez-Vázquez Gil , Cristobal-Niño Mario , Martínez-Roque Denisse , Góngora-Rivera Fernando
Published: February 2020

[No disponible]
Programa Institucional Salud de los Pueblos Indígenas: agenda para la investigación, la docencia y la vinculación
Authors: Pelcastre-Villafuerte Blanca Estela , Meneses-Navarro Sergio , Rivera-Dommarco Juan
Published: February 2020

El Programa Salud de los Pueblos Indígenas es un eje trans­versal de la política institucional. Su objetivo es contribuir al bienestar de los pueblos indígenas mediante la investigación de sus necesidades de salud, la formación de personal para su atención y la innovación para el desarrollo de políticas. En este documento se presenta el marco teórico que sustenta este programa, centrado en la determinación estructural de las desigualdades, y menciona las principales líneas de acción en las que se basa para contribuir al desarrollo de políticas y programas, orientados al bienestar de esta población como principal meta.
The Determination of Partial Pressure Maintenance Performance by Laboratory Flow Tests
Authors: Craig F.F. , Geffen T.M.
Published: February 2020

Published in Petroleum Transactions, Volume 207, 1956, pages 42–49.

Laboratory model flow tests have been made to simulate field conditions of partial pressure maintenance by dispersed gas drive on rocks having sandstone-type porosity. In this production method there is a significant saturation gradient between injection and production wells. A means of calculating relative permeability characteristics from partial pressure maintenance flow tests has been developed. This method takes into account the saturation gradient. These kg/ko characteristics are identical to those for solution and external gas drives. This method of calculation, which has been proved experimentally, has limitations; however, it is valid for cases likely to be encountered in field prediction of partial pressure maintenance performance.

The production performance of a hypothetical reservoir has been calculated for several different injection programs, involving both full and partial pressure maintenance. Results indicate that the maximum oil recovery by these gas injection programs is obtained by full pressure maintenance at the original bubble point. Correspondingly lower oil recoveries are obtained by postponing gas injection and/or by reducing the degree of pressure maintenance.

Introduction

Dispersed gas injection is an important method of recovering additional oil beyond that obtainable by pressure depletion alone. The injected gas acts as a source of additional energy to displace oil from the rock formation as well as to retard oil shrinkage in the reservoir. In practice, gas injection is usually started after the reservoir pressure has fallen below the original bubble point. For various reasons sufficient gas is generally not injected to completely maintain the pressure in the reservoir. So, injecting gas at a declining reservoir pressure results in a combined external and solution gas drive. These two oil displacement processes are characterized by different gross saturation distributions in the reservoir. The external gas drive, like all frontal drive processes, inherently results in an oil saturation which increases from the injection wells to the producing wells. In the solution gas drive there is essentially a uniform oil saturation throughout the reservoir, provided the field is being depleted uniformly.
An Evaluation of a Gas Drive Method for Determining Relative Permeability Relationships
Authors: Owens W.W. , Parrish D.R. , Lamoreaux W.E.
Published: February 2020

Published in Petroleum Transactions, AIME, Volume 207, 1956, pages 275–280.

Several methods are now being used by the industry for determining the gas-oil flow characteristics of reservoir rock samples. Most of the laboratory experimental methods can be classified either as steady-state, unsteady-state, or Hassler-type tests. Although the validity of the results obtained by any specific method is not questioned, in general, the complexity of these methods leaves much to be desired. This investigation dealt primarily with the development of a simplified unsteady-state (gas drive) laboratory test method for measuring kg/ ko relationships of small core samples. A procedure for selecting uniform and representative sandstone rock samples was developed since it was observed that the reliability of the test results was dependent upon having a sample which was uniform in porosity and permeability. The importance of factors known to influence the results of this type test, such as oil viscosity, gas expansion, and pressure differential were evaluated. The method of calculating the test results was found to give valid data over a wide range of gas expansion. The limits of pressure differential and oil viscosity which would insure reliable results were defined. In comparison with other presently used testing methods, the gas drive method requires considerably less apparatus, is less time consuming, and is more readily adaptable to a routine type core test.
An Extended Analysis of Bottom Water Drive Reservoir Performance
Authors: Hutchinson T.S. , Kemp C.E.
Published: February 2020

Published in Petroleum Transactions, AIME, Volume 207, 1956, pages 256–261.

The bottom water drive analysis presented by Muskat has been extended to include fields with wider well spacings. Curves are presented from which volumetric sweepout, water-oil ratio, and rate relations may be calculated. The effects of non-unity ratios on sweepout efficiency and productivity decline have been studied by an approximate method. Also, the effect of gravity on volumetric sweepout has been approximated for a particular geometry.

Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to report work done in applying the analysis of bottom water drive reservoirs given by Muskat to a larger class of reservoirs, to extend this analysis to include the effects of gravity and non-unity mobility ratios in an approximate manner, and to investigate the rate of decline of productive capacity.

The bottom water drive type reservoir is one where the oil is underlain by a water zone of sufficient thickness that water movement is essentially vertical. This system is defined in more detail in the appendix and a one well element is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1.

Muskat obtained solutions to the equations describing the volumetric displacement efficiency of idealized bottom water drive systems by assuming that gravity effects due to differences in density between oil and water were negligible and that the mobilities of oil and water were the same. If either of these assumptions is not made, the complexity of the system makes an analytical solution well nigh impossible at the present stage of mathematical development. Coles and Stade developed an approximation to consider these factors. The authors have refined approximations, starting with the same basic assumption, which should give a somewhat quantitative picture of bottom water drive performance when mobilities are not equal and the effects of gravity are not negligible. The results of these approximate calculations can then be used to obtain the decline in well productivity as the field is depleted.
Delayed gastric emptying after pancreatoduodenectomy: comparison between invaginated pancreatogastrostomy and pancreatojejunostomy
Authors: Hayama Satoshi , Senmaru N , Hirano Satoshi
Published: February 2020

Background: The association between delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) and pancreatic reconstruction technique remain unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the occurrence of DGE differs between pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) and pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) .

Methods: A total of 83 patients who underwent subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy was retrospectively analyzed, and the factors associated with clinically relevant DGE were explored. These patients were divided into a PG group and a PJ group according to the pancreatic reconstruction. DGE occurrence and its association with intra-abdominal complications was compared between the two types of pancreatic reconstruction.

Results: The overall incidence of DGE was 27.7%. Intra-abdominal complications including pancreatic fistula were strongly associated with DGE. As to the pancreatic reconstruction, DGE developed more frequently in the PG than in the PJ. In addition, DGE with intra-abdominal complications tended to be more frequent in PG, despite the fact that intra-abdominal complications occurred at a similar frequency in both groups.

Conclusions: Intra-abdominal complications were strongly associated with DGE. As to the pancreatic reconstruction, DGE developed more frequently in the PG than in the PJ. We speculate that intra-abdominal complications affected patients with PG more and resulted in frequent occurrence of DGE.
Reliability, validity and invariance of the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ) among HIV-positive women in Ethiopia: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Agala Chris B. , Fried Bruce J. , Thomas James C. , Reynolds Heidi W. , Lich Kristen Hassmiller , Whetten Kathryn , Zimmer Catherine , Morrissey Joseph P.
Published: February 2020

Background: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy is critical to the achievement of the third target of the UNAIDS Fast-Track Initiative goals of 2020-2030. Reliable, valid and accurate measurement of adherence are important for correct assessment of adherence and in predicting the efficacy of ART. The Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire is a six-item scale which assesses the perception of persons living with HIV about their adherence to ART. Despite recent widespread use, its measurement properties have yet to be carefully documented beyond the original study in Spain. The objective of this paper was to conduct internal consistency reliability, concurrent validity and measurement invariance tests for the SMAQ. Methods: HIV-positive women who were receiving ART services from 51 service providers in two sub-cities of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia completed the SMAQ in a HIV treatment referral network study between 2011 and 2012. Two cross-sections of 402 and 524 female patients of reproductive age, respectively, from the two sub-cities were randomly selected and interviewed at baseline and follow-up. We used Cronbach’s coefficient alpha (α) to assess internal consistency reliability, Pearson product-moment correlation (r) to assess concurrent validity and multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis to analyze factorial structure and measurement invariance of the SMAQ.Results: All participants were female with a mean age of 33; median: 34 years; range 18-45 years. Cronbach’s alphas for the six items of the SMAQ were 0.66, 0.68, 0.75 and 0.75 for T1 control, T1 intervention, T2 control, and T2 intervention groups, respectively. Pearson correlation coefficients were 0.78, 0.49, 0.52, 0.48, 0.76 and 0.80 for items 1 to 6, respectively, between T1 compared to T2. We found invariance for factor loadings, observed item intercepts and factor variances, also known as strong measurement invariance, when we compared latent adherence levels between and across patient-groups. Conclusions: Our results show that the six-item SMAQ scale has adequate reliability and validity indices for this sample, in addition to being invariant across comparison groups. The findings of this study strengthen the evidence in support of the increasing use of SMAQ by interventionists and researchers to examine, pool and compare adherence scores across groups and time periods.
Clinical, genetic and microbiological characterization of pediatric patients with Cystic Fibrosis in a Public Hospital in Ecuador
Authors: Lascano-Vaca Yazmina , Ortiz-Prado Esteban , Gomez-Barreno Lenin , Simbaña-Rivera Katherine , Vasconez Eduardo , Lister Alexander , Arteaga-Espinosa María Emilia , Perez Geovanny F
Published: February 2020

Background: To carry out a complete clinical, pathological, genetic and microbiological characterization of pediatric patients with molecular confirmed cystic fibrosis (CF) attending the Carlos Andrade Marín Hospital (HCAM) within the study period. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of the pediatric population with a confirmed diagnosis of CF disease who attended HCAM , one of the largest tertiary-level hospitals in Ecuador, between 2017 and 2018 was performed. All demographic, clinical and genetic variables were obtained from the electronic medical records (EMR) stored by the hospital. Results: 47 patients with CF were included in the study. Gender distribution was similar between male (48.9%, n = 23) and female patients (51.1%, n = 24). The Tiffeneau-Pinelli index (FEV 1 /FVC) changed significantly after nine months post-diagnosis (85.55 ± 13.26; p < 0.05). The most common pathogenic genetic variants were F508del, found in 52.78% of the cohort (n = 19); H609R, found in 36.11% (n = 13); g.204099A>C, found in 14.1% (n = 7), followed by G85E and the N1303K with 11.11% (n = 3) each. Conclusions: To our best knowledge, this is the first study exploring the clinical, genetic and bacteriological profile of CF’s patients in Ecuador. Within the cohort of patients, an important and unique genetic feature was characterized by the presence of the g.204099A> C and the c.206359C>A homozygous polymorphism as well as the presence of the H609R variant, a mutation only reported among Ecuadorians.
Clinical Performance Evaluation Of The Idylla™ Egfr Mutation Test On Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Delgado-Garcia Mercedes , Weynand Birgit , Izquierdo Lourdes Gómez , Barrera María José Hernández , Lobo Ángela María Blanco , Rodríguez Mar Varela , Guiu Xavier Matias , Nadal Ernest , Lobo Bélgica Márquez , Alarcão Ana , Casado Enrique de Álava , Biscuola Michele
Published: February 2020

Background detection of epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) mutations in exons 18-21 is recommended in all patients with advanced Non-small-cell lung carcinoma due to the demonstrated efficiency of the standard therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors in EGFR mutated patients. Therefore, choosing a suitable technique to test EGFR mutational status is crucial to warrant a valid result in a short turnaround time using the lowest possible amount of tissue material. The Idylla™ EGFR Mutation Test is a simple, fast and reliable method designed for the detection of EGFR mutations from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples. The aim of this study was the Clinical Performace Evaluation of the Idylla™ EGFR Mutation Test on the Idylla™ System. Methods EGFR mutational status was determined on 132 archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections with Idylla™ technology. Results were compared with the results previously obtained by routine method in the reference lab (Therascreen ® EGFR RGQ PCR v2, Qiagen in Molecular Pathology lab, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío de Sevilla). Results the overall agreement between results obtained with the Idylla™ EGFR Mutation Test and the Comparator test method was 95.38% (with 1-sided 95% lower limit of 91.7%) showing Positive Diagnostic Agreement of 93.22% and Negative Diagnostic Agreement of 97.18%, with a Limit Of Detection ≤5%. Conclusions the Idylla™ EGFR Mutation Test passed its clinical validity performance characteristics for accuracy.
Survey of human and bovine tuberculosis infection on dairy farms in southwestern China
Authors: Zhang Shu , Chen Chuang , Rao Zhengyuan , Yang Aiguo , Guo Li , Hou Wei , Zhang Liang , Yang Xiulan , Liu Yan , Wu Yumei
Published: February 2020

Background: Tuberculosis is a zoonotic chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) that can be transmitted between humans and cattle. The aim of our study was to identify cross-infections of MTBC between humans and cattle on dairy farms in Sichuan Province, southwestern China. Results: We selected 6 large-scale and 5 small-scale dairy farms in Sichuan Province as research sites. A total of 378 dairy farm workers (except one pregnant woman) were screened for tuberculosis symptoms and examined by X-ray. One worker was diagnosed as tuberculosis, though the sputum culture was negative. In total, 99 of 10,224 (0.97%) cows showed positive results for the purified protein derivative (PPD) skin tests. Esophageal-pharyngeal (OP) secretions from PPD-positive cows were cultured and 21 isolates were obtained. Sequences of 16s rDNA, hsp65 and rpoB and 16s-23s rRNA spacer region were amplified and sequenced. BLAST analysis classified these isolates as nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) (18 M. nonchromogenicum, 1 M. hiberniae, 1 M. arupense, and 1 M. chitae isolates). Conclusion: This study indicates that the PPD-positive cows in these dairy farms were infected with NTM rather than MTBC. Tuberculosis cross-infection between humans and cows on dairy farms has been well controlled in this region.
Modulating effect of vitamin D status on serum anti-adenovirus 36 antibody amount in children with obesity: National Food and Nutrition Surveillance
Authors: Nikooyeh Bahareh , Hollis Bruce , Neyestani Tirang Reza
Published: February 2020

Background. The association of ADV-36 infection and obesity has been reported in children. The objective of this study was to examine the hypothesis that the association between ADV-36 infection and adiposity may be mediated by sub-optimal vitamin D status of the host. Methods. Ninety one apparently healthy children in different weight categories (normal weight: 33, overweight: 33, obesity: 25) aged 5-18 years were randomly selected from the registered population at National Food and Nutrition Surveillance Program (NFNS). The groups were matched based on age and sex. Anthropometric, biochemical and serological assessments were performed. Results. The amount of anti-ADV36-Ab increased whereas circulating concentrations of 25(OH)D decreased across BMI categories with higher amounts in children with normal weight than in children with overweight and obesity (31.0±16.4, 22.5±10.5 and 21.9±9.8 nmol/L, respectively, p=0.004). Logistic regression analysis revealed that for each unit increment of anti-ADV36-Ab, the chance of increase in weight was 8.5 times (OR: 8.5, p=0.029). Interestingly, when 25(OH)D was introduced into the model, anti-ADV36-Ab was no longer the predictor of weight increment and the chance of increase in weight reduced 5% for each unit increase in 25(OH)D concentration (OR: 0.95, p=0.012). Conclusion. It is suggested that ADV36-induced lipogenesis may be mediated by vitamin D deficiency in children with obesity.
Growth Response of Greenhouse-Produced Muskmelon and Tomato to Sub-Surface Drip Irrigation and Soil Aeration Management Factors
Authors: Li Yuan , Niu Wenquan , Cao Xiaoshu , Zhang Mingzhi , Wang Jingwei , Zhang Zhenxing
Published: February 2020

Background: Hypoxia causes injury and yield loss. Soil aeration has been reported to accelerate the growth of plants and increase crop yield. The aim of this study was to examine growth response of greenhouse-produced muskmelon to 3 levels of sub-surface drip irrigation (I), 3 different installation depths of drip laterals in the soil (D), and 4 levels of supplemental soil aeration frequency (A). A fractional factorial experiment was designed to examine these treatment effects on marketable fresh fruit yield, leaf area index during 3 growth stages, and dry matter partitioning at harvest. In addition, we studied the response of fruit yield and dry matter of tomato to 2 levels of burial depths of subsurface tubing in combination with 3 frequency levels of soil aeration. Results: Results showed that soil aeration can positively influence the yield, leaf area index, dry matter and irrigation use efficiency of the muskmelon (p<0.05). The fruit yield of muskmelon and tomato were increased by 21.5% and 30.8% respectively with 1-d and 2-d aeration intervals compared with the no aeration treatment. Conclusions: The results suggest that soil aeration can positively impact the plant root zone environment and more benefits can be obtained with aeration for both muskmelon and tomato plants.
Downregulation of S100 Calcium Binding Protein A12 inhibits the growth of glioma cells
Authors: Lu Chunhe , Liu Jia , Yao Mingze , Li Lun , Li Guangyu
Published: February 2020

Background: S100 Calcium Binding Protein A12 (S100A12) is a member of the S100 protein family and is widely expressed in neutrophil and low expressed in lymphocytes and monocyte. However, the role of S100A12 in glioma has not yet been identified.
Methods: In the present study, we carried out immunohistochemical investigation of S100A12 in 81 glioma tissues to determine the expression of s100A12 in glioma cells, and evaluate the clinical significance of S100A12 in glioma patients. Futher we knockdown the S100A12 by ShRNA, and evaluated cell proliferation, cell migration and cell apoptosis by MTT, clony formation assay, transwell assay ,flow cytometry assa and western blot.
Results: We found that S100A12 was upregulated in tissues of glioma patients and the expression was correlated to WHO stage and tumor size. Further, we found that knockdown S100A12 inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cells through regulating cell apoptosis and EMT.
Background: S100 Calcium Binding Protein A12 (S100A12) is a member of the S100 protein family and is widely expressed in neutrophil and low expressed in lymphocytes and monocyte. However, the role of S100A12 in glioma has not yet been identified.
Methods: In the present study, we carried out immunohistochemical investigation of S100A12 in 81 glioma tissues to determine the expression of s100A12 in glioma cells, and evaluate the clinical significance of S100A12 in glioma patients. Futher we knockdown the S100A12 by ShRNA, and evaluated cell proliferation, cell migration and cell apoptosis by MTT, clony formation assay, transwell assay ,flow cytometry assa and western blot.
Results: We found that S100A12 was upregulated in tissues of glioma patients and the expression was correlated to WHO stage and tumor size. Further, we found that knockdown S100A12 inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cells through regulating cell apoptosis and EMT.
Neuropathological changes in dorsal root ganglia induced by pyridoxine in dogs
Authors: Yun Sumin , Kim Woosuk , Kang Min Soo , Kim Tae Hyeong , Kim Yoonhwan , Ahn Jin-Ok , Choi Jung Hoon , Hwang In Koo , Chung Jinyoung
Published: February 2020

Background: Pyridoxine (PDX; vitamin B 6 ), is an essential vitamin. PDX deficiency induces various symptoms, and when PDX is misused it acts as a neurotoxicant, inducing severe sensory neuropathy.

Results: To assess the possibility of creating a reversible sensory neuropathy model using dogs, 150 mg/kg of PDX was injected subcutaneously into dogs for seven days and body weight measurements, postural reaction assessments, and electrophysiological recordings were obtained. In addition, the morphology of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and changes in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactive satellite glial cells and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) immunoreactive microglia/macrophages were assessed at 1 day, 1 week, and 4 weeks after the last PDX treatment. During the administration period, body weight and proprioceptive losses occurred. One day after the last PDX treatment, electrophysiological recordings showed the absence of the H-reflex in the treated dogs. These phenomena persisted over the four post-treatment weeks, with the exception of body weight which recovered to the pre-treatment level. Staining (CV and HE) results revealed significant losses of large-sized neurons in the DRG at 1 day and 1 week after PDX treatment cessation, but the losses were recovered at 4 weeks post-treatment. The Iba-1 and GFAP immunohistochemistry results showed pronounced increases in reactive microglia/macrophage and satellite glial cell at 1 day and 1 week, respectively, after the last PDX treatment, and thereafter, immunoreactivity decreased with increasing time after PDX treatment.

Conclusions: The results suggest that PDX-induced neuropathy is reversible in dogs; thus, dogs can be considered a good experimental model for research on neuropathy.
Ten years risk assessment of Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease using Astro-CHARM and Pooled Cohort Equation in a South Asian sub-population
Authors: Ashraf Tariq , Mengal Muhammad Naeem , Muhammad Atif Sher , Tareen Asal Khan , Khan Muhammad Nauman , Kazmi Khawar , Nadeem Asif , Sarwar Shakil , Bashir Zara , Qamar Nadeem , Karim Musa
Published: February 2020

Background
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) are on the rise in low and middle-income countries attributed to modern sedentary lifestyle and dietary habits. This has led to the need of assessment of the burden of at-risk population so that prevention measures can be developed. The objective of this study was to assess ten years risk assessment of ASCVD using Astro-CHARM and Pooled Cohort Equation (PCE) in a South Asian sub-population.
Methods
A total of 386 residents of all six districts of Karachi with no ASCVD were enrolled in the study through an exponential non-discriminative referral snowball sampling technique. The inclusion criteria consisted of age 40 years or above and either gender. Study participants were enrolled after obtaining informed written consent and those study participants who were found to have either congenital heart disease or valvular heart diseases or ischemic heart disease were excluded from the study based on initial screening. For the calculation of 10 years risk of ACVD based on Astro-CHARM and PCE, the variables were obtained including medical history and coronary artery calcium and C-reactive protein measurements.
Results
Mean estimated 10-year risk of fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction or stroke as per the Astro-CHARM was 13.98±8.01%, while mean estimated 10-year risk of fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction or stroke as per the PCE was 22.26±14.01%. Based on Astro-CHARM, 11.14% of the study participants were labeled as having high risk, while PCE estimated 20.73% of study participants as having high risk of ASCVD.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that our findings showed substantial differences in ten-year risk of ASCVD between Astro-CHARM and PCE, both calculators can be used to develop a new population and specific risk estimators for this South Asian sub-population. Our study provides the first step towards developing a risk assessment guided decision-making protocol for primary prevention of ASCVD in this population.
Challenges in the cultural adaptation of the German Myeloma Patient Outcome Scale (MyPOS): an outcome measure to support routine symptom assessment in myeloma care
Authors: Gerlach Christina , Taylor Katherine , Ferner Marion , Munder Markus , Weber Martin , Ramsenthaler Christina
Published: February 2020

Background
Patients with multiple myeloma report more problems with quality of life (QoL) than other haematological malignancies over the course of their incurable illness. The patient-centred Myeloma Patient Outcome Scale (MyPOS) was developed to assess and monitor symptoms and supportive care factors in routine care. Our aim was to translate and culturally adapt the outcome measure to the German context, and to explore its face and content validity.
Methods
Translation and cultural adaptation following established guidelines used an exploratory, sequential mixed method study design. Steps included: (1) forward translation to German; (2) backward translation to English; (3) expert review; (4) focus groups with the target population (patients, family members, healthcare professionals) to achieve conceptual equivalence; (5) cognitive interviews using Tourangeau’s model with think-aloud technique to evaluate comprehension and acceptability; (6) final review. Results were analysed using thematic analysis.
Results
Cultural and linguistic differences were noted between the German and English original version. The focus groups (n = 11) and cognitive interviews (n = 9) both highlighted the need for adapting individual items and their answer options to the German healthcare context. Greater individuality regarding need for information with the right to not be informed was elaborated by patients. While the comprehensive nature of the tool was appreciated, item wording regarding satisfaction with healthcare was deemed not appropriate in the German context. Before implementation into routine care, patients‘ concerns about keeping their MyPOS data confidential need to be addressed as a barrier, whereas the MyPOS itself was perceived as a facilitator/prompt for a patient-centred discussion of QoL issues.
Conclusion
With adaptations to answer options and certain items, the German version of the MyPOS can help monitor symptoms and problems afflicting myeloma patients over the course of the disease trajectory. It can help promote a model of comprehensive supportive and patient-centred care for these patients.
3’UTR Polymorphism of Thymidylate Synthase gene increased the risk of persistence of pre-neoplastic cervical lesions
Authors: Silva Nayara Nascimento Toledo , Santos Ana Carolina Silva , Nogueira Verlândia Mendes , Carneiro Cláudia Martins , Lima Angelica Alves
Published: February 2020

Background: Cervical cancer is caused by high-risk Human Papillomavirus (hr-HPV) infection associated with cofactors that has been analyzed as predictors of the remission or persistence of cytological abnormalities remission or persistence. These cofactors can be either environmental, epigenetic, or genetic. Polymorphism in genes of enzymes that act on one-carbon metabolism alter their activity and also may be associated with cervical carcinogenesis because they affect DNA synthesis and repair, and gene expression. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the risk of persistence of pre-neoplastic cervical lesions according to genetic polymorphisms involved in one-carbon metabolism. Our sample consisted of 106 women, divided into two groups – Remission (n=60), i.e., with the presence of pre-neoplastic lesions at first meeting (T1) and normal cytology after six months of follow-up (T2), and Persistence (n=46), i.e., with the presence of pre-neoplastic lesions at T1 and T2. We obtained cervical samples for cytological analysis (T1 and T2), HPV detection (T1), and evaluation of polymorphism C667T of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR C677T), A2756G of Methionine Synthase (MS A2756G), A66G of Methionine Synthase Reductase (MTRR A66G), double or triple 28 bp tandem repeat in 5’-untranslated enhanced region of Thymidylate Synthase (TSER), and 6 bp deletion at nucleotide1494 in TS 3’-untranslated region (TS3’UTR). To analyze all genetic polymorphisms simultaneously, we calculated the Genetic Risk Score (GRS). Results: We observed no differences between the Remission and Persistence groups regarding the GRS. Also, there were no differences in the genotypic and allelic distribution of MTHFR C677T and MS A2756G polymorphisms. However, the risk of persistence was higher among women with the heterozygote genotype - ins/del [OR (IC95%): 3.22 (1.19 – 8.69), p=0.021], or the polymorphic genotype – del/del [OR (IC95%): 6.50 (1.71 – 24.70), p=0.006] of TS3’UTR. Conclusions: The presence of the TS3’UTR polymorphism increased the risk of persistence of cervical abnormalities. This genetic variant could be a potential marker of cervical carcinogenesis and therefore assist the follow-up of women with persistent pre-neoplastic cervical lesions.