bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical Kinetics of Alkaline Pretreatment of Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) Prior Enzymatic Hydrolysis
Authors: Sanni Samuel Eshorame , Akinrinola Olasubomi , Ojima Yusuf Esther , Fagbiele Omololu Oluwatobi , Agboola Oluranti
Published: May 2018

Background:

Napier grass is a naturally abundant waste material that can be cultivated over a vast area of land which makes it a viable source for sugar and bioethanol production.

Introduction:

The presence of lignin in the biomass makes cellulose inaccessible for conversion to useful products, however, in order to provide for efficient utilization of the waste material, reagent and energy, a study on the kinetics of lignin removal from Napier grass was carried out in this work using 1 and 3 w/w % NaOH at temperatures between 80 and 120°C.

Materials & Methods:

Based on the investigation, there was increased lignin removal for increased NaOH concentration. Kinetic parameters were also determined and it was observed that, the reaction of lignin in Napier grass with NaOH obeys a pseudo-zero or pseudo-fractional order kinetics. Furthermore, the orders of the reaction for the pretreatment conditions of 3 w/w% NaOH at 100°C and those of 3 and 1 w/w NaOH at 120°C gave close reaction orders of 0.2, 0.22 and 0.24 respectively after 110 minutes, which implies that, for the three cases, the residual lignin in the extract was almost the same at the pretreatment conditions while slight differences are evident in their pseudo rate constants. Also, it was observed that, the activation energy of the reaction reduced significantly as the concentration of NaOH increased from 1w/w - 3 w/w%.

Conclusion:

Based on the AIL and the total lignin (i.e.AIL + ASL) in the Napier grass, the recorded delignification efficiencies at the optimum pretreatment time of 17.5 h are 90 and 76% respectively. In addition, the adopted Differential Technique (DT) combined with the Ostwald Method of Isolation (OMI) can be accurately used to study the kinetics of lignin removal from Napier grass.
Factors Associated to Apical Root Resorption after Orthodontic Treatment
Authors: Pastro João Dalto Viganó , Nogueira Adriana Cândida Albuquerque , Salvatore de Freitas Karina Maria , Valarelli Fabricio Pinelli , Cançado Rodrigo Hermont , de Oliveira Renata Cristina Gobbi , de Oliveira Ricardo Cesar Gobbi
Published: May 2018

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess the possible factors associated to root resorption, common to daily clinical orthodontics, especially parafunctional habits.

Methods:

A retrospective study of 600 patients (308 females and 292 males) previously treated orthodontically was conducted. The sample was divided into two groups related to the degree of root resorption at the ending of treatment according to Malmgren. Group 1 comprised 507 patients with a mean initial age of 14.21 years and who had absent or mild final external root resorption, characterized by grades 0, 1 and 2 of root resorption; Group 2 comprised 93 patients with initial mean age of 14.57 years and who had moderate or severe root resorption, characterized by grade 3 and 4. The groups were then compared in terms of age at the beginning and ending of the treatment, treatment time, gender, type of treatment (with and without extractions), parafunctional habits (bruxism, onychophagia, the habit of biting objects, tongue thrusting habit and thumb sucking habit), allergies and pretreatment root resorption.

Results:

The results show that the initial age, gender, type of malocclusion, parafunctional habits and allergies do not represent a statistically significant risk of root resorption.

Conclusion:

Treatment time and type (with and without extractions) and the presence of external root resorption at the beginning of the treatment showed significant differences.
Molecular Study of Quinolone Resistance Determining Regions of gyrA Gene and parC Genes in Clinical Isolates of Acintobacter baumannii Resistant to Fluoroquinolone
Authors: Zaki Maysaa El Sayed , Abou ElKheir Nermen , Mofreh Mohamed
Published: May 2018

Introduction:

Acinetobacterb aumannii(A. baumannii) is an important pathogen in health care associated infections. Quinolone resistance has emerged in this pathogen.

Aims & Objectives:

The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of mutations ofgyrAgene andparCgenes by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Polymerase Chain Reaction (RFLP-PCR) among clinical isolates ofA. baumanii.

Materials and Methods:

The study was carried out on 140 clinical isolates ofA. baumannii. The isolates were subjected to molecular study of mutations ofgyrAgene andparCgenes by RFLP–PCR beside determination of Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) by macro dilution tube method.

Results:

The isolates ofA. baumanniiwere resistant to ciprofloxacine and levofloxacin at MIC >4 µg/ml. The most isolates had MIC >128 µg/ml (42.3%). All resistant strains to ciprofloxacin ofA. baumanniihad mutations ingyrAandparC. The most frequent mutations were combined mutations in both genes (85.5%) and 5% had single mutation either ingyrAorparC. The most frequently combined mutations were associated with MIC >128 µg/ml (42.3%).

Conclusion:

From this study we can conclude that resistance to ciprofloxacin was common in clinical isolates ofA. baumannii. The most frequent mutations were present ingyrAandparC. However, mutations inparCalone were not uncommon. Further large scale studies are required to elucidate the resistance pattern ofA. baumanniiand its molecular mechanisms.
The Effectiveness of Group Spiritual Intervention on Self-esteem and Happiness Among Men Undergoing Methadone Maintenance Treatment
Authors: Jalali Amir , Behrouzi Mahvash K. , Salari Nader , Bazrafshan Mohammad-Rafi , Rahmati Mahmoud
Published: May 2018

Background:

Drug dependence or substance use disorder not only affects a person’s life
but also brings a lot of challenges for families and communities and imposes heavy burdens on
them. There are various therapies in the domain of addiction whose main purposes are to reduce or
to cut down substance abuse.

Objective:

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of group spiritual intervention on selfesteem
and happiness among male clients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment.

Methods:

This study was an intervention study in which 60 clients affected with substance abuse and
undergoing methadone maintenance treatment were recruited. The study samples were selected
through convenience sampling method and then divided randomly into two groups of 30 individuals:
intervention and control. The intervention group attended group spiritual interventions for 10 sessions.
Self-esteem and happiness among the study participants were also measured through Coopersmith
Self-Esteem Inventory and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire before and after the intervention.

Results:

The results showed a significant difference between both intervention and control groups in
terms of self-esteem and happiness (P < 0.05); so that the participants in the intervention group demonstrated
a significant improvement in their self-esteem and happiness.

Conclusion:

It was concluded that group spiritual intervention as a useful method could be effective
in enhancing self-esteem and happiness among addicted individuals undergoing methadone maintenance
treatment. The given treatment could be also used as a complementary therapy beside methadone
maintenance treatment to reduce the likelihood of people returning to substance abuse.
Development, Characterization and Transdermal Delivery of Dapsone and an Antibiotic Entrapped in Ethanolic Liposomal Gel for the Treatment of Lapromatous Leprosy
Authors: Tiwari Ruchi , Tiwari Gaurav , Wal Pranay , Wal Ankita , Maurya Priyanka
Published: May 2018

Background and Objective:

Applying Ethosomal Gels (EGs) in transdermal drug delivery systems has evoked considerable interest because of their good water-solubility and biocompatibility. The aim of present study was to prepare and characterize ethosomes of antileprotic drug Dapsone (DAP) together with an antibiotic Cloxacillin Sodium (CLXS) which may deliver these drugs to targeted site more efficiently than marketed gel preparation of DAP and also overcome the problems related with oral administration of CLXS.

Methodology:

Ethosomes were prepared by cold method then characterized for particle size, Entrapment Efficiency (EE), zeta potential and permeation studies. Vesicular size was determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and found to be varied from 127±9.01 to 215±7.23 nm depending on the concentrations of soya lecithin and ethanol.

Results:

The average percent drug entrapment efficiency of formulations ranged between 52.31% to 73.51% and 49.07% to 71.91% for DAP and CLXS respectively. The high ethanol concentration in ethosomes has shifted the vesicular charge from positive to negative. It was observed that F1 and F2 formulations were having zeta potential of -25.08±1.03 mV and -50.11±1.97 mV respectively and do not aggregate rapidly. The drug release of ethosomes ranged from 84.68% to 96.58% and 64.89% to 84.21% for DAP and CLXS respectively. Ethosomal gel was prepared with optimized ethosome and studied for its release and physicochemical characteristics.

Conclusion:

Finally, G5 demonstrated better (p < 0.05) antileprotic effect to improve effectiveness, stability and to reduce side effects and toxicity associated with the chosen drugs in order to treat Leprosy.
Consistency of the Kaplan-Meier Estimator of the Survival Function in Competiting Risks
Authors: Njomen Didier Alain Njamen , Ngatchou Joseph Wandji
Published: May 2018

Introduction:

In this article, we only focus on the probability distributions of the breakdown time whose causes are known, and we consider a partition of the observations into subgroups according to each of the causes as defined in Njamen and Ngatchou [1]. By adapting the stochastic processes developed by Aalen [2, 3], we derive a Kaplan-Meier [4] nonparametric estimator for the survival function in competiting risks.

Result & Discussion:

In a region where there is at least one observation, we prove on one hand that this new nonparametric estimator is unbiased in competiting risk and on the other hand, using the Lenglart inequality, we establish its uniform consistency in competiting risks.
A Comparative Analysis of the Costs and Benefits of Outsourcing Vs. Insourcing Cleaning Services in a Rural Hospital in Uganda
Authors: Mujasi Paschal N , Nkosi Zerish Z
Published: May 2018

Background:

This study estimates the net cost benefit of outsourcing cleaning services in a hospital in Uganda. The aim is to demonstrate an approach that can be applied by hospital managers using readily available data to conduct a cost benefit analysis as part of pre-sourcing evaluation.

Methods:

A before and after design was used to analyze, from the hospital manager’s perspective, the impact of outsourcing cleaning services on the hospital’s costs. Cost and service quality data was collected for the pre- and post- outsourcing period. Net costs of outsourcing were determined using a total cost pre- and post-out-sourcing approach. Benefits were monetized by comparing the costs of outsourcing with the theoretical in-sourcing costs that would be required to achieve the same quality as outsourced cleaning services. The theoretical in-sourcing costs were estimated by weighting the actual insourcing costs by a quality factor based on the hospital manager’s rating of service quality pre- and post-outsourcing. The outcome measures were the net total cost and cost per square meter cleaned for a one-year period.

Results:

Before adjusting for quality, outsourcing cleaning services were more costly than insourcing, with an annual cost of UGX 644.35 ($ 0.25) and UGX 568.07 ($ 0.22) per square meter cleaned, respectively. After adjusting for quality, outsourcing is cost-beneficial, providing a cost saving of UGX 372.20 ($ 0.14) per square meter cleaned. Sensitivity analysis indicates that cost of the outsourcing contract and manager’s quality rating of outsourced services have the greatest impact on value for money from outsourcing. An annual contract cost above UGX 1000 ($ 0.38) per square meter cleaned makes outsourcing less beneficial, keeping all other factors constant. An average quality rating below 5 for the outsourced service makes outsourcing less beneficial cost wise.

Conclusion:

Outsourcing resulted in additional hospital expenditure compared to in-sourcing, but also resulted in better quality service. Adjusting for quality makes outsourcing more cost beneficial. The magnitude of the cost benefit is sensitive to the contract value and the managers’ quality rating of the outsourced services.
The modern technology are using education for adolescents
Authors: Sivalingam Dhavidan , Subbaiyan Murugan
Published: May 2018

Today’s youth have unprecedented access to modern technology and use them in expected and unexpected ways. Youth spend many hours a day using the technology, and the vast majority of them have access to Internet, cell phones, smart phone, video games and many more. Recent evidence raises concern about effects on academic performance. This chapter provides an overview of the impact of modern technology on the educational attainment of adolescents. The purpose was to examine the relationship between adolescent usage of computers and academic performance. Within the qualitative research the case study design was adopted. Interviews and focus group discussions were the primary tools used to gather data. The study found out that modern technology impacts learning both positively and negatively. Recommendations were made for parents, educationists, the media, and policy makers among others, for ways to increase the benefits and reduce the harm that technology can have for adolescents.
Interactive Teaching Methods and Learning Style
Authors: Palaniyammal R. , Lakshmi Shanmugam P.N.
Published: May 2018

Interactivity involves learning through communication, it produces a confrontation of ideas, opinions and arguments, and it creates learning situations centered on the children’s availability and willingness to cooperate, on the mutual influence within classes. Learning based on active methods represents a new trend for teachers and a new way of life for students. By means of active-participatory methods, the student is able to work with his/her colleagues so as to ensure the smooth running of the training process. The interactive teaching methods and learning style. Is one of great interest, the proof being the concern of the people within the education.
E-Learning
Authors: Pauline Chitra A. , Antoney Raj M.
Published: May 2018

Abstract E-learning presents an entirely new learning environment for students, thus requiring a different skill set to be successful (Romiszowski, 2004). Critical thinking, research, and evaluation skills are growing in importance as students have increasing volumes of information from a variety of sources to sort through (New Media Consortium, 2007). Also, particularly in courses that are entirely electronic, students are much more independent than in the traditional setting. This requires that they be highly motivated and committed to teach (Huynh et al., 2003), with less social interaction with peers or an instructor. Students in online courses tend to do as well as those in classrooms, but there is higher incidence of withdrawal or incomplete grades (Zhang, Zhou and Briggs, 2006). E- Learning can be viewed as computer assisted learning, and as pedagogy for studentcentered and collaborative learning. Early developments in e-learning focused on computer assisted learning, where part or all of the learning content is delivered digitally. More recently the pedagogical dimension of e-learning has become prominent. E-learning comprises all forms of electronically supported learning and teaching. The information and communication systems, whether networked learning or not, serve as specific media to implement the learning process.
Innovative Teaching and Learning
Authors: Kalyani D. , Rajasekaran K.
Published: May 2018

The biggest challenge any teacher faces is capturing the students’ attention, and putting across ideas in such a way that it stays with them long after they have left the classroom. For this to happen, classroom experience should be redefined and innovative ideas that make teaching learning methods more effective should be implemented. So here are some innovative ideas that will help teachers reinvent their teaching methods and make their classes interesting. The use of innovative methods in educational institutions has the potential not only to improve education, but also to empower people, strengthen governance and galvanize the effort to achieve the human development goal for the country. The purpose of this paper is to suggest useful innovative teaching methods which could easily be imparted knowledge to the students.
Interactive teaching strategies
Authors: Senthamarai S.
Published: May 2018

A new quality of learning and teaching in general, is an absolute priority for education. The teachers are not only sources of information, they are also meant to lead managers and teaching so as to develop the interaction among students and training/development of key social personality traits. The students want to understand natural phenomena, to know scientific truths and to acquire knowledge to be applied in practice and for these reasons they are dissatisfied by the traditional education. The teachers and students, in most universities that have used the traditional lecture in courses, have revealed the limited effectiveness in both teaching and learning. The teacher must use methods to encourage discovery learning, heuristic and research methods. Dynamic and communicative teaching methods, also called interactive teaching methods, constitute the basic elements of a recently developed process to motivate learning, so that the students and future engineers develop a critical position about the taught content. Using interactive techniques and strategies, the students become more engaged in learning; retain more information, thus becoming more satisfied.
Modern methods of teaching
Authors: Namitha C.
Published: May 2018

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the traditional methods of teaching as well as multimedia teaching and to suggest other useful teaching methods that can be attempted in imparting knowledge to the students. Basically teaching must include two major components sending and receiving information. Ultimately, a teacher tries his best to impart knowledge as the way he understood it. So, any communication methods that serve this purpose without destroying the objective could be considered as innovative methods of teaching. The use of innovative methods in educational institutions has the potential not only to improve education, but also to empower people, strengthen governance and galvanize the effort to achieve the human development goal for the country.
Consumer Health Search on the Web: Study of Web Page Understandability and Its Integration in Ranking Algorithms (Preprint)
Authors: Palotti Joao , Zuccon Guido , Hanbury Allan
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Understandability plays a key role in ensuring that people accessing health information are capable of gaining insights that can assist them with their health concerns and choices. The access to unclear or misleading information has been shown to negatively impact the health decisions of the general public.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate methods to estimate the understandability of health Web pages and use these to improve the retrieval of information for people seeking health advice on the Web.

METHODS

Our investigation considered methods to automatically estimate the understandability of health information in Web pages, and it provided a thorough evaluation of these methods using human assessments as well as an analysis of preprocessing factors affecting understandability estimations and associated pitfalls. Furthermore, lessons learned for estimating Web page understandability were applied to the construction of retrieval methods, with specific attention to retrieving information understandable by the general public.

RESULTS

We found that machine learning techniques were more suitable to estimate health Web page understandability than traditional readability formulae, which are often used as guidelines and benchmark by health information providers on the Web (larger difference found for Pearson correlation of .602 using gradient boosting regressor compared with .438 using Simple Measure of Gobbledygook Index with the Conference and Labs of the Evaluation Forum eHealth 2015 collection).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings reported in this paper are important for specialized search services tailored to support the general public in seeking health advice on the Web, as they document and empirically validate state-of-the-art techniques and settings for this domain application.
Are Patient Decision Aids Effective in Decreasing Antibiotic Prescription for Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections During General Practice and Emergency Department Encounters: A Systematic Review Protocol (Preprint)
Authors: Ramasamy Shiva , Gilani Ali , Alshurafa Mohamad , Phillip Leesa , De Silva Janath
Published: May 2018

UNSTRUCTURED

ABSTRACT
Background
Antibiotic resistance is a global issue that has a significant impact on patient morbidity and mortality. Evidence exists within the general practice and the emergency department setting to suggest that antimicrobial overuse is a significant contributor to resistance. Upper respiratory tract infections are a group of conditions for which antibiotics may be inappropriately prescribed. Patient decision aids are tools allowing for shared decision making between clinician and patient, incorporating patient values and the latest evidence into the decision of whether to prescribe antibiotics or not.
Objectives
To determine if patient decision aids are effective in decreasing antibiotic prescription for acute upper respiratory tract infections during general practice and emergency department encounters, and to comment on the depth of literature available in this field.
Methods and Analysis
We have established a protocol for a systematic review to assess the efficacy of patient decision aids in reducing antibiotic prescription for upper respiratory tract infections in general practices and emergency departments. A set of inclusion criteria has been established. We will include systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials only. A search strategy was formed and will be used in the Medline, Embase, ScienceDirect and Cochrane databases as well as sources of unpublished literature. Primary and secondary outcomes will focus on immediate and longer-term antibiotic prescription rate and patient decision aid efficacy. We have established a literature screening process and criteria for quantitative synthesis. Literature screening and study quality assessment will be carried out by two independent and blinded reviewers. We will use a single data extraction protocol.
Results
We are yet to start any formal data collection or analysis but have secured funding from Mackay Institute of Research and Innovation.
Ethics and Dissemination
It was decided that this systematic review protocol did not require ethical approval. Study sponsors will be communicated with regularly regarding the study, which will be published in a journal in the relevant field. Any updates to the protocol will be published as required.
Registration
Prospero registration number: CRD42017069598

Keywords
Patient decision aid; Shared decision making; Upper respiratory tract infection; Antibiotic prescription; General practice; Emergency department
Conceptualization and Implementation of the Central Information Portal on Rare Diseases: Protocol for a Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Litzkendorf Svenja , Hartz Tobias , Göbel Jens , Storf Holger , Pauer Frédéric , Babac Ana , Lührs Verena , Bruckner-Tuderman Leena , Schauer Franziska , Schmidtke Jörg , Biehl Lisa , Wagner TOF , Graf von der Schulenburg J-Matthias , Frank Martin
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Recently, public and political interest has focused on people living with rare diseases and their health concerns. Due to the large number of different types of rare diseases and the sizable number of patients, taking action to improve the life of those affected is gaining importance. In 2013, the federal government of Germany adopted a national action plan for rare diseases, including the call to establish a central information portal on rare diseases (Zentrales Informationsportal über seltene Erkrankungen, ZIPSE).

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study, therefore, was to conduct scientific research on how such a portal must be designed to meet the needs of patients, their families, and medical professionals, and to provide high-quality information for information seekers.

METHODS

We chose a 3-step procedure to develop a needs-based prototype of a central information portal. In the first step, we determined the information needs of patients with rare diseases, their relatives, and health care professionals by means of qualitative interviews and their content-analytical evaluation. On the basis of this, we developed the basic structure of the portal. In the second step, we identified quality criteria for websites on rare diseases to ensure that the information linked with ZIPSE meets the quality demands. Therefore, we gathered existing criteria catalogs and discussed them in an expert workshop. In the third step, we implemented and tested the developed prototypical information portal.

RESULTS

A portal page was configured and made accessible on the Web. The structure of ZIPSE was based on the findings from 108 qualitative interviews with patients, their relatives, and health care professionals, through which numerous information needs were identified. We placed particularly important areas of information, such as symptoms, therapy, research, and advisory services, on the start page. Moreover, we defined 13 quality criteria, referring to factors such as author information, creation date, and privacy, enabling links with high-quality information. Moreover, 19 users tested all the developed routines based on usability and comprehensibility. Subsequently, we improved the visual presentation of search results and other important search functions.

CONCLUSIONS

The implemented information portal, ZIPSE, provides high-quality information on rare diseases from a central point of access. By integrating the targeted groups as well as different experts on medical information during the construction, the website can assure an improved search for information for users. ZIPSE can also serve as a model for other Web-based information systems in the field of rare diseases.

REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER

RR1-10.2196/7425
A PERCEPÇÃO DOS COLABORADORES E GESTORES DE UMA AGÊNCIA DE UMA INSTITUIÇÃO FINANCEIRA LOCALIZADA NO INTERIOR DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL QUANTO À APLICAÇÃO DE FEEDBACK
Authors: Castro Michelle Bayer Leonhardt , Schneider Evania
Published: May 2018

Uma preocupação presente na rotina das empresas está ligada com a retenção de seus colaboradores. Vistos como peças chave para o sucesso organizacional, elas estão progressivamente incluindo como prática gerencial a manutenção de uma comunicação mais próxima entre líderes e liderados, sendo o feedback uma das formas utilizadas para essa finalidade. Este estudo tem por objetivo identificar a percepção dos colaboradores e dos gestores de uma agência de uma Instituição Financeira localizada no interior do Rio Grande do Sul quanto à aplicação de feedback. A metodologia utilizada foi a abordagem qualitativa, sendo o estudo classificado como descritivo e exploratório. A pesquisa identificou que a agência possui um grupo de colaboradores preocupados com seu desempenho, considerando o feedback uma importante ferramenta de comunicação que aproxima gestores e colaboradores. Esse fator demonstra de maneira positiva que o feedback deve ser mantido e aprimorado na agência. Percebeu-se, ainda, que existem opiniões divergentes acerca do formato de execução do feedback, fator que demonstra a necessidade de um bom preparo por parte dos gestores para personalizar sua forma de abordagem junto aos seus colaboradores no momento do feedback.
DESAFIOS DAS MULHERES EM CARGOS DE LIDERANÇA
Authors: Da Silva Fernanda Borges , Berrá Lizete
Published: May 2018

Os desafios profissionais das mulheres fazem parte do seu cotidiano. O estudo contempla a gestão e liderança feminina, estabelecendo relação com os cargos das mulheres nas empresas. Os objetivos consistem em verificar o perfil das respondentes, identificar a amplitude administrativa das gestoras, verificar se a empresa possui um plano de cargos e salários, averiguar quais as maiores dificuldades enfrentadas no desempenho de suas funções e identificar de que modo às gestoras têm buscado sanar essas dificuldades. A pesquisa foi qualitativa, exploratória e com a técnica da entrevista survey. Os sujeitos da pesquisa foram dez mulheres que atuam em cargos de liderança. Quanto ao perfil das respondentes, todas estão estudando ou já tem formação, e continuam buscando conhecimento de suas áreas. O grupo 1 possui tempo médio de mandato de 10 anos e o grupo 2 de 3 anos e 2 meses. A quantidade de liderados varia de 2 a 165 pessoas, tendo predominância de mulheres. Quanto a plano de cargos e salários, quatro empresas possuem e seis não. Os desafios são: dificuldade de encontrar profissionais qualificados no mercado, as novidades que surgem no dia a dia, atualizações, receio da nova área, mudança de cargo, gestão e motivação das pessoas. Constatou-se que as gestoras têm buscado sanar essas dificuldades com boa vontade, dedicação, equilíbrio, entre outros aspectos que auxiliam na liderança nas empresas.
DEMONSTRAÇÃO DO PERTENCIMENTO DO POVO GAÚCHO ATRAVÉS DO CONSUMO DE MODA CONTEMPORÂNEA
Authors: Hauschild Raquel
Published: May 2018

Este estudo tem como objetivo compreender o papel da moda contemporânea no processo de demonstração de sentimento de pertencimento do povo gaúcho. Para esse fim, foi conduzida uma pesquisa de natureza exploratória e qualitativa, por meio de entrevistas em profundidade junto a vinte e um consumidores que apresentavam algum tipo de envolvimento ou capacidade de reflexão crítica em relação à cultura gaúcha, ao uso e percepção da moda contemporânea como uma forma de expressão. A análise dos resultados apontou que os entrevistados em sua maioria entendem que ao vestir uma roupa contemporânea com referências à cultura gaúcha, estarão demonstrando o seu sentimento de pertencimento. Porém, as pessoas ligadas ao Movimento Tradicionalista Gaúcho entendem que esta é uma forma de desrespeitar a cultura tradicional gaúcha, resistindo, mesmo que parcialmente, à ideia de associar uma moda mais contemporânea à tradição gaúcha. Assim, conclui-se que a moda contemporânea é uma forma emergente de expressão do pertencimento à cultura gaúcha por parte de consumidores que não demonstram apego ao tradicionalismo, mas buscam igualmente manifestar o seu pertencimento local.
Differences between Quine’s and Gibson’s interpretations of the naturalized epistemology project: Consequences of Gibson’s naturalism
Authors: Bogdanovic Milos
Published: May 2018

In this paper we will try to point out differencies between Quine?s and
Gibson?s interpretation of the naturalized epistemology project. Namely,
although his claim is that genetic approach which Quine advocated is the
best strategy there is to investigate the relation between evidence and
theory, and that externalizing of empiricism that it requires is one of
Quine?s major philosophical contributions, apart from the fact that they
would be in conflict with some strongly held intuitions, we think that
assumptions on which Gibson?s project is based would have to be essentially
different from Quine?s. In other words, contrary to Quine?s position within
which we have possibility of staying on more moderate, and in our opinion,
more plausible bihavioristic line of approach, we will try to show that one
of the consequences of Gibson?s interpretation is that in Gibson?s case,
that possibility is ruled out. On the other hand, this should enable us to
draw some more radical conclusions about the nature of Quine?s
epistemological project.
Factors predicting rehabilitation outcome in patients after unilateral transtibial amputation due to peripheral vascular disease
Authors: Majstorovic Biljana , Pesta Mladen
Published: May 2018

Background/Aim. The primary rehabilitation in the prosthetic phase after amputation of lower extremities is of great importance for the improvement of the activities of daily living (ADLs) of persons with amputation and their successful social reintegration. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of independent predictors (age, gender, duration of rehabilitation, time between the amputation and the mounting of the prosthesis) on the success of the primary rehabilitation in the prosthetic phase after amputation of lower extremities. Methods. This retrospective clinical study included patients who underwent the primary rehabilitation in the prosthetic phase at the Institute for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation ?Dr Miroslav Zotovic?, Banja Luka, in 2015. A total of 75 patients with unilateral transtibial amputation were included. Etiologically, these transtibial amputations occurred as a consequence of vascular complications of diabetes mellitus or peripheral occlusive arterial disease. Evaluation of the success of rehabilitation was performed at the end of the primary rehabilitation in the prosthetic phase and 3 months after the end of the treatment by means of K-levels classification system and Locomotor Capabilities Index (LCI) scale. Depending on the distribution of data, univariate and multivariate multiple regression analysis, post hoc Mann-Whitney test, Spearman?s correlation coefficient and Wilcoxon test were used for statistical analysis. Statistical significance of the found differences was set at p < 0.05. Results. A total of 75 patients, 55 (73.33%) men and 20 (26.67%) women, were included in this clinical trial. Average age of all participants was 63.5 ? 9.06 years, 61.8 ? 9.34 years for males and 68.1 ? 6.4 for females (p < 0.01). Average duration of rehabilitation was 27.69 ? 7.39 days in men and 33.9 ? 6.89 days in women (p < 0.01). Male patients had better functional results compared to females obtained by all analysed outcome measures (p < 0.01). Younger patients achieved better results, with the degree of statistical significance ranging between p < 0.05 and p < 0.001. The time from the amputation to the mounting of prosthesis and the duration of rehabilitation had no influence on the rehabilitation outcome. Conclusion. The present study identified age and gender of patients as relevant independent predictors of the success of rehabilitation. Although it was initially expected, this clinical trial did not prove the importance of the time from the amputation to the start of the primary rehabilitation in the prosthetic phase. In the future research other independent predictive factors, such as comorbidities, first and foremost cardiovascular diseases, medication, laboratory parameters and mental status, should be taken into account.
Dental aspects of purging bulimia
Authors: Manevski Jovana , Stojsin Ivana , Vukoje Karolina , Jankovic Ognjenka
Published: May 2018

vomiting, which in long term can result in irreversible loss of dental tissue, most commonly manifested as dental erosion. Frequent purging, xerostomia, lack of oral hygiene and acidic environment are also suitable for caries development. The aim of the research was to determine the presence, localization and degree of dental erosion using Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) index system, as well as to determine the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index in purging bulimic patients. Methods. The study involved 30 purging bulimic patients and 30 healthy subjects. Used methods were survey (questionnaire) and clinical examination. The clinical examination included intraoral inspection and assessment of dental status using BEWE and DMFT index. Results. On the bases of conducted research, it has been found that dental erosion are significantly more often present in purging bulimics compared to the controls (?2 = 5.963, p < 0.05), that eroded lesions are more severe in the bulimic group (t = 3.925, p < 0.05) and predominantly located on oral surfaces of the teeth (?2 = 10.561, p < 0.05). DMFT index values showed no significant difference between bulimic patients and controls (t = 0.741, p = 0.461). Conclusion. Dental erosion are often encountered in patients suffering purging bulimia, especially on oral surfaces of anterior teeth that come into direct contact with gastric acid, so many bulimics exhibit high values of erosive tooth wear on mentioned surfaces. DMFT index score did not show significant differences compared to healthy participants, but due to complexity of carious process further investigation is necessary.
Balloon coronary angioplasty and parenteral antiplatelet therapy for intraoperative myocardial infarction during general surgery: An attempt to balance benefits and risks - a case report
Authors: Neskovic Vojislava , Obradovic Slobodan , Popadic Ana , Nikolic Nenad , Stamenkovic Dusica , Kostic Zoran
Published: May 2018

Introduction. Cardiovascular complications remain one of the major risk factors for perioperative morbidity and bad outcome in non-cardiac surgery patients. Here we report a case of the patient suffering intraoperative ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) promptly treated with percutaneous balloon angioplasty and intravenous antiplatelet agents. Case report. A 62-year-old man, without previous history of cardiovascular morbidity, developed STEMI during abdominal surgery. Due to profound hypotension with mean arterial pressure of less than 40 mmHg, surgery was promptly ended and patient transferred to intensive care unit. Within one hour after the end of the surgery, coronary angiography and successful balloon angioplasty of occluded right coronary artery were performed. Tirofiban infusion was started in recommended dose. Developed hemodynamic instability was related to hypovolemia and excessive drainage, reaching 1,500 mL of blood in the following 15 hours. The following morning, drainage persisted (additional 600 mL of blood) which resulted in profound hypotension (65/40 mmHg). Overall, the patient received 1,970 mL of blood, 6 doses of thrombocytes and 840 mL of fresh frozen plasma. All together, the patient had a favorable outcome, despite the occurrence of bleeding complications and hemodynamic instability. Conclusion. The choice of treatment strategy for patients suffering perioperative STEMI during major non-cardiac surgery is challenging. After major non-cardiac surgery, characterized by both high bleeding risk and high risk of stent thrombosis, balloon angioplasty instead of stenting along with parenteral antiplatelet treatment may be a fair therapeutic choice. Clinical choices have to be made individually, according to the weighted risks and benefits.
Immunohistochemical expression of androgen receptors in prostate carcinoma and benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Trivunic-Dajko Sandra , Bogdanovic Jovo , Fejsa-Levakov Aleksandra , Zivojinov Mirjana , Djolai Matilda
Published: May 2018

Background/Aim. Prostate carcinoma (PCa) and its parent organ are influenced by hormones, which is used for therapeutic purposes. Through androgen receptors (AR) androgens influence cell growth and function, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, lipid metabolism and secretory activity of the prostate, as well as development and progression of PCa. An antiandrogen therapy is carried out in patients with metastatic PCa, in order to block effects of androgens. By conducting immunohistochemical analysis of androgen receptors in the PCa tissue, we can assume how the tumour will react to an administered antiandrogen therapy, both in androgen-positive and androgen-negative, resistant tumours. Knowledge of the presence of AR in the tumour tissue may serve as a prognostic indicator in histopathological analysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of AR in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and in those with PCa, before therapy. Methods. Immunohistochemical analysis was carried out by using anti-human AR monoclonal antibody AR441 (DAKO), and presence and intensity of AR were semi-quantitatively evaluated in 195 patients, 165 with BPH and 30 with PCa. Material for analysis was obtained by needle biopsy or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Results. All secretory cells in patients with BPH were intensively androgen positive, while in patients with PCa they were mostly moderately to highly positive, but with foci of negativity. The observed negative correlation between AR and Gleason score and the International Society of Urologic Pathology (ISUP) grade group of PCa was not statistically significant. Conclusion. Study results indicate that PCa, before therapy, is androgen-dependent, with a high level of AR expression.
Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of curly dock (Rumex crispus L., Polygonaceae) fruit extract
Authors: Cebovic Tatjana , Jakovljevic Dunja , Maksimovic Zoran , Djordjevic Snezana , Jakovljevic Sanja , Cetojevic-Simin Dragana
Published: May 2018

Background/Aim. Congenital malformations still represent one of the most important causes of prenatal and infant death. The study aim was to analyze occurrence, outcomes and risk factors of different types of congenital anomalies. Methods. The study included all pregnant women directed to Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade due to prenatally diagnosed congenital fetal anomalies during past ten years (January 1, 2008?December 31, 2017). Upon admission to our Clinic a detailed general medical and obstetrical history were taken from every patient. All women underwent genetic testing. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance were diagnostic methods for fetal malformations confirmation. Results. The study included 773 pregnant women aged from 18 to 46 years. Out of registered nine different groups of fetal anomalies/malformations, the most common were malformations of the central nervous system, while majority of fetuses had combined multiple anomalies. Genetic cause for congenital anomalies was present in 25.2% of pregnancies. Medical pregnancy abortion was performed in 71.8% of cases. Only 10.2% of pregnancies ended in term. The best outcome for children was obtained in case of gastrointestinal anomalies (52% live born). Contrary, only one child with neck and thorax malformations could be saved. According to logistic regression the most important predictor of having a child with combined multiple anomalies was mother?s age, while predictor of central nervous system anomalies was gestational diabetes. The significant predictor of genetic anomalies was mother?s age. Conclusion. In our sample neurological congenital anomalies were the most common, although abnormalities of all organ systems were registered. Majority of pregnancies had to be discontinued due to combined multiple anomalies caused by genetic disorders. Older mother?s age and diabetes can imply on the increased risk for fetal malformations.
Skeletal changes in patients with mandibular prognathism after mandibular set back and bimaxillary surgery: A comparative cephalometric study
Authors: Sinobad Vladimir , Strajnic Ljiljana , Sinobad Tamara
Published: May 2018

Bacground/Aim. Recently, maxillary and bimaxillary surgery gained the primacy in the surgical correction of class III deformities. The aim of this investigation was to compare the changes in the skeletal relationships in patients with mandibular prognathism after bimaxillary surgery. Methods. The study included 70 subjects divided into three groups. Twenty class III patients of the experimental group 1 underwent bilateral sagittal ramus osteotomy and twenty patients of the experimental group 2 were subjected to bimaxillary surgery. The control group consisted of 30 subjects with skeletal class I and physiological occlusion. Cephalometric research was conducted on 110 lateral cephalometric radiographs made in subjects of the experimental groups 1 and 2 before and after surgery and in subjects of the control group. Using the computer program ?Dr. Ceph?, 30 linear and angular skeletal variables were analyzed on each radiograph. Results. Bimaxillary osteotomies changed most of variables that characterize the mandibular prognathism. The changes in the sagittal plane included the significant increase of sella-nasion to the A point (SNA) angle (by 4? on the average) and the A point to B point (ANB) angle (6?), and significant reduction in angles sellanasion to the B point (SNB) (3?), gonial angle (ArGoMe) (8?), gonial angle inferior (NGoMe) (6.2?), and Bj?rks sum (7?). The vertical relationships were normalized by significant reduction in overall anterior face height N-Me (by 5 mm on the average), the lower anterior face height ANS-Me (4 mm), significant increase in the total posterior face height S-Go (2.5?3 mm), lower posterior face height PNS-Go (4 mm), and significant reduction of the basal and mandibular plane angles. Conclusion. Compared to the isolated mandibular operations, bimaxillary surgery changes more efficiently the sagittal and vertical skeletal relations in patients with class III deformities and harmonizes more successfully the entire skeletal facial profile.
Congenital anomalies: Occurrence and potential risk factors
Authors: Pavlovic Ivan , Plecas Darko , Plesinac Snezana , Dotlic Jelena , Stojanovic Nemanja
Published: May 2018

Background/Aim: Congenital malformations still represent one of the most
important causes of prenatal and infant death. The study goal was to analyze
occurrence and outcomes of different types of congenital anomalies from the
tertiary referral center during a ten-year period. Moreover, study aimed at
examining potential predictors of congenital anomalies based on patients?
characteristics and medical history data. Methods: Study included all
pregnant women directed to Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinical
Center of Serbia due to prenatally diagnosed congenital fetal anomalies
during past ten years. Upon admission to our clinic a detailed general
medical and obstetrical history were taken from every patient. All women
underwent genetic testing. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance were
diagnostic methods for fetal malformations confirmation. Results: Study
included 773 pregnant women aged from 18 to 46 years. Out of registered nine
different groups of fetal anomalies/malformations, the most common were
malformations of the central nervous system, while majority of fetuses had
combined multiple anomalies. Genetic cause for congenital anomalies was
present in 25.2% of pregnancies. Medical pregnancy abortion was performed in
71.8% of cases. Only 10.2% of pregnancies ended in term. The best outcome
for children was obtained in case of gastrointestinal anomalies (52%
live-born). Contrary only one child with neck and thorax malformations could
be saved. According to logistic regression the most important predictor of
having a child with combined multiple anomalies was mother?s age, while
predictor of central nervous system anomalies was gestational diabetes. The
significant predictor of genetic anomalies was mother?s age. Conclusion: In
our sample neurological congenital anomalies were the most common, although
abnormalities of all organ systems were registered. Majority of pregnancies
had to be discontinued due to combined multiple anomalies caused by genetic
disorders. Older mother?s age and diabetes can imply on the increased risk
for fetal malformations.