cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5930863.v1
title: Use of simplified geometrical models of a cornea for optimization purposes

description: Abstract Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is an artificial intelligence technique (AI) that can be used to find approximate solutions to numerical problems of maximization and minimization. In this study, it was used a PSO algorithm to compare displacements from human cornea sample subjected to internal pressure of 45 mmHg with Results of numerical simulations were provided which identified optimized values for hyperelastic properties of the cornea (µ and α). By means of the results from numerical simulations via inverse analysis by the Finite Element Method (FEM), in conjunction with the PSO algorithm, optimized values of µ = 0.047 and α = 106.7 were found. When compared with optimized results from commercial software, errors around 0.15% were found. Results showed that, varying the values of particle inertia coefficients in the PSO algorithm, simulated displacements have improved when compared to experimental data. This demonstrates the potential use of PSO algorithm in conjunction with the FEM inverse analysis for hyperelastic materials characterization, using simplified geometrical models
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5930860
title: Vitality of lichens under different light climates in an Araucaria forest (Pró-Mata RS, South Brazil) as determined by chlorophyll fluorescence

description: ABSTRACT The vitality of 64 lichen species (107 individual lichen thalli) growing under different light climates in an Araucaria forest in South Brazil was analyzed by chlorophyll fluorescence. Study sites were grouped according to their local light availability under full sunlight (about 2200 µmol m-2 s-1): 1 = low light, up to 20 µmol m-2 s-1; 2 = medium light, 20 to 100 µmol m-2 s-1; and 3 = high light, more than 100 µmol m-2 s-1. Maximum quantum yield of photosystem II, as shown by Fv/Fm of dark-adapted samples, was mainly between 0.3 and 0.7, with extremes of below 0.1 and up to 0.85. On average, yields were highest with low light availability (0.66). Groups 1 and 2 were not significantly different from each other, but groups 1 and 3, as well as groups 2 and 3 were. After dark adaptation, lichens were exposed to different light intensities by means of a chlorophyll fluorometer. The results show that low light-adapted lichens exhibit the highest sensitivity to excess light, as was also indicated by the data for non-photochemical quenching. Thus, shade-adapted lichens are obviously well protected from possible damage caused by excess light, which is important when exposed to sun flecks.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5930860.v1
title: Vitality of lichens under different light climates in an Araucaria forest (Pró-Mata RS, South Brazil) as determined by chlorophyll fluorescence

description: ABSTRACT The vitality of 64 lichen species (107 individual lichen thalli) growing under different light climates in an Araucaria forest in South Brazil was analyzed by chlorophyll fluorescence. Study sites were grouped according to their local light availability under full sunlight (about 2200 µmol m-2 s-1): 1 = low light, up to 20 µmol m-2 s-1; 2 = medium light, 20 to 100 µmol m-2 s-1; and 3 = high light, more than 100 µmol m-2 s-1. Maximum quantum yield of photosystem II, as shown by Fv/Fm of dark-adapted samples, was mainly between 0.3 and 0.7, with extremes of below 0.1 and up to 0.85. On average, yields were highest with low light availability (0.66). Groups 1 and 2 were not significantly different from each other, but groups 1 and 3, as well as groups 2 and 3 were. After dark adaptation, lichens were exposed to different light intensities by means of a chlorophyll fluorometer. The results show that low light-adapted lichens exhibit the highest sensitivity to excess light, as was also indicated by the data for non-photochemical quenching. Thus, shade-adapted lichens are obviously well protected from possible damage caused by excess light, which is important when exposed to sun flecks.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5930851
title: Bayesian analysis of high-resolution ultrasonography and guided fine needle aspiration cytology in diagnosis of palpable thyroid nodules

description: Abstract Introduction To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of high-resolution ultrasonography in differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules in comparison to results of guided fine needle aspiration cytology based on the Bayes rule. Objective To assess the validity of ultrasonography results of thyroid nodules in comparison to guided fine needle aspiration cytology findings. Methods This study was done on randomly chosen 80 patients presented with palpable thyroid nodules, undergone real-time sonographic evaluation of thyroid nodules to characterize features, internal consistency, margins, echotexture, calcification, peripheral lucent halo and vascularity. Ultrasonography guided fine needle aspiration cytology studies of thyroid nodules were done. Results Palpable thyroid nodules were highly prevalent in fourth and fifth decades of life with female-male ratio, 4:1. Solid internal consistency was demonstrated by 75% malignant nodules. Hypoechogenicity and intra-nodular micro-calcifications were observed in 92% malignant nodules; 83% malignant nodules had intra-nodular vascularity and absence of peripheral halo. The pre-test prevalence of malignant nodules in the targeted population was 17.5%. As type I error, 2.5% false-positive cases and as type II error, 5.0% false-negative cases were detected. Values of sensitivity and specificity of the ultrasonography test were 71.43 and 96.97%, respectively. Conclusion Malignant thyroid nodules demonstrated ultrasonography characteristics of hypoechoic texture, intra-nodular micro-calcifications, solid consistency, internal vascularity and absence of peripheral halo. The ultrasonography test has 92.5% diagnostic accuracy to differentiate malignant from benign lesions in comparison to the gold standard fine needle aspiration cytology test.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5930851.v1
title: Bayesian analysis of high-resolution ultrasonography and guided fine needle aspiration cytology in diagnosis of palpable thyroid nodules

description: Abstract Introduction To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of high-resolution ultrasonography in differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid nodules in comparison to results of guided fine needle aspiration cytology based on the Bayes rule. Objective To assess the validity of ultrasonography results of thyroid nodules in comparison to guided fine needle aspiration cytology findings. Methods This study was done on randomly chosen 80 patients presented with palpable thyroid nodules, undergone real-time sonographic evaluation of thyroid nodules to characterize features, internal consistency, margins, echotexture, calcification, peripheral lucent halo and vascularity. Ultrasonography guided fine needle aspiration cytology studies of thyroid nodules were done. Results Palpable thyroid nodules were highly prevalent in fourth and fifth decades of life with female-male ratio, 4:1. Solid internal consistency was demonstrated by 75% malignant nodules. Hypoechogenicity and intra-nodular micro-calcifications were observed in 92% malignant nodules; 83% malignant nodules had intra-nodular vascularity and absence of peripheral halo. The pre-test prevalence of malignant nodules in the targeted population was 17.5%. As type I error, 2.5% false-positive cases and as type II error, 5.0% false-negative cases were detected. Values of sensitivity and specificity of the ultrasonography test were 71.43 and 96.97%, respectively. Conclusion Malignant thyroid nodules demonstrated ultrasonography characteristics of hypoechoic texture, intra-nodular micro-calcifications, solid consistency, internal vascularity and absence of peripheral halo. The ultrasonography test has 92.5% diagnostic accuracy to differentiate malignant from benign lesions in comparison to the gold standard fine needle aspiration cytology test.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5930848
title: Intratympanic steroid injection and hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of refractory sudden hearing loss

description: Abstract Introduction Controversy surrounds the use of salvage therapies to treat sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), with no consensus on recommendations. While several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of intratympanic administration of steroids (ITS) and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment, few have compared the efficacy of ITS and HBO therapy in patients with refractory SSNHL. Objective We evaluated the efficiency of ITS and HBO therapy in patients with refractory SSNHL. Methods Patients who did not adequately benefit from systemic treatment were evaluated retrospectively. Refractory patients were defined as those who gained less than 20 dB in hearing after initial treatment. All refractory patients were informed about salvage therapy options: ITS or HBO therapy, the advantages and disadvantages of which were explained briefly. ITS involved 4 mg/mL dexamethasone administered through a 25 gauge needle. Patients underwent HBO therapy in a hyperbaric chamber where they breathed 100% oxygen for 120 min at 2.5 atmospheric pressure. The hearing levels of both groups were evaluated before the salvage therapy and at 3 months after treatment. Improvements in hearing were evaluated according to the Furahashi criteria. We also compared the two therapies in terms of speech discrimination scores (SDSs) and the recovery of all frequencies. Results The salvage therapies generated similar results. Changes in pure tone averages and SDSs were similar for ITS and HBO therapy (p = 0.364 and p = 0.113). Comparison of SDSs and hearing thresholds at all frequencies showed similar levels of improvement. Conclusion ITS and HBO therapy produced similar improvements in SSNHL patients, but the sample size was too small to draw definitive conclusions. Further randomized controlled studies are needed to identify the best therapy for patients with refractory sudden hearing loss.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5930848.v1
title: Intratympanic steroid injection and hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of refractory sudden hearing loss

description: Abstract Introduction Controversy surrounds the use of salvage therapies to treat sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), with no consensus on recommendations. While several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of intratympanic administration of steroids (ITS) and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment, few have compared the efficacy of ITS and HBO therapy in patients with refractory SSNHL. Objective We evaluated the efficiency of ITS and HBO therapy in patients with refractory SSNHL. Methods Patients who did not adequately benefit from systemic treatment were evaluated retrospectively. Refractory patients were defined as those who gained less than 20 dB in hearing after initial treatment. All refractory patients were informed about salvage therapy options: ITS or HBO therapy, the advantages and disadvantages of which were explained briefly. ITS involved 4 mg/mL dexamethasone administered through a 25 gauge needle. Patients underwent HBO therapy in a hyperbaric chamber where they breathed 100% oxygen for 120 min at 2.5 atmospheric pressure. The hearing levels of both groups were evaluated before the salvage therapy and at 3 months after treatment. Improvements in hearing were evaluated according to the Furahashi criteria. We also compared the two therapies in terms of speech discrimination scores (SDSs) and the recovery of all frequencies. Results The salvage therapies generated similar results. Changes in pure tone averages and SDSs were similar for ITS and HBO therapy (p = 0.364 and p = 0.113). Comparison of SDSs and hearing thresholds at all frequencies showed similar levels of improvement. Conclusion ITS and HBO therapy produced similar improvements in SSNHL patients, but the sample size was too small to draw definitive conclusions. Further randomized controlled studies are needed to identify the best therapy for patients with refractory sudden hearing loss.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5930842
title: Study of the prevalence of uveitis in a tertiary ophthalmology hospital in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil

description: ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the prevalence of uveitis in patients treated at a tertiary ophthalmic service in Teresina, Piauí State, Brazil. Methods: This was a retrospective study based on medical records of patients treated at this service. Sex, age, origin, underlying diseases, anatomical diagnosis, clinical aspects and progression time were described. Results: 403 records were included, noting that 3.2 out of every 1,000 patients treated at the service had uveitis.The average age of patients was 42 years old, with both sexes (50.6% females and 49.4% males) affected similarly, and with 61.5% coming from the state capital, Teresina. The most common underlying disease was toxoplasmosis, followed by idiopathic uveitis with ocular manifestations only. As to the anatomical classification, 49.6% of them were posterior and only 3.5% were intermediate. Regarding the clinical aspects, 64% were granulomatous, 24.8% non-granulomatous, and 11.2% were not classifiable. According to the clinical progression, 41.4% were acute, followed by 30.8% chronic, 14.4% recurrent cases, and 13.4% of patients did not return for medical care. Conclusion: we found that for every 1,000 patients treated at the service, 3.2 had uveitis, with toxoplasmosis itself found to be an important source of uveitis.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5930842.v1
title: Study of the prevalence of uveitis in a tertiary ophthalmology hospital in Teresina, Piauí, Brazil

description: ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the prevalence of uveitis in patients treated at a tertiary ophthalmic service in Teresina, Piauí State, Brazil. Methods: This was a retrospective study based on medical records of patients treated at this service. Sex, age, origin, underlying diseases, anatomical diagnosis, clinical aspects and progression time were described. Results: 403 records were included, noting that 3.2 out of every 1,000 patients treated at the service had uveitis.The average age of patients was 42 years old, with both sexes (50.6% females and 49.4% males) affected similarly, and with 61.5% coming from the state capital, Teresina. The most common underlying disease was toxoplasmosis, followed by idiopathic uveitis with ocular manifestations only. As to the anatomical classification, 49.6% of them were posterior and only 3.5% were intermediate. Regarding the clinical aspects, 64% were granulomatous, 24.8% non-granulomatous, and 11.2% were not classifiable. According to the clinical progression, 41.4% were acute, followed by 30.8% chronic, 14.4% recurrent cases, and 13.4% of patients did not return for medical care. Conclusion: we found that for every 1,000 patients treated at the service, 3.2 had uveitis, with toxoplasmosis itself found to be an important source of uveitis.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5930839
title: Effectiveness and safety of endothelial keratoplasty for pseudophakic and aphakic bullous keratopathy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies

description: ABSTRACT Objective: For nearly a century, penetrating keratoplasty has been the surgical technique of choice in the management of corneal changes. However, in recent years, several lamellar keratoplasty techniques have been developed, modified or improved, especially techniques for replacing the posterior portion, for the correction of bullous keratopathy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of endothelial keratoplasty versus penetrating keratoplasty for pseudophakic and aphakic bullous keratopathy. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was carried out, and the main electronic databases were searched. The date of the most recent search was from the inception of the electronic databases to December 11, 2015. Two authors independently selected relevant clinical trials, assessed their methodological quality and extracted data. Results: The electronic search yielded a total of 893 published papers from the electronic databases. Forty-four full-text articles were retrieved for further consideration. Of these 44 full-text articles, 33 were excluded because they were all case series studies; therefore, ten studies (with one further publication) met the inclusion criteria: one randomized clinical trial with two publications; three controlled studies; and six cohort studies. The clinical and methodological diversity found in the included studies meant that it was not possible to combine studies in a metaanalysis. Conclusions: There is no robust evidence that endothelial keratoplasty is more effective and safe than penetrating keratoplasty for improving visual acuity and decreasing corneal rejection for pseudophakic and aphakic bullous keratopathy. There is a need for further randomized controlled trials.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5930839.v1
title: Effectiveness and safety of endothelial keratoplasty for pseudophakic and aphakic bullous keratopathy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies

description: ABSTRACT Objective: For nearly a century, penetrating keratoplasty has been the surgical technique of choice in the management of corneal changes. However, in recent years, several lamellar keratoplasty techniques have been developed, modified or improved, especially techniques for replacing the posterior portion, for the correction of bullous keratopathy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of endothelial keratoplasty versus penetrating keratoplasty for pseudophakic and aphakic bullous keratopathy. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was carried out, and the main electronic databases were searched. The date of the most recent search was from the inception of the electronic databases to December 11, 2015. Two authors independently selected relevant clinical trials, assessed their methodological quality and extracted data. Results: The electronic search yielded a total of 893 published papers from the electronic databases. Forty-four full-text articles were retrieved for further consideration. Of these 44 full-text articles, 33 were excluded because they were all case series studies; therefore, ten studies (with one further publication) met the inclusion criteria: one randomized clinical trial with two publications; three controlled studies; and six cohort studies. The clinical and methodological diversity found in the included studies meant that it was not possible to combine studies in a metaanalysis. Conclusions: There is no robust evidence that endothelial keratoplasty is more effective and safe than penetrating keratoplasty for improving visual acuity and decreasing corneal rejection for pseudophakic and aphakic bullous keratopathy. There is a need for further randomized controlled trials.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5930836
title: The preoperative scheduling system as a secondary tool for hospital management: suggestions for adjustments proposed by a university ophthalmology unit

description: ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the incidence of a software program package at Brazilian public eye care institutions through an online survey. The package is made up of the institutions' websites, electronic medical records, regulatory assistance control system and the preoperative scheduling system. The aim is to analyze if this type of software facilitates the provisioning of eye care services, the patients' surgical procedure agenda, and access to information about the patients. Methods: Public health care institutions with eye care services were divided into multidisciplinary university hospitals, multidisciplinary health system hospitals, single discipline hospitals (only ophthalmology) and eye banks (when linked to public health care). Two kinds of data were evaluated on the Internet: I) ophthalmology institutions and the correlation with the presence of the software program, II) ophthalmology institutions and the correlation with the software source. A statistical analysis was performed using chi-square and Fisher's exact test. Significance levels were estimated at 0.05. Results: 48 public institutions were evaluated at 24 universities, 15 health care institutions, 3 single discipline hospital institutions (ophthalmology only), and 6 institutions specifically referred to as eye banks. In this survey, the digital preoperative scheduling system was only found in 10.4% of the institutions. After the statistical analysis, the eye bank was the only relevant institution that was significantly related to the presence of the digital preoperative scheduling system. Conclusion: Preoperative scheduling systems are expected to provide a good support tool for administrative management. However, this type of instrument as a software program is rarely found in public health care institutions in Brazil.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.5930836.v1
title: The preoperative scheduling system as a secondary tool for hospital management: suggestions for adjustments proposed by a university ophthalmology unit

description: ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the incidence of a software program package at Brazilian public eye care institutions through an online survey. The package is made up of the institutions' websites, electronic medical records, regulatory assistance control system and the preoperative scheduling system. The aim is to analyze if this type of software facilitates the provisioning of eye care services, the patients' surgical procedure agenda, and access to information about the patients. Methods: Public health care institutions with eye care services were divided into multidisciplinary university hospitals, multidisciplinary health system hospitals, single discipline hospitals (only ophthalmology) and eye banks (when linked to public health care). Two kinds of data were evaluated on the Internet: I) ophthalmology institutions and the correlation with the presence of the software program, II) ophthalmology institutions and the correlation with the software source. A statistical analysis was performed using chi-square and Fisher's exact test. Significance levels were estimated at 0.05. Results: 48 public institutions were evaluated at 24 universities, 15 health care institutions, 3 single discipline hospital institutions (ophthalmology only), and 6 institutions specifically referred to as eye banks. In this survey, the digital preoperative scheduling system was only found in 10.4% of the institutions. After the statistical analysis, the eye bank was the only relevant institution that was significantly related to the presence of the digital preoperative scheduling system. Conclusion: Preoperative scheduling systems are expected to provide a good support tool for administrative management. However, this type of instrument as a software program is rarely found in public health care institutions in Brazil.