cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8195171.v1
title: Can Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio predict the response to BCG in high-risk non muscle invasive bladder cancer?

description: ABSTRACT  Objectives: To evaluate the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a prognostic factor for response of high risk non muscle invasive bladder cancer (HRNMIBC) treated with BCG therapy.  Materials and Methods: Between March 2010 and February 2014 in a tertiary center 100 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed HRNMIBC were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided according to NLR value: 46 patients with NLR value less than 3 (NLR &lt; 3 group), and 54 patients with NLR value more than 3 (NLR ≥ 3 group). At the end of follow-up 52 patients were high grade disease free (BCG-responder group) and 48 patients underwent radical cystectomy for high grade recurrence or progression to muscle invasive disease (BCG non-responder group). The average follow-up was 60 months. Intervention: analysis and correlation of preoperative NLR value with response to BCG in terms of recurrence and progression.  Results: The optimal cut-off for NLR was ≥ 3 according to the receiver operating characteristics analysis (AUC 0.760, 95% CI, 0.669-0.850). Mean NLR value was 3.65 ± 1.16 in BCG non-responder group and 2.61 ± 0.77 in BCG responder group (p = 0.01). NLR correlated with recurrence (r = 0.55, p = 0.01) and progression risk scores (r = 0.49, p = 0.01). In multivariate analysis, NLR (p = 0.02) and EORTC recurrence risk groups (p = 0.01) were associated to the primary endpoint. The log-rank test showed statistically significant difference between NLR &lt; 3 and NLR ≥ 3 curves (p &lt; 0.05).  Conclusions: NLR value preoperatively evaluated could be a useful tool to predict BCG response of HRNMIBC. These results could lead to the development of prospective studies to assess the real prognostic value of NLR in HRNMIBC.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8195180
title: Learning Preferences and Multiple Intelligences: An Observational Study in Brazilian Studies

description: ABSTRACT In recent years, Multiple Intelligences (MI – bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, intrapersonal, interpersonal, linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, and naturalist) and Learning Preferences (LP – visual, aural, read/write, kinesthetic, and multimodal) have been intensely studied throughout the world. In this context, plenty of tools that evaluate such parameters have been created and later improved over the past decades. Nowadays, the necessity for optimal learning strategies and more individualized teaching continues to rise, reinforcing the importance of identifying individual strengths and cognitive preferences.  Objectives to analyze the distribution of MI – and how they influence one another – and LP in medical students at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Brazil. The results could lead to improvements in the educational setting.  Methods a descriptive cross-sectional study involving UFPR medical students of all 12 semesters, who were analyzed through questionnaires with regard to both their MI (“Multiple Intelligences Checklist for Students”) and LP (“Visual, Aural, Read/Write, Kinesthetic – VARK – Questionnaire”).  Results a total of 1054 questionnaires were processed (527 students). Intrapersonal (71 ± 10.5), logical-mathematical (69.3 ± 14), and linguistic (68.4 ± 11.8) intelligences predominated, whereas naturalist achieved the lowest mean score (47.3 ± 19.5). Positive correlations were identified between all of the MI. Regarding the LP, the multimodal (42.3%) was the most frequent, followed by visual (21.3%), aural (18.6%), kinesthetic (11.2%), and read/write (6.6%). When both cognitive theories were correlated, the following associations prevailed: visual LP and intrapersonal intelligence; aural LP and interpersonal intelligence; read/write LP and logical-mathematical intelligence; kinesthetic LP and logical-mathematical intelligence; and multimodal preference and intrapersonal intelligence.  Conclusions intrapersonal intelligence achieved the highest overall scores, followed by logical-mathematical and linguistic. Naturalist intelligence achieved the lowest scores in terms of semester, cycle, and overall analysis. All MI were positively correlated. Multimodality was the most commonly observed LP, whereas the read/write preference was the least frequent. Correlations initially expected between MI and LP were confirmed. As for future perspectives, it is expected that teachers and education managers adapt current teaching strategies in order to meet the students’ preferences. Together, MI and LP indicate that the focus should not rely on how smart a given person is, but in which ways.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8195183
title: Pregnancy of Unknown Location: The Value of Frozen Section Analysis and Its Relation to Beta-hCG Levels and Endometrial Thickness

description: Abstract  Objective  Frozen section examination is a rapid method for identifying products of conception in endometrial curetting, yet its accuracy is inconclusive. The purposes of this study is to determine the accuracy of frozen section analysis of endometrial curetting in pregnancies of unknown location, and to verify the relation of β-human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) level and endometrial thickness to the assessed accuracy.  Methods  We reviewed data from January 2009 to December 2014 of diagnostic curettages from women with suspected ectopic pregnancies sent for frozen section examination at a medical center. A frozen section diagnosis was considered accurate if it concurred with the final pathologic diagnosis.  Results  Of 106 frozen section studies, the diagnosis was accurate in 94 (88.7%). Of 79 specimens interpreted as negative on frozen sections (no products of conception noted), 9 (11.4%) were positive on final pathologic review. Three of the 27 (11.1%) specimens interpreted as positive by a frozen section failed to demonstrate products of conception on a final pathologic section. The sensitivity of frozen sections in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was 72.7%, specificity 95.9%, positive predictive value 88.9%, negative predictive value 88.6%, and accuracy 88.6%. A statically significant correlation was found between β-hCG level and high accuracy of the frozen section technique (p&lt; 0.001). No correlation was found between endometrial thickness and the accuracy of the frozen section technique.  Conclusion  The accuracy of frozen section examination was high and was found to correlate with β-hCG level, but not with endometrial thickness.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8195189.v1
title: DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTOMATED METHOD TO PERFORM A QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION AND THE EFFECT OF A CONDUCTIVE LAYER IN SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

description: The determination of particle size distribution is an important parameter for controlling industrial processes, particularly in the field of pharmaceuticals. It is also an important parameter for characterizing nanoparticles. The best technique for determining particle size distribution is scanning electron microscopy. The process of counting particles is typically performed manually, which requires both more time and a higher standard deviation than automatic methods. This study shows the results of a particle counting procedure that relies on a fully automated method that was found to improve the reproducibility of the measurement. The effect on the diameter of near-spherical polymer nanospheres between 20 and 100 nm (mean of 60 nm) when samples were coated by a conducting layer (such as gold or carbon) was also evaluated. The images were collected using a field emission scanning electron microscope and then processed using the ImageJ program. Results showed that the method proposed in this work produces mean diameter values in accordance with NIST-traceable near-spherical polymer nanospheres for the sample without coating. The study also revealed two main effects of the conductive coating: changes to topography and an increase in mean particle diameter.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8195192
title: Heel prick test: maternal-fetal conditions that may have an effect on the test results in newborns admitted to the intensive care unit

description: ABSTRACT  Objective: To describe the characteristics of the heel prick test in newborns admitted to the intensive care unit of a university hospital as well as to determine whether maternal and fetal conditions could have affected the results of this test.  Methods: Retrospective longitudinal study with a quantitative approach that evaluated 240 medical records. The data collected were analyzed by descriptive statistical analysis.  Results: There was a predominance of pregnant women aged 20 to 34 years who had a complete secondary education and who had more than six prenatal care visits. Maternal complications or pathologies occurred in 60% of the mothers, and most (67.5%) did not present any condition that could have affected the heel prick test results. Most newborns were premature and exhibited low birth weight. Approximately 90% of newborns exhibited conditions that could have influenced the test, especially prematurity, parenteral nutrition and blood transfusion. Of the 240 newborns, 25% had abnormal heel prick test results, especially for cystic fibrosis and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.  Conclusion: There are maternal and neonatal conditions that can affect heel prick test results, and therefore, their investigation is essential, aiming to guide measures that promote mother and child health and consolidate neonatal screening in this population.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8195195.v1
title: Assessment of patient satisfaction and preferences with an intensive care diary

description: ABSTRACT  Objectives: To evaluate the satisfaction of patients admitted to the intensive care unit using a diary and analyze possible points for improving this instrument.  Methods: This was an observational, retrospective study, conducted between March 2014 and July 2017, in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit of a district hospital. The diary was implemented in patients sedated for 3 or more days. Three months after discharge, their satisfaction was assessed using a questionnaire. A patient who agreed with the 5 statements assessing the diary's help in clarifying the intensive care unit stay, in filling memory gaps, in recovery, in reassurance, and in the recommendation of this intervention was defined as satisfied.  Results: A total of 110 patients were included, of whom 55 answered the questionnaire. Of these, 36 (65.5%) were classified as satisfied. Each item had a positive response in more than 74% of cases. A total of 60% of the participants suggested increasing the number of photographs. No significant differences were found in the subgroup analysis (age, sex, duration of sedation and ventilation, length of diary keeping, severity on admission, or delirium, depression, or anxiety in the intensive care unit).  Conclusions: Most patients were satisfied with the diary but suggested an increase in the number of photographs.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8195201.v1
title: Efficacy and safety of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy in moderate acute hypercapnic respiratory failure

description: ABSTRACT  Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy in treating moderate hypercapnic respiratory failure in patients who cannot tolerate or have contraindications to noninvasive mechanical ventilation.  Methods: A prospective observational 13-month study involving subjects admitted to an intensive care unit with or developing moderate hypercapnic respiratory failure. Clinical and gas exchange parameters were recorded at regular intervals during the first 24 hours. The endpoints were a oxygen saturation between 88 and 92% along with a reduction in breathing effort (respiratory rate) and pH normalization (≥ 7.35). Subjects were considered nonresponders if they required ventilatory support.  Results: Thirty subjects were treated with high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy. They consisted of a mixed population with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation, acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema, and postoperative and postextubation respiratory failure. A nonsignificant improvement was observed in respiratory rate (28.0 ± 0.9 versus 24.3 ± 1.5, p = 0.22), which was apparent in the first four hours of treatment. The pH improved, although normal levels were only reached after 24 hours on high-flow nasal cannula therapy (7.28 ± 0.02 versus 7.37 ± 0.01, p = 0.02). The rate of nonresponders was 13.3% (4 subjects), of whom one needed and accepted noninvasive mechanical ventilation and three required intubation. Intensive care unit mortality was 3.3% (1 subject), and a patient died after discharge to the ward (hospital mortality of 6.6%).  Conclusion: High-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy is effective for moderate hypercapnic respiratory failure as it helps normalize clinical and gas exchange levels with an acceptable rate of nonresponders who require ventilatory support.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8195204.v1
title: Model Molecules for Evaluating Asphaltene Precipitation Onset of Crude Oils

description: Predicting the compatibility of crude oils from different streams can be done by applying models that use the solubility parameter of the oils. The approximate solubility parameter value of a given crude oil can be calculated by observing the asphaltene precipitation onset caused by titration with n-heptane. For oils whose precipitation onset is not well defined, a small quantity of another petroleum with easily detected onset can be added. It would be ideal to always use the same petroleum for this addition, but this is obviously not possible. The purpose of this study was to replace this petroleum by a synthetic molecule. Therefore, molecules were selected and synthesized to obtain structures containing aromatic ring, aliphatic chain and heteroatom. The molecules were characterized by infrared spectrometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and gel permeation chromatography. Nitrated cardanol, polycardanol obtained by addition polymerization (PCA) and nitrated PCA presented the desired behavior. However, the concentration of the molecule in toluene needs to be adjusted in function of the characteristics of the petroleum. For a particular crude oil, when model molecule present solubility in a wider solubility parameter range, lower concentration will require to identify the precipitation onset of that oil.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8195207
title: Investigation of the Roof Presplitting and Rock Mass Filling Approach on Controlling Large Deformations and Coal Bumps in Deep High-Stress Roadways

description: Abstract Roadway deformation and coal bumps are major challenges for underground engineering. Taking the Lu'an mining district in Shanxi Province as an example, the failure mechanism of deep high-stress roadway was studied. Numerical simulations and the similar material test were performed to investigate the effect of the roof presplitting and rock mass filling on the stability of roadway surrounding rock. The change laws and distribution features of stress and plastic zone, and the fracture characteristics of roof strata were analyzed. Under conditions where the roof was not presplit, the roadway was in a high-stress environment due to the massive suspended roof. The failure process of the high-stress roadway began with tensile crack in the shallow roof and then extended to the two ribs, resulting in the yield of a coal pillar. Under the condition that the roof was presplit, the peak value of the vertical stress at the coal pillar was decreased from 18.2 to 9.8 MPa while that of the virgin coal rib was decreased from 15.8 to 13.5 MPa. Both the similar material test and numerical results showed that the Roof outside the Coal Pillar (RCP) was cut off along the presplitting lines and was fractured into different sizes of masses. The broken rock mass filled in the goaf and supported on the overlying strata, which reduced the load on the coal pillar. The field monitoring data indicated that implementing the roof presplitting and rock mass filling processes successfully controlled large deformations of the roadway and coal bumps, which improved the stability of surrounding rock.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8195210.v1
title: Survey on the extubation procedure in intensive care units in Buenos Aires, Argentina

description: ABSTRACT  Objective: To examine the usual practice of airway management during the extubation procedure through an online survey to professionals working in intensive care units in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study online survey was conducted from February 11 to March 11, 2013. A database was generated, and a voluntary and anonymous invitation to access the survey was sent by email to 500 participants.  Results: Out of a total of 500 participants, 217 (44%) responded to the survey, of whom 59.4% were physical therapists. One hundred ninety-five (89.9%) professionals were working in adult care. Regarding the cuff deflation procedure and extubation, 203 (93.5%) performe endotracheal suctioning, and 27 (12.5%) use positive pressure. Approximately 53.5% of participants reported having experienced immediate complications with this procedure in the last three months. In all, 163 complications were reported, and stridor was the most prevalent (52.7%).  Conclusion: Most professionals working in intensive care units in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, use endotracheal suctioning without applying positive pressure during extubation.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8195222.v1
title: Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of whooping cough in hospitalized patients of a tertiary care hospital in Peru

description: ABSTRACT  Objective: Describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients under 2 years of age hospitalized with whooping cough in a tertiary care children's hospital in Peru.  Methods: This was a case series of patients under 2 years of age who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of whooping cough in 2012.  Results: A total of 121 patients were hospitalized. Diagnostic testing (direct immunofluorescence, polymerase chain reaction, culture) was carried out in 53.72% of patients. Overall, 23.15% (n = 28) were confirmed cases, all of whom were patients less than 10 months old, and none of whom had received 3 doses of whooping cough vaccine. A total of 96.43% (n = 27) of cases were under 6 months of age, 42.86% (n = 12) were younger than 3 months, and 10.71% (n = 3) were admitted to the intensive care unit. Of these cases, all were younger than 2 months old, and one patient died. The most common symptoms in the confirmed cases were coughing (96.43%), facial redness (96.43%), paroxysmal coughing (92.86%), and coughing-related cyanosis (78.57%). The most frequent probable epidemiological contact was the mother (17.86%), and the majority of cases occurred in the summer (46.43%).  Conclusion: Whooping cough is a cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in those younger than 6 months of age and in those who are not immunized or only partially immunized. Vaccination rates should be improved and case confirmation encouraged to prevent the underdiagnosis of this disease.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8195225
title: Optimized calorie and high protein intake versus recommended caloric-protein intake in critically ill patients: a prospective, randomized, controlled phase II clinical trial

description: ABSTRACT  Objective: To evaluate differences in outcomes for an optimized calorie and high protein nutrition therapy versus standard nutrition care in critically ill adult patients.  Methods: We randomized patients expected to stay in the intensive care unit for at least 3 days. In the optimized calorie and high protein nutrition group, caloric intake was determined by indirect calorimetry, and protein intake was established at 2.0 to 2.2g/kg/day. The control group received 25kcal/kg/day of calories and 1.4 to 1.5g/kg/day protein. The primary outcome was the physical component summary score obtained at 3 and 6 months. Secondary outcomes included handgrip strength at intensive care unit discharge, duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital mortality.  Results: In total, 120 patients were included in the analysis. There was no significant difference between the two groups in calories received. However, the amount of protein received by the optimized calorie and high protein nutrition group was significantly higher compared with the control group. The physical component summary score at 3 and 6 months did not differ between the two groups nor did secondary outcomes. However, after adjusting for covariates, a negative delta protein (protein received minus predetermined protein requirement) was associated with a lower physical component summary score at 3 and 6 months postrandomization.  Conclusion: In this study optimized calorie and high protein strategy did not appear to improve physical quality of life compared with standard nutrition care. However, after adjusting for covariates, a negative delta protein was associated with a lower physical component summary score at 3 and 6 months postrandomization. This association exists independently of the method of calculation of protein target.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.8195225.v1
title: Optimized calorie and high protein intake versus recommended caloric-protein intake in critically ill patients: a prospective, randomized, controlled phase II clinical trial

description: ABSTRACT  Objective: To evaluate differences in outcomes for an optimized calorie and high protein nutrition therapy versus standard nutrition care in critically ill adult patients.  Methods: We randomized patients expected to stay in the intensive care unit for at least 3 days. In the optimized calorie and high protein nutrition group, caloric intake was determined by indirect calorimetry, and protein intake was established at 2.0 to 2.2g/kg/day. The control group received 25kcal/kg/day of calories and 1.4 to 1.5g/kg/day protein. The primary outcome was the physical component summary score obtained at 3 and 6 months. Secondary outcomes included handgrip strength at intensive care unit discharge, duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital mortality.  Results: In total, 120 patients were included in the analysis. There was no significant difference between the two groups in calories received. However, the amount of protein received by the optimized calorie and high protein nutrition group was significantly higher compared with the control group. The physical component summary score at 3 and 6 months did not differ between the two groups nor did secondary outcomes. However, after adjusting for covariates, a negative delta protein (protein received minus predetermined protein requirement) was associated with a lower physical component summary score at 3 and 6 months postrandomization.  Conclusion: In this study optimized calorie and high protein strategy did not appear to improve physical quality of life compared with standard nutrition care. However, after adjusting for covariates, a negative delta protein was associated with a lower physical component summary score at 3 and 6 months postrandomization. This association exists independently of the method of calculation of protein target.