cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7101620.v1
title: Criterion-Referenced Measurement in Medicine and Nursery: Different Understandings of Teachers and Students at a Public College of Brasília, Brazil

description: ABSTRACT Introduction Criterion-referenced tests measure academic performance without comparing one student to another, therefore differing from the norm-referenced tests, which are designed to determine the highest and the lowest scores. The Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde (ESCS) of Federal District, Brazil, uses criterion-referenced measurement as its only evaluative method, attempting to assess students in a more integrative way and to avoid stimulating competitiveness among students. Objective To analyze the interpretation students and teachers of Medicine and Nursery courses about this measurement. Material and Methods Cross-sectional, descriptive, quali-quantitative study, performed by application of semi-structured questionnaires to teachers and students from first to fourth year of Medicine and Nursery courses. We compared courses, students and professors using the Chi-Square test. Results and Discussion: The sample size was of 413 subjects (n = 55.9%), composing 54 teachers and 344 students. We observed fragility in the concept of criterion-referenced measurement, as well as dissatisfaction regarding the method of evaluation adopted by the Institution (323 or 79,6%). Most answers point subjectivity in the correction of exams and difficulties in competing for residency programs after graduation as the major problems. Other authors state that criterion-referenced measurement tends to inflate grades of students, although it also evaluates them in a more integrative way. They recommend the adoption of both measurements (criterion and norm-referenced) in order to respectively: obtain best assessment and to compare students’ performances. Conclusion Comparison of academic performance is necessary for selective processes inside and outside the studied institution. Therefore, criterion-referenced measurement alone cannot meet the needs of the institution, generating problems during and after graduation. We suggest the adoption of both methods (criterion and norm-referenced measurement) as well as the application of standard setting concepts for classification of students. Evaluative instruments also need objective criteria for correction of tests, in order to provide a uniform and fairer correction. For that, we propose an increase in teacher training by adding new discussions about elaboration of tests, like Item Response Theory.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7101611
title: Methods for quantification of cerebral glycolytic metabolism using 2-deoxy-2-[18 F]fluoroglucose in small animals

description: Abstract Introduction The use of the same imaging and quantification techniques in small animals and clinical studies presents the opportunity for direct translational research in drug discovery and development, in neuropharmacological basis of neurological and psychiatric diseases, and in optimization of drug therapy. Thus, positron emission tomography (PET) studies in rodents can bridge the gap between pre-clinical and clinical research. The aim should be to find a method with capability to measure, without compromising accuracy, glucose distribution in the structures of the brain, which can also be used in pathological situations and with applicability for other substances than glucose analogue. Methods This is a systematic review of several assessment techniques available, including visual and quantitative methods that enable the investigation of the transport mechanisms and enzymes involved in glucose metabolism in the brain. In addition to the ex vivo methods, PET with glucose analogues allows in vivo analyses using qualitative, semiquantitative and quantitative methods. Results These techniques provide different results, and the applicability of a specific method is related to the purpose of the study and the multiple factors that may interfere in the process. Conclusion This review provides a solid background of tools and quantification methods for medical physicists and other professionals interested in cerebral glycolytic metabolism quantification in experimental animals. It also addresses the main factors related to animals, equipment and techniques that are used, as well as how these factors should be understood to better interpret the results obtained from experiments.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7101611.v1
title: Methods for quantification of cerebral glycolytic metabolism using 2-deoxy-2-[18 F]fluoroglucose in small animals

description: Abstract Introduction The use of the same imaging and quantification techniques in small animals and clinical studies presents the opportunity for direct translational research in drug discovery and development, in neuropharmacological basis of neurological and psychiatric diseases, and in optimization of drug therapy. Thus, positron emission tomography (PET) studies in rodents can bridge the gap between pre-clinical and clinical research. The aim should be to find a method with capability to measure, without compromising accuracy, glucose distribution in the structures of the brain, which can also be used in pathological situations and with applicability for other substances than glucose analogue. Methods This is a systematic review of several assessment techniques available, including visual and quantitative methods that enable the investigation of the transport mechanisms and enzymes involved in glucose metabolism in the brain. In addition to the ex vivo methods, PET with glucose analogues allows in vivo analyses using qualitative, semiquantitative and quantitative methods. Results These techniques provide different results, and the applicability of a specific method is related to the purpose of the study and the multiple factors that may interfere in the process. Conclusion This review provides a solid background of tools and quantification methods for medical physicists and other professionals interested in cerebral glycolytic metabolism quantification in experimental animals. It also addresses the main factors related to animals, equipment and techniques that are used, as well as how these factors should be understood to better interpret the results obtained from experiments.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7101614.v1
title: Impact of malocclusion on oral health-related quality of life among schoolchildren

description: Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and impact of malocclusion on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among schoolchildren aged 8 to 10 years and their parents in Diamantina, a town in the southeast of Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 390 randomly selected children who were subjected to a clinical oral examination. The Dental Aesthetic Index was used to diagnose malocclusion and the need for orthodontic treatment. The Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ (8–10)) was used to evaluate the impact of malocclusion on OHRQoL. The children's parents answered the Brazilian Economic Criterion Questionnaire for the socioeconomic classification. Data analysis involved the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman's correlation coefficients. The variables were grouped into a hierarchy of categories ranging from distal to proximal determinants. Poisson regression analysis with robust variance was performed at each level to correlate the total CPQ (8–10) score with the independent variables. The prevalence of malocclusion was 78.7%. Crossbite remained significantly associated with a negative impact on OHRQoL (PR = 1.28; 95%CI:1.17–1.39; p &lt; 0.001). The prevalence of malocclusion was high in the sample investigated and exerted a negative impact on OHRQoL.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7101608
title: Robust pulmonary segmentation for chest radiography, combining enhancement, adaptive morphology and innovative active contours

description: Abstract Introduction Statistical data reveal that approximately 140 million radiological exams are performed annually in Brazil. These exams are designed to detect and to analyze fractures, caused by different types of trauma; as well as, to diagnose pathologies such as pulmonary diseases. For better visualization of those lesions or abnormalities, methods of image segmentation can be implemented. Such methods lead to the separation of the region of interest, which allows extracting the characteristics and anomalies of the desired tissue. However, the methods developed by researchers in this area still have restrictions. Consequently, we present an automatic pulmonary segmentation approach that overcomes these constraints. Methods This method is composed of a combination of Discrete Wavelet Packet Frame (DWPF), morphological operations and Gradient Vector Flow (GVF). The methodology is divided into four steps: Pre-processing - the original image is enhanced by discrete wavelet; Processing - where occurs a combination of the Otsu threshold with a series of morphological operations in order to identify the pulmonary object; Post-processing - an innovative form of using GVF improves the binary information of pulmonary tissue, and; Evaluation – the segmented images were evaluated for accuracy of detection the pulmonary region and border. Results The evaluation was carried out by segmenting 247 digital X-ray challenging images of the thorax human. The results show high for values of Overlap (97,63% ± 3.34%), and Average Contour Distance (0.69mm ± 0.95mm). Conclusion The results allow verifying that the proposed technique is robust and more accurate than other methods of lung segmentation, besides being a fully automatic method of lung segmentation.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7101605
title: Intraocular straylight before and after low myopic photorefractive keratectomy with and without mitomycin C

description: ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate ocular straylight before and after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for low myopia with and without topical mitomycin (MMC) treatment. Methods: Patients who underwent PRK for low myopia were enrolled into the study. PRK without MMC was performed in 21 eyes (12 patients), whereas PRK with topical 0.02% MMC was performed in 25 eyes (14 patients). Both groups were treated using the NIDEK EC5000 excimer laser. Measurements were performed using the C-Quant straylight meter preoperatively and at two and four months postoperatively. Results: The mean patient age was 30 ± 4 years, and the mean spherical equivalent refractive error was -2.2 ± 0.75 D. The mean preoperative intraocular straylight values were 1.07 ± 0.10 in the PRK without MMC group and 1.07 ± 0.11 log(s) in the PRK with topical MMC group. At two months after surgery, there was a decrease in mean intraocular straylight values in both groups. However, a significant difference was only reached in the PRK with MMC group [0.98 ± 0.09 log(s), p=0.002] compared with preoperative values, which was likely due to a greater scatter of measurements in the PRK without MMC group [1.03 ± 0.13 log(s), p=0.082]. At four months postoperatively, ocular straylight values were not significantly different compared with those at baseline in either the PRK without MMC group [1.02 ± 0.14 log(s), p=0.26] or in the PRK with topical MMC group [1.02 ± 0.11 log(s), p=0.13]. Conclusion: PRK for low myopia decreases ocular straylight, and MMC application further reduces straylight in the early postoperative period. However, ocular straylight values do not significantly differ at four months after surgery compared with those at baseline.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7101608.v1
title: Robust pulmonary segmentation for chest radiography, combining enhancement, adaptive morphology and innovative active contours

description: Abstract Introduction Statistical data reveal that approximately 140 million radiological exams are performed annually in Brazil. These exams are designed to detect and to analyze fractures, caused by different types of trauma; as well as, to diagnose pathologies such as pulmonary diseases. For better visualization of those lesions or abnormalities, methods of image segmentation can be implemented. Such methods lead to the separation of the region of interest, which allows extracting the characteristics and anomalies of the desired tissue. However, the methods developed by researchers in this area still have restrictions. Consequently, we present an automatic pulmonary segmentation approach that overcomes these constraints. Methods This method is composed of a combination of Discrete Wavelet Packet Frame (DWPF), morphological operations and Gradient Vector Flow (GVF). The methodology is divided into four steps: Pre-processing - the original image is enhanced by discrete wavelet; Processing - where occurs a combination of the Otsu threshold with a series of morphological operations in order to identify the pulmonary object; Post-processing - an innovative form of using GVF improves the binary information of pulmonary tissue, and; Evaluation – the segmented images were evaluated for accuracy of detection the pulmonary region and border. Results The evaluation was carried out by segmenting 247 digital X-ray challenging images of the thorax human. The results show high for values of Overlap (97,63% ± 3.34%), and Average Contour Distance (0.69mm ± 0.95mm). Conclusion The results allow verifying that the proposed technique is robust and more accurate than other methods of lung segmentation, besides being a fully automatic method of lung segmentation.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7101605.v1
title: Intraocular straylight before and after low myopic photorefractive keratectomy with and without mitomycin C

description: ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate ocular straylight before and after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for low myopia with and without topical mitomycin (MMC) treatment. Methods: Patients who underwent PRK for low myopia were enrolled into the study. PRK without MMC was performed in 21 eyes (12 patients), whereas PRK with topical 0.02% MMC was performed in 25 eyes (14 patients). Both groups were treated using the NIDEK EC5000 excimer laser. Measurements were performed using the C-Quant straylight meter preoperatively and at two and four months postoperatively. Results: The mean patient age was 30 ± 4 years, and the mean spherical equivalent refractive error was -2.2 ± 0.75 D. The mean preoperative intraocular straylight values were 1.07 ± 0.10 in the PRK without MMC group and 1.07 ± 0.11 log(s) in the PRK with topical MMC group. At two months after surgery, there was a decrease in mean intraocular straylight values in both groups. However, a significant difference was only reached in the PRK with MMC group [0.98 ± 0.09 log(s), p=0.002] compared with preoperative values, which was likely due to a greater scatter of measurements in the PRK without MMC group [1.03 ± 0.13 log(s), p=0.082]. At four months postoperatively, ocular straylight values were not significantly different compared with those at baseline in either the PRK without MMC group [1.02 ± 0.14 log(s), p=0.26] or in the PRK with topical MMC group [1.02 ± 0.11 log(s), p=0.13]. Conclusion: PRK for low myopia decreases ocular straylight, and MMC application further reduces straylight in the early postoperative period. However, ocular straylight values do not significantly differ at four months after surgery compared with those at baseline.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7101596
title: Descriptive analysis of the type and design of contact lenses fitted according to keratoconus severity and morphology

description: ABSTRACT Purpose: Keratoconus is characterized by bilateral asymmetrical corneal ectasia that leads to inferior stromal thinning and corneal protrusion. There is currently a lack of consensus regarding the most efficacious method for fitting contact lenses in patients with keratoconus, given the various topographical patterns and evolution grades observed in affected populations. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the association between keratoconus evolution grade and topography pattern and the type and design of fitted contact lens. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of contact lenses fitted in a total of 185 patients with keratoconus (325 eyes). Keratoconus was classified as either grade I, II, III, or IV based on keratometry and cone morphology (nipple, oval, globus, or indeterminate) results. Results: A total of 325 eyes were evaluated in the present study. Of the 62 eyes classified as grade I, 66.1% were fitted with monocurve contact lenses. Of the 162 eyes classified as grade I and II, 51%, 30%, and 19% were fitted with adapted monocurve rigid gas-permeable contact lenses (RGPCL), bicurve lenses, and others lens types, respectively. Bicurve lenses were fitted in 52.1% and 62.2% of eyes classified as grade III and IV, respectively. Of the eyes classified as grade III and IV, monocurve and bicurve RGPCL were fitted in 26% and 55%, respectively. In eyes with oval keratoconus, 45%, 35%, and 20% were fitted with monocurve lenses, bicurve lenses, and other lens types, respectively. In eyes with round cones (nipple morphology), 55%, 30%, and 15% were fitted with bicurve lenses, monocurve lenses, and other lens types, respectively. Conclusion: Monocurve RGPCL were most frequently fitted in patients with mild to moderate keratoconus and oval cones morphology, while bicurve lenses were more frequently fitted in patients with severe and advanced keratoconus. This was probably because bicurve lenses are more appropriate for round cones due to increased corneal asphericity.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7101599
title: New insight on the relationship between lethal electrical fields versus cardiomyocyte orientation

description: Abstract Introduction Cardiovascular diseases represent a major cause of death world-wide and one of their greatest complications is the development of cardiac arrhythmias, in which ventricular fibrillation (VF) stands out as the most severe one. The only therapy that reverses VF is defibrillation. However defibrillatory shock is capable of killing heart cells and it is known that the orientation of the cell major axis with respect to the electrical field (E) direction is a determining factor for cellular excitation and injury, which is leading to the development of new defibrillation protocols. The aim of this work is to fill the gap in information about cell lethality for intermediate cell orientation angles. Methods Ventricular myocytes were extracted from adult male Wistar rats and the cells were plated in a chamber for perfusion and stimulation with bipolar voltage pulses to determine the stimulation threshold (ET). Then, monopolar stimulus was applied and amplitude was increased until cell lethal injury. This protocol was performed on four experimental groups: cells oriented at 0°, 30°, 60° and 90°, with respect to E direction. Results 87 cells were analyzed and an increase in amplitude of E associated with 50% lethality (E50) was verified as the direction of E application and cell major axis orientation departed. Conclusion Taken the same probability of lethality, our data suggest a nonlinear increase of E amplitude from 0° to 90° similar to that of ET. These in-between data had not yet been shown and are important for service-based future defibrillation protocols.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7101593
title: Adjustable versus non-adjustable suture techniques for concomitant horizontal strabismus: a comparative study

description: ABSTRACT Purpose: To compare the surgical results of adjustable and non-adjustable horizontal strabismus surgery for concomitant horizontal strabismus. Methods: The charts of 231 patients, who underwent horizontal strabismus surgery, selected using probabilistic sampling, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical technique used and strabismus type. The adjustable suture technique was used for 107 patients (Group 1), and non-adjustable or conventional surgery was performed in the remaining 124 patients (Group 2). Patients with esotropia (ET) or exotropia (XT) of &lt;55 prism diopters (PD) at distance were included. The following exclusion criteria were applied: all intermittent or vertical deviations, anisotropias &gt;5 PD, syndromes, restrictive or paretic strabismus, reoperations, botulinum toxin injection, and patients postoperatively followed up for &lt;3 months. Surgical success was set to a range between orthotropia and an esodeviation of up to 10 PD for both ET and XT. Results: An amblyopia rate &gt;50% was present in all subgroups. Significant differences between strabismus groups submitted to adjustable technique and non-adjustable on postoperative day 1 were observed (p=0.00 for ET and p=0.01 for XT) and at the last visit for the XT group with a follow-up of at least 1 year (p=0.05). Conclusion: The adjustable suture technique produced a higher success rate than non-adjustable strabismus surgery for both ET and XT groups on postoperative day 1. For XT patients, the adjustable suture technique appears to produce better surgical results than non-adjustable surgery, when the surgical goal is long-lasting maintenance of a small hypercorrection.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.7101596.v1
title: Descriptive analysis of the type and design of contact lenses fitted according to keratoconus severity and morphology

description: ABSTRACT Purpose: Keratoconus is characterized by bilateral asymmetrical corneal ectasia that leads to inferior stromal thinning and corneal protrusion. There is currently a lack of consensus regarding the most efficacious method for fitting contact lenses in patients with keratoconus, given the various topographical patterns and evolution grades observed in affected populations. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the association between keratoconus evolution grade and topography pattern and the type and design of fitted contact lens. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of contact lenses fitted in a total of 185 patients with keratoconus (325 eyes). Keratoconus was classified as either grade I, II, III, or IV based on keratometry and cone morphology (nipple, oval, globus, or indeterminate) results. Results: A total of 325 eyes were evaluated in the present study. Of the 62 eyes classified as grade I, 66.1% were fitted with monocurve contact lenses. Of the 162 eyes classified as grade I and II, 51%, 30%, and 19% were fitted with adapted monocurve rigid gas-permeable contact lenses (RGPCL), bicurve lenses, and others lens types, respectively. Bicurve lenses were fitted in 52.1% and 62.2% of eyes classified as grade III and IV, respectively. Of the eyes classified as grade III and IV, monocurve and bicurve RGPCL were fitted in 26% and 55%, respectively. In eyes with oval keratoconus, 45%, 35%, and 20% were fitted with monocurve lenses, bicurve lenses, and other lens types, respectively. In eyes with round cones (nipple morphology), 55%, 30%, and 15% were fitted with bicurve lenses, monocurve lenses, and other lens types, respectively. Conclusion: Monocurve RGPCL were most frequently fitted in patients with mild to moderate keratoconus and oval cones morphology, while bicurve lenses were more frequently fitted in patients with severe and advanced keratoconus. This was probably because bicurve lenses are more appropriate for round cones due to increased corneal asphericity.