scholarly journals The presence of non-criteria manifestations negatively affects the prognosis of seronegative antiphospholipid syndrome patients: a multicenter study

2022 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilberto Pires da Rosa ◽  
Bernardo Sousa-Pinto ◽  
Ester Ferreira ◽  
Olga Araújo ◽  
Giuseppe Barilaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiphospholipid Syndrome ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Hormonal Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Single Positive ◽  
The Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Seronegative antiphospholipid syndrome (SN-APS) is often defined as the presence of APS criteria manifestations, negative antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), and coexistence of APS non-criteria manifestations. Nevertheless, the impact of these non-criteria features is still unclear. On a different note, the relevance of one single aPL positive determination in patients with APS manifestations is another domain with limited evidence. We aim to compare the course of SN-APS and single-positive aPL (SP-aPL) patients with that of individuals with APS manifestations without non-criteria features/aPL positivity (controls). Methods Retrospective analysis of patients with thrombosis/obstetric morbidity assessed in two European hospitals between 2005 and 2020. Patients were divided into SN-APS, SP-aPL, and control groups. Clinical characteristics, comorbidities, and therapies were compared. Results A total of 82 patients were included in the SN-APS group, 88 in the SP-aPL group, and 185 in the control group. In Cox regression model, SN-APS displayed more thrombosis recurrence than controls (HR 3.8, 95% CI 2.2–6.5, p < 0.001) even when adjusting for the presence of hereditary thrombophilia, systemic lupus erythematosus, or contraceptive hormonal treatment. In SP-aPL, the difference in thrombosis recurrence did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.078). Indefinite anticoagulation (p < 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively) and vitamin K antagonist (VKA) use (p < 0.001 in both cases) were more common in SN-APS/SP-aPL. Conclusion SN-APS displayed more thrombosis recurrence, indefinite anticoagulation, and VKA use than controls without non-criteria manifestations. The presence of such features in patients with thrombosis and negative aPL may negatively impact their clinical course.

scholarly journals The Impact of Divergent and Convergent Tasks on Iraqi EFL Students Reading Comprehension Success

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-39
Author(s):  
Sabeeha Hamza Dehham ◽  
Nadia Majeed Hussein
Keyword(s):  
Reading Skills ◽  
Experimental Approach ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Preparatory Stage ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

This research attempted to explore the effects of divergent and convergent tasks on the successful reading of EFL students at the preparatory stage. To verify the analysis, the null hypothesis was established that states "There are no differences of statistical significance at the level of (0,05) among the mean of scores of the experimental group who study according to divergent and convergent task technique and the mean of the scores of the control group who study according to the regular method".  The experimental approach is used by designing two equivalent experimental groups of 32 students studying the technique proposed, and an 8-week (2019-2020) control group of 32 students, three classes each week using the Google Classroom Platform and Telegram. The present study utilized the platform Google Classroom (GC) and Telegram as an educational platform to assist students during their course learning process. The writing skills test was administered after checking with the experts. The results show that there are statistical differences at level (0,05) between the average of the experimental and control groups' reading skills and those of the experimental group. This difference is because the experimental group uses divergent and convergent tasks.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF SPORT GAMES EXERCISE PROGRAMS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIFIC MOTOR ABILITIES IN ADOLESCENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL IMPAIRMENT

2020 ◽  
pp. 249
Author(s):  
Aleksandar Pejčić ◽  
Miodrag Kocić
Keyword(s):  
Motor Skills ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Experimental Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mental Impairment ◽  
Motor Abilities ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a sports games experimental program on improving specific motor abilities in adolescents with mental impairment. The study was conducted on a sample of 60 adolescents diagnosed with mild mental impairment, divided into two groups (experimental group EG, and control group CG) with an equal number of participants. The special program of sports games lasted for 12 weeks, with a weekly frequency of four times and a duration of 30 minutes per training. The participants of both groups were tested with the same variables within the specific motor skills for the sport of football and basketball. After a twelve-week experimental program of sports games, there were statistically significant improvements in the EG in the variables: SMFS, SMDR, SMCP with a statistical significance of r=0.000. The results of the ANOVA and MANOVA analyses indicated that after the application of the specific sports games program there was a statistically significant difference in the benefits for the EG compared to the CG, in the parameters of specific motor abilities with a statistical significance r=0.000 and the size of the impact. Based on these research results, it can be concluded that a specific exercise program conducted within twelve-week training of specifically dosed sports activities has significantly contributed the development of specific motor skills for football and basketball.

scholarly journals Have the same pathogenicity of Ureaplasma Parvum and Ureaplasma Urealyticum in non-specific cervicitis? -based on digital droplet PCR assay

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanfang Huang ◽  
Xiaoqin Xu ◽  
Panpan Lv ◽  
Zhen Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Ureaplasma Urealyticum ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Ureaplasma Parvum ◽  
Digital Droplet Pcr ◽  
Droplet Pcr ◽  
The Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
Ureaplasma Spp

Abstract Background: Ureaplasma spp. are association with a various of infectious diseases in female, but it still limited evidence for the pathogenicity in nonspecific cervicitis. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) assay for quantified the load of Ureaplasma spp in cervical swabs. Methods: A total of 293 non-specific cervicitis (NSC) patients and 211 asymptomatic female fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Cervical swabs were identified by qPCR and further absolutely quantified by ddPCR. Results: The prevalence of U.parvum were 51.9% (152/293) and 46.9% (99/211); while U.urealyticum were 8.2% (24/293) and 8.1% (17/211) in the NSC and Control group, respectively. In addition, the average Ct value and median copy number per microliter of U.parvum were 31.33 (n=152) and 599 (n=48) in the NSC group and 33.68 (n=99) and 17.4 (n=33) in control group, respectively, suggest that the load of U.parvum of NSC group were significantly higher than the asymptomatic individual (P<0.001). But, the median load number of U.urealyticum were 1.26 (n=22) and 5.35 (n=14) copies per microliter two groups, the difference was no statistical significance (P>0.05). Conclusions: our study suggests that often carrying U.parvum at a high load but not U.urealyticum may have an important implications on the development and progression of cervicitis among female.

Efficacy of curcuminoids for reducing postoperative pain after laparoscopic gynecologic surgery: A pilot randomized trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natacha Phoolcharoen ◽  
Shina Oranratanaphan ◽  
Chai Ariyasriwatana ◽  
Pongkasem Worasethsin
Keyword(s):  
Postoperative Pain ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Gynecologic Surgery ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Analgesic Effects ◽  
Good Safety Profile ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Laparoscopic Gynecologic Surgery ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Curcuminoids, which are substances extracted from turmeric, have been proved to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects along with a good safety profile. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of curcuminoids for reducing postoperative pain in patients who undergo laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. Methods From November 2016 to December 2017, participants were randomly assigned, by blocks of four, to the intervention and control arms of the study. Altogether, 60 patients who were to undergo laparoscopic gynecologic surgery at our institution were enrolled. Intraoperative findings were not significantly different between the two groups. One tablet of curcuminoid extract 250 mg was given to patients in the intervention group four times a day on postoperative days 1–3. Pain was evaluated at 24 and 72 h postoperatively using a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS). Results The median VAS score 24 h after surgery was 3 (1–6) in the intervention group and 4.5 (3–7) in the control group, with the difference reaching statistical significance (p=0.001). The median VAS at 72 h after surgery was 1 (0–2) in the intervention group and 2 (1–5) in the control group (p<0.001). Conclusion Curcuminoids may be an effective supplement to reduce pain severity postoperatively following laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. Trial Registration TCTR20180215001 www.clinicaltrials.in.th

scholarly journals The application of moist dressing in treating burn wound

Open Medicine ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liu Wei
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Treatment Group ◽  
Healing Time ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Burn Wound ◽  
Burn Wounds ◽  
Wound Pain ◽  
The Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBasic experiments have demonstrated that the effect of wound healing in moist environments is better than that in dry environments; therefore, research on moist dressing is the focus of wound healing research. 42 burn patients receiving treatment in Jiangsu Provincial People’s Hospital were selected as experimental cases. Wound surface is divided into treatment group and control group using a self-contrasted method. The treatment group received a moist dressing in the treatment of burn wounds and the control group adopted iodine gauze or Vaseline gauze coverage. Wound healing effect and the impact on the degree of pain of in the two different treatment methods were observed after treatment. The results of 42 patients were included in the analysis. The average healing time of patients’ burn wounds in treatment group is (10.9 3.3) d, and the average healing time in control group is (13.8 3.6) d, so, the difference is significant (P<0.01). Wound pain in the treatment group is significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). Using moist dressing (Mepitel and Mepilex, etc.) in the treatment of burn wounds, woundhealing time can be shortened and wound pain can be reduced significantly.

The Impact of Footwear and Walking Distance on Gait Stability in Diabetic Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy

2013 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bijan Najafi ◽  
Tahir Khan ◽  
Adam Fleischer ◽  
James Wrobel
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Neuropathy ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Walking Distance ◽  
Gait Velocity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Perception Threshold ◽  
Double Support ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Impact

Background: We explored gait differences in patients with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and aged-matched controls over short and long walking distances. The potential benefit of footwear for improving gait in patients with DPN was also explored. Methods: Twelve patients with DPN and eight controls walked at their habitual speed over short (7 m) and long (20 m) distances under two conditions: barefoot and regular shoes. A validated system of body-worn sensors was used to extract spatiotemporal gait parameters. Neuropathy severity was quantified using vibratory perception threshold measured at the great toe. Results: Gait deterioration in the DPN group was observed during all of the walking trials. However, the difference between patients with DPN and participants in the control group achieved statistical significance only during long walking distance trials. Shod and barefoot double support times were longer in the DPN group during long walking distances (&gt;20%, P = .03). Gait unsteadiness, defined as coefficient of variation of gait velocity, was also significantly higher in the DPN group when barefoot walking over long distances (83%, P = .008). Furthermore, there was a high correlation between neuropathy severity and gait unsteadiness best demonstrated during the barefoot walking/long walking distance condition (r = 0.77, P &lt; .001). The addition of footwear improved gait steadiness in the DPN group by 46% (P = .02). All differences were independent of age, sex, and body mass index (P &gt; .05). Conclusions: This study suggests that gait alteration in patients with DPN is most pronounced while walking barefoot over longer distances and that footwear may improve gait steadiness in patients with DPN. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 103(3): 165–173, 2013)

scholarly journals Impact of Conscious Discipline on Teacher Efficacy and Burnout: Perspectives for Elementary Teachers

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (14) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori A. Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Teachers ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Population Demographics ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Sense Of Efficacy ◽  
Conscious Discipline ◽  
Implementation Level ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

This study examined the impact of Conscious Discipline® on Michigan elementary teachers’ perceptions of their self-efficacy and burnout levels. Teachers completed a survey of the Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES) and Maslach’s Burnout Inventory (MBI) and were observed using a fidelity instrument (Rain, 2014) by the researcher five months after the adoption of Conscious Discipline® school-wide in the treatment group (n = 12). The control group (n = 15) was matched with similar student population demographics, and the same surveys and fidelity instrument (Rain, 2014) were used. Results from this study found no statistical significance in the TSES or MBI scores between those in treatment and control groups. Additionally, no statistical significance was found in the observed implementation level of Conscious Discipline® and efficacy or burnout scores.

scholarly journals The effects of Flipped Classroom instructions on student’s motivation in Algebraic Component

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 10-26
Author(s):  
Mohd Zamri Abdullah ◽  
Mustafa Mamat
Keyword(s):  
Creative Thinking ◽  
Flipped Classroom ◽  
School Administrators ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Good Communication ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Methods Of Learning ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

The Ministry of Education Malaysia (MoE) has suggested usingFlipped Classroom (FC) teaching methodas an innovation inthe teaching of additional mathematics especially in algebra.The suggestion of using FC is very much related to the concept of 21th Century Classroom that emphasizes good communication, collaboration, critical as well as creative thinking. This quasi-experimentalresearchwas carried out to determine the effects of FC on the motivation of students taking additional mathematics.Treatment group (n = 36) was treated with FC methods, whereas control group (n = 34) received conventional methods of learning additional mathematics.To control the difference in dependent variables, a pre-test was given before the experiment started.After nine weeks of treatment, bothgroups were given a post-test.The motivational questionaire on additional mathematics was used as a tool to collect the data.In determining the differenceof databetweentreatment and control groups, thepre- andpost tests data were analyzed using multivariateanalysis ofvariance (MANOVA)followed by univariate analysis of variance(ANOVA).The findings from ANOVA analysis reveal that overall there was a difference between thetreatment and control groupsfor motivation.MANOVA analysis confirmsmore significant differences on motivational subscales namely on attention, relevance, level of confidence and satisfaction between these twogroups.In general, the impact was very substantial and gave a strong indication that the treatment was very meaningful.Therefore, this research has given a newandideal way of teaching additional mathematics to school administrators, subject teachers and students byengagingthe use ofalternativedynamic geometric softwares that are of the same quality as the ones supplied by MoE.

scholarly journals MO054VASCULAR CALCIFICATION IMPAIRS BONE MINERALIZATION

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Lerche Mace ◽  
Eva Gravesen ◽  
Anders Nordholm ◽  
Soeren Egstrand ◽  
Marya Morevati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Vascular Calcification ◽  
Bone Mineralization ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
High Calcium ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background and Aims Several studies report an association between low BMD and vascular calcification (VC) in the general population and in CKD patients. Development of VC in CKD is a cell regulated process where the vascular smooth muscle cell alters phenotype to a bone-like secretory cell. Our group has previously demonstrated the expression of Wnt inhibitors in VC and so we ask if the presence of VC affects bone metabolism. Method A novel model of isogenic aorta transplantation (ATx) was developed and used in the study. Severe uremic vascular calcifications were induced in inbred Dark Aguti (DA) rats by 5/6 nephrectomy, high phosphate diet and calcitriol treatment. After 14 weeks the calcified abdominal aorta of the uremic rat was transplanted into a normal DA rat (uremic ATx, n=16). A normal aorta was transplanted into a normal DA rat as sham group (normal ATx, n=9) and age-matched normal rats were used as one more control group (control, n=6). Rats were sacrificed 4 weeks after ATx and plasma biochemistry, bone and vessels were analyzed. Data are presented as mean±SEM or median [range]. Statistical significance *p&lt;0.5,**p&lt;0.01,*** p&lt;0.001. Results The uremic donor rat suffered from severe kidney disease with disturbed mineral balance and its aorta had a high calcium content of 15.7±0.8 µg Ca/mg vs. none in the normal aorta. Uremic ATx, normal ATx and control rats had same plasma levels of creatinine, Ca2+, phosphate, PTH, FGF23 and sclerostin. The uremic ATx had significant lower bone mineral density (BMD) compared to normal ATx and control rats (1576±5 vs. 1592±5* & 1613±6* mg/cc). The impact on bone mineralization was also detected in the bone histomorphometry analysis, where the uremic ATx had less osteoid compared to normal ATx (median 3% [0,3%;8%] vs. 5% [2%;8%]*). Moreover, the uremic ATx had fewer osteoblasts and more osteoclasts. The effect on bone was supported by substantial gene analysis of several genes related to bone remodeling, mineralization and Wnt signaling. The uremic ATx rats had significant changes in mRNA levels of several genes in bone compared to normal ATX and control rats such as increased alkaline phosphatase (3.26±0.29 vs. 1.56±0.32*** & 0.86±0.12***), decreased osteoblast marker osteocalcin (0.54±0.06 vs. 0.92±0.14* & 1.19±0.06***) and increased osteoclast marker cathepsin K (2.36±0.24 vs. 1.19±0.23** & 1.01±0.07***). In addition, we found upregulation of the bone mineralization inhibitors osteopontin (1.46±0.18 vs. 0.69±0.17** & 0.49±0.06**) and progressive ankylosis protein homolog (8.10±0.60 vs. 3.21±0.74** & 2.39±0.48**) as well as collagen I (9.30 [2.73;14.81] vs. 2.30 [0.31;19.33]* & 2.78 [1.63;7.52]***). The inhibitor of bone formation sclerostin was significant increased (2.90 [1.54;13,29] vs. 1,23 [0.32;3.20]** & 0.93 [0.39;2,19]**) along with a slight downregulation of bone stimulator BMP2 (3.18±0.15 vs. 4.06±0.30* & 3.98±0.44*. Finally, the Wnt signaling pathway was affected by upregulation of β-catenin (3.15±0.25 vs. 1.28±0.26*** & 1.03±0.13***) and the downstream gene Snail1 (3.73±0.33 vs. 1.54±0.45*** & 1.04±0.12***). Conclusion These novel findings indicate the existence of a tissue crosstalk between vessels and bone. The presence of vascular calcification lowers BMD, decreases the amount of osteoid and affects several pathways in bone.

scholarly journals Association Between Human Leukocyte Antigen and COVID-19 Severity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Hajebi ◽  
Ali Ajam ◽  
Shahrokh Karbalai Saleh ◽  
Haleh Ashraf ◽  
Mohammadreza Ostadali Dehaghi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Human Leukocyte ◽  
Hla Typing ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The Difference ◽  
And Control

In the last days of 2019, a new coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China, and less than three months its disease, now called COVID-19, was announced a global pandemic by WHO. COVID-19 usually causes respiratory symptoms and can lead to more severe conditions like ARDS. HLA has a crucial role in regulating the immune system; thus, different HLA allele types can be a protective or risk factor for some diseases, so we aimed to find such associations to determine whether some alleles can predict susceptibility or resistibility to COVID-19 and finally facilitate vaccine development. In this case-control study, 15 admitted COVID-19 cases with severe symptoms and ten individuals with mild COVID-19 symptoms were enrolled in the case and control groups, respectively. They were genotyped for HLA A/B/DR loci using a low-resolution HLA typing test. These alleles were more prevalent in case (severe COVID-19) group: A*24 (53.33% vs 10%), B*50 (20% vs 10%), B*55 (20% vs 10%), DRB1*04 (40% vs 20%) and DRB1*11 (53.33% vs 30%) but the difference was only statically significant in A*24 allele (P=0.027; odd ratio=10.286). A*24 was also more prevalent in all patients than the general population in Iran. A*24 was the only allele more prevalent in severe COVID-19 cases with statistical significance. This allele was reported to be a risk factor for such autoimmune diseases as type 1 diabetes, myasthenia gravis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, which may be related to reported immune system hyperresponsiveness in severe COVID-19 cases.

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