scholarly journals Role of adding T2 mapping sequence to the routine MR imaging protocol in the assessment of articular knee cartilage in osteoarthritis

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Atif Ibrahim Alsayyad ◽  
Khaled A. Ali Shehata ◽  
Rasha Tolba Khattab
Keyword(s):  
Early Detection ◽  
T2 Mapping ◽  
Relaxation Times ◽  
Knee Cartilage ◽  
Imaging Protocol ◽  
Mapping Sequence ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Mri Protocol ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background This work aims at elucidating the role of adding complementary T2 mapping to the routine 1.5 Tesla MRI protocol in the articular knee cartilage assessment for early detection of osteoarthritis, and also, comparing the articular cartilage thickness and T2 relaxation times between the case and control groups regarding knee compartments affection. Results Both sensitivities and specificities were 73.3% and 100%, respectively, for the standard MR protocol alone and 96.7% and 90% after adding the T2 mapping to the standard MR protocol that leads to significant sensitivity improvement. A comparison between patients and controls as regards T2 values showed a highly statistically significant difference (independent T test, p <0.001). Conclusion A combination of both morphological and T2 mapping MRI, together with clinical evaluation represents a desirable multimodal approach to the diagnosis of osteoarthritis. In the early detection of osteoarthritis, adding T2 mapping sequence to the standard MR protocol at 1.5 Tesla improved sensitivity from 73.3 to 96.7%.

Role of Nutrition Counseling and Lifestyle Modification in Managing Prediabetes

2021 ◽  
pp. 037957212110254
Author(s):  
Harleen Kaur ◽  
Neerja Singla ◽  
Rohini Jain
Keyword(s):  
Hemoglobin A1c ◽  
Lifestyle Modification ◽  
Fasting Blood Glucose ◽  
Nutrition Intervention ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Population Prevalence ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Group

Objective: India is the second country after China having the highest population prevalence of diabetes. Several research studies investigating diabetes have been done, but not much work has been done on prediabetes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of nutrition and lifestyle modification on prediabetic females. Methods: A total of 120 prediabetic females from Ludhiana city were divided into 2 matched groups: control group (n = 60) and experimental group (n = 60). Impact of nutrition intervention for dietary and lifestyle modification (for 3 months) was assessed on the anthropometric, dietary, biochemical parameters, and diabetes risk score of the experimental group and control group (no intervention). Results: All the selected 120 subjects completed the study (experimental group = 60; control group = 60). There was significant difference in the changes between the 2 groups throughout the study. The fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin A1c levels of the experimental group subjects reduced significantly ( P ≤ .01). However, no change was observed among the control group subjects. The lipid profile of the experimental group showed a significant improvement ( P ≤ .01). Conclusion: Nutrition counselling of the prediabetics regarding dietary and lifestyle modification is recommended so as to improve their metabolic control, thus preventing them from being diabetics.

scholarly journals A Comparison of Efficiency in Teacher Correction Strategies in Iranian EFL Learners’ Speaking Improvement

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 183
Author(s):  
Roya Keshavarz ◽  
Amin Marzban
Keyword(s):  
Corrective Feedback ◽  
Placement Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Teaching Methodology ◽  
Moderator Variable ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Feedback Type ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control

<p>The present study was an attempt to investigate the effect two types of corrective feedback (i.e., recast and metalinguistic) in order to find out which one is more effective on EFL learners’ speaking improvement and also to see if gender could play a role in the relative impact of the two types of corrective feedback on learners’ speaking ability. To this end, 65 EFL learners of intermediate level in one of language institutes in Shiraz, Iran were selected and divided into three groups including two experimental groups and one control. The instruments used to collect the data included IELTS test as the pre and post tests and Oxford Placement Test (OPT) in order to obtain the homogeneity in participants’ English proficiency. The collected data were codified and entered into SPSS Software (Version 22) and were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test, and Tukey test. The results indicated that although applying these two types of corrective feedback could have made improvement in EFL learners’ speaking ability, there was not observed any significant difference between impacts of recast and metalinguistic on EFL learners’ production. The test results also indicated that there was not any significant difference regarding gender within the three groups. This homogeneity further shows that in this study, the gender variable did not have any effect on the role of corrective feedback and it can be concluded that the observed difference between metalinguistic group, recast group, and control group is just the result of the provided corrective feedback type which has acted as the intervening variable and the moderator variable such as gender did not prove to have any effect in the outcome of this study. The findings can contribute to syllabus design and teaching methodology areas.</p>

Investigating ADAMTS7 and ADAMTS12 levels in prediabetic and Type 2 diabetic patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercan Taştemur ◽  
Selvihan Beysel ◽  
Sema Hepşen ◽  
Sanem Öztekin ◽  
Erman Çakal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Type 2 Diabetic Patients ◽  
Human Enzyme ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
Type 2 Diabetic

Background: This study aims to investigate the role of ADAMTS7 and ADAMTS12 on atherosclerosis and inflammation in prediabetic and diabetic patients. Patients & methods: Serum ADAMTS7 and ADAMTS12 levels were compared with the atherosclerotic and inflammatory markers in diabetic (n = 65, female 30.9%, mean age = 53 years), prediabetic (n = 55, female 36.6%, mean age = 49 years) and control groups (n = 55, females 32.5%, mean age = 49 years). Serum ADAMTS levels were determined by a human enzyme-liked immunoassay. Results: In terms of ADAMTS7, there was no significant difference between diabetic, prediabetic and control groups (50.93, 44.34, 59.07, respectively; p > 0.05). ADAMTS12 is lower in diabetics (p < 0.05), whereas it is similar in prediabetics and controls (14.53, 20.76, 25.05, respectively; p > 0.05). ADAMTS7 and ADAMTS12 levels did not differ in diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy (p > 0.05). Conclusion: While ADAMTS12 was significantly lower in diabetics and prediabetics, ADAMTS7 and ADAMTS12 were not related to diabetic complications (nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy).

scholarly journals EARLY PROBIOTICS IN PREVENTING VENTILATOR-ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA AFTER MULTIPLE TRAUMA

2020 ◽  
pp. 83-85
Author(s):  
TAMER HABIB ◽  
AMIRA B KASSEM ◽  
ISLAM AHMED
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Trauma ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Ventilator Associated Pneumonia ◽  
Mechanically Ventilated ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Multiple Trauma Patients ◽  
And Control

Objective: Using probiotics in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) remain controversial due to different intensive care unit (ICU) populations included in such studies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of probiotics in prophylaxis of VAP after multiple trauma. Methods: Sixty-five adult multiple trauma patients on mechanical ventilator (expected ≥48 h) after admission to the Critical Care Medicine Department, Alexandria Main University Hospital from June to November 2018. Patients were randomly assigned using computer sheet into two groups; probiotics group (32 patients received one Lacteol Forte® sachet through orogastric/nasogastric tube 3 times daily during their ICU stay) and control group (33 patients received similar regimen of placebo sachets). All patients were followed up and subjected to all possible strategies of the diagnosis of microbiologically confirmed VAP. Results: Sixty-five patients were enrolled with a mean of age (39.48±7.692) years, 80% of them were male. Regarding the incidence of VAP, it was 18.46% of all patients without statistically significant difference between probiotics group (15.63%) and control group (21.21%) (p=0.751). Conclusion: Routine use of early probiotics in mechanically ventilated multiple trauma patients was not associated with lower incidence of VAP, duration of MV, or ICU mortality.

An Update on the Role of Thalidomide (THAL) in Total Therapy 2 (TT2) for Newly Diagnosed Patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM): Analysis of Subgroups Defined by Standard Prognostic Factors (SPF) and Gene Expression Profiling (GEP)-Derived Subgroups.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 3389-3389 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Shaughnessy ◽  
Jeffrey Haessler ◽  
Jerry Zeldis ◽  
Yongsheng Huang ◽  
Fenghuang Zhan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prognostic Factors ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
Standard Risk

Abstract Background: THAL, whose activity in MM was discovered in the setting of advanced and refractory disease in the late 1990’s (Singhal, NEJM, 2000), has become the standard front-line therapy in combination with dexamethasone (DEX). In a randomized phase III tandem transplant trial, TT2, a higher complete response (CR) rate and longer event-free survival (EFS) had been observed on the THAL arm (Barlogie, NEJM, 2006). The similar overall survival (OS) on THAL and control arms had been attributed to the routine use of THAL as salvage therapy for the patients randomized to the No-THAL arm and the shorter post-relapse OS among patients randomized to the THAL arm. Patients and Methods: With a median follow-up on TT2 of 53mo, 107 patients have relapsed and 219 died. Subset analyses were performed to determine whether THAL confers an OS advantage in any subgroup of patients. Results: 6-yr EFS and OS rates are 48%/63% on THAL and 38%/58% on control arm (p=0.01/0.67). Post-relapse OS is now similar with median durations of 5.3mo/4.3mo among control/THAL arms (p=0.11). According to multivariate analyses of 11 standard prognostic factors, EFS was shorter among patients treated without THAL, in the presence of cytogenetic abnormalities (CA), B2M and LDH elevations and low albumin, whereas CR was favorable; OS was inferior with CA, high LDH, low albumin and in patients not receiving 2nd transplant or not achieving CR. Randomization to THAL was beneficial only in the >2 risk factor group: 6-yr OS was 47% in 31 patients on THAL and 12% in 31 control patients (Figure 1, p=0.01). When examined in the context of GEP (70 gene model-based high versus low risk groups) and inter-phase FISH data (amp1q21), available in 260 patients, the 57 with GEP low risk and absence of amp1q21 receiving THAL had 5-yr OS of 90% compared to 74% among 73 controls (p=0.13). Conclusion: With longer follow-up of 53mo on TT2, EFS remains superior among patients randomized to THAL; post-relapse survival is no longer inferior among those randomized to THAL; THAL benefited a high-risk subgroup with >2 standard risk factors, whereas no significant `difference has yet emerged among genetically defined subgroups. Figure Figure

scholarly journals Comparison of Oxidant-Antioxidant Status in Patients with Vitiligo and Healthy Population

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Agrawal ◽  
A Kumar ◽  
TK Dhali ◽  
SK Majhi
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Free Radicals ◽  
Vitamin E ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Population ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Destruction Of Melanocytes ◽  
And Control

Background Vitiligo is a well-recognized pigmentary disorder of the skin and /or mucous membrane characterized by circumscribed ivory or chalky white macules devoid of identifiable melanocytes. The pathogenesis of vitiligo is complex and still not well understood. According to autocytotoxic hypothesis, oxidative stress has been suggested to be the initial pathogenic event in melanocyte degeneration. The role of free radicals and oxidative damage in the pathophysiology of vitiligo has been documented in recent studies.Objective To evaluate the role of oxidative stress in patients with vitiligo and of healthy controls by measuring levels of the oxidant malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin E in serum and catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes.Method A total of 80 clinically diagnosed cases of vitiligo and 80 control subjects were included in the study to assess the activity of MDA, vitamin C and vitamin E in serum and CAT in erythrocytes of patients and controls by using the spectrophotometric assay.Result There was statistically significant increase in the levels of MDA in patients with vitiligo compared to the control group (p<0.001). No significant difference was found in the levels of vitamin C (p=0.411) and vitamin E (p=0.771) between the patients with vitiligo and control group. The levels of CAT in the vitiligo patients were found to be significantly lower than those of controls (p<0.001).Conclusion Increased oxidative stress and decreased catalase have been observed in vitiligo patients and the data suggesting that the free radicals may be involved in the destruction of melanocytes or dysregulation of melanogenesis.Kathmandu University Medical Journal Vol.12(2) 2014: 132-136

scholarly journals Research on the Effectiveness of Educational Internship——A Case Study on Primary Education Major

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sa Li
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Teaching Ability ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Group

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the changes of teaching ability of pre-service teachers during their internship. Methods: The pre-service teachers were divided into experimental group and control group, and the video of each class was recorded, encoded and scored by experts from primary schools, and SPSS was used to analyze the data. Results: The teaching ability of the pre-service teachers in the primary school Chinese subject had a significant improvement in the six weeks of teaching practice. The teaching ability of the pre-service teachers in the primary school mathematics discipline had no significant improvement in the six weeks of teaching practice; there is no significant difference in the teaching ability of pre-service teachers who have experienced six classroom lectures and 18 classroom lectures. Conclusion: Educational universities should attach importance to the role of educational internship in promoting the development of pre-service teachers' teaching ability and increase the internship time. Instructors should pay attention to the cultivation of pre-service teachers' teaching reflection ability and give feedback and guidance in time.

scholarly journals Role of Vitamin D in Near Sightedness

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasir Iqbal Malik ◽  
Aqsa Malik ◽  
Rabbia Shabbir ◽  
Atteaya Zaman ◽  
Sohail Zia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Group I ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Azad Kashmir ◽  
And Control

Purpose: To determine the levels of Vitamin D in children with myopia and to compare them with age matched controls. Study Design:  Case control study. Place and Duration of Study:  The study was conducted in Naseer Memorial Hospital, Dadhyal Azad Kashmir from March 2016 to March 2017. Material and Methods:  Two hundred patients were selected using convenient sampling technique and were divided two groups (group I Myopic and group II control). Myopia was labeled if after subjective refraction a Spherical Equivalent (SE) of −0.50 diopters (D) or more was found. Vitamin D levels were measured by radioimmunoassay technique with Diasorin SR® kit following the user’s manual. Vitamin D levels less than 20 ng/ml were considered Vitamin D deficient following the standards of American academy of pediatrics. The collected data was entered in the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21 for analysis. Independent t–test was used to determine the significant difference of means between controls and patients. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results:  Mean age of controls and myopes were 10.65 ± 3.9 and 10.20 ± 2.5 years respectively. Vitamin D levels in myopic children were found to be 14.95 ± 3.75 ng/ml and there was no significant difference in mean values of Vitamin D levels in myopic and control group. Conclusion:  We found no difference in Vitamin D levels of myopic and non myopic children and concluded that Vitamin D has no role in development or progression of myopia.

scholarly journals The Role of Chewing Gum on Post-operative Bowel Recovery after Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgery: A Short Report and Updated Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (B) ◽  
pp. 1123-1127
Author(s):  
Nicko Pisceski Kusika ◽  
Imelda E. B. Hutagaol ◽  
Muhammad Yusuf ◽  
Suyanto Suyanto ◽  
Shinta Puja Tilusari
Keyword(s):  
Laparoscopic Surgery ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Oral Feeding ◽  
Chewing Gum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Short Report ◽  
Post Surgery ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control

BACKGROUND: Adverse post-operative complication of gynecological laparoscopic surgery, post-operative ileus, could be reduced by mimicking early post-operative oral feeding; however, the role of chewing gum is still lack evidence. AIM: This study was conducted to assess chewing gum’s role in post-operative bowel recovery after gynecological laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: This prospective clinical trial recruited 60 participants who had undergone gynecological laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia. The study was conducted at Arifin Achmad Hospital, Riau Province, Indonesia, from January to April 2021. The patients were equally divided into two groups: Intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 30). They were asked to chew sugar-free gum every 2 h after the surgery (i.e. 5 times within 10 h post-surgery). Time of the first flatus and the first bowel sounds were recorded (i.e. 5 times of assessment within 10 h post-surgery). In addition, a literature review was conducted to add evidence of the role of chewing gum on postoperative bowel recovery after gynecological laparoscopic surgery. RESULTS: Patients from both groups had a close age range (23–44-year-old versus 21–42-year-old). Our data suggested a significant difference in the time of the first flatus between the treatment and control group (15.95 h vs. 45.05 h), p < 0.001. The length of stay in the hospital among those from the treatment group was also significantly shorter compared to controls (15.50 h vs. 45.50 h), p < 0.001. The literature review of four updated randomized clinical trials suggests chewing gum in the early onset of first flatus and bowel movement. CONCLUSION: Chewing gum following gynecological laparoscopic surgery could accelerate gastrointestinal recovery.

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