Determination of selected hormones  and biochemical parameters  in Turkish Van cats with tail gland hyperplasia

The present study was performed on Turkish Van cats with tail gland hyperplasia in order to determine changes in some hormone levels and biochemical parameters. Animal material consisted of 18 male Van cats of between 2-8 years of age, 12 with tail gland hyperplasia and 6 unaffected cats as the control group. Following routine clinical examination, hormone levels and biochemical parameters were measured by obtaining blood samples, and biopsy samples were obtained from the region and examined under a light microscope. When compared with the control group, testosterone levels were high although the difference between groups was not statistically significant. Similarly, no statistical significance was found between the groups in terms of other hormones. Among the hormonal parameters, the only remarkable increase was seen in the testosterone level. Among biochemical parameters, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate amino transferase (AST), cholesterol and triglyceride levels were statistically different, while other biochemical parameters were not statistically significant. While AST and cholesterol results were increased, ALP and triglyceride levels were decreased. As a result, we conclude that the disease is an important problem which occurs extensively in mature male Van cats, particularly during and after mating periods. We also conclude that the disease might be associated with an increase in testosterone levels. Presenting this study is beneficial as there are limited reports about this disease in cats. This is the first study presenting tail gland hyperplasia with some hormonal levels and biochemical parameters in male Van cats.

Download Full-text

FRACTIONAL DETERMINATIONS OF URINARY 17-KETOSTEROIDS IN HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/acta.0.0410123 ◽

1962 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 123-128 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Pentti A. Järvinen ◽

Sykkö Pesonen ◽

Pirkko Väänänen

Keyword(s):

Hyperemesis Gravidarum ◽

First Trimester ◽

Control Group ◽

Before And After ◽

Daily Urine ◽

First Trimester Of Pregnancy ◽

The Difference

ABSTRACT The fractional determination of 17-ketosteroids in the daily urine was performed in nine cases of hyperemesis gravidarum and in four control cases, in the first trimester of pregnancy both before and after corticotrophin administration. The excretion of total 17-KS is similar in the two groups. Only in the hyperemesis group does the excretion of total 17-KS increase significantly after corticotrophin administration. The fractional determination reveals no difference between the two groups of patients with regard to the values of the fractions U (unidentified 17-KS), A (androsterone) and Rest (11-oxygenated 17-KS). The excretion of dehydroepiandrosterone is significantly higher in the hyperemesis group than in the control group. The excretion of androstanolone seems to be lower in the hyperemesis group than in the control group, but the difference is not statistically significant. The differences in the correlation between dehydroepiandrosterone and androstanolone in the two groups is significant. The high excretion of dehydroepiandrosterone and low excretion of androstanolone in cases of hyperemesis gravidarum is a sign of adrenal dysfunction.

Download Full-text

Clinical Study of Qingpeng Ointment Treatment of Shoulder-Hand Syndrome After Cerebral Hemorrhage During the Rehabilitation Period

Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening ◽

10.2174/1386207323666201211093227 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 ◽

Author(s):

Ruihuan Pan ◽

Shanshan Ling ◽

Haodong Yang ◽

Yan Huang ◽

Lechang Zhan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Treatment Group ◽

Cerebral Hemorrhage ◽

Clinical Medicine ◽

External Rotation ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Hand Function ◽

Tibetan Medicine ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

The Difference

Background: Shoulder-hand syndrome (SHS) refers to a syndrome causing sudden edema, shoulder pain and limited hand function. Qingpeng ointment, a kind of Tibetan medicine, can reduce swelling, relieve pain, tonify stagnation and clear the meridians, which is consistent with the pathological mechanism of SHS after stroke. Therefore, if clinical trials can be used to explore the effectiveness of Qingpeng ointment for treatment of poststroke SHS and promote its application in clinical medicine, this is of specific significance for the treatment of poststroke SHS. Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of Qingpeng ointment in the treatment of poststroke SHS. To provide an objective basis for a better therapeutic treatment for poststroke SHS． Method: A prospective, randomized, controlled study was conducted. This study recruited 120 patients with poststroke SHS who met the inclusion criteria. They were randomized into the treatment group and the control group, with 60 patients allocated to each group. The treatment group received routine medical treatment and rehabilitative care after using the Qingpeng ointment, while the patients in the control group received only routine treatment without the ointment. All patients received clinical assessment with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), measurement of the range of motion (ROM) of the upper-limb joints, the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Upper Extremity (FMA-U) and the Modified Barthel Index Score (MBI) before and after the whole treatment. Results: After 4 weeks of treatment, the VAS scores of both groups were decreased significantly (P＜0.05), and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There is no statistical significance for the difference between the treatment group and control group in terms of the FMA-U and MBI scores and the forward bend, backward, outstretch, external rotation and pronation angles after treatment. The increases in the values of VAS, FMA-M and MBI in the treatment group were greater than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The increases in the values of the forward bend, outreach and external rotation angles in the treatment group were greater than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The treatment group showed better results than the control group in terms of the relief of pain symptoms, the improvement of motor function and the improvement of the activities of daily living for patients with shoulder-hand syndrome after cerebral hemorrhage. Qingpeng ointment is effective and safe in treating poststroke SHS.

Download Full-text

Involvement of the Inconstant Bursa of the Fifth Metatarsophalangeal Joint in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Clinical and Ultrasonographic Study

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2014/174841 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Giovanni Ciancio ◽

Stefania Volpinari ◽

Maria Fotinidi ◽

Federica Furini ◽

Ilaria Farina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psoriatic Arthritis ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Metatarsophalangeal Joint ◽

Metatarsal Bone ◽

The Other ◽

Control Group ◽

Asymptomatic Patients ◽

Seronegative Spondyloarthritis ◽

The Difference

Objective. To evaluate the involvement of the bursa located next to the head of the 5th metatarsal bone in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in comparison with the other seronegative spondyloarthritis (SpA).Methods. All patients with PsA seen during a period of 24 months were enrolled. The control group included healthy subjects and patients with the other SpA. All subjects underwent clinical and ultrasound (US) examination of the lateral surface of the 5th metatarsal.Results. 150 PsA patients (88 M; 62 F), 172 SpA (107 M; 65 F), and 95 healthy controls (58 M; 37 F) were evaluated. Based on clinical and US evaluation, bursitis was diagnosed in 17/150 (11.3%) PsA patients but in none of the SpA (P<0.0001) and healthy (P=0.0002) controls. In detecting bursitis, US was more sensitive than clinical examination, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.09).Conclusion. The bursa of the 5th metatarsophalangeal joint appears to be involved in PsA more frequently than by chance. If confirmed by other studies, this finding could be considered as a distinctive clinical sign of PsA, useful for differential diagnosis with the other SpA. In asymptomatic patients, US proved to be more sensitive in the detection of bursitis.

Download Full-text

Autoimmune thyroid disease in patients with anti-GAD positive type 1 diabetes mellitus

Open Medicine ◽

10.2478/s11536-009-0080-z ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 415-422

Author(s):

Kamile Gul ◽

Ihsan Ustun ◽

Yusuf Aydin ◽

Dilek Berker ◽

Halil Erol ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Control Group ◽

Acid Decarboxylase ◽

Thyroid Peroxidase ◽

The Difference ◽

Type 1 Dm

AbstractThe aim of the study was to determine the frequency and titers of anti-thyroid peroxidase (Anti-TPO), anti-thyroglobulin (Anti-TG), and anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase (Anti-GAD) antibodies in Turkish patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), and to compare the frequency of anti-TPO and anti-TG titers in the presence or absence of anti-GAD. A total of 104 patients including 56 males and 48 females with type 1 DM and their age-, gender-, and body mass index-matched control group, including 31 males and 27 females, 58 cases in total with an age range of 15-50 years, were recruited into this study. In patients with type 1 DM, positive anti-GAD was detected in 30.8% (n=32). In patients with positive anti-GAD, rate of positive anti-TPO was 37.5%; however, in patients with negative anti-GAD, the rate of positive anti-TPO was 9.7% and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.001). In patients with positive anti-GAD, the rate of positive anti-TG was 18.8%. In patients with negative anti-GAD, the rate of positive anti-TG was 2.8%, and the difference between them was statistically significant (p=0.005). In patients with positive and negative anti-GAD, rates of both positive anti-TPO and anti-TG were 15.6% and 1.4%, respectively, with the difference showing statistical significance (p=0.004). Thyroid autoimmunity in type 1 DM patients with positive anti-GAD was apparently higher; therefore, these patients should be followed more frequently and carefully.

Download Full-text

Analysis of Nursing Cooperation in Microscopic Pituitary Tumor Resection via Transsphenoidal Approach

Tobacco Regulatory Science ◽

10.18001/trs.7.6.119 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (6) ◽

pp. 6445-6452

Author(s):

Haijuan Hu ◽

Yishu Zhao ◽

Jianhua Ma

Keyword(s):

Statistical Significance ◽

Tumor Resection ◽

Nursing Intervention ◽

Transsphenoidal Approach ◽

Control Group ◽

Mechanical Equipment ◽

Study Group ◽

Observation Group ◽

The Difference ◽

Better Than

To analyze the clinical effect of nursing cooperation in transsphenoidal approach microscopic hypophysectomy. From January 2017 to January 2020, 80 patients who underwent transsphenoidal microscopic hypophysectomy in our hospital were selected to participate in the analysis and study. They were divided into two groups according to the randomized allocation, namely the observation group and the control group. Among them, 40 patients in the observation group and 40 patients in the control group were given routine nursing care for the patients in the control group, and comprehensive nursing intervention was adopted for the patients in the observation group, and the overall nursing effect of the two groups of patients was compared. After taking different nursing methods, the condition of patients in both groups was effectively controlled, and the effective rate of patients in the observation group with comprehensive nursing intervention was significantly better than that of patients in the control group with conventional nursing methods, and the difference had certain statistical significance (P < 0.05); The satisfaction degree of patients in the study group was significantly better than that of patients in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The degree of negative emotions of patients in the study group was significantly better than that of patients in the control group after receiving comprehensive nursing intervention, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05), and the difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05); The scores of each index of SF-36 questionnaire of patients in both groups were higher than those before nursing, and the scores of each index of patients in observation group were higher than those of patients in control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P > 0.05). With adequate preoperative preparation and mastery of the use of mechanical equipment, comprehensive nursing intervention can effectively improve the treatment effect of patients, make patients more satisfied with the nursing work, and can soothe patients’ negative psychological mood, eliminate panic, improve patients' life confidence, enhance intraoperative cooperation, and ensure that the operation can be completed smoothly.

Download Full-text

S289 – Effect of Pterygopalatine Injection on EBL in Sinus Surgery

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1016/j.otohns.2008.05.465 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 139 (2_suppl) ◽

pp. P171-P171

Author(s):

Michael Bublik ◽

Jean A Eloy ◽

Brian Tse ◽

Ruiz Jose W ◽

Roy R Casiano

Keyword(s):

Statistical Significance ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Pterygopalatine Fossa ◽

Sinus Surgery ◽

Control Group ◽

Simple Method ◽

Injection Group ◽

Greater Palatine Foramen ◽

Estimated Blood Loss ◽

The Difference

Objectives We compare estimated blood loss (EBL) during functional endoscopic sinus surgery between patients receiving transoral pterygopalatine fossa and transnasal infiltration (combined) to patients receiving only transnasal infiltration. Variables such as CT-stage, revision surgery, presence of polyps, and operative time are considered. Methods Injection with 1% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine was performed through the greater palatine foramen and transnasally in the “combined” study group (20 patients) and only transnasally in the control group (22 patients). Charts, operative reports, and CT scans were reviewed and demographic data as well as pertinent information were collected. Patients were followed up and all additional procedures and events were recorded. Results 12 females and 8 males, average age of 48, underwent combined injections; 16 males and 6 females (average age of 50) were in the control group. Using the Wilcoxon/ Kruskal-Wallis Tests (Rank Sums), mean EBL calculated for the combined injection group was 347ml and 493ml for the transnasal injection group (CI 0.95, p=0.093). Average ratio of EBL over OR time was 2.89 ml/min for the combined group and 4.11 ml/min for the control group. We also compare EBL between groups in patients with polyps, endoscopic and CT stage, and revision cases. No complications were reported. Conclusions Combined injection of the pterygopalatine fossa and nasal cavity appears to be a safe and relatively simple method to decrease EBL during sinus surgery, but initial data analysis shows that the difference did not reach statistical significance.

Download Full-text

Rapid Determination of Maintenance Heparin Infusion Rates with the Use of Non-Steady-State Heparin Concentrations

Annals of Pharmacotherapy ◽

10.1177/106002809302701201 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 27 (12) ◽

pp. 1429-1433 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Robert J. Kandrotas ◽

Peter Gal ◽

Jean B. Douglas ◽

James B. Groce

Keyword(s):

Steady State ◽

Venous Thrombosis ◽

Deep Venous Thrombosis ◽

Rapid Determination ◽

Heparin Therapy ◽

Control Group ◽

Heparin Infusion ◽

The Difference ◽

Dosing Method

OBJECTIVE: To compare heparin dosage adjustment using only activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) with a method using non-steady-state heparin concentrations (HCs) to rapidly achieve and maintain an APTT ratio greater than or equal to 1.5 times baseline throughout the first 24 hours of therapy. DESIGN: Randomized, blind, parallel comparison of an empiric dosing method based only on APTT with a dosing method based on the calculation of heparin clearance using non-steady-state HCs. SETTING: A private community teaching hospital. The patient, physician, nurses, and investigators were blinded to the dosing method. Only the clinical staff pharmacist, who received the consult and made all dosage adjustments, was not blinded. PATIENTS: All patients requiring heparin for the treatment of thromboembolic disease were evaluated for potential inclusion in the study. Patients were enrolled in the study if they had a clinical diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis confirmed by objective means such as venography or ultrasonography. Patients were excluded if they had active bleeding, platelet dysfunction, thrombocytopenia, severe hepatic disease (total bilirubin >25.7 μmol/L), renal disease, or evidence of stroke. Patients were also excluded if they were receiving heparin prior to enrollment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Maintenance of an APTT ratio greater than or equal to 1.5 times baseline throughout the first 24 hours of heparin therapy. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were enrolled in the study; 17 in each group. The groups were not significantly different with regard to gender, age, baseline APTT, or mean loading dose (p>0.5). Mean initial infusion rates for the control and HC groups were 1042 ± 194 and 1071 ± 143 units/h, respectively (p>0.5). After the first rate adjustment at 4 hours, the difference achieved significance at 1032 ± 232 and 1367 ± 317 units/h for the control and HC groups, respectively (p<0.01). At 12 hours, 18.8 percent of the patients in the control group were subtherapeutic; by 24 hours, 33.3 percent were subtherapeutic. No patients became subtherapeutic in the HCs group during the first 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that, in contrast to standard heparin dosing methods, the use of non-steady-state HCs allows patients with deep venous thrombosis to rapidly achieve and maintain therapeutic APTT ratios throughout the critical first 24 hours of therapy.

Download Full-text

Antimicrobial and Antiproliferative Potential ofAnadenanthera colubrina(Vell.) Brenan

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2014/802696 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Rennaly de Freitas Lima ◽

Érika Ponchet Alves ◽

Pedro Luiz Rosalen ◽

Ana Lúcia Tasca Gois Ruiz ◽

Marta Cristina Teixeira Duarte ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Candida Albicans ◽

Tumor Cells ◽

Cell Morphology ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Human Tumor ◽

Ethyl Acetate Fraction ◽

Control Group ◽

Oral Biofilm ◽

The Difference

The aim of the present study was to perform anin vitroanalysis of the antimicrobial and antiproliferative potential of an extract fromAnadenanthera colubrina(Vell.) Brenan (angico) and chemically characterize the crude extract. Antimicrobial action was evaluated based on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration, and the inhibition of formation to oral biofilm. Cell morphology was determined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Six strains of tumor cells were used for the determination of antiproliferative potential. The extract demonstrated strong antifungal activity againstCandida albicansATCC 18804 (MIC=0.031 mg/mL), with similar activity found regarding the ethyl acetate fraction. The extract and active fraction also demonstrated the capacity to inhibit the formation ofCandida albicansto oral biofilm after 48 hours, with median values equal to or greater than the control group, but the difference did not achieve statistical significance(P>0.05). SEM revealed alterations in the cell morphology of the yeast. Regarding antiproliferative activity, the extract demonstrated cytostatic potential in all strains tested. The present findings suggest strong antifungal potential forAnadenanthera colubrina(Vell.) Brenan as well as a tendency toward diminishing the growth of human tumor cells.

Download Full-text

Effect-Size Measures and Meta-Analytic Thinking in Counseling Psychology Research

The Counseling Psychologist ◽

10.1177/0011000005283558 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 34 (5) ◽

pp. 601-629 ◽

Cited By ~ 75

Author(s):

Robin K. Henson

Keyword(s):

Confidence Intervals ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Analytic Thinking ◽

Statistical Significance Testing ◽

History Of ◽

The Difference ◽

Result Interpretation

Effect sizes are critical to result interpretation and synthesis across studies. Although statistical significance testing has historically dominated the determination of result importance, modern views emphasize the role of effect sizes and confidence intervals. This article accessibly discusses how to calculate and interpret the effect sizes that counseling psychologists use most frequently. To provide context, the author presents a brief history of statistical significance tests. Second, the author discusses the difference between statistical, practical, and clinical significance. Third, the author reviews and graphically demonstrates two common types of effect sizes, commenting on multivariate and corrected effect sizes. Fourth, the author emphasizes meta-analytic thinking and the potential role of confidence intervals around effect sizes. Finally, the author gives a hypothetical example of how to report and potentially interpret some effect sizes.

Download Full-text

Pushed output in a multi-stage dictogloss task

ITL - International Journal of Applied Linguistics ◽

10.1075/itl.166.2.05bas ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 166 (2) ◽

pp. 307-329

Author(s):

María Basterrechea

Keyword(s):

Foreign Language ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Control Group ◽

Target Feature ◽

Efl Learners ◽

Multi Stage ◽

Subsequent Exposure ◽

The Difference ◽

Age Range ◽

Experimental Group

The present study set out to determine how learners’ written production would affect their noticing and production of a specific language form (the English 3rd person singular present tense marker -s) upon receiving relevant input subsequently, in an attempt to contribute to the ongoing debate about how production affects noticing of linguistic forms. One hundred and eighteen (118) English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) learners (age range 15–6) in two educational contexts (Content and Language Integrated Learning and mainstream EFL) carried out a multi-stage dictogloss task. They followed the usual steps in this type of task (listen and jot down key words, text reconstruction). Then the experimental group (EG) listened to the text once again and compared it with their reconstructed version of the original passage. Their production of the target feature was compared to that of a control group (CG) who did not receive input after their own reconstruction. Results showed that the difference between the EG and the CG in the amount of instances of the target feature produced in the dictogloss task did not reach statistical significance. In other words, the act of producing and subsequent exposure to relevant input did not affect the noticing and production of the morpheme under study. In addition, no interaction between the pushed output condition and the educational context was found.

Download Full-text