scholarly journals Electronic Reference Tools in EFL Classes

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 101
Author(s):  
Manssour Ras'n M. Habbash
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Round Table ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
Group A ◽  
One Year ◽  
Group B ◽  
Reference Tools ◽  
The Impact

Electronic reference tools viz. dictionaries, wikis, explorers, translators etc. tender a great support to the EFL learners in understanding different aspects of the lexical, syntactical, phonological and semantic complexities. In view of the usefulness of online reference tools, it is hypothesized that extensive use of the tools in classrooms expedites the acquisition of the language. In an effort to establish the correlation between the effective use of the tools and the acquisition of English as a foreign language, it is proposed to take up a study that aims at finding out the impact of using Electronic reference tools in EFL classrooms. The study was conducted with two groups of learners of English as a foreign language who completed their yearlong English language course that is mandatory for continuing their bachelors’ course. By using purposive sampling method the participants of the study were selected and were divided into group A and group B based on the levels of success in their acquisition of English required for continuing their bachelor’s courses. The levels of success were determined based on a diagnostic test conducted at the end of their one-year English language program, and graded in light of the Interagency Language Round Table Scale (ILRS). The students who obtained ILRS +3 level and above in the test were included in group A, and the students who obtained below ILRS 3 level are included in group B. The final sample of the students in both the groups were provided with a questionnaire of Likert scale that is followed by face-to-face interviews. By employing mixed method model of research, the correlation between their use of online reference tools and their level of success in learning the language were established. The results show a positive correlation that confirms the use of online and electronic reference tools is an essential learning strategy both within and out of the classroom learning as well as for expediting the learning process. 

Transcriptional characterization of microenvironment and their prediction role for the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma after surgery.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15650-e15650
Author(s):  
Kehe Chen ◽  
Haiming Wei ◽  
Tianqi Liu ◽  
Zhenxiang Chen ◽  
Deng Pan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Antigen Processing ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Ffpe Tumor ◽  
Group A ◽  
One Year ◽  
Group B ◽  
Immune Related Genes ◽  
The Impact

e15650 Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common prevalent fatal cancers worldwide with poor prognosis due to high incidence of recurrence. For patients with HCC, surgical treatment is a potentially cutative therapy. However, the puzzle in the therapy was the rapid recurrence after surgery. The purpose of this study was to integrate the impact of different immune context present in HCC microenvironment on patients’ prognosis, provide the molecular prediction clue of HCC recurrence. Methods: RNA targeted sequencing was performed on 12 primary tumor specimens from HCC patients. Transcripts of 395 immune related genes expressed in FFPE tumor samples were analyzed. The lima package was used to analyze the different expressed genes (DEGs) between patients with different prognosis. The gene set variance analysis (GSVA) analysis was performed to explore gene sets enrichment related to the recurrence post-resection. Results: 15 DEGs were detected in tissue samples between the two groups (group A: patients who relapsed within one year after surgery; group B: patients who hadn't relapsed beyond two years after surgery). The Antigen processing pathway enrichment may associate with the favorable prognosis (p < 0.05). HLA-A gene expression in group A was lower than that in group B; The gene expression of IL23A, TP63, ALOX15B, BUB1, CXCR2, CCL20, CLEC4C, PTK7, MPO, IL1B, MMP9, GAGE2C, GAGE2A, GAGE2E, DMBT1, FOXM1 in group A was higher than that in group B. Additionally, the combination of 3 genes (TP63, IL23A and BUB1) can distinguish the patients recurrent within 1 year or beyond 2 years post-resection. The joint diagnostic equation is logit (Y = 1) = 0.073 +0.740 *(TP63) + 0.589 * (IL23A)+0.959(BUB1), (Optimal threshold: 0.667, specificity: 1, sensitivity: 0.833). Conclusions: Our results suggest that RNA-seq of immune related genes from FFPE sample can effectively profile the specific landscape of tumor immune microenvironment and predict the survival of HCC. 3 genes’ expression (TP63, IL23A and BUB1) might correlate with recurrence in HCC patients after surgery.

scholarly journals APPENDECTOMY IN THE TIMES OF COVID-19: COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TWO GROUPS OF PATIENTS BETWEEN SIMILAR PERIODS OF TIME - 2019 VS 2020

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-11
Author(s):  
C. Ungureanu ◽  
R. Mirică ◽  
R. Iosifescu ◽  
M. Zamfir ◽  
M. Mardare ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Delayed Presentation ◽  
Emergency Hospital Service ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Times ◽  
One Year ◽  
Group B ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Surgery Center

Acute pathology of the cecal appendix - appendicitis, is a condition that does not take into account the pandemic period. The aim of this study is to retrospectively analyze the relationship of care for two groups of patients who underwent appendectomy in COVID-19 period and one year before, same period of time, in emergency hospital service. We performed a retrospective analysis on the patients admitted in our surgery center by comparing two groups for each period analysed: group A, for the period March-May 2019 and group B for the period March-May 2020 (corresponding to COVID-19 pandemic). We compared the groups analysing features that prove the change in age, incidence, grade (severity) of appendicitis, delay of surgery, length of surgery, postoperative complications and hospitalization time. CT scan was made for each patient. In the group B, PCR COVID-19 testing was made (all patients were negative for COVID-19). Our study consisted of 52 patients, group A-32 patients (61.53%) and group B-22 patients (38.47%). The Covid-19 pandemic influenced the incidence of appendicitis and we noted a delayed presentation which led to more complicated appendicitis than same period of the previous year. The impact also was noted on length of surgery, due to use of PPE (personal protective equipment) and also modified anatomy of the region related to inflammation. The severity of appendicitis was higher in the COVID-19 period when compared to 2019 similar period of time. Further research is required to draw more conclusions on this period.

Efficiency of cognitive control recruitment in the very early stage of multiple sclerosis: a one-year fMRI follow-up study

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 786-792 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Audoin ◽  
F Reuter ◽  
MVA Duong ◽  
I Malikova ◽  
S Confort-Gouny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Standard Pattern ◽  
Group A ◽  
One Year ◽  
Group B ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) studies have established that patients with multiple sclerosis show stronger activation in the lateral prefrontal cortices (LPFC) than healthy control subjects during effortful cognitive tasks. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of these activation changes on cognitive performances. In addition to 19 controls, who were tested at a single time-point to define a standard pattern of fMRI activation during the performance of the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT), 13 patients with clinically isolated syndrome underwent a longitudinal fMRI examination while performing the PASAT at the beginning of the study (M0) and one year later (M12). Relative to the M0 scores, PASAT performances improved in eight patients (group A) and either decreased ( n = 4) or remained unchanged ( n = 1) (group B) in five patients at M12. Random effect analyses (SPM2; Wellcome Institute, London, England) were performed to compare intra-group time-related effects on brain activation (paired t-test between M0 and M12), and inter-group differences were also compared between the two groups of patients (analysis of covariance with PASAT performances as the covariate). Relative to group B, group A showed larger increase in activation between M0 and M12 in the right LPFC. In the whole group of patients, interaction analyses showed that the differences in the PASAT scores between M0 and M12 were correlated with the differences in activation observed in the right LPFC. This longitudinal study shows that in patients with early multiple sclerosis, the increased levels of activation in the right LPFC was associated with improved individual working memory and processing speed performances.

Comparison of one-year prognosis of patients classified as chronic critical lower limb ischaemia according to TASC II or European consensus definition in the COPART cohort

VASA ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 0220-0228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Vircoulon ◽  
Carine Boulon ◽  
Ileana Desormais ◽  
Philippe Lacroix ◽  
Victor Aboyans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Critical Limb Ischaemia ◽  
Limb Ischaemia ◽  
Medical Group ◽  
Consensus Definition ◽  
Transcutaneous Oxygen ◽  
European Consensus ◽  
Group A ◽  
One Year ◽  
Group B

Background: We compared one-year amputation and survival rates in patients fulfilling 1991 European consensus critical limb ischaemia (CLI) definition to those clas, sified as CLI by TASC II but not European consensus (EC) definition. Patients and methods: Patients were selected from the COPART cohort of hospitalized patients with peripheral occlusive arterial disease suffering from lower extremity rest pain or ulcer and who completed one-year follow-up. Ankle and toe systolic pressures and transcutaneous oxygen pressure were measured. The patients were classified into two groups: those who could benefit from revascularization and those who could not (medical group). Within these groups, patients were separated into those who had CLI according to the European consensus definition (EC + TASC II: group A if revascularization, group C if medical treatment) and those who had no CLI by the European definition but who had CLI according to the TASC II definition (TASC: group B if revascularization and D if medical treatment). Results: 471 patients were included in the study (236 in the surgical group, 235 in the medical group). There was no difference according to the CLI definition for survival or cardiovascular event-free survival. However, major amputations were more frequent in group A than in group B (25 vs 12 %, p = 0.046) and in group C than in group D (38 vs 20 %, p = 0.004). Conclusions: Major amputation is twice as frequent in patients with CLI according to the historical European consensus definition than in those classified to the TASC II definition but not the EC. Caution is required when comparing results of recent series to historical controls. The TASC II definition of CLI is too wide to compare patients from clinical trials so we suggest separating these patients into two different stages: permanent (TASC II but not EC definition) and critical ischaemia (TASC II and EC definition).

scholarly journals The Impact of Left Atrial Size in Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation Using Remote Magnetic Navigation

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Xiao-yu Liu ◽  
Hai-feng Shi ◽  
Jie Zheng ◽  
Ku-lin Li ◽  
Xiao-xi Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Magnetic Navigation ◽  
Remote Magnetic Navigation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
The Impact

Objective. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of left atrial (LA) size for the ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) using remote magnetic navigation (RMN). Methods. A total of 165 patients with AF who underwent catheter ablation using RMN were included. The patients were divided into two groups based on LA diameter. Eighty-three patients had small LA (diameter <40 mm; Group A), and 82 patients had a large LA (diameter ≥40 mm; Group B). Results. During mapping and ablation, X-ray time (37.0 (99.0) s vs. 12 (30.1) s, P<0.001) and X-ray dose (1.4 (2.7) gy·cm2 vs. 0.7 (2.1) gy·cm2, P=0.013) were significantly higher in Group A. No serious complications occurred in any of the patients. There was no statistical difference in the rate of first anatomical attempt of pulmonary vein isolation between the two groups (71.1% vs. 57.3%, P=0.065). However, compared with Group B, the rate of sinus rhythm was higher (77.1% vs. 58.5%, P<0.001) during the follow-up period. More patients in Group A required a sheath adjustment (47/83 vs. 21/82, P<0.001), presumably due to less magnets positioned outside of the sheath. In vitro experiments with the RMN catheter demonstrated that only one magnet exposed created the sheath affects which influenced the flexibility of the catheter. Conclusions. AF ablation using RMN is safe and effective in both small and large LA patients. Patients with small LA may pose a greater difficulty when using RMN which may be attributed to the fewer magnets beyond the sheath. As a result, the exposure of radiation was increased. This study found that having at least two magnets of the catheter positioned outside of the sheath can ensure an appropriate flexibility of the catheter.

scholarly journals The Influence of the Physiotherapeutic Program on Selected Static and Dynamic Foot Indicators and the Balance of Elderly Women Depending on the Ground Stability

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4660
Author(s):  
Joanna Matla ◽  
Katarzyna Filar-Mierzwa ◽  
Anna Ścisłowska-Czarnecka ◽  
Agnieszka Jankowicz-Szymańska ◽  
Aneta Bac
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Women ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Balance Assessment ◽  
Motor Functions ◽  
Static Test ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
The Impact

Seniors are a constantly growing group of people in many societies. It is necessary to develop physiotherapeutic programs to improve their mobility. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the physiotherapeutic program conducted unstable ground on selected indicators of motor functions of elderly women. Sixty women (60–80 years) participated in the research. Group A (N = 20) underwent a 12-week physiotherapeutic program on stable ground, group B (N = 20) followed an exercise program on unstable ground, and group C (N = 20) (control group) had no therapeutic intervention. The effects of the therapy were assessed by using a FreeMed platform (foot load analysis) and a Biosway balance system. The results were compared using ANOVA (the one-way analysis), the Kruskal–Wallis test and also the post hoc tests (Tukey’s test and the multiple comparison test). In group A, a statistically significant change was observed in the static test and balance assessment, in group B this was observed in the static and dynamic foot tests and balance assessment, in group C, no statistical significance was achieved. The authors’ physiotherapeutic program had a statistically significant effect on changes in the balance and selected indicators of the motor functions of the examined people. Comparing the results before and after the therapy more improvement changes were noted in women training on an unstable ground compared to women training on a stable ground.

scholarly journals Infective complications after percutaneous nephrolithotomy in relation to preoperative urine culture status

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-13
Author(s):  
Birendra Kumar Yadav ◽  
Robin Bahadur Basnet ◽  
Anil Shrestha ◽  
Parish Mani Shrestha
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy ◽  
Urine Culture ◽  
Operation Time ◽  
Group A ◽  
One Year ◽  
Group B ◽  
Stone Characteristics ◽  
Negative Urine Culture ◽  
Infective Complications

Introductions: Fever and sepsis after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) secondary to urinary tract infection is a major determinant of overall post PCNL complications. This study aims to analyse infective complications after PCNL in relation to pre-operative urine culture status. Methods: A comparative analysis of post PCNL infective complications in pre-operative urine culture positive (Group A) and negative (Group B) was done for one year during June 2017 to May 2018 in department of urology, Bir Hospital, National Academy of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal. Demographics, stone characteristics, mean operative time, post-operative hospital stay and post-operative complications as per Modified Clavien classification were compared between the two groups. Results: Out of total 136 PCNL patients, 51 were in Group A and 85 in Group B. Infective complications were significantly high, 28 (54.90%) in group A compared to 20 (23.53%) in group B, p=0.004. The most common isolate was Escherichia coli 19 (37.25%), sensitive to amikacin 37 (72.55%). The mean operation time, transfusion and hospital stay was not statically different in two groups. Morality occurred in 1 (1.96%) in group A. Conclusions: Infective complications were significantly high after PCNL in patients with preoperative positive urine culture, even when it was treated to sterile with sensitive antibiotics, compared to patients with preoperative negative urine culture.

Perforator-Based Flap Reconstruction after Melanoma Resection: Evaluation of Oncological, Aesthetic, and Functional Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beniamino Brunetti ◽  
Rosa Salzillo ◽  
Stefania Tenna ◽  
Bruno Brunetti ◽  
Mario Alessandri Bonetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Locoregional Recurrence ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Aesthetic ◽  
One Year ◽  
Group B

Abstract Background Evidence in literature about the best reconstructive approach after melanoma resection is controversial, with some authors advocating that tissue rearrangement flap techniques might hinder the early detection of local relapses. The aim of the present study is to evaluate oncological, aesthetic, and functional outcomes following melanoma reconstruction using pedicled perforator-based flaps. Methods The authors reviewed all patients affected by melanoma treated during a 6-year period. Demographic data, tumor characteristics, and operative variables were evaluated. Locoregional recurrence was assessed with clinical and radiological follow-up. One-year postoperatively patients rated on a 5-point Likert scale the aesthetic and functional outcomes of the procedure. Three blind observers examined preoperative and 1-year postoperative photographs and rated the aesthetic outcome of the reconstructive procedure. Results One-hundred sixty-five patients were treated with wide excision and delayed reconstruction, including pedicled perforator-based flaps in 70 patients (group A) and primary closure in 95 patients (group B). Mean Breslow thickness was 2.972 and 2.189 mm in group A and B, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in locoregional recurrence (chi-squared test, p = 0.8333; Fisher's exact test, p > 0.9999) between the two groups. Group A reported a higher satisfaction with both the aesthetic (mean rating 4.390 in group A and 4.094 in group B) and functional (mean rating 4.732 in group A and 4.170 in group B) outcomes of the procedure, the latter being statistically significant (p = 0.0006). Conclusion This series suggests that pedicled perforator-based flaps provide optimal aesthetic and functional outcomes in melanoma reconstruction without impairing the locoregional control of the disease.

Immunity to Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, and Poliomyelitis in Children with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia After Cessation of Chemotherapy

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. van der Does-van den Berg ◽  
J. Hermans ◽  
J. Nagel ◽  
G. van Steenis
Keyword(s):  
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
First Year ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
Group A ◽  
One Year ◽  
Group B ◽  
Antibody Levels

Antibody titers to diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and poliomyelitis (types I to III) were measured in previously vaccinated children with acute lymphocytic leukemia in remission after cessation of therapy. The response to revaccination one year after therapy was stopped was also studied. The patients' antibody titers were compared with those of healthy children, matched for age and sex. Two groups of patients were studied: one group (group A, N = 30) was given two drugs (6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate); the other group (group B, N= 19) was given three drugs (6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate, and cyclophosphamide) for maintenance treatment. In general, the patients' antibody titers were lower than those of healthy children, but in most patients they were still at levels considered to be protective. No significant differences in antibody levels between the two patient groups were found. A spontaneous rise in antibody titers in the first year after termination of therapy was not observed. After revaccination the rise in antibody titers was correlated with preexisting antibody titers in the same way in patients as in healthy children, and the antibody titers in patients and in healthy control subjects were on roughly the same level.

Pharmacist Impact on Physician Practices Related to Diabetes Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 560-575
Author(s):  
Amina Ammar ◽  
Lindsay M. Darghali ◽  
Wassim Tarraf ◽  
Helen D. Berlie ◽  
Linda A. Jaber
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Diabetes Management ◽  
Individual Treatment ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Composite Target ◽  
Physician Practices ◽  
Physical Presence ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
The Impact

To examine the impact of a pharmacist’s physical presence on (1) the achievement of individual and combined targets for hemoglobin A1c (A1C), blood pressure (BP), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (composite target), and (2) physician practices in relation to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) standards of medical care.   Methods A retrospective, comparative study of randomly selected diabetic patients seen within an underserved primary care setting at least twice annually between June 1, 2018- December 31, 2019. Patients were allocated by whether they had received care in one of the physician-pharmacist clinics (Group A) or the physician-only clinic (Group B). Study outcomes included the proportion of patients achieving the composite and individual treatment targets for A1C, BP, and LDL-C.   Results A total of 394 patients were included; Majority were underserved African Americans. The composite target was attained by 20% of participants in Group A and 13% in Group B (p=0.09). There were no statistically significant differences in achievement of individual targets between groups. A significantly higher proportion of participants in Group A achieved better control of diastolic blood pressure control (85% vs. 74%), had microalbuminuria tested (50% vs. 12%), were prescribed aspirin (43% vs. 32%), and had lower utilization of non-insulin glucose-lowering agents relative to those in Group B.   Conclusion The impact of a pharmacist’s physical presence on physician practice demonstrated a general trend towards improvement in clinical outcomes related to diabetes management. Future studies are needed to further characterize the impact provided by the physician-pharmacist relationship.

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