Aligning the Language Criteria of a Group Oral Test to the CEFR: The Case of a Formal Meeting Assessment in an English for Occupational Purposes Classroom

The Malaysian Education Blueprint (MEB) 2015-2025 has set in motion efforts from all stages of education to align programs, courses, and syllabuses to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) benchmark. This exercise has brought on major revamps in all aspects of English language education in the nation. This study will present such an undertaking in a public university in Malaysia and detail how the language criteria for an oral group test of an English for Occupational Purposes course have been aligned to the stipulated CEFR level. The actual assessment task involved groups of four or five students conducting a meeting of their established company. Data for the study came from an analysis of the audio recordings of nine group meetings, along with post-assessment interviews and focus group discussions involving three EOP instructors. Based on the data analysis, this study recommends a revised set of language criteria for the assessment. Furthermore, it demonstrates how an alignment of the scoring criteria with the descriptors of the targeted CEFR scale can be achieved through a systematic comparison of the language functions (LFs) produced in the meeting task to the targeted CEFR descriptor scales. The revised language component for the meeting assessment could help ease instructors’ assessment of students interactional skills and allow them to gauge better their students’ attainment of the skills required in a formal meeting context.

Antimicrobial Use and Susceptibility of Indicator Escherichia coli in Finnish Integrated Pork Production

In pigs, antimicrobial use (AMU) practices vary at different production phases between herds and between countries. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) development is linked to AMU but recognized as a multi-factorial issue, and thus, any information increasing knowledge of AMU and AMR relationships is valuable. We described AMU and screened the carriage of different AMR phenotypes of indicator Escherichia coli in 25 selected Finnish piglet-producing and finishing herds that formed nine birth-to-slaughter production lines. Moreover, we studied associations between AMU and AMR in both herd types and throughout the production line. Treatment records were obtained from the national Sikava register for 1year, and AMU was quantified as mg/PCU (population correction unit) and TIs (treatment incidences). For phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing, ten pen-level pooled feces samples (n=250) in each herd were collected from one room representing the oldest weaned piglets or the oldest finishing pigs. Majority of the medications (96.8%) was administered parenterally, and penicillin was the predominant antimicrobial in every herd. More different antimicrobial substances were used in piglet-producing than in finishing herds (median 5 and 1, respectively, p<0.001). As mg/PCU, sows had the highest AMU and suckling piglets had the highest TIs, whereas finishing pigs were the least treated age group. The proportion of susceptible indicator E. coli isolates of all studied isolates was 59.6%. Resistance was found most commonly against tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, and ampicillin, and multi-resistant (MR) isolates (46.5% of all resistant isolates) were resistant to a maximum of four different antimicrobials. Quinolone resistance was rare, and no resistance against 3rd-generation cephalosporins, meropenem, azithromycin, colistin, gentamicin, or tigecycline was detected. The main associations between AMU and AMR were found at antimicrobial group level when use was compared with the presence of AMR phenotypes. The proportion of resistant isolates was not associated with AMU, and herd size was not associated with either AMU or AMR. We suggest that the use of narrow-spectrum beta-lactams as a primary treatment option and lack of wide application of oral group medications potentially favors a good resistance pattern in integrated pork production.

Intravenous or oral antibiotic treatment in adults and children with cystic fibrosis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection: the TORPEDO-CF RCT

Background People with cystic fibrosis are susceptible to pulmonary infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This may become chronic and lead to increased mortality and morbidity. If treatment is commenced promptly, infection may be eradicated through prolonged antibiotic treatment. Objective To compare the clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and safety of two eradication regimens. Design This was a Phase IV, multicentre, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial. Setting Seventy UK and two Italian cystic fibrosis centres. Participants Participants were individuals with cystic fibrosis aged > 28 days old who had never had a P. aeruginosa infection or who had been infection free for 1 year. Interventions Fourteen days of intravenous ceftazidime and tobramycin or 3 months of oral ciprofloxacin. Inhaled colistimethate sodium was included in both regimens over 3 months. Consenting patients were randomly allocated to either treatment arm in a 1 : 1 ratio using simple block randomisation with random variable block length. Main outcome measures The primary outcome was eradication of P. aeruginosa at 3 months and remaining free of infection to 15 months. Secondary outcomes included time to reoccurrence, spirometry, anthropometrics, pulmonary exacerbations and hospitalisations. Primary analysis used intention to treat (powered for superiority). Safety analysis included patients who had received at least one dose of any of the study drugs. Cost-effectiveness analysis explored the cost per successful eradication and the cost per quality-adjusted life-year. Results Between 5 October 2010 and 27 January 2017, 286 patients were randomised: 137 patients to intravenous antibiotics and 149 patients to oral antibiotics. The numbers of participants achieving the primary outcome were 55 out of 125 (44%) in the intravenous group and 68 out of 130 (52%) in the oral group. Participants randomised to the intravenous group were less likely to achieve the primary outcome; although the difference between groups was not statistically significant, the clinically important difference that the trial aimed to detect was not contained within the confidence interval (relative risk 0.84, 95% confidence interval 0.65 to 1.09; p = 0.184). Significantly fewer patients in the intravenous group (40/129, 31%) than in the oral group (61/136, 44.9%) were hospitalised in the 12 months following eradication treatment (relative risk 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.5 to 0.95; p = 0.02). There were no clinically important differences in other secondary outcomes. There were 32 serious adverse events in 24 participants [intravenous: 10/126 (7.9%); oral: 14/146 (9.6%)]. Oral therapy led to reductions in costs compared with intravenous therapy (–£5938.50, 95% confidence interval –£7190.30 to –£4686.70). Intravenous therapy usually necessitated hospital admission, which accounted for a large part of this cost. Limitations Only 15 out of the 286 participants recruited were adults – partly because of the smaller number of adult centres participating in the trial. The possibility that the trial participants may be different from the rest of the cystic fibrosis population and may have had a better clinical status, and so be more likely to agree to the uncertainty of trial participation, cannot be ruled out. Conclusions Intravenous antibiotics did not achieve sustained eradication of P. aeruginosa in a greater proportion of cystic fibrosis patients. Although there were fewer hospitalisations in the intravenous group during follow-up, this confers no advantage over the oral therapy group, as intravenous eradication frequently requires hospitalisation. These results do not support the use of intravenous antibiotics to eradicate P. aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis. Future work Future research studies should combine long-term follow-up with regimens to reduce reoccurrence after eradication. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN02734162 and EudraCT 2009-012575-10. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 25, No. 65. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

191. Oral Antibiotic Step-Down Therapy for Non-Staphylococcal Gram-Positive Bloodstream Infections

Background Bloodstream infections are traditionally treated with intravenous (IV) antimicrobial therapy, which may increase length of stay and healthcare costs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if oral antibiotic step-down therapy for non-staphylococcal gram-positive bloodstream infections (GP-BSIs) is non-inferior to IV antibiotics. Methods This single-center, retrospective cohort study included patients with a non-Staphylococcus aureus, non-Staphylococcus lugdunensis GP-BSI from January 2017 to December 2019. Patients were excluded if they fit any of the following criteria: organism identified as contaminant, polymicrobial BSI, recurrent BSI within the past 90 days, or receipt of an effective antibiotic for a duration longer than what is indicated for BSI treatment. Patients were categorized into those who received an IV antibiotic for the total duration of therapy and those who received an oral step-down antibiotic for at least one-third of the treatment course. The primary composite outcome was the incidence of 90-day clinical failure consisting of 90-day all-cause mortality, change in therapy due to inadequate clinical response, and 90-day BSI recurrence. The secondary outcomes included the individual components of the primary composite outcome, line-related complications, and hospital length of stay. Bivariate analysis was conducted to assess for predictors of 90-day clinical failure. Results A total of 308 patients were included (oral group, n=94; IV group, n=214). Pitt Bacteremia Scores were low overall, but higher in the IV group (0 vs 1, p=0.045). The oral group had a higher proportion of GP-BSI caused by streptococcal species (76% vs 61%, p< 0.001). The oral group had a lower incidence of 90-day clinical failure and was found to be noninferior to the IV group (9% vs 14%; mean difference -5%, 90% CI -12.7 to 2.6). The IV group had a longer hospital length of stay (4 vs 6 days, p< 0.001), however there were no other significant differences in secondary outcomes. Bivariate analysis found no significant predictors of 90-day clinical failure. Conclusion Oral antibiotic step-down therapy was found to be non-inferior to IV antibiotic therapy, and thus may be an alternative option for the treatment of non-staphylococcal GP-BSIs. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

A comparison of oral versus topical combination of glucosamine sulphate and diacerein in patients of grade 2 osteoarthritis

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The study aimed to compare oral versus topical combination of glucosamine sulphate and diacerein in patients of grade 2 Osteoarthritis.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a prospective study of 70 patients with grade 2 osteoarthritis knee, randomly divided into 2 groups of 35 each. The first group was given oral 1500mg of glucosamine and 100mg of diacerein per day and second group was given topical preparation of 10% w/w glucosamine sulphate and 1% w/w diacerein to be applied twice. Both the groups were followed up at 1, 3, 6 and 12 weeks. At each follow up, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Lequesne et al scores were used as efficacy parameters. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) level was measured in the beginning and at the end of 12 weeks.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Both the groups showed improvement in pain and joint function as depicted by VAS score and Lequesne index however the difference was not statistically significant. The decrease in CRP value was significant in oral group (p value&lt;0.001) but not in topical group (p value of 0.047). Paracetamol demand was slightly higher in topical group however the difference was not significant.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Glucosamine sulphate and diacerein combination are effective in improving pain, stiffness and function in patients of grade 2 osteoarthritis knee. However, the efficacy of glucosamine sulphate and diacerein combination- oral as well as topical, in improving pain and stiffness is similar- there is no superiority of one over the other.</p>

Evaluation of the Impact of Iron Deficiency Anemia during Pregnancy on Hospital Admission and Utilization of Hospital Resources in Latifa Women and Children Hospital, Dubai, UAE

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is endemic among pregnant females worldwide. Liposomal iron preparation is a novel therapy for treating IDA in pregnant females. There is a lack of research on cost-effect and comparison between various new iron preparations as liposomal and intravenous (IV) iron supplements in the international literature. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effect and maternal-fetal outcome of IDA during pregnancy in Latifa Women and Children Hospital, Dubai, UAE. <b><i>Design:</i></b> The study was a quasi-experimental study. <b><i>Settings:</i></b> Settings include tertiary-care hospital settings affiliated with academic center in UAE. <b><i>Patients and Methods:</i></b> A total of 226 pregnant women were inducted in the study who were controlled in terms of age, BMI, baseline hemoglobin (Hb), severity of anemia, and ferritin levels. There were 116 patients who received oral liposomal iron pyrophosphate and 110 patients received IV iron saccharate complex for 4 weeks. The overall cost-effect and maternal-fetal outcomes were compared in 2 groups. <b><i>Main Outcomes Measured:</i></b> The main outcomes measured the cost-effect of liposomal and IV iron therapy, and the 2 treatments were compared in terms of maternal and fetal outcomes. <b><i>Result:</i></b> The subjects were matched for age and body mass index and showed that the patients in the IV group were more symptomatic than those in the oral group (18.1 vs. 31.9% <i>p</i> value &#x3c;0.01). There was no statistically significant difference among women from different nationalities living in UAE (<i>p</i> value 0.079). There were 98 (84.4%) patients in the oral group and 99 (90%) patients in the IV group who achieved the desired Hb levels after 1 month of treatment (<i>p</i> value = 0.878). Moreover, the side effects were also comparable in both groups (1.72 vs. 1.82% <i>p</i> value = 0.56). The incremental cost-effect ratio for IV iron was USD 108,633/rise to desired Hb. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Liposomal iron preparations may be cost-effective and have fewer side effects than IV iron. In terms of outcome, the maternal and fetal variables are comparable in liposomal and IV groups.

Ameliorative and fecundity potentials of aqueous extract of Azanza garckeana (T. Hoffm) fruit pulp in formalin-induced toxicity on male albino mice

The study investigated the ameliorative and fecundity potentials of Azanza garckeana on formalin-induced toxicity in mice testes. Male albino mice were divided into eight groups of five mice each. Group I was administered normal saline (1 ml/kg per oral); Group II received formalin (10 mg/kg) alone; Groups III, IV and V received formalin (10 mg/kg IP) plus extract (orally) at 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg respectively for 40 days; Groups VI, VII and VIII received extract alone at 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg respectively. Gonadotropin assays and sperm analysis were carried out using standard methods. Animals in groups III to VIII showed significant body weight increase compared to baseline value (p<0.05) from day 20 to 40. Co-administration of the extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg with formalin caused a significant increase in weight of the epididymis compared to control (p<0.05). Extract at 125 and 500 mg/kg induced significant increase in LH, FSH and testosterone compared to control (p<0.05). Extract alone at 250 and 500 mg/kg caused significant increase in FSH compared with control (p<0.05). Extract at 250 mg/kg demonstrated highest fecundity potential of 8.49. These results imply that Azanza garckeana possesses ameliorative and pro-fertility properties. Keywords: Azanza garckeana; Gonadotropins; Aphrodisia; Fecundity; Gonadosomatic index; Sperm Motility

Efficacy of Parenteral versus Oral Vitamin D Replacement in Hypovitaminosis D.

The study was to compare efficacy of parenteral versus oral vitamin D replacement in hypovitaminosis. Study Design: Randomized trial. Setting: Medical Outpatient Clinics of Madinah Teaching Hospital, Chiniot General Hospital and Maqsooda Zia Hospital, Faisalabad. Period: 6 months (Oct 2017 – Apr 2018). Material & Methods: 84 patients were included in the study. Baseline 25(OH) D levels were determined, and followed-up at 3rd and 6th weeks following vitamin D replacement. After giving the first dose of vitamin D (parenteral or oral), patients were given maintenance dose of calcium and vitamin D supplement as per recommended daily allowance (RDA). Patients with significant clinical improvement were also noted in both groups. Results: The change in vitamin D level after 3 weeks and 6 weeks of replacement through oral route and intramuscular (IM) route was compared; which was found to be statistically significant in both groups (p value < 0.05). Mean change in vitamin D levels after 6 weeks of replacement in all the patients was 17.96 + 13.0. In oral group, it was 13.5 + 10.07 and in IM group, it was 22.40 + 14.18. This clearly shows that it was higher in the IM group compared to the oral group. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.001). The percentage change in the serum 25-OH D level was 53% and 79% for oral group compared to 103% and 207% for the IM group, y after 3 and 6 weeks of replacement respectively. Conclusion: While managing hypovitaminosis D, IM route of administration is more effective. There was significant improvement in the serum 25OHD levels in the IM group. A larger randomized control trial should be done comparing the efficacy of oral and IM route of vitamin D replacement.

Injectable Versus Oral First-Line Disease-Modifying Therapies: Results from the Italian MS Register

The current study aims to compare injectable and oral first-line disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for time to first relapse, time to confirmed disability progression (CDP), and time to discontinuation using a cohort of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients, with data extracted from the Italian MS Register. This multicenter, observational, retrospectively acquired, and propensity-adjusted cohort study utilized RRMS-naïve patients from the Italian MS Register who started either injectable or oral first-line DMTs between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2017, to evaluate the impact on disability outcomes in patients. Enrolled patients were divided into two groups, namely the injectable group (IG) and the oral group (OG). Of a cohort of 11,416 patients, 4602 were enrolled (3919 in the IG and 683 in the OG). The IG had a higher rate of women (67.3% vs 63.4%, p < 0.05) and a lower mean age (36.1 ± 10.9 vs 38.9 ± 11.8, p < 0.001). The event time to first relapse demonstrated a lower risk in the OG (HR = 0.58; CI 95% 0.48–0.72, p < 0.001). However, no differences were found between the two groups with respect to the risk of CDP (HR = 0.94; CI 95% 0.76–1.29, p = 0.941), while a lower risk of DMT was found in the OG (HR = 0.72; CI 95% 0.58–0.88, p = 0.002) for the event time to discontinuation. Real-world data from the Italian MS Register suggests that first-line oral DMTs are associated with a lower risk of experiencing a new relapse and of therapy discontinuation compared to injectable DMTs.