Revisiting the Factor Structure of the German WISC-V for Clinical Interpretability: An Exploratory and Confirmatory Approach on the 10 Primary Subtests

With the exception of a recently published study and the analyses provided in the test manual, structural validity is mostly uninvestigated for the German version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fifth Edition (WISC-V). Therefore, the main aim of the present study was to examine the latent structure of the 10 WISC-V primary subtests on a bifurcated extended population-representative German standardization sample (N=1,646) by conducting both exploratory (EFA; n=823) and confirmatory (CFA; n=823) factor analyses on the original data. Since no more than one salient subtest loading could be found on the Fluid Reasoning (FR) factor in EFA, results indicated a four-factor rather than a five-factor model solution when the extraction of more than two suggested factors was forced. Likewise, a bifactor model with four group factors was found to be slightly superior in CFA. Variance estimation from both EFA and CFA revealed that the general factor dominantly accounted for most of the subtest variance and construct reliability estimates further supported interpretability of the Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ). In both EFA and CFA, most group factors explained rather small proportions of common subtest variance and produced low construct replicability estimates, suggesting that the WISC-V primary indexes were of lower interpretive value and should be evaluated with caution. Clinical interpretation should thus be primarily based on the FSIQ and include a comprehensive analysis of the cognitive profile derived from the WISC-V primary indexes rather than analyses of each single primary index.

Minhee Analysis Package: an integrated software package for detection and management of spontaneous synaptic events

To understand the information encoded in a connection between the neurons, postsynaptic current (PSC) has been widely measured as a primary index of synaptic strength in the field of neurophysiology. Although several automatic detection methods for PSCs have been proposed to simplify a workflow in the analysis, repetitive steps such as quantification and management of PSC data should be still performed with much effort. Here, we present Minhee Analysis Package, an integrated standalone software package that is capable of detecting, sorting, and quantifying PSC data. First, we developed a stepwise exploratory algorithm to detect PSC and validated our detection algorithm using the simulated and experimental data. We also described all the features and examples of the package so that users can use and follow them properly. In conclusion, our software package is expected to improve the convenience and efficiency of neurophysiologists to analyze PSC data by simplifying the workflow from detection to quantification. Minhee Analysis Package is freely available to download from http://www.github.com/parkgilbong/Minhee_Analysis_Pack.

Pilot Study on Neonatal Screening for Methylmalonic Acidemia Caused by Defects in the Adenosylcobalamin Synthesis Pathway and Homocystinuria Caused by Defects in Homocysteine Remethylation

Neonatal screening (NS) for methylmalonic acidemia uses propionylcarnitine (C3) as a primary index, which is insufficiently sensitive at detecting methylmalonic acidemia caused by defects in the adenosylcobalamin synthesis pathway. Moreover, homocystinuria from cystathionine β-synthase deficiency is screened by detecting hypermethioninemia, but methionine levels decrease in homocystinuria caused by defects in homocysteine remethylation. To establish NS detection of methylmalonic acidemia and homocystinuria of these subtypes, we evaluated the utility of indices (1) C3 ≥ 3.6 μmol/L and C3/acetylcarnitine (C2) ≥ 0.23, (2) C3/methionine ≥ 0.25, and (3) methionine < 10 μmol/L, by retrospectively applying them to NS data of 59,207 newborns. We found positive results in 116 subjects for index (1), 37 for (2), and 15 for (3). Second-tier tests revealed that for index 1, methylmalonate (MMA) was elevated in two cases, and MMA and total homocysteine (tHcy) were elevated in two cases; for index 2 that MMA was elevated in one case; and for index 3 that tHcy was elevated in one case. Though data were anonymized, two cases identified by index 1 had been diagnosed with maternal vitamin B12 deficiency during NS. Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency was confirmed for the case identified by index 3, which was examined because an elder sibling was affected by the same disease. Based on these data, a prospective NS study is underway.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ON IMMUNITY OF VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS BEFORE AND AFTER TAKING GRAPE PROCYANIDINS SPORTS SUPPLEMENT

ABSTRACT Grape proanthocyanidin is a good health product, without side effects and excellent biological activity, but research in the field of sports tonic is still relatively slow. Currently, the technology of preparation and extraction of grape proanthocyanidins is relatively mature. This fact laid the groundwork for sports tonic proanthocyanidin research. This study first described the biological structure of proanthocyanidin in grapes, and built the immune system of volleyball players before and after taking proanthocyanidin sports supplements. He then analyzed the factors that influence immunity. The results show that the primary index subsystem is consistent with the total system in each phase, but there are still few differences over time, which can be divided into four phases: development, recession, recovery and stability; at the level of scientific training it is reasonable. Male and female athletes take exercise supplements containing proanthocyanidin at each level of training. Regarding humoral immunity and cellular immunity, there was no adverse reaction. This study may offer some reference value for other athletes before and after taking proanthocyanidin as a sports supplement.

Minhee Analysis Package: An Integrated Software Package for Detection and Management of Spontaneous Synaptic Events

To understand the information encoded in a connection between the neurons, postsynaptic current (PSC) has been widely measured as a primary index of synaptic strength in the field of neurophysiology. Although several automatic detection methods for PSCs have been proposed to simplify a workflow in the analysis, repetitive steps such as quantification and management of PSC data should be still performed with much effort. Here, we present Minhee Analysis Package, an integrated standalone software package that is capable of detecting, sorting, and quantifying PSC data. First, we developed a stepwise exploratory algorithm to detect PSC and validated our detection algorithm using the simulated and experimental data. We also described all the features and examples of the package so that users can use and follow them properly. In conclusion, our software package is expected to improve the convenience and efficiency of neurophysiologists to analyze PSC data by simplifying the workflow from detection to quantification. Minhee Analysis Package is freely available to download from http://www.github.com/parkgilbong/Minhee_Analysis_Pack.

Teseo and the analysis of structural dynamic graphs

We present Teseo, a new system for the storage and analysis of dynamic structural graphs in main-memory and the addition of transactional support. Teseo introduces a novel design based on sparse arrays, large arrays interleaved with gaps, and a fat tree, where the graph is ultimately stored. Our design contrasts with early systems for the analysis of dynamic graphs, which often lack transactional support and are anchored to a vertex table as a primary index. We claim that the vertex table implies several constraints, often neglected, that can actually impair the generality, the robustness and extension opportunities of these systems. We compare Teseo with other dynamic graph systems, showing a high resilience to workload and input changes, while achieving comparable, if not superior, throughputs in updates and latencies in raw scans.

Determination and Identification of Important and Influential Nodes Involved in the Pathology of Escherichia Coli Using Improved TOPSIS Method

Various disciplines are trying to solve one of the most noteworthy queries and broadly used concepts in biology, essentiality. Centrality is a primary index and a promising method for identifying essential nodes, particularly in biological networks. Thus, important nodes of the network can be identified by analyzing some of the centrality extracted from the network. In this paper, we aim to identify the important proteins in the Escherichia Coli (E.Coli) network based on extraction of centralities. During these operations, centralities such as degree of centrality, betweeness, laplacian and closeness, are considered as node's important indicators. Finally the important nodes will be determined based on the centrality and Technique for order performance by similarity (TOPSIS) method. After performing the weighted TOPSIS simulation and obtaining the output result, it was found that the proposed hybrid system is able to place 74 and 99 important nodes between the top 100 and 150 nodes, respectively. Finally, the results of this study are compared with other similar studies.

How temporary is temporary ileostomy: variables delaying reversal of an ileostomy

Background: Temporary diversion ileostomy are done to protect distal bowel anastomosis giving adequate time for the bowel repair to heal. Here we studied the reversal time for different temporary ileostomy done and found the factors causing delay in reversal of ileostomy.Methods: In a retrospective cohort of patients, data was collected from the MRD and the operating registry of department of general surgery from January 2013 to December 2017. Parameters like reversal time interval between creation to closure, type of ileostomy, timing of stoma creation, ostomy created with primary index surgery or subsequently, primary etiology that led to creation of ileostomy, ileostomy done on elective list or as an emergency and postoperative complications like anastomotic leak, surgical site infection, intra-abdominal collection were recorded.Results: Of 107 cases, 3 were planned permanent ileostomy and 2 lost follow up. About 77 underwent reversal with mean reversal time of 74.47days, 25 (24.50%) were nonreversed. 51 underwent ileostomy during their second surgical procedure (secondary stoma). End ileostomy, adjuvant chemotherapy, intra-abdominal collection and a secondary stoma caused a delay in the reversal of ileostomy.Conclusions: Although it is said that temporary ileostomies are reversed within 6 to 12weeks time, but reversal time is considerably delayed as what would be anticipated. Ileostomy carries considerable morbidity and psychological impact on lifestyle of patient. Non-reversal of ileostomy should be an important part of pre-procedural counselling because considerable number of ostomies may not be reversed which were deemed to be temporary initially.