Good Level Of Concordance Research Articles

Corrosion inhibition study of 6061 aluminium alloy in the presence of ethyl 5-methyl-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate (NTE) in hydrochloric acid

The inhibitory effect of an ethyl 5-methyl-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate (NTE) was investigated on the corrosion of Al (AA6061) alloy at different temperatures (303–333 K) by Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), and weight loss techniques. It was found that NTE molecules protect the aluminium against corrosion and its ability increases with increasing concentrations, and temperature resulting in better inhibitory performance. At all concentrations and temperature ranges, NTE exhibited mixed inhibitor action and complied with the Langmuir isotherm. At 100 ppm and 333 K, NTE demonstrated the highest inhibition efficiency (94%). The EIS results and the PDP results had a good level of concordance. A suitable mechanism for the corrosion prevention of AA6061 alloy was proposed. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to confirm the adsorption of an inhibitor onto the aluminium alloy surface. The electrochemical results were validated by morphological examination, which demonstrated that NTE prevents uniform corrosion of aluminium alloy in acid chloride solutions. The activation energy and thermodynamic parameters were computed, and the results were discussed.

Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Psychometric Validation of the Positive Body Image among Adolescents Scale (PBIAS) into Spanish and Catalan

The Positive Body Image among Adolescents Scale (PBIAS) explores the factors that bolster and interfere with developing and maintaining a positive body image during adolescence. The aim of this study was to translate, adapt, and validate the PBIAS into Spanish and Catalan. A cross-sectional study was conducted for the instrument's translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric validation. A process of translation, back-translation, expert consultation, and piloting was followed. The reliability and statistical validity were evaluated. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.95 in both the Spanish and Catalan versions. Pearson's correlation coefficients were statistically significant (r > 0.087) for all items analyzed. The resulting values of the Spanish and Catalan versions indicate a good level of concordance (p < 0.001) with the original questionnaire, the comparative fit index being 0.914 and 0.913, the Tucker-Lewis index being 0.893 and 0.892, the root mean square error of approximation being 1.31 and 1.28, and the standardized root mean square residual being 0.051 and 0.060, respectively. The instrument presents a good level of internal consistency, a high level of reliability, and statistical validity compared to the original instrument. The PBIAS in Spanish and Catalan can be a useful assessment instrument for educators and health professionals in the context of adolescent mental health literacy. This work contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 3) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

The prevalence of internet addiction among school-going adolescents: A comparative assessment as per two screening criteria

Background: The Internet is an integral part of modern life, and for the vast majority of Internet users, its benefits far outweigh the adverse consequences secondary to excessive use. There is a wide variation of the prevalence of Internet addiction worldwide and scanty evidence on its magnitude among school-going adolescents. Aim: In this study, we evaluated the self-reported Internet addiction measures in the high school children (14–16 years) attending selected schools of Rohtak. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study compared the Internet addiction as per the Young Diagnostic Questionnaire (YDQ) and Internet Addiction Test (IAT) from a consecutive sample of 400 students. We explored the relationship of IA as per these criteria and sociodemographic and Internet use profiles in this population. Results: The prevalence of severe Internet addiction ranged from 4.2% to 4.8% depending on the IAT (cutoff score of 80) and YDQ (cutoff score of >5) measurements, respectively. There was a good concordance between the two criteria for determining the level of Internet addiction (r = 0.848, k = 0.805, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that there is a good level of concordance between IAT and YDQ. When time is a limitation, YDQ (8 items) can be considered for screening Internet addiction in this setting.

Risk stratification of the thyroid nodule with Bethesda indeterminate cytology, category III, IV, V on the one surgeon-performed US-guided fine-needle aspiration with 27-gauge needle, verified by histopathology of thyroidectomy: the additional value of one surgeon-performed elastography

Background: The aim is to assess the value of strain elastography (SE) in differentiating likelihood of malignancy for the thyroid nodules, possessing the Bethesda Category III, IV, and V indeterminate cytology.Methods: The data was obtained by ultrasonography (US)-guided fine-needle aspiration (US-g-FNA) via 27-gauge needle, with the verification of indicated thyroidectomies in a retrospective analysis, from April 2010 to April 2014, by enrolling the documents of 262 consecutive patients, with 327 thyroid nodules, subjected to one-surgeon performed neck US, SE, and US-g-FNA with 27-G needle to rule out the malignancy.Results: 122 of 327 cases were Bethesda Category III, IV, and V with histopathologically benign, 110 (90.2%); PTC, 7 (5.7%); FTC, 4 (3.3%); HCC, 1 (0.8%). Tsukuba Elasticity Score (TES) 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were detected as 38 (31.1%), 8 (6.6%), 59 (48.4%), 4 (3.3%), and 13 (10.7%), respectively for the cases with the indeterminate cytology. No significant difference was detected between TES 4 and 5 and malign histopathology by McNemar test (p = .727) with a good level of concordance, the kappa coefficient, 0.737.Conclusion: SE may be a useful tool in differentiating malign from benign thyroid nodules by selecting surgery adaptation even for Bethesda indeterminate cytology on FNAC.

Integrated tumor identification and automated scoring minimizes pathologist involvement and provides new insights to key biomarkers in breast cancer

Digital image analysis (DIA) is becoming central to the quantitative evaluation of tissue biomarkers for discovery, diagnosis and therapeutic selection for the delivery of precision medicine. In this study, automated DIA using a new purpose-built software platform (QuPath) is applied to a cohort of 293 breast cancer patients to score five biomarkers in tissue microarrays (TMAs): ER, PR, HER2, Ki67 and p53. This software is able to measure IHC expression following fully automated tumor recognition in the same immunohistochemical (IHC)-stained tissue section, as part of a rapid workflow to ensure objectivity and accelerate biomarker analysis. The digital scores produced by QuPath were compared with manual scores by a pathologist and shown to have a good level of concordance in all cases (Cohen's κ>0.6), and almost perfect agreement for the clinically relevant biomarkers ER, PR and HER2 (κ>0.86). To assess prognostic value, cutoff thresholds could be applied to both manual and automated scores using the QuPath software, and survival analysis performed for 5-year overall survival. DIA was shown to be capable of replicating the statistically significant stratification of patients achieved using manual scoring across all biomarkers (P<0.01, log-rank test). Furthermore, the image analysis scores were shown to consistently lead to statistical significance across a wide range of potential cutoff thresholds, indicating the robustness of the method, and identify sub-populations of cases exhibiting different expression patterns within the p53 and Ki67 data sets that warrant further investigation. These findings have demonstrated QuPath's suitability for fast, reproducible, high-throughput TMA analysis across a range of important biomarkers. This was achieved using our tumor recognition algorithms for IHC-stained sections, trained interactively without the need for any additional tumor recognition markers, for example, cytokeratin, to obtain greater insight into the relationship between biomarker expression and clinical outcome applicable to a range of cancer types.

Cancer recording in patients with type 2 diabetes in primary care and hospital admission data

ABSTRACTObjectiveElectronic health records are increasingly used to investigate associations between antidiabetic therapy and cancer. Misclassification can impact results, especially if differential between comparators. The objective of this study was to estimate cancer misclassification when using primary care or hospital data alone.&#x0D; ApproachAdults aged ≥40 years with an insulin or oral antidiabetic prescription in Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) primary care data at least a year after start of data collection, and no record of type 1 diabetes, were included. Patients were matched by year of birth (stepwise within 5 years), sex and GP practice to up to 1 non-diabetic patient. The cohort was restricted to those eligible for Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) linkage with follow-up during the study period (01/04/97-31/12/06). Follow-up started at the maximum of the registration date with the practice, practice up-to-standard date (a CPRD quality metric), and start of study period. Follow-up ended at the minimum of when the patient left the practice, the date CPRD last collected data from the practice, and end of study period. Cancer was identified in CPRD via Read codes and in HES via ICD10 codes. For each cancer case in CPRD, analysis evaluated whether there was a corresponding record in HES coded with same, different or unspecified site. Analysis was repeated for cancers identified in HES.&#x0D; Results53,585 diabetic patients were matched to 47,435 non-diabetic patients. 83% of cancer cases in CPRD had a corresponding record in HES (78% with the same type). Misclassification varied by cancer site, ranging from 3% (stomach cancer) to 57% (nonmelanoma skin cancer). 83% of cancer cases in HES had a corresponding record in CPRD, with all misclassification rates &lt;20%.&#x0D; ConclusionA good level of concordance and low level of misclassification of cancer exist between CPRD primary care data and HES. The value of linking these data for establishing cancer outcomes lies more in the complimentary variables held than in reducing misclassification.

The development of an abbreviated version of the Cornell scale for depression in dementia (CSDD) for the assessment of depression in palliative care inpatients

IntroductionIn the palliative care setting, accurate identification of depression is important to allow delivery of appropriate treatments.Aims:– 1. To assess rates of depression in palliative care inpatients using the CSDD, comparing with formal clinical diagnosis based on diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV) criteria;– 2. To identify items of the CSDD that most distinguish depressive illness in a palliative care setting.MethodsWe measured rates of depression in patients admitted into a palliative care inpatient unit with the CSDD. DSM-IV clinical diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) was achieved using all available clinical information by an experienced independent rater. We calculated Cohen's Kappa to measure concordance between the CSDD and DSM-IV diagnosis.ResultsWe assessed 142 patients (56.3% male; mean age: 69.6 years), the majority of which had a cancer diagnosis (93.7%). 18.3% (n = 26) met DSM-IV criteria for MDD, while 12% scored ≥6 on the CSDD with 15 cases of depression common to these two methods (K = 0.65). Discriminant analysis identified five CSDD items that were especially distinguishing of MDD; sadness, loss of interest, pessimism, lack of reactivity to pleasant events and appetite loss. An abbreviated version of the CSDD, based on these 5 items, proved highly accurate in identifying DSM-IV MDD (AUC = 0.94), with sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 84% at a cut-off score ≥2.ConclusionsThere was good level of concordance between the CSDD and DSM-IV diagnosis of MDD. We identified five depressive symptoms that are especially discriminating for depression in palliative care patients.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Are cosmological data sets consistent with each other within theΛcold dark matter model?

We use a complete and rigorous statistical indicator to measure the level of concordance between cosmological data sets, without relying on the inspection of the marginal posterior distribution of some selected parameters. We apply this test to state of the art cosmological data sets, to assess their agreement within the $\Lambda$CDM model. We find that there is a good level of concordance between all the experiments with one noticeable exception. There is substantial evidence of tension between the CMB, temperature and polarization, measurements of the Planck satellite and the data from the CFHTLenS weak lensing survey even when applying ultra conservative cuts. These results robustly point toward the possibility of having unaccounted systematic effects in the data, an incomplete modelling of the cosmological predictions or hints toward new physical phenomena.

SiRNA library screening to define esophageal adenocarcinoma cell survival factors.

70 Background: There is a pressing need to identify new therapeutic targets for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Hence, we utilized siRNA-screening libraries to identify genes impacting on EAC cancer cell growth to identify potential therapeutic targets. Methods: A “druggable genome” library (6,022 individual siRNAs) was utilized to examine EAC cell survival using the MTT assay. Statistical analysis combined the use of Z-factor, t-test and SSMD. EAC cell lines GohTRT, SKGT4 and OE33 were utilized. Functional validation of the resulting siRNAs utilized RT-PCR, Western Blot, ELISA and TOPFLASH assays. Results: siRNA library screening resulted in positive quality metrics (Z-factor&gt;0.5) confirming its validity and further identifying 118 high confidence gene targets affecting EAC cell growth. Verification of these siRNA targets in multiple cell lines indicated a good level of concordance with the primary screening data. Bioinformatic and pathway mapping approaches of these targets emphasized links between EAC cell proliferation and regulators of inflammation and “immune cell processes” (LIF, C1Qa, C1r, C1s, GDF15, IL9R and TREM2). Pathological and transcriptomic studies demonstrated that LIF (FC=96.7; P&lt;0.0001), GDF15 (EAC: FC=74; P&lt;0.0001), C1Qa and TREM2 may be up-regulated in EAC biopsies. In functional work, exposure of EAC cell lines to recombinant or native proteins of C1q, LIF and GDF15 rescued the observed effects of their respective silencing in EAC cells (&gt;90%,p0.001) and acted as potential growth promoters (&gt;40%, p0.01). Auto-regulatory feedback loops were discovered in response to treatment with exogenous C1q and LIF in EAC cells. Signal transduction could be induced through b-catenin stabilization and STAT3 pathways in response to C1q and LIF treatment respectively. GDF15 was observed to act in a similar fashion to TGFb in scratch wound assays and additionally regulate Th17 type T-cell differentiation. Conclusions: Genes regulating EAC proliferation have been defined by siRNA library screening. We have identified secreted immune factors, not previously associated with EAC biology, capable of regulating EAC cell survival.

Internet addiction: Do two diagnostic criteria measure the same thing?

Aim and Objective: To assess the agreement or concordance between two diagnostic criteria for Internet addiction (IA) and to study the relationship between IA as per these criteria and socio-demographic and Internet use profile. Methodology: A cross-sectional design was followed. Six hundred participants, aged 18-40 years, having a personal Internet connection and using Internet for at least 1 year were evaluated using a semi-structured interview, on the Young's Diagnostic Questionnaire, and IA diagnostic criteria developed by Tao et al., (2009). Results: Prevalence of IA varied from 1.2% to 21% depending on the assessment instrument. There is good level of concordance between Young's IA criteria and Tao et al. 2 + 1 criteria, but the level of concordance reduced with the use of course and dysfunction criteria of Tao et al. Among the different Internet variables, age at first use, age at which the person starts regular use and total duration of nonessential use were related to development of IA. Conclusion: Findings of the present study suggest that there is good level of concordance between Young's IA criteria and Tao et al. 2 + 1 criteria but the level of concordance reduces with the use of course and dysfunction criteria. This study also suggests that chances of IA increases with regular use of Internet and for a longer duration for nonessential uses.

Comparison between different imaging techniques in the evaluation of malignant breast lesions: can 3D ultrasound be useful?

This study was done to assess the feasibility of three-dimensional ultrasonography (3D-US) for volume calculation of solid breast lesions. The volumes of 36 malignant lesions were measured using conventional 2D-US, 3D-US and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and compared with that obtained with histology (standard of reference). With 2D Ultrasouns, volume was estimated by measuring three diameters and calculating volume with the mathematical formula for spheres. With 3D-US, stored images were retrieved and boundaries of masses were manually outlined; volume calculation was performed with VOCAL software. For MRI, volume measurements were obtained with special software for 3D reconstructions, after each lesion had been manually outlined. Histology measured the three main diameters and the volume was estimated using the mathematical formula for spheres. Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess agreement between the volumes measured. ICC indicated that a good level of concordance was identified between 3D-US and histology (0.79). According to the Bland-Altman analysis, limits of agreement of mean differences of the volumes measured with the three imaging modalities were comparable with histology: -2 ÷ 1.5 cm(3) for 3D-US; -2.3 ÷ 1.3 cm(3) for 2D-US and -2.2 ÷ 1.6 cm(3) for MRI. 3D-US is a reliable method for the volumetric assessment of breast lesions. 3D-US is able to provide valuable information for the preoperative evaluation of lesions.

Assessing Children's Representational Attachment Models: Links to Mother-Child Attachment Quality in Infancy and Childhood

The authors examined whether the finding of a correspondence between specific behavioral patterns of attachment in infancy and childhood and specific representational patterns in childhood could be replicated using children's responses to a story depicting an imagined parent-child separation experience. The participants were 33 German mothers and their children (16 girls, 17 boys). Attachment quality was assessed via standard and exploratory attachment observations at ages 12 months, 18 months, and 6 years. Chi-square analyses indicated that there was a good level of concordance between the behavioral and representation attachment patterns in infancy and childhood.

Cosmetic outcome of breast-conserving therapy in Chinese patients with early breast cancer.

Breast-conserving surgery combined with radiotherapy has emerged as an alternative to mastectomy for women with early breast cancer, and cosmetic outcome has correlated closely with the psychosocial and physical well-being of the patient. Cosmetic outcome assessment after breast-conserving therapy in Chinese patients has so far not been conducted among the clinicians, the patients or their spouses. The cosmetic results from breast-conserving therapy were evaluated in a group of 33 patients who had been selected as suitable for undergoing local excision, axillary dissection and postoperative radiation therapy for early stage breast cancer. The success of the procedures was assessed by the patients, the clinicians and the patient's spouse, and their ratings were compared with each other. Eighty per cent of the patients and their spouse were satisfied with the cosmetic outcome. Using McNemar's test, when the groups were evaluated on a case-by-case basis, there was a good level of concordance between the patients and their spouses, and that of the patients and the clinicians. Evaluation of the cosmetic and psychosocial sequelae of breast cancer patients is essential when new approaches to treatment are introduced; our data suggest that cosmetically successful breast conservation is feasible in a selected group of Chinese women with early breast cancer.