Highest Percentage Rate Research Articles

The prevalence of sacroiliitis and spondyloarthritis in patients with sarcoidosis.

Introduction. Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous disease, which can involve different organs and systems. Coexistence of sarcoidosis and spondyloarthritis has been reported in numerous case reports. Purpose. To determine the prevalence of sacroiliitis and spondyloarthritis in patients previously diagnosed with sarcoidosis and to investigate any possible relation with clinical findings. Materials and Methods. Forty-two patients with sarcoidosis were enrolled in the study. Any signs and symptoms in regard to spondyloarthritis (i.e., existence of inflammatory back pain, gluteal pain, uveitis, enthesitis, dactylitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis) were questioned in detail and biochemical tests were evaluated. Sacroiliac joint imaging and lateral heel imaging were performed in all patients. Results. Sacroiliitis was found in 6 of the 42 (14.3%) sarcoidosis patients and all of these patients were female. Common features of the disease in these six patients were inflammatory back pain as the major clinical complaint, stage 2 sacroiliitis as revealed by radiological staging, and the negativity of HLA B-27 test. These six patients with sacroiliitis were diagnosed with spondyloarthritis according to the criteria of ASAS and of ESSG. Conclusion. We found spondyloarthritis in patients with sarcoidosis at a higher percentage rate than in the general population (1–1.9%). Controlled trials involving large series of patients are required for the confirmation of the data.

Migration background and juvenile mental health: a descriptive retrospective analysis of diagnostic rates of psychiatric disorders in young people

IntroductionThis article presents diagnostic rates for specific mental disorders in a German pediatric inpatient population over a period of 20 years with respect to migration background and socioeconomic status (SES).MethodsDiagnostic data were obtained over a period of 20 years from 8,904 patients who visited a child and adolescent psychiatry mental health service in Germany. Data from 5,985 diagnosed patients (ICD-9 and ICD-10 criteria) were included with respect to gender, migration background, and SES.ResultsMigration- and gender-specific effects were found for both periods of assessment. The group of boys with a migration background showed significantly higher rates of reactions to severe stress, adjustment disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder compared to their male, non-migrant counterparts. Conversely, boys without a migration background showed a significantly higher percentage rate of hyperkinetic disorders than male migrants. Similar results were found for female migrants in the latter assessment period (ICD-10). In addition, female migrants showed lower rates of emotional disorders whose onset occurs in childhood compared to their non-migrant counterparts.ConclusionsData from this investigation provide preliminary evidence that the prevalence of various psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents is influenced by migration background and SES.

Anopheles culicifacies sibling species in Odisha, eastern India: First appearance of Anopheles culicifacies E and its vectorial role in malaria transmission

To identify the Anopheles culicifacies sibling species complex and study their vectorial role in malaria endemic regions of Odisha. Mosquitoes were collected from 6 malaria endemic districts using standard entomological collection methods. An.culicifacies sibling species were identified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII) region of mitochondrial DNA. Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) sporozoite rate and human blood fed percentage (HBF) were estimated by PCR using Pf- and human-specific primers. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed to confirm the type of sibling species of An.culicifacies found in Odisha. Multiplex PCR detected An.culicifacies sibling species A, B, C, D and E in the malaria endemic regions of Odisha. An.culicifacies E was detected for the first time in Odisha, which was further confirmed by molecular phylogenetics. Highest sporozoite rate and HBF percentage were observed in An.culicifacies E in comparison with other sibling species. An.culicifacies E collected from Nawarangapur, Nuapara and Keonjhar district showed high HBF percentage and sporozoite rates. An.culicifacies B was the most abundant species, followed by An.culicifacies C and E. High sporozoite rate and HBF of An.culicifacies E indicated that it plays an important role in malaria transmission in Odisha. Appropriate control measures against An.culicifacies E at an early stage are needed to prevent further malaria transmission in Odisha.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in couples in Ramadi City using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISAl

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that represents an actual public health problem. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of T. gondii among 91 couples in Ramadi city who were examined for the presence of antibodies against T. gondii using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall anti-T. gondii (Immunoglobin M (IgM) and Immunoglobin G (IgG)) in both couples were 38.4%, the seroprevalence in wives was only 30.7%, while that in husbands was 13.1% only. This study showed that abortive women and abnormal pregnancy had the highest percentage rates (35.7 versus 57.14%) of toxoplasmosis among those of 26 to 30 years old and the lowest was among those who have the average of age (36 to 40) years old. One group miscarriage was (50%) higher than the other groups. The group of 26 to 30 years old showed high rate of IgM antibodies of about (66.66%). The number of abortion in the first trimester was high in both patterns of antibodies IgM only and (IgM and IgG) (62.5 and 29.16%), respectively. Analysis of variance revealed that there were no significant interactions between IgM and IgG seropositivity and the gestational age of the fetus. Key words: Toxoplasma gondii, pregnancy, the couples, seroprevalence.

Dangerous Connections: Healthcare Community Tackles Tubing Risks

Dangerous Connections: Healthcare Community Tackles Tubing Risks

The Impact of Road Maintenance Substances on Metals Surface Corrosion

The purpose of research is to assess changes in the visual metal surface due to the exposure of road maintenance salts and molasses (‘Safecote’). Chlorides of deicing salts (NaCl, CaCl2) are the main agents affecting soil and water resources as well as causing the corrosion of roadside metallic elements. Molasses (‘Safecote’) is offered as an alternative to deice road pavement by minimizing the corrosion of metal elements near the road. A laboratory experiment was carried out to immerse and spray metals with NaCl, CaCl2, NaCl:CaCl2 and NaCl:Safecote solutions. The obtained results showed that NaCl:Safecote solution had the lowest coating with corrosion products (the average 17±4 % of the surface). The solutions of NaCl, CaCl2 and NaCl:CaCl2 had the highest percentage rate of the corrosion product on the metal surface reaching an average of 33±5 %.

MRI for evaluation of potential living liver donors: a new approach including contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography

To assess the feasibility of a comprehensive MRI protocol using intrabiliary contrast medium (gadolinium-EOB-DTPA) for evaluation of living liver donors. In this prospective study, 30 donor candidates for living-related liver transplantation (17 men; 13 women, mean age 37±10.9years) underwent MRI including MR-angiography (MRA) as well as a conventional T2-weighted MR-cholangiography (MRC) and a contrast-enhanced sequence for depiction of the biliary structures. MRC and MRA images were evaluated for quality on a four-point-scale (score of 0 indicated poor and a score of 3, excellent image quality). Anatomic variants of the arterial, venous, portal venous, and biliary structures were identified. Image quality was diagnostic in all examinations except for 4 of 30 MRA data sets. Intrahepatic biliary structures, especially with regard to the intrahepatic bile ducts of 2nd and 3rd order could be identified with significantly increased image quality than in conventional T2-weighted MRC sequences (P=0.005 and P=0.035). A high percentage rate of anatomic variants regarding the biliary, arterial, venous, and portal venous anatomy was found. This protocol allows the evaluation of liver donors especially with regard to the biliary structures. However, the depiction of the arterial anatomy requires further technical developments.

Effect of exogenous Apoptin over-expression on apoptosis of orthotopic transplantation tumor of human breast cagcer cell line MCF-7 and the mechanism

Objective By constructing recombinant expression plasmid pLLYP3 expressing recombinant Apoptin (VP3) gene,to discuss the effect of VP3 inducing tumor cells into apoptosis on human breast cancer cell MCF-7 orthotopic transplantation tumors and the mechanism.Methods VP3 gene was cloned into the plasmid pLP-LNCX to form the recombinant plasmid pLLVP3,and MCF-7 orthotopic transplantation tumor model Was established,then pLLVP3 was infected into models.The expression of VP3 gene was detected by Western blot.TdT-mediated duTp nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to verify apoptosis of tnnlor cells.At last Caspase-3 and B cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2) were detected by Western blot.Results Sequence analysis revealed the recombination of plasmid pLLVP3,and 1×10~7 pfu/ml virus was obtained.The findings of animal experiment showed that tulnor inhibition rate of pLVP3 with low and high doses was 65.52% and 68.23% respectively,evidently higher than that in control group(t=4.06,P<0.01).Besides,Apoptin protein Was over-expressed.Forty-eight h after infection,TUNEL analysis showed obvious apoptosis peaks with the highest percentage rate of apoptotic cells present and cellular Caspase-3 expression could be detected in pLLVP3-infected group.Conclusion VP3 gene could induce apoptosis in human colon cancer cell line MCF-7 in vivo by activating Caspase-3 expression. Key words: Breast carcinoma; Gene; Retmvims; Apoptosis

Samoprocena zdravlja i zadovoljstvo zdravljem i zdravstvenom službom starog stanovništva

Old people get sick more often than younger, especially from chronic degenerative diseases. Studies have shown that two-thirds chronic degenerative diseases occur in the elderly. The aim of this paper is to analyze self-assessment of own health and by the territorial parts of Serbia, settlement type, gender, age, school education and financial status. To realize the targets we analyzed data gathered from the survey conducted by the Institute of Public Health of Serbia. The results showed that elderly people in a high percentage rate estimate their health as good and very good (57.7%) and more in the oldest age (75 +), and as bad and very bad only 6%. Their health as worse than the previous year, assessed only about 2%, and slightly worse about 10%. Oral health as good and very good evaluated approximately 38.5% of elderly patients, more in urban settlements, men, and the oldest, educated and wealthy old people. As a poor and very poor oral health was rated about 30% of the elderly. Half of the elderly population is satisfied with health service, especially from rural settlements, women, less educated and poorer older people. With the GP is satisfied over 80% of population, as well as with the hospital treatment, hospital staff and with the conditions of stay in hospital.

Budd-Chiari syndrome and portal venous thrombosis – relevance of the JAK2 mutation as new risk marker1

Abstract&gt; A myeloproliferative disorder is the main risk factor for portal venous thrombosis or Budd-Chiari syndrome. Other significant factors are hereditary or acquired prothrombotic states and different liver diseases. Approximately 25% of thromboses occur without an indication of possible etiology. However, some patients show signs of myeloproliferative disorders on bone marrow morphology. The identification of the Janus kinase V617F mutation, which was first described in 2005, allows new insights into both the pathobiochemistry and pathophysiology of this disease, and a substantial improvement of the diagnostics at least to some of the myeloproliferative disorders. A retrospective study of clinical trials of patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome or portal venous thrombosis showed that patients with thrombosis predefined as idiopathic carried the V617F mutation at a high percentage rate and, furthermore, that a part of this patients group developed a myeloproliferative disorder after the thrombotic event.

Detection and classification of underwater movements with an in‐air biosonar system.

The aim of this work is to take advantage of the perceived properties of fishing bats. An in‐air biosonar system on a mobile robot is presented for the detection and classification of tiny movements under the water surface. Detecting and classifying underwater turbulence with in‐air biosonar system allows mobile agent to sense underwater movement without dipping transducers into water. In this work, both fishes—4‐cm long goldfish—and waterproof motors (3‐W power, 2‐cm diameter) are used as sources to generate underwater turbulence. According to real‐time feedback results from digital signal processing, the in‐air biosonar system on an autocontrolled robot scans water surface with task oriented chirps and sensing strategies. Fishes and motors can be detected and classified in time and frequency domain with a high percentage rate. Experimental result indicates that a mobile robot with in‐air biosonar system can achieve the ability of underwater movement detection and classification. However, a precise localization depends heavily on the selection of sensing strategy. [Work supported by NSFC.]

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PAYDAY LOAN CUSTOMERS

One of the most rapidly growing and controversial forms of consumer lending to recently emerge in the marketplace has been payday advances. This form of credit allows the borrower to obtain a small amount of cash for a short period of time. Claims of predatory lending often arise due to the high annual percentage rates that result from the fees for borrowing small amounts of money for 2 wk or less. By analyzing the data collected in a national survey of payday customers, this research allows policymakers to better understand what type of consumer borrows from payday lenders, for what purpose, and what the true benefits and costs are. The results confirm a strong demand for payday loans that satisfy a real financial need within a certain segment of the population.(JELD12, D18, G20)

Euro-Centrism vs. International Thinking

If European people are asked to answer the question, “Which of your different identities has the highest rank in your personal sense: the local, the national or the European?”, a high percentage rate would definitely still report to the two former and only a minority would define themselves primarily as an European citizen. This is no surprise. On the one hand, one defines its identity through that origin, with which he or she has the strongest relation. On the other hand it is extremely difficult for a huge and often aloof entity like the European Union to develop a common European identity that evokes those impressions and sentiments that people combine with their familiar environment.

Germination of Jacaranda mimosifolia (D. Don - Bignoniaceae) seeds: effects of light, temperature and water stress

Investigations were carried out to study the effect of light, temperature and water stress on the germination of seeds of Jacaranda mimosifolia which showed the minimum and maximum germination temperature at 15 and 40º C, respectively. The optimum temperature was 25º C with high percentage and germination rate. Slight promotive effect of white light was observed. Under water stress conditions the effect of light was high but at optimum temperature no effect of light was observed. At -0.9MPa few seeds germinated.

Effects of certain prenatal drugs on the fetus and newborn.

1. Robert J. Boyle, MD* 1. *Professor of Pediatrics, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Describe the short- and long-term effects of moderate-to-severe alcohol use in pregnancy. 2. List the risks and long-term effects of smoking relative to pulmonary disease, sudden infant death syndrome, and infant intelligence. 3. Characterize the range of anomalies associated with antiepileptic drug use during pregnancy. 4. Describe the risk of Ebstein anomaly following lithium exposure. 5. Describe the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in the newborn period. Many pregnant women use multiple prescription, over-the-counter, and recreational drugs during their pregnancies. Questions frequently arise from the mother, the mother’s clinician, and the physician caring for the newborn about the potential risks of these agents for the fetus and newborn. Few of these agents have been evaluated prospectively in pregnant women prior to licensure and marketing. Our knowledge of potential risks to the fetus and newborn, therefore, is based on case reports, epidemiologic surveys of exposed individuals, and animal studies. Multiple factors may influence whether a specific drug may affect an individual fetus or newborn and the magnitude of that effect (Table 1). Clearly, not every infant exposed to an individual drug is affected. Likewise, it is important to note that many of these agents are critical to the mother’s health, and discontinuing the drug may place the mother and fetus at higher risk than continuing the drug. The physician also must acknowledge that patients often take medications that were not prescribed specifically for them. These may include over-the-counter medications that the patient does not recall taking, does not understand the active ingredients, or even does not consider a “medication” or “drug.” Or they may be taking medications that they are reluctant to disclose or that were prescribed to another individual. Reluctance to disclose exposures may be especially true of drugs that carry negative social stigmas in …

Leptin and the pituitary.

In 1994, Zhang et al. of Rockefeller University in New York reported the first successful complementary DNA (cDNA) cloning of leptin by the positional cloning method. Leptin was identified as the gene of ob/ob mouse in genetic obesity syndromes. It has very strong food intake control, and body weight and energy expenditure. The name “leptin” derived from the Greek word leptos, meaning “thin.” We hereby review major advances leading to our current finding of leptin, leptin receptor and its structure, the outline of homozygote, and also influence of leptin in the pituitary.

Seedling Establishment of Direct Seeded Rice without Coating of Oxygen-generator on the Soil Surface in Flooded Paddy Fields.

This study was conducted to clarify seedling establishment of direct seeded rice without coating of oxygen-generator, water temperture and dissolved oxygen conditions on the soil surface in flooded paddy fields [FPF] at northern Kyushu for development of low cost and labor saving production. The mean water temperature a day during 14 days after seeding ranged from 21.8 to 29.0°C. On the other hand, the mean diurnal dissolved oxygen content in flooded water ranged from 4.7 to 11.6 mgL-1 which were high enough for germination and rooting of rice seeds. Eemergence percentage in FPF varied from 0% to 89% among 72 varieties. There were 11 varieties with more than 80% of emergence percentage. Eight varieties of them had a ancestor 'Asahi'. The floating seedling rate + turned down seedling rate in FPF varied from 4% to 64% among 65 varieties of which had emergence percentage was 10% over. There was no significant correlation between emergence percentage and floating seedling rate + turned down seedling rate among the 11 rice varieties with high emergence percentage rate. Therefore, tere were rice cultivars that were superior in emergence of 80% over and floating seedling rate + turned down seedling rate of 10% less (i.e., Shinriki, Haenuki and Domannaka). High emergence percentage varieties had heavy grains, high bulk density of 1.1 over. Low floating seedling rate + turned down seedling rate varieties had high bulk density of 1.1 over and grown seminal root slowly. These results were helpful to select and breed varieties with good emergence and establishment in direct seeded rice without coating of oxygen-generator on the soil surface in flooded paddy field.

Spatial and temporal characterization of land-use in the Buffalo National River Watershed

Today there is much concern about the potential contamination, overuse and development of scenic rivers in more or less pristine environments. The objective of this work was to quantify the spatial and temporal changes in land-use occurring in a watershed draining a nationally protected river. The Buffalo National River of Arkansas was chosen to serve as an example of how Geographic Information System (GIS) technology can rapidly assess the environmental changes that have occurred within a watershed. GIS was used to develop a spatial database of the watershed and to describe differences in land-use data from five sample years during 1965–92. Over this time span, approximately 40 000 ha of forest were lost and converted primarily to pasture. The average rate of loss of forest was 1480 ha/yr. During this same period, the average rate of gain of pasture was 1381 ha/yr. Buffer analyses showed that pasture increased at a higher percentage rate in the buffer zones surrounding the Buffalo River than in the tributaries of the Buffalo River, and a large proportion of the increase was on higher slopes. Land-use changes were dynamic with a greater area converted to pasture than area of pasture converted to forest in the watershed. The cleared forest lands were mostly near older pastures and along streams. The reforested lands tended to occur in the more isolated areas. The Buffalo River Watershed has undergone changes in land-use that may have had impact on the water quality of the region.

Sex Determination of Flowers of Salsola komarovii Iljin by Photoperiod

Summary The influence of photoperiod on sex determination was studied in flowers of saltwort, Salsola komarovii Iljin (Chenopodiaceae), a facultative intermediate-day plant. All the flowers formed under long-days (LD) were hermaphroditic, those under short-days (SD) were female, and both hermaphroditic and female flowers were formed under intermediate-days (ID). When plants were incubated under LD before SD, hermaphroditic flowers were formed under subsequent SD, although they were formed only during the first few days. In some hermaphroditic flowers, the pistils appeared first and then stamens appeared a few days later. There was no correlation between the sex of the flowers and the degree of vegetative growth of the plants. Hermaphroditic flowers formed a higher percentage of seeds than did female flowers. The seeds formed under all photoperiodic conditions germinated at a high percentage rate. The present results revealed that S. komarovii forms hermaphroditic and/or female flowers in response to changes in photoperiod by regulating the development of stamen primordia. This sex determination results in different modes of reproduction, namely out-crossing and selfing. Such flexibility in the reproductive system may favor survival of the species.

Endosaccular occlusion of basilar artery bifurcation aneurysms using electrically detachable coils.

Thirteen patients with basilar artery bifurcation aneurysms, treated by electrothrombosis using electrically detachable coils, are presented. Nine of them presented after hemorrhage, two with mass effect, and two were found coincidentally with other ruptured aneurysms. Selection for endovascular therapy was based on the following criteria: 1) poor clinical condition (Hunt and Hess III-V); 2) high surgical risk; 3) age and poor medical condition; 4) morphological features (small necked aneurysms). With endovascular Guglielmi detachable coils aneurysm occlusion ranging from 70-100% was achieved in all cases. All five small necked and two large broad necked aneurysms were totally occluded. Two large aneurysms had a 95% occlusion and two other large aneurysms were 90% occluded. In another patient with a large broad based aneurysm only an 80% occlusion was achieved, because of tortuosity of the vertebrobasilar system. Our last patient, who presented as grade V clinically, was partially treated with a 70% aneurysmal occlusion. The clinical results were excellent in 10 and good in 2. The only poor outcome was seen in the grade V patient. There was no morbidity or mortality related to therapy. The only complication was an asymptomatic dissecting aneurysm at the origin of the vertebral artery. Angiographic follow up time ranged from 6 to 20 months with a mean of 9 months. Four patients were treated too recently to have their angiographic follow up at 6 months. Two patients were lost to follow up. Clinical follow up ranged from 1 to 17 months with a mean of 8.9 months. The analysis of our cases clearly shows that aneurysms, which were densely packed with coils, especially if small necked, were less likely to be reperfused and showed a longlasting stable result. Large broad based aneurysms were more likely to be reopened by blood flow after the first procedure, especially if loosely filled with coils, and needed up to 3 interventions to achieve a satisfying result, whereas later in the series a high percentage rate of occlusion was seen after the first procedure. We consider now also a less than 100% occlusion acceptable, because most of the aneurysms will rupture at the dome, which was occluded in all our cases. We conclude, that this new endovascular method is a viable alternative in the treatment of posterior circulation aneurysms with a high surgical risk, in old patients and those in poor clinical and medical condition.