Significant Statistical Correlation Research Articles

Musculoskeletal Disorders among Dentists from Constanta, Romania after COVID-19 Pandemic

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are a category of work-related diseases affecting the dentists. The aim of this work is to investigate among dentists from Constanta the prevalence and characteristics of MSD, their posture during working and the adoption of ergonomic standards. Methods: A sample of 280 dentists working in private practice in Constanta were invited to participate to this study. The response rate was 65% (n=182). The participants filled a 35-items questionnaire including personal data, working position, MSD characteristics and treatment. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results: 67% of the dentists reported the presence of MSD and 71% consider that symptoms are related to the dental activity. MSD were located mostly in cervical area and neck (41%), followed by lower back (24%). No statistical correlation was found between presence of MSD and body weight (p=0,7). A sitting position was always used by 27% of subjects, 46% are using both sitting and standing working postures. No statistical significant correlation was found among the presence of MSD pathology and the activity of the dentists during Covid-19 pandemic (p=0,8). Conclusion: A high percentage of dentists reported MSDs. The main location is the spine, the cervical and lower back area. It is concluded postural problems leading to neck and back reported from the dentists in Constanta are comparable to those from other countries. Adoption of correct posture, sport and stretching exercises could prevent or minimize the effect of static dental activity.

Adherence to prescribed antihypertensive medication among patients with depression in the United States

BackgroundHypertensive patients with depression have a higher mortality rate and a worse prognosis compared with hypertensive only. Depression may reduce medication adherence in hypertension patients.MethodsThis study includes respondents in the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) database from 2005 to 2018 who had previously been diagnosed with hypertension. Medication adherence was defined as taking medication as recommended by a physician. The depressive state was assessed using the patient health questionnaire (PHQ)-9.ResultsNine thousand one hundred eighty-six respondents were included in the analysis. Medication adherence was associated with depression (odds ratio [OR]: 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.26 to1.75) and depression score (OR: 1.04 per each point increase, 1.03 to 1.05) in the unadjusted analyses. After adjusting for clinical and socioeconomic/demographic factors, there were significant statistical correlations between depression score and medication adherence (aOR: 1.02 per each point increase, 1.00 to 1.03, p < 0.05), but there was no significant statistical correlation between depression and medication adherence (p > 0.05). It was still statistically significant relationships between sex, age, body mass index (BMI), race, marital status, and health insurance with medication adherence after adjusted socioeconomic/demographic factors.ConclusionDepression was marginally associated with poor medication adherence in hypertensive patients, and the correlation increased with depression degree. Moreover, socioeconomic/demographic factors have an independent impact on medication adherence including sex, age, BMI, race, marital status, and health insurance.

Ocular surface manifestations and SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA detection in conjunctival swabs of patients hospitalized for COVID‐19 pneumonia: A Belgian cohort

AbstractPurpose: Previous studies show a great variability of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA detection rates in tear fluids. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in the tear fluid of hospitalized COVID‐19 patients and to evaluate systemic and ophthalmic clinical features in a Belgian cohort.Methods: Adult patients hospitalized for COVID‐19 pneumonia confirmed by a chest computer tomography (CT) were included. Patients with a recent diagnosis or exacerbation of an ocular pathology were excluded.After completing an ocular symptom questionnaire, patients underwent a macroscopic ocular exam and a conjunctival swab. A reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) was performed on the swabs to identify SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA. Clinicobiological data (C reactive protein, lymphocyte count, CT scan, risk factors and symptoms) and PCR results of both ocular and nasopharyngeal samples were collected.Results: Fifty‐eight patients were included between September 2020 and May 2021. 43 (74.1%) were male, the median age was 56 (min 32 ‐max 93). 54 (93.1%) of the nasopharyngeal swabs were positive. Two (3.45%) had a positive conjunctival PCR: one with &lt;10 E3 copies/ml, the second highly positive with &gt; = 10E3 ‐ &lt; 10 E5 copies/ml. Both were males without any ocular symptoms. 13 patients (22%) presented ocular symptoms such as tearing (69.23%), redness (53.85%), burning 38% or itching 15.38%. All but one reported that the symptoms started at the beginning of their SARS‐CoV‐2 infection (92.31%). Statistical analysis by linear regression found that there was a significant statistical correlation between the presence of ocular symptoms and neurological symptoms (p = 0.021).Conclusions: It is possible to find tear fluids with a high viral load but the probability of this occurrence appears to be rather low. The presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in tears was however not associated with the presence of symptoms in this study. Ocular symptoms may not be related to the presence of the virus itself.

Use of the Computer and Internet by Teachers in Medical Education: A Study at Medical Colleges of Pakistan

Background and aim: In recent decades, formal medical education has evolved considerably, especially since computers and the Internet were introduced. A major part of the medical curriculum in most industrialized nations is the study of information technology (IT). During formal classroom teaching at the undergraduate level, the present study examined the methods of teaching, the extent of using computers, and the use of Internet by teachers. Methods: A questionnaire based study was carried out on 126 medical teachers in medical colleges of Pakistan from October 2021 March 2022. Assisting professors, associate professors, and professors are the faculty members involved in the study. Study participants did not include tutors, demonstrators, or residents. Prior to study conduction, ethical approval was taken. Additionally, the questionnaire asked questions regarding the use of computers and the internet in teaching, in addition to the basic information, such as gender, age, designation and department. We pretested it with a randomly selected group of teachers and based on their feedback, we made some minor modifications and deleted some questions. Results: Of the total teachers participating, there were 90 (71.4%) male and 36 (28.6%) females. Participants were distributed based on their age as follows: 78 (61.9%) &lt;35 years, 13 (8.1%) 36-50 years, and 35 (27.8%) &gt;50 years. The incidence of traditional teaching, computerized projections, teaching through slides, and combination of traditional methods with slides were 19 (15.1%), 107 (84.9%), 68 (54%), and 32 (25.4%) respectively. Based on pattern of internet usage for teaching, the occurrence of collection of teaching materials without internet, collection of teaching materials using internet, access from desktop, and access from smartphones were 28 (22.2%), 88 (69.8%), 66 (52.4%), and 16 (12.7%) respectively. A significant statistical correlation exists between computer and Internet use among teachers of younger ages, with more frequent usage among teachers of younger ages. Conclusion: The present study concluded that Medical education has become increasingly computer-based and Internet-based. Furthermore, its use is more common among younger professors. However, the most noteworthy conclusion was that the majority students still choose chalkboard lecturing for better knowledge of the material. Keywords: Medical education, Computer, Internet

Anaemia In Preschool Children:its Correlation With Pica

Introduction: According to the third National Family Health Survey, 79% of Indian children are anaemic. Pica is characterized by the persistent ingestion of non-nutritive substances such as plaster, charcoal, chalk, and earth for at least one month in a manner that is inappropriate for their developmental level. We investigated the correlation between pica behaviour and anaemia in preschool children. Methods: In total, 103 children of ages six to 48 months attending the OPD were randomly included in this study for six months; they presented with clinical features of anaemia. Complete blood count and peripheral blood film examination were carried out. The children were assessed clinically for signs and symptoms of anaemia. History of ingestion of clay, sand, chalk, wall paints etc was asked from the parents. Results: Most of the children (90.3%) had microcytic hypochromic anaemia with a mean haemoglobin value of 8.82 g / dl. The mean age was 18 months, and boys slightly outnumbered girls. In total, 57.3% of children had a positive history of pica, and all of them were found to be anaemic. However, no significant statistical correlation was observed between anaemia and history of pica. Conclusions: All children with history of pica were anaemic and the most common type of anaemia was microcytic hypochromic. Although no significant statistical correlation was observed between and history of pica, it is very important for the clinicians to be cautious of this common condition and evaluate for anaemia

Deciphering the association between adverse clinical outcome and patient co-morbidities in mucormycosis – a fourteen year study from South India

Mucormycosis is an angioinvasive, fatal infection commonly seen in individuals with diabetes mellitus, malignancy and immunosuppression due to chemotherapy and steroids. The aim of this study was to identify the association between adverse clinical outcomes and patient co-morbidities in mucormycosis. Over a period of 14 years, clinical specimens positive for mucormycosis by fungal culture and histopathological examination were included in the study. Statistical analysis was performed to identify the association between adverse clinical outcome and patient demographics. Odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was calculated to analyse the association between age, gender, diabetes mellitus, malignancy and adverse clinical outcome. p-value &lt;0.05 was used to identify statistical significance. 63 patients with mucormycosis were identified in the study. Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis was seen in 70% of patients and Rhizopus (52.7%) was the most commonly isolated fungus. Antifungal therapy (92.06%) and surgery (68.25%) were the treatment modalities utilised with a mortality rate of 26.9%. No significant statistical correlation was found between age, gender, presence of diabetes mellitus, malignancy and adverse clinical outcome. Rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis due to Rhizopus spp was the most common clinical presentation seen in our setting. Combination of antifungal therapy and surgery is vital for clinical response. Diabetes mellitus and malignancy do not show a statistically significant association with the clinical outcome of mucormycosis. Rapid identification of mucormycosis helps in early diagnosis and initiation of antifungal therapy.

The altered levels of adiponectin - leptin as predictive biomarkers to estimate the severity of prostate cancer

Introduction and Aim: Prostate is one of the commonest sites of malignancy affecting elderly male population &amp; is increasingly becoming a significant public health issue especially in countries having aging population. We hypothesized that altered levels of adiponectin-leptins may be an underlying connection between incidence of prostate cancer (PCa) and aged matched males. Materials and Methods: This study was designed to comparatively corelate circulating serum levels of adiponectin &amp; leptin in 160 elderly patients with PCa to their serum levels in 160 healthy controls. The age and body mass index in all groups were dissimilar in case and control. Based on the Gleason score of 7, =7 &gt;7, patients were further subdivided into low, intermediate, high grades of PCa, respectively. Results: No significant statistical variance was identified in terms of age, Body mass index (BMI), Radom blood glucose, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol, creatinine, and BUN levels within the compared groups. In PCa patients’ group, concentration levels of serum adiponectin were significantly lower, and levels of serum leptin was significantly greater compared to healthy controls (P&lt;0.001). Statistical analysis revealed a significant positive inverse association between PSA and adiponectin levels (r=0.285, P&lt;0.001) and significant association between serum levels of PSA and leptin (r=0.285, P&lt;0.001). Significant statistical correlation was also evident between BMI, PSA, TG, and leptin were whole group. However, there was no significant association observed between adiponectin or leptin level and grade of the disease. Conclusion: Evaluation of data in our study suggests that patients of PCa exhibit low concentration of serum adiponectin levels and high concentration of leptin levels. Further, this association was independent of histological grading of disease of disease/disease progression as well as other biochemical parameters.

Ancestral reconstruction and correlation of the frequencies of the hemoglobin S allele and the Duffy blood group alleles in human populations.

Malaria is an important selective force for human genetic adaptation due to the sustained, lethal impact it has had on populations worldwide. High frequencies of both hemoglobin S and the null allele FYBES of the Duffy blood group have been found in areas where this disease is endemic, attributed to the protective action of the carriers of these variants against malaria infection. The objective of this work was to perform ancestral reconstruction and analyze the correlation of the frequencies of these alleles throughout the phylogeny of 24 human populations. A tree topology and the allelic frequencies reported in the literature for the 24 populations were used. The ancestral frequencies for the two alleles were reconstructed using the maximum likelihood method and the Brownian model of evolution (CI=95%), and the correlation analysis was performed using phylogenetically independent contrasts (PICs). Statistical analyses were performed with the statistical software R version 3.4.1. For both alleles, a correspondence was found in the reconstruction of the ancestral frequencies, and a significant statistical correlation (p=.001) was observed between the S and FYBES alleles. These results provide evidence of an epistatic relationship between the two alleles, which may influence the fitness of the individuals who present with them when they are subjected to a selective force such as malaria.

The mast cell reaction in premalignant and malignant lesions of the head and neck.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most frequent and aggressive neoplasms of this anatomical region. Many studies evaluated the neoplastic cells, but few works focused on the tumor microenvironment. In the present study, we investigated the distribution and mast cell density (MCD) in malignant and premalignant lesions of the oral cavity, tongue, pharynx, and larynx. There were analyzed 52 specimens of HNSCC, and 15 biopsies taken from patients with dysplasia. Results were compared with those found in a control group of 10 biopsies of oral mucosa from patients with inflammatory diseases. Slides stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin were used for the histopathological diagnosis and grade, and mast cells (MCs) were identified by immunohistochemistry, using anti-MC tryptase. MCs were counted using a method similar to that proposed for microvessel density. We found a significant increase in the number of MCs from the normal oral mucosa until overt carcinoma. Unlike normal tissues, in HNSCC, many MCs were found between tumor cells. We found no relationship between MCs and blood vessels in the tumor area. A significant statistical correlation was found between dysplastic and malignant tumors, but not between tumors with a different grade. Also, it was not found relationship between MCD and the anatomical location of the tumor. Based on these results, we believe that MCD evaluated by anti-MC tryptase is an independent factor of prognosis and reflects an unfavorable outcome.

Assessment of Nurses Knowledge And Skill about Intravenous Fluid Administration

Infusion therapy is one of the major responsibilities of nurses. In dealing with intravenous infusion, nurses must have knowledge and skill about what is ordered, and any possible side effects that may occur. This study aims to assess the nurses’ knowledge and skill about intravenous fluid administration. Subjects and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was carried out in Heevi teaching hospital for the period from 4th of&nbsp; January to 7th of February 2022. This study was conducted on probability (random) sample of (30) nurses who provide direct care for patients during the study period. Data were collected using three tools; socio-demographic data, nurses' knowledge questionnaire and nurses' skill checklist about intravenous infusion therapy. Results: The present study revealed that (63.3 %) of the nurses were needed knowledge and (40 %) of the nurses were needed skill. The study revealed that there was a significant statistical correlation between nurses’ knowledge and age, level of education, also&nbsp;&nbsp; there was a significant statistical correlation between nurses’ skill and level of education, years of service. Conclusion: Nurses’ knowledge and skill of intravenous fluid therapy was poor. Targeted educational intervention strategies on IV fluid therapy through continuous nursing education sessions or workshops should be conducted regularly with a specific focus on the ionic composition of IV fluids, their indications, and monitoring for associated complications, where deficiencies were most notable

Neurovisual profile in children affected by Angelman syndrome

BackgroundAngelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neurogenetic disorder caused by altered expression of the maternal copy of the UBE3A gene. Together with motor, cognitive, and speech impairment, ophthalmological findings including strabismus, and ocular fundus hypopigmentation characterize the clinical phenotype. The aim of this study was to detail the neurovisual profile of children affected by AS and to explore any possible genotype-phenotype correlations. MethodsThirty-seven children (23 females, mean age 102.8 ± 54.4 months, age range 22 to 251 months) with molecular confirmed diagnosis of AS were enrolled in the study. All underwent a comprehensive video-recorded neurovisual evaluation including the assessment of ophthalmological aspects, oculomotor functions, and basic visual abilities. ResultsAll children had visual impairments mainly characterized by refractive errors, ocular fundus changes, strabismus, discontinuous/jerky smooth pursuit and altered saccadic movements, and/or reduced visual acuity. Comparing the neurovisual profiles between the deletion and non-deletion genetic subgroups, we found a significant statistical correlation between genotype and ocular fundus hypopigmentation (p = 0.03), discontinuous smooth pursuit (p < 0.05), and contrast sensitivity abnormalities (p < 0.01) being more frequent in the deletion subgroup. ConclusionsSubjects affected by AS present a wide spectrum of neurovisual impairments that lead to a clinical profile consistent with cerebral visual impairment (CVI). Moreover, subjects with a chromosome deletion show a more severe visual phenotype with respect to ocular fundus changes, smooth pursuit movements, and contrast sensitivity. Early detection of these impaired visual functions may help promote the introduction of neurovisual habilitative programs which can improve children’s visual, neuromotor, and cognitive outcomes.

An Analysis of Aesthetic Concerns Identified by Video Conferencing.

Background During and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there was a significant increase in the demand for aesthetic procedures nationwide. We believe that one of the factors contributing to this increase was the use of video conferencing apps. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the aesthetic concerns that were identified by video conferencing. Methodology In Saudi Arabia, an observational, cross-sectional study was conducted from Februaryto April, 2022. An online survey was used to assess the aesthetic concerns raised by video conferencing. The survey addressed multiple aspects, including demographic data, information on video call utilization, the attentional focus of the participants during video calls, and new appearance concerns identified on video calls. Results The survey successfully captured 432 adult participants. More than 85% of participants disliked at least one character of their appearance during video conferencing. The skin color type (based on the Fitzpatrick scale), time spent on video calls, and visual focus during the virtual meeting were significantly correlated with self-perception of new disliked features. Conclusion Video conferencing showed a significant statistical correlation with identified disliked facial/body features in both genders. People with skin color type III were less likely to perceive a disliked feature through video conferencing applications. The likelihood of having a disliked feature was significantly higher among individuals who spent up to one hour per day using video calls. Additionally, those who mainly paid attention to their face or body during virtual meetings were more likely to have disliked features.

Lung Ultrasound as a Triage Method in Primary Care for Patients with Suspected SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia.

Currently, there are few studies that have analyzed the benefits of using lung ultrasound in the field of primary care, including in homes and nursing homes, for patients with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia and subsequent follow-ups. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that lung ultrasound is a useful technique for triaging these patients. An observational and retrospective study of individuals who presented with clinical suspicion of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia was carried out during the months of March to June 2020 in Health Center number 2 of Ciudad Real and in homes of patients and nursing homes belonging to the Health Service of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain). A total of 209 patients, of whom 86 (41.1%) were male, were included in the study. The most frequent ultrasound findings were bilateral B-lines, with a right predominance, specifically in the posterobasal region. Additionally, there was a statistical significance (p &lt; 0.05) correlation between pathological positivity on lung ultrasound and PCR and chest X-ray positivity. When calculating the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound and X-ray, ultrasound had a sensitivity of 93%, and X-ray had a sensitivity of 75%. Due to its high sensitivity and negative predictive value, lung ultrasound is very useful as a triage tool for patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.

X-ray fluorescence scanning of soft and wet-sediment cores in terrestrial environments; A robust blind source separation approach

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) scanning of split cores using automated cores scanners is rapid but expensive and semi-quantitative method in sedimentary geochemistry. While searching for a low-cost and quantitative solution in environmental geochemistry, we investigated the application of hand-held XRF device in scanning on two siliciclastic-sediment cores from dam-reservoirs in Slovakia. The core-scan data were compared with XRF data from dry, powdered sample aliquots, grain size, water content, and magnetic susceptibility data, which were used as independent variables. The aim of the manuscript is to investigate the applicability of time-series statistical methods to reveal the physical and chemical signals from hand-held XRF scanning of wet-sediment cores. The geochemical data were processed using the centred log-ratio (clr) technique, and then by the Second-Order Blind Identification (SOBI) method, which is a subtype of robust Blind Source Separation (BSS) techniques commonly used to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio in time series analysis of data in medicine or acoustics. So far, BSS has been rarely applied in geochemistry. Raw element concentrations (ppm/wt%) of core scans and sediment powders are essentially incomparable, but their clr coefficients show statistically significant correlation for Al, P, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, As, Sr, Zr, and Pb, which reduces the difference between the two measurement methods and justifies previous attempts to calibrate the core-scanning data using log-ratio techniques. Scores of three of eight latent components (IC2, IC4, and IC7) found by SOBI in the core scan- and powder data show significant statistical correlation demonstrating the applicability of the core-scan technique. Their geochemical interpretation is based on the IC loadings by element clr, and the stratigraphic correlation with the sediment grain size and water content. These ICs explain geochemical variability due to grain-size contrast between sandy and silty layers, input of biogenic productivity-sensitive elements (Ca and P), eutrophication, and accumulation of anthropogenic elements. The robust BSS approach represents a promising method of processing of large datasets in environmental geochemistry.

School Feeding Program and Students’ School Attendance in 12 Years Basic Education in Rwanda

Feeding students especially at school increase the students’ school productivity due to the fact that students get opportunity to take lunch at school and continue their studies. The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between the &nbsp;program of offering lunch to students and students’ attendance in Rusizi District. The target population was 360 respondents. From this population, a simple random sampling and convenient sampling techniques were used to get 189 respondents. Questionnaire, document analysis review and observation were used as data collection instruments. IBM SPSS version 23 was used in the study for the management of quantitative data. Besides, thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative findings. The findings revealed the implementation of lunch meal program is effective in terms of involvement of stakeholders with the mean of 3.51 and meal quality and quantity with the mean of 3.44 which is interpreted as high and assets and materials were rated as moderate. It was also found that the level of dropout has diminished considering the mean of 3.95, the level of absenteeism has diminished considering the mean of 3.42, the students can spend the whole day at school without any interruption considering the mean of 3.96, and it was revealed that students can endure long hours of teaching without showing fatigues considering the mean of 3.82. The study revealed that there is a statistical significant positive correlation between meal lunch program and school attendance where r= 0.771 and P= 0.016&lt; 0.015. It is recommended that all involved stakeholders should work hand in hand to improve the program lunch mean at schools since it may help in producing students who are competent. Keywords: School, school attendance, school feeding program and 12 Years basic education

Assessing magnetic properties of biomonitors and road dust as a screening method for air pollution monitoring

Particulate matter (PM) pollution is one of the world's most serious environmental challenges. Among PM components, atmospheric heavy metals (HMs) are considered one of the main pollutants responsible for causing significant negative impacts on human health, and ecological quality. This study aimed to assess environmental magnetism as a simple and rapid method that can be used to evaluate heavy metal contamination in urban areas from the relationships between magnetic properties and heavy metal concentrations. For this purpose, road dust and leaf samples of two common evergreen species (Cupressus lusitanica/Casuarina equisetifolia) were sampled simultaneously for 2 years at sites with different levels of traffic pollution. The results found significant statistical correlations between the magnetic properties and the chemical substances of the plants studied, as Fe, Cr and V showed an r ≥ 0.9 and Cr and Zn r ≥ 0.7 with χlf in C. equisetifolia. The frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility was found to be between 0% and 14% for plants, and 0% and 2% for road dust, suggesting a rather dissimilar particle size distribution for plants, and a less important contribution from the more hazardous ultrafine superparamagnetic magnetite for both. Confirming that magnetic analyses can be used to distinguish different degrees of urban air pollution.

Place of Kinyarwanda Language in Banks in Rwanda: A Case of Equity Bank Rwanda

Feeding students especially at school increase the students’ school productivity due to the fact that students get opportunity to take lunch at school and continue their studies. The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between the &nbsp;program of offering lunch to students and students’ attendance in Rusizi District. The target population was 360 respondents. From this population, a simple random sampling and convenient sampling techniques were used to get 189 respondents. Questionnaire, document analysis review and observation were used as data collection instruments. IBM SPSS version 23 was used in the study for the management of quantitative data. Besides, thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative findings. The findings revealed the implementation of lunch meal program is effective in terms of involvement of stakeholders with the mean of 3.51 and meal quality and quantity with the mean of 3.44 which is interpreted as high and assets and materials were rated as moderate. It was also found that the level of dropout has diminished considering the mean of 3.95, the level of absenteeism has diminished considering the mean of 3.42, the students can spend the whole day at school without any interruption considering the mean of 3.96, and it was revealed that students can endure long hours of teaching without showing fatigues considering the mean of 3.82. The study revealed that there is a statistical significant positive correlation between meal lunch program and school attendance where r= 0.771 and P= 0.016&lt; 0.015. It is recommended that all involved stakeholders should work hand in hand to improve the program lunch mean at schools since it may help in producing students who are competent. Keywords: School, school attendance, school feeding program and 12 Years basic education

The prevalence and risk factors for visceral hemangiomas in children with infantile cutaneous hemangiomas

One of the most frequent benign tumor pathology in children is represented by infantile hemangiomas (IHs). Although they are mostly cutaneous, sometimes they can develop at visceral level, the liver being the most common localization. Objectives. Estimating visceral hemangiomas (VHs) prevalence, and identification of risk factors for VHs in patients with infantile cutaneous hemangiomas (ICHs). Materials and methods. 6 years cross-sectional study (2012-2017) including children diagnosed with ICHs, admitted in I.N.S.M.C “Alfred-Rusescu“. All patients underwent an ultrasound screening for the detection of VHs. In order to identify possible risk factors, we collected demographic and perinatal data. Outcomes. 138 patients diagnosed with infantile cutaneous hemangiomas (ICHs) were included, with a slight predominance of girls (58%). The prevalence of the VHs in our study was 7,24% (10 patients). The liver was the most common visceral localization (7 patients). Conclusions. Female gender, preterm birth, low birth weight, and multiple gestations were described as potential risk factors for IHs. In our study, only multiple gestations tend to be associated with visceral hemangiomas, but without a significant statistical correlation.

Formation of axiological views of bachelors during their professional training in e-learning circumstances

A sudden sprout of the COVID-19 pandemic all over the world has changed the life of millions of people. Paradigm shift in thinking for adoption of digital learning of learners and teachers is difficult. This is a situation when sometimes it is inevitable necessity in todays circumstances to switch some educational activities adopting digital education. It may be difficult to suddenly changed their mindset and turn to new digital methods of learning and teaching. The aim is to find out the level of effective formation of axiological views of bachelors during their professional training using new e-learning technologies in higher educational institutions and estimate with statistical significance correlations between the level of e-learning and the level of formation of axiological views of bachelors. The result is very logical since the more effective the e-learning, the lower the individuals feeling that his accomplishments are insufficient and that he is not satisfied with them. On the other hand, it has a strong indication that e-learning is one of the factors causing shrinking the formation of axiological views during professional training among students of practical specialties, who need real professional training, dealing with real problems and searching for their solutions.

Effect size of Dna-j heat shock protein family B member 9 (DNAJB9) biomarker in kidney biopsy specimens on kidney outcomes in fibrillary glomerulonephritis

Background. Fibrillary glomerulonephritis is a rare glomerular disease that presents with hypertension, hematuria, nephrotic syndrome and renal insufficiency. The purpose of this research was to assess effect of DNAjB9 staining marker in kidney biopsy specimens on kidney outcomes. Materials and methods. In this analytic (experimental) clinical study with randomized clinical trial design in meta-analysis article, 72 patients with biopsy-proven fibrillary glomerulonephritis were investigated. Clinical features, laboratory data at initial presentation, management and outcomes were collected. The paper has written based on searching PubMed Central and Google Scholar to identify potentially relevant articles. Median, percentage, mean ± standard deviation (SD), two-tailed t and Chi-square, two proportion difference meta-analysis and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used for statistical evaluation. Moreover, relative risk, odds ratio, Spearman’s correlation for statistical analyses were used. Results. The median and interquartile range of age of patients with fibrillary nephropathy at the time of diagnosis were 55 and 18 years, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between two sex groups of males and females in current research (p-value: 0.35). There was significant statistical correlation between elevated serum creatinine level and time of last serum creatinine measurement with p-value of 0.01 and confidence interval (CI) of 0.7820 to –0.1258 during follow-up. Relative risk of kidney failure progression to kidney replacement therapy (↑ ≥ 2-fold in serum creatinine or dialysis or kidney transplant) in DNAjB9-positive (group I) and DNAjB9-negative patients (group II) was assessed 2.67 with 95% CI of 1.128 to 6.3044 and p-value of 0.025. Odds ratio of kidney failure progression to kidney replacement therapy (↑ ≥ 2-fold in serum creatinine or dialysis or kidney transplant) was assessed 4.33 with 95% CI of 0.9464 to 19.8417 and p-value of 0.058. There was statistically significant difference when comparing group I and group II for mortality probability (Kaplan-Meier analysis) during follow-up (P &lt; 0.0001). Conclusions. The present study revealed high mortality in DNAjB9-negative (8/64, 12.5%) versus DNAjB9-positive patients (0/8) with statistically significant level. Relative risk and odds ratio of kidney failure progression to kidney replacement therapy were assessed 2.67 and 4.33, respectively.