Quality of Data Entry Using Single Entry, Double Entry and Automated Forms Processing–An Example Based on a Study of Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background: The clinical and scientific usage of patient-reported outcome measures is increasing in the health services. Often paper forms are used. Manual double entry of data is defined as the definitive gold standard for transferring data to an electronic format, but the process is laborious. Automated forms processing may be an alternative, but further validation is warranted. Methods: 200 patients were randomly selected from a cohort of 5777 patients who had previously answered two different questionnaires. The questionnaires were scanned using an automated forms processing technique, as well as processed by single and double manual data entry, using the EpiData Entry data entry program. The main outcome measure was the proportion of correctly entered numbers at question, form and study level. Results: Manual double-key data entry (error proportion per 1000 fields = 0.046 (95 % CI: 0.001–0.258)) performed better than single-key data entry (error proportion per 1000 fields = 0.370 (95 % CI: 0.160–0.729), (p = 0.020)). There was no statistical difference between Optical Mark Recognition (error proportion per 1000 fields = 0.046 (95 % CI: 0.001–0.258)) and double-key data entry (p = 1.000). With the Intelligent Character Recognition method, there was no statistical difference compared to single-key data entry (error proportion per 1000 fields = 6.734 (95 % CI: 0.817–24.113), (p = 0.656)), as well as double-key data entry (error proportion per 1000 fields = 3.367 (95 % CI: 0.085–18.616)), (p = 0.319))

Synthesis and Preliminary Pharmacological Evaluation of 2-[4-(Aryl substituted) piperazin-1-yl]-Nphenylacetamides: Potential Antipsychotics

Purpose: Arylpiperazines have been recognized as the largest and most diverse class of compounds exerting actions on the central nervous system with strong affinity for serotonin and dopamine receptors. We here report the synthesis of some novel arylpiperazines and their evaluation for possible antipsychotic properties. Methods: The target compounds 2-[4-(aryl substituted) piperazin-1-yl]-N-phenylacetamides (3a-j) were synthesized by first reacting aniline (1) in 2 N sodium hydroxide with chloroacetylchloride in dichloromethane to obtain 2-chloro-N-phenylacetamide (2) and subsequently treating with appropriate phenylpiperazine in acetonitrile in the presence of K2CO3 and KI. All the compounds were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods. The compounds were evaluated for antipsychotic activity using three animal models. Results: All the 10 new arylpipeazines showed variable antipsychotic activity with compound 3h being the least effective in the induction of catalepsy. Their effect may involve interaction with 5-HT2A and D2 receptors. Conclusion: A synthetic method and possible antipsychotic effect have been established for 2-[4-(Aryl substituted) piperazin-1-yl]-N-phenylacetamides

Bcl-2 Expression Alters the Mitochondrial Tri Carboxyl Acid Pathway in Hepatic Ischemic and Reperfusion Induced Necrosis and Apoptosis in Rat Liver

Ischemic and reperfusion injury leads to necrosis and apoptosis. Mitochondrial enzymes and antiapoptotic gene plays an important role in necrosis and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Bcl-2 expression in alternations in mitochondrial energy regulation during hepatic ischemia and reperfusion and role in necrosis and apoptosis. Total 12 Wistar rats were divided into sham-operated control group (I) and ischemia and reperfusion group (II). Mitochondrial tri carboxylic acid cycles marker enzymes, respiratory marker enzymes, apoptotic cells, necrotic cells and Bcl-2 expression was measured. Number of necrotic and apoptotic cells were increased in ischemic and reperfusion group with reducing tri carboxylic acid cycles marker enzymes, respiratory marker enzymes and decreasing of Bcl-2 expression. On the basis of our findings it may be concluded that suppression of Bcl-2 gene, inhibition of tri carboxylic acid cycles and respiration rate, adenosine tri phosphate production in mitochondria is a pathophysiological consequences which provides a clue for necrosis and apoptosis in hepatic ischemic and reperfusion injury

A cross sectional study on the prevalence, knowledge, attitude and practice of hypercholesterolaemia among the sampled population of age 35 years and above in kampung Sadong Jaya from 14th June to 20th August 2004

Hypercholesterolaemia is a disease condition, which is on the rise worldwide, owing mainly due to the changes in lifestyle and dietary habits. It is a condition where there is excess cholesterol in the blood. It is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular mortality. Although hypercholesterolaemia is normally thought as a `disease among the urban', but since Malaysia is progressively encroaching modernization, the effect of urbanization, especially regarding health, will leak towards it's surrounding area, including the rural parts. A cross-sectional study on the prevalence, knowledge, attitude and practice of hypercholesterolaemia among the sampled population aged 35 years old and above was carried out in Kampung Sadong Jaya. Through census and EPI info 6.04 a total of 150 respondents were randomly selected for questionnaire interviews, measurements of total cholesterol level and body mass index. The exclusion criteria include those who are severely ill, and those that refuses even after 3 attempts of approaching the respondent fails. From the research that has been conducted, only about half of the respondents, which accounts towards 55.0%, had good knowledge regarding Hypercholesterolaemia while another 45.0% did not. Furthermore, there were 60.0% of respondents having good attitude and another 40.0% have unhealthy attitude regarding Hypercholesterolaemia. A percentage of 54.0% respondents have good practice while another 46.0% did not. As for the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia among the respondents, 69.0% of the respondents had desirable total cholesterol (less than 5.20 mmol/1), 25.0% had borderline hypercholesterolaemia (from 5.21 mmol/l to 6.20 mmol/1) while 6.0 % had high risk of hypercholesterolaemia (more than 6.20 mmol/1)

A hydrochemical approach to estimate mountain front recharge in an aquifer system in Tamilnadu, India

© 2017 Science Press, Institute of Geochemistry, CAS and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany Mountain-front recharge (MFR) is a process of recharging an aquifer by infiltration of surface flow from streams and adjacent basins in a mountain block and along a mountain front (MF). This is the first attempt in India to estimate MFR along the foothills of Courtallam using hydrogeochemistry and geostatistical tools. The estimation of MFR has been carried out by collecting groundwater samples along the foothills of Courtallam. Collected water samples were analyzed for major cations and anions using standard procedures. Hydrogeochemical facies show the existence of four water types in this region. Calcium-rich water derived from gneissic rock terrain indicates significant recharge from higher elevation. Log pCO 2 and ionic strength of the samples were also calculated to identify the geochemical process. Majority of the collected samples have sodium-rich water and weak ionic strength, which indicate foothill recharge and low residence time. Silicate and carbonate weathering have an equal interplay along the foothills with a relatively large fraction of Mg from the MF. The spatial diagrams of three factors show that the southern part of the study area is dominated by both weathering and anthropogenic processes, whereas the northern part is dominated by both leaching and weathering processes. Thus, the dominant weathering process represented by the second factor indicates the large recharge process along the foothills