Prototyping optimization in the web application development

When developing web applications we often use prototyping. Prototyping allows us to involve end users of an application in early stages of development process, which can have positive effects on process itself. The correct interpretation of user feedback can avoid potential problems during development. The problem that often occurs in practice, are too simple prototypes that do not provide good simulation of the final application. One of the main principles of prototyping is rapid implementation, so developers, at least in the initial versions do not decide to develop complex prototypes. The aim of this diploma thesis is to present a solution to make better prototypes of web applications, so that their development does not take much time. The solution is implemented as a JavaScript module that uses extended attributes of HTML elements for generating random data and simulation of backend system. It enables developers to accelerate the development of complex prototypes. The module also simplifies error reporting and giving feedback to the development team. In the first part of the thesis, we introduce prototyping as an appropriate method for the development of web applications. Next, we present the solution to make better prototypes and test the solution in practice. The test is conducted as a comparison of the development of two applications – one with the use of the aforementioned solution, the other without. We conclude with the presentation of the findings – namely that the proposed solution has a positive effect on the development process. We also present possibilities for further development that would improve prototyping even further

Inhaled corticosteroids and adverse outcomes among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with community-acquired pneumonia: a population-based cohort study

IntroductionWhile inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) may increase pneumonia risk in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the impact of ICS on pneumonia outcomes is debated. We examined whether ICS use is associated with adverse outcomes among COPD patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).Materials and methodsPopulation-based cohort study of all COPD patients with an incident hospitalization for CAP between 1997 and 2013 in Northern Denmark. Information on medications, COPD severity, comorbidities, complications, and death was obtained from medical databases. Adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) for pleuropulmonary complications, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and 30-day mortality in current and former ICS users were compared with those in non-users, using regression analyzes to handle confounding.ResultsOf 11,368 COPD patients with CAP, 6,073 (53.4%) were current ICS users and 1,733 (15.2%) were former users. Current users had a non-significantly decreased risk of pleuropulmonary complications [2.6%; aRR = 0.82 (0.59–1.12)] compared to non-users (3.2%). This was also observed among former users [2.5%; aRR = 0.77 (0.53–1.12)]. Similarly, decreased risks of ICU admission were observed among current users [aRR = 0.77 (0.57–1.04)] and among former users [aRR = 0.81 (0.58–1.13)]. Current ICS users had significantly decreased 30-day mortality [9.1%; aRR = 0.72 (0.62–0.85)] compared to non-users (12.6%), with a stronger association observed among patients with frequent exacerbations [0.58 (0.39–0.86)]. No significant association was observed among former ICS users [0.89 (0.75–1.05)].ConclusionOur results suggest a decreased risk of death with ICS use among COPD patients admitted for CAP

European Respiratory Society Statement on Long COVID-19 Follow-Up

Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection frequently experience symptom burden post-acute infection or post-hospitalisation. We aim to identify optimal strategies for follow-up care that may positively impact the patient's quality-of-life (QOL).A European Respiratory Society (ERS) Task Force (TF) convened and prioritised eight clinical questions. A targeted search of the literature defined the time line of long COVID-19 as one to six months post infection and identified clinical evidence in the follow-up of patients. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria report an association of characteristics of acute infection with persistent symptoms, thromboembolic events in the follow-up period and evaluations of pulmonary physiology and imaging. Importantly, this statement reviews QOL consequences, symptom burden, disability and home care follow-up. Overall, the evidence for follow-up care for patients with long COVID-19 is limited

Treatment outcome definitions in nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease: an NTM-NET consensus statement

Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary diseases (NTM-PD) are increasingly recognised as opportunistic infections of humans. These chronic pulmonary infections have two main presentations. The first is a fibro-cavitary disease, that occurs in patients with pre-existing pulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, previous tuberculosis or other structural lung disease. The second presentation is a nodular- bronchiectatic disease of primarily the lingula and middle lobe that tends to affect a middle- aged and elderly female population [1]. Treatment of NTM-PD requires long-term administration of complex multidrug therapies that are species-specific. Currently recommended regimens are supported by a very limited evidence base [2, 3]. The increasing incidence of NTM-PD has sparked increased interest in performing prospective randomised clinical trials [4]. One of the drawbacks of the existing case series and clinical trials is that they have applied different outcome measures [5]. This hampers meta-analyses, which are important in these still understudied infectious diseases. To enhance the quality and interpretability of the results of future trials and retrospective cohort studies, we aimed to formulate clear and broadly acceptable outcome definitions for NTM-PD treatment

Evidence of mycobacterial disease in COPD patients with lung volume reduction surgery; the importance of histological assessment of specimens: a cohort study

Background Patients with COPD are at risk of non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection (NTM). This study examined the histology of lung tissue from COPD patients following lung volume reduction with particular focus on evidence of mycobacterial infection. Methods Retrospective histological study of 142 consecutive lung volume reduction surgical specimens (126 separate patients) at Royal Brompton Hospital between 2000 – 2013, with prospectively collected preoperative data on exacerbation rate, lung function and body mass index. Results 92% of patients had at least one other histological diagnosis in addition to emphysema. 10% of specimens had histological evidence of mycobacterial infection, one with co-existent aspergilloma. Mycobacteria were only identified in those patients with granulomas that were necrotising. These patients had higher exacerbation rates, lower TLCO and FEV1. Conclusion A proportion of severe COPD patients will have evidence of mycobacterial infection despite lack of clinical and radiological suspicion. This may have implications for long-term management of these patients

Interventions used to improve control of blood pressure in patients with hypertension.

BACKGROUND: It is well recognized that patients with high blood pressure (hypertension) in the community frequently fail to meet treatment goals - a condition labeled as "uncontrolled" hypertension. The optimal way in which to organize and deliver care to patients who have hypertension so that they reach treatment goals has not been clearly identified. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of interventions to improve control of blood pressure in patients with hypertension. To evaluate the effectiveness of reminders on improving the follow-up of patients with hypertension. SEARCH STRATEGY: All-language search of all articles (any year) in the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR), Medline and Embase from June 2000. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of patients with hypertension that evaluated the following interventions: (1) self-monitoring (2) educational interventions directed to the patient (3) educational interventions directed to the health professional (4) health professional (nurse or pharmacist) led care (5) organisational interventions that aimed to improve the delivery of care (6) appointment reminder systems. Outcomes assessed were: (1) mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure( 2) control of blood pressure (3) proportion of patients followed up at clinic. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors extracted data independently and in duplicate and assessed each study according to the criteria outlined by the Cochrane Collaboration Handbook. MAIN RESULTS: 56 RCTs met our inclusion criteria. The methodological quality of included studies was variable. An organized system of regular review allied to vigorous antihypertensive drug therapy was shown to reduce blood pressure (weighted mean difference -8.2/-4.2 mmHg, -11.7/-6.5 mmHg, -10.6/-7.6 mmHg for 3 strata of entry blood pressure) and all-cause mortality at five years follow-up (6.4% versus 7.8%, difference 1.4%) in a single large RCT- the Hypertension Detection and Follow-Up study. Other interventions had variable effects. Self-monitoring was associated with moderate net reduction in diastolic blood pressure (weighted mean difference (WMD): -2.0 mmHg, 95%CI: -2.7 to -1.4 mmHg, respectively. Appointment reminders increased the proportion of individuals who attended for follow-up. RCTs of educational interventions directed at patients or health professionals were heterogeneous but appeared unlikely to be associated with large net reductions in blood pressure by themselves. Health professional (nurse or pharmacist) led care may be a promising way of delivering care, with the majority of RCTs being associated with improved blood pressure control, but requires further evaluation. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Family practices and community-based clinics need to have an organized system of regular follow-up and review of their hypertensive patients. Antihypertensive drug therapy should be implemented by means of a vigorous stepped care approach when patients do not reach target blood pressure levels

Vaccine breakthrough hypoxemic COVID-19 pneumonia in patients with auto-Abs neutralizing type I IFNs

Life-threatening `breakthrough' cases of critical COVID-19 are attributed to poor or waning antibody response to the SARS- CoV-2 vaccine in individuals already at risk. Pre-existing autoantibodies (auto-Abs) neutralizing type I IFNs underlie at least 15% of critical COVID-19 pneumonia cases in unvaccinated individuals; however, their contribution to hypoxemic breakthrough cases in vaccinated people remains unknown. Here, we studied a cohort of 48 individuals ( age 20-86 years) who received 2 doses of an mRNA vaccine and developed a breakthrough infection with hypoxemic COVID-19 pneumonia 2 weeks to 4 months later. Antibody levels to the vaccine, neutralization of the virus, and auto- Abs to type I IFNs were measured in the plasma. Forty-two individuals had no known deficiency of B cell immunity and a normal antibody response to the vaccine. Among them, ten (24%) had auto-Abs neutralizing type I IFNs (aged 43-86 years). Eight of these ten patients had auto-Abs neutralizing both IFN-a2 and IFN-., while two neutralized IFN-omega only. No patient neutralized IFN-ss. Seven neutralized 10 ng/mL of type I IFNs, and three 100 pg/mL only. Seven patients neutralized SARS-CoV-2 D614G and the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) efficiently, while one patient neutralized Delta slightly less efficiently. Two of the three patients neutralizing only 100 pg/mL of type I IFNs neutralized both D61G and Delta less efficiently. Despite two mRNA vaccine inoculations and the presence of circulating antibodies capable of neutralizing SARS-CoV-2, auto-Abs neutralizing type I IFNs may underlie a significant proportion of hypoxemic COVID-19 pneumonia cases, highlighting the importance of this particularly vulnerable population