Validation of UVEDAI: An Index for Evaluating the Level of Inflammatory Activity in Uveitis

Introduction Uveitis is the inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, the uvea, and is a major cause of blindness. None of the instruments used in clinical practice are, in themselves, sufficient to evaluate the course of uveitis. Therefore, it is necessary to develop instruments enabling standardized measurement of inflammatory activity. We developed a composite disease activity index for patients with uveitis known as UVEDAI, which considers the overall activity of the eye. The objective of this study was to validate the composite index of ocular inflammation, UVEDAI. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study involving eight Spanish tertiary hospitals. Sixty-two patients aged ≥ 18 years with acute uveitis were recruited. Participants gave informed consent before participating in the study. A full ophthalmological examination was performed by two ophthalmologists to determine inflammatory activity: one used the UVEDAI score and the other used clinical judgment. The ophthalmologists did not share their findings with each other to avoid introducing bias into the analysis. Construct validity was established by means of factor analysis. The criterion validity of the index was determined using an ordinal multivariate regression model, in which the dependent variable was the degree of uveal inflammation (mild, moderate, or high/severe). Cut-off points were determined for the UVEDAI and for the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results Sixty-two patients were included. Total variance with the three components accounted for 80.32% of the construct validity. Each of the three components identified one type of eye involvement. The discriminatory capacity of UVEDAI was 0.867 (95% CI 0.778; 0.955 p < 0.001) for mild versus moderate–high and 0.946 (95% CI 0.879; 1.000 p < 0.001) for high versus mild–moderate. Conclusions The variables included in UVEDAI enable ocular inflammatory activity to be described with a high degree of accuracy. The index may be used to evaluate and classify this activity with considerable discriminatory power.We would like to acknowledge the support of Abbvie: this study was conducted with an unrestricted grant from Abbvie. The Spanish Society of Rheumatology is the sponser and funder of this study and the journal's Rapid Service Fee, and has participated in the study design; in the analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication. The corresponding author had full access to all study data and had final responsibility for the decision to submit the manuscript for publication

The application of omics in ruminant production: a review in the tropical and sub-tropical animal production context

The demand for animal products (e.g. dairy and beef) in tropical regions is expected to increase in parallel with the public demand for sustainable practices, due to factors such as population growth and climate change. The necessity to increase animal production output must be achieved with better management and production technologies. For this to happen, novel research methodologies, animal selection and postgenomic tools play a pivotal role. Indeed, improving breeder selection programs, the quality of meat and dairy products as well as animal health will contribute to higher sustainability and productivity. This would surely benefit regions where resource quality and quantity are increasingly unstable, and research is still very incipient, which is the case of many regions in the tropics. The purpose of this review is to demonstrate how omics-based approaches play a major role in animal science, particularly concerning ruminant production systems and research associated to the tropics and developing countriesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Many Labs 2: Investigating Variation in Replicability Across Samples and Settings

We conducted preregistered replications of 28 classic and contemporary published findings, with protocols that were peer reviewed in advance, to examine variation in effect magnitudes across samples and settings. Each protocol was administered to approximately half of 125 samples that comprised 15,305 participants from 36 countries and territories. Using the conventional criterion of statistical significance (p < .05), we found that 15 (54%) of the replications provided evidence of a statistically significant effect in the same direction as the original finding. With a strict significance criterion (p < .0001), 14 (50%) of the replications still provided such evidence, a reflection of the extremely highpowered design. Seven (25%) of the replications yielded effect sizes larger than the original ones, and 21 (75%) yielded effect sizes smaller than the original ones. The median comparable Cohen’s ds were 0.60 for the original findings and 0.15 for the replications. The effect sizes were small (< 0.20) in 16 of the replications (57%), and 9 effects (32%) were in the direction opposite the direction of the original effect. Across settings, the Q statistic indicated significant heterogeneity in 11 (39%) of the replication effects, and most of those were among the findings with the largest overall effect sizes; only 1 effect that was near zero in the aggregate showed significant heterogeneity according to this measure. Only 1 effect had a tau value greater than .20, an indication of moderate heterogeneity. Eight others had tau values near or slightly above .10, an indication of slight heterogeneity. Moderation tests indicated that very little heterogeneity was attributable to the order in which the tasks were performed or whether the tasks were administered in lab versus online. Exploratory comparisons revealed little heterogeneity between Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) cultures and less WEIRD cultures (i.e., cultures with relatively high and low WEIRDness scores, respectively). Cumulatively, variability in the observed effect sizes was attributable more to the effect being studied than to the sample or setting in which it was studied.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Sociales::Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas (IIP

Evaluación del desarrollo positivo en adolescentes mexicanos: Estudio exploratório

Abstract: The objective of this study was to design and measure psychometrically an instrument that assesses the positive development of Mexican adolescents. To this end, a non-probabilistic sample of 400 adolescents, selected from secondary school students, 57% were men and 43% were women, with an average age of 13.52 years. Based on the review of the literature, an instrument was designed based on the proposal of Lerner (2004), which comprises 59 items that are grouped into five scales Likert type that evaluate the five characteristics of positive development: Competence (13 items, α= .809), Care (6 items, α= .672), Confidence (11 items, α= .837), Connection (17 items, α=.920) and Character (12 items, α= .854). The results showed that the instrument has adequate psychometric properties. The discussion analyzes the utility of the instrument in the Mexican adolescent population for the assessment of positive development and as an instrument to evaluate the effectiveness of programs promoting healthy development in adolescentsResumen: El objetivo del presente estudio fue diseñar y valorar psicométricamente un instrumento que evalúa el desarrollo positivo de adolescentes mexicanos. Para lo cual se seleccionó una muestra no probabilística de 400 adolescentes, estudiantes de nivel secundario, 57% fueron hombres y 43% mujeres, con un promedio de edad de 13.5 años. Con base en la revisión de la literatura se diseñó un instrumento basado en la propuesta de Lerner (2004), de 59 reactivos que se agrupan en cinco escalas Likert que evalúan las cinco características del desarrollo positivo: Competencia (13 reactivos, α= .809), Cuidado (6 reactivos, α= .672), Confianza (11 reactivos, α= .837), Conexión (17 reactivos, α= .920) y Carácter (12 reactivos, α= .854). Los resultados mostraron que el instrumento cuenta con propiedades psicométricas adecuadas para este estudio. La discusión analiza la utilidad del instrumento en población adolescente mexicana para la valoración del desarrollo positivo y como instrumento para evaluar la efectividad de programas de promoción del desarrollo saludable en adolescente

Evaluación del desarrollo positivo en adolescentes mexicanos: estudio exploratorio

The objective of this study was to design and measure psychometrically an instrument that assesses the positive development of Mexican adolescents. To this end, a non-probabilistic sample of 400 adolescents, selected from secondary school students, 57% were men and 43% were women, with an average age of 13.52 years. Based on the review of the literature, an instrument was designed based on the proposal of Lerner (2004), which comprises 59 items that are grouped into five scales Likert type that evaluate the five characteristics of positive development: Competence (13 items,&nbsp; α= .809), Care (6 items, α= .672), Confidence (11 items, α= .837), Connection (17 items, α= .920) and Character (12 items, α= .854). The results showed that the instrument has adequate psychometric properties for this study. The discussion analyzes the utility of the instrument in the Mexican adolescent population for the assessment of positive development and as an instrument to evaluate the effectiveness of programs promoting healthy development in adolescents.El objetivo del presente estudio fue diseñar y valorar psicométricamente un instrumento que evalúa el desarrollo positivo de adolescentes mexicanos. Para lo cual se seleccionó una muestra no probabilística de 400 adolescentes, estudiantes de nivel secundario, 57% fueron hombres y 43% mujeres, con un promedio de edad de 13.5 años. Con base en la revisión de la literatura se diseñó un instrumento basado en la propuesta de Lerner (2004), de 59 reactivos que se agrupan en cinco escalas Likert que evalúan las cinco características del desarrollo positivo: Competencia (13 reactivos, α= .809), Cuidado (6 reactivos, α= .672), Confianza (11 reactivos, α= .837), Conexión (17 reactivos, α= .920) y Carácter (12 reactivos, α= .854). Los resultados mostraron que el instrumento cuenta con propiedades psicométricas adecuadas para este estudio. La discusión analiza la utilidad del instrumento en población adolescente mexicana para la valoración del desarrollo positivo y como instrumento para evaluar la efectividad de programas de promoción del desarrollo saludable en adolescentes

Surgical Management of a Patient with Anterior Megalophthalmos, Lens Subluxation, and a High Risk of Retinal Detachment

The early development of lens opacities and lens subluxation are the most common causes of vision loss in patients with anterior megalophthalmos (AM). Cataract surgery in such patients is challenging, however, because of anatomical abnormalities. Intraocular lens dislocation is the most common postoperative complication. Patients with AM also seem to be affected by a type of vitreoretinopathy that predisposes them to retinal detachment. We here present the case of a 36-year-old man with bilateral AM misdiagnosed as simple megalocornea. He had a history of amaurosis in the right eye due to retinal detachment. He presented with vision loss in the left eye due to lens subluxation. Following the removal of the subluxated lens, it was deemed necessary to perform a vitrectomy in order to prevent retinal detachment. Seven months after surgery, an Artisan® Aphakia iris-claw lens was implanted in the anterior chamber. Fifteen months of follow-up data are provided

Size optimization of shoulder filleted shafts with relief grooves for improving their fatigue life

Although in scientific literature there are studies regarding the inclusion of relief grooves in order to diminish the amount of stress concentration in stepped shafts, the incorporation of optimization algorithms capable of parametrically determining their geometry remains unexplored. In this paper, an approach to the problem of size optimization of shoulder filleted shafts with relief grooves and subject to axial loads is presented. The objective of the optimization is to minimize the maximum value of stress at both, the root of the shoulder fillet, and the root of the groove, thus minimizing stress concentration and improving fatigue life of such elements. Under this methodology, different percentages of reduction of stress are achieved for the shafts with relief grooves, in comparison with the shafts without relief grooves. The novelty of this approach lies in the incorporation of an algorithm for the determination of the optimum geometry of the grooves.Aun cuando en la literatura científica se puede hallar artículos sobre la inclusión de ranuras de alivio para disminuir el nivel de concentración de esfuerzo en flechas escalonadas, la incorporación de algoritmos de optimización capaces de determinar su geometría de manera paramétrica permanece sin explorarse. En este artículo se presenta un enfoque al problema de optimización de tamaño de flechas escalonadas con ranuras de alivio, sujetas a cargas axiales. El objetivo de la optimización es minimizar el valor máximo del esfuerzo, tanto en la raíz del escalón como en la raíz de la ranura, disminuyendo la concentración de esfuerzo y mejorando la vida a la fatiga de tales elementos mecánicos. Bajo esta metodología, se alcanzan diversos porcentajes de reducción del esfuerzo al comparar las flechas ranuradas con las flechas no ranuradas. El enfoque aporta la incorporación de un algoritmo para la determinación de la geometría óptima de las ranuras de alivio

Size optimization of shoulder filleted shafts with relief grooves for improving their fatigue life

Although in scientific literature there are studies regarding the inclusion of relief grooves in order to diminish the amount of stress concentration in stepped shafts, the incorporation of optimization algorithms capable of parametrically determining their geometry remains unexplored. In this paper, an approach to the problem of size optimization of shoulder filleted shafts with relief grooves and subject to axial loads is presented. The objective of the optimization is to minimize the maximum value of stress at both, the root of the shoulder fillet, and the root of the groove, thus minimizing stress concentration and improving fatigue life of such elements. Under this methodology, different percentages of reduction of stress are achieved for the shafts with relief grooves, in comparison with the shafts without relief grooves. The novelty of this approach lies in the incorporation of an algorithm for the determination of the optimum geometry of the grooves.Aun cuando en la literatura científica se puede hallar artículos sobre la inclusión de ranuras de alivio para disminuir el nivel de concentración de esfuerzo en flechas escalonadas, la incorporación de algoritmos de optimización capaces de determinar su geometría de manera paramétrica permanece sin explorarse. En este artículo se presenta un enfoque al problema de optimización de tamaño de flechas escalonadas con ranuras de alivio, sujetas a cargas axiales. El objetivo de la optimización es minimizar el valor máximo del esfuerzo, tanto en la raíz del escalón como en la raíz de la ranura, disminuyendo la concentración de esfuerzo y mejorando la vida a la fatiga de tales elementos mecánicos. Bajo esta metodología, se alcanzan diversos porcentajes de reducción del esfuerzo al comparar las flechas ranuradas con las flechas no ranuradas. El enfoque aporta la incorporación de un algoritmo para la determinación de la geometría óptima de las ranuras de alivio