Open Fetal Surgery and Fetoscopic Repair in Spina Bifida and Myelomeningocele in Romania

Spina bifida and myelomeningocele, although frequent, present difficulties when it comes to diagnosis and clinical management. The recent developments in ultrasound and MRI technologies and software, allow for an easier and more precise diagnosis. As such, in the first part of our chapter we will present general information, such as etiology, pathophysiology and methods of diagnosis. Fetal surgery, open or fetoscopic, represents a cure in most cases of spina bifida and in other cases reduces the chances of major developmental issues in babies born with this affliction. In the second part of our chapter, we will present the surgical protocols for both procedures, the indications, and the statistics that we have acquired in the cases we have diagnosed and operated on in the Regina Maria Maternity Hospital, Bucharest, the only center in Romania where these procedures are available

Experimental Evaluation of Hybrid Fibre−Wireless System for 5G Networks

This article describes a novel experimental study considering a multiband fibre–wireless system for constructing the transport network for fifth-generation (5G) networks. This study describes the development and testing of a 5G new radio (NR) multi-input multi-output (MIMO) hybrid fibre–wireless (FiWi) system for enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) using digital pre-distortion (DPD). Analog radio over fibre (A-RoF) technology was used to create the optical fronthaul (OFH) that includes a 3 GHz supercell in a long-range scenario as well as a femtocell scenario using the 20 GHz band. As a proof of concept, a Mach Zehnder modulator with two independent radio frequency waveforms modifies a 1310 nm optical carrier using a distributed feedback laser across 10 km of conventional standard single-mode fibre. It may be inferred that a hybrid FiWi-based MIMO-enabled 5G NR system based on OFH could be a strong competitor for future mobile haul applications. Moreover, a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based DPD is used to improve the performance of the link. The error vector magnitude (EVM) performance for 5G NR bands is predicted to fulfil the Third Generation Partnership Project’s (3GPP) Release 17 standards

Correlation between clarithromycin resistance, virulence factors and clinical characteristics of the disease in Helicobacter pylori infected patients in Shahrekord, Southwest Iran

The purpose of this study was to determine the mutations associated with clarithromycin resistance in Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from biopsy samples that were collected from the endoscopic ward of Shahrekord Hajar teaching Hospital and also to study the frequency of virulence factor and their correlation and pathological findings with clarithromycin resistance during the years 2019-2020. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 152 patients with Helicobacter pylori infection were considered, and then, two common A2142G and A2143G mutations in the 23SrRNA gene associated with resistance were analyzed by Real-time PCR (Taq man). The presence of vacA, iceA1, iceA2, cagA, babA2, and oipA virulence genes was investigated by PCR and electrophoresis in 8% polyacrylamide gel. Then, data were analyzed using the relevant statistical tests. In this study, the frequency of Helicobacter pylori was 76% and the frequency of mutant isolates was 57.2%. The frequencies of A2142G and A2143G point mutations were 42.1% and 28.3%. There was a significant correlation among oipA, vacA, and iceA1 virulence factors, type of disease, chronic inflammatory score, and glandular atrophy with the antibiotic resistance to clarithromycin. There was no significant correlation between the age and sex of the patients with antibiotic resistance. According to the results of this study, it seems that the use of clarithromycin to combat this bacterium should be limited

Effect of marking on the spatial distribution and structure of beech stands (Case study: Safarood-Ramsar)

This paper aims to study the spatial pattern of marked trees in compartments 513 and 514 of district five of Safarood Ramsar which is located between 1200 and 1300 m.a.s.l. in the watershed management unit 30. For this purpose, twenty, 1ha sample plots were selected based on two independent communities, 16 plots in managed and 4 plots in unmanaged (control) stands, and the data on 2000 and 2012 were compared. Results showed that the structure of the 20 plots on 2000 was irregular and the selection cuttings within 12 years have made ​​some effects on the structure in 2012 which is now a bit far from irregular form. The number of trees in small, large and extra large diameter classes is reduced. The spatial pattern of marked trees in the compartment 512 showed cluster pattern (located around large and extra large timber), whereas in the compartment 513 was random (located around small and medium timber) which is directly related to the typology of the stands. Moreover, the results indicated that the mean area of gaps in the managed and control stands was 414m2 and 284m2, respectively. Mean total height of seedlings was 1.4m and 1.2m in the managed and control stands, respectively. Mean seedlings number in the managed and control stands was 603 and 512 in 100 m2, respectively. None of the differences of above mentioned data were statistical significant

Volume 10, Issue 27 (3-2018) J Med Educ Dev 2018, 10(27): 141-154 | Back to browse issues page

Background & Objective: The present study aimed to identify the barriers in the current system of organizational performance measurement and determine the educational challenges within the framework of Stufflebeam and Coryn (2014) meta-evaluation model in 14 educational offices in Zanjan province, Iran. Materials and Methods: This exploratory study was performed using a qualitative approach and conventional content analysis. Interviews were based on the Stufflebeam and Coryn (2014) meta-evaluation model. In total, 154 codes were verified by 10 participators. Results: Among 154 acquired codes, the most important themes were deduced through the assessment of organizational performance measurement in the educational system. These themes included the ‘mutual incompetency between the individual and organization’, ‘individual factors affecting the assessment’, ‘organizational factors affecting the assessment’, ‘imaginary-cognitive factors’, and ‘results and consequences of establishing a system for organizational performance evaluation’. In addition, four themes emerged regarding the problems associated with the measurement of organizational performance, including the ‘individual and structural problems of the organization’, ‘problems associated with the organizational culture and climate’, ‘ conceptual (perceptional) challenges’, and ‘functional problems’. Some research suggestions have also been provided. Conclusion: According to the results, the efficiency of the organizational performance measurement system reduces due to barriers such as the low professional competency of the staff, poor technical skills in quantitative analysis, and inattention to the methodology of organizational performance evaluation within the context of organizing and coordinating the weaknesses of an organization without using the necessary tools to address the lack of priority in performance evaluation and poor organizational accountability

Designing an Academic Optimism Causal model Based on Psychological Capital Components by Mediating psychological climate among the Students of Farhangian University

Background and Aim: Although the impact of psychological capital has long been taken into consideration, but today, understanding the relationship between psychological capital and scientific optimism is considered a necessity.&nbsp; In this study, the psychological structure was studied as a mediator variable in the relationship between organizational capital optimism and psychological capital was studied. Materials and Methods: This study is descriptive-survey based on the data collection method. In this study, 290 students of Farhangian University were studied as a statistical sample using simple random sampling. Data were collected through a questionnaire. the reliability of the instruments measured using Cronbach's alpha and combined reliability and validity of the instruments was determined using a convergent and divergent validity method. Structural equations and Smart PLS2 software were used to analyze the data. Results: The findings showed that psychological capital and academic optimism respectively: Prognosis and consequence of psychological atmosphere are considered and scientific optimism with the resilience component has a negative and positive relationship with the components of self-efficacy, hope and optimism (P<0.05). Overall, results indicated that 44 percent of academic optimism changes are directly explained by the components of psychological capital and 45 percent of the scientific, indirect and optimistic changes through the psychological climate mediator variable. Conclusion: The research has provided important theoretical and empirical findings for future research on academic education and optimism, and also suggests that student perception of the psychological climate is a requirement for scientific optimism. &nbsp

Up-regulated CCL18, CCL28 and CXCL13 Expression is Associated with the Risk of Gastritis and Peptic Ulcer Disease in Helicobacter Pylori infection

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection causes inflammation and increases the risk of developing peptic ulcer disease (PUD); however, the exact molecular mechanisms of PUD development remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of CCL18, CCL28, and CXCL13 in H. pylori-positive subjects in comparison with H. pylori-negative subjects, and to determine its association with different clinical outcomes and virulence factors. Methods: In total, 55 H. pylori-positive subjects with gastritis, 47 H. pylori-positive subjects with PUD, and 48 H. pylori-negative subjects were enrolled in this study. CCL18, CCL28, and CXCL13 expression were determined using real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The virulence factors of H. pylori such as cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA), outer inflammatory protein A (oipA), blood group antigen-binding adhesin (babA), and vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA) genes were evaluated using PCR. Results: CCL18, CCL28, and CXCL13 expression in H. pylori-positive subjects were significantly higher than H. pylori-negative subjects. CCL18 and CXCL13 expression in H. pylori-positive subjects with oipA+ and babA2+were significantly higher than H. pylori-positive subjects with oipA¯ and babA2¯. CCL18 and CXCL13 expression were found to be significantly elevated in H. pylori-positive subjects with gastritis compared with H. pylori-positive subjects with PUD. CCL28 expression was significantly higher in H. pylori-positive subjects with PUD compared with H. pylori-positive subjects with gastritis. Conclusions: The increased of CCL18 and CXCL13 may be involved in the pathogenesis of H. pylori-associated gastritis, while the increased of CCL28 may be involved in the pathogenesis of H. pylori-associated PU

Enhanced Frequency of CD19+IL-10+B Cells in Human Gastric Mucosa Infected by Helicobacter pylori

Background: CD19+IL-10+B cells are considered as a particular subset of immunosuppressive cells by producing interleukin 10 (IL-10), which plays an important role in infectious and autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the number of CD19+IL-10+B cells in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) positive patients in comparison with H. pylori negative patients, and to determine the association with different clinical outcomes, such as gastritis and peptic ulcer disease (PUD), in infected patients. Methods and materials: We studied 25 infected patients with gastritis, 25 infected patients with PUD, and 25 patients negative for H. pylori. The number of CD19+IL-10+B cells was determined by immunofluorescence. Results: The number of CD19+IL-10+B cells in patients infected with H. pylori was significantly 2.5-fold higher than uninfected patients (P &lt; 0.0001). Also, the number of CD19+IL-10+B cells in infected patients with gastritis was significantly 1.45-fold elevated compared to infected patients with PUD (P = 0.001). Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the increased number of CD19+IL-10+B cells in infected patients and its association with other cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of H. pylori infection

Up-regulated CCL18, CCL28 and CXCL13 Expression is Associated with the Risk of Gastritis and Peptic Ulcer Disease in Helicobacter Pylori infection

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection causes inflammation and increases the risk of developing peptic ulcer disease (PUD); however, the exact molecular mechanisms of PUD development remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of CCL18, CCL28, and CXCL13 in H. pylori-positive subjects in comparison with H. pylori-negative subjects, and to determine its association with different clinical outcomes and virulence factors. Methods: In total, 55 H. pylori-positive subjects with gastritis, 47 H. pylori-positive subjects with PUD, and 48 H. pylori-negative subjects were enrolled in this study. CCL18, CCL28, and CXCL13 expression were determined using real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The virulence factors of H. pylori such as cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA), outer inflammatory protein A (oipA), blood group antigen-binding adhesin (babA), and vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA) genes were evaluated using PCR. Results: CCL18, CCL28, and CXCL13 expression in H. pylori-positive subjects were significantly higher than H. pylori-negative subjects. CCL18 and CXCL13 expression in H. pylori-positive subjects with oipA+ and babA2+were significantly higher than H. pylori-positive subjects with oipA¯ and babA2¯. CCL18 and CXCL13 expression were found to be significantly elevated in H. pylori-positive subjects with gastritis compared with H. pylori-positive subjects with PUD. CCL28 expression was significantly higher in H. pylori-positive subjects with PUD compared with H. pylori-positive subjects with gastritis. Conclusions: The increased of CCL18 and CXCL13 may be involved in the pathogenesis of H. pylori-associated gastritis, while the increased of CCL28 may be involved in the pathogenesis of H. pylori-associated PUD