Data visualization of item-total correlation by median smoothing

This paper aims to illustrate how data visualization could be utilized to identify errors prior to modeling, using an example with multi-dimensional item response theory (MIRT). MIRT combines item response theory and factor analysis to identify a psychometric model that investigates two or more latent traits. While it may seem convenient to accomplish two tasks by employing one procedure, users should be cautious of problematic items that affect both factor analysis and IRT. When sample sizes are extremely large, reliability analyses can misidentify even random numbers as meaningful patterns. Data visualization, such as median smoothing, can be used to identify problematic items in preliminary data cleaning. Accessed 4,139 times on https://pareonline.net from February 01, 2016 to December 31, 2019. For downloads from January 1, 2020 forward, please click on the PlumX Metrics link to the right

Hypertensive brainstem encephalopathy involving deep supratentorial regions: does only blood pressure matter?

We report on a 42-year-old female patient who presented with high arterial blood pressure of 245/150 mmHg and hypertensive brainstem encephalopathy that involved the brainstem and extensive supratentorial deep gray and white matter. The lesions were nearly completely resolved several days after stabilization of the arterial blood pressure. Normal diffusion-weighted imaging findings and high apparent diffusion coefficient values suggested that the main pathomechanism was vasogenic edema owing to severe hypertension. On the basis of a literature review, the absolute value of blood pressure or whether the patient can control his/her blood pressure seems not to be associated with the degree of the lesions evident on magnetic resonance imaging. It remains to be determined if the acceleration rate and the duration of elevated arterial blood pressure might play a key role in the development of the hypertensive encephalopathy pattern

A new technique for Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy

AIM: To investigate the effects of a new opening pattern in neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy on visual function.METHODS: This technique was conducted along a circular pattern. The energy ranged between 0.8 and 1.2 mJ/pulse was consumed and mean total energy levels were 74±21 mJ (mean±standard deviation:SD, from 40 to 167) and laser shots aimed at 150 µm away behind a datum point and went along an imaginary line which extends 0.5 mm inside from optic margin and into the circular en bloc pattern. Vitreous stands were attached with fragment and then they were cut off by the laser after circular application. The circular fragment was completely separated from vitreous, and then this fragment was quickly sunk in intravitreal space.RESULTS: The follow-up period ranges from at least a week to 40mo, making 15.8mo on average. The procedural outcome showed 96% (74 eyes out of the 77 eyes) enhancement in patients’ visual acuity. Cystoid macular edema or retinal detachment was not observed in any of the patients during follow-up periods.CONCLUSION: This new technique is expected to improve the weaknesses that the conventional procedures have by adding the process to cut off vitreous stands attached with the fragment by the laser to the circular application

Variations in gut microbiota associated with changes in life-history traits of Daphnia galeata induced by fish kairomones

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in host physiology and the disruption of host–microbiota relationships caused by environmental stressors can impact host growth and survival. In this study, we used Daphnia galeata as a model organism to investigate the interactive effects of fish kairomones on the life-history traits and gut microbiota alterations of D. galeata, as well as the relationship between life-history traits and gut microbiota composition. The presence of fish kairomones enhanced fecundity, decreased growth, and altered gut microbiota, with significant changes in alpha diversity but not in beta diversity in the genotype KB5 of D. galeata. Statistical analysis revealed that the relative abundance of the Pseudomonadaceae family significantly increased upon exposure to fish kairomone, while the relative abundance of the Comamonadaceae family significantly decreased. The decreased growth in genotype KB5 may be associated with a significant increase in Pseudomonas, a member of the family Pseudomonadaceae, which is generally deficient in essential fatty acids, potentially negatively impacting growth. Meanwhile, it is speculated that the significant decrease in Limnohabitans belonging to the Comamonadaceae family is associated with the reduction of body size and increased fecundity of KB5 when exposed to fish kairomones. Furthermore, the genus Candidatus Protochlamydia was observed only under the fish kairomones-treated condition. These data suggest that variations in host life-history traits related to reproduction and growth are potentially associated with the relative abundance or presence of these microbial genera. Our research findings provide valuable insights into understanding the impact of biotic stress on the interaction between hosts and microbiota

Hemorrhagic pericarditis with cardiac tamponade after percutaneous coronary intervention associated with the use of abciximab

Glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors, such as abciximab, are used as adjunctive therapy for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in high-risk non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), although their effects when used for STEMI are less clear. As the use of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors becomes more widespread, determining the risks associated with them becomes more important. The major risks associated with the use of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors are the potential for major bleeding and thrombocytopenia. This is the first reported case in Korea of hemorrhagic pericarditis resulting in cardiac tamponade associated with the use of abciximab, a commonly used GP Ilb/IIa inhibitor, following PCI

Portulaca oleracea Ameliorates Diabetic Vascular Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction in db/db Mice

Type 2 diabetes is associated with significantly accelerated rates of micro- and macrovascular complications such as diabetic vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of the aqueous extract of Portulaca oleracea L. (AP), an edible plant used as a folk medicine, on diabetic vascular complications. The db/db mice were treated with AP (300 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 10 weeks, and AP treatment markedly lowered blood glucose, plasma triglyceride, plasma level of LDL-cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure in diabetic db/db mice. Furthermore, AP significantly increased plasma level of HDL-cholesterol and insulin level. The impairment of ACh- and SNP-induced vascular relaxation of aortic rings were ameliorated by AP treatment in diabetic db/db mice. This study also showed that overexpression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, E-selectin, MMP-2, and ET-1 were observed in aortic tissues of untreated db/db mice, which were significantly suppressed by treatment with AP. We also found that the insulin immunoreactivity of the pancreatic islets remarkably increased in AP treated db/db mice compared with untreated db/db mice. Taken together, AP suppresses hyperglycemia and diabetic vascular inflammation, and prevents the development of diabetic endothelial dysfunction for the development of diabetes and its vascular complications

A DNA barcode library of the beetle reference collection (Insecta: Coleoptera) in the National Science Museum, Korea

AbstractColeoptera is a group of insects that are most diverse among insect resources. Although used as indicator species and applied in developing new drugs, it is difficult to identify them quickly. Since the development of a method using mitochondrial DNA information for identification, studies have been conducted in Korea to swiftly and accurately identify species. The National Science Museum of Korea (NSMK) has been collecting and morphologically identifying domestic reference insects since 2013, and building a database of DNA barcodes with digital images. The NSMK completed construction of a database of digital images and DNA barcodes of 60 beetle species in the Korean National Research Information System. A total of 179 specimens and 60 species were used for the analysis, and the averages of intraspecific and interspecific variations were 0.70±0.45% and 26.34±6.01%, respectively, with variation rates ranging from 0% to 1.45% and 9.83% to 56.23%, respectively

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Compatibility of the Polymer-based Cochlear Implant

ObjectivesIn this study, we compared the magnetic resonance (MR) image artifacts caused by a conventional metal-based cochlear implant and a newly developed liquid crystal polymer (LCP)-based device.MethodsThe metal-based cochlear implant system (Nurobiosys Co.) was attached to side of the head of a subject and the LCP-based device was attached to opposite side. In both devices, alignment magnets were removed for safety. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on a widely used 3.0 T and an ultra-high 7.0 T MRI machine. 3.0 and 7.0 T MR images were acquired using T1- and T2*-weighted gradient echo sequences, respectively.ResultsIn the 3.0 T images, the metal-based device on the left side generated the significant amount of artifacts. The MR images in the proximity of the metal package were obscured by the artifacts in both axial and sagittal views. On the other hand, the MR images near the LCP-based device were relatively free from the artifacts and clearly showed the brain structures. 7.0 T MR images showed the more severe distortion in the both sides but the metal-based cochlear implant system caused a much larger obscure area than the LCP-based system.ConclusionThe novel LCP-based cochlear implant provides a good MRI compatibility beyond present-day cochlear implants. Thus, MR images can be obtained from the subjects even with the implanted LCP-based neural prosthetic systems providing useful diagnostic information. Furthermore, it will be also useful for functional MRI studies of the auditory perception mechanism after cochlear implantations as well as for positron emission tomography-MRI hybrid imaging