Rubrics in Nursing Education

Evaluating assignments or course work is a challenging job for faculty of nursing. In order to avoid the dilemmas of evaluation, nurse educators use rubrics as an evaluation tool. In educational technology, rubric refers to „performance standard‟ for a student population. A rubric is defined as an assessment tool that lays out the set standards and criteria to assess a performance, assignment or behavior. The four essential components of a rubric are task description, scale of achievement, dimensions & description of dimensions. Various types of scoring rubrics are available. The type of rubric chosen for assessment depends on the task being evaluated and the needs of the assessor. Holistic rubrics, analytic rubrics, generic rubrics, specific rubrics are the different types of rubrics. In nursing education, rubrics has got wide range of applications such as to; assess clinical skills, grade assignments, evaluate clinical competency and analyze presentations. Rubrics helps to define "quality performance” and promote awareness on critical components in a performance. Rubrics not only act as an evaluation tool for instructors, but also act as a feedback proforma for students. Rubrics are vital tools that can be utilized to solve the problem of subjectivity in evaluation. Rubrics provide consistency in evaluation, reduces subjectivity and enhances objectivity

Histological correlates of gastro esophageal reflux disease in South Indian population

Background: Diagnosing gastroeosopageal reflux disease (GERD) accurately is a complex problem. This study was conducted to examine the histological findings of GERD in Indian subjects. Esophageal biopsy can be combined with pH monitoring and endoscopy to define the histological damage that occurs due to acid regurgitation. The sensitivity and specificity of the individual findings needs clarity in this clouded area in order to be of use to the pathologist.Methods: A total of 102 patients with dyspepsia were included in this study. Those with heartburn and /or regurgitation were identified as patients with GERD and those without these symptoms were treated as cases of non GERD dyspepsia. Biopsies were taken 2cm above 'Z' line in all cases. The biopsies were read by a single pathologist. Basal cell hyperplasia (BCH), neutrophilic exocytosis (NE), dilated intercellular spaces (DIS), papillary elongation (PE) and lymphoid aggregates (LA), necrosis (NEC) and eosinophilic infiltration were studied. Results: 68 patients had GERD dyspepsia and 34 had non GERD dyspepsia. The histological findings of BCH, NE, PE, DIS, LA were found to be found much more often in patients with GERD symptoms (p values ranged from 0.0001 to 0.0008). We found BCH and papillary elongation together were the most sensitive histological findings. Specificity was highest when DIS combined with NE.Conclusions: In this study we found basal cell hyperplasia is the most common histological finding, and when combined with DIS or papillary elongation enhances its sensitivity. However to exclude other causes of dyspepsia, a combination of DIS, PE and NE can be used effectively.

Locating Planetesimal Belts in the Multiple-planet Systems HD 128311, HD 202206, HD 82943, and HR 8799

In addition to the Sun, six other stars are known to harbor multiple planets and debris disks: HD 69830, HD 38529, HD 128311, HD 202206, HD 82943, and HR 8799. In this paper, we set constraints on the location of the dust-producing planetesimals around the latter four systems. We use a radiative transfer model to analyze the spectral energy distributions of the dust disks (including two new Spitzer IRS spectra presented in this paper), and a dynamical model to assess the long-term stability of the planetesimals' orbits. As members of a small group of stars that show evidence of harboring a multiple planets and planetesimals, their study can help us learn about the diversity of planetary systems

Feasibility of store-and-forward teledermatology in out-patient care: A prospective study from rural India utilising specialist referral services through an instant messaging platform - "WhatsApp"

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented demands on the delivery of health care in rural areas of India. We examined the feasibility of store-and-forward mobile teledermatology for outpatient access to specialist dermatologic care in underserved areas in India. Methods: We conducted a prospective study using smartphone-based teledermatology, connecting six underserved clinics manned by primary care physicians (PCP) to three dermatologists, using the instant messaging platform WhatsApp. We assessed the concordance between PCPs and dermatologists (using Cohen’s kappa coefficient), consultation time, the spectrum of conditions, and the outcome. Results: Of the 730 dermatology patients screened in the clinics, (13%) (36 males and 59 females) required teleconsultation, among which 61.1% were non-infective, 34.7% were infective, and the diagnosis could not be ascertained in 4.2 %. The mean time takenwas 13.5 (± 18.4) minutes. Twenty per cent (n=19) required referral, and 80% (n=76) of consultations could be resolved at the clinic, of whom 36.8 % were cured, 38.2% had moderate, 4% had minimal improvement, 13% were lost to follow-up, and 8% refused treatment. Cure was observed in viral infections and eczema. The diagnostic concordance ranged from low values [0.38 (95% CI: 0-0.68)] in infective to moderate [0.66 (95% CI: 0.42-0.83), p=0.033] in non-infective disorders. Conclusion: Asynchronous mobile teledermatology, using specialist referral via instant messaging platforms, is a powerful modality for providing real-time dermatologic care, while offering a very promising alternative for decreasing healthcare disparities and continuity of services even in adverse situations like the Covid-19 pandemic

Development of SCAR marker for Phytophthora resistance in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

Foot rot disease caused by Phytophthora capsici is one of the major production constraints inblack pepper (Piper nigrum) in India. RAPD profile of moderately resistant and susceptible linesindicated the presence a unique band of 360 base pair in moderately resistant lines with theprimer OPA-01. The DNA fragment associated with these lines was cloned, sequenced andconverted into a SCAR marker. The SCAR primer was tested on plants that were classified asmoderately resistant and susceptible. SCAR primers amplified DNA invariably from resistantplants only. The sequence of the unique band matched with stress related gene sequences reportedin several eukaryotes including Arabidopsis thaliana. &nbsp

Misuse of Cardiac Lipid upon Exposure to Toxic Trace Elements—A Focused Review

Funding Information: Ricardo Lagoa acknowledges research support by the Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit-UCIBIO which is financed by national funds from FCT–Foundation for Science and Technology (UIDP/04378/2020 and UIDB/04378/2020). Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.Heavy metals and metalloids like cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and lead are frequently found in the soil, water, food, and atmosphere; trace amounts can cause serious health issues to the human organism. These toxic trace elements (TTE) affect almost all the organs, mainly the heart, kidney, liver, lungs, and the nervous system, through increased free radical formation, DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, and protein sulfhydryl depletion. This work aims to advance our understanding of the mechanisms behind lipid accumulation via increased free fatty acid levels in circulation due to TTEs. The increased lipid level in the myocardium worsens the heart function. This dysregulation of the lipid metabolism leads to damage in the structure of the myocardium, inclusive fibrosis in cardiac tissue, myocyte apoptosis, and decreased contractility due to mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, it is discussed herein how exposure to cadmium decreases the heart rate, contractile tension, the conductivity of the atrioventricular node, and coronary flow rate. Arsenic may induce atherosclerosis by increasing platelet aggregation and reducing fibrinolysis, as exposure interferes with apolipoprotein (Apo) levels, resulting in the rise of the Apo-B/Apo-A1 ratio and an elevated risk of acute cardiovascular events. Concerning mercury and lead, these toxicants can cause hypertension, myocardial infarction, and carotid atherosclerosis, in association with the generation of free radicals and oxidative stress. This review offers a complete overview of the critical factors and biomarkers of lipid and TTE-induced cardiotoxicity useful for developing future protective interventions.publishersversionpublishe

Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC): Implications on molecular pathology and advances in early diagnostics and therapeutics.

Continuous revision of the histologic and stage-wise classification of lung cancer by the World Health Organization (WHO) provides the foundation for therapeutic advances by promoting molecular targeted and immunotherapies and ensuring accurate diagnosis. Cancer epidemiologic data provide helpful information for cancer prevention, diagnosis, and management, supporting health-care interventions. Global cancer mortality projections from 2016 to 2060 show that cancer will overtake ischemic heart diseases (IHD) as the leading cause of death (18.9 million) immediately after 2030, surpassing non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which accounts for 85 percent of lung cancers. The clinical stage at the diagnosis is the main prognostic factor in NSCLC therapies. Advanced early diagnostic methods are essential as the initial stages of cancer show reduced mortality compared to the advanced stages. Sophisticated approaches to proper histological classification and NSCLC management have improved clinical efficiency. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and targeted molecular therapies have refined the therapeutic management of late-stage NSCLC, the specificity and sensitivity of cancer biomarkers should be improved by focusing on prospective studies, followed by their use as therapeutic tools. The liquid biopsy candidates such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating cell-free tumor DNA (cfDNA), tumor educated platelets (TEP), and extracellular vesicles (EVs) possess cancer-derived biomolecules and aid in tracing: driver mutations leading to cancer, acquired resistance caused by various generations of therapeutic agents, refractory disease, prognosis, and surveillance. [Abstract copyright: © 2022 The Authors. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.

CUTANEOUS HYPERPIGMENTATION IN MEGALOBLASTIC ANEMIA: A FIVE YEAR RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW.

Background: Cutaneous hyperpigmentation is an often overlooked clinical sign in megaloblastic anemia (MA) which has been sporadically reported in the literature. Methods: We describe the bone marrow (BM) changes and clinicolaboaratory characteristics of 25 of 198 adult cases (>16 years) with cutaneous hyperpigmentation who underwent BM evaluation for cytopenia (s). Results:  Twenty-one of 25 cases (84%) had MA, while MA without hyperpigmentation occurred only in 12 of remainder 173 cases (P0.05). In six cases where follow-up data were available, there was significant reversal of hyperpigmentation at 12 weeks following parenteral cobalamine therapy. In all five cases with pyrexia, fever subsided after 24 to 72 hours following administration of parenteral cobalamine therapy. Conclusion: Cutaneous hyperpigmentation, pyrexia, and cytopenia (s) are strongly associated with megaloblastic anemia. Knuckle pad hyperpigmentation is much more common than diffuse pigmentation of the palms and/or soles in such patents. A nonsignificant trend towards a greater degree of MA was found in cases with pigmentation of the knuckles

Extreme debris disk variability : exploring the diverse outcomes of large asteroid impacts during the era of terrestrial planet formation

The most dramatic phases of terrestrial planet formation are thought to be oligarchic and chaotic growth, on timescales of up to 100─200 Myr, when violent impacts occur between large planetesimals of sizes up to protoplanets. Such events are marked by the production of large amounts of debris, as has been observed in some exceptionally bright and young debris disks (termed extreme debris disks). Here we report five years of Spitzer measurements of such systems around two young solar-type stars: ID8 and P1121. The short-term (weekly to monthly) and long-term (yearly) disk variability is consistent with the aftermaths of large impacts involving large asteroid-sized bodies. We demonstrate that an impact-produced clump of optically thick dust, under the influence of the dynamical and viewing geometry effects, can produce short-term modulation in the disk light curves. The long-term disk flux variation is related to the collisional evolution within the impact-produced fragments once released into a circumstellar orbit. The time-variable behavior observed in the P1121 system is consistent with a hypervelocity impact prior to 2012 that produced vapor condensates as the dominant impact product. Two distinct short-term modulations in the ID8 system suggest two violent impacts at different times and locations. Its long-term variation is consistent with the collisional evolution of two different populations of impact-produced debris dominated by either vapor condensates or escaping boulders. The bright, variable emission from the dust produced in large impacts from extreme debris disks provides a unique opportunity to study violent events during the era of terrestrial planet formation