Quality and Quantity of Language Input and Its Relation to the Language Outcomes of Preschool Children With Hearing Loss Who Use Listening and Spoken Language

This study sought to examine the relationships between the adult language input, as measured by quantity and quality, and the child’s language production in regards to quantity and quality, as well as their knowledge of basic concepts and vocabulary. LENA technology was used to audio-record the language environments of 26 preschool children with hearing loss over two days (weekday and weekend). This technology recorded up to 16 hours and analyzed the quantitative data associated with the adult word count (AWC), conversational turn count (CTC), and child vocalization count (CVC). Furthermore, one- hour meal times (30 minutes for the weekday/snack time and 30 minutes for the weekend/dinner time) was transcribed and coded for quality components of language defined as lexical diversity, syntactical complexity and clausal complexity. Additionally, the children were assessed on their knowledge of basic concepts through the Boehm Test of Basic Concepts (BTBC-3) and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-4). Results indicated that there was a relationship between the adult language input and the child language production, but only in regards to quantity of language. More specifically, the CTC during each day was related to the CVC for each day; in other words, the more interactions adults and children had during the day, the more likely the child vocalized. Interestingly, the statistical analysis revealed that quality of adult language input was not significantly related to the child language variables. However, significant differences between the teachers and caregivers were reported in regards to the quality of adult language input. These results suggest that the language input provided by adults in different environments (school versus home) is considerably different and warrants further investigation as how the potential influence on language outcomes of children with hearing loss

Quality and Quantity of Language Input and Its Relation to the Language Outcomes of Preschool Children With Hearing Loss Who Use Listening and Spoken Language

This study sought to examine the relationships between the adult language input, as measured by quantity and quality, and the child’s language production in regards to quantity and quality, as well as their knowledge of basic concepts and vocabulary. LENA technology was used to audio-record the language environments of 26 preschool children with hearing loss over two days (weekday and weekend). This technology recorded up to 16 hours and analyzed the quantitative data associated with the adult word count (AWC), conversational turn count (CTC), and child vocalization count (CVC). Furthermore, one- hour meal times (30 minutes for the weekday/snack time and 30 minutes for the weekend/dinner time) was transcribed and coded for quality components of language defined as lexical diversity, syntactical complexity and clausal complexity. Additionally, the children were assessed on their knowledge of basic concepts through the Boehm Test of Basic Concepts (BTBC-3) and the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-4). Results indicated that there was a relationship between the adult language input and the child language production, but only in regards to quantity of language. More specifically, the CTC during each day was related to the CVC for each day; in other words, the more interactions adults and children had during the day, the more likely the child vocalized. Interestingly, the statistical analysis revealed that quality of adult language input was not significantly related to the child language variables. However, significant differences between the teachers and caregivers were reported in regards to the quality of adult language input. These results suggest that the language input provided by adults in different environments (school versus home) is considerably different and warrants further investigation as how the potential influence on language outcomes of children with hearing loss

Predictive value of changes in the serum CA-125 levels in patients undergoing interval debulking surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma

Background: The objective of this study is to evaluate the predictive value of serum CA-125 changes in the management of patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS) in advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC).Methods: A retrospective hospital-based study of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancers (stage III and IV) was conducted at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute, Ahmedabad, for two years. Total 50 patients were treated with NACT followed by surgical cytoreduction and followed up till August 2010. Response to NACT, optimal cytoreduction rate and overall response rate were analyzed.CA 125 levels before (baseline) and after NACT were analyzed.Results: Out of 50, there were 43 patients (86%) with stage III disease and 7 (14%) with stage IV disease. Maximum 37(74%) patients had CA 125 levels >500 on presentation while none of the patients had baseline CA125 levels in the normal range (<35). Range of baseline CA 125 was 164-5394.All patients were given NACT and after NACT, out of 50 patients, 22(44%) patients had CA 125 values within the normal range (<35) while 23(46%) had values between 35 and 100. Thus, statistically significant difference (Z = 6.154, P<0.0001) was found between CA 125 level before and after NACT. Out of 45 patients with CA 125 <100, 35(77.8%) underwent optimal cytoreduction.Conclusions: Baseline (prechemotherapy) serum CA-125 levels are powerful indicators of the presence and extent of spread of disease while CA-125 level particularly <100U/ml after NACT strongly predicts optimal cytoreduction in advanced epithelial ovarian cancers

Cytological dilemma of a rare subcutaneous fungal infection: Phaeoacremonium griseorubrum

Human disease caused by Phaeoacremonium species is rare. It was first reported in 1974 to cause subcutaneous tissue infection in the renal transplant recipient. Since then, only a few cases have been reported in the literature; however, underreporting is common in such cases due to incomplete or incorrect identification. Furthermore, some cases of subcutaneous infection in otherwise healthy patients may be asymptomatic and definitive identification of the etiological agent is not pursued. Identification of fungi at the species level is challenging by conventional methods; hence, final identification of fungi is based on culture. Phaeoacremonium has a very wide spectrum of presentation ranging from subcutaneous infections to fungemia and disseminated disease. We report a case of subcutaneous tissue swelling in an immunocompetent 55-year-old male, in whom etiology was traced to Phaeoacremonium griseorubrum. To the best of our knowledge, this report of P. griseorubrum causing human infection is second of its kind and the first from India. The patient did not respond well to oral itraconazole therapy and was advised surgical debridement with amphotericin B therapy

Identification of New PCR Targets and its Validation for Development of Nucleic Acid-based Detection Assay for Melioidosis

Burkholderia pseudomallei the gram negative, soil saprophyte is the causative agent of melioidosis in human and animals. Development of rapid, sensitive, species specific and cost effective molecular assays are needed for detection of B. pseudomallei from clinical and environmental samples and to differentiate it from other closely related bacterial species. In this study, insilico approach was used to identify new species specific gene targets for molecular diagnosis of B. pseudomallei. The identified targets were then analyzed by SYBR Green real time PCR assay for their specificity, sensitivity and presence across different Indian clinical and soil isolates of B. pseudomallei. Out of the three targets studied SYBR Green real time PCR assay targeting bpss0091 gene of B. pseudomallei was found 100% specific, having detection limit of 12.3fg/µl DNA. The bpss0091 gene target was present in all clinical and soil isolates of B. pseudomallei tested thus suggesting bpss0091 gene based SYBR Green real time PCR assay will be useful for detection of B. pseudomallei in different geographical regions

DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ORO-DISPERSIBLE TABLETS OF METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE USING CAJANUS CAJAN STARCH AS A NATURAL SUPERDISINTEGRANT

Objective: The aim of the research work was to explore the use of Cajanus cajan (Pigeon pea) polysaccharide as a superdisintegrant. The novel superdisintegrant has been evaluated for its action by incorporating it into orodispersible tablets of Metformin Hydrochloride. Methods: Cajanus cajan starch was extracted from its seeds and superdisintegrant was developed by microwave modification of the extract. Various characterization tests such as gelatinization temperature, water absorption index, pH, and viscosity were used to identify the microwave-modified polysaccharide. The orodispersible tablets were made using a direct compression process employing varying concentrations of modified Cajanus cajan starch. Prepared tablets were tested for several pre and post-compression parameters and compared with a well-established synthetic superdisintegrant, sodium starch glycolate. The stability studies were conducted on an optimized formulation. Results: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study showed that the drug had no interactions with the microwave-modified Cajanus cajan starch. SEM confirmed that Cajanus cajan starch granules exhibited intact granular structure in oval shapes and smooth surfaces. After microwave modification, the Cajanus cajan starch component lost its granular structure, which further led to the generation of surface pores and internal channels, causing overall swelling responsible for superdisintegrant activity. The optimized formulation (ODF5) containing 15 % modified Cajanus cajan starch performed better in terms of wetting time (22.21 s), disintegration time (53.3 s), and in vitro drug release (92%), as compared to formulation prepared by synthetic superdisintegrant (ODF1). Conclusion: The present investigation concluded that modified Cajanus cajan starch has good potential as a superdisintegrant for formulating oro-dispersible tablets. Furthermore, modified Cajanus cajan starch is inexpensive, non-toxic and compatible in comparison with available synthetic superdisintegrants

NIOSOMES:THE UNIQUE VESICULAR DRUG CARRIERS

Drug targeting is the ability to direct a therapeutic agent specifically to desired site of action with little or no interaction with nontarget tissue. Niosomes are one of the best carriers for drug targeting. Niosomes are self assembled vesicles composed primarily of synthetic surfactants and cholesterol. They are analogous in structure to the more widely studied liposomes formed from biologically derived phospholipids. Niosomes are biodegradable, relatively nontoxic, more stable and inexpensive, an alternative to liposomes. The method of preparation of niosome is based on liposome technology. The basic process of preparation is the same i.e. hydration by aqueous phase of the lipid phase which may be either a pure surfactant or a mixture of surfactant with cholesterol. After preparing niosomal dispersion, unentrapped drug is separated by dialysis centrifugation or gel filtration. Niosomes can be SUV (Small Unilamellar Vesicles), MLV (Multilamellr Vesicles) or LUV (Large Unilamellar Vesicles). Niosomal drug delivery is potentially applicable to many pharmacological agents for their action against various diseases

The Uli Dataset: An Exercise in Experience Led Annotation of oGBV

Online gender based violence has grown concomitantly with adoption of the internet and social media. Its effects are worse in the Global majority where many users use social media in languages other than English. The scale and volume of conversations on the internet has necessitated the need for automated detection of hate speech, and more specifically gendered abuse. There is, however, a lack of language specific and contextual data to build such automated tools. In this paper we present a dataset on gendered abuse in three languages- Hindi, Tamil and Indian English. The dataset comprises of tweets annotated along three questions pertaining to the experience of gender abuse, by experts who identify as women or a member of the LGBTQIA community in South Asia. Through this dataset we demonstrate a participatory approach to creating datasets that drive AI systems

Real-time PCR has advantages over culture-based methods in identifying major airway bacterial pathogens in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Results from three clinical studies in Europe and North America

IntroductionWe compared the performance of real-time PCR with culture-based methods for identifying bacteria in sputum samples from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in three studies.MethodsThis was an exploratory analysis of sputum samples collected during an observational study of 127 patients (AERIS; NCT01360398), phase 2 study of 145 patients (NTHI-004; NCT02075541), and phase 2b study of 606 patients (NTHI-MCAT-002; NCT03281876). Bacteria were identified by culture-based microbiological methods in local laboratories using fresh samples or by real-time PCR in a central laboratory using frozen samples. Haemophilus influenzae positivity with culture was differentiated from H. haemolyticus positivity by microarray analysis or PCR. The feasibility of bacterial detection by culture-based methods on previously frozen samples was also examined in the NTHI-004 study.ResultsBacterial detection results from both culture-based and PCR assays were available from 2,293 samples from AERIS, 974 from the NTHI-004 study, and 1736 from the NTHI-MCAT-002 study. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) showed higher positivity rates than culture for H. influenzae (percentages for each study: 43.4% versus 26.2%, 47.1% versus 23.6%, 32.7% versus 10.4%) and Moraxella catarrhalis (12.9% versus 6.3%, 19.0% versus 6.0%, 15.5% versus 4.1%). In the NTHI-004 and NTHI-MCAT-002 studies, positivity rates were higher with qPCR for Streptococcus pneumoniae (15.6% versus 6.1%, 15.5% versus 3.8%); in AERIS, a lower rate with qPCR than with culture (11.0% versus 17.4%) was explained by misidentification of S. pseudopneumoniae/mitis isolates via conventional microbiological methods. Concordance analysis showed lowest overall agreement for H. influenzae (82.0%, 75.6%, 77.6%), due mainly to culture-negative/qPCR-positive samples, indicating lower sensitivity of the culture-based methods. The lowest positive agreement (culture-positive/qPCR-positive samples) was observed for S. pneumoniae (35.1%, 71.2%, 71.2%). Bacterial load values for each species showed a proportion of culture-negative samples with a load detected by qPCR; for some samples, the loads were in line with those observed in culture-positive samples. In the NTHI-004 study, of fresh samples that tested culture-positive, less than 50% remained culture-positive when tested from freeze/thawed samples. In the NTHI-004 study, of fresh samples that tested culture-positive, less than 50% remained culture-positive when tested from freeze/thawed samples.DiscussionReal-time PCR on frozen sputum samples has enhanced sensitivity and specificity over culture-based methods, supporting its use for the identification of common respiratory bacterial species in patients with COPD

City Know-How

Human health and planetary health are influenced by city lifestyles, city leadership, and city development. For both, worrying trends are leading to increasing concern and it is imperative that human health and environmental impacts become core foci in urban policy. Changing trajectory will require concerted action; the journal Cities & Health is dedicated to supporting the flow of knowledge, in all directions, to help make this happen. We wish to foster communication between researchers, practitioners, policy-makers, communities, and decision-makers in cities. This is the purpose of the City Know-how section of the journal. ‘Research for city practice’ disseminates lessons from research by explaining key messages for city leaders, communities, and the professions involved in city policy and practice. ‘City shorts’ provide glimpses of what is being attempted or achieved ‘on the ground’ and ’case studies’ are where you will find evaluations of interventions. Last, ‘Commentary and debate’ extends conversations we are having to develop and mobilize much needed new thinking. Join in these conversations. In order to strengthen the community of interest, we would like to include many and varied voices, including those from younger practitioners and researchers who are supporting health and health equity in everyday urban lives