ADAPTATION AND TRANSLATION OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER RATING SCALES FOR SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN: EVALUATING ADHERENCE TO THE INTERNATIONAL TEST COMMISSION GUIDELINES

he current review examines adaptations and translations of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) rating scales for school-aged children around the world. ASD rating scales are a quick and efficient way to diagnosing ASD, and adaptations of ASD scales offer low-cost methods to make tools available around the world. The International Test Commission guidelines (ITC, 2017) provide a rigorous framework for researchers to adapt and translate psychological tests. This review used the X-CAGAM (Duke, 2019) a tool developed to operationalize the guidelines to examine how well the selected ASD measures adhere to the ITC guidelines. Fourteen adaptations and translations were included in this review and all scored as “poor quality” on the X-CAGAM. The measures showed strong psychometrics, however lacked a thorough analysis of the effects of culture and language on the items and the methods employed. This review presents and discusses the sample characteristics, psychometrics, and significant other findings related to the measures and their adherence to ITC guidelines. Finally, suggestions for future research and practice are provided

Algorithms for Order-Preserving Matching

String matching is a widely studied problem in Computer Science. There have been many recent developments in this field. One fascinating problem considered lately is the order-preserving matching (OPM) problem. The task is to find all the substrings in the text which have the same length and relative order as the pattern, where the relative order is the numerical order of the numbers in a string. The problem finds its applications in the areas involving time series or series of numbers. More specifically, it is useful for those who are interested in the relative order of the pattern and not in the pattern itself. For example, it can be used by analysts in a stock market to study movements of prices.  In addition to the OPM problem, we also studied its approximate variation. In approximate order-preserving matching, we search for those substrings in the text which have relative order similar to the pattern, i.e., relative order of the pattern matches with at most k mismatches. With respect to applications of order-preserving matching, approximate search is more meaningful than exact search. We developed various advanced solutions for the problem and its variant. Special emphasis was laid on the practical efficiency of the solutions. Particularly, we introduced a simple solution for the OPM problem using filtration. We proved experimentally that our method was effective and faster than the previous solutions for the problem. In addition, we combined the Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) instruction set architecture with filtration to develop competent solutions which were faster than our previous solution. Moreover, we proposed another efficient solution without filtration using the SIMD architecture. We also presented an offline solution based on the FM-index scheme. Furthermore, we proposed practical solutions for the approximate order-preserving matching problem and one of the solutions was the first sublinear solution on average for the problem

An in Vitro Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of Three Disinfectants and Three Time Intervals in Controlling the Growth of Candida Albicans on Heat Polymerized Acrylic Resin

Various disinfection modalities are available for dental materials; however, acrylic resins are heat sensitive materials and so cannot be autoclaved. Chemical disinfection has immerged as a safe alternative that is least likely to cause severely detrimental changes to the physical properties of the acrylic resin and be simultaneously potent enough to control the growth of Candida albicans which is the most common cause of denture stomatitis and other inflammatory conditions of the oral mucosa following denture us. Recent research has suggested use of Peracetic Acid on acrylic resins, however the potential of the acid at low concentrations in comparison with commonly available commercial chlorhexidine has not been examined at time intervals that simulate clinical, laboratory and household constraints. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of 01% and 0.25% peracetic acid in comparison with 2% chlorhexidine at 5-minute, 10 minute and 8-hour immersion in the chemical solutions of acrylic resin specimens contaminated with Candida Albicans. The percentage elimination of C. albicans with 0.1% peracetic acid and 0.25% peracetic acid was 100% after immersion in disinfectant at every time point. While, the percentage elimination of C. albicans with ICPA Hexidine mouthwash was 60%, 70% and 100% after immersion in disinfectant for 5miutes, 10minutes and 8 hours respectively. The difference in reduction of Candida Albicans as compared to control group was significant (p<0.05) in ICPA Hexidine mouthwash, 0.1% peracetic acid and 0.25% peracetic acid.Acrylic resin samples subjected to 0.1% and 0.25% peracetic acid depicted higher levels of disinfection in comparison with ICPA Hexidine (2% chlorhexidine) following all three intervals of time. It can therefore be concluded that peracetic acid even at low concentrations is capable of controlling the proliferation of Candida albicans even at short immersion time intervals

Endophytic fungi: hidden treasure chest of antimicrobial metabolites interrelationship of endophytes and metabolites

Endophytic fungi comprise host-associated fungal communities which thrive within the tissues of host plants and produce a diverse range of secondary metabolites with various bioactive attributes. The metabolites such as phenols, polyketides, saponins, alkaloids help to mitigate biotic and abiotic stresses, fight against pathogen attacks and enhance the plant immune system. We present an overview of the association of endophytic fungal communities with a plant host and discuss molecular mechanisms induced during their symbiotic interaction. The overview focuses on the secondary metabolites (especially those of terpenoid nature) secreted by endophytic fungi and their respective function. The recent advancement in multi-omics approaches paved the way for identification of these metabolites and their characterization via comparative analysis of extensive omics datasets. This study also elaborates on the role of diverse endophytic fungi associated with key agricultural crops and hence important for sustainability of agriculture

PANC Study (Pancreatitis: A National Cohort Study): national cohort study examining the first 30 days from presentation of acute pancreatitis in the UK

Abstract Background Acute pancreatitis is a common, yet complex, emergency surgical presentation. Multiple guidelines exist and management can vary significantly. The aim of this first UK, multicentre, prospective cohort study was to assess the variation in management of acute pancreatitis to guide resource planning and optimize treatment. Methods All patients aged greater than or equal to 18 years presenting with acute pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria, from March to April 2021 were eligible for inclusion and followed up for 30 days. Anonymized data were uploaded to a secure electronic database in line with local governance approvals. Results A total of 113 hospitals contributed data on 2580 patients, with an equal sex distribution and a mean age of 57 years. The aetiology was gallstones in 50.6 per cent, with idiopathic the next most common (22.4 per cent). In addition to the 7.6 per cent with a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, 20.1 per cent of patients had a previous episode of acute pancreatitis. One in 20 patients were classed as having severe pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria. The overall mortality rate was 2.3 per cent at 30 days, but rose to one in three in the severe group. Predictors of death included male sex, increased age, and frailty; previous acute pancreatitis and gallstones as aetiologies were protective. Smoking status and body mass index did not affect death. Conclusion Most patients presenting with acute pancreatitis have a mild, self-limiting disease. Rates of patients with idiopathic pancreatitis are high. Recurrent attacks of pancreatitis are common, but are likely to have reduced risk of death on subsequent admissions. </jats:sec

A filtration method for order-preserving matching

The problem of order-preserving matching has gained attention lately. The text and the pattern consist of numbers. The task is to find all the substrings in the text which have the same length and relative order as the pattern. The problem has applications in analysis of time series. We present a new sublinear solution based on filtration. Any algorithm for exact string matching can be used as a filtering method. If the filtration algorithm is sublinear, the total method is sublinear on average. We show by practical experiments that the new solution is more efficient than earlier algorithms.Peer reviewe

Effect of probiotics on the amount and pH of saliva in edentulous patients: A Prospective study

Context: Probiotics have been prescribed to old aged patients' invariably with or without complete dentures for improving their digestive process. It is mentioned that probiotics do have an effect in increasing the amount of saliva in the oral cavity. Therefore, this study was planned to evaluate the amount and pH of saliva after using probiotics for 60 days in completely edentulous patients. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the amount and pH of saliva of edentulous patients before and after using probiotics. Settings and Design: The interventional prospective study was conducted at the department of prosthodontics of the institute. Methods: The study was conducted on edentulous patients. The whole unstimulated and stimulated saliva was collected at baseline and amount, and pH was measured. Then, each patient was given probiotic capsules reaching 3.3 × 107 CFU/g to consume daily once for 60 days. Saliva was recollected from patients, and its amount and pH was calculated and compared with baseline. Statistical Analysis Used: STATAIC-13. Results: On comparison of saliva before and after consuming probiotics, there was an increase in the mean unstimulated and stimulated saliva from baseline to that after 60 days, the difference being 0.406 and 0.433, respectively. The difference was statistically significant with P < 0.001. The mean pH at baseline was 7.818 ± 0.231 which increased after 60 days to 7.825 ± 0.189, the difference being 0.007. Conclusion: This study concluded that probiotics increase the amount of saliva of completely edentulous patients and so it can be helpful in patients suffering from xerostomia/hyposalivation

Correlation of the Condylar Guidance Obtained by Protrusive Interocclusal Record and Panoramic Radiographs in Completely Edentulous Patients: An in Vivo Study

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of programming the articulator using the radiographs and the interocclusal records made during Jaw relation (Arrow point tracing). Materials and Method: The study comprised of 15 edentulous subjects with well formed maxillary and mandibular ridges, with no signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders and neuromuscular disorders. Digital Orthopantomograph was taken for all the subjects. The condylar guidance angles were traced on Orthopantomograph for right and left sides and the values were recorded. The protrusive interocclusal records were made at jaw relation stage and at try-in stage using bite registration paste for all subjects. These interocclusal records were used to programme the Semi-adjustable articulator (Hanau Wide Vue) and the condylar guidance values on the right and left sides were recorded. The condylar guidance values so obtained were compared with the values obtained by Orthopantomograph. The condylar guidance values obtained by the various procedures were subjected to independent t-test and Pearson correlation test. Results: The results showed statistically significant difference between the condylar guidance values obtained from Orthopantomograph (Radiograph) and the condylar guidance values obtained at the stage of jaw relation. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, it can be concluded that the condylar guidance values obtained from the Radiographs were higher than those obtained at the stage of jaw relation recording stage

Assessment of dye penetration at composite – repair interface: Effect of application of bonding agent and comparison of two different bonding systems: An in vitro study

Introduction: Reparability of defects / fractures restricted to the bulk of the composite restoration is a highly desirable property, as being less time consuming and cost effective. This study was aimed to evaluate the microleakage at the composite repair interface following surface treatment and application of the bonding agent and compared the microleakage following application of two different bonding systems at the composite repair interface. Material and Methods: Sixty composite resin specimens (Filtek Z350, 3M Dental Products) aged in distilled water for 1 week, were divided into four groups (n = 15) based on surface treatment and application of bonding agent. All the groups then received new resin applications using same composite resin. The samples were then thermocycled (200 cycles/50C to 550C{&plusmn;2}) and immersed overnight in aqueous methylene blue dye solution. Single examiner carried out dye penetration analysis using stereomicroscope. Results: Mann-Whitney U-Test (p&lt;0.05) for group one and two showed no significant difference in repair microleakage. Group 3 and 4 showed statistically significant difference when compared with group 1 &amp; 2. However, both group 3 and 4 did not significantly differ in microleakage scores with each other.Conclusion: Irrespective of the type of bonding systems used, surface treatment with 50 micron size aluminum oxide particles followed by application of adhesive system are the essential steps to significantly reduce the microleakage at repair interface