Brainstem evaluation in children with primary nocturnal enuresis.

We investigated the brainstem integrity in children with primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) using auditory brainstem responses (ABR), blink reflex and exteroceptive suppression of the masseter muscle. We examined 23 children with PNE (16 male, 7 female; mean age: 10.4 years) and 19 control subjects (11 male, 8 female; mean age: 11.8 years). ABR parameters such as wave latencies, amplitudes and interpeak latencies and blink reflex parameters such as R1 and R2 amplitude and latencies were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Although S2 parameters of the exteroceptive suppression of the masseter muscle were easily and completely obtained from the control subjects, in the PNE group S2 onset latency and duration were not recorded in 26% of the study children (n = 6) (P = 0.01). S2 duration time was significantly lowered in the enuretic group (left side: P = 0.001 and right side: P = 0.003). S2 duration time changes in the enuretic group supports a possible brainstem dysfunction in children with PNE.</p

Usage of Latent Class Analysis in Diagnostic Microbiology in the Absence of Gold Standard Test

The evaluation of performance of various tests diagnostic tests in the absence of gold standard is an important problem. Latent class analysis (LCA) is a statistical analysis method known for many years, especially in the absence of a gold standard for evaluation of diagnostic tests so that LCA has found its wide application area. During the last decade, LCA method has widely used in for determining sensivity and specifity of different microbiological tests. It has investigated in the diagnosis of mycobacterium tuberculosis, mycobacterium bovis, human papilloma virus, bordetella pertussis, influenza viruses, hepatitis E virus (HEV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and other various viral infections. Researchers have compared several diagnostic tests for the diagnosis of different pathogens with LCA. We aimed to evaluate performance of latent class analysis method used microbiological diagnosis in various diseases in several researches. When we took into account all of these tests' results, we suppose that LCA is a good statistical analysis method to assess different test performances in the absence of gold standard. [Archives Medical Review Journal 2016; 25(4.000): 467-488

Comparative analysis of models in confirmatory factor analysis: Exploring clinical applications and interpretation

To demonstrate the explainability of the scales with fewer dimensions instead of the number of existing dimensions by ensuring that the scale structures created by explanatory factor analysis (EFA) are verified with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Data from the Nutritional Behavior Scale in Children, answered by the parents of 204 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were used. EFA was performed with the data obtained from the scale. In the next step, the explained variance percentages and dimensions were determined and the model goodness of fit indexes were calculated with CFA. The dimensions with the lowest explained variance percentages were removed from the model, respectively, and three different scale models were tested. The variance explanation percentage of the first eight-dimensional model created with EFA was calculated as 72.68%. The food fussiness sub-dimension was removed and CFA was applied to the model again and new indices were calculated. Finally, the emotional under-eating sub-dimension was excluded from the model, resulting in a six-dimensional Child Eating Behavior Scale (CEBS). Goodness-of-fit indices of the CFA model established with six dimensions were χ2 / df; 1.545, AIC; 715,433 and RMSEA; 0.052 was found. It has been shown that the eight, seven, and six-dimensional scale models constructed according to the percentages of variance explained for CEBS are sufficient to explain the sample and that the six-dimensional scale model can be used for CEBS. Our study is the first to use competing models in confirmatory factor analysis in reducing scale dimensions. [Med-Science 2023; 12(2.000): 562-8

Detection of Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar in stool specimens by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Entamoeba histolytica actually comprises two genetically distinct but morphologically indistinguishable species. E. histolytica can cause invasive intestinal and extra intestinal disease, while E. dispar cannot. Identification and differentiation of E. dispar and E. histolytica in stool sample by microscopy is imprecise. Several weeks of culture and isoenzyme analysis are required to differentiate E. histolytica from E. dispar. In this study, we have used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of E. histolytica/E.dispar and compared it with microscopy. Eighty-eight samples were evaluated, trichrome staining was positive in 20.4% (18) and ELISA was positive in 29.5% (26). Both tests were positive in 14 (15.9%) samples, 4 (4.5%) only with direct microscopy, and 12 (13.6%) only with ELISA. Both tests were negative in 58 (65.9%) samples. Microscopy has low sensitivity and high specificity, low negative predictive value and high positive predictive value in comparison with ELISA. E. histolytica/E. dispar antigen detection ELISA tests are inexpensive compared to the specific tests, yield objective results and do not require experienced microscopists and can therefore be recommended for screening of stools worldwide and the results can be taken for treatment that are fitting with its clinic

Effects of trapidil on intestinal mucosal barrier function and bacterial translocation after intestinal ischemia and reperfusion in an experimental rat model

Building slated for demolition near downtown Datong; A prefecture-level city in northern Shanxi Province of North China, located a few hundred kilometres west by rail from Beijing with an elevation of 1,040 metres (3,410 ft). It has a population of 3,318,057 at the 2010 census of whom 1,447,150 live in the built up area made of 3 out of 4 urban districts (City, Mining and Nanjiao). The town was founded as Píngchéng in 200 BCE during the Han Dynasty. It was important on the trade route into Mongolia and was capital of several northern dynasties. The city was renamed Datong in 1048 CE. The Yungang Grottoes are 16 km west of Datong. Datong is an old fashioned coal mining city but is trying to develop "substitute industries" such as machinery manufacturing, tourism and distribution, warehousing and logistics services. Source: Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page (accessed 8/1/2012