Classification of the Physical Surface in Sound-based Uroflowmetry.

This work constitutes a first approach to automatically classify the urination medium for non-invasive sound based uroflowmetry tests. Often the voiding flow impacts the toilet wall (often made of ceramic) instead of the water. This causes a reduction in the amplitude of the recorded audio signal, and thus a reduction in the amplitude of the extracted envelope. Analysing the envelope alone, it is not possible to tell accurately if the reduction in the amplitude is due to a low voiding flow or an impact on the toilet walls. In this work, we carry out a study on the classification of sound uroflowmetry data depending on the medium where the urine impacts within the toilet: water or ceramic. In the analysis, a classification algorithm is proposed to identify the physical medium automatically based on the urination acoustics. The classification algorithm takes as input the frequency spectrum, the variance, and the kurtosis of the audio signal corresponding to a voiding event.Clinical relevance- Sound uroflowmetry has a strong correlation with the standard uroflowmetry. It is useful for the non-invasive detection of pathologies associated with the urinary tract as a support tool for information processing and screening. It consists of a characterization of the urinary flow patterns by capturing the sound generated when the urine stream impacts the water in the toilet. Identifying the medium which originates the sound is of paramount importance to better interpret the sound uroflowmetry.

Variability of coil inductance measurements inside an interleaving structure.

The present article is a continuation of our previous works on the anomalies in the decay rates and the capacitance measurements inside a modified Faraday cage. Here we present the anomalous variations in the measurements of inductance when a coil is placed inside an interleaving structure of metal and organic material. The fluctuation in the inductance values was found to be in the range - 0.007 to 0.018 mH. Additionally, it was observed that the temperature coefficient which was 0.0062 mH/°C initially jumped to two distinct levels, 0.0095 mH/°C and 0.0145 mH/°C, respectively. A multiple factor analysis of our results revealed a very strong correlation (R2 = 95.2%) between the inductance and the combination of the temperature and the relative humidity both measured inside the cage, next to the inductor.

Percepciones de los estudiantes sobre sus vivencias en las prácticas clínicas / Students' perceptions about their experiences in their clinical practices / Percepciones dos estudantes sobre suas vivências nas práticas clínicas

Resumen Introducción Los estudiantes de enfermería deben adquirir conocimientos, habilidades, actitudes y valores, para proporcionar cuidados de calidad. Las prácticas clínicas son el contexto ideal para lograr algunas de las competencias requeridas. Objetivo Explorar las percepciones de los estudiantes sobre sus vivencias durante sus prácticas clínicas. Método Abordaje metodológico descriptivo de tipo cualitativo y con un encuadre sociocrítico. Se analizaron los 45 portafolios de estudiantes de 4º curso de la Escuela Universitaria de Enfermería (EUE) Cruz Roja, donde explican sus vivencias en prácticas. Se optó por un portafolio semiestructurado en función de la competencia a demostrar definiendo previamente las tareas o evidencias Se realizó un análisis de contenido que comprendía las siguientes fases: reducción de los datos; categorización-codificación, presentación de datos y conclusiones/verificación de los datos. Se alcanzó saturación en la información sobre las categorías presentadas. Resultados Del análisis de los datos emergen distintas unidades de significado que se engloban en tres categorías: aprendizaje en prácticas, dificultades del entorno, crecimiento personal y profesional. Conclusiones El estudio evidencia la importancia de las prácticas clínicas para los estudiantes dentro del plan de estudios, ya que es donde aplican lo que han aprendido en el aula y son conscientes de la realidad a la que se enfrentan. El entorno clínico y la relación que se establezca entre este y el estudiante determina en muchas ocasiones el aprendizaje. Queda patente que los estudiantes durante sus prácticas clínicas toman conciencia de aquellos conocimientos del saber, saber hacer y saber estar.

Abstract Introduction Nursing students need specific knowledge, skills, attitudes and values in order to provide quality of care; and the clinical practices represent an ideal context to develop some of these required competences. Objective To explore the perceptions of nursing students about their own experiences in their clinical practices. Method This a qualitative descriptive study with social and critical focus. 45 practice-files from nursing students in the 4th course of a Mexico Red Cross School of Nursing were analyzed considering the following stages: data reduction, categorization-coding, data presentation, and data verification and conclusions. Data saturation was reached from the identified categories. Results From the data analysis, diverse units of meaning emerged within three main categories: learning in practices, difficulties in the environment, and personal and professional growth. Conclusions The study highlights the importance of clinical practices since it is there where students apply in real life what they learn in the classroom. The relationship between the student and the clinical environment greatly determines the quality of learning. So, it is suggested that students keep in mind reflecting on their to know, to know how, and to know how to be.

Resumo Introdução Os estudantes de enfermagem devem adquirir conhecimentos, habilidades, atitudes e valores, para proporcionar cuidados de qualidade. As práticas clínicas são o contexto ideal para atingir algumas das competências requeridas. Objetivo Explorar as percepções dos estudantes sobre suas vivências durante suas práticas clínicas. Método Abordagem metodológica descritiva de tipo qualitativo e com um enfoque sociocrítico. Analisaram-se os 45 portfolios de estudantes de 4º curso da Escuela Universitaria de Enfermería (EUE) Cruz Roja, onde explicam suas vivências em práticas. Optou-se por um portfólio semiestruturado em função da competência a demostrar definindo previamente as tarefas ou evidências. Realizou-se uma análise de conteúdo que compreendia as seguintes fases: redução dos dados; categorização-codificação, apresentação de dados e conclusões/verificação dos dados. Atingiu-se saturação na informação sobre as categorias apresentadas. Resultados Da análise dos dados emergem distintas unidades de significado que abrangem três categorias: aprendizagem em práticas, dificuldades do entorno, crescimento pessoal e profissional. Conclusões O estudo evidencia a importância das práticas clínicas para os estudantes dentro do plano de estudos, já que é onde aplicam o que aprenderam na aula e são conscientes da realidade à que se enfrentam. O entorno clínico e a relação que se estabeleça entre este e o estudante determina em muitas ocasiões a aprendizagem. É evidente que os estudantes durante suas práticas clínicas tomam consciência daqueles conhecimentos do saber, saber fazer e saber estar.

Emergency Department Weekend Presentation and Mortality in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Patients admitted to acute care hospitals on weekends have poorer outcomes than those admitted on weekdays, and patients admitted to hospitals for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) on weekends have a higher mortality rate than those admitted during the week. Very few studies have examined weekend presentation for patients with AMI with respect to mortality in the emergency department (ED). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to determine if weekend and holiday presentation is associated with increased mortality in EDs among patients with AMI in New Jersey. METHODS: A retrospective cohort and three data sources representing all hospitals in New Jersey, including patients 18-90 years of age who presented to the ED with symptoms of AMI from January 1, 2008 to January 31, 2010, were used. "Weekend" was defined as Saturday and Sunday, and "holiday" was defined as one of the six major U.S. holidays. Propensity score matching with probit regression was used to estimate the unbiased treatment effect of weekend/holiday presentation on mortality in the ED. RESULTS: A total of 1,343 patients with a diagnosis of AMI presented to 73 EDs in New Jersey. Of these, 382 (28%) presented on a weekend/holiday and 961 (72%) during weekday hours. After propensity score matching and using probit regression, weekend/holiday presentation was significantly associated with mortality (b = 0.30, 95% CI [0.03, 0.57]). Other statistically significant covariates include patient age (b = 0.03, 95% CI [0.02, 0.04], hospital technology status (b = 0.75, 95% CI [0.20, 1.30]), and nurse staffing (b = -0.08, 95% CI [-0.13, -0.04]). DISCUSSION: Weekend/holiday presentation to the ED for AMI was associated with increased mortality. The effect may be related to the limited availability of resources on weekend/holidays compared to weekdays. Future studies should examine potential variations of resources, nursing workload, and education and expertise of healthcare providers in the ED during the weekend.

Predictive Value of Early-Stage Uptake of 3'-Deoxy-3'-18F-Fluorothymidine in Cancer Cells Treated with Charged Particle Irradiation.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to investigate whether 3'-deoxy-3'-(18)F-fluorothymidine ((18)F-FLT) can monitor the early response of tumor cell proliferation to charged particle irradiation in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: In vitro, after 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, and 10 Gy of proton or carbon ion irradiation, (18)F-FLT cell uptake was examined at 24 h and cell proliferation ability was measured from days 1 to 4. In vivo, after 0.5, 1, and 5 Gy of proton or carbon ion irradiation, (18)F-FLT PET imaging was performed on tumor-bearing BALB/c nu/nu mice at 24 h and tumor growth was measured from days 1 to 7. Tumor-to-background ratios of standardized uptake values were calculated to assess the (18)F-FLT accumulation in tumors. Both cells and mice also received x-irradiation as a control. RESULTS: In vitro, (18)F-FLT cell uptake was significantly lower after 1 Gy of proton irradiation (P < 0.05) and carbon ion irradiation (P < 0.05) and after 5 Gy of x-irradiation (P < 0.01), but cell proliferation ability at these doses did not show significant differences until day 3. In vivo, (18)F-FLT tumor uptake was significantly lower after 1 Gy of proton (P < 0.001) and carbon ion irradiation (P < 0.01) and after 5 Gy of x-irradiation (P < 0.001), but tumor growth did not significantly differ at these doses until day 4 after proton irradiation, day 3 after carbon ion irradiation, and day 5 after x-irradiation. CONCLUSION: The reduction in (18)F-FLT uptake after charged particle irradiation was more rapid than the change in tumor growth in vivo or the change in cell proliferation ability in vitro. Therefore, (18)F-FLT is a promising tracer for monitoring the early response of cancer to charged particle irradiation.

The implications of nurse resources on cardiac care in the emergency department.

During a stay in the emergency department the treatment that cardiac patients receive can have a significant effect on health outcomes; yet, little is known about the process of care in emergency departments. In this study we examined the effect of nurse resources on the process of care in all New Jersey hospital-based emergency departments. Patient-to-nurse ratio, nurse skill mix, and Magnet accreditation were associated with aspirin on arrival and percutaneous coronary intervention within 90 minutes of arrival.

New radiosynthesis of 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoroacetamido-D-glucopyranose and its evaluation as a bacterial infections imaging agent.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of infection and the ability to distinguish bacterial infection from nonbacterial inflammation by positron emission tomography (PET) have gained interest in recent years, but still few specific radiopharmaceuticals are available for use. In this study, we developed a new radiosynthesis method of 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoroacetamido-d-glucopyranose ([(18)F]FAG) by applying microwave irradiation and demonstrated that [(18)F]FAG could be a potential radiopharmaceutical to distinguish bacterial infection from nonbacterial inflammation. METHODS: 1,3,4,6-Tetra-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-bromoacetamido-d-glucopyranose was used as precursor, and labeling was performed under microwave irradiation conditions followed by alkaline hydrolysis and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification. In vitro uptake of [(18)F]FAG by Escherichia coli was performed. Tissue biodistribution of [(18)F]FAG was performed in mice. Moreover, PET imaging acquisition of E. coli infection and nonbacterial inflammation models was performed in rats. Tissue radiotracer-accumulated sites were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and anti-E.coli immunostaining. RESULTS: The radiosynthesis of [(18)F]FAG was achieved with microwave irradiation, and the radiochemical yield was 9.7%±2.8% end of bombardment (EOB); the radiochemical purity was more than 98%, and the total synthesis time was 62 min. Compared with control group, in vitro uptake of [(18)F]FAG by E. coli was significantly decrease in inhibition group (P<.05). Biodistribution studies in mice showed rapid clearance of [(18)F]FAG from the animal body. [(18)F]FAG clearly visualized the infection areas but not nonbacterial inflammation areas in PET studies. Quantitative analysis revealed that the uptake of [(18)F]FAG into infection areas was significantly higher than that of [(18)F]FAG into inflammation areas (P<.05). Histological analysis demonstrated the presence of bacterial cells at the sites of accumulation of [(18)F]FAG. CONCLUSIONS: Using 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2-bromoacetamido-d-glucopyranose as a precursor, the new radiosynthesis method of [(18)F]FAG was achieved in fewer steps and with a shorter synthesis time than previously reported. Furthermore, [(18)F]FAG was able to distinguish bacterial infection from nonbacterial inflammation.

Preparation and evaluation of vibrio cholerae O1 EL Tor Ogawa lipopolysaccharide-tetanus toxoid conjugates.

The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Vibrio cholerae is considered one of the most important antigens from the point of view of immunogenicity in these bacteria. We have undertaken detoxification of this LPS by basic hydrolysis and the resultant amine groups were used for their conjugation to tetanus toxoid as carrier protein using carbodiimide-mediated coupling. The resulting conjugates were inoculated in Balb/c mice for immunogenicity studies. The anti-LPS IgG and vibriocidal antibodies were measured in serum. The antigenicity of this conjugated was evaluated by ELISA, with serums of humans vaccinated with a strain genetically modified. The conjugated elicited: high titers of IgG anti-LPS, high titers of vibriocidal antibodies and there was recognition of LPS by antibodies from cholerae immunised human serum. These results show that the conjugated LPS obtained by us, could be evaluated like a potential vaccine for human use.

New method for obtaining conjugated vaccines.

We describe a new method to obtain conjugates against Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, B, C, Vibrio cholera, and Salmonella typhi and their immunogenicity in Balb/c mice. The saccharides were activated by basic hydrolysis with the generation of amine groups in the saccharidic chain, and these groups were linked to carboxyl groups of tetanus toxoid by via carbodiimida-mediated reaction. The resultant conjugates were administered to mice for the immunogenicity studies. The pirogenicity of LPS was measured by LAL assay. The anti-saccharide IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a antibodies were evaluated. A significant decrease in the pirogenicity of LPS after basic hydrolysis treatment was observed. The conjugates elicited higher titers of anti-polysaccharides or anti-LPS IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a in conjugates than in unconjugated saccharides. The results indicate that we have a new method for obtaining conjugated vaccines and we have demonstrated that after conjugation there was a change in the responses for all saccharides, from thymus-independent to thymus-dependent responses.

Una vision de la autonomia profesional desde la determinación de la presión arterial

La aplicacion del proceso de atencion de enfermeria (PAE), valoracion, diagnostico, planificacion, ejecución y evaluacion conforma el eje principal de la práctica. Un dato objetivo que se obtiene durante la etapa de valoracion es la auscultación de la presion arterial. La medicion, valoracion e interpretacion requieren de conocimientos basicos que son determinantes de las actividades independientes o delegadas de enfermeria.Tras constatar que grupos de estudiantes de enfermeria mencionan al valor de la PA normal de un adulto sano utilizando un solo registro 120/80 mmHg, sin contemplar el rango de variabilidad. Esto error conceptual es observado en enfermeros profesionales[AU]

Una vision de la autonomia profesional desde la determinación de la presión arterial

La aplicacion del proceso de atencion de enfermeria (PAE), valoracion, diagnostico, planificacion, ejecución y evaluacion conforma el eje principal de la práctica. Un dato objetivo que se obtiene durante la etapa de valoracion es la auscultación de la presion arterial. La medicion, valoracion e interpretacion requieren de conocimientos basicos que son determinantes de las actividades independientes o delegadas de enfermeria.Tras constatar que grupos de estudiantes de enfermeria mencionan al valor de la PA normal de un adulto sano utilizando un solo registro 120/80 mmHg, sin contemplar el rango de variabilidad. Esto error conceptual es observado en enfermeros profesionales[AU]

Una vision de la autonomia profesional desde la determinación de la presión arterial

La aplicacion del proceso de atencion de enfermeria (PAE), valoracion, diagnostico, planificacion, ejecución y evaluacion conforma el eje principal de la práctica. Un dato objetivo que se obtiene durante la etapa de valoracion es la auscultación de la presion arterial. La medicion, valoracion e interpretacion requieren de conocimientos basicos que son determinantes de las actividades independientes o delegadas de enfermeria.Tras constatar que grupos de estudiantes de enfermeria mencionan al valor de la PA normal de un adulto sano utilizando un solo registro 120/80 mmHg, sin contemplar el rango de variabilidad. Esto error conceptual es observado en enfermeros profesionales

Validación de un Elisa para la cuantificación de IgG antipolisacárido capsular de neisseria meningitidis serogrupos C en sueros de ratones / Validation of the ELISA for cuantifying capsular anti-polysaccharide IgG of Neisseria meningitidis of the serogroup C in mice sera

Se desarrolló un ensayo inmunoenzimático de fase sólida (ELISA) indirecto para cuantificar anticuerpos IgG específicos antipolisacárido C en ratón, utilizando un prerrecubrimiento con Poli-L-lisina y luego el polisacárido capsular de Neisseria Meningitidis serogrupo C (Instituto Finlay, La Habana, Cuba), para evaluar la respuesta inmune contra este componente en candidatos vacunales en estudios preclínicos. Como conjugado se utilizó anti-IgG ratón conjugado a fosfatasa alcalina, el cual se une a los anticuerpos antipolisacárido C produccidos en ratones...(AU)

Fragmentación Polisacárido de Neisseria Meningitidis Serogrupo C para uso en Vacunas Conjugadas / Size fragmentation of Neisseria meningitidis grupo C polysaccharide for their use in conjugated vaccine

Las infecciones meningocócicas son una causa importante de morbilidad y mortalidad en el mundo. Los serogrupos B y C son responsables de la mayoría de los casos reportados en muchos países e incluso en países desarrollados. Las vacunas meningocócicas que contienen al polisacárido capsular purificado del meningococo C inducen en adultos protección por la presencia de anticuerpos bactericidas en sueros pero son pobremente inmunogénicos en niños pequeños y pueden inducir tolerancia. La inmunogenicidad de los polisacáridos o sus fragmentos puede ser mejorada por la conjugación a proteínas transportadoras...(AU)