RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The most recent computing technologies can promote the application of evidence-based practice (EBP) in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). OBJECTIVE: The study describes how the use of technology can simplify the application of evidence-based practices in applied behaviour analysis. METHODS: The WHAAM application demonstrates this in the following two case studies. We are monitoring dysfunctional behaviours, collecting behavioural data, performing systematic direct observations, creating a visual baseline and intervention charts and evaluating the planned interventions using the TAU-U statistical index. RESULTS: Significant positive changes of children's problem behaviours are observed and recorded. Both the duration of the identified behaviour "to get out of bed in time" (r = -.79, TAU-U = -.58, p < .05) and the frequency of the behaviour "interrupting others" (r= -.96, TAU-U = -.82, p < .01) decreased. CONCLUSION: the WHAAM application is an effective tool to support functional behaviour assessments and it is an example of how technology can support practitioners by facilitating the application of evidence-based practices and increasing the communication among clinical, educational and family environments.
Asunto(s)
Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/terapia , Práctica Clínica Basada en la Evidencia/métodos , Internet , Problema de Conducta/psicología , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adolescente , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/psicología , Niño , Comunicación , Humanos , Masculino , Informática Médica , Padres/educación , Padres/psicología , Telemedicina/métodosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common pediatric bone cancer. Despite advances in treatment regimens, the survival rate remains 60-70%. There is an urgent need to identify prognostic biomarkers, so that targeted therapies can be developed to improve the outcome. PROCEDURE: Our laboratory has previously identified that circulating serum amyloid A (SAA) and CXC chemokine ligand 4 (CXCL4) are upregulated in patients with OS. In this study, we tested if they could be used as prognostic biomarkers. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to measure their concentrations in serum samples (n = 233) and immunohistochemistry to examine their expressions in primary tumors (n = 37). Prognostic significance of the serum concentrations and tumor expressions of the biomarkers was then evaluated. RESULTS: Patients with "high SAA" and "low CXCL4" circulating levels at diagnosis significantly correlated with a worse outcome (HR = 1.68, P = 0.014), which was independent of the metastatic status. These patients also exhibited a significantly higher rate of poor histologic response to chemotherapy. Furthermore, low tumor expression of CXCL4 correlated with poor survival (HR = 3.57, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that circulating SAA and CXCL4 may serve as prognostic biomarkers in OS. Targeting CXCL4 has been reported, suggesting that it may be exploited as a therapeutic target in OS.