One-class model with two decision thresholds for the rapid detection of cashew nuts adulteration by other nuts.

A green screening method to determine cashew nut adulteration with Brazilian nut, pecan nut, macadamia nut and peanut was proposed. The method was based on the development of a one-class soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA) model for non-adulterated cashew nuts using near-infrared (NIR) spectra obtained with portable equipment. Once the model is established, the assignment of unknown samples depends on the threshold established for the authentic class, which is a key aspect in any screening approach. The authors propose innovatively to define two thresholds: lower model distance limit and upper model distance limit. Samples with distances below the lower threshold are assigned as non-adulterated with a 100% probability; samples with distance values greater than the upper threshold are assigned as adulterated with a 100% probability; and samples with distances within these two thresholds will be considered uncertain and should be submitted to a confirmatory analysis. Thus, the possibility of error in the sample assignment significantly decreases. In the present study, when just one threshold was defined, values greater than 95% for the optimized threshold were obtained for both selectivity and specificity. When two class thresholds were defined, the percentage of samples with uncertain assignment changes according to the adulterant considered, highlighting the case of peanuts, in which 0% of uncertain samples was obtained. Considering all adulterants, the number of samples that were submitted to a confirmatory analysis was quite low, 5 of 224 adulterated samples and 3 of 56 non-adulterated samples.

Multivariate qualitative methodology for semi-quantitative information. A case study: Adulteration of olive oil with sunflower oil.

This paper proposes a strategy to assess the performance of a multivariate screening method for semi-quantitative purposes. The adulteration of olive oil with sunflower oil was considered as a case study using fluorescence spectroscopy and two-class Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA). Building the proper screening methodology based on two-class multivariate classification model involve setting the cut-off value for the adulterated class (class 2). So, four classification models were established for four levels of adulterant (cut-off). Model validation involved calculating the main quality parameters (sensitivity, specificity and efficiency) and three additional semi-quantitative parameters (limit of detection, detection capability and unreliability region). The probability of successfully recognizing non-adulterated samples as such was set by the main performance parameters of the two-class model. However, the probability of successfully recognizing adulterated samples as such was more accurately extracted from the performance characteristic curves (PCC) curves instead of just from the sensitivity of the adulterated class. The main performance parameters of the PLS-DA models increased as the cut-off level increased although after a particular value the increase was less pronounced. As an example, when the cut-off was changed from 5% to 20%, sensitivity changed from 70 to 93%, specificity changed from 87 to 97%, and efficiency changed from 78 to 95%. The same can be stated for the semi-quantitative parameter's decision limit and detection capability, which moved from 0 to 1.6 and from 17.7 to 21.6 (% of adulterant), respectively.

Ozone Therapy as Adjuvant for Cancer Treatment: Is Further Research Warranted?

INTRODUCTION: This article provides an overview of the potential use of ozone as an adjuvant during cancer treatment. METHODS: We summarize the findings of the most relevant publications focused on this goal, and we include our related clinical experience. RESULTS: Over several decades, prestigious journals have published in vitro studies on the capacity of ozone to induce direct damage on tumor cells and, as well, to enhance the effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Indirect effects have been demonstrated in animal models: immune modulation by ozone alone and sensitizing effect of radiotherapy by concurrent ozone administration. The effects of ozone in modifying hemoglobin dissociation curve, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate levels, locoregional blood flow, and tumor hypoxia provide additional support for potential beneficial effects during cancer treatment. Unfortunately, only a few clinical studies are available. Finally, we describe some works and our experience supporting the potential role of local ozone therapy in treating delayed healing after tumor resection, to avoid delays in commencing radiotherapy and chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro and animal studies, as well as isolated clinical reports, suggest the potential role of ozone as an adjuvant during radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. However, further research, such as randomized clinical trials, is required to demonstrate its potential usefulness as an adjuvant therapeutic tool.

El proceso de creación grupal en las actividades artístico-expresivas como escenario para la negociación y la resolución de conflictos / O processo de criação grupal nas atividades artístico-expressivas como cenário para negociação e a resolução de conflitos / The group creation process in bodily expression activities as a scenario for negotiation and conflict resolution

Este artículo identifica los factores de la interacción social que facilitan y dificultan el proceso de creación grupal para la elaboración de una composición escénica. La muestra estuvo formada por 105 estudiantes universitarios -85 hombres y 20 mujeres- con una media de edad de 19,99 ± 2,78 años del Grado de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y el Deporte en EUSES, Universidad de Girona (España). Cada grupo elaboró un informe sobre el proceso de creación en el que reflejaba las dificultades y facilidades ante dicha composición durante las sesiones prácticas de la asignatura Danza y Expresión Corporal. Posteriormente se realizó el análisis de contenido de dichos informes grupales. Para el tratamiento de los datos se utilizó el Nvivo 11. Los resultados mostraron que: a) la interacción social facilita el proceso de creación grupal; b) el consenso es el principal factor de la interacción social que facilita el proceso de creación grupal.

Este artigo identifica os fatores da interação social que facilitam e dificultam o processo de criação grupal para a elaboração de uma composição cênica. A mostra está formada por 105 estudantes universitários - sendo 85 homens e 20 mulheres - com uma média de idade de 19.99 ± 2.78 anos e relacionados à Faculdade de Ciências da Atividade Física e Esporte em EUSES, Universidade de Girona (Espanha). Cada grupo elaborou um informe sobre o processo de criação no qual se demonstravam as dificuldades e facilidades frente tal composição durante as sessões práticas da matéria de Dança e Expressão Corporal. Posteriormente se realizou a análise de conteúdo de tais informes grupais. Para o tratamento dos dados foi utilizado o Nvivo 11. Os resultados mostraram que: a) a interação social facilita o processo de criação grupal; b) o consenso é o principal fator da interação social que facilita o processo de criação grupal.

This article points out social interaction factors that facilitate and hinder the group creation process for designing a scenic composition. The study's sample comprised 105 university students - 85 males and 20 females - aged 19.99 ± 2.78 on average, from the bachelor's degree in Sciences of Physical Activity and Sport at EUSES, the University of Girona (Spain). Each group prepared a report on the creation process in which they reflected on those factors that facilitated or hindered said composition during the practical sessions of the subject Dance and Bodily Expression. Subsequently, content analysis was carried out on the group's reports and Nvivo 11 software was used to process the data. The results showed that a) social interaction facilitates the group creation process and b) consensus is the main social interaction factor that facilitates it.

Ozone Therapy in the Management of Persistent Radiation-Induced Rectal Bleeding in Prostate Cancer Patients.

Introduction. Persistent radiation-induced proctitis and rectal bleeding are debilitating complications with limited therapeutic options. We present our experience with ozone therapy in the management of such refractory rectal bleeding. Methods. Patients (n = 12) previously irradiated for prostate cancer with persistent or severe rectal bleeding without response to conventional treatment were enrolled to receive ozone therapy via rectal insufflations and/or topical application of ozonized-oil. Ten (83%) patients had Grade 3 or Grade 4 toxicity. Median follow-up after ozone therapy was 104 months (range: 52-119). Results. Following ozone therapy, the median grade of toxicity improved from 3 to 1 (p < 0.001) and the number of endoscopy treatments from 37 to 4 (p = 0.032). Hemoglobin levels changed from 11.1 (7-14) g/dL to 13 (10-15) g/dL, before and after ozone therapy, respectively (p = 0.008). Ozone therapy was well tolerated and no adverse effects were noted, except soft and temporary flatulence for some hours after each session. Conclusions. Ozone therapy was effective in radiation-induced rectal bleeding in prostate cancer patients without serious adverse events. It proved useful in the management of rectal bleeding and merits further evaluation.

Long-term control of refractory hemorrhagic radiation proctitis with ozone therapy.

CONTEXT: Persistent or severe hemorrhagic radiation proctitis (HRP) has limited therapeutic options. OBJECTIVES: To describe our experience with ozone therapy (O3T) in the management of refractory HRP. METHODS: Patients (n=17; median age 69 years [range 42-80 years]) previously irradiated for prostate or uterine cancer and suffering persistent or severe HRP without response to conventional treatment were enrolled to receive an O3/O2 gas mixture via rectal insufflations and topical application of ozonized oil. Most of the patients (83%) had Grade 3 or Grade 4 toxicity. Median follow-up post-O3T was 40 months (range 3-56 months). RESULTS: Endoscopic treatments required were: 43 (median 1; range 0-10) pre-O3T; 17 (median 0; range 0-8; P=0.063) during O3T; and five (median 0; range 0-2; P=0.008) during follow-up. Hemoglobin levels were 10.35g/dL (7-14g/dL) pre-O3T and 13g/dL (9-15g/dL) (P=0.001) post-O3T. Median toxicity grades were 3 (range 2-4) pre-O3T, 1 (range 0-2; P<0.001) at the end of O3T, and 0 (range 0-1; P<0.001) at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Persistent advanced HRP was significantly improved with O3T. The addition of O3T can be useful as a complementary treatment in the long-term management of HRP and, as such, merits further evaluation.

Demencia y conducción / Dementia and driving

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Efecto de la cooperación motriz en la vivencia emocional positiva: perspectiva de género / Efeito da cooperação motriz na vivência emocional positiva: perspectiva de gênero / Effect of motor cooperation on positive emotional: a gender perspective

Se investigó, desde la perspectiva de género, la vivencia emocional suscitada con la práctica de situaciones motrices cooperativas. Participaron 309 estudiantes de 4 universidades españolas. Se empleó la escala validada de juegos y emociones (GES). Tras cada tarea, los alumnos anotaron la intensidad experimentada en las trece emociones consideradas y comentaron brevemente las causas que originaron la emoción más intensa. Se emplearon métodos mixtos al complementar el análisis de los datos cuantitativos con el estudio de comentarios cualitativos. Se confirmó la aportación de las situaciones motrices de juegos tradicionales, expresión e introyección para promover experiencias emocionales positivas en mujeres y hombres

Investigou-se, desde uma perspectiva de gênero, a vivência emocional provocada pela prática de situações motrizes cooperativas. Participaram 309 estudantes de quatro universidades espanholas. Utilizou-se a escala validada de jogos e emoções (GES). Depois de cada tarefa, os alunos indicaram a intensidade experimentada nas treze emoções consideradas e comentaram brevemente as causas que originaram a emoção mais intensa. Utilizouse métodos mistos ao complementar a análise dos dados quantitativos com o estudo de comentários qualitativos. Confirmou-se a contribuição de situações motrizes de jogos tradicionais, expressão e introjeção para promover emoções positivas em mulheres e homens

We examined the relationship between gender and the experience of in the context of cooperative motor tasks. Participants were 309 students from four Spanish universities. Emotions were rated using a validated instrument (GES; Games and Emotions Scale). After each task, students were asked to rate the intensity of thirteen emotions, and to comment briefly on why they thought they had experienced the strongest emotion. A mixed methods approach was used, combining the analysis of quantitative data with an analysis of students' comments. The results confirmed the important contribution which traditional games, motor expression and the internalization of motor skills can make in terms of promoting positive emotional experiences in women and men

Salud mental en estudiantes de medicina integral comunitaria en Venezuela / Mental health in students of community comprehensive medicine in Venezuela

Se hizo un estudio descriptivo y transversal de 40 de los 49 alumnos de medicina integral comunitaria del Área de Salud Integral Comunitaria de Transporte, perteneciente al municipio Rafael Urdaneta del estado de Miranda en la República Bolivariana de Venezuela durante el segundo trimestre del curso escolar 2008. Se aplicó el cuestionario de salud general de Goldberg (siglas en inglés GHQ) en su versión castellana de 12 ítems. El análisis estadístico fue realizado mediante el cálculo de la media y la desviación estándar, además del estadígrafo no paramétrico de ji al cuadrado. Se concluyó que algunos estudiantes presentaban deterioro en la salud mental, así como también que no existía asociación entre el consumo de alcohol y tabaco y el resultado de la aplicación de dicho cuestionario; por otro lado, aunque entre las alumnas se halló el mayor número de casos, su porcentaje fue menor que entre los varones(AU)

A descriptive and cross-sectional study of 40 out of 49 students of community comprehensive medicine from the Area of Community Comprehensive Health of Transporte was carried out, belonging to the Rafael Urdaneta municipality of Miranda state in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela during the second trimester of the school course 2008. The questionnaire of general health of Goldberg was applied (initials in English GHQ) in its Castilian version of 12 articles. The statistical analysis was made through the calculation of the mean and the standard deviation, besides the non parametric statistician of X2 test. The conclusion was that some students presented impairment in mental health, as well as that there was no association between the consumption of alcohol and tobacco and the result of the application of this questionnaire; although the highest number of cases was found among the female students, their percentage was smaller than among the males(AU)

Salud mental en estudiantes de medicina integral comunitaria en Venezuela / Mental health in students of community comprehensive medicine in Venezuela

Se hizo un estudio descriptivo y transversal de 40 de los 49 alumnos de medicina integral comunitaria del Área de Salud Integral Comunitaria de Transporte, perteneciente al municipio Rafael Urdaneta del estado de Miranda en la República Bolivariana de Venezuela durante el segundo trimestre del curso escolar 2008. Se aplicó el cuestionario de salud general de Goldberg (siglas en inglés GHQ) en su versión castellana de 12 ítems. El análisis estadístico fue realizado mediante el cálculo de la media y la desviación estándar, además del estadígrafo no paramétrico de ji al cuadrado. Se concluyó que algunos estudiantes presentaban deterioro en la salud mental, así como también que no existía asociación entre el consumo de alcohol y tabaco y el resultado de la aplicación de dicho cuestionario; por otro lado, aunque entre las alumnas se halló el mayor número de casos, su porcentaje fue menor que entre los varones.

A descriptive and cross-sectional study of 40 out of 49 students of community comprehensive medicine from the Area of Community Comprehensive Health of Transporte was carried out, belonging to the Rafael Urdaneta municipality of Miranda state in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela during the second trimester of the school course 2008. The questionnaire of general health of Goldberg was applied (initials in English GHQ) in its Castilian version of 12 articles. The statistical analysis was made through the calculation of the mean and the standard deviation, besides the non parametric statistician of X2 test. The conclusion was that some students presented impairment in mental health, as well as that there was no association between the consumption of alcohol and tobacco and the result of the application of this questionnaire; although the highest number of cases was found among the female students, their percentage was smaller than among the males.

Factores asociados con la cobertura vacunal declarada en la primera infancia: resultados de una encuesta telefónica (*) / Factors associated with reported childhood immunization coverage. Results of a telephone survey

Fundamentos: El Plan de Vacunación Continuada de Barcelona permite conocer la cobertura vacunal poblacional a través de un sistema de declaración postal voluntaria de las familias. Estudios anteriores han demostrado que existe una proporción importante de familias que no notifican la vacunación, lo que puede conducir a una infraestimación de la cobertura real. Los objetivos de este estudio son estimar la cobertura vacunal poblacional en la primera infancia y conocer los factores asociados con la no declaración de la vacunación. Métodos: Se realizó un cuestionario telefónico a una muestra de 500 niños de los que no constaba la declaración de las tres primeras dosis de vacunación en la infancia (difteria, tétanos, tos ferina y polio oral), así como a una muestra de 500 niños que constaban como vacunados. Para estimar la cobertura vacunal real se consideró correctamente vacunados a todos los niños cuando así lo declaraban sus familiares. Con respecto a las no respuestas, se consideró en el caso más desfavorable que correspondían a niños no vacunados. En la situación más favorable, se atribuyó una cobertura similar a la de las respuestas. Resultados: La respuesta al cuestionario fue superior entre los que habían declarado previamente la vacunación a través del sistema de notificación postal (79,1 por ciento) que entre los que no la habían notificado (67 por ciento). Entre los factores que se asociaron a la no declaración del estado vacunal destaca el tamaño de las familias, la utilización de servicios sanitarios privados, y el lugar de nacimiento de los padres. Unicamente 6 casos entre los que no habían notificado la vacunación admitieron no haber vacunado a sus hijos, lo que representa un 1,9 por ciento de las respuestas. La cobertura vacunal poblacional sería del 99,7 por ciento en el caso más favorable y del 93,7 por ciento en la situación menos favorable. Conclusiones: La cobertura vacunal poblacional es muy elevada. Los resultados subrayan la importancia de promover la notificación de la vacunación entre los profesionales sanitarios, especialmente en el sector privado (AU)

Cobertura vacunal en población inmigrada en Barcelona / Inmunization accesibility in immigrant population in Barcelona

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