1,720,961 research outputs found
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Get PDFThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Rolul testului peptidului natriuretic tip B în diagnosticul și tratamentul insuficienței cardiace
Get PDFDepartment of Histology, Cytology and Embryology, Nicolae Testemitanu SUMPhBackground. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is synthesized by ventricular cardiomyocytes due to
overload volume. Serum levels of inactive NT-proBNP and the biologically active molecule BNP can
be used to evaluate non-invasively ventricular pressure. Objective of the study. Assessment of the
importance and relevance of the BNP test in the early diagnosis of heart failure (HF), staging the
evolution of heart disease and monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. Material and Methods. The
literature review was based on studies of patients with suspected heart failure. The relevance of costeffectiveness and impact on treatment success were analyzed. The words used in the search engine were:
BNP test, heart failure, heart failure diagnosis. Results. The upper limit of serum BNP is 100 pg / ml.
According to Dilek Ural, BNP level <100 pg / ml and NT-proBNP level <300 are criteria for excluding
suspected HF. During the treatment of HF, the decrease of serum BNP indices by 30-50% compared to
the initial value are the indicators of a good prognosis in more than 70% of cases. C Balion states that
the sensitivity of BNP and NT-proBNP tests is 92-97%, the specificity of 52-79%. Moreover, there was
estimated a decrease of hospitalization, at least one day in patients undergoing GNP testing. Conclusion.
As the level of BNP increases, so does the certainty of the diagnosis of heart failure and the severity of
the condition. The use of this test has considerably reduced the time of diagnosis, stress of patients and
caregivers.Introducere. Peptidul natriuretic tip B (BNP) este sintetizat de cardiomiocitele ventriculare, ca răspuns
la supraîncărcarea de volum. Nivelurile serice de NT-proBNP inactiv și molecula biologic activă BNP
pot fi utilizate pentru a evalua non-invaziv tensiunea ventriculară. Scopul lucrării. Aprecierea
importanței și relevanței testului BNP în diagnosticul precoce al insuficienței cardiace (IC), stadializarea
evoluției patologiei cardiace şi monitorizarea eficacității tratamentului. Material și Metode. Review-ul
literaturii a fost efectuat în baza studiilor pe pacienți, suspecţi la insuficiența cardiacă. A fost analizată
relevanța cost-eficacitate și impactul asupra reușitei tratamentului. Cuvintele utilizate în motorul de
căutare au fost: BNP test, insuficiența cardiacă, diagnostic insuficiența cardiacă. Rezultate. Limita
superioară a BNP seric este 100 pg/ml. Conform Dilek Ural, nivelul BNP<100 pg/ml și nivelul NTproBNP<300 sunt criterii de excludere a suspiciunii de IC. În cadrul tratamentului IC, scăderea indicilor
BNP seric cu 30-50 %, față de valoarea inițială, sunt indicatorii unui bun prognostic în mai mult de 70%
cazuri. C. Balion afirmă că, sensibilitatea testelor BNP și NT-proBNP este de 92-97%, iar specificitatea
de 52-79%. Mai mult, s-a estimat reducerea staționării, cu cel puțin o zi, la pacienții supuși testului PNB.
Concluzii. Cu cât este mai mare nivelul de BNP seric, cu atât crește certitudinea diagnosticului de
insuficiență cardiacă și severitatea condiției. Utilizarea acestui test a redus considerabil timpul de
diagnosticare, stresul pacienților şi al îngrijitorilor medicali
The role of VEGF in psoriasis
Get PDFUniversitatea de Stat de Medicină şi Farmacie „Nicolae Testemiţanu”, Chişinău, Republica MoldovaIntroduction. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease, which affects skin and joints. Psoriasis is also commonly associated with a increased capillary permeability, and excess VEGF production . As angiogenesis is one of the key features of psoriasis, various studies focuse on the identification of pro-angiogenic mediators in psoriasic skin. Aim of the study. Studying the role of VEGF in psoriasis Materials and methods. An online database search of relevant published articles using the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, Embase and Google was performed via Google search. Results. Histopathological markers of skin in psoriasis include: the infiltration of multiple immune cells, keratinocyte hyperplasia, activated mast cells, and accentuated vascularity in the dermis. Psoriasis is also commonly associated with a increased capillary pearmibility, and excess VEGF production. VEGF-A is highly expressed in the lesional skin of patients with psoriasis compared to non-lesional skin and healthy skin. In addition, the plasma levels of VEGF-A are higher in patients with psoriasis than in healthy individuals and levels correlate with disease severity. VEGF-A is mainly produced by activated keratinocytes in the skin of patients with psoriasis. Smaller amounts of VEGF-A are produced by fibroblasts and mast cells. Conclusion. The VEGF-A receptors, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 are expressed on blood endothelial cells. VEGFR-1 is also expressed on epidermal keratinocytes in healthy skin and in the skin of patients with psoriasis. is also commonly associated with a increased capillary permeability, and excess VEGF production . As angiogenesis is one of the key features o f psoriasis, various studies focuse on the identification of pro-angiogenic mediators in psoriasic skin. Aim of the study. Studying the role of VEGF in psoriasis Materials and methods. An online database search of relevant published articles using t he Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, Embase and Google was performed via Google search. Results. Histopathological markers of skin in psoriasis include: the infiltration of multiple immune cells, keratinocyte hyperplasia, activated mast cells, and accentuated vascularity in the dermis. Psoriasis is also commonly associated with a increased ca pillary pearmibility, and excess VEGF production. VEGF-A is highly expressed in the lesional skin of patients with psoriasis compared to non-lesional skin and healthy skin. In addition, the p lasma levels of VEGF-A are higher in patients with psoriasis than in healthy individuals and le vels correlate with disease severity. VEGF-A is mainly produced by activated keratinocytes in the s kin of patients with psoriasis. Smaller amounts of VEGF-A are produced by fibroblas ts and mast cells. Conclusion. The VEGF-A receptors, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 are expressed on blood e ndothelial cells. VEGFR-1 is also expressed on epidermal keratinocyt es in healthy skin and in the skin of patients with psoriasis
Variations on the Author
Get PDF“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Role of stone density in predicting the outcome of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for kidney stones
Get PDFDepartment of Urology and Surgical Nephrology, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, The 8th International Medical Congress for Students and Young Doctors, September 24-26, 2020Introduction. Since its introduction by Chaussy in 1980, ESWL, as minimally invasive
procedure, is considered to be the best for the management of urolithiasis in most patients,
especially when the stones are of < 2 cm in diameter. Computer tomography (CT) has long
been used clinically to evaluate the calculi by using measurements of substance density in
Hounsfield units (HU). Stone density on CT is reported to be a prognosis factor for ESWL.
Aim of the study. To evaluate the usefulness of measuring stone density for predicting the
outcome of treatment by ESWL and number of sessions.
Materials and methods.. The study included 33 consecutive patients (21 males, 12 females;
mean age: 47.7) with a solitary renal stone of 0.5–2.0 cm in length. The measurement of density
was performed using a multidetector row CT scanner at 120 KV and 240 mA, with 1.25-mm
collimation. A bone window was used to measure stone attenuation values. SWL was
performed with an electromagnetic lithotripter. Failure of disintegration was defined as no
fragmentation of the stone after three sessions.
Results. Failure of disintegration was observed in 7 patients. Stone density >1200 HU were
the significant independent predictors of failure. The success rate of ESWL was 87.5%. 26
patients were stone free and 7 had residual fragments <4 mm. The only significant predictor of
residual fragments was stone density (p < 0.001).Conclusions. The use of CT to determine the density values of urinary stones before ESWL
can help predict treatment outcome, and also in planning alternative treatment in patients with
a likelihood of poor outcome from ESWL
Neurosyphilis case report
Get PDFUniversitatea de Stat de Medicină şi Farmacie „Nicolae Testemiţanu”, Chişinău, Republica MoldovaIntroduction. Neurosyphilis is relatively rare in last decades, due to the epidemiological measures in force. Because of the variety of clinical manifestations, from mild behavioral disturbances to paralysis and death, neurosiphylis can be a diagnostic challenge. Case presentation. A 42-year-old man, arrives at the hospital with suspected cerebro-vascular accident, wich is not confirmed. The patient found with positive RPR, HIV negative, is referred to the Dermatology and Communicable Diseases Hospital. The patient was without lesions on the skin and mucous membranes, difficult to assess the moment of primary infection. From obvious manifestations - cognitive disorders, disorientation in time and space, passive position. The MoCA cognitive test was 9 points. The diagnosis was established based on CSF analysis - CSF VDRL positive titer 1:8; TPHA passive hemagglutination positive 4+, Westernblot IgG positive. On CT examination - punctate atheromatous deposits at the level of bilateral carotid siphons; no intracranial pathological foci were found. Treatment with high-dose penicillin was performed, but the cognitive symptoms did not change during and after the treatment. Discussion. As presented in this case, cognitive decline was not significantly improved after treatment, but the neurological reevaluation of the patient at least 6 and 12 months after treatment is interesting. Conclusion. Cognitive decline and personality disorders must be taken into consideration for the diagnosis of central nervous system infections, especially neurosyphilis. There are not enough data on the degree of reversibility of the neurological changes, related to the duration of the syphilitic infection. in force. Because of the variety of clinical manifestat ions, from mild behavioral disturbances to paralysis and death, neurosiphylis can be a diagnostic cha llenge. Case presentation. A 42-year-old man, arrives at the hospital with suspected cerebro-vascula r accident, wich is not confirmed. The patient found with posi tive RPR, HIV negative, is referred to the Dermatology and Communicable Diseases Hospital. The patient was without lesions on the skin and mucous membranes, difficult to assess the momen t of primary infection. From obvious manifestations - cognitive disorders, disorientation in ti me and space, passive position. The MoCA cognitive test was 9 points. The diagnosis was established ba sed on CSF analysis - CSF VDRL positive titer 1:8; TPHA passive hemagglutination positive 4+, We sternblot IgG positive. On CT examination - punctate atheromatous deposits at the level of bilateral carotid siphons; no intracranial pathological foci were found. Treatment wit h high-dose penicillin was performed, but the cognitive symptoms did not change during and after the tr eatment. Discussion. As presented in this case, cognitive decline was not signific antly improved after treatment, but the neurological reevaluation of the pati ent at least 6 and 12 months after treatment is interesting. Conclusion. Cognitive decline and personality disorders must be taken in to consideration for the diagnosis of central nervous system infections, especia lly neurosyphilis. There are not enough data on the degree of reversibility of the neurological changes, related to the duration of the syphilitic infection
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Get PDFWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Dispelling the Myths Behind First-author Citation Counts
Get PDFWe conducted a full-scale evaluative citation analysis study of scholars in the XML research field to explore just how different from each other author rankings resulting from different citation counting methods actually are, and to demonstrate the capability of emerging data and tools on the Web in supporting more realistic citation counting methods. Our results contest some common arguments for the continued
use of first-author citation counts in the evaluation of scholars, such as high correlations between author rankings by first-author citation counts and other citation
counting methods, and high costs of using more realistic citation counting methods that are not well-supported by the ISI databases. It is argued that increasingly available digital full text research papers make it possible for citation analysis studies to go beyond what the ISI databases have directly supported and to employ more
sophisticated methods
- …
