AIMS This paper discusses the representation of diagnostic criteria using categorical and dimensional statistical models. Conventional modeling using categorical or continuous latent variables in the form of latent class analysis and factor (IRT) analysis has limitations for the analysis of diagnostic criteria. METHODS New hybrid models are discussed which provide both categorical and dimensi...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Episodic hypoglycemia is an almost inevitable consequence of exogenous insulin treatment of type 1 diabetes, and in up to 30% of patients, this can lead to impaired awareness of hypoglycemia. This predisposes to recurrent severe hypoglycemia and has a huge impact on quality of life. Although many patients can get resolution of severe hypoglycemia through novel education and te...

The Modelica specification is ambiguous as to whether all the events are synchronous are not. Different interpretations are possible leading to considerable differences in the ways models should be constructed and compilers developed. In this paper we examine this issue and show that there exists an interpretation that is more appropriate than others leading to more efficient compilers. It turn...

PURPOSE This research was conducted to compare the management and the outcome of patients with colovesical fistulae of different aetiologies. METHODS Retrospective data were collected from 2002 to 2012 and analyzed with SPSS ver. 17. Age, gender, aetiology, management, hospital stay, postoperative complications, and mortality were studied and compared among colovesical fistulae of different a...

Deciding when to operate on a patient with chronic aortic regurgitation may be extremely difficult. The timing of surgery requires consideration of the etiology and pathophysiology of the aortic regurgitation, because aortic valve replacement carries morbidity and mortality that must be weighed against the potential problems of continued medical management. Guidelines for the use of surgery in ...

Rapid and efficient cooling is the most important therapeutic objective in patients with heat stroke (HS). This article reviews the mechanism of action and rationale for the use of dantrolene as a potential supportive cooling method in the treatment of HS. Relevant studies were included to support discussion of the role of dantrolene for the treatment of HS. In some studies dantrolene was shown...

Atherosclerosis and cancer are the leading causes of death in industrialized society. Although atherosclerosis has been considered to be multi-factorial disease in which genetic, environmental, and other factors have been implicated, the gaps remain in our knowledge of the etiopathogenesis as well as features of atherosclerosis. However, Numerous data suggested that the some characteristics of ...

The last decade has seen many trials with antioxidants in patients with cardiovascular disease, with equivocal results. One possible explanation for the disappointing findings is the lack of identification criteria of patients who are potential candidates for antioxidant treatment. Several studies have been carried out in patients at risk of cardiovascular disease, indicating that enhanced oxid...

Qualitative and quantitative serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) tests are used to diagnose pregnancy. We assessed physicians' perceptions and compared turnaround times (TATs) and performance characteristics of both tests. We surveyed 1,058 physicians about their perceptions of hCG tests. Seven months of TAT data were analyzed. hCG was measured in all qualitative samples. Pregnancy status ...