Search results for "SURROGATE"

Is it time to combine untargeted antifungal strategies to reach the goal of 'early' effective treatment?

2016

A recently published retrospective study by Posteraro et al. [1] investigated the use of (1–3)-β-D-glucan (BDG) as a strategy for antifungal drug administration in patients at high risk of candidemia. The strategy consisted of the administration of antifungals (anidulafungin in most cases) to septic patients with a Candida score ≥ 3a nd a positive BDG result (≥80 pg/ml). This untargeted strategy led to better selection of patients, avoiding exposure to antifungals in approximately 73 % of patients with negative BDG results and leading to shortened treatment duration in another 20 % of patients. Untargeted antifungal treatments (including prophylaxis, pre-emptive and empiric approaches) are …

An Interactive Framework for Offline Data-Driven Multiobjective Optimization

2020

We propose a framework for solving offline data-driven multiobjective optimization problems in an interactive manner. No new data becomes available when solving offline problems. We fit surrogate models to the data to enable optimization, which introduces uncertainty. The framework incorporates preference information from a decision maker in two aspects to direct the solution process. Firstly, the decision maker can guide the optimization by providing preferences for objectives. Secondly, the framework features a novel technique for the decision maker to also express preferences related to maximum acceptable uncertainty in the solutions as preferred ranges of uncertainty. In this way, the d…

Surrogate Measures of Safety at Roundabouts in AIMSUN and VISSIM Environment

2018

This paper addresses issues on road safety analysis through microscopic traffic simulation models. The Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM) was applied to read vehicle trajectory files generated by two micro-simulators and then calculate surrogate measures of safety. Since safety assessment of any road entity can provide different results based on the micro-simulator which is used, the main objective of this research was to estimate the safety performance of three roundabout layouts and compare the conflict events simulated by AIMSUN and VISSIM. The two micro-simulators were used to build the calibrated models of the roundabouts, each fitting the corresponding empirical capacity functio…

Gestación subrogada y dignidad de la mujer

2018

The situation of the surrogate pregnancy in Spain demands action by our legislators and / or our public authorities. The reason is that the current legal system in which there is a ban of the surrogacy contract is not being attended. In this issue an analysis of the situation in Spain and in other countries is made, to conclude from the right to the dignity of women, that possible actions could be taken to adapt the reality to the legal system.

Calibration of microscopic traffic simulation models for evaluating operation and safety performance at roundabouts

Definition and significance of polycystic ovarian morphology: a task force report from the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society

2014

BACKGROUND The diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) relies on clinical, biological and morphological criteria. With the advent of ultrasonography, follicle excess has become the main aspect of polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM). Since 2003, most investigators have used a threshold of 12 follicles (measuring 2-9 mm in diameter) per whole ovary, but that now seems obsolete. An increase in ovarian volume (OV) and/or area may also be considered accurate markers of PCOM, yet their utility compared with follicle excess remains unclear. METHODS Published peer-reviewed medical literature about PCOM was searched using PubMed.gov online facilities and was submitted to critical assessment b…

PAN-EX: a pooled analysis of two trials of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy in MRI-defined, locally advanced rectal cancer

2016

This analysis confirms that administering neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) before chemoradiotherapy (CRT) could be a potential option for high-risk, locally advanced rectal cancer. In this setting, MRI tumour regression grade is an independent prognostic factor and, when assessed after NACT, may predict the probability and magnitude of incremental benefit from sequential CRT.EXPERT and EXPERT-C were phase II clinical trials of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in high-risk, locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). We pooled individual patient data from these trials. The primary objective was overall survival (OS) in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population. Pro…

Comparison of Methods for the Assessment of Nonlinearity in Short-Term Heart Rate Variability under different Physiopathological States

2019

Despite the widespread diffusion of nonlinear methods for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis, the presence and the extent to which nonlinear dynamics contribute to short-term HRV are still controversial. This work aims at testing the hypothesis that different types of nonlinearity can be observed in HRV depending on the method adopted and on the physiopathological state. Two entropy-based measures of time series complexity (normalized complexity index, NCI) and regularity (information storage, IS), and a measure quantifying deviations from linear correlations in a time series (Gaussian linear contrast, GLC), are applied to short HRV recordings obtained in young (Y) and old (O) healthy su…

The concept of a surrogate is ill adapted to intensive care: Criteria for recognizing a reference person

2016

IF 2.445; International audience; Purpose: In the intensive care unit (ICU), caregivers may find it difficult to identify a suitable person in the patient's entourage to serve as a reference when there is no official surrogate.Methods: We developed a 12-item questionnaire to identify factors potentially important for caregivers when identifying a reference person. Each criterion was evaluated as regards its importance for the role of reference. Responses were on a scale of 0 (not important) to 10 (extremely important). We recorded respondent's age, job title, and number of years' ICU experience. The questionnaire was distributed to all health care professionals in 2 French ICUs.Results: Amo…

Egg donation, surrogate mothering, and cloning: attitudes of men and women in Germany based on a representative survey

2009

Objective To determine opinions and attitudes of the German general population toward the treatment methods of reproductive medicine: egg donation, surrogate mothering, and reproductive cloning. Design Representative survey. Setting German general population: face-to-face interviews at home with 2,110 persons, aged 18–50 years. Patient(s) Patients were not included. Intervention(s) No interventions took place. Main Outcome Measure(s) Approval and disapproval of treatment methods of reproductive medicine and preimplantation genetic diagnosis were assessed by questionnaires regarding medical, age, reasons, or general. Result(s) Overall, the diverse treatment methods of reproductive medicine f…