Effect of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract
Objective: To assess the effects of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy on obstetric outcomes and birth variables. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Setting: Not applicable. Patient(s): Pregnant women and neonates. Intervention(s): PubMed and 5 other research databases were searched through March 2014 for RCTs evaluating vitamin D supplementation calcium/vitamins/ferrous sulfate vs. a control (placebo or active) during pregnancy. Main Outcome Measure(s): Measures were: circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), small for gestational age (SGA), low birth weight, preterm birth, birth weight, birth length, cesarean section. Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effects models were used, owing to expected scarcity of outcomes. Effects were reported as relative risks and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Result(s): Thirteen RCTs (n ¼ 2,299) were selected. Circulating 25(OH)D levels were significantly higher at term, compared with the control group (mean difference: 66.5 nmol/L, 95% CI 66.2–66.7). Birth weight and birth length were significantly greater for neonates in the vitamin D group; mean difference: 107.6 g (95% CI 59.9–155.3 g) and 0.3 cm (95% CI 0.10–0.41 cm), respectively. Incidence of preeclampsia, GDM, SGA, low birth weight, preterm birth, and cesarean section were not influenced by vitamin D supplementation. Across RCTs, the doses and types of vitamin D supplements, gestational age at first administration, and outcomes were heterogeneous. Conclusion(s): Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy was associated with increased circulating 25(OH)D levels, birth weight, and birth length, and was not associated with other maternal and neonatal outcomes. Larger, better-designed RCTs evaluating clinically relevant outcomes are necessary to reach a definitive conclusion. (Fertil Steril 2015;-:-–-. 2015 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)
(Source: Fertility and Sterility, Feb. 2015)

http://hdl.handle.net/10757/347325

Implementation and Certification of ISO/IEC 29110 in an IT Startup in Peru

Abstract
This article presents the implementation of ISO/IEC 29110 in a four-person IT startup company in Peru. After completing the implementation of the ISO/IEC 29110 project management and software implementation processes using an agile approach, the next step was to execute these processes in a project with an actual customer: software that facilitates communication between clients and legal consultants at the second-largest insurance companies in Peru. Managing the project and developing the software took about 900 hours. Using ISO/ IEC 29110 software engineering practices enabled the startup to plan and execute the project while expending only 18 percent of the total project effort on rework (i.e., wasted effort). In this article, the authors also describe the steps and the effort required by the VSE to be granted an ISO/IEC 29110 certificate of conformity. The startup became the first Peruvian VSE to obtain an ISO/IEC 29110 certification. The ISO/IEC 29110 certification facilitated access to new clients and larger projects.
(Source: Software Quality Professional, 2015)

http://hdl.handle.net/10757/346851

Factor analysis of the ‘‘Questionnaire for the evaluationof occupational burnout syndrome’’ in Peruvian medicalstudents

Abstract
Background: The ‘‘evaluation of occupational burnout syndrome questionnaire’’ (‘‘Cuestionario para la evaluación del síndrome de quemarse por el trabajo (CESQT)’’) has been proposed to evaluate this syndrome in different populations. However, there have not been studies up to date that have tested this questionnaire in Latin-American university students. Aim: To evaluate the dimensional structure of CESQT in medical students from Peru. Methods: This was an observational, analytical and cross-sectional study. The CESQT was applied to a sample of 71 medical students in the final year of their degree (also known as ‘‘Medical Internship’’) in a Public Hospital in Lima, Peru. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to identify the dimension structure with best fit to the data. A multivariate linear regression analysis was also performed to determine the relationship between the occupational burnout syndrome, gender, and their current clinical rotation (obstetrics and gynaecology, surgery, paediatrics, and internal medicine). Results: The EFA found that the two dimensions model best explained the data variability (61.8% of the variance). These two factors were called illusion and exhaustion. The linear regression showed that gender and the current clinical rotation were not associated to any of the two factors (P > .05). Illusion was inversely associated with exhaustion, even after fitting it with gender and current clinical rotation (P = .007and = −.33, respectively).
(Source: Revista de Psicología y Salud Mental. 2014)

http://hdl.handle.net/10757/347244

Assessing predictors of sexual function in mid-aged sexually active women

Abstract
Objective: To assess predictors of sexual function in mid-aged women. Methods: We analyzed data of 262 healthy sexually active women (40–59 years) who filled out the Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI), the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and a general questionnaire containing female/partner data. Correlations between these two measures were also analyzed. Results: Significant inverse correlations were found between all FSFI and MRS scores. This was most evident for the MRS urogenital score in relation to FSFI total, pain and lubrication scores. Multiple linear regression analysis determined best model predicting total FSFI index scores that explained a 66% of the variance. In this model, MRS urogenital score was an important predictor of female sexual function (total FSFI scores) with a significant inverse relation. Additionally total FSFI scores displayed a significant positive correlation with female educational level and HT use and an inverse relation with partner age and female parity. Conclusion: Several female/partner factors predicted female sexual function in this mid-aged series. MRS urogenital scores significantly correlated with total FSFI scores.
(Source: Maturitas, 2010)

http://hdl.handle.net/10757/347065

A community randomised controlled trial evaluating a home-based environmental intervention package of improved stoves, solar water disinfection and kitchen sinks in rural Peru: Rationale, trial design and baseline findings

Abstract
The diagnostic by microscopy in endemic areas is several times erroneous. Furthermore, the culture of this bacterium is time-consuming, being the diagnostic by PCR the easiest way to perform a correct diagnostic. The objective of this study was to evaluate the detection limit of three PCR schemes, designed to detect B.bacilliformis, both in blood and filter papers to test their potential use for transferring samples from endemic areas to reference centers. Moreover, the specificity was also observed as well as the applicability of the technique with clinical samples from different stages of the disease. Methods&Materials: Fragments of 16SrRNA and fla genes were amplified as well as the variable-intergenic region (its). The detection limit was determined by bacterial quantification with flow cytometry and performing dilutions (106cfu/ml-10cfu/ml) both in blood and filter papers. DNA was extracted and PCRs were performed. Specificity was tested by processing other bacteraemia microorganisms. Clinical samples, 12 from febrile patients, 13 from warty and 71 from healthy asymptomatic individuals living in endemic area(Mandinga-Cajamarca) were also processed. Results: The 16SrRNA PCR scheme showed the lower detection limit (5 cfu from blood and filter paper) being the PCR scheme chosen to be tested in clinical samples. All febrile patients’ samples were positive, whereas in warty individuals only 3(23%) faint bands were obtained. No amplification was obtained in samples from healthy people. Fainter bands were always obtained when PCRs were made of filter papers. All PCRs were specific for B.bacilliformis. Conclusion: The 16SrRNA PCR seems to be the best technique to detect feverish patients. However, the applicability to identify asymptomatic carriers was undetermined. Filter paper may be an alternative for easy transportation of samples but is need to consider the decreasing sensitivity of the results. It is critical to develop rapid, sensitive and specific technique capable of being applied in endemic rural areas, to avoid misdiagnosis and facilitate the detection of asymptomatic carriers that will allow progress towards the eradication of this disease.
(Source: 16th ICID Abstracts / International Journal of Infectious Diseases 21S (2014) 1–460)

 (Source: Contemporary Clinical Trials, 2011)

http://hdl.handle.net/10757/347070