Comparative Value of Facial Nerve Grading Systems

1997 ◽  
Vol 117 (4) ◽  
pp. 322-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürg Rickenmann ◽  
Claude Jaquenod ◽  
D. Cerenko ◽  
Ugo Fisch
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Facial Palsy ◽  
Interobserver Variability ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Grading System ◽  
Global Evaluation ◽  
Grading Systems ◽  
Detailed Evaluation ◽  
Overall Evaluation ◽  
The Mean

The Fisch Detailed Evaluation of Facial Symmetry (DEFS) and House-Brackmann grading system (HBGS) were compared by statistical examination for their reliability and interob-server variability. Furthermore, the correlation and agreement with a standard global evaluation were compared. Therefore 47 patients with facial palsy of different cause have been evaluated with the two systems, and the global overall evaluation was done by five otolaryngologists familiar with facial palsy. The DEFS showed a high reliability of 0.93 compared with a reliability of 0.77 with the HBGS (international standard requires a reliability of at least 0.8). The mean interobserver variability is 5.24% (SD = 3.2%) with the DEFS and 9.26% (SD = 5.0%) with the HBGS; with a confidence interval of 95%, it is 11.6% and 19.26%. The correlation of both gradings with the global evaluation was high, with r = 0.98 and r = 0.97. The DEFS shows an excellent agreement with the global overall evaluation in 41 (87%) of 47 cases and the HBGS in 32 (66%) of 47 cases.

EVALUATION OF NORMAL AND MODIFIED ASPHALT ACCORDING TO CONVENTIONAL AND MODERN GRADING SYSTEMS

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maram Saudy ◽  
Safwan Khedr
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Grading System ◽  
Modified Asphalt ◽  
Grading Systems ◽  
Asphalt Performance ◽  
Grading Standards ◽  
High Level ◽  
Maintenance Requirements ◽  
Different Sources

Asphalt plays a significant role in pavement quality. The need for high-performance pavements with long service life and low maintenance requirements is the motive behind thorough research and studies of asphalt characteristics. This research focuses on studying all sources of Egyptian asphalt over a span of time using both conventional and Superpave grading techniques in order to characterize asphalt performance and also to answer the question whether the Egyptian asphalts need modification. The results of this research indicate that all Egyptian normal (virgin) 60/70 asphalt samples from different sources failed to meet penetration grading requirements, viscosity grading standards AC-20 (high quality); with minor exceptions, viscosity grading system AC-20 (low quality), and both AR-8000 and AR-1000 Aged Residue grading systems. When Superpave grading system was employed, results indicate that all normal asphalt samples failed to meet the basic requirements (without traffic adjustment) according to the Egyptian climatic requirements for high reliability projects (PG70-10 and PG76-10). The testing results accommodate Superpave requirements for lower levels of reliability and/or lower level of conservativeness. This emphasizes the flexibility and reliability of Superpave grading system as compared to conventional grading systems. On the other hand all modified asphalt samples, using an SBS modifier, passed according to the base high reliability projects and/or high level of conservativeness requirements of the Superpave grading system. Finally it is concluded that Egyptian asphalt should be modified in order to provide satisfactory performance especially for high reliability projects in hot regions with high and/or slow traffic.

scholarly journals The Importance of the Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio in Patients with Idiopathic Peripheral Facial Palsy

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Mustafa Kiliçkaya ◽  
Mustafa Tuz ◽  
Murat Yariktaş ◽  
Hasan Yasan ◽  
Giray Aynalı ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Facial Palsy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Grading System ◽  
Early Prediction ◽  
Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio ◽  
Lymphocyte Ratio ◽  
Peripheral Facial Palsy ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group B

Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not there was a correlation between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) value and the severity of idiopathic peripheral facial palsy (IPFP) and to determine whether or not NLR could be used as an early predictive parameter in the prognosis of IPFP patients.Material and Method. This retrospective study was conducted on 146 patients who were diagnosed with IPFP. The control group comprised 140 patients. Patients with IPFP were categorized according to the House-Brackmann grading system (HBS). The NLR value was obtained by dividing the neutrophil value by the lymphocyte value.Results. In the IPFP group, the mean NLR value was 3.63 ± 2.74 and, in the control group, 1.84 ± 0.78. The mean NLR value was significantly higher in IPFP patients than in the control subjects (p<0.0001). The mean NLR value in group A (Grades I-II ) was 2.61 ± 2.28, in group B (Grades III-IV) 3.22 ± 2.65, and in group C (Grades V-VI) 10.69 ± 6.30.Conclusion. We determined that as the severity of IPFP increased, the NLR value increased. The NLR value can be used as a prognostic factor in the early prediction of IPFP prognosis.

The Effect of Ageing and Degeneration on Glycosaminoglycan Concentration in the Intervertebral Disc

2021 ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Dominik Taterra
Keyword(s):  
Intervertebral Disc ◽  
Grading System ◽  
Midsagittal Plane ◽  
Standard Curve ◽  
Grading Systems ◽  
Mri Scans ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Grade 3 ◽  
The One ◽  
Ivd Degeneration

Introduction: The correct spatial distribution and high negative charge of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) within the intervertebral disc (IVD) are responsible for discs water imbibition, proper osmotic pressure, and as such IVD’s physiological swelling behaviors and compressive properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the concentration and distribution of GAG with IVD degeneration as measured by Pfirrmann et al. and Thompson et al. grading systems. Methodology: Full spinal columns (vertebrae L1-S1 and IVD between them) were harvested from fresh cadavers through an anterior dissection. MRI scans were taken of all spinal columns and were assessed using Pfirrmann grading system. All vertebral columns were cut in the midsagittal plane. The level of degeneration was assessed morphologically using Thompson et al. grading system. Samples from five regions of the L5/S1 IVDs were taken for GAG concentration analyses. Standard curve spectrophotometry was utilized for this purpose. Result: One hundred lumbar spine columns (L1-S1) were harvested from cadavers. Radiologic assessment using the Pfirrmann grading system and morphological Thompson grading system classified majority of discs as grade 3 and 4. A total of 478 samples from five regions of L5/S1 IVDs were included in the analysis of GAG content. The samples from the nucleus pulposus showed on average the highest concentration of GAG, although the differences were not statistically significant. The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed no statistically significant differences in the mean GAG mass between different Pfirrmann grades (F = 1.85, p = 0.13) and between different Thompson grades (F = 1.17, p = 0.33). Conclusion: Our study showed no association between GAG concentration levels and degeneration grade of the IVD as measured by radiological Pfirrmann and morphological Thompson grading systems.

scholarly journals Onchocerciasis control in Ghana (1974–2016)

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nana-Kwadwo Biritwum ◽  
Dziedzom K. de Souza ◽  
Odame Asiedu ◽  
Benjamin Marfo ◽  
Uche Veronica Amazigo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Vector Control ◽  
Control Strategy ◽  
Financial Support ◽  
Control Programme ◽  
Ivermectin Treatment ◽  
Mobile Community ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Onchocerciasis Control

Abstract Background The control of onchocerciasis in Ghana started in 1974 under the auspices of the Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP). Between 1974 and 2002, a combination of approaches including vector control, mobile community ivermectin treatment, and community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) were employed. From 1997, CDTI became the main control strategy employed by the Ghana OCP (GOCP). This review was undertaken to assess the impact of the control interventions on onchocerciasis in Ghana between 1974 and 2016, since which time the focus has changed from control to elimination. Methods In this paper, we review programme data from 1974 to 2016 to assess the impact of control activities on prevalence indicators of onchocerciasis. This review includes an evaluation of CDTI implementation, microfilaria (Mf) prevalence assessments and rapid epidemiological mapping of onchocerciasis results. Results This review indicates that the control of onchocerciasis in Ghana has been very successful, with a significant decrease in the prevalence of infection from 69.13% [95% confidence interval) CI 60.24–78.01] in 1975 to 0.72% (95% CI 0.19–1.26) in 2015. Similarly, the mean community Mf load decreased from 14.48 MF/skin snip in 1975 to 0.07 MF/skin snip (95% CI 0.00–0.19) in 2015. Between 1997 and 2016, the therapeutic coverage increased from 58.50 to 83.80%, with nearly 100 million ivermectin tablets distributed. Conclusions Despite the significant reduction in the prevalence of onchocerciasis in Ghana, there are still communities with MF prevalence above 1%. As the focus of the GOCP has changed from the control of onchocerciasis to its elimination, both guidance and financial support are required to ensure that the latter goal is met.

scholarly journals Can Health-Promoting Schools Contribute to Better Health Behaviors? Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Dietary Habits among Israeli Adolescents

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1183
Author(s):  
Hila Beck ◽  
Riki Tesler ◽  
Sharon Barak ◽  
Daniel Sender Moran ◽  
Adilson Marques ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Time Behavior ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
The Mean

Schools with health-promoting school (HPS) frameworks are actively committed to enhancing healthy lifestyles. This study explored the contribution of school participation in HPS on students’ health behaviors, namely, physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, and dieting. Data from the 2018/2019 Health Behavior in School-aged Children study on Israeli adolescents aged 11–17 years were used. Schools were selected from a sample of HPSs and non-HPSs. Between-group differences and predictions of health behavior were analyzed. No between-group differences were observed in mean number of days/week with at least 60 min of PA (HPS: 3.84 ± 2.19 days/week, 95% confidence interval of the mean = 3.02–3.34; non-HPS: 3.93 ± 2.17 days/week, 95% confidence interval of the mean = 3.13–3.38). Most children engaged in screen time behavior for >2 h/day (HPS: 60.83%; non-HPS: 63.91%). The odds of being on a diet were higher among more active children (odds ratio [OR] = 1.20), higher socio-economic status (OR = 1.23), and female (OR = 2.29). HPS did not predict any health behavior. These findings suggest that HPSs did not contribute to health behaviors more than non-HPSs. Therefore, health-promoting activities in HPSs need to be improved in order to justify their recognition as members of the HPS network and to fulfill their mission.

scholarly journals Evaluating Endoscopic Ipsilateral Endonasal Corridor Approaches to the Anterolateral Wall of the Maxillary Sinus: A Computerized Tomography Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Navarat Vatcharayothin ◽  
Pornthep Kasemsiri ◽  
Sanguansak Thanaviratananich ◽  
Cattleya Thongrong
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Maxillary Sinus ◽  
Inferior Turbinate ◽  
Radial Access ◽  
Sinus Wall ◽  
Nasal Floor ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Anterolateral Wall ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Maxillary Sinuses

Abstract Introduction The endoscopic access to lesions in the anterolateral wall of the maxillary sinus is a challenging issue; therefore, the evaluation of access should be performed. Objective To assess the accessibility of three endoscopic ipsilateral endonasal corridors. Methods Three corridors were created in each of the 30 maxillary sinuses from 19 head cadavers. Accessing the anterolateral wall of the maxillary sinus was documented with a straight stereotactic navigator probe at the level of the nasal floor and of the axilla of the inferior turbinate. Results At level of the nasal floor, the prelacrimal approach, the modified endoscopic Denker approach, and the endoscopic Denker approach allowed mean radial access to the anterolateral maxillary sinus wall of 42.6 ± 7.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 39.9–45.3), 56.0 ± 6.1 (95%CI: 53.7–58.3), and 60.1 ± 6.2 (95%CI: 57.8–62.4), respectively. Furthermore, these approaches provided more lateral access to the maxillary sinus at the level of the axilla of the inferior turbinate, with mean radial access of 45.8 ± 6.9 (95%CI: 43.3–48.4) for the prelacrimal approach, 59.8 ± 4.7 (95% CI:58.1–61.6) for the modified endoscopic Denker approach, and 63.6 ± 5.5 (95%CI: 61.6–65.7) for the endoscopic Denker approach. The mean radial access in each corridor, either at the level of the nasal floor or the axilla of the inferior turbinate, showed a statistically significant difference in all comparison approaches (p < 0.05). Conclusions The prelacrimal approach provided a narrow radial access, which allows access to anteromedial lesions of the maxillary sinus, whereas the modified endoscopic Denker and the endoscopic Denker approaches provided more lateral radial access and improved operational feasibility on far anterolateral maxillary sinus lesions.

scholarly journals Minimum Detectable Change of Visual Acuity Measurements Using ETDRS Charts (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study)

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 7876
Author(s):  
María Carmen Sánchez-González ◽  
Raquel García-Oliver ◽  
José-María Sánchez-González ◽  
María-José Bautista-Llamas ◽  
José-Jesús Jiménez-Rejano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Early Treatment ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Minimal Detectable Change ◽  
High Contrast ◽  
Detectable Change ◽  
Low Contrast ◽  
Minimum Detectable Change ◽  
The Mean

In our work, we determined the value of visual acuity (VA) with ETDRS charts (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study). The purpose of the study was to determine the measurement reliabilities, calculating the correlation coefficient interclass (ICC), the value of the error associated with the measure (SEM), and the minimal detectable change (MDC). Forty healthy subjects took part. The mean age was 23.5 ± 3.1 (19 to 26) years. Visual acuities were measured with ETDRS charts (96% ETDRS chart nº 2140) and (10% SLOAN Contrast Eye Test chart nº 2153). The measurements were made (at 4 m) under four conditions: Firstly, photopic conditions with high contrast (HC) and low contrast (LC) and after 15 min of visual rest, mesopic conditions with high and low contrast. Under photopic conditions and high contrast, the ICC = 0.866 and decreased to 0.580 when the luminosity and contrast decreased. The % MDC in the four conditions was always less than 10%. It was minor under photopic conditions and HC (5.83) and maximum in mesopic conditions and LC (9.70). Our results conclude a high reliability of the ETDRS test, which is higher in photopic and high contrast conditions and lower when the luminosity and contrast decreases.

scholarly journals Longer Residence in the United States is Associated With More Physical Function Limitations in African Immigrant Older Adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 073346482097760
Author(s):  
Manka Nkimbeng ◽  
Yvonne Commodore-Mensah ◽  
Jacqueline L. Angel ◽  
Karen Bandeen-Roche ◽  
Roland J. Thorpe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Racial Discrimination ◽  
African Immigrants ◽  
The United States ◽  
African Immigrant ◽  
High Discrimination ◽  
The Mean

Acculturation and racial discrimination have been independently associated with physical function limitations in immigrant and United States (U.S.)-born populations. This study examined the relationships among acculturation, racial discrimination, and physical function limitations in N = 165 African immigrant older adults using multiple linear regression. The mean age was 62 years ( SD = 8 years), and 61% were female. Older adults who resided in the United States for 10 years or more had more physical function limitations compared with those who resided here for less than 10 years ( b = −2.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [–5.01, –0.23]). Compared to lower discrimination, those with high discrimination had more physical function limitations ( b = −2.51, 95% CI = [–4.91, –0.17]), but this was no longer significant after controlling for length of residence and acculturation strategy. Residing in the United States for more than 10 years is associated with poorer physical function. Longitudinal studies with large, diverse samples of African immigrants are needed to confirm these associations.

scholarly journals The Probability That a Measurement Falls within a Range of Standard Deviations from an Estimate of the Mean

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis M. Houston
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
General Equation ◽  
Sample Sizes ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Standard Deviations ◽  
Intermediate Value ◽  
Theoretical Results

We derive a general equation for the probability that a measurement falls within a range of n standard deviations from an estimate of the mean. So, we provide a format that is compatible with a confidence interval centered about the mean that is naturally independent of the sample size. The equation is derived by interpolating theoretical results for extreme sample sizes. The intermediate value of the equation is confirmed with a computational test.

scholarly journals Long-Term Testosterone Administration Increases Visceral Fat in Female to Male Transsexuals1

1997 ◽  
Vol 82 (7) ◽  
pp. 2044-2047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jolanda M. H. Elbers ◽  
Henk Asscheman ◽  
Jacob C. Seidell ◽  
Jos A. J. Megens ◽  
Louis J. G. Gooren
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Visceral Fat ◽  
Causal Relation ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Images ◽  
Visceral Fat Area ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fat Depots ◽  
Testosterone Administration ◽  
The Mean

The amount of intraabdominal (visceral) fat is an important determinant of disturbances in lipid and glucose metabolism. Cross-sectional studies in women have found associations between high androgen levels and visceral fat accumulation. The causal relation between these phenomena is unknown. We, therefore, studied prospectively the effect of testosterone administration on body fat distribution in 10 young, nonobese, female to male transsexuals undergoing sex reassignment. Before, after 1 yr, and after 3 yr of testosterone administration, magnetic resonance images were obtained at the level of the abdomen, hip, and thigh to quantify both sc and visceral fat depots. After 1 yr of testosterone administration, sc fat depots at all levels showed significant reductions compared to baseline measurements. The mean visceral fat area did not change significantly, but subjects who gained weight in the first year after testosterone administration showed an increase in visceral fat. After 3 yr of testosterone administration, sc fat depots were no longer significantly lower compared to pretreatment measurements, but the mean visceral fat depot had increased significantly by 13 cm2 (95% confidence interval, 4–22 cm2), a relative increase of 47% (95% confidence interval, 8–91%) from baseline. The increase in visceral fat was most pronounced in those subjects who had gained weight. We conclude that long term testosterone administration in young, nonobese, female subjects increases the amount of visceral fat. In addition, an increase in weight in this hyperandrogenic state leads to a preferential storage of fat in the visceral depot.

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