P1206ARTERIAL STIFFNESS AND PERIODONTITIS IN PERITONEAL DIALYSIS PATIENTS: ARE THEY RELATED?

Abstract Background and Aims Arterial stiffness is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, little is known about risk factors that contribute to arterial rigidity in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The periodontal diseases are highly prevalent among patients with ESRD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dental status, incidence and severity of periodontitis among Dalmatian PD patients and to investigate possible correlations with arterial stiffness. Method 24 PD patients, 12 (50 %) men and 12 (50 %) women, aged 54.9 (range 21–79) years were included. Arterial stiffening was estimated by using pulse wave velocity (PWV). To measure PWV Agedio B900 device was used. Oral periodontal status included full mouth plaque score, full mouth bleeding score, periodontal probing depth and clinical attachment loss (CAL), all measured at six sites of each tooth. Also periodontitis stage was determined for each patient. Results Out of 24 PD patients 17 (70.1 %) was suffering from periodontitis. Among those with periodontitis 1 patient (5.9 %) was classified as periodontitis stage I (mild), 6 (35.3 %) as stage II (moderate), 10 (58.8%) as stage III and IV (severe). Significantly positive correlation between PWV, average interdental CAL and average total CAL, among all PD patients were found (R= 0.764, P=0.001), (R= 0.738, P=0.001), respectively, Also, in those PD patients statistically negative correlations between PWV and number of teeth were found (R= -0.565, P=0.012). Among those PD patients with periodontitis statistically positive correlation between PWV, periodontitis stage, interdental CAL, average total CAL and dental plaque were found (R= 0.73, P=0.002),(R= 0.731, P=0.00¸5), (R= 0.72, P=0.005), (R= 0.558, P=0.047), respectively. Conclusion The incidence of peritonitis is high in Dalmatian PD patients and more than half of PD patients had severe stage of periodontitis. Despite small sample size, we showed that those PD patients with more severe periodontitis stage had significantly higher arterial stiffness. Routine dental examination should be suggested for all PD patients. A prospective cohort study needs to link the association of severe periodontitis and CVD and confirm desirable survival outcome on successful treatment of periodontal diseases.

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Pharmacokinetics of Intraperitoneal Vancomycin and Amikacin in Automated Peritoneal Dialysis Patients With Peritonitis

Frontiers in Pharmacology ◽

10.3389/fphar.2021.658014 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Pâmela Falbo dos Reis ◽

Pasqual Barretti ◽

Laudilene Marinho ◽

Andre Luís Balbi ◽

Linda Awdishu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Peritoneal Dialysis ◽

Peak Plasma ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Intraperitoneal Administration ◽

Small Sample ◽

Gram Positive ◽

Therapeutic Success ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Serum Vancomycin

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the vancomycin and amikacin concentrations in serum and dialysate for automatic peritoneal dialysis (APD) patients.Methods: A total of 558 serum and dialysate samples of 12 episodes of gram-positive and 18 episodes of gram-negative peritonitis were included to investigate the relationship between vancomycin and amikacin concentrations in serum and dialysate on the first and third days of treatment. Samples were analysed 30, 120 min, and 48 h after intraperitoneal administration of vancomycin in peritonitis caused by gram-positive agents and 30, 120 min, and 24 h after intraperitoneal administration of amikacin in peritonitis caused by gram-negative agents. Vancomycin was administered every 72 h and amikacin once a day. The target therapeutic concentration of amikacin was 25–35 mg/l at the peak moment and 4–8 mg/l at the trough moment; and after 48 h for vancomycin, 15–20 mg/l at the trough moment.Results: For peritonitis caused by gram-negative agents, at the peak moment, therapeutic levels of amikacin were reached in dialysate in 80.7% of patients with evolution to cure and in 50% of patients evaluated as non-cure (p = 0.05). At the trough moment, only 38% were in therapeutic concentrations in the dialysate in the cure group and 42.8% in the non-cure group (p = 1). Peak plasma concentrations were subtherapeutic in 98.4% of the samples in the cure group and in 100% of the non-cure group. At the trough moment, therapeutic concentrations were present in 74.4% of the cure group and 71.4% of the non-cure group (p = 1). Regarding vancomycin and among gram-positive agents, therapeutic levels were reached at the peak moment in 94% of the cure group and 6% of the non-cure group (p = 0.007). After 48 h, 56.8% of the cure group had a therapeutic serum concentration whereas for the non-cure group it was only 33.3% (p = 0.39).Conclusion: Despite a small sample size, we demonstrated peak dialysate amikacin level and peak serum vancomycin level correlates well with Gram-negative and Gram positve peritonitis cure, respectively. It is suggested to study the antibiotics pharmacodynamics for a better understanding of therapeutic success in a larger sample.

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Relationship between Macrovascular and Microvascular Hemodynamics Assessed by Spectrophotometry in Periodontal Diseases

International Journal of Dentistry ◽

10.1155/2021/9925198 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

M. M. Figliuzzi ◽

S. Sestito ◽

D. Pacifico ◽

L. Parentela ◽

Carlo Rengo

Keyword(s):

Periodontal Disease ◽

Oxygen Saturation ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Periodontal Diseases ◽

Blood Pressure Measurement ◽

Small Sample ◽

Low Oxygen ◽

Hemodynamic Status ◽

Probing Depth ◽

Tissue Edema

Objective. The aim of this study is to identify a possible link between macrovascular hemodynamic status and microvascular hemodynamic indices in patients with periodontal disease. Methods and Materials. Seventeen adult patients are recruited on a voluntary basis at the Dentistry Department of the “Mater Domini” University of Catanzaro, with sampling that determines the lipid profile, blood glucose, inflammatory mediators, blood plasma viscosity: anamnesis, blood pressure measurement, and detection of anthropometric parameters: eco-Doppler of the carotid arteries and brachial arteries with noninvasive measurements of hemodynamics and evaluation of inflammation and periodontal circulation with a noninvasive spectroscopic technique. The subjects underwent a dental inspection with periodontal proves. The different indices of periodontal disease were evaluated. Results. The sites with high probing depth differ from the healthy ones, showing low oxygen saturation and a notable increase in tissue edema, but no correlation between macro- and microvascular values was found. Conclusion. Periodontal probing and spectroscopic examination showed the correlation between low oxygen saturation levels and tissue edema values with probing depth; however, no correlation between macrovascular hemodynamic status and microvascular hemodynamics indices was found probably given the heterogeneity of the population under consideration, the low number of data gathered, and the small sample size.

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Probing the ultrastructure of the mitotic and meiotic spindle in eggs: An expeditious approach based on semi-thin (0.25 μm) serial sections

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100076408 ◽

1983 ◽

Vol 41 ◽

pp. 552-555

Author(s):

Conly L. Rieder ◽

S. Bowser ◽

R. Nowogrodzki ◽

K. Ross ◽

G. Sluder

Keyword(s):

Small Sample Size ◽

Small Sample ◽

Meiotic Spindle ◽

Serial Sections ◽

Mitotic Apparatus ◽

Thin Sections ◽

Cell Cycles ◽

Ultrastructural Studies

Eggs have long been a favorite material for studying the mechanism of karyokinesis in-vivo and in-vitro. They can be obtained in great numbers and, when fertilized, divide synchronously over many cell cycles. However, they are not considered to be a practical system for ultrastructural studies on the mitotic apparatus (MA) for several reasons, the most obvious of which is that sectioning them is a formidable task: over 1000 ultra-thin sections need to be cut from a single 80-100 μm diameter egg and of these sections only a small percentage will contain the area or structure of interest. Thus it is difficult and time consuming to obtain reliable ultrastructural data concerning the MA of eggs; and when it is obtained it is necessarily based on a small sample size.We have recently developed a procedure which will facilitate many studies concerned with the ultrastructure of the MA in eggs. It is based on the availability of biological HVEM's and on the observation that 0.25 μm thick serial sections can be screened at high resolution for content (after mounting on slot grids and staining with uranyl and lead) by phase contrast light microscopy (LM; Figs 1-2).

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Validating the Factor Structure of the Stigma of Suicide Scale–Short Form Spanish Version Among Healthcare Students

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000728 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Ruthmarie Hernández-Torres ◽

Paola Carminelli-Corretjer ◽

Nelmit Tollinchi-Natali ◽

Ernesto Rosario-Hernández ◽

Yovanska Duarté-Vélez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Factor Structure ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Short Form ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Small Sample ◽

Spanish Version ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthcare Students ◽

Spanish Speaking

Abstract. Background: Suicide is a leading cause of death among Spanish-speaking individuals. Suicide stigma can be a risk factor for suicide. A widely used measure is the Stigma of Suicide Scale-Short Form (SOSS-SF; Batterham, Calear, & Christensen, 2013 ). Although the SOSS-SF has established psychometric properties and factor structure in other languages and cultural contexts, no evidence is available from Spanish-speaking populations. Aim: This study aims to validate a Spanish translation of the SOSS-SF among a sample of Spanish-speaking healthcare students ( N = 277). Method: We implemented a cross-sectional design with quantitative techniques. Results: Following a structural equation modeling approach, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported the three-factor model proposed by Batterham and colleagues (2013) . Limitations: The study was limited by the small sample size and recruitment by availability. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the Spanish version of the SOSS-SF is a valid and reliable tool with which to examine suicide stigma among Spanish-speaking populations.

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An Initial Investigation of Suicide Attempt Disclosures Among US Veterans

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000727 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Brooke A. Ammerman ◽

Sarah P. Carter ◽

Heather M. Gebhardt ◽

Jonathan Buchholz ◽

Mark A. Reger

Keyword(s):

Suicide Attempt ◽

Mental Health Professionals ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Psychiatric Treatment ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Romantic Partners ◽

Small Sample ◽

Professional Care ◽

Patient Disclosure ◽

Previous Suicide Attempt

Abstract. Background: Patient disclosure of prior suicidal behaviors is critical for effectively managing suicide risk; however, many attempts go undisclosed. Aims: The current study explored how responses following a suicide attempt disclosure may relate to help-seeking outcomes. Method: Participants included 37 veterans with a previous suicide attempt receiving inpatient psychiatric treatment. Veterans reported on their most and least helpful experiences disclosing their suicide attempt to others. Results: Veterans disclosed their suicide attempt to approximately eight individuals. Mental health professionals were the most cited recipient of their most helpful disclosure; romantic partners were the most common recipient of their least helpful disclosures. Positive reactions within the context of the least helpful disclosure experience were positively associated with a sense of connection with the disclosure recipient. Positive reactions within the most helpful disclosure experience were positively associated with the likelihood of future disclosure. No reactions were associated with having sought professional care or likelihood of seeking professional care. Limitations: The results are considered preliminary due to the small sample size. Conclusion: Findings suggest that while positive reactions may influence suicide attempt disclosure experiences broadly, additional research is needed to clarify factors that drive the decision to disclose a suicide attempt to a professional.

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Investigating the Dynamics of Suicidal Ideation

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000464 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 65-69 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Nina Hallensleben ◽

Lena Spangenberg ◽

Thomas Forkmann ◽

Dajana Rath ◽

Ulrich Hegerl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Unipolar Depression ◽

Small Sample ◽

History Of ◽

Severity Of Depression ◽

Ecological Momentary ◽

Depressive Episodes ◽

Ema Method ◽

Shed Light

Abstract. Background: Although the fluctuating nature of suicidal ideation (SI) has been described previously, longitudinal studies investigating the dynamics of SI are scarce. Aim: To demonstrate the fluctuation of SI across 6 days and up to 60 measurement points using smartphone-based ecological momentary assessments (EMA). Method: Twenty inpatients with unipolar depression and current and/or lifetime suicidal ideation rated their momentary SI 10 times per day over a 6-day period. Mean squared successive difference (MSSD) was calculated as a measure of variability. Correlations of MSSD with severity of depression, number of previous depressive episodes, and history of suicidal behavior were examined. Results: Individual trajectories of SI are shown to illustrate fluctuation. MSSD values ranged from 0.2 to 21.7. No significant correlations of MSSD with several clinical parameters were found, but there are hints of associations between fluctuation of SI and severity of depression and suicidality. Limitations: Main limitation of this study is the small sample size leading to low power and probably missing potential effects. Further research with larger samples is necessary to shed light on the dynamics of SI. Conclusion: The results illustrate the dynamic nature and the diversity of trajectories of SI across 6 days in psychiatric inpatients with unipolar depression. Prediction of the fluctuation of SI might be of high clinical relevance. Further research using EMA and sophisticated analyses with larger samples is necessary to shed light on the dynamics of SI.

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Participant Reactions to Suicide-Focused Research

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000650 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (5) ◽

pp. 367-374

Author(s):

Sarah P. Carter ◽

Brooke A. Ammerman ◽

Heather M. Gebhardt ◽

Jonathan Buchholz ◽

Mark A. Reger

Keyword(s):

Medical Records ◽

Research Study ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Psychiatric Inpatient ◽

Small Sample ◽

Inpatient Unit ◽

Online Laboratory ◽

Psychiatric Inpatient Unit ◽

Before And After ◽

Participant Reactions

Abstract. Background: Concerns exist regarding the perceived risks of conducting suicide-focused research among an acutely distressed population. Aims: The current study assessed changes in participant distress before and after participation in a suicide-focused research study conducted on a psychiatric inpatient unit. Method: Participants included 37 veterans who were receiving treatment on a psychiatric inpatient unit and completed a survey-based research study focused on suicide-related behaviors and experiences. Results: Participants reported no significant changes in self-reported distress. The majority of participants reported unchanged or decreased distress. Reviews of electronic medical records revealed no behavioral dysregulation and minimal use of as-needed medications or changes in mood following participation. Limitations: The study's small sample size and veteran population may limit generalizability. Conclusion: Findings add to research conducted across a variety of settings (i.e., outpatient, online, laboratory), indicating that participating in suicide-focused research is not significantly associated with increased distress or suicide risk.

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Measurements method of the audio recordings acoustic quality indicator prepared for registration and processing in the Unified Biometric System

Izmeritel`naya Tekhnika ◽

10.32446/0368-1025it.2019-12-40-46 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 40-46 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

V.V. Savchenko ◽

A.V. Savchenko

Keyword(s):

Quality Control ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Personal Data ◽

Digital Processing ◽

Small Sample ◽

Practical Implementation ◽

Acoustic Measurements ◽

Pitch Frequency ◽

Wide Range ◽

Automated Quality Control

We consider the task of automated quality control of sound recordings containing voice samples of individuals. It is shown that in this task the most acute is the small sample size. In order to overcome this problem, we propose the novel method of acoustic measurements based on relative stability of the pitch frequency within a voice sample of short duration. An example of its practical implementation using aninter-periodic accumulation of a speech signal is considered. An experimental study with specially developed software provides statistical estimates of the effectiveness of the proposed method in noisy environments. It is shown that this method rejects the audio recording as unsuitable for a voice biometric identification with a probability of 0,95 or more for a signal to noise ratio below 15 dB. The obtained results are intended for use in the development of new and modifying existing systems of collecting and automated quality control of biometric personal data. The article is intended for a wide range of specialists in the field of acoustic measurements and digital processing of speech signals, as well as for practitioners who organize the work of authorized organizations in preparing for registration samples of biometric personal data.

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A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of polyunsaturated fatty acids efficacy in adolescents with anorexia nervosa

Pharmacotherapy in Psychiatry and Neurology ◽

10.33450/fpn.2020.06.001 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 95-106

Author(s):

Agnieszka M. Piróg-Balcerzak ◽

Anna K. Bażyńska ◽

Katarzyna Biernacka ◽

Joanna Brągoszewska ◽

Lidia Popek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Anorexia Nervosa ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Small Sample ◽

Female Adolescent ◽

Eating Attitude ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Eat 26

Objective. Omega–3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were tested in adolescent depression and in several neurodevelopmental disorders with partial success. Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterised by deficiencies in fatty food intake and frequent comorbidity, including depressive and cognitive symptoms. Thus supplementation with PUFAs may be beneficial in this group of patients. The aim of the study was to assess whether PUFAs as an add-on treatment is associated with better improvement of body mass index (BMI) and psychopathological symptoms than placebo in patients with AN. Method. 61 female adolescent inpatients with AN were randomly allocated to omega–3 PUFAs supplementation or placebo for 10 weeks. Patients also participated in the behavioural programme and eclectic psychotherapy (treatment as usual, TAU). At baseline and follow-up visits, patients’ BMI and psychopathology were assessed with Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI), Patient Global Impression Scale (PGI), and Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26). Results. After 10 weeks, both groups showed improvement in all parameters. Improvement in CGI scores was observed greater in placebo vs. PUFA-s group (p = 0.015) while other differences were not statistically significant. Omega–3 PUFAs supplementation appears not to be effective as an add-on treatment in inpatient adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa. Conclusions. The results should be analysed with caution due to small sample size and heterogeneity in TAU. As the TAU turned out to be highly effective, additional therapeutic effect of PUFA might not be visible. Nevertheless, that does not explain the tendency for better improvement in the placebo group.

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An influence of social isolation on the level of physical activity as well as on well-being and mental state of people during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic

Polish Journal of Public Health ◽

10.2478/pjph-2019-0029 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 129 (4) ◽

pp. 127-131

Author(s):

Agnieszka Parfin ◽

Krystian Wdowiak ◽

Marzena Furtak-Niczyporuk ◽

Jolanta Herda

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Statistical Tests ◽

Population Group ◽

Well Being ◽

Small Sample ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Tract Infections ◽

The Impact

AbstractIntroduction. The COVID-19 is the name of an infectious disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). It was first diagnosed in December 2019 in patients in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The symptoms are dominated by features of respiratory tract infections, in some patients with a very severe course leading to respiratory failure and, in extreme cases to death. Due to the spread of the infection worldwide, the WHO declared a pandemic in March 2020.Aim. An investigation of the impact of social isolation introduced due to the coronavirus pandemic on selected aspects of life. The researchers focused on observing changes in habits related to physical activity and their connections with people’s subjective well-being and emotional state.Material and methods. The study was carried out within the international project of the group „IRG on COVID and exercise”. The research tool was a standardized questionnaire.Results. Based on the data collected and the analysis of the percentage results, it can be observed that the overwhelming majority of people taking up physical activity reported a better mood during the pandemic. However, statistical tests do not confirm these relationships due to the small sample size.Conclusions. Isolation favours physical activity. Future, in-depth studies, by enlarging the population group, are necessary to confirm the above observations.

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