Exploring digital filters for internal root resorption: how can we improve the diagnosis of small lesions?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priscila Fernanda Silveira Tiecher ◽  
Nádia Assein Arús ◽  
Eduarda Adams Hilgert ◽  
Heloisa Emilia Dias da Silveira ◽  
Mathias Pante Fontana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Roc Curve ◽  
Root Resorption ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Roc Curve Analysis ◽  
Human Teeth ◽  
Diagnostic Efficacy ◽  
Root Canals ◽  
Phosphor Plates ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of enhancement filters in detecting small simulated internal root resorptions (IRR). Methods: : forty-two extracted human teeth were sectioned, connected, and stored in a dry human jaw and x-rayed with Photostimulable Phosphor Plates (PSPs), composing the control group (CG). In the middle third of the root canals, IRR lesions were simulated using Da Silveira protocol. After, the specimens were x-rayed to create the test group (TG). All images acquired were exported with seven enhancement filters plus the original image. Three examiners used a five-point Likert scale to evaluate the images regarding the presence/absence of IRR. Diagnostic efficacy was assessed from sensitivity and specificity results. Comparison among filters was performed by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: : moderate values of Kappainterexaminer (0.403–0.620) and high values of Kappa-intraexaminer (0.757–0.915) were observed. The best performance occurred in the CG (p < 0.05). Original images presented the greatest sensitivity and area under the ROC curve (0.595–0.750), while the Endo filter presented the greatest specificity (0.952). Inversion and Pseudo3D images produced the greatest doubt in the diagnosis, significant for CG with the Pseudo-3D filter (p < 0.05). Conclusions: : the Original and ‘Endo’ filters should be chosen as it offers greater diagnostic ability and allows more confidence during the evaluation.

Expression Levels of MicroRNA-125b in Serum Exosomes of Patients with Asthma of Different Severity and its Diagnostic Significance

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 781-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meizhen Zhao ◽  
Li Juanjuan ◽  
Fan Weijia ◽  
Xie Jing ◽  
Huang Qiuhua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Analysis ◽  
Roc Curve ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Persistent Asthma ◽  
Asthma Severity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Spearman Correlation ◽  
Diagnostic Efficacy ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Serum Exosomes

Background: This study aimed to investigate the expression levels of microRNA (miRNA)-125b in serum exosomes and its diagnostic efficacy for asthma severity. Methods: The study included 80 patients with untreated asthma and 80 healthy volunteers. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to disease severity: 20 with the intermittent state, 20 with the mildly persistent state, 20 with the moderately persistent state, and 20 with the severely persistent state. The expression levels of miRNA-125b in serum exosomes of each group were detected using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction and compared. The Spearman correlation analysis was used to study the correlation between the expression levels of miRNA-125b in serum exosomes and asthma severity. The diagnostic efficacy of the expression levels of miRNA-125b in exosomes for asthma severity was evaluated using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: The expression levels of miRNA-125b in serum exosomes of patients with intermittent, mildly persistent, moderately persistent, and severely persistent asthma were all higher than those in the healthy control group, with statistically significant differences. The expression levels of miRNA-125b were also statistically significantly different among patients in each group. The Spearman correlation analysis showed a positive correlation of the relative expression of miRNA-125b in serum exosomes with asthma severity. The area under the ROC curve of the diagnostic efficacy of miRNA-125b in serum exosomes for patients with intermittent, mildly, moderately, and severely persistent asthma was 0.7770, 0.8573, 0.9111, and 0.9995, respectively. Conclusion: The expression levels of miRNA-125b in serum exosomes had a high diagnostic efficacy and might serve as a noninvasive diagnostic marker for asthma severity.

scholarly journals Assessing the Impact of Attendance Modality on the Learning Performance of a Course on Machines and Mechanisms Theory

Mathematics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 558
Author(s):  
David Valiente ◽  
Héctor Campello-Vicente ◽  
Emilio Velasco-Sánchez ◽  
Fernando Rodríguez-Mas ◽  
Nuria Campillo-Davo
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Group Testing ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Historical Record ◽  
Team Work ◽  
University Education ◽  
Learning Performance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Impact

University education approaches related to the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), have generally particularized on teaching activity and learning programs which are commonly understood as reoriented lessons that fuse theoretic concepts interweaved with practical activities. In this context, team work has been widely acknowledged as a means to conduct practical and hands-on lessons, and has been revealed to be successful in the achievement of exercise resolution and design tasks. Besides this, methodologies sustained by ICT resources such as online or blended approaches, have also reported numerous benefits for students’ active learning. However, such benefits have to be fully validated within the particular teaching context, which may facilitate student achievement to a greater or lesser extent. In this work, we analyze the impact of attendance modalities on the learning performance of a STEM-related course on “Machines and Mechanisms Theory”, in which practical lessons are tackled through a team work approach. The validity of the results is reinforced by group testing and statistical tests with a sample of 128 participants. Students were arranged in a test group (online attendance) and in a control group (face-to-face attendance) to proceed with team work during the practical lessons. Thus, the efficacy of distance and in situ methodologies is compared. Moreover, additional variables have also been compared according to the historical record of the course, in regards to previous academic years. Finally, students’ insights about the collaborative side of this program, self-knowledge and satisfaction with the proposal have also been reported by a custom questionnaire. The results demonstrate greater performance and satisfaction amongst participants in the face-to-face modality. Such a modality is prooven to be statistically significant for the final achievement of students in detriment to online attendance.

scholarly journals Improved adherence with Medicines Use Review service in Slovenia: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Urška Nabergoj Makovec ◽  
Igor Locatelli ◽  
Mitja Kos
Keyword(s):  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Model ◽  
Relative Difference ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Adherence Support ◽  
Medicines Use ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Medicines Use Review

Abstract Background Based on several existing patient-oriented activities, Medicines Use Review (MUR) service was standardized and officially adopted in Slovenia in 2015. Service aims to provide adherence support and ensure safe and effective medicines use. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the benefits of MUR in Slovenia, primarily the impact on medication adherence. Methods A randomised controlled trial was performed in community pharmacies to compare MUR with standard care. Patients were randomised into either the test (patients received MUR by a certified MUR provider at visit 1), or control group. The study primary outcome was self-reported adherence to multiple medications, assessed by electronic ©Morisky Widget MMAS-8 Software at the first visit (V1) and after 12 weeks (V2). A sub-analysis of intentional and unintentional non-adherence was performed. MUR impact was defined as the relative difference in ©MMAS-8 score after 12 weeks between the test and control group. A multiple linear regression model was used to predict MUR impact based on baseline adherence (low versus medium and high). Several secondary outcomes (e.g. evaluation of drug-related problems (DRPs)) were also assessed. Results Data from 153 (V1) and 140 (V2) patients were analysed. Baseline adherence was low, moderate and high in 17.6, 48.4 and 34.0% patients, respectively. In the low adherence subpopulation, test group patients showed a 1.20 point (95% CI = 0.16–2.25) increase in total ©MMAS-8 score (p = 0.025) compared to control group patients. A 0.84 point (95% CI = 0.05–1.63) increase was due to intentional non-adherence (p = 0.038), and a 0.36 point (95% CI = − 0.23-0.95) was due to unintentional non-adherence (p = 0.226). Additionally, statistically significant decrease in the proportion of patients with manifested DRPs (p < 0.001) and concerns regarding chronic medicines use (p = 0.029) were revealed. Conclusion MUR service in Slovenia improves low medication adherence and is effective in addressing DRPs and concerns regarding chronic medicines use. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT04417400; 4th June 2020; retrospectively registered.

scholarly journals The Impact of Chlorhexidine Mouth Rinse on the Bond Strength of Polycarbonate Orthodontic Brackets

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 688-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sukumaran Anil ◽  
Farouk Ahmed Hussein ◽  
Mohammed Ibrahim Hashem ◽  
Elna P Chalisserry
Keyword(s):  
Bond Strength ◽  
Shear Bond Strength ◽  
Testing Machine ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Orthodontic Brackets ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mouth Rinse ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Bond Strengths ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Objective The purpose of the current in-vivo study was to assess the effect of using 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX) mouth rinse, before bonding, on shear bond strength of polycarbonate brackets bonded with composite adhesive. Subjects and methods Eighteen orthodontic patients with a mean age 21.41 ± 1.2 years, who were scheduled to have 2 or more first premolars extracted, were included in this study. Patients were referred for an oral prophylaxis program which included, in part, the use of a mouth rinse. Patients were divided into 2 groups, a test group of 9 patients who used 0.12% CHX gluconate mouth rinse twice daily and a control group of 9 patients who used a mouth rinse without CHX, but with same color. After 1 week, polycarbonate brackets were bonded to first premolars with Transbond XT composite adhesive. Premolars were extracted after 28 days and tested for shear bond strength on a universal testing machine. Student's t-test was used to compare shear bond strengths of both groups. Results No statistically significant difference was found in bond strengths’ values between both groups. The test group (with CHX) has mean shear bond strength of 14.21 ± 2.42 MPa whereas the control group (without CHX) revealed a mean strength of 14.52 ± 2.31 MPa. Conclusion The use of 0.12% CHX mouth rinse, for one week before bonding, did not affect the shear bond strength of polycarbonate brackets bonded with Transbond composite. Furthermore, these brackets showed clinically acceptable bond strength. How to cite this article Hussein FA, Hashem MI, Chalisserry EP, Anil S. The Impact of Chlorhexidine Mouth Rinse on the Bond Strength of Polycarbonate Orthodontic Brackets. J Contemp Dent Pract 2014;15(6):688-692.

scholarly journals Efficiency of zeolite basis preparation in fattening lambs diet

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 545-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Stojkovic ◽  
Z. Ilic ◽  
S. Ciric ◽  
B. Ristanovic ◽  
M.P. Petrovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Zeolite ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Sheep Milk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
At Will

The paper presents the results of a research on the impact of products based on natural zeolite on the production results of fattening lambs. The experiment involved two groups of lambs (the control - C and experimental - E groups), each consisting of 15 heads, for a period of 90 days. The meal was made from sheep milk, feed mixtures for fattening lambs and meadow hay. The test group lambs, unlike the ones from the control group, were given mixtures based on natural zeolite. Min-a-Zel S mixture (in the form of 25% composite) was fed to lambs from birth till their 14th day of life, directly into the mouth, once a day (before the morning feed), in the amount of 10 ml. Min-a-Zel Plus was given to them from their 15th day of life, together with the feed mixture (0.5%). Feeding was at will. The average weight of lambs at the end of the experiment, in accordance with the sequence of treatments (C:E) was 24.40:26.94 kg (P <0.01). Daily weight gain of lambs, during the experiment, was 229:256 g and in the experimental group it was by 27g or 11.79% higher (P <0.01). The test group lambs had a better utilization of dry matter, protein and energy, which justifies the use of products based on natural zeolite in fattening lambs.

scholarly journals The Diagnostic Value of Eosinophil Count And Platelet-To-Lymphocyte Ratio In Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiong Lin ◽  
Renmin Zhou ◽  
Hao Wujuan ◽  
Zhumeng Ni ◽  
Xiaozhong Li
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cell ◽  
Roc Curve ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Platelet To Lymphocyte Ratio ◽  
Roc Curve Analysis ◽  
Record System ◽  
Lymphocyte Ratio ◽  
The Difference

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of eosinophil (EO) count and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE). Methods: In total, 91 patients with EGE and 83 age–sex matched patients without EGE were selected as study subjects during January 2018 to December 2020. Data on blood cell count, and serum, C-reactive protein (CRP), and albumin levels were obtained from the Wuxi children's hospital electronic medical record system; the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), PLR, and CRP-to-albumin ratio (CAR) in the peripheral blood were recorded. Independent sample t-test, non-parametric test, or χ2 test was used according the data type to compare the difference between two groups, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic value for EGE. Results: The EO counts and PLR were significantly higher in the EGE group than those in the control group, whereas differences in the white blood cell, lymphocyte, neutrophil, and platelet counts, and the CRP level, NLR, and CAR were not significant. After treatment(Corticosteroids, 1mg/kg.d, lasting for 2 weeks）, the EO counts and PLR in the EGE group decreased gradually and the difference was significant. The diagnostic value of EO counts and PLR was determined with an area under the ROC curve as 0.756 and 0.616, sensitivity was 75.00% and 34.29%, and specificity was 74.29% and 92.31%, respectively. Conclusions EO and PLR represent potential predictive markers for diagnosing EGE.

scholarly journals Antimicrobial efficiency of photodynamic therapy with different irradiation durations

2013 ◽  
Vol 07 (04) ◽  
pp. 469-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cihan Yildirim ◽  
Emine Sirin Karaarslan ◽  
Semih Ozsevik ◽  
Yasemin Zer ◽  
Tugrul Sari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
Brain Heart Infusion ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Human Teeth ◽  
Root Canals ◽  
Single Root ◽  
Antimicrobial Efficiency ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Group 2

ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficiency of PDT and the effect of different irradiation durations on the antimicrobial efficiency of PDT. Materials and Methods: Sixty freshly extracted human teeth with a single root were decoronated and distributed into five groups. The control group received no treatment. Group 1 was treated with a 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution. Groups 2, 3, and 4 were treated with methylene-blue photosensitizer and 660-nm diode laser irradiation for 1, 2, and 4 min, respectively. The root canals were instrumented and irrigated with NaOCl, ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid, and a saline solution, followed by autoclaving. All the roots were inoculated with an Enterococcus faecalis suspension and brain heart infusion broth and stored for 21 days to allow biofilm formation. Microbiological data on microorganism load were collected before and after the disinfection procedures and analyzed with the Wilcoxon ranged test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and the Dunn′s test. Results: The microorganism load in the control group increased. The lowest reduction in the microorganism load was observed in the 1-min irradiation group (Group 2 = 99.8%), which was very close to the results of the other experimental groups (99.9%). There were no significant differences among the groups. Conclusions: PDT is as effective as conventional 5% NaOCl irrigation with regard to antimicrobial efficiency against Enterococcus faecalis.

scholarly journals 116 An Experimental Study to Assess the Professional and Social Consequences of Tardive Dyskinesia

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajeev Ayyagari ◽  
Debbie Goldschmidt ◽  
Fan Mu ◽  
Stanley N. Caroff ◽  
Benjamin Carroll
Keyword(s):  
Tardive Dyskinesia ◽  
Involuntary Movement ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Group Versus ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Social Lives ◽  
The Impact

Abstract:Study Objective:Evaluate the impact of orofacial tardive dyskinesia (TD) symptoms on the professional and social lives of patients with TD.Background:TD, a movement disorder affecting the face and extremities, may arise in patients taking antipsychotics. The impact of social stigma on the professional and social lives of patients with orofacial manifestations of TD has not been thoroughly examined.Methods:This study is an experimental, randomized digital survey of a general population sample. Three component surveys were developed, corresponding to employment, dating, and friendship domains. For each domain, participants were randomized 1:1 into either a test group (who viewed a video of a scripted interview with a standardized patient actor depicting TD movements) or a control group (who viewed the same actors but without TD movements), and asked about their impressions of the video subject. Actor simulations were validated by physicians familiar with TD and rehearsed to simulate a total Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale score between 6 and 10. Statistical comparison was made using Wilcoxon sign-rank or chi-squared tests for continuous and categorical variables, respectively.Results:A total of 800 respondents completed each survey. In all domains, respondents had more-negative perceptions of actors portraying TD movements than of the same actors without movements. Regarding employment, 34.8% fewer respondents in the test group versus the control group agreed that the actor would be suitable for client-facing jobs (P<0.001). Regarding dating, the proportions of respondents who agreed that they would like to continue talking to the actor and who would be interested in meeting them for coffee/drink were 25.0% and 27.2% lower, respectively, in the test group than in the control group (P<0.001). Regarding friendship, the proportions of respondents who rated the actor as interesting and who would be interested in friendship with them were 18.8% and 16.5% lower, respectively, in the test group than in the control group (P<0.001).Conclusions:Actors simulating orofacial TD movements were perceived to be statistically significantly less likely to move forward in a job interview, be considered as a potential romantic partner, or be a new friend. This is the first study to quantify the stigma faced by people with TD in a variety of professional and social situations.Funding Acknowledgements:This study was funded by Teva Pharmaceuticals, Petach Tikva, Israel.

scholarly journals The impact of a self-management educational program coordinated through WhatsApp on diabetes control

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 1841
Author(s):  
Muaed Al Omar ◽  
Sanah Hasan ◽  
Subish Palaian ◽  
Shrouq Mahameed
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Diabetes Education ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
The Social ◽  
Media Intervention ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hba1c Levels

Background: Social media can effectively mediate digital health interventions and thus, overcome barriers associated with face-to-face interaction. Objective: To assess the impact of patient-centered diabetes education program administered through WhatsApp on glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values, assess the correlation, if any, between health literacy and numeracy on intervention outcomes Methods: During an ‘intervention phase’ spread over six months, target diabetic patients (N=109) received structured education through WhatsApp as per the American Association of Diabetes Educators Self-Care Behaviors recommendations. The control group with an equal number of participants received ‘usual care’ provided by health professionals void of the social media intervention. Changes in HbA1c levels were recorded thrice (at baseline, 3 and 6 months) for the test group and twice (baseline and 6 months) for the control group. Change in HbA1c values were compared and statistical significance was defined at p<0.05. Baseline health literacy and diabetes numeracy were assessed for both groups (N=218) using the Literacy Assessment for Diabetes (LAD), and the Diabetes Numeracy Test (DNT), respectively, and values were correlated with HbA1c change p<0.05. Participants’ satisfaction with the intervention was also assessed. Results: The average age of respondents was 41.98 (SD 15.05) years, with a diabetes history of 10.2 (SD 8.5) years. At baseline, the average HbA1c in the control and test groups were 8.4 (SD 1.06) and 8.5 (SD 1.29), respectively. After six months, a significant drop in HbA1c value was noticed in intervention group (7.7; SD 1.35; p= 0.001); with no significance in the control group (8.4; SD 1.32; p=0.032, paired t-test). Moreover, the reduction in HbA1c was more in the test group (0.7%) than the control group (0.1%) with a difference of 0.6% which is considered clinically significant. There was no significant correlation between LAD score and HbA1c at baseline (r=-0.203, p=0.064), 3 months (r=-0.123, p=0.266) and 6 months (r=-0.106, p= 0.337) Pearson correlation. A similar result was observed with DNT, where DNT score and HbA1c at baseline, 3 months and 6 months showed no correlation (r=0.112, 0.959 and 0.886; respectively) with HbA1c levels. Eighty percent of the respondents found the social media intervention ‘beneficial’ and suggested it be used long term. Conclusions: Diabetes education via WhatsApp showed promising outcomes regardless of the level of patients’ health literacy or numeracy.

scholarly journals 45. The Impact of an Alert Tone on On-Scene Time in Trauma Patients

1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (S2) ◽  
pp. S42-S42
Author(s):  
Todd J. Le Duc ◽  
William E. Goellner ◽  
Nabil E. Sanadi
Keyword(s):  
Penetrating Trauma ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Alert Message ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Versus Test

Objective: Determine whether radio alerts to paramedics after 7 minutes of on-scene time reduces total on-scene time for trauma patients.Methods: Paramedics radio base once they determine ACS criteria were met. Paramedics were informed by radio when 7 minutes lapsed on-scene. Dispatch times were recorded.Results: The control group (Nov. 1-30, 1995) of 135 consecutive patients were reviewed without a radio alert. The test group (Dec. 1-31, 1995) of 103 consecutive patients, with a radio alert message 7 minutes after scene arrival were also reviewed. Groups were matched for extrication times, blunt versus penetrating trauma, age, etc. We analyzed both groups for the interval of time from announcement of “trauma alert,” (when paramedics determined the patient met ACS criteria or from the time extrication was complete (if applicable) to the time en route to the hospital. Average on-scene time for the control group was 13.7 minutes [range 4-35] versus test group 9.3 minutes [range 2-26] (p <0.001).

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