Preliminary study on the difference of fingertip skin deformation between radial and ulnar side

Objectives: There are no regulations governing the practice of acupuncture in Lebanon as it is not yet registered as a profession. To our knowledge, no studies have ever been conducted in Lebanon regarding the practice of acupuncture. The purpose of this preliminary study was to explore the knowledge of Lebanese physicians about acupuncture, with the intent of conducting larger scale studies and developing strategies aimed at refining this knowledge in the future, and the ultimate goal of setting guidelines for acupuncture practice in Lebanon. Methods: An online survey looking into physicians’ knowledge of acupuncture, its mechanisms of action, effectiveness, indications and safety, and physicians’ understanding of its concepts, was circulated to 4651 physicians registered in the Lebanese orders of physicians. Results: One hundred forty-nine physicians (3.2%) completed the survey. Most study respondents stated that they were unaware of the difference between traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA) and Western medical acupuncture (WMA). Overall, 30% of respondents had personally used and/or referred patients for acupuncture. Physicians who had personally tried acupuncture were more likely to refer patients for acupuncture (p < 0.001). Those who know the difference between WMA and TCA were more likely to have tried or referred for acupuncture (p = 0.004). 72% believed that acupuncture and other integrative medicine modules should be introduced in medical curricula in Lebanon. Conclusion: Interest in acupuncture among physicians in Lebanon appears to be limited, based on the low response rate. Among respondents, physicians who had tried or referred patients for acupuncture appeared to be more well informed about different acupuncture styles.

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Wideband Absorbance in Ears with Retraction Pockets and Cholesteatomas: A Preliminary Study

Journal of the American Academy of Audiology ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1719130 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sreedevi Aithal ◽

Venkatesh Aithal ◽

Joseph Kei ◽

Shane Anderson

Keyword(s):

Prospective Study ◽

Roc Curve ◽

Operating Characteristic ◽

Peak Pressure ◽

Clinical Sample ◽

Ambient Pressure ◽

Control Group ◽

Retraction Pockets ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

The Difference

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to describe wideband absorbance (WBA) findings in patients with cholesteatomas and retraction pockets (RPs). Design In this prospective study, tympanometry, audiometry, and wideband tympanometry (WBT) were performed on 27 ears with an RP (eight with epitympanic RP and 19 ears with mesotympanic RP), 39 ears with a cholesteatoma (23 ears with epitympanic and 16 ears with mesotympanic cholesteatomas [MCs]), and 49 healthy ears serving as controls. Results Mean WBA at ambient pressure (WBAamb) of both experimental groups was reduced significantly between 0.8 and 5 kHz relative to the control group. The difference between mean WBAamb and mean WBA at tympanometric peak pressure (WBATPP) was greater for the RP (0.12–0.16 between 0.5 and 1.5 kHz) than for the cholesteatoma group (0.03–0.11 between 0.6 and 3 kHz). Mean WBAamb of both epitympanic RP (ERP) and epitympanic cholesteatoma (EC) subgroups was significantly lower than that of the control group. Mean WBATPP of the ERP subgroup attained normal levels as per the control group, while mean WBATPP of EC subgroup was significantly lower than that of the control group at 0.8 to 1.5 kHz and 4 to 5 kHz. In contrast, both mesotympanic RP and MC subgroups demonstrated similar mean WBAamb and WBATPP values. No significant differences in WBAamb and WBATPP results between the RP and cholesteatomas groups were observed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses indicated that the area under the ROC curve for distinguishing between the RP and cholesteatomas groups ranged from 0.44 to 0.60, indicating low accuracy in separating the two groups. Conclusion While it is not possible to distinguish between the RP and cholesteatomas groups based on the WBAamb and WBATPP results, it is potentially feasible to differentiate between the EC and ERP conditions. Further study using a large clinical sample is recommended to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the WBA test to identify the EC and ERP conditions.

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Validation of cerebral arteriovenous malformation hemodynamics assessed by DSA using quantitative magnetic resonance angiography: preliminary study

Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery ◽

10.1136/neurintsurg-2017-012991 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 156-161 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Sophia F Shakur ◽

Denise Brunozzi ◽

Ahmed E Hussein ◽

Andreas Linninger ◽

Chih-Yang Hsu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance Angiography ◽

Transit Time ◽

Internal Carotid ◽

Flow Measurements ◽

Quantitative Magnetic Resonance ◽

Transit Times ◽

Before And After ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

The Difference

BackgroundThe hemodynamic evaluation of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) using DSA has not been validated against true flow measurements.ObjectiveTo validate AVM hemodynamics assessed by DSA using quantitative magnetic resonance angiography (QMRA).Materials and methodsPatients seen at our institution between 2007 and 2016 with a supratentorial AVM and DSA and QMRA obtained before any treatment were retrospectively reviewed. DSA assessment of AVM flow comprised AVM arterial-to-venous time (A-Vt) and iFlow transit time. A-Vt was defined as the difference between peak contrast intensity in the cavernous internal carotid artery and peak contrast intensity in the draining vein. iFlow transit times were determined using syngo iFlow software. A-Vt and iFlow transit times were correlated with total AVM flow measured using QMRA and AVM angioarchitectural and clinical features.Results33 patients (mean age 33 years) were included. Nine patients presented with hemorrhage. Mean AVM volume was 9.8 mL (range 0.3–57.7 mL). Both A-Vt (r=−0.47, p=0.01) and iFlow (r=−0.44, p=0.01) correlated significantly with total AVM flow. iFlow transit time was significantly shorter in patients who presented with seizure but A-Vt and iFlow did not vary with other AVM angioarchitectural features such as venous stenosis or hemorrhagic presentation.ConclusionsA-Vt and iFlow transit times on DSA correlate with cerebral AVM flow measured using QMRA. Thus, these parameters may be used to indirectly estimate AVM flow before and after embolization during angiography in real time.

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Effect of a static magnetic field onEscherichia coliadhesion and orientation

Canadian Journal of Microbiology ◽

10.1139/cjm-2015-0839 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 62 (11) ◽

pp. 944-952 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lotfi Mhamdi ◽

Nejib Mhamdi ◽

Naceur Mhamdi ◽

Philippe Lejeune ◽

Nicole Jaffrezic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Field ◽

Tin Oxide ◽

Indium Tin Oxide ◽

Bacterial Adhesion ◽

Parallel Magnetic Field ◽

Field Orientation ◽

Static Magnetic Fields ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

The Difference ◽

The Magnetic Field

This preliminary study focused on the effect of exposure to 0.5 T static magnetic fields on Escherichia coli adhesion and orientation. We investigated the difference in bacterial adhesion on the surface of glass and indium tin oxide-coated glass when exposed to a magnetic field either perpendicular or parallel to the adhesion surface (vectors of magnetic induction are perpendicular or parallel to the adhesion surface, respectively). Control cultures were simultaneously grown under identical conditions but without exposure to the magnetic field. We observed a decrease in cell adhesion after exposure to the magnetic field. Orientation of bacteria cells was affected after exposure to a parallel magnetic field. On the other hand, no effect on the orientation of bacteria cells was observed after exposure to a perpendicular magnetic field.

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A Preliminary Study of the Fixation Mechanism of Collagen Reaction with a Polyepoxy Fixative

The International Journal of Artificial Organs ◽

10.1177/039139889301600707 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 16 (7) ◽

pp. 537-544 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

R. Tu ◽

R.C. Quijano ◽

C.L. Lu ◽

S. Shen ◽

E. Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Amino Acids ◽

Amino Acid ◽

Great Promise ◽

Fixation Time ◽

Denaturation Temperature ◽

Amino Acid Analyzer ◽

Direct Indication ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

The Difference ◽

Fixation Reaction

A new biomaterial has been developed by fixing native collagens with a polyepoxy compound (PC) fixative. Prior studies have shown that this biomaterial has comparable properties as compared to collagen fixed with glutaraldehyde (GA) and thus has a great promise for use as an implantable bioprosthesis. The purpose of this study was to understand the mechanism of the amino acids-PC reactions in the fixation process. Bovine arteries were fixed with PC under various pH, concentration and temperature conditions as a function of fixation time. Individual amino acid components in the fresh and the fixed arteries were assayed using a Beckman amino acid analyzer to determine the degree of tanning. The denaturation temperature (Td) was also measured on each sample. Since the denaturation temperature is a direct indication of cross-linking of individual amino acids with the fixative, the difference in the degree of tanning for the same increase in Td may be indicative of the quantity of the masked, non-cross-linked amino acids. The fixation reaction data indicated that not all amino acids were cross-linked upon contacting the PC fixative. Masking appeared to be more substantial with a fixation at higher pH values.

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Aerobic Training Modulates the Effects of Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress on PON1 Activity: A Preliminary Study

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2014/230271 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Aneta Otocka-Kmiecik ◽

Marek Lewandowski ◽

Urszula Szkudlarek ◽

Dariusz Nowak ◽

Monika Orlowska-Majdak

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Aerobic Training ◽

Maximal Exercise ◽

Study Groups ◽

Pon1 Activity ◽

Physically Active ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

The Difference ◽

Exercise Induced ◽

Adaptation To Exercise

The aim of the study was to compare the effect of maximal exercise (ME) on paraoxonase (PON) and arylesterase (ARE) activity depending on lifestyle in respect to physical activity. The study was performed on 46 young men divided into two groups: sedentary (S) and physically active (PA). All participants performed ME on a treadmill. PON1 activities, FRAP, uric acid, bilirubin, TBARS, and lipid profile were determined in their blood before, at the bout of, and after ME. No significant differences in PON1 activities were found between S and PA subjects at baseline. Nearly all biochemicals increased at ME in both groups. Both PON and ARE activity increased at the bout of ME in PA subjects and only ARE activity in S subjects. ARE/HDL-C ratio increased at the bout of ME in PA and S subjects. The difference in PON1 activity response to ME between study groups may be a result of adaptation of PA subjects to regular physical activity. We suggest that PON1 activity may be a marker of antioxidant protection at ME and an indicator of adaptation to exercise.

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An Preliminary Study on Landscape Design of the Port of Huangshi City

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.584-586.611 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 584-586 ◽

pp. 611-616

Author(s):

Ou Xie ◽

Yuan Sheng Tu

Keyword(s):

Landscape Design ◽

Agricultural Products ◽

Infrastructure Development ◽

Water Transportation ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

The Difference ◽

Human And Nature

As the rendezvous and hinges of land and water transportation, port is the distributing center of industrial and agricultural products and imports and exports materials; it is an interactive connection point between inland and outside worlds, an interactive space between people and commodities; it is also an important area for promoting the connection between inland and the outside world. This article mainly explores the necessity of developing the landscape of the port of Huangshi, and discusses the difference between old and new landscape design of Huangshsi wharfs, to clarify the importance of integrated human and nature landscape. Port landscape is regarded as urban public landscape, which eventually promotes the infrastructure development of "Central Triangle" cities.

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A New Monitor to Measure Dermal Blood Flow in Critically Ill Patients: A Preliminary Study

ISRN Critical Care ◽

10.5402/2013/578316 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Jonathan Cohen ◽

Ilya Skoletsky ◽

Rina Chen ◽

Daniel Weiss ◽

Pierre Singer

Keyword(s):

Blood Flow ◽

Critically Ill ◽

Critically Ill Patients ◽

Anterior Chest Wall ◽

Stable States ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

The Difference ◽

Finger Plethysmography ◽

Dermal Blood Flow ◽

Better Than

Background. Conditions of reduced perfusion are characterized by redistribution of blood flow away from the skin to more vital organs. Objectives. To assess the efficacy of a noninvasive, dermal blood flow (DBF) monitor in detecting changes in perfusion in critically ill patients. Methods. Eleven adult, critically ill patients in a general ICU were studied. DBF, finger plethysmography, and invasive mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded over an 8-hour period. DBF was measured using the DermaFlow DBF monitor via a skin probe placed on the anterior chest wall. Sensitivity was evaluated by visual inspection during active states, either induced, for example, fluid administration, or spontaneous, for example, altered hemodynamics, while specificity was evaluated during stable states. Data are expressed in terms of standard deviation of the difference (SDD) between the MAP and each of the tested methods. Results. The DBF detected all true changes detected by MAP while plethysmography detected fewer of these events. Based on SDD, the specificity of the DBF was found to be better than that of plethysmography and close in value to the MAP. Conclusions. This preliminary study suggests that the DBF monitor may be a useful noninvasive method for detecting changes in perfusion in critically ill patients.

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The influence of mammaplasty on axillary lymphatic drainage patterns and sentinel lymph node detection: A 40-patient prospective study including the 20 first patients of the preliminary study.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2012.30.15_suppl.e21056 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e21056-e21056

Author(s):

Eric Gremillet ◽

Claude Soler ◽

Catherine Bouteille ◽

Aline Steiner ◽

Benjamin Geissler

Keyword(s):

Lymph Node ◽

Sentinel Lymph Node ◽

Prospective Study ◽

Lymphatic Drainage ◽

Average Value ◽

Drainage Patterns ◽

Before And After ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

The Difference ◽

The Impact

e21056 Background: In the field of sentinel lymph node (SLN) for patients with previously breast surgery, opinions are not definitive. On the first hand, the ASCO in 2005 recommended that SLN biopsy should not be performed in patients with previous mammaplasty or axillary surgery, but, on the other hand, the same panelists of the ASCO guideline suggested that a preliminary lymphoscintigraphy (LSG) could be done when considering a SLN biopsy in patients with previous mammaplasty, with the objective of verifying the integrity of axillary nodes. We started a prospective study in January 2009, to evaluate the location of sentinel lymph node (SLN) before and after mammaplasty. The preliminary results of the first 20 patients were presented in June 2010 (Chicago, ASCO), however it was to be necessary to have more patients to validate these encouraging results. The results of additional study is presented here. Methods: 40 patients who underwent mammaplasty were evaluated by LSG acquired with a SPECT-CT immediately after intradermal periareolar injections of 99mTc -labelled sulphur colloid at two time points: before mammaplasty (Pre-LSG) and between 40 to 60 days after mammaplasty (Post- LSG). Results: The localisation of hot SN was evaluated as in the first study, using the SPECT-CT images : - antero-posterior distance was estimated in centimeter from SLN region to dorsal vertebrae spine center. - SLN’s coronal position was compared to rib cage. The average value of 40 antero-posterior distance before and after surgery was 14.2 vs 14.4 centimeters, in the preliminary study it was 13.6 vs 13.8 centimeters, the difference keeps the same between 2 studies (2 millimeters). As in the first study, SN was in the same position in relation to grill rib. The binomial test did not show statistical difference in lymphatic drainage patterns between Pre-LSG and Post-LSG. Conclusions: after evaluating the impact of the previous mammaplasty surgery on the SLN position, we observed that surgery did not modify lymphatic mapping and thus that it may be possible to propose SLN biopsy even after mammaplasty. This study confirms the results of our preliminary study.

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