Cervical length at 31–34 weeks of gestation: transvaginal vs. transperineal ultrasonographic approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (8) ◽  
pp. 817-821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioannis Tsakiridis ◽  
Themistoklis Dagklis ◽  
Apostolos Mamopoulos ◽  
Angeliki Gerede ◽  
Apostolos Athanasiadis

Abstract Objectives To investigate the correlation between transperineal (TP) and transvaginal (TV) ultrasonography in the measurement of cervical length (CL) in the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods In this prospective study, CL measurements were conducted in women between 31 and 34 weeks of gestation by both the TP and TV approaches. A comparison of the measurements was made between the two techniques. The Pearson correlation coefficient, the paired samples t-test and Bland-Altman plot were used. Results In total, 240 women participated in the study. The CL was successfully measured transvaginally in all cases and transperineally in 229 (95.4%) of the cases. The mean TV CL was 32.8 ± 8.2 mm and the mean TP CL was 32.5 ± 8.1 mm. In the 229 cases with paired measurements, the Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.964. No significant differences in mean CL were identified between the two methods (t = 1.805; P = 0.072). In the Bland-Altman plot, the difference between the paired means was 0.26 mm and the 95% tolerance interval for any given paired observation (TV CL–TP CL) was −4.05 to 4.57 mm. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that at 31–34 weeks of gestation the cervix can be visualized adequately by both the TV and TP sonography in about 95% of cases. The TP CL measurements demonstrate a close correlation with the TV measurements. TP ultrasound is a feasible alternative, especially in cases where the use of the vaginal transducer should be minimized or is not acceptable by women.

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fereidoun Jahangir ◽  
Esmaeil Kavi ◽  
Behnam Masmouei ◽  
Mohammad-Rafi Bazrafshan ◽  
Hamed Delam ◽  
...  

Background: Diabetes is a global epidemic with serious complication and there is a clear need for paying special attention to self-management as the cornerstone to optimal control of the disease. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the self-management status and its correlation to disease control indicators in people with diabetes. Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 220 patients were selected from the list of the referred patients available in Lamerd public health network from December 2014 to June 2015. In the first step, data about demographic information and disease control were collected from the patients’ records. In the second step, the self-management status of each patient was assessed by the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire developed by Schmitt et al. To analyze the data, independent sample t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used. Results: The mean age of the male and female participants was 56.43 ± 13.50 and 56.46 ± 10.49 years old, respectively. The mean duration of the disease was 6.67 ± 4.72 years for men and 7.07 ± 5.30 years for women. Twenty-one (25.9%) men and 60 (43.7%) women had a history of smoking. The results of the Pearson correlation coefficient showed that there was an inverse and statistically significant relationship between diabetes self-management status and weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, glucose tolerance test (GTT), LDL, and cholesterol. The results of the t-test did not show significant differences between the level of HbA1C (HbA1C7) and self-management scores of the patients (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Patients with better self-management status were in a better disease control condition with respect to weight, BMI, waist circumference, GTT, LDL, and cholesterol levels. Special attention to the control and management of LDL, cholesterol, HbA1C, BMI, and blood pressure levels is recommended in planning for these patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 310-315
Author(s):  
Georgiy G. Polevoy ◽  
Irina V. Strelnikowa

Background and Study Aim. To identify informative tests for complex control of coordination and speed-power abilities in fire-applied sports. Material and Methods. 38 experienced firefighter-athletes aged 15-17, who have been doing this sport for 5-6 years, took part in the research. The survey of Russian leading coaches allowed us to make up a bank of 20 tests. The Brave-Pearson correlation coefficient was used in the statistical processing of the results. The research results were processed using the Excel program. Results: Methods of controlling coordination and speed-power abilities with competitive result when overcoming a 100-meter obstacle course in fire-applied sports were experimentally substantiated. In accordance with the basic metrological requirements, close correlation relationship was found for 10 tests. Conclusion: Fire-applied sports is a complex technical type, to control the development of coordination and speed-power abilities it is necessary to rely not on one test, but on a bank of them. The identified informative tests can be recommended for complex monitoring of coordination and speed-power preparedness in fire-applied sports.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 223
Author(s):  
Mohammad Tariqul Islam ◽  
Khair M. Sobhan ◽  
Mahjabin Rahman Shawly ◽  
Shafiqur Saleheen ◽  
Mohammad Masum Emran ◽  
...  

<p class="Abstract">Vitamin B<sub>12</sub> levels in the serum of 58 epileptic patients receiving only carbamazepine for at least 6 months were measured. Same number of epilepsy patients with no history of taking antiepileptic medicine were taken as control. The mean level of vitamin B<sub>12</sub> in carbamazepine-treated epileptic patients was 265.5 pg/mL whereas it was 478.3 pg/mL in control. Increased duration of treatment of carbamazepine in epilepsy caused significantly decreased level of serum vitamin B<sub>12 </sub>(Pearson correlation coefficient, r = -0.9, p&lt;0.0001). In conclusion, serum vitamin B<sub>12</sub> level significantly decreased in relation to duration of carbamazepine treatment in epileptic patients.</p>


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. E3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Indira Devi Bhagavatula ◽  
Dhananjaya I. Bhat ◽  
Gopalakrishnan M. Sasidharan ◽  
Rakesh Kumar Mishra ◽  
Praful Suresh Maste ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE Respiratory abnormalities are well documented in acute spinal cord injury; however, the literature available for respiratory dysfunction in chronic compressive myelopathy (CCM) is limited. Respiratory dysfunction in CCM is often subtle and subclinical. The authors studied the pattern of respiratory dysfunction in patients with chronic cord compression by using spirometry, and the clinical and surgical implications of this dysfunction. In this study they also attempted to address the postoperative respiratory function in these patients. METHODS A prospective study was done in 30 patients in whom cervical CCM due to either cervical spondylosis or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) was diagnosed. Thirty age-matched healthy volunteers were recruited as controls. None of the patients included in the study had any symptoms or signs of respiratory dysfunction. After clinical and radiological diagnosis, all patients underwent pulmonary function tests (PFTs) performed using a standardized Spirometry Kit Micro before and after surgery. The data were analyzed using Statistical Software SPSS version 13.0. Comparison between the 2 groups was done using the Student t-test. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used for PFT results and Nurick classification scores. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (prolapsed intervertebral disc) was the predominant cause of compression (n = 21, 70%) followed by OPLL (n = 9, 30%). The average patient age was 45.06 years. Degenerative cervical spine disease has a relatively younger onset in the Indian population. The majority of the patients (n = 28, 93.3%) had compression at or above the C-5 level. Ten patients (33.3%) underwent an anterior approach and discectomy, 11 patients (36.7%) underwent decompressive laminectomy, and the remaining 9 underwent either corpectomy with fusion or laminoplasty. The mean preoperative forced vital capacity (FVC) (65%) of the patients was significantly lower than that of the controls (88%) (p < 0.001). The mean postoperative FVC (73.7%) in the patients showed significant improvement compared with the preoperative values (p = 0.003). The mean postoperative FVC was still significantly lower than the control value (p = 0.002). The mean preoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (72%) of the patients was significantly lower than that of the controls (96%) (p < 0.001). The mean postoperative FEV1 (75.3%) in the cases showed no significant improvement compared with the preoperative values (p = 0.212). The mean postoperative FEV1 was still significantly lower than the control value (p < 0.001). The mean postoperative FEV1/FVC was not significantly different from the control value (p = 0.204). The mean postoperative peak expiratory flow rate was significantly lower than the control value (p = 0.01). The mean postoperative maximal voluntary ventilation was still significantly lower than the control value (p < 0.001). On correlating the FVC and Nurick scores using the Pearson correlation coefficient, a negative correlation was found. CONCLUSIONS There is subclinical respiratory dysfunction and significant impairment of various lung capacities in patients with CCM. The FVC showed significant improvement postoperatively. Respiratory function needs to be evaluated and monitored to avoid potential respiratory complications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 1031-1039
Author(s):  
Young Rak Choi ◽  
Bom Soo Kim ◽  
Yu Mi Kim ◽  
Jae Yong Park ◽  
Jae Ho Cho ◽  
...  

Background: Internal fixation of an osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT) can restore the congruency of the talus and maintain the subchondral bone and innate hyaline cartilage. However, OLT that is indicated for fixation is rarely encountered; hence, not many studies report on the results after the procedure. Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes after internal fixation of chronic OLT involving a large bone fragment of at least 10 mm in diameter and 3 mm in depth on computed tomography (CT). Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 26 patients with OLT treated with internal fixation between August 2014 and April 2018. Of the patients, 15 were male and 11 were female, with a mean age of 16 years (range, 11-29 years). The primary radiological outcome measurement was bone union assessed on the 6-month postoperative CT scan. Clinical outcomes were assessed at a mean of 27.7 months postoperatively. Results: Twenty patients (77%) achieved bone union on postoperative CT scan. The mean 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) improved from 30.5 ± 8.5 preoperatively to 13.4 ± 9.7 postoperatively ( P < .001). The mean Foot Function Index (FFI) improved from 30.5 ± 6.7 preoperatively to 13.7 ± 9.8 postoperatively ( P < .001). A malleolar osteotomy was not necessary to approach the lesion in 88% of patients. A bone fragment with an irregular margin and low density on the preoperative CT scan was significantly associated with nonunion (odds ratio: 7.67, 95% confidence interval: 2.67 to 22.02, P = .008). The difference in clinical outcomes between patients with skeletally immature ankles and those with skeletally mature ankles was not statistically significant. Patient age did not correlate with postoperative 100-mm VAS (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = −0.07, P = 0.72) or the postoperative FFI (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = –0.05, P = .80). Conclusion: Internal fixation of an OLT involving a large bone fragment resulted in satisfactory clinical and radiologic outcomes. We found that patients with skeletally immature and mature ankles attained healing at comparable rates after the internal fixation of OLT.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanyuan Peng ◽  
Xinjian Chen ◽  
Yibiao Rong ◽  
Chi Pui Pang ◽  
Xinjian Chen ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Advanced prediction of the daily incidence of COVID-19 can aid policy making on the prevention of disease spread, which can profoundly affect people's livelihood. In previous studies, predictions were investigated for single or several countries and territories. OBJECTIVE We aimed to develop models that can be applied for real-time prediction of COVID-19 activity in all individual countries and territories worldwide. METHODS Data of the previous daily incidence and infoveillance data (search volume data via Google Trends) from 215 individual countries and territories were collected. A random forest regression algorithm was used to train models to predict the daily new confirmed cases 7 days ahead. Several methods were used to optimize the models, including clustering the countries and territories, selecting features according to the importance scores, performing multiple-step forecasting, and upgrading the models at regular intervals. The performance of the models was assessed using the mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), Pearson correlation coefficient, and Spearman correlation coefficient. RESULTS Our models can accurately predict the daily new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in most countries and territories. Of the 215 countries and territories under study, 198 (92.1%) had MAEs &lt;10 and 187 (87.0%) had Pearson correlation coefficients &gt;0.8. For the 215 countries and territories, the mean MAE was 5.42 (range 0.26-15.32), the mean RMSE was 9.27 (range 1.81-24.40), the mean Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.89 (range 0.08-0.99), and the mean Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.84 (range 0.2-1.00). CONCLUSIONS By integrating previous incidence and Google Trends data, our machine learning algorithm was able to predict the incidence of COVID-19 in most individual countries and territories accurately 7 days ahead.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 240-250
Author(s):  
Mahdi Amraei ◽  
Mahdi Rezheh ◽  
Mahshid Salari Hamzekhani ◽  
Farzad Faraji-Khiavi

Background and Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between creativity and entrepreneurial skills in health system managers of the educational hospitals. Material and Methods This research is descriptive-analytical and applied in terms of purpose. The study population includes the managers of teaching hospitals in Ahvaz, south west Iran. The data was collected by census method from 110 senior and middle managers by validated questionnaire. Data were analyzed using absolute and relative frequency, mean, standard deviation, independent samples t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise linear regression in SPSS software version 22. Results The mean score of creativity for managers was 44.74 7.91. 64.6% of the managers were highly creative and 35.4% of them were considered relatively creative. The average score of entrepreneurial skills of managers was 3 0.67 and was estimated to be appropriate. The correlation between creativity and entrepreneurial skills was 0.645, which showed a positive and strong relationship between these two variables (P <0.001). Simple linear regression showed that managerial skills among entrepreneurial skills determine 44.4% of creativity (P <0.001). Conclusion It is suggested to strengthen the level of managerial skills among managers by training courses Extended Abstract Background and Objectives Since creativity is assumed to be the mainstay of the spirit of entrepreneurship, thereforeit is necessary due measures be taken to establish the degree of creativity of health managers if one is to have any reasonable hope of developing enterepreueship in healthcare organizations. One way to do so might be to assess health managers’ creativity and determine if there is a correlation between their creativity and entrepreurship. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between creativity and entrepreneurship skills among managers of educational hospitals in Ahvaz. Material and Methods This research was descriptive-analytical and applied in terms of purpose. The present research population consisted of managers of educational hospitals in Ahvaz city and data were collected by census method from 110 senior (management, metrons, educational assistants of hospitals) and mid-level (Supervisors, Head Nurses, Service Officers, Heads of Finance and Administration, Laboratory and Radiology Officers) managers through a questionnaire. In this study, two questionnaires were used: the Creativity Questionnaire, developed by Dorabjee et al., and the Smith Entrepreneurship Skills Questionnaire. The former consists of 12 five-point Likert scale items indicating the extent of the organization's support for creativity while the latter consists of 16 questions summarized in four components with each component having four questions. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed in accordance with professors’ and experts’ opinions. The reliability of the questionnaires was estimated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, which was 0.83 and 0.88 for for creativity questionnaire and entrepreneurial skills questionnaire, respectively. Data were analyzed using absolute and relative frequency, mean, standard deviation, independent samples t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise linear regression in SPSS software version 22. Results The mean score of creativity for managers was 44.74±7.91. 64.6% of managers were found to be very creative and 35.4% were relatively creative. The mean score of managers' entrepreneurship skills was 3±0.67 which was considered at an appropriate level. Pearson correlation coefficient was estimated -0.27 (P=0.017) between age and creativity and-0.31 (P=0.04) between work experience and creativity indicating a small size and negative correlation between the former variables and a moderate and negative correlation between the latter ones. Likewise, Pearson correlation coefficient between age and entrepreneurial skills was calculated -0.28 (P=0.01) pointing to a small size and negative correlation between these two variables. As for the correlation coefficient between work experience and entrepreneurial skills was -0.32 (P=0.005) showing that these two variables have a moderate negative correlation. However, creativity and entrepreneurial skills were found to be positively and strongly correlated (r= 0.645, P<0.001). Simple linear regression showed that managerial skills among entrepreneurial skills come to determine 44.4% of creativity (P<0.001). Conclusion Managers of Ahvaz teaching hospitals were found to possess the required level of creativity and entrepreneurial skills as measured by the research tools in the present study with the creativity component showing a strong correlation with entrepreneurial skills. Management skills might be the most important indicators of creativity among hospital managers, it is suggested the barriers to creativity in the organization be removed, a financial system be formulated to encourage entrepreneurs, support creativity and innovation in the organization by formulating the necessary policies and guidelines, as well as holding classes and training courses to strengthen management skills among managers. Also, given the negative correlation between age/work experience on the one hand, and creativy/entrepreneurial skills on the other, it seems reasonable that due measures had best be taken to pave the way for the younger generation taking on managerial responsibilities. Practical implications of research The findings of the present study seem to point toa strong and significant relationship between creativity and entrepreneurial skills. Therefore, appropriate training programs should be designed and implemented to increase the creativity of hospital managers. Also, due to the high level of creativity and entrepreneurial skills of the managers of educational hospitals in Ahvaz, the trustees should take action to provide the best possible conditions for benefiting from this capacity. Ethical considerations Observance of ethical instructions: This study is based on the protocols of the ethics committee in the research of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences with the code of ethics number IR.AJUMS.REC.1399.269 and also the study was conducted with the consent of the statistical population of the study. Conflict of interest The authors state that there is no conflict of interest in the present study. Aknowledgment This research has been done with the financial support of the Student Research Committee of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences with the number 99S27. The authors are grateful to all the directors who participated in this study.


2005 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
pp. 998-1003 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. T. L. Lillegaard ◽  
L. F. Andersen

The objective of the present study was to compare energy intake (EI) assessed from a pre-coded food diary (PFD) with energy expenditure (EE) measured by a validated position-and-movement monitor (ActiReg®; PreMed AS, Oslo, Norway) in a group of Norwegian 9-year-olds. Moreover, we examined whether and how under-reporters (UR), identified with ActiReg®, differed from acceptable reporters (AR) according to food intake and BMI. A total of fifty-one 9-year-olds completed PFD and ActiReg®. The present study showed that on average EI was underestimated by 18 % compared with EE measured by ActiReg®. The 95 % confidence limits of agreement in a Bland–Altman plot for EI and EE varied from 1·97 MJ to −4·23 MJ (sd 2) among the girls and from 0·74 MJ to −5·26 MJ (sd 2) among the boys. The Pearson correlation coefficient between EI and EE was 0·28 (P=0·05) for males and females combined. Fifty-seven per cent of the participants were classified as AR, 39 % as UR and 4 % as over-reporters with the PFD. Under-reporting of energy remains a problem with the PFD method used in a group of 9-year-olds, especially among boys. However, UR and AR did not show a systematic misreporting related to macronutrients, unhealthy foods or BMI.


Author(s):  
Nicola Troisi ◽  
Stefano Michelagnoli ◽  
Simone Panci ◽  
Sara Bacchi ◽  
Daniela Incerti ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the association between 2-dimensional (2D) perfusion angiography and wound healing rate in patients with combined femoro-popliteal and below-the-knee lesions in critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) and foot wounds undergoing isolated femoro-popliteal endovascular revascularization. Between January and June 2019, 24 patients with multilevel CLTI and foot wounds underwent isolated femoro-popliteal endovascular revascularization. In all of them, an assessment of foot perfusion by 2D perfusion angiography was performed. To evaluate the foot perfusion, a region of interest was identified, and time–density curves were calculated. Changes of the overall time–density curves were evaluated together with transcutaneous oximetry (TcPO2) using bivariate correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient) and associated with 6-month wound healing. The mean increase of time–density curves was 212.2% (range from +9.8% to +1984.9%) and the mean increase of TcPO2 was 116.4% (range from −4.7% to 485.7%). No significant association between time–density curves and TcPO2 values (Pearson correlation coefficient: −0.24) was observed ( P = .3). At 6 months, wound healing occurred in 15 of 24 (62.5%) patients. In conclusion, this preliminary experience confirmed that 2D perfusion angiography associates with wound healing rate in CLTI patients with ischemic foot wounds and combined femoro-popliteal and below-the-knee lesions who are undergoing isolated femoro-popliteal endovascular revascularization. No association between time–density curves and TcPO2 values was observed.


Author(s):  
Richa Rathoria ◽  
Ekansh Rathoria

Background: Anemia during pregnancy is linked to major maternal and fetal problems. The aim of the study was to find any correlation between maternal anemia and neonatal cord blood haemoglobin (Hb) levels.Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in the department of pediatrics and department of obstetrics and gynaecology at the Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Barabanki over 9 months from January 2021 to September 2021. A total of 308 pregnant females more than 34 weeks of gestation who delivered participated in the study and cord blood hemoglobin of their new-born was collected. The mean maternal hemoglobin and mean cord blood hemoglobin were compared using the Pearson correlation coefficient in different groups i.e., non-anemic, anemic, mild, moderate, and severe anemic groups.  Results: Out of 308 pregnant women, 198 (64.3%) were anemic, and 110 (35.7%) were nonanemic. The mean maternal hemoglobin among non-anemic mothers and anemic mothers was 11.91 (0.70) and 9.14 (1.56) respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient of non-anemic, anemic, mild, moderate, and severe anemic groups were 0.6985, 0.8453, 0.7772, 0.6321, and 0.7226 respectively with a statistically significant p value<0.05 showing a positive correlation between maternal hemoglobin and cord hemoglobin.Conclusions: From this study, we concluded that maternal anemia affects neonatal cord blood hemoglobin. According to the findings, anemic women deliver new-born with lower hemoglobin levels than non-anemic mothers. The findings revealed a linear correlation between maternal hemoglobin and cord blood hemoglobin of their new-born. 


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