scholarly journals The Level of Conus Medullaris in 629 Healthy Japanese Individuals

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. 3182
Author(s):  
Hiroaki Nakashima ◽  
Keigo Ito ◽  
Yoshito Katayama ◽  
Mikito Tsushima ◽  
Kei Ando ◽  
...  

The conus medullaris typically terminates at the L1 level; however, variations in its level and the factors associated with the conus medullaris level are unclear. We investigated the level of conus medullaris on magnetic resonance imaging in healthy volunteers. In total, 629 healthy adult volunteers (≥50 individuals of each sex and in each decade of age from 20 to 70) were enrolled. The level of the conus medullaris was assessed based on the T2-weighted sagittal magnetic resonance images, and factors affecting its level were investigated employing multivariate regression analysis including the participants’ background and radiographical parameters. L1 was the most common conus medullaris level. Participant height was significantly shorter in the caudally placed conus medullaris (p = 0.013). With respect to the radiographical parameters, pelvic incidence (p = 0.003), and pelvic tilt (p = 0.03) were significantly smaller in participants with a caudally placed conus medullaris. Multiple regression analysis showed that the pelvic incidence (p < 0.0001) and height (p < 0.0001) were significant factors affecting the conus medullaris level. These results indicated that the length of the spinal cord varies little among individuals and that skeletal differences affect the level of the conus medullaris.

Author(s):  
Mee Sun Lee ◽  
Sujin Shin ◽  
Eunmin Hong

The secondary traumatic stress (STS) of nurses caring for COVID-19 patients is expected to be high, and it can adversely affect patient care. The purpose of this study was to examine the degree of STS of nurses caring for COVID-19 patients, and we identified various factors that influence STS. This study followed a descriptive design. The data of 136 nurses who had provided direct care to COVID-19 patients from 5 September to 26 September 2020 were collected online. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors influencing STS. Participants experienced moderate levels of STS. The regression model of Model 1 was statistically significant (F = 6.21, p < 0.001), and the significant factors influencing STS were the duration of care for patients with COVID-19 for more than 30 days (β = 0.28, p < 0.001) and working in an undesignated COVID-19 hospital (β = 0.21, p = 0.038). In Model 2, the factor influencing STS was the support of a friend in the category of social support (β = −0.21, p = 0.039). The nurses caring for COVID-19 patients are experiencing a persistent and moderate level of STS. This study can be used as basic data to treat and prevent STS.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-54
Author(s):  
Thyago Guirelle Silva ◽  
Rodrigo Augusto do Amaral ◽  
Raphael Rezende Pratali ◽  
Luiz Pimenta

ABSTRACT Objective: To verify the effectiveness of indirect decompression after lateral access fusion in patients with high pelvic incidence. Methods: A retrospective, non-comparative, non-randomized analysis of 22 patients with high pelvic incidence who underwent lateral access fusion, 11 of whom were male and 11 female, with a mean age of 63 years (52-74), was conducted. Magnetic resonance exams were performed within one year after surgery. The cross-sectional area of the thecal sac, anterior and posterior disc heights, and bilateral foramen heights, measured pre- and postoperatively in axial and sagittal magnetic resonance images, were analyzed. The sagittal alignment parameters were measured using simple radiographs. The clinical results were evaluated using the ODI and VAS (back and lower limbs) questionnaires. Results: In all cases, the technique was performed successfully without neural complications. The mean cross-sectional area increased from 126.5 mm preoperatively to 174.3 mm postoperatively. The mean anterior disc height increased from 9.4 mm preoperatively to 12.8 mm postoperatively, while the posterior disc height increased from 6.3 mm preoperatively to 8.1 mm postoperatively. The mean height of the right foramen increased from 157.3 mm in the preoperative period to 171.2 mm in the postoperative period and that of the left foramen increased from 139.3 mm in the preoperative to 158.9 mm in the postoperative. Conclusions: This technique is capable of correcting misalignment in spinal deformity, achieving fusion and promoting the decompression of neural elements. Level of evidence III; Retrospective study.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Ha Hong Nguyen ◽  
Trung Thanh Nguyen

Studying the factors affecting the income of Vietnamese peasants: A case in Tra Vinh province, by data collection method of 170 peasants’ households in 4 districts: Cau Ngang, Cang Long, Chau Thanh and Tieu Can in Tra Vinh province, Vietnam. The authors use multivariate regression analysis method. The study has found the factors such as gender of households’s heads, ages of households’ heads, education levels, the number of family members, dependency rates, application of technical advances, production areas affecting the income of peasants in these areas. Since then, the study has implied a policy to improve the income of peasants. For example, it could be very important for us to focus on training science and technology in agriculture, diversify crops and livestock in agriculture, improve techniques and enhance education levels to increase income for peasants in Tra Vinh province in the future.


2002 ◽  
Vol 47 (01) ◽  
pp. 65-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
KWABENA A. ANAMAN ◽  
ROSE AMINAH ISMAIL

We analysed the factors influencing the level of cross-border tourism from Brunei Darussalam to Eastern Malaysia based on a random survey of 675 Bruneian residents returning from land and sea trips to Eastern Malaysia and using simple statistical and multiple regression analysis. The results revealed that the age of the respondents, personal income, perceived quality of Eastern Malaysia as a better place to rest and relax, perceived quality of goods and services in Eastern Malaysia, use of alcohol by respondents and having family members and friends living in Eastern Malaysia were significant factors affecting the number of visits to Eastern Malaysia. This analysis was based on visits over the 12-month period prior to the survey, a period of relative price stability. Regression analysis of personal expenditures on goods and services of respondents during their most recently completed trip indicated that personal income, travelling with friends, number of days spent on the trip, perception of Eastern Malaysia as a better place to rest and relax and use of public transport were the significant factors affecting expenditures. We estimated that Bruneian residents spent about B$426 million a year on goods and services while visiting Eastern Malaysia, and this amount accounted for roughly 5.7% of Brunei's gross domestic product (GDP) in the year 2000.


Author(s):  
Le Van Phuc ◽  
Nguyen Hoang Ngoc Linh

<p><strong>Abstract:</strong> The purpose of this study is to examine the factors affecting the motivation of civil servants at the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue province. Based on data collected from 181 officers at the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue Province,  researchers processed all data by SPSS with some techniques such as: descriptive statistics, Cronbach's Alpha, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Multivariate Regression Analysis... The research results show that there are 6 factors affecting the motivation of officers at the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue province, including: (i) Working conditions; (ii) Nature of work; (iii) Career development opportunities; (iv) Income and benefits; (v) Relationship with leaders and (vi) Relationships with colleagues. Based on the research results, a number of solutions have been proposed to improve the work motivation in the People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue.</p><p><strong>Keywords: </strong>work motivation, civil servants, Thua Thien Hue Provincial People's Committee</p>


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-44
Author(s):  
Maryam Abd Rashid ◽  
Hairunnizam Wahid ◽  
Sanep Ahmad

Abstract Service quality is an important element in assessing the ability of institutions to meet its goals. The objective of this paper is to examine the factors that probably affect the quality of service for zakat institution, especially in Sepang using the SERVQUAL model which has five factors; reliability, react, assurance, empathy and tangible. A total of 103 respondents from Muslim entrepreneurs have participated in this study. This study uses several approaches, including exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and logistic regression analysis. Findings indicate that empathy and tangible are significant factors affecting the quality of service LZS in model studied. Several implications have been discussed in this study. Keywords : LZS’s service quality, Muslim entrepreneurs, SERVQUAL Abstrak Kualiti perkhidmatan adalah satu elemen penting dalam menilai keupayaan institusi untuk memenuhi matlamatnya. Objektif kertas ini adalah untuk melihat faktor yang dijangka mempengaruhi kualiti perkhidmatan institusi zakat khususnya di daerah Sepang dengan menggunakan model SERVQUAL yang mempunyai lima faktor iaitu kebolehpercayaan, bertindak balas, jaminan, empati dan kewujudan. Sejumlah 103 responden yang terdiri daripada usahawan muslim telah mengambil bahagian dalam kajian ini.  Kajian ini menggunakan beberapa ujian termasuklah analisis tinjauan faktor (EFA) dan analisis regresi logistik. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan faktor empati dan kewujudan adalah signifikan dan mempengaruhi kualiti perkhidmatan LZS dalam model yang dikaji. Beberapa implikasi kajian turut dibincangkan dalam kajian ini. Kata kunci : kualiti perkhidmatan LZS, usahawan muslim, SERVQUAL


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Nur Syafiqah Jamil ◽  
Thuraiya Mohd ◽  
Suraya Masrom

The green building (GB) can be defined as the method of increasing the efficiency of the building and site. However, the spillover effect of GB price in Malaysia has not widely been discovered as there are limited case studies on this issue. This paper attempts to determine the significant factors that influence the GB price. The empirical experiment has been conducted to test the Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) model on a real dataset of house prices in the area of Klang Valley, Selangor with GB specifications. The result showed that factors related to tenure have significant contributions to the GB price


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 1750-1783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivekanand Venkataraman ◽  
Syed Usmanulla ◽  
Appaiah Sonnappa ◽  
Pratiksha Sadashiv ◽  
Suhaib Soofi Mohammed ◽  
...  

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify significant factors of environmental variables and pollutants that have an effect on PM2.5 through wavelet and regression analysis. Design/methodology/approach In order to provide stable data set for regression analysis, multiresolution analysis using wavelets is conducted. For the sampled data, multicollinearity among the independent variables is removed by using principal component analysis and multiple linear regression analysis is conducted using PM2.5 as a dependent variable. Findings It is found that few pollutants such as NO2, NOx, SO2, benzene and environmental factors such as ambient temperature, solar radiation and wind direction affect PM2.5. The regression model developed has high R2 value of 91.9 percent, and the residues are stationary and not correlated indicating a sound model. Research limitations/implications The research provides a framework for extracting stationary data and other important features such as change points in mean and variance, using the sample data for regression analysis. The work needs to be extended across all areas in India and for various other stationary data sets there can be different factors affecting PM2.5. Practical implications Control measures such as control charts can be implemented for significant factors. Social implications Rules and regulations can be made more stringent on the factors. Originality/value The originality of this paper lies in the integration of wavelets with regression analysis for air pollution data.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 847-855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyo Sub Jun ◽  
Ji Hee Kim ◽  
Jun Hyong Ahn ◽  
In Bok Chang ◽  
Joon Ho Song ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND: The majority of earlier studies of the parameters of sagittal balance did not consider the influence of spinal muscles on spinal sagittal alignment. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between the paraspinal muscle (quantity and quality) and sagittal alignment in elderly patients. METHODS: We reviewed 50 full-spine lateral standing radiographs and lumbar magnetic resonance images of elderly patients at a single center. The radiographic parameters examined were thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis (LL), sagittal vertical axis, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, and pelvic incidence (PI). The lumbar muscularity (LM; quantity) and fatty degeneration ratio (FD; quality) in the paraspinal muscle were measured at the L3 level on magnetic resonance images. The relationships between the parameters, LM, and FD were analyzed with the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Pearson analysis demonstrated that the FD had significant correlations with age (r = 0.393), thoracic kyphosis (r = −0.559), pelvic tilt (r = 0.430), sagittal vertical axis (r = 0.488), and PI − LL (r = 0.479, P &lt; .05), and a close negative correlation was found between the FD and LL (r = −0.505, P &lt; .01). The LM had significant correlations with the LL (r = 0.342) and PI − LL (r = −0.283, P &lt; .05). Regression models that controlled for confounding factors such as body mass index confirmed the correlations between the above parameters and FD (P &lt; .05). CONCLUSION: The quality of the paraspinal muscle could be one of the various factors that influence sagittal balance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liping Si ◽  
Kai Xuan ◽  
Jingyu Zhong ◽  
Jiayu Huo ◽  
Yue Xing ◽  
...  

Background: It was difficult to distinguish the cartilage thinning of an entire knee joint and to track the evolution of cartilage morphology alongside ages in the general population, which was of great significance for studying osteoarthritis until big imaging data and artificial intelligence are fused. The purposes of our study are (1) to explore the cartilage thickness in anatomical regions of the knee joint among a large collection of healthy knees, and (2) to investigate the relationship between the thinning pattern of the cartilages and the increasing ages.Methods: In this retrospective study, 2,481 healthy knees (subjects ranging from 15 to 64 years old, mean age: 35 ± 10 years) were recruited. With magnetic resonance images of knees acquired on a 3-T superconducting scanner, we automatically and precisely segmented the cartilage via deep learning and calculated the cartilage thickness in 14 anatomical regions. The thickness readings were compared using ANOVA by considering the factors of age, sex, and side. We further tracked the relationship between the thinning pattern of the cartilage thickness and the increasing ages by regression analysis.Results: The cartilage thickness was always thicker in the femur than corresponding regions in the tibia (p &lt; 0.05). Regression analysis suggested cartilage thinning alongside ages in all regions (p &lt; 0.05) except for medial and lateral anterior tibia in both females and males (p &gt; 0.05). The thinning speed of men was faster than women in medial anterior and lateral anterior femur, yet slower in the medial patella (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: We established the calculation method of cartilage thickness using big data and deep learning. We demonstrated that cartilage thickness differed across individual regions in the knee joint. Cartilage thinning alongside ages was identified, and the thinning pattern was consistent in the tibia while inconsistent in patellar and femoral between sexes. These findings provide a potential reference to detect cartilage anomaly.


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