Factors Affecting Dietary Improvements in Elderly Residents of Long-Term Care Institutions Receiving Domiciliary Dental Care

Background: Oral disabilities occur due to tooth loss. This study aimed to investigate oral and systemic factors related to diet in elderly residents receiving domiciliary dental care. Methods: The subjects were 74 consenting residents. Survey items included whether subjects could eat independently and diet type. Subjects were examined by the dentist for the number of teeth, occlusal support index, and wearing dentures. Contingency table analysis was performed to determine what levels of decline in general and oral functions led to difficulties eating a normal diet. Results: There was a significant difference in the mean number of activities of daily living (ADL) requiring assistance evident between subjects eating a normal diet and those eating fluid boiled rice (p < 0.01). A comparison of occlusal support and diet type showed that most subjects who ate a soft diet or gruel had no occlusal support. Almost all subjects who ate a normal diet wore dentures. However, only 38% of subjects eating a soft diet and 40% of those eating gruel did wear dentures; both group differences were significant (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Future studies need to further investigate oral factors related to the type of diet and their relationships to domiciliary dental care in older adults.

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The Impact of Diet Type on Weight Loss in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

American Journal of Alzheimer s Disease & Other Dementias® ◽

10.1177/15333175211044883 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 ◽

pp. 153331752110448

Author(s):

Tomiyo Nakamura

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Weight Loss ◽

Nutritional Assessment ◽

Mini Nutritional Assessment ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Term Care ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Impact ◽

Diet Type

Objectives: To compare differences in weight loss in patients with Alzheimer’s disease on normal, diabetic, or texture-modified diets. Methods: This prospective interventional study examined the data of patients with Alzheimer’s disease who were admitted to a long-term care hospital in Japan from February to April 2013. Dietary elements and weight loss over a 3-month period were examined. Results: Of the 75 patients examined, 6 were on a normal diet, 10 were on a diabetic diet, and 59 were on a texture-modified diet. Weight loss was significantly associated with body weight, Mini Nutritional Assessment®, and diet type. In the non-malnourished patients, there was a significant difference between the three types of diets in terms of eating rate and weight loss. Conclusion: Diet type was independently associated with weight loss in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Research using larger sample sizes is necessary to eliminate the differences between these diet types.

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Factor analysis of economic efficiency of the oil and gas industry in Russia

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202016409028 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 164 ◽

pp. 09028

Author(s):

Irina Filimonova ◽

Anna Komarova ◽

Anastasia Chebotareva

Keyword(s):

Development Strategy ◽

Oil And Gas ◽

Oil And Gas Industry ◽

Gas Industry ◽

Return On Equity ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Comparison Of The Results ◽

Almost All ◽

Positive Effect

The article presents an analysis of performance indicators of companies in the oil and gas industry of Russia in 2013-2018. The aim of the study is to decompose the factors of change in the return on equity (ROE) of Russian oil and gas companies. The authors used the Dupont method to identify the main factors affecting ROE. After decomposing the ROE into factors, the authors evaluated their impact using the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI-1). As a result of the study, it was found that in most companies the greatest impact on the change in ROE has a return on sales, primarily as a result of revenue growth due to favorable oil prices and positive exchange rate differences. Simultaneously, sales profitability has a positive effect on the index of almost all companies in the industry. Asset turnover also had only a positive effect on ROE. However, a comparison of the results for 2017 and 2018 showed a significant difference in performance for many companies. Thus, we can conclude that the effect of a certain factor on the profitability of sales largely depends on the development strategy of the company for the coming year, the economic and political situation.

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The Feasibility of Ultrasonographic Diaphragmatic Excursion in Healthy Dogs: Effect of Positioning, Diaphragmatic Location, and Body Weight of Dogs

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2021.763556 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Phasamon Saisawart ◽

Somchin Sutthigran ◽

Kumpanart Soontornvipart ◽

Chutimon Thanaboonnipat ◽

Damri Darawiroj ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Ultrasound Technique ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Intrinsic Factors ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Healthy Dogs ◽

The Right ◽

Almost All

Diaphragmatic excursion (DE) has been utilized for detecting respiratory related problems in humans. However, several factors should be considered such as the ultrasound technique and factors intrinsic to patients. Nevertheless, knowledge of the effect of these factors on DE in dogs is still lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proper ultrasound technique by varying postures and diaphragmatic locations for DE measurement and to explore intrinsic factors such as diaphragmatic sides, sex, and body weight of dogs on DE. The prospective, analytic, cross-sectional study included 44 healthy dogs; 12 beagles and 32 dogs of other breeds. The experiment was divided into (i) an exploration of the proper ultrasound technique by varying postures (supine, standing, and recumbent in each of the right and left lateral positions), diaphragmatic locations (middle crus and proximal to the last rib), and diaphragmatic sublocations (xiphoid, mid, and proximal rib) for detection of DE and (ii) the evaluation of canine intrinsic factors affecting DE. The results show that the mid-diaphragmatic sublocation in the middle crus area in almost all positions revealed the highest percentage DE detection. However, DEs were revealed to be more accessible in the supine position. There was no significant difference in DE between the right and the left diaphragms or between the sexes of beagle dogs. However, body weight was significantly correlated with the DE among dogs of various sizes. In conclusion, the posture of the dogs and the diaphragmatic location can affect DE evaluation. Neither sex nor diaphragmatic side had an influence, but body weight was revealed as a major factor in DE in dogs.

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Public reporting of performance measures in long-term care in Canada: does it make a difference?

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.101 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

M Poldrugovac ◽

J E Amuah ◽

H Wei-Randall ◽

P Sidhom ◽

K Morris ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Performance Measures ◽

Performance Indicators ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Public Reporting ◽

Policy Implications ◽

Term Care ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Care Facilities ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Evidence of the impact of public reporting of healthcare performance on quality improvement is not yet sufficient to draw conclusions with certainty, despite the important policy implications. This study explored the impact of implementing public reporting of performance indicators of long-term care facilities in Canada. The objective was to analyse whether improvements can be observed in performance measures after publication. Methods We considered 16 performance indicators in long-term care in Canada, 8 of which are publicly reported at a facility level, while the other 8 are privately reported. We analysed data from the Continuing Care Reporting System managed by the Canadian Institute for Health Information and based on information collection with RAI-MDS 2.0 © between the fiscal years 2011 and 2018. A multilevel model was developed to analyse time trends, before and after publication, which started in 2015. The analysis was also stratified by key sample characteristics, such as the facilities' jurisdiction, size, urban or rural location and performance prior to publication. Results Data from 1087 long-term care facilities were included. Among the 8 publicly reported indicators, the trend in the period after publication did not change significantly in 5 cases, improved in 2 cases and worsened in 1 case. Among the 8 privately reported indicators, no change was observed in 7, and worsening in 1 indicator. The stratification of the data suggests that for those indicators that were already improving prior to public reporting, there was either no change in trend or there was a decrease in the rate of improvement after publication. For those indicators that showed a worsening trend prior to public reporting, the contrary was observed. Conclusions Our findings suggest public reporting of performance data can support change. The trends of performance indicators prior to publication appear to have an impact on whether further change will occur after publication. Key messages Public reporting is likely one of the factors affecting change in performance in long-term care facilities. Public reporting of performance measures in long-term care facilities may support improvements in particular in cases where improvement was not observed before publication.

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Transformative Learning in Mastery-Oriented CS0 Course

Higher Education for the Future ◽

10.1177/23476311211007255 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 234763112110072

Author(s):

Srinivasan Lakshminarayanan ◽

N. J. Rao ◽

G. K. Meghana

Keyword(s):

Transformative Learning ◽

First Year ◽

Guided Discovery ◽

Engineering Programs ◽

Transformative Experiences ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Cognitive Levels ◽

Almost All ◽

Core Course

The introductory programming course, commonly known as CS1 and offered as a core course in the first year in all engineering programs in India, is unique because it can address higher cognitive levels, metacognition and some aspects of the affective domain. It can provide much needed transformative experiences to students coming from a system of school education that is dominantly performance-driven. Unfortunately, the CS1 course, as practiced in almost all engineering programs, is also performance-driven because of a variety of compulsions. This paper suggests that the inclusion of a course CS0 can bring about transformative learning that can potentially make a significant difference in the quality of learning in all subsequent engineering courses. The suggested instruction design of this course takes the advantage of the unique features of a course in programming. The proposed CS0 course uses “extreme apprenticeship” and “guided discovery” methods of instruction. The effectiveness of these instruction methods was established through the use of the thematic analysis, a well-known qualitative research method, and the associated coding of transformative learning experiences and instruction components.

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Factors affecting progression to permanent atrial fibrillation in an unselected population of patients with non-permanent form of atrial fibrillation

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.0481 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

V.L Malavasi ◽

E Fantecchi ◽

V Tordoni ◽

L Melara ◽

A Barbieri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Roc Curves ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Cox Proportional Hazard ◽

Significant Difference ◽

History Of ◽

Unselected Population ◽

Cox Proportional Hazard Regression

Abstract Background Natural history of atrial fibrillation (AF) shows a progression of arrhythmia from non-permanent to permanent AF. Permanent AF was found associated with a worse prognosis than non-permanent one. Aim To assess the factors associated with progression to permanent AF in an unselected population of AF patients with non-permanent AF. Methods In this prospective study we enrolled in- as well as out-patients with non-permanent AF and age ≥18 years, with at least one episode of ECG-documented AF within 1 year. The patients were followed-up at 1 month and every 6 months thereafter. Results Out of 523 patients, 314 (60%) were in non-permanent AF (80 [25.5%] paroxysmal AF, 165 [52.5%] persistent AF, 69 [2%] first diagnosed AF), mostly male (188, 59.9%), median age 71 years (IQ range 62–77), median CHA2DS2VASc 3 (1–4), median HATCH score 1 (1–2). After a median follow-up of 701 (IQ range 437–902) days, 66 patients (21%) showed permanent AF. CHA2DS2VASc and HATCH scores were incrementally associated to progression to permanent AF (CHA2DS2VASc χ2 p=0.001; HATCH χ2 p=0.017; p for trend CHA2DS2VASc <0.001, HATCH p=0.001). At multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression the following variables were significantly associated with AF progression: age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.041; 95% CI: 1.004–1.079; p=0.028), at least moderate left atrial (LA) enlargement (>42 ml/m2) (HR 2.092; 95% CI: 1.132–3.866; p=0.018), antiarrhythmics drugs after the enrollment (HR 0.087; 95% CI: 0.011–0.662; p=0.018), EHRA score >2 (HR 0.351; 95% CI: 0.158–0.779; p=0.010) and Valvular HD (HR 2.161; 95% CI: 1.057–4.420; p=0.035). Adding LA dilation to HATCH score (HATCH-LA) and assigning 2 points based on multivariable Cox regression, HATCH-LA was statistically better in ROC curves in prediction of AF progression vs HATCH score (area under the curve 0.695 vs 0.636; DeLong p=0.0225). Survival-free curves on freedom from permanent AF using as discriminator HATCH-LA score ≤2 vs >2 led to a statistically significant difference (χ2=16.080 p<0.001), but the same was not found for HATCH score (χ2 =3.099; p=0.078). Conclusions In patients without permanent AF, progression of AF was independentely related to age, LA dilation, AF symptoms severity, antiarrhythmic drugs and Valvular HD. HATCH score predicted AF progression and adding to it LA dilation (at least moderate) improved patients stratification for the risk of evolution to permanent AF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

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Do Deeper Levels of Cervical Biopsies Preceded by a Pap Smear Diagnosis of LSIL, ASCUS, or NILM/HPV+ Increase the Yield of Identifying Clinically Significant Lesions?

American Journal of Clinical Pathology ◽

10.1093/ajcp/aqaa161.356 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 154 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S163-S164

Author(s):

K G Manjee ◽

W G Watkin

Keyword(s):

Pap Smear ◽

Past History ◽

Prior History ◽

Cervical Biopsy ◽

P16 Immunohistochemistry ◽

Hpv Status ◽

Significant Difference ◽

History Of ◽

Clinically Significant ◽

Almost All

Abstract Introduction/Objective Cervical biopsy is performed following an abnormal pap smear or positive HPV testing in an attempt to uncover clinically significant lesions [HSIL/invasive carcinoma (HSIL+)]. An excisional procedure is considered if biopsy confirms HSIL+. When preceded by pap smear of LSIL, ASCUS, NILM/HPV+ or persistent HPV, continued surveillance is recommended for biopsies showing no SIL or LSIL. In our laboratory, cervical biopsies are routinely sectioned at 3 levels. Deeper levels are often ordered when initial sections are non-diagnostic. p16 immunohistochemistry, with or without deeper levels, is often ordered to confirm HSIL, or to differentiate HSIL from mimics. In this study, we examine whether and in what clinical situations does obtaining additional levels uncover clinically significant lesions. Methods 430 cervical biopsies between January-May 2018, with recent cytology of LSIL, ASCUS or NILM/HPV+ were identified in the pathology database. HPV status (if known), final biopsy diagnosis and past history of LSIL/HSIL were recorded. For each biopsy, orders for additional levels and/or p16 immunohistochemistry were recorded resulting in 4 categories: C1-no additional levels or p16, C2-deeper only, C3-deeper+p16 and C4-p16 only. Final diagnoses were divided into HSIL+, LSIL and no SIL. Results There was no significant difference in prior history of LSIL/HSIL and HPV status between all categories. Biopsy results were as follows: HSIL+: 11/222 (5%) C1; 1/78 (1%) C2; 7/43 (16%) C3; 15/87 (17%) C4 LSIL: 91/222 (41%) C1; 7/78 (9%) C2; 16/43 (37%) C3; 35/87 (40%) C4 No SIL: 120/222 (54%) C1; 70/78 (90%) C2; 20/43 (46%) C3; 37/87 (42%) C4 The average number of additional levels in C2 and C3 was 3.8 and 1.8, respectively. Conclusion Deeper levels alone did not enhance the detection of HSIL+. Almost all LSIL/HSIL were detected when initial levels were diagnostic or suspicious and supported by p16 immunohistochemistry. 3 levels are adequate to detect clinically significant lesions.

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Comparative Evaluation of Orthostatic Hypotension in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy

Kidney & Blood Pressure Research ◽

10.1159/000517316 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Gamze Aytaş ◽

Rümeyza Kazancıoğlu ◽

Ömer C. Elçioğlu ◽

Meltem Gürsu ◽

A. Serra Artan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Nephropathy ◽

Orthostatic Hypotension ◽

Electronic Device ◽

Channel Blockers ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Clinical Criteria ◽

Measure Blood Pressure ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Male Patients ◽

Very High

Introduction: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) affects 5–20% of the population. Our study investigates the presence of OH in diabetic nephropathy (DNP) patients and the factors affecting OH in comparison with nondiabetic chronic kidney disease (NDCKD) patients. Method: Patients presented to the nephrology clinic, and those who consented were included in the study. DNP was defined by kidney biopsy and/or clinical criteria. NDCKD patients of the same sex, age, and eGFR were matched to DNP patients. Demographic parameters and medications were obtained from the records. OH was determined by Mayo clinic criteria. The same researcher used an electronic device to measure blood pressure (BP). All samples were taken and analyzed the same day for biochemical and hematologic parameters and albuminuria. Results: 112 (51 F, 61 M, mean age: 62.56 ± 9.35 years) DNP and 94 (40 F, 54 M, mean age: 62.23 ± 10.08 years) NDCKD patients were included. There was no significant difference between DNP and NDCKD groups in terms of OH prevalence (70.5 vs. 61.7%, p = 0.181). Male patients had significantly higher OH prevalence than female patients (74.7 vs. 60.0%, p = 0.026). There was no significant difference in change in systolic BP between the groups (24.00 [10.00–32.00] mm Hg vs. 24.00 [13.75–30.25] mm Hg, p = 0.797), but the change in diastolic BP was significantly higher in the DNP group (8.00 [2.00–13.00] mm Hg vs. 6.00 [2.00–9.00] mm Hg, p = 0.025). In the DNP group, patients with OH had significantly higher uric acid levels than those without OH (7.18 ± 1.55 vs. 6.36 ± 1.65 mg/dL, p = 0.017). And, 73.7% of patients on calcium channel blockers developed OH (p = 0.015), and OH developed in 80.6% of 36 patients on alpha-blockers (p = 0.049). Conclusion: OH prevalence is very high in CKD, and etiology of CKD does not have a statistically significant effect on the frequency of OH, despite a difference that could be meaningful clinically. Therefore, patients with CKD are checked for OH, with or without concurrent diabetes mellitus. Evaluation of postural BP changes should be a part of nephrology practice.

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The Influence of Race and Gender on Staff-Resident Interactions in Nursing Homes

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.599 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 185-185

Author(s):

Rachel McPherson ◽

Barbara Resnick ◽

Elizabeth Galik

Keyword(s):

Racial Differences ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Positive Interactions ◽

Term Care ◽

Race And Gender ◽

Significant Difference ◽

And Gender

Abstract Communication and interactions are an integral part of care in long-term care settings. Resident variables, such as race and gender, shape communication and interaction between staff and residents. The Quality of Interactions Schedule (QuIS) was developed to measure the quality of verbal and nonverbal interactions among nursing staff and older adults initially for those in acute care and later used as well in a variety of long term care settings. A quantified measurement of the quality of interactions between residents and staff was created to quantify the QuIS. The purpose of this study was to describe the gender and racial differences in scored quality of interactions. Data for the present study was based on baseline data from the Evidence Integration Triangle for Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (EIT-4-BPSD) implementation study. A total of 535 residents from 55 settings were included in the analyses. An analysis of covariance was conducted to determine a difference in QuIS scores between males and females while controlling for age. The second model tested for differences in QuIS scores between blacks and whites while controlling for age and gender. There was not a statistically significant difference in QuIS scores between male and female residents. There was a significant difference in QuIS scores between those who were black versus white, such that those who were black received more positive interactions from staff than those who were white. Future work should focus on a deeper examination of resident factors and staff factors that may influence these interactions.

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RT-PCR analysis of Deformed wing virus in honeybees (Apis mellifera) and mites (Varroa destructor)

Journal of General Virology ◽

10.1099/vir.0.81401-0 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 86 (12) ◽

pp. 3419-3424 ◽

Cited By ~ 210

Author(s):

Constanze Yue ◽

Elke Genersch

Keyword(s):

Varroa Destructor ◽

Pcr Analysis ◽

Body Parts ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Larval Food ◽

Viral Pathogen ◽

Deformed Wing Virus ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Almost All ◽

Viral Sequences

Deformed wing virus (DWV) is a honeybee viral pathogen either persisting as an inapparent infection or resulting in wing deformity. The occurrence of deformity is associated with the transmission of DWV through Varroa destructor during pupal stages. Such infections with DWV add to the pathology of V. destructor and play a major role in colony collapse in the course of varroosis. Using a recently developed RT-PCR protocol for the detection of DWV, individual bees and mites originating from hives differing in Varroa infestation levels and the occurrence of crippled bees were analysed. It was found that 100 % of both crippled and asymptomatic bees were positive for DWV. However, a significant difference in the spatial distribution of DWV between asymptomatic and crippled bees could be demonstrated: when analysing head, thorax and abdomen of crippled bees, all body parts were always strongly positive for viral sequences. In contrast, for asymptomatic bees viral sequences could be detected in RNA extracted from the thorax and/or abdomen but never in RNA extracted from the head. DWV replication was demonstrated in almost all DWV-positive body parts of infected bees. Analysing individual mites for the presence of DWV revealed that the percentage of DWV-positive mites differed between mite populations. In addition, it was demonstrated that DWV was able to replicate in some but not all mites. Interestingly, virus replication in mites was correlated with wing deformity. DWV was also detected in the larval food, implicating that in addition to transmission by V. destructor DWV is also transmitted by feeding.

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