Students and housing: a testing time?

Background:Periodontal disease (PD) has been widely studied in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As well, its relationship with severity and disease activity, has also been investigated with ambiguous results. It has been suggested that the improvement of oral health could enhance disease activity scores.1 PD prevalence worldwide stands around 60% in older adults (>65 years) and its frequency increases with aging.2Objectives:To asses oral health in RA patients and to identify predictors of PD in this population.Methods:Patients diagnosed of RA at treatment with biological, classical or targeted synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (b/cs/tsDMARDs) in the aforementioned hospital during 2020 performed a dental review with a specialized periodontal odontologist. Oral health patterns were given for all patients, following criteria of American Academy of Periodontology, and reevaluation of disease activity was made 2 months later.Clinical, demographic and treatment data were collected from participants.Univariable logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of PD. Variables with p<0.20 were selected for multivariable analysis.Stata 15.1 was used to perform statistical analysis.Results:81 patients were recruited. 82.72% were female. Mean age was 56.17 years (SD 14.15) and mean time since diagnosis was 15.58 years (SD 8.17). 25% were current or past smokers. 21 patients had comorbidities (arterial hypertension the most frequent). 66.67% were rheumatoid factor (RF) positive and 72.73% anti-citrullinated peptide autoantibody (ACPA) positive. Median erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 12 mm (IQR 6;23) and mean C-reactive protein (CRP) was 0.48 mg/dl (SD 1.18). Mean disease activity score (DAS28-VSG) at the testing time was 2.62 (SD 1.21) and after 2 months was 2.39 (SD 0.97). 96.30% of patients were at treatment with csDMARDs, 64.20% with glucocorticoids, 96.30% with bDMARDs and 6 patients with tsDMARDs.Univariable analysis identified higher age, at least one autoantibody positive and ESR/CRP as potential predictors of medium/severe PD (p<0.20). Multivariable testing including these variables pointed out higher age, lower ESR and at least one autoantibody positive (OR 1.09 [CI95% 1.04-1.14] p=0.001, OR 0.18 [CI95% 0.04-0.95] p=0.044 and OR 0.94 [CI95% 0.88-1.00] p=0.042, respectively) as predictors of medium or severe PD (≥3 mm interdental clinical attachment loss).Univariable analysis identified higher age, the presence of any comorbidity and anti tumour-necrosis factor alpha treatment (anti-TNF) as potential predictors of severe PD (p<0.20). Multivariable testing including these variables pointed out higher age (OR 1.15 [CI95%1.02-1.30] p=0.026) as predictor of severe PD (≥5 mm interdental clinical attachment loss).Conclusion:Periodontal disease is still an extended health problem among the entire population. Its prevalence in RA is increased, therefore higher age and RF or ACPA positive are risk factors for developing severe PD. This analysis might suggest that an aggressive management of PD could implement better responses in DAS28. Also anti-TNF treatment could delimit a “penumbra” group of patients at risk of developing severe PD, where intensive manage could modify the final outcome.References:[1]C O Bingham, M Moni. Periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis: the evidence accumulates for complex pathobiologic interactions. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2013;25(3):345-353.[2]P Carvajal. Periodontal disease as a public health problem: the challenge for primary health care. Rev Clin Periodoncia inplantol. 2016;9(2):177-183.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

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Plasma angiopoietin-2 is associated with age-related deficits in cognitive sub-scales in Ugandan children following severe malaria

Malaria Journal ◽

10.1186/s12936-020-03545-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Benson J. Ouma ◽

Paul Bangirana ◽

John M. Ssenkusu ◽

Dibyadyuti Datta ◽

Robert O. Opoka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Severe Malaria ◽

Parental Education ◽

Preschool Education ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

Malaria Episode ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Testing Time ◽

Age Related ◽

Angiopoietin 2 ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background Elevated angiopoietin-2 (Angpt-2) concentrations are associated with worse overall neurocognitive function in severe malaria survivors, but the specific domains affected have not been elucidated. Methods Ugandan children with severe malaria underwent neurocognitive evaluation a week after hospital discharge and at 6, 12 and 24 months follow-up. The relationship between Angpt-2 concentrations and age-adjusted, cognitive sub-scale z-scores over time were evaluated using linear mixed effects models, adjusting for disease severity (coma, acute kidney injury, number of seizures in hospital) and sociodemographic factors (age, gender, height-for-age z-score, socio-economic status, enrichment in the home environment, parental education, and any preschool education of the child). The Mullen Scales of Early Learning was used in children < 5 years and the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children 2nd edition was used in children ≥ 5 years of age. Angpt-2 levels were measured on admission plasma samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Adjustment for multiple comparisons was conducted using the Benjamini–Hochberg Procedure of False Discovery Rate. Results Increased admission Angpt-2 concentration was associated with worse outcomes in all domains (fine and gross motor, visual reception, receptive and expressive language) in children < 5 years of age at the time of severe malaria episode, and worse simultaneous processing and learning in children < 5 years of age at the time of severe malaria who were tested when ≥ 5 years of age. No association was seen between Angpt-2 levels and cognitive outcomes in children ≥ 5 years at the time of severe malaria episode, but numbers of children and testing time points were lower for children ≥ 5 years at the time of severe malaria episode. Conclusion Elevated Angpt-2 concentration in children with severe malaria is associated with worse outcomes in multiple neurocognitive domains. The relationship between Angpt-2 and worse cognition is evident in children < 5 years of age at the time of severe malaria presentation and in selected domains in older years.

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In Vitro Ion Release of Wires in Removable Orthodontic Appliances

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma14123402 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (12) ◽

pp. 3402

Author(s):

Lena Wepner ◽

Harald Andreas Färber ◽

Andreas Jaensch ◽

Anna Weber ◽

Florian Heuser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Loading ◽

Corrosive Medium ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Petri Dish ◽

Orthodontic Appliances ◽

Testing Time ◽

Ion Release ◽

Inductively Coupled ◽

Corrosive Solution

Various orthodontic wire compositions and configurations are present on the market for removable appliances; however, there have still been only few studies focusing on the effect of resin color and additives such as glitter on corrosion of metallic wires under different conditions. Thus, the aim of the study was to compare concentrations of released ions (aluminium, chromium, nickel) in a corrosive medium under three different conditions: non-loaded wires, loaded wires, and non-loaded wires treated with Kukis® cleaning tablets. Six different wires made of three types of steel alloy were embedded in PMMA resin leaving one centimetre of each wire emerging from the resin to come into contact with the corrosive medium. Glitter particles were added to half of the produced test specimens. For the unloaded test series, five specimens of each group were covered in a petri dish with 50 mL of corrosive medium (pH 2.3) following EN-ISO 10271 for seven days at 37 °C. The wires for the mechanically loaded test specimens overlapped the resin by 5 cm and were clamped into a time-switched electric drive for a defined period of time before the samples were taken after a testing time of 7 days. In the third group, unloaded test specimens were transferred from their petri dishes into the prepared Kukis® solution every 24 h before being stored in the corrosive medium. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to quantify the specific ions in the corrosive solution. Statistical analysis showed that the mechanical loading of all wires could significantly raise the diffusion of ions into the corrosive medium. The colour of the resin did not affect the concentration of the released ions. The Kukis® cleaning tabs could not lower the corrosion of the tested metals, as some of the wires were corroded even more using the brace cleanser. Glitter-containing test specimens showed significantly higher amounts of aluminium. Mechanical loading as well as the presence of glitter particles in the resin significantly affected ion concentrations.

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Residual limb volume fluctuations in transfemoral amputees

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-91647-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Linda Paternò ◽

Michele Ibrahimi ◽

Elisa Rosini ◽

Giuseppe Menfi ◽

Vito Monaco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Test Session ◽

Testing Time ◽

Residual Limb ◽

Limb Volume ◽

Volume Fluctuations ◽

Exponential Trend ◽

Prosthesis Removal ◽

Transfemoral Amputees ◽

Time Required

AbstractThis study constitutes the first attempt to systematically quantify residual limb volume fluctuations in transfemoral amputees. The study was carried out on 24 amputees to investigate variations due to prosthesis doffing, physical activity, and testing time. A proper experimental set-up was designed, including a 3D optical scanner to improve precision and acceptability by amputees. The first test session aimed at measuring residual limb volume at 7 time-points, with 10 min intervals, after prosthesis doffing. This allowed for evaluating the time required for volume stabilization after prosthesis removal, for each amputee. In subsequent sessions, 16 residual limb scans in a day for each amputee were captured to evaluate volume fluctuations due to prosthesis removal and physical activity, in two times per day (morning and afternoon). These measurements were repeated in three different days, a week apart from each other, for a total of 48 scans for each amputee. Volume fluctuations over time after prosthesis doffing showed a two-term decay exponential trend (R2 = 0.97), with the highest variation in the initial 10 min and an average stabilization time of 30 min. A statistically significant increase in residual limb volume following both prosthesis removal and physical activity was verified. No differences were observed between measures collected in the morning and in the afternoon.Clinical Trials.gov ID: NCT04709367.

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Natural Building Materials for Interior Fitting and Refurbishment—What about Indoor Emissions?

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma14010234 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 234

Author(s):

Matthias Richter ◽

Wolfgang Horn ◽

Elevtheria Juritsch ◽

Andrea Klinge ◽

Leon Radeljic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Building Materials ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Testing Time ◽

Evaluation Scheme ◽

Partition Walls ◽

Health Related ◽

Internal Partition ◽

Multiple Materials ◽

Natural Building

Indoor air quality can be adversely affected by emissions from building materials, consequently having a negative impact on human health and well-being. In this study, more than 30 natural building materials (earth dry boards and plasters, bio-based insulation materials, and boards made of wood, flax, reed, straw, etc.) used for interior works were investigated as to their emissions of (semi-)volatile organic compounds ((S)VOC), formaldehyde, and radon. The study focused on the emissions from complete wall build-ups as they can be used for internal partition walls and the internal insulation of external walls. Test chambers were designed, allowing the compounds to release only from the surface of the material facing indoors under testing parameters that were chosen to simulate model room conditions. The emission test results were evaluated using the AgBB evaluation scheme, a procedure for the health-related evaluation of construction products and currently applied for the approval of specific groups of building materials in Germany. Seventeen out of 19 sample build-ups tested in this study would have passed this scheme since they generally proved to be low-emitting and although the combined emissions of multiple materials were tested, 50% of the measurements could be terminated before half of the total testing time.

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Risk of Absence of Measles Antibody in Healthcare Personnel and Efficacy of Booster Vaccination

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9050501 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 501

Author(s):

Chung-Jong Kim ◽

Ji-Yun Bae ◽

Kang-Il Jun ◽

Hae-Sun Chung ◽

Aeyeon Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Booster Vaccination ◽

Healthcare Personnel ◽

Testing Time ◽

Seroprevalence Rate ◽

Mmr Vaccine ◽

Igg Antibody ◽

Seropositivity Rate ◽

History Of ◽

Measles Vaccination ◽

Measles Incidence

We aimed to identify the presence of the measles IgG antibody (mIgG-Ab) in healthcare personnel and finding out who needs the measles vaccination. The history of measles vaccination was obtained from the national vaccine registry. A baseline mIgG-Ab test was performed, and the measles vaccine was administered to participants who tested negative or equivocal for mIgG-Abs. During the study, 2885 (87.3%) of the 3303 employees were tested for measles serostatus. The baseline seropositivity rate for mIgG-Abs was 91.9%. Among the 234 seronegative cases, 82.9% were born after 1985. The seroprevalence rate was lower in those who received the measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccine >10 years before the testing time, especially if they were born after 1985 and if there was only one previous record of vaccination. Among the 234 seronegative cases, MMR vaccination was administered in 174 cases, of which serostatus was evaluated in 146 cases. After the first dose, positive seroconversion was achieved in 126 participants (86.3%). After a second dose, 15 achieved (75.0%) positive seroconversion. In healthcare personnel born after the period when measles incidence significantly decreased, it may be necessary to reassess their immune status for measles if more than 10 years have elapsed since the last vaccination.

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The Reduction of Bias Error in Transfer Function Estimates Using FFT-Based Analyzers

Journal of Vibration and Acoustics ◽

10.1115/1.3269148 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 106 (1) ◽

pp. 29-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

P. Cawley

Keyword(s):

Transfer Function ◽

Random Excitation ◽

Analogue Computer ◽

Bias Error ◽

Testing Time ◽

Theoretical Predictions ◽

Set Up ◽

Modal Mass ◽

Time Required ◽

Good Agreement

The susceptibility to bias error of two methods for computing transfer (frequency response) functions from spectra produced by FFT-based analyzers using random excitation has been investigated. Results from tests with an FFT analyzer on a single degree-of-freedom system set up on an analogue computer show good agreement with the theoretical predictions. It has been shown that, around resonance, the bias error in the transfer function estimate H2 (Syy/Sxy*) is considerably less than that in the more commonly used estimate, H1 (Sxy/Sxx). The record length, and hence the testing time, required for a given accuracy is reduced by over 50 percent if the H2 calculation procedure is used. The analysis has also shown that if shaker excitation is used on lightly damped structures with low modal mass, it is important to minimize the mass of the force gage and the moving element of the shaker.

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Gauging performance of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles loaded polypropylene nonwoven based textile electrodes for 3-lead health monitoring electro cardiogram on analogous system

Journal of Industrial Textiles ◽

10.1177/15280837211025698 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 152808372110256

Author(s):

Tasnim N Shaikh ◽

SB Chaudhari ◽

BH Patel ◽

Megha Patel

Keyword(s):

Silver Nanoparticles ◽

Health Monitoring ◽

Nonwoven Fabric ◽

Motion Artifacts ◽

Ocimum Sanctum ◽

Testing Time ◽

Electrode Impedance ◽

Air Voids ◽

Textile Electrodes ◽

Analogous System

This work reports the engineering of textile electrodes, considered safe for humans even if worn next to skin for a longer time. Obliging this phenomenon conductive Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were biosynthesized from Silver Sulphate (Ag2SO4) and medicinal values enriched Ocimum Sanctum (Tulsi)leaves extract. These conductive Silver nanoparticles were loaded by spray technique on polypropylene nonwoven fabric having inbuilt antifungal characteristics, to reduce its resistivity (10Ω) for the fabrication of textile electrodes. The adequate skin-electrode impedance values were observed for the fabricated textile electrodes, viz; 1.44 MΩ–1.83 MΩ and 1.01 MΩ–1.18 MΩ, in the dry and wet state respectively. The 3-lead health monitoring electrocardiograms (ECG) were obtained on the Analogous system with the textile electrodes; dry and wet state as well as gel electrodes. The cardiograms were also taken at a smaller triangle than usual, only for the high resistance textile electrodes. The wet electrodes have executed considerably better clarity of PQR wavelets than reference gel electrodes ECG plots, and their performance was found consistent when tested after six months’ time leap. However, higher motion artifacts caused in the case of dry electrodes have resulted in distorted PQR wavelets and the tracing became worsen with increased testing time leap. This was mainly due to the encapsulation of conductive AgNPs in the air voids of the fabric, increased resistivity. The cardiogram quality has not shown peculiar benefit for a higher heart pumping pressure at the smaller triangle in either of the cases.

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Determination of m-Cresol and p-Cresol in Industrial Cresols by Raman Spectrometer

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.468-471.1104 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 468-471 ◽

pp. 1104-1109

Author(s):

Hui Ying Yu ◽

Ping Yan

Keyword(s):

Quantitative Analysis ◽

Cross Section ◽

Deformation Vibration ◽

Testing Time ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative Analysis ◽

Raman Spectrometer ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative ◽

Gc Analysis

Adopting raman spectrometer to conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis of m-cresol and p-cresol, selecting the respective character peak of bencycloquidium after deformation vibration (m-cresol at 732 cm-1 and p-cresol at 841 cm-1), via experiment and calculations, the relative raman cross section of m-cresol and p-cresol can be concluded:(∂σ/∂Ω)732cm-1/(∂σ/∂Ω)1000cm-1 is 0.74 (height-fitting of the peak), and 0.61 (area-fitting of the peak). This method samples simply and rapidly, and has a short testing time, whose quantitative analysis result of m-/p-cresol is consistent with that of GC analysis.

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