Comparison of 5 Rectal Preparation Strategies for Prostate MRI and Impact on Image Quality

Purpose: To compare 5 different rectal preparation strategies for prostate MRI. Methods: This 5-arm quality-assurance study evaluated 56 patients per arm (280 patients) including: no preparation, clear-fluids diet (CFD) beginning at 00:00 hours on the day of MRI, Fleet®-enema, enema + CFD, enema + CFD + IV-antispasmodic agent. The study was powered to 0.80 with alpha-error of 0.05. Three blinded radiologists independently evaluated T2-Weighted (T2W) and Diffusion Weighed Imaging (DWI) for: rectal diameter (maximal AP diameter), rectal content (stool, fluid, gas), rectal motion, T2W/DWI image quality, T2W image sharpness and DWI susceptibility artifact using 5-point Likert scales. Overall comparisons were performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Kruskal-Wallis, with pair-wise comparisons using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon sign-rank tests. Results: Rectal diameter and amount of gas were lower in enema compared to non-enema groups (p < 0.001), with smallest diameter and least gas in the enema + CFD + IV-antispasmodic group (p = 0.022-<0.001). T2W image quality and sharpness were highest in the enema + CFD groups (p < 0.001) with no difference comparing enema + CFD with/without IV-antispasmodic (p = 0.064, 0.084). Motion artifact was least in enema + CFD + IV-antispasmodic group compared to all other groups (p < 0.001), followed by the enema + CFD group (p = 0.008-<0.001). DWI image quality was highest (p < 0.001) and DWI susceptibility artifact lowest (p < 0.001) in the enema + CFD groups (p < 0.001) and did not differ comparing enema + CFD with/without anti-spasmodic (p = 0.058-0.202). Conclusions: Use of enema + clear-fluids diet before prostate MRI yields the highest T2W and DWI image quality with the least DWI artifact. IV-antispasmodic use reduces motion on T2W but does not improve image quality on T2W or DWI, or lessen DWI artifact compared to enema + clear-fluids diet.

Innovative Irrigation Using Humidity and Soil Moisture for Efficient Usage of Water in Agriculture Field Compared to Drip Irrigation

Aim: The storage of clean water assets around the world has produced a requirement for their ideal use. Innovative irrigation is the advance method which can overcome the drawbacks of traditional drip irrigation. Materials: In this proposed system two soils, sandy soil with average moisture content 60% and clay soil with average moisture content 76% are taken; A total of 20 samples are taken from 2 groups. The sample size was estimated to be 5 in each group using Gpower with the input soil samples with alpha error of 0.95, threshold value of 0.05, confidence level of 95%, pretest G- power is 80%. Significance of this proposed system is 0.05. Result: Comparing the two soils, the soil which can maintain a low percentage of moisture content appears to be suitable for the irrigation. Minimum percentage of moisture can be achieved by using the smart irrigation system which appear to be better than the traditional drip irrigation. The moisture content in sandy soil is 83% and the clay soil is 63%. Since moisture content is inversely proportional to water content. Conclusion: Clay soil appears to be better than sandy soil, traditional issues in drip irrigation is overcomed by innovative irrigation system.

Aesthetic evaluation of the need for orthodontic treatment – Perception among university students

Aesthetics is a relevant part of procedures in healthcare, often influencing treatment planning in tandem with a healthy function. Orthodontic treatment (OT) is one of many solutions and is, sometimes, wanted purely for aesthetic reasons. In 1989, Brook and Shaw proposed the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), which has been largely used.This study aims to verify the main motivations of university students to look for OT and, based on the Aesthetic Component of the IOTN, weigh the aesthetics influence to seek for it. It was compared the opinion of students from various areas of study - Dentistry, Science and Nature (ScN), Arts and Humanity (AtH) - at the beginning (Initiated Students) and end (Advanced Students) of their graduation; the same question was also analysed taking into account their nationalities and training schools.In a collaboration between the University of Porto (Portugal) and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Cluj-Napoca (Romania), a sample of 1071 individuals was gathered. Participants responded to an online survey, based on IOTN pictures, about what would motivate them to seek OT. The ratings were analysed using the T-Test and alpha error of 5%.The results showed that the total Dentistry students registered a higher Oral Esthetical Sensibility (OES) than the total ScN and AtH students. All groups, except Dentistry Advanced Students, registered a higher OES for Self-Perception than for Perception of Others.In conclusion, for the studied populations, the main motivations for OT demand are primarily and respectively in this order: functional reasons, doctor’s advice, and aesthetical reasons. OES is influenced by Dentistry studies, specifically in Advanced Students. OES is not influenced by the country of the students’ origin nor the country they are graduating at.

THE INFLUENCE OF COMPENSATION AND LEADERSHIP ON EMPLOYEE TURNOVER

It is necessary to do this research because of the high employee turnover in the last several years. The aim of this research is to analyze the influence of compensation and leadership on employee turnover. The analysis unit of this research is the employees who have not worked in a company anymore. The population consists of 76 employees with 44 samples obtained from the use of slovin sampling technique and questionnaire as the research instrument. The method of quantitative analysis is used in this research with the tool of Multilinear Regression analysis, followed by determination analysis (R Square), partial hypothetical test (t test) and simultaneous hypothetical test (F test), alpha (error tolerance) five percents. Before spreading questionnaire, validity and reliability tests are carried out until all the questionnaires are said to be valid and reliable. To fulfill the criteria and requirements of Multilinear Regression analysis, classical assumption analysis such as normality test, homogenity test, multicollinearity test, heterocedasticity test are done first. The tool aid for data processing is SPSS version 21.0. The result of this research is that the variable of compensation in partial has a significant influence on employee turnover, whereas the variable of leadership insignificantly influences employee turnover.

Considering the hypothesis of the pathophysiology of cellulite in its treatment

The aim of this study was to evaluate perimetric reductions in the clinical treatment of cellulite (aesthetics) using the Godoy method in a randomized retrospective clinical trial. The medical records of 150 patients treated for cellulite in the period from 2006 to 2011 in the Clinica Godoy were revisited. Treatment comprised manual and mechanical lymph drainage and cervical stimulation for one hour per day over 10 days. The paired t-test was used for statistical analysis, with an alpha error of 5% (P-value <0.05) being considered acceptable. This study was started after being approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Medicine School in São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP - no. 395- 2010), Brazil and after being registered as a clinical trial. The mean reduction of the 150 patients was 3.81±2.76 g (P-value <0.0001; 95% confidence interval: 3.408-4.223). A significant reduction in size was seen with the clinical treatment of cellulite giving an improvement in the physical appearance. Pathophysiological mechanisms such as regional skin lymphostasis seem to be involved in the formation of cellulite.

Static, dynamic balance and functional performance in subjects with and without plantar fasciitis

Introduction: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is characterized by non-inflammatory degeneration and pain under the heel, and is one of the most common foot complaints. The compensations and adjustments made to decrease the discomfort caused by the disease are clinical findings and can be a factor that contributes to impaired balance and decreased functional performance. Objective: To compare functional performance as well as static and dynamic balance among subjects with and without PF. Methods: The sample consisted of 124 subjects of both sexes aged 20-60 years. Participants were divided into two groups: a bilateral PF group (PFG; n = 62) and a control group (CG, n = 62). The following outcomes were analyzed: static and dynamic balance (using functional tests) and functional performance (using a questionnaire). We used Student’s t test for independent samples to compare variables between the groups. The alpha error was set at 0.05. Results: Subjects with PF showed greater impairment in their overall dynamic balance performance (p < 0.001) than the control group, except for left posteromedial movement (p = 0.19). The CG showed showed better functional performance (p < 0.001) than the PF group. There was no difference between groups for the variable static balance on stable (p = 0.160) and unstable surfaces (p = 0.085). Conclusion: Subjects with PF displayed smaller reach distances in the overall Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), demonstrating a deficit in dynamic balance and functional performance when compared with healthy subjects.