Category: Nevin Manimala

J Prosthodont Res. 2021 Aug 4. doi: 10.2186/jpr.JPR_D_20_00163. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study investigated changes in the retentive force of telescopic crowns fabricated by combining a zirconia primary crown and a fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) secondary crown.

METHODS: Primary zirconia crowns were produced with a nominal convergence angle of 0°. Forty-eight secondary crowns were milled from FRC and divided into three study groups (n=16/group) based on milling parameters and post-milling adjustment. The offset parameter used for the final milling step of the inner crown surface was adjusted for a tight initial fit in Group 1 (milling offset: +10 µm, i.e., 2 × 10 µm = 20 µm lower inner diameter compared with the CAD file of the crown) and for improved initial fit (milling offset: -10 µm, i.e., an enlargement of the inner crown diameter by 2 × 20 µm = 40 µm in relation to Group 1) in Groups 2 and 3. The inner surfaces of the secondary crowns were polished with diamond paste in Groups 1 and 2, and silicon points were used for Group 3. The retentive force was measured using a universal testing device. The secondary crown was placed on the primary crown, with the final fitting force set to a load of 100 N. This test was conducted before and after aging (10,000 insertion/removal cycles) under dry and wet conditions. A generalized linear model was used to estimate the differences in the retentive force to elucidate the effects of the milling parameters and polishing methods.

RESULTS: We realized an initial retentive force of approximately 10 N. In Groups 2 and 3, the difference was statistically significant between the dry and wet conditions before aging (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the dry and wet conditions after aging in any of the groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: An adequate initial retentive force can be achieved with telescopic crowns combining zirconia and FRC.

PMID:34349081 | DOI:10.2186/jpr.JPR_D_20_00163

J Neurointerv Surg. 2021 Aug 4:neurintsurg-2021-017585. doi: 10.1136/neurintsurg-2021-017585. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on the most effective endovascular technique to use in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to terminal internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion. The aim of this study was to compare safety and efficacy of the aspiration technique (AT) and combined technique (CT) as first-line approach in terminal ICA occlusions.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected databases from seven Italian stroke centers. Patients were divided into two subgroups according to the first-line approach: AT group or CT group. We followed the STROBE guidelines for cohort studies. We used Chi-square test, one-way and multivariate ANOVA analysis, together with contrast analysis and post hoc tests, logistic regression and Pearson’s bivariate correlation for the statistical analyses.

RESULTS: Between January 2018 and August 2020, 353 patients were treated for a terminal ICA occlusion, with either AT or CT. CT was associated with a higher Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) 2B-3 after the first pass (51.0% vs 26.9%) and at the end of the procedure (84% vs 73.3%) and with an improved clinical outcome at discharge (modified Rankin Scale (mRs) 0-2 of 47.8% vs 34.0%) and at 3 months’ follow-up (mRs 0-2 of 56.5% vs 38.9%) compared with AT.

CONCLUSION: Thrombectomy of terminal ICA occlusions obtained using CT as first-line approach demonstrated better technical and functional outcomes in comparison with AT.

PMID:34349012 | DOI:10.1136/neurintsurg-2021-017585

Rinsho Ketsueki. 2021;62(7):733-738. doi: 10.11406/rinketsu.62.733.

ABSTRACT

Despite the challenges involved in studying the epidemiology of a rare disease, the last two decades have provided considerable information regarding the probable causes of childhood leukemia, in which current evidence suggests an important role for genetic susceptibility and external factors originating from the environment. The genome-wide association study approach has led to the identification of several associated genes, thereby confirming the polygenic nature of childhood leukemia. Ongoing studies have shown that many of these loci, which were originally identified in populations of European ancestry, are also important in the Japanese population. Regarding potential external exposures, increasing evidence is becoming available to elucidate the role of infectious agents and the influence of immune maturation in early life. Epidemiological evidence supports the prevailing hypotheses related to the effect of population mixing on transient increases in the childhood leukemia rates, as well as the role of delayed exposures to common infections in propagating an aberrant immune response and subsequent leukemia risk. Future advances in the investigation of childhood leukemia and other rare diseases along with coordinated studies and collaborations are needed, owing to stringent sample size requirements to support statistically robust comparisons and opportunities for independent validation.

PMID:34349056 | DOI:10.11406/rinketsu.62.733

Heart. 2021 Aug 4:heartjnl-2021-319410. doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2021-319410. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that ventricular and atrial function are different between patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) after arterial switch operation (ASO) and healthy controls.

METHODS: 103 consecutive patients with TGA (median age: 16.7 years, 4.3-39.6 years, 71.8% male) were compared with 77 controls (median age: 15.4 years, 6.3-43.2 years, 66.2% male). Biventricular and biatrial function were assessed using standard cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) techniques and feature tracking. Group comparison was performed with conventional non-parametrical statistics and machine learning methods to find the variables most discriminative between patients and controls. These variables were used to build a multivariable logistic regression model to assess the case-control status.

RESULTS: Markers of left and right ventricular function (LV; RV) (ejection fraction, MAPSE, TAPSE, LV long-axis strain) as well as LV global longitudinal (-20.7 (-24.1; -17.9) vs -23.7 (-26.1; -21.6), p<0.001), circumferential (-29.4 (-32.2; -26.5) vs -30.5 (-33.6; 29), p=0.001) and atrial longitudinal strain (left atrium (LA): 23.3 (18.6; 28.8) vs 36.7 (30.7; 44), p<0001; right atrium: 21.7 (18.2; 27.8) vs 34.9 (26.9; 40.3), p<0.001) were reduced in patients compared with controls using non-parametrical testing. The logistic regression model including the most discriminative variables from univariate and machine learning analysis demonstrated significant differences between patients and controls only for TAPSE and LA global longitudinal strain.

CONCLUSIONS: Biventricular and biatrial function are largely preserved after ASO for TGA. Using a comprehensive CMR protocol along with statistical machine learning methods and a regression approach, only RV longitudinal function and LA function are significantly impaired.

PMID:34349009 | DOI:10.1136/heartjnl-2021-319410

Neurology. 2021 Aug 4:10.1212/WNL.0000000000012482. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000012482. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between midlife plasma amyloid-beta (Aβ_1-42, Aβ_1-40, Aβ₄₂:Aβ₄₀) and risk of MCI and dementia.

METHODS: Plasma Aβ₄₂ and Aβ₄₀ were retrospectively measured using a fluorimetric bead-based immunoassay in a subsample of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities cohort study. We investigated the relationship of plasma Aβ₄₂, Aβ₄₀, and Aβ₄₂:Aβ₄₀ ratio measured in midlife, late-life, and the change from midlife to late-life, to risk of MCI, dementia, and combined MCI/dementia outcomes in late-life (from 2011-19). We used multinomial logistic regressions estimating relative risk ratios (RRR) of these cognitive outcomes vs cognitively normal adjusted for age, sex, education, site-race, APOE, hypertension, diabetes, and body mass index.

RESULTS: A total of 2284 participants were included (midlife mean age=59.2±5.2, 57% female, 22% Black). Each doubling of midlife Aβ₄₂:Aβ₄₀ was associated with 37% lower risk of MCI/dementia (RRR=0.63, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.87), but only up to approximately the median (spline model threshold 0.20). Every standard deviation increase in plasma Aβ₄₂ (10 pg/mL) was associated with 13% lower risk of MCI/dementia (RRR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.77, 0.98), whereas every standard deviation increase in plasma Aβ₄₀ (67 pg/mL) was associated with 15% higher risk of MCI/dementia (RRR=1.15, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.29). Associations were comparable, but slightly weaker statistically, when repeating models using late-life plasma Aβ predictors. Aβ₄₂ and Aβ₄₀ increased from midlife to late-life, but changes were not associated with cognitive outcomes.

CONCLUSION: Midlife measurement of plasma Aβ may have utility as a blood-based biomarker indicative of risk for future cognitive impairment.

PMID:34349010 | DOI:10.1212/WNL.0000000000012482

Open Heart. 2021 Aug;8(2):e001653. doi: 10.1136/openhrt-2021-001653.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The clinical effectiveness of ablating non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (non-PAF) relies on proper patient selection. We developed and validated a scoring system to predict non-PAF ablation outcomes.

METHODS: Data on 416 non-PAF ablations were analysed using binary logistic regression at a London centre. Identified preprocedural variables, which independently predicted freedom from atrial tachyarrhythmia. Twenty-one possible predictive variables and a model with c-statistic 0.751-explained outcome variation in London at mean follow-up 12±3 months. An additive point score (range 0-9) was developed-the FLAME score: female=1; long-lasting persistent atrial fibrillation=1; left atrial diameter in mm: 40 to <45 = 1, 45 to <50 = 2, 50 to <55=3, ≥55 =4; mitral regurgitation (MR) mild to moderate=1; extreme comorbidity=2. Extreme comorbidities include severe MR, moderate mitral stenosis, mitral replacement, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or congenital heart disease.

RESULTS: The FLAME score was applied to data (882 non-PAF ablations) at a Californian centre, and predicted the outcome of both single (p<0.0001) and multiple (p<0.0001) procedures. For first ablation (follow-up 2.1 years (median, IQR 1.0-4.1)), FLAME score: 0-1 predicts 62% success, 2-4 44% and ≥5 29% (P_trend <0.0001). After the final ablation (mean procedures: 1.4±0.6, follow-up 1.8 years (median, IQR 0.8-3.6)), FLAME score: 0-1 predicts 81% success, 2-4 65% and ≥5 44% (P_trend <0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS: FLAME score is easily calculated, derived in London, and predicted single and multiple procedural outcomes for non-PAF ablations in California. In patients with a high score, even multiple procedures are usually ineffective.

PMID:34348972 | DOI:10.1136/openhrt-2021-001653

Postgrad Med J. 2021 Aug 4:postgradmedj-2021-140861. doi: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2021-140861. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:34348989 | DOI:10.1136/postgradmedj-2021-140861

BMJ Open. 2021 Aug 4;11(8):e046195. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046195.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among Bangladeshi rural community residents, using the 2014 WHO/International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH) risk prediction charts.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based study done by local community healthcare workers engaging the lowest level facilities of the primary healthcare system.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1545 rural adults aged ≥40 years of Debhata upazila of Satkhira district of Bangladesh participated in this survey done in 2015. The community health workers collected data on age, smoking, blood pressure, blood glucose and treatment history of diabetes and hypertension.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: We estimated total 10-year CVD risk using the WHO/ISH South East Asia Region-D charts without cholesterol and categorised the risk into low (<10%), moderate (10%-19.9%), high (20%-29.9%) and very high (≥30%).

RESULTS: The participants’ mean age (±SD) was 53.9±11.6 years. Overall, the 10-year CVD risks (%, 95% CI) were as follows: low risk (81.6%, 95% CI 78.4% to 84.6%), moderate risk (9.9%, 95% CI 7.4% to 12.1%), high risk (5.8%, 95% CI 4.4% to 7.2%) and very high risk (2.8%, 95% CI 1.5% to 4.1%). In women, moderate to very high risks were higher (moderate 12.1%, high 6.1% and very high 3.7%) compared with men (moderate 7.5%, high 5.5% and very high 1.9%) but none of these were statistically significant. The age-standardised prevalence of very high risk increased from 2.9% (0.7%-5.2%) to 8.5% (5%-12%) when those with anti-hypertensive medication having controlled blood pressure (<140/90 mm Hg) added.

CONCLUSION: The very high-risk estimates could be used for planning resource for CVD prevention programme at upazila level. There is a need for a national level study, covering diversities of rural areas, to contribute to national planning of CVD prevention.

PMID:34348948 | DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046195

BMJ Open. 2021 Aug 4;11(8):e049675. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049675.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) guidelines advocate treatment with combinations of long-acting bronchodilators for patients with COPD who have persistent symptoms or continue to have exacerbations while using a single bronchodilator. This study assessed the cost-utility of the fixed dose combination of the bronchodilators tiotropium and olodaterol versus two comparators, tiotropium monotherapy and long-acting β2 agonist/inhaled corticosteroid (LABA/ICS) combinations, in three European countries: Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands.

METHODS: A previously published COPD patient-level discrete event simulation model was updated with most recent evidence to estimate lifetime quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and costs for COPD patients receiving either tiotropium/olodaterol, tiotropium monotherapy or LABA/ICS. Treatment efficacy covered impact on trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁), total and severe exacerbations and pneumonias. The unit costs of medication, maintenance treatment, exacerbations and pneumonias were obtained for each country. The country-specific analyses adhered to the Finnish, Swedish and Dutch pharmacoeconomic guidelines, respectively.

RESULTS: Treatment with tiotropium/olodaterol gained QALYs ranging from 0.09 (Finland and Sweden) to 0.11 (the Netherlands) versus tiotropium and 0.23 (Finland and Sweden) to 0.28 (the Netherlands) versus LABA/ICS. The Finnish payer’s incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of tiotropium/olodaterol was €11 000/QALY versus tiotropium and dominant versus LABA/ICS. The Swedish ICERs were €6200/QALY and dominant, respectively (societal perspective). The Dutch ICERs were €14 400 and €9200, respectively (societal perspective). The probability that tiotropium/olodaterol was cost-effective compared with tiotropium at the country-specific (unofficial) threshold values for the maximum willingness to pay for a QALY was 84% for Finland, 98% for Sweden and 99% for the Netherlands. Compared with LABA/ICS, this probability was 100% for all three countries.

CONCLUSIONS: Based on the simulations, tiotropium/olodaterol is a cost-effective treatment option versus tiotropium or LABA/ICS in all three countries. In both Finland and Sweden, tiotropium/olodaterol is more effective and cost saving (ie, dominant) in comparison with LABA/ICS.

PMID:34348953 | DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049675

Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2021 Aug 4;8(5):e1051. doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000001051. Print 2021 Sep.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of combined serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) and retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements with future disease activity in patients with early multiple sclerosis (MS).

METHODS: We analyzed sNfL by single molecule array technology and performed OCT measurements in a prospective cohort of 78 patients with clinically isolated syndrome and early relapsing-remitting MS with a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 23.9 (23.3-24.7) months. Patients were grouped into those with abnormal or normal sNfL levels, defined as sNfL ≥/<80th percentile of age-corrected reference values. Likewise, patients were grouped by a median split into those with thin or thick ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCIP), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer, and inner nuclear layer in nonoptic neuritis eyes. Outcome parameters were violation of no evidence of disease activity (NEDA-3) criteria or its components.

RESULTS: Patients with abnormal baseline sNfL had a higher risk of violating NEDA-3 (hazard ratio [HR] 2.28, 95% CI 1.27-4.09, p = 0.006) and developing a new brain lesion (HR 2.47, 95% CI 1.30-4.69, p = 0.006), but not for a new relapse (HR 2.21, 95% CI 0.97-5.03, p = 0.058). Patients with both abnormal sNfL and thin GCIP had an even higher risk for NEDA-3 violation (HR 3.61, 95% CI 1.77-7.36, p = 4.2e^-4), new brain lesion (HR 3.19, 95% CI 1.51-6.76, p = 0.002), and new relapse (HR 5.38, 95% CI 1.61-17.98, p = 0.006) than patients with abnormal sNfL alone.

CONCLUSIONS: In patients with early MS, the presence of both abnormal sNfL and thin GCIP is a stronger risk factor for future disease activity than the presence of each parameter alone.

PMID:34348969 | DOI:10.1212/NXI.0000000000001051