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Nevin Manimala Statistics

3D analysis of occlusal surfaces of teeth and their contacts. Part III. Development of a method for assessing the balance of occlusal contacts

Stomatologiia (Mosk). 2021;100(6):50-55. doi: 10.17116/stomat202110006150.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to develop a technique for 3D analysis of the occlusal balance of teeth.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The development was carried out on the basis of the Avantis 3D software («Avantis 3D» LLC, Russia) using teeth scans of 50 subjects with Class I and II (Division 1) malocclusion and different degree of tooth wear. The algorithm and formulas for calculating the balance of symmetry and antero-posterior occlusal balance are presented. The essential features of the technique and the interpretation of the obtained indicators are explained on different clinical cases. Statistical analysis of the results of measuring occlusal balance of patients with different degree of teeth wear and malocclusion is presented.

RESULTS: It is determined that the balance of common contacts is more important than the balance of direct contacts.

CONCLUSION: Alignment of teeth without noticeable wear provides a better occlusal balance then before. The occlusal balance of worn teeth after alignment may be not good and require selective grinding or restoration of their occlusal surfaces.

PMID:34953189 | DOI:10.17116/stomat202110006150

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Spatiotemporal characteristics of agricultural nitrogen and phosphorus emissions to water and its source identification: A case in Bamen Bay,China

J Contam Hydrol. 2021 Dec 7;245:103936. doi: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2021.103936. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The spatiotemporal characteristics and sources identification of agricultural nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) emissions to the gulf are rarely reported in tropical regions of China, mainly due to the lack of local reliable data and quantitative tools for spatiotemporal changes. In this study, we constructed a high-resolution NUFER (NUtrient Flow in food chains, Environment and Resources use) model based on geology, meteorology, land use data, statistical data, and field investigation to quantify the spatiotemporal characteristics and sources of N and P emissions. Bamen Bay (BMB), a bay with a mangrove national wetland Park in the Hainan Island, China, was chosen as a case study. The results showed that agricultural N emission to water in 2018 increased fivefold compared to 1990. Leaching was the main method of agricultural N emission and was mainly distributed in farms in the west and north. The contribution of N emission from crop system to water increased 20.3% in 28 years. Poultry and fruits have contributed the most to N output, and the trend is continuing. P emission to water increased sevenfold compared 1990. The contribution of P emission from animal system to water increased from 86.8% in 1990 to 90.1% in 2018 due to low removal rate of livestock manure. P emission was mainly via direct discharge of manure, mainly distributed in livestock breeding sites near the bay. Poultry has consistently contributed the most to P output in 28 years, accounting for 49.1% in 2018. Fertilizers and fodder were the largest sources of N and P. The average N and P loss rates of BMB were 5.32 t km2 yr-1 and 0.26 t km2 yr-1. The future agricultural transformation is essential, and it is necessary to reduce the application of N fertilizer and increase the removal rate of livestock manure. These results can provide reference for other typical agricultural pollution bays in exploring the spatiotemporal characteristics of N and P emissions to water and the identification of agricultural sources.

PMID:34953199 | DOI:10.1016/j.jconhyd.2021.103936

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Clinical and microbiological evaluation of hyaluronic acid and chlorhexidine mouthwash in the treatment of peri-implant mucositis

Stomatologiia (Mosk). 2021;100(6):24-28. doi: 10.17116/stomat202110006124.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid and chlorhexidine mouthwash in the treatment of peri-implant mucositis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical and microbiological studies were conducted before and 14 days, 1, 3 and 6 months after the periodontal treatment in 46 patients (144 implants with fixed dentures) with peri-implant mucositis. The patients were divided into 3 groups: test, comparison and control. Basic periodontal therapy in all groups included professional cleaning and individual oral hygiene training. Test group (15 patients) received basic periodontal therapy plus 0.20% chlorhexidine with hyaluronic acid mouthwash, the comparison group (15 patients) – basic periodontal therapy +0.05% chlorhexidine mouthwash. In control group (16 patients), treatment was limited to basic periodontal therapy only.

RESULTS: At the initial stages of observations, there was a statistically significant improvement in the clinical indices in all treatment groups (p<0.001). The use of 0.20% chlorhexidine with hyaluronic acid mouthwash revealed a higher quality of treatment. After 6 months of observation, the clinical features in patients of the control group was almost similar to the state before treatment. The patients of the test group had a more pronounced elimination of facultative and periodontal pathogens in comparison with other groups.

CONCLUSION: The use of 0.20% chlorhexidine with hyaluronic acid containing mouthwash allows the clinician to achieve a better results in the treatment of peri-implant mucositis. The evaluation the oral microflora in patients with peri-implant mucositis can be used as a prognostic criterion for the outcomes of rehabilitation.

PMID:34953184 | DOI:10.17116/stomat202110006124

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Revision of Frailty Assessment in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Replacing Unintentional Weight Loss with CT-Assessed Sarcopenia in the Physical Frailty Phenotype

Am J Transplant. 2021 Dec 25. doi: 10.1111/ajt.16934. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Kidney transplantation (KT) experts did not support the use of subjective unintentional weight loss to measure shrinking in the Physical Frailty Phenotype (PFP); a clinically feasible and predictive measure of shrinking is needed. To test whether unintentional weight loss could be replaced by an assessment of sarcopenia using existing CT scans, we performed a prospective cohort study of adult KT recipients with original PFP (oPFP) measured at admission (12/2008-2/2020). We ascertained sarcopenia by calculating skeletal muscle index from available, clinically obtained CTs within 1-year pre-KT (male<50cm2 /m2 ; female<39cm2 /m2 ) and combined it with the original 4 components to determine new PFP (nPFP) scores. Frailty was classified by frailty score: 0:non-frail;1-2:pre-frail;≥3:frail. Mortality and graft loss hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using adjusted Cox proportional hazard models. Model discrimination was quantified using Harrell’s C-statistic. Among 1,113 recipients, 18.6% and 17.1% were frail by oPFP and nPFP, respectively. Compared to non-frail recipients, frail patients by either PFP had higher risks of mortality (oPFP HR=1.67,95%CI:1.07-2.62,C=0.710; nPFP HR=1.68,95%CI:1.06-2.66,C=0.710) and graft loss (oPFP HR=1.67,95%CI:1.17-2.40,C=0.631; nPFP HR=1.66,95%CI:1.15-2.40,C=0.634) with similar discriminations. oPFP and nPFP are equally useful in risk prediction for KT recipients; oPFP may aid in screening patients for pre-KT interventions, while nPFP may assist in nuanced clinical decision-making.

PMID:34953170 | DOI:10.1111/ajt.16934

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The Combination of MR Elastography and Proton Density Fat Fraction Improves Diagnosis of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2021 Dec 25. doi: 10.1002/jmri.28040. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly increasing worldwide. It is subdivided into nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and the more aggressive form, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which carries a higher risk of developing fibrosis and cirrhosis. There is currently no reliable non-invasive method for differentiating NASH from NAFL.

PURPOSE: To investigate the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based imaging biomarkers to diagnose NASH and moderate fibrosis as well as assess their repeatability.

STUDY TYPE: Prospective.

SUBJECTS: Sixty-eight participants (41% women) with biopsy-proven NAFLD (53 NASH and 15 NAFL). Thirty participants underwent a second MRI in order to assess repeatability.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3.0 T; MR elastography (MRE) (a spin-echo echo-planar imaging [SE-EPI] sequence with motion-encoding gradients), MR proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and R2* mapping (a multi-echo three-dimensional gradient-echo sequence), T1 mapping (a single-point saturation-recovery technique), and diffusion-weighted imaging (SE-EPI sequence).

ASSESSMENT: Quantitative MRI measurements were obtained and assessed alone and in combination with biochemical markers (cytokeratin-18 [CK18] M30, alanine transaminase [ALT], and aspartate transaminase [AST]) using logistic regression models. Models that could differentiate between NASH and NAFL and between moderate to advanced fibrosis (F2-4) and no or mild fibrosis (F0-1), based on the histopathological results, were identified.

STATISTICAL TESTS: Independent samples t-test, Pearson’s chi-squared test, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), Spearman’s correlation, intra-individual coefficient of variation, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the NASH and NAFL groups with liver stiffness assessed with MRE, CK18 M30, and ALT, with an AUROC of 0.74, 0.76, and 0.70, respectively. Both MRE and PDFF contributed significantly to a bivariate model for diagnosing NASH (AUROC = 0.84). MRE could significantly differentiate between F2-4 and F0-1 (AUROC = 0.74). A model combining MRE with AST improved the diagnosis of F2-4 (AUROC = 0.83). The ICC for repeatability was 0.94 and 0.99 for MRE and PDFF, respectively.

DATA CONCLUSION: MRE can potentially diagnose NASH and differentiate between fibrosis stages. Combining MRE with PDFF improves the diagnosis of NASH.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

PMID:34953171 | DOI:10.1002/jmri.28040

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MRA of the Supraaortic Vasculature: Comparison of Gadobutrol and Gadoterate Meglumine at 1.5 T

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2021 Dec 25. doi: 10.1002/jmri.28044. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Gadobutrol (GB) and gadoterate meglumine (GM) are contrast agents used for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CEMRA). Supraaortic vasculature (SAV) CEMRAs are used to evaluate stroke risk and neurologic symptoms. There is a need to compare the SAV CEMRA image quality obtained with GB and GM.

PURPOSE: To intra-individually compare MRA images obtained with equimolar GB and GM at 1.5 T in the SAV.

STUDY TYPE: Prospective, crossover.

POPULATION: Twenty-eight subjects (54 ± 13 years; 17 female).

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 1.5 T; three-dimensional (3D) gradient recalled echo.

ASSESSMENT: Quantitative image quality was measured by normalized signal intensity (SIn ) [SIn = SI blood/SD blood] and contrast ratio (CR) [CR = SI blood/SI muscle], determined by an observer (JWC) with 1 year of vascular imaging experience. Three radiologists (AS, PA, and MU) with (5, 5, and 6 years of) vascular imaging experience evaluated image quality by Likert-scale ratings (of image impression, wall conspicuity, and artifact absence).

STATISTICAL TESTS: SIn and CR were compared with paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and Bland-Altman plots. Qualitative ratings were compared with Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

RESULTS: No significant difference in SIn was found between GB and GM. CRs with GB were significantly higher than GM at the right common carotid (6.9 ± 2.5 vs. 4.8 ± 1), left internal carotid (7.3 ± 2 vs. 4.4 ± 1.2), right internal carotid (7.7 ± 2.2 vs. 5 ± 1.1), and left vertebral (6.6 ± 2.2 vs. 4.5 ± 1.1) arteries. Bland-Altman plots showed relatively greater differences between GB and GM at higher CRs and SIn s. GM showed significantly higher artifact than GB (3.56 ± 0.52 vs. 3.36 ± 0.46) and significantly lower overall image quality (10.73 ± 1.45 vs. 11.26 ± 1.58) at the left vertebral artery.

DATA CONCLUSION: At 1.5 T and equimolar demonstration, GB (0.1 mL/kg, i.e., 0.1 mmol/kg) showed higher CRs in the SAV compared to GM (0.2 mL/kg, i.e., 0.1 mmol/kg) at most vessels. Subjective image quality was not significantly different between the two agents for most vessels.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

PMID:34953154 | DOI:10.1002/jmri.28044

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Evaluating the ability of a locally focused culling program in removing chronic wasting disease infected free-ranging white-tailed deer in Illinois, USA, 2003-2020

Transbound Emerg Dis. 2021 Dec 25. doi: 10.1111/tbed.14441. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In northern Illinois, chronic wasting disease (CWD) was first identified in free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; hereafter referred to as “deer”) in 2002. To reduce CWD transmission rates in Illinois, wildlife biologists have conducted locally-focused culling of deer since 2003 in areas where CWD has been detected. We used retrospective spatial, temporal, and space-time scan statistical models to identify areas and periods where culling removed higher than expected numbers of CWD-positive deer. We included 490 Public Land Survey “sections” (∼2.59 km2 ) from 15 northern Illinois counties in which at least one deer tested positive for CWD between 2003 and 2020. A negative binomial regression model compared the proportion of CWD positive cases removed from sections with at least one CWD case detected in the previous years, “local area 1 (L1),” to the proportion of CWD cases in adjacent sections -L2, L3, and L4- designated by their increasing distance from L1. Of the 14,661 deer removed and tested via culling, 325 (2.22 %) were CWD-positive. A single temporal CWD cluster occurred in 2020. Three spatial clusters were identified, with a primary cluster located at the border of Boone and Winnebago counties. Four space-time clusters were identified with a primary cluster in the northern portion of the study area from 2003 to 2005 that overlapped with the spatial cluster. The proportion of CWD cases removed from L1 (3.92, 95% CI, 2.56- 6.01) and L2 (2.32, 95% CI, 1.50- 3.59) were significantly higher compared to L3. Focusing culling efforts on accessible properties closest to L1 areas results in more CWD-infected deer being removed, which highlights the value of collaborations among landowners, hunters, and wildlife management agencies to control CWD. Continuous evaluation and updating of the culling and surveillance programs are essential to mitigate the health burden of CWD on deer populations in Illinois. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:34953169 | DOI:10.1111/tbed.14441

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Correlation between Instrumental and Sensory Properties of Texture Modified Carrot Puree

J Texture Stud. 2021 Dec 25. doi: 10.1111/jtxs.12658. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken to determine the correlation between instrumental and sensory evaluation on texture modified carrot puree. Texture modified foods (TMF) are prescribed to dysphagia individuals to aid in the oral manipulation and facilitate swallowing of food. There is a lack of correlation between instrumental measurements and sensory attributes on TMF. Understanding this correlation will aid in the formulation of safe foods with desired sensory properties for dysphagia patients. Instrumental measurements of carrot purees were performed by back extrusion method using a texture analyser and the attributes obtained were firmness, consistency, cohesiveness and adhesiveness. Quantitative Descriptive Analysis (QDA) with eight trained panellists was employed to characterize the texture of the carrot puree based on seven sensory attributes: Firmness, viscous, adhesive (mouth), smoothness, adhesive (throat), rate of breakdown, difficulty to swallow. Five thickeners, namely gellan gum, xanthan gum, Suberakaze, UNI-PURE® Dys-sperse instant thickener, ULTRA-SPERSE® M Starch were evaluated against carrot puree without any thickener as control. The correlation results obtained from texture analysis and sensory evaluation were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The firmness attributes from instrumental and sensory results were positively correlated. The consistency parameter was positively correlated to sensory attribute viscous and negatively correlated to smoothness. The sensory attribute rate of breakdown was negatively correlated to instrumental parameter of cohesiveness. Lastly, instrumental adhesiveness was positively correlated to sensory attributes adhesive to mouth and throat, and difficulty to swallow. The correlation results showed a well-designed instrumental technique can be used to understand the impact of thickeners on TMF for dysphagia subjects. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:34953142 | DOI:10.1111/jtxs.12658

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Implementing a Tailored Psychosocial Distress Screening Protocol in a Head and Neck Cancer Program

Laryngoscope. 2021 Dec 25. doi: 10.1002/lary.30000. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Psychosocial distress is common among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) and is associated with poorer quality of life and clinical outcomes. Despite these risks, distress screening is not widely implemented in HNC care. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of psychosocial distress and its related factors in routine care of patients with HNC.

METHODS: Data from medical records between September 2017 and March 2020 were analyzed. Psychosocial distress was measured by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s Distress Thermometer (DT), and a modified HNC-specific problem list; depression and anxiety were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were conducted to report prevalence of distress, depression and anxiety, and factors associated with clinical distress. Implementation outcomes, including rates of referrals and follow-up for distressed patients, are also reported.

RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty seven HNC patients completed the questionnaire (age 64.3 ± 14.9 years), with a mean distress score of 4.51 ± 3.35. Of those, 57% (n = 163) reported clinical distress (DT ≥ 4). Pain (odds ratio [OR] = 3.31, 95% CI = 1.75-6.26), fatigue (OR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.1.7-5.05), anxiety (OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.30-2.05), and depression (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.04-2.18) were significantly associated with clinical distress (P < .05). Of patients identified as distressed, 79% received same-day psychosocial evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS: Clinical distress was identified in 57% of patients who completed the questionnaire, suggesting that an ultra-brief psychosocial screening protocol can be implemented in routine ambulatory oncology care, and identifies patients whose distress might otherwise go unrecognized.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 2021.

PMID:34953151 | DOI:10.1002/lary.30000

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The possible link between intestinal parasites and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in Diyala Province, Iraq

Ann Parasitol. 2021;67(3):505-513. doi: 10.17420/ap6703.364.

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites and the possible association between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and parasitic infections. The study included 100 IBS patients and 100 healthy control subjects. All study subjects filled a structured questionnaire, which covered demographic information and clinical data. Fresh stool samples were collected from patients and control subjects and processed during the same day of collection. Iodine wet mounts and trichrome stained smears prepared from fresh stool and sediment concentrates were microscopically examined for intestinal parasites. Patients attended private gastroenterology clinics and those found to have IBS (45 males and 55 females) were then selected in this study. The healthy subjects (50 males, 50 females) were recruited as controls. In the IBS patients, Blastocystis sp. was detected in 57% and Giardia sp. cysts were observed in 43%. In the control subjects, Blastocystis sp. was detected in 12% and Giardia sp. cysts were observed in 20%. These parasites were found either alone or with other parasites. Only the differences in the presence of Blastocystis (P=0.0001) and Giardia (P=0.0006) between IBS patients and controls were statistically significant. Abdominal pain and blotting were the leading symptoms in IBS patients and controls. Prevalence of Blastocystis and Giardia was higher in IBS patients than in controls. These parasites are likely to have a role in the pathogenesis of IBS. The findings of the study support a possible link between parasitic infections and IBS.

PMID:34953126 | DOI:10.17420/ap6703.364