Tag: pubmed

Clin Oral Investig. 2024 Aug 5;28(8):465. doi: 10.1007/s00784-024-05854-5.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of four different photoactivation protocols (according to “photoactivated faces” – mesial/distal, cervical/incisal or center – and “photoactivation time” – 6-3 s) of a high-power photo activator (Valo Cordless^®-Ultradent) on the shear bond strength (SBS) between metal brackets and dental enamel and on the degree of conversion (DC) of an orthodontic resin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 40 bovine incisor crowns were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n = 10). The brackets were bonded with Transbond XT^® resin using 4 protocols according to the “photoactivation protocol” factor (which was subdivided into photoactivated faces and photoactivation time): V3C = 3 s + center; V6C = 6 s + center; V3M3D = 3 s on mesial + 3 s on distal; V3C3I = 3 s on cervical + 3 s on incisal. All the samples were stored for 4 months (water,37ºC) and then subjected to a SBS test (100KgF,1 mm/min). 40 resin discs were made to evaluate the monomer degree of conversion. Data from the SBS and DC were assessed by One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (5%). Bond failures were analyzed according to the Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) and evaluated by the Kruskal-Wallis test (5%).

RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.008) in the One-way ANOVA result for SBS values between all groups, but the protocols showed statistically similar results (p ≥ 0.05-Tukey’s tests) concerning the photoactivated faces (V6C, V3M3D and V3C3I) and photoactivation time (V3C and V6C) factors individually. There was no statistically significant difference (p ≥ 0.05) in the One-way ANOVA result for DC values.

CONCLUSION: The SBS and DC values will vary depending on the protocol applied.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It is possible to maintain the bracket fixation quality with the use of a high-power LED photo activator associated with a shorter photoactivation time. However, it is assumed that not all types of protocols that might be applied will provide quality bonding, such as V3C, V3M3D and V3C3I, which may – depending on the SBS and DC values – affect the final treatment time, due to brackets debonding, or increase of possibility of damage to dental enamel during bracket removal. Clinical studies are suggested to confirm the hypotheses of this research.

PMID:39098966 | DOI:10.1007/s00784-024-05854-5

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2024 Aug 4. doi: 10.1007/s00405-024-08879-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The introduction of endoscopy into middle ear has open up new opportunities for minimal invasive temporal bone surgery. The present study was planned to compare anatomical and functional outcome in patients who underwent endoscope assisted tympanoplasty using cartilage and temporalis fascia graft.

METHODS: The present prospective observational randomized study was carried out in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of a tertiary care teaching hospital of Rajasthan, India from September 2020 to July 2021. Fifty patients of age group 18-60 years, with diagnosis of chronic otitis media having inactive mucosal disease were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups viz. cartilage (group I) and temporalis fascia group (group II). Each patient postoperatively underwent otoscopic examination of ear and pure tone audiometery at 8 weeks and 3rd month. Local wound condition, graft uptake and healing and hearing were assessed and compared.

RESULTS: Graft uptake was 92% in cartilage group and 84% in temporalis fascia group. Air conduction and air-bone gap of patients in both the groups showed significant improvement after 3 months of surgery. (p˂0.05) Regarding bone conduction, both groups had shown non-significant changes. (p > 0.05) Hearing gain was comparable on both groups which was 6.71dB in cartilage group vs. 5.9 dB in other group.

CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that graft placement time for temporalis fascia graft was less than cartilage graft, but the difference was insignificant. Hearing improvement, graft uptake and clinical improvement were found to be statistically insignificant between both groups.

PMID:39098959 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-024-08879-4

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2024 Aug 4. doi: 10.1007/s00405-024-08873-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine optimal radiological parameters for assessment of the round window approach in cochlear implantation surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing cochlear implantation at the Department of Otolaryngology in Szczecin, between 2015 and 2022 inclusive, were eligible for the study. Radiological assessments were performed according to eight parameters (seven proposed in the literature) and visibility clinical assessments were made intra-operatively on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 – not visible, 5 – fully visible). Visibility assessments of the round window niche (RWN) and round window membrane (RWM) allowed the difference (RWN minus RWM) to be used as a clinical assessment of the size of the overhang over the round window.

RESULTS: Computed tomography images of 57 ears from 52 patients were analyzed in terms of round window access. The study group included 26 females and 26 males, ranging in age from 1 year to 80 years, with a median age of 41 years. In clinical assessment, round window visibility was rated as 5, after removal of the bone overhang, in 69% of patients. Cochlear access through the round window was achieved in 39 (68%) cases, extended access through the round window in 13 (23%) cases and cochleostomy was performed in 5 (9%) cases. Statistically significant ordinal correlations with round-window access were found using one parameter from the literature (Chen_Angle) and from our proposal (RWM_prediction). From parameters describing the bone overhang of the round window, positive correlations (using Kendall rank tests) were found using parameters from the literature (Sarafraz_OH and Mehanna_OH).

CONCLUSIONS: Radiological measurements describing access to the round window which determine the angle based on the anatomy of the posterior wall of the auditory canal and the position of the facial nerve were found to be of the highest value.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: In the future, the use of algorithms for computed tomography evaluation and robot-assisted surgery will require parameters for assessing round window access, for surgery planning and choice of electrode. The parameters proposed by various authors are summarized, allowing researchers to assess their usefulness in further clinical practice.

PMID:39098956 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-024-08873-w

Sci Rep. 2024 Aug 4;14(1):18041. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-69084-1.

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the state of inclusivity in Ukrainian universities, focusing on the perceptions of university staff amid the country’s ongoing sociopolitical transformations. Here we report on the perceptions of 820 staff members from various professional roles, including academic, management, and support positions, this research explored inclusivity through diverse lenses, encompassing work experience, interactions with students with disabilities, and self-identification with vulnerable groups. Most respondents assessed a moderate to high level of inclusivity, indicating a positive overall outlook on inclusive practices within these institutions. Notably, perceptions of inclusivity vary slightly across different professional roles, with academic staff expressing a marginally lower level of perceived inclusivity than their counterparts. However, these variations are not statistically significant, suggesting a uniform perception across staff categories. Furthermore, the study revealed that personal experience in working with students with disabilities does not substantially alter staff perceptions of inclusivity. Similarly, self-identification with vulnerable groups only marginally influences these perceptions. This suggests that while individual experiences and identities are factors in inclusivity perceptions, their impact is not profoundly different. This research contributes to understanding inclusivity in higher education, particularly within environments undergoing significant social and political changes.

PMID:39098954 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-69084-1

Malar J. 2024 Aug 4;23(1):231. doi: 10.1186/s12936-024-05064-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The government of Lao PDR has increased efforts to control malaria transmission in order to reach its national elimination goal by 2030. Weather can influence malaria transmission dynamics and should be considered when assessing the impact of elimination interventions but this relationship has not been well characterized in Lao PDR. This study examined the space-time association between climate variables and Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria incidence from 2010 to 2022.

METHODS: Spatiotemporal Bayesian modelling was used to investigate the monthly relationship, and model selection criteria were used to evaluate the performance of the models and weather variable specifications. As the malaria control and elimination situation was spatially and temporally dynamic during the study period, the association was examined annually at the provincial level.

RESULTS: Malaria incidence decreased from 2010 to 2022 and was concentrated in the southern regions for both P. falciparum and P. vivax. Rainfall and maximum humidity were identified as most strongly associated with malaria during the study period. Rainfall was associated with P. falciparum incidence in the north and central regions during 2010-2011, and with P. vivax incidence in the north and central regions during 2012-2015. Maximum humidity was persistently associated with P. falciparum and P. vivax incidence in the south.

CONCLUSIONS: Malaria remains prevalent in Lao PDR, particularly in the south, and the relationship with weather varies between regions but was strongest for rainfall and maximum humidity for both species. During peak periods with suitable weather conditions, vector control activities and raising public health awareness on the proper usage of intervention measures, such as indoor residual spraying and personal protection, should be prioritized.

PMID:39098946 | DOI:10.1186/s12936-024-05064-0

Sci Rep. 2024 Aug 4;14(1):18032. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-69030-1.

ABSTRACT

Bael is a fruit crop that is extensively distributed throughout South-East Asia and is underutilized in medicine. The potential applications of bael’s therapeutic and nutritional qualities in diverse ethnic communities are enormous. This study focuses on evaluating the morpho-pomological and molecular characteristics, utilizing SSR markers, of 80 wild bael genotypes alongside the NB-5 and NB-9 cultivars, derived from the North Western plains of India. Based on the evaluated morpho-pomological features, substantial variations were found between all genotypes. The fruit’s inner diameter and pulp weight varied from 4.41 to 11.54 cm and 34.63 to 786.41 g, respectively. Numerous variations in the genotypes were observed in the shell weight/fruit, fruit skull thickness and fruit yield/plant. The bael fruit mucilage’s total soluble solids (TSS) and total sugar content varied from 40.10 to 49.60 ^obrix and 8.11 to 21.17%, respectively. Using ward cluster analysis, the genotypes were divided into two primary clusters. Among the bael genotypes, the population structure analysis identified three subpopulations. SSR markers are used to measure genetic variety; of the 27 polymorphic markers, 17 show allelic diversity between genotypes. Molecular genetic diversity analysis, on the other hand, highlighted the genotypes genetic distinctiveness by classifying them into three major clusters. These findings offer valuable insights into the rich diversity and intricate interactions among the bael genotypes under investigation, paving the way for more strategic future breeding and selection efforts to elevate the quality of this remarkable fruit.

PMID:39098938 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-69030-1

Neural Netw. 2024 Jul 22;179:106556. doi: 10.1016/j.neunet.2024.106556. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This paper addresses the asynchronous control problem for semi-Markov reaction-diffusion neural networks (SMRDNNs) under probabilistic event-triggered protocol (PETP) scheduling. A semi-Markov process with a deterministic switching rule is introduced to characterize the stochastic behavior of these networks, effectively mitigating the impacts of arbitrary switching. Leveraging statistical data on communication-induced delays, a novel PETP is proposed that adjusts transmission frequencies through a probabilistic delay division method. The dynamic adjustment of event trigger conditions based on real-time neural network is realized, and the responsiveness of the system is enhanced, which is of great significance for improving the performance and reliability of the communication system. Additionally, a dynamic asynchronous model is introduced that more accurately captures the variations between system modes and controller modes in the network environment. Ultimately, the efficacy and superiority of the developed strategies are validated through a simulation example.

PMID:39068678 | DOI:10.1016/j.neunet.2024.106556

Aging (Albany NY). 2024 Jul 26;16. doi: 10.18632/aging.206033. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Gain of function disturbances in nutrient sensing are likely the largest component in human age-related disease. Mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity affects health span and longevity. The drugs ketamine and rapamycin are effective against chronic pain and depression, and both affect mTORC1 activity. Our objective was to measure phosphorylated p70S6K, a marker for mTORC1 activity, in individuals with psychiatric disease to determine whether phosphorylated p70S6K could predict medication response.

METHODS: Twenty-seven females provided blood samples in which p70S6K and phosphorylated p70S6K were analyzed. Chart review gathered biometric measurements, clinical phenotypes, and medication response. Questionnaires assessed anxiety, depression, autism traits, and mitochondrial dysfunction, to determine neuropsychiatric disease profiles. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to identify predictors of medication response.

RESULTS: mTORC1 activity correlated highly with both classical biometrics (height, macrocephaly, pupil distance) and specific neuropsychiatric disease profiles (anxiety and autism). Across all cases, phosphorylated p70S6K was the best predictor for ketamine response, and also the best predictor for rapamycin response in a single instance.

CONCLUSIONS: The data illustrate the importance of mTORC1 activity in both observable body structure and medication response. This report suggests that a simple assay may allow cost-effective prediction of medication response.

PMID:39068671 | DOI:10.18632/aging.206033

Cogn Neuropsychiatry. 2024 Jul 28:1-14. doi: 10.1080/13546805.2024.2364960. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The study aims to use power spectrum changes in subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), preclinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), for future biomarker studies in early AD diagnosis.

METHODS: We recruited 23 SCD and 32 aMCI subjects and conducted comparative analysis using relative power spectral density (PSD). Automated preprocessing and statistical analysis were performed using iSync Brain® (iMediSync Inc., Republic of Korea) (https://isyncbrain.com/).

RESULTS: Theta band power in the temporal region was 14.826 ± 7.2394 for the SCD group and 20.003 ± 10.1768 for the aMCI group. In the parietal region, theta band power was 13.614 ± 7.5689 for SCD and 19.894 ± 11.1387 for aMCI. Beta1 band power in the frontal region was 6.639 ± 2.2904 for SCD and 5.465 ± 1.8907 for aMCI, and in the temporal region it was 7.359 ± 2.5619 for SCD and 5.921 ± 2.1605 for aMCI.

CONCLUSION: PSD analysis of resting-state EEG predicted SCD, a preclinical stage of AD. This cross-sectional study observed electrical-physiological characteristics of preclinical AD; however, follow-up studies are needed to evaluate predictive value for future cognitive decline.

PMID:39068667 | DOI:10.1080/13546805.2024.2364960

Orv Hetil. 2024 Jul 28;165(30):1166-1175. doi: 10.1556/650.2024.33093. Print 2024 Jul 28.

ABSTRACT

Bevezetés: A szív-érrendszeri betegségek világszerte mindkét nem esetében vezető halálokok, köztük a leggyakoribb az ischaemiás szívbetegség. Az egészségügyi információk megszerzési, értelmezési, felhasználási készségeinek gyűjtőfogalma az egészségértés, mely a prevenció több szintjén előre jelezheti az egészségi állapotot, valamint a cardiovascularis mortalitást. Célkitűzés: Kutatásunk célja az egészségértés szintjének és pszichodemográfiai összefüggéseinek vizsgálata volt ischaemiás szívbetegekben. Módszer: Keresztmetszeti, kérdőíves vizsgálatunkban magyar ischaemiás szívbetegek mintáján (n = 78) mértük az egészségértést, emellett az ezzel összefüggő életmódbeli és pszichés jellemzőket. Mérőeszközök: Brief Health Literacy Screening (BHLS), Short Test of Functional Health Literacy for Adults (S-TOFHLA), Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire; Rövidített Vitális Kimerültség Kérdőív, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, Medication Adherence Report Scale, egészség-magatartás és szubjektív egészségi állapot saját kérdéssorral. Eredmények: Egyik egészségértés teszten sem különbözött szignifikánsan a betegek pontszáma a standard értékektől. Az S-TOFHLA teszten a kitöltők mindössze 6,4%-ának volt nem megfelelő az eredménye, a BHLS tesztnél a 3,8%-uknak. A funkcionális egészségértést az életkor és a vitális kimerültség jelezte előre szignifikánsan (F(72) = 3,94), önállóan csak az utóbbi. A betegségismeret varianciájának 25,7%-át magyarázta az életkort, az iskolai végzettséget és a funkcionális egészségértést tartalmazó regressziós modell (F(74) = 8,18), önállóan az utóbbi kettő jelezte előre. Az önbevallásos egészségértés varianciájának 41,2%-át magyarázta az életkort, az iskolai végzettséget, a vitális kimerültséget, a betegségismeretet és a rizikóviselkedést tartalmazó regressziós modell, amelyben szignifikáns, független előrejelző volt az iskolai végzettség és a vitális kimerültség. A különböző egészségértés-típusok hatását az egészségügyi kimeneti változókra további regressziós modellekkel teszteltük: a betegségreprezentáció varianciájának 29,8%-át magyarázták együttesen (F(3) = 9,321), önálló előrejelzője azonban csak a BHLS teszt volt. Következtetés: Az egészségértés ismert meghatározói mellett rámutattunk a vitális kimerültség szerepére, továbbá az egészségértés és a betegségismeret, valamint a betegségreprezentáció szoros összefüggéseire. A jövőbeli betegedukációk tervezésekor fontosnak tartjuk az egészségértésszint mérését és figyelembevételét. Orv Hetil. 2024; 165(30): 1166–1175.

PMID:39068645 | DOI:10.1556/650.2024.33093