Tag: statistics

Blood Press Monit. 2021 Jul 15. doi: 10.1097/MBP.0000000000000563. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Many cardiovascular complications, including hypertension, are seen in pediatric liver transplantation. The purpose of this study was to analyze the frequency of arterial hypertension of pediatric liver transplant recipients and also to determine the related risk factors.

METHODS: Thirty-six pediatric liver transplant recipients aged 8-17 years were prospectively studied by manual and ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) technique.

RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 12.42 ± 2.74 years and the mean ABPM measurement time after transplantation was 2 years (3 months-5.9 years). Only one (2.7%) patient was detected as hypertensive by casual measurement, but 17 (47.2%) patients were found to be hypertensive when measured through ABPM. Of children that were found to be hypertensive as a result of ABPM, 64.7% were observed to have a nondipper pattern. Considering the time passed after the transplantation, patients were found to be more hypertensive in the first 2 years posttransplant although it was not found statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it has been shown that it is possible to diagnose hypertension at an earlier period of transplantation using ABPM in pediatric liver transplant patients. ABPM is needed to detect masked hypertension that may develop following liver transplantation.

PMID:34267073 | DOI:10.1097/MBP.0000000000000563

Optom Vis Sci. 2021 Jul 13. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000001736. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

SIGNIFICANCE: This report illustrates the potential uses of vision data in helping teams select players during the draft.

PURPOSE: Visual performance has gradually gained recognition in baseball as a tool that can optimize on-field performance. It also may be useful in player development programs that gradually move players toward the major league.

METHODS: Recently, over the past 5 years, vision data from six different major league teams were used by the authors to assess prospective players before the annual Major League Baseball (MLB) draft. One thousand three hundred forty-three vision forms were evaluated representing 759 different players. Their vision data were retrospectively analyzed using a novel grading method to advise teams on the visual readiness of prospects for success in MLB.

RESULTS: On a one (best)-to-six (worst) vision scale, the average vision score was 2.080 ± 1.171. Sixty-eight percent (320/473) of the players with good vision scores were drafted, 66% (185/281) of the players with moderate vision scores were drafted, and only 1 player with a poor vision score was drafted. There was a statistically significant difference in the amount of signing bonus received by draftees with better vision scores compared with those with lower vision scores (P < .003 to P < .001). Draftees with the highest vision scores also received the highest signing bonuses as they entered MLB.

CONCLUSIONS: For both potential draftees and teams, the vision score seems to be a valuable tool in selecting players for the MLB draft. Adding the pre-draft visual assessment score to a team’s projection model could help reduce the uncertainty surrounding the player draft and future service to the team.

PMID:34267081 | DOI:10.1097/OPX.0000000000001736

Otol Neurotol. 2021 Jul 9. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000003291. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential significance of social distancing and quarantine precautions for COVID-19 on speech outcomes, missed appointments, wear time, and exposure to various sound environments in the first 6 months following activation for elderly cochlear implant (CI) recipients.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort.

SETTING: Tertiary private practice.

PATIENTS: Fifty cochlear implant recipients ≥65 years were evaluated. A Control Group consisted of 26 patients implanted between November 2, 2018 and February 18, 2019 while the Pandemic Group included 24 patients implanted between November 1, 2019 and February 17, 2020.

INTERVENTION: Rehabilitative.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative and 6-month postoperative AzBio sentence scores in quiet were compared between groups along with the number of missed appointments as well as datalogged information regarding average CI wear time and average hours in various sound environments such as quiet, speech, and speech-in-noise.

RESULTS: The Control Group averaged 36.5% improvement for AzBio in quiet scores while the Pandemic Group averaged only 17.2% improvement, a difference that was both statistically and clinically significant (p = 0.04; g = 0.64). Patients in the Pandemic Group were nearly twice as likely to miss CI programming appointments than the Control Group. The Pandemic Group wore their CI 1.2 less hours per day on average, and while the Pandemic Group spent similar times in quiet and speech environments to the Control Group, the Pandemic Group spent less time in speech with presence of background noise.

CONCLUSIONS: While social distancing and quarantine measures are crucial to limiting spread of COVID-19, these precautions may have negatively impacted early speech performance for elderly cochlear implant recipients. Missed CI programming appointments, decreased sound processor wear time, and reduced exposure to complex listening environments such as speech in the presence of background noise were more common in the Pandemic Group than in the Control Group operated the year prior.

PMID:34267095 | DOI:10.1097/MAO.0000000000003291

Cornea. 2021 Jul 15. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000002812. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify trends in the primary indication for keratoplasty in New Zealand/Aotearoa (NZ) after significant population growth, increase in the number of cataract surgeries per population, widespread adoption of endothelial keratoplasty, and introduction of corneal cross-linking for keratoconus.

METHODS: Statistical analysis of the New Zealand National Eye Bank’s prospective database of all keratoplasties was performed between January 1991 and January 2020. Indications for keratoplasty were isolated for the primary diagnosis.

RESULTS: In total, 6840 corneas were transplanted with mean 236 ± 57.5 transplants/year, increasing from 2.55 to 6.06 per 100,000 NZ population/year. Over the past decade, the number of transplant recipients aged 60 years or older has increased and recipients aged 20 to 39 years have plateaued. In 2019, for the first time, regraft became the most common indication (30.9%), followed by keratoconus (27.9%) and corneal dystrophy (18.8%), with a steady decline in bullous keratopathy. Proportions of the keratoplasty technique changed dramatically: penetrating keratoplasty fell from 91.4% in 2006 to 55.0% in 2019, Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty increased from 0% to 29.5%, anterior lamellar keratoplasty increased from 2.5% to 5.7%, and Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty increased from 0% to 9.1%.

CONCLUSIONS: Keratoplasty trends in Aotearoa/NZ have changed considerably because of the evolution of phacoemulsification and keratoplasty techniques. Unlike proportions observed overseas, NZ still performs penetrating keratoplasties in over half of all transplants. Corneal cross-linking may be having an early effect of reducing keratoplasty rates for keratoconus.

PMID:34267061 | DOI:10.1097/ICO.0000000000002812

Clin J Sport Med. 2021 Jul 7. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000930. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes for patients with chronic plantar fasciitis after extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) or autologous blood injection (ABI).

DESIGN: Cohort study-retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.

SETTING: Hospital-based Sports Medicine Outpatient Clinic.

PATIENTS: One hundred two consecutive patients with chronic plantar fasciitis, treated with either radial-ESWT (rESWT) (n = 54) or ABI (n = 48), with minimum 3-month follow-up and 96% (98/102) having 6-month follow-up. Mean age 49.5 years and mean duration of symptoms 37.5 months before treatment.

INTERVENTIONS: Patients received either 3 sessions of radial ESWT (one session per week for 3 weeks), or a single ultrasound-guided dry needling and ABI (3 mL whole autologous blood). All patients received standardized after-care, including progressive structured home exercise program of flexibility, strengthening, and proprioception exercises.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 0 to 10 numerical rating scale (NRS) for self-reported “average pain” and “average stiffness” values. Secondary outcome measures included assessments of local foot function [including Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ), revised-Foot Function Index] as well as markers of mental health functioning (HAD), global health (EQ-5D-5L), and physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire).

RESULTS: This study demonstrated statistically significant improvements in self-reported measures of pain and local foot function after either procedure at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months, but no statistically significant differences were seen between groups at any time-period studied. At 6 months, the average pain using a 0 to 10 NRS was improved from 6.8 ± 1.8 to 4.0 ± 2.7 (P < 0.001) after ESWT and from 7.1 ± 1.6 to 3.8 ± 2.7 (P < 0.001) after ABI. At 6 months, significant improvements were seen following either group using a number of different validated patient-rated outcome measures assessing local foot pain and function, eg, the total score for MOXFQ improved from 56.1 ± 12.8 to 42.5 ± 16.6 (P < 0.001) after ESWT and from 58.8 ± 13.2 to 44.2 ± 19.2 (P < 0.001) after ABI. However, measures of physical activity or wider aspects of patient functioning did not consistently improve from baseline values to follow-up periods.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with chronic plantar fasciitis improved to statistically significant extent after either rESWT or ABI procedures, with no significant differences seen between groups. The lack of randomization in this pragmatic study is noted, which may have influenced the outcome seen. Potentially larger and more robust studies are required to investigate this treatment comparison further.

PMID:34267064 | DOI:10.1097/JSM.0000000000000930

J Contemp Dent Pract. 2021 Apr 1;22(4):353-356.

ABSTRACT

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To compare between mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) mixed with water and water-based gel regarding shear bond strength with resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) and composite.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: In this study, 40 blocks of cylindrical shape were prepared with acrylic. These blocks were divided into four groups with each group consisting of 10 blocks: group-1A: MTA + distilled water + composite, group-1B: MTA + distilled water + RMGIC, group-2A: MTA + polymer + composite, and group-2B: RMGIC + MTA + polymer. After that, a universal testing machine was used for the measurement of shear bond strength. The acrylic blocks were placed under this machine. A blade with a knife-edge was used to provide a crosshead speed of 1 mm/minute. This was continued till bond of MTA in both forms (distilled water/gel) and restorative material failed.

RESULTS: It was observed that a statistically significant difference was found between MTAw + composite and MTAg + composite resin but no statistically significant difference between MTAw + RMGIC and MTAg + RMGIC with p ≥ 0.05. It was found that a statistically significant difference was present between the RMGIC and composite groups within the same MTA type with p ≤ 0.05.

CONCLUSION: It was concluded from the present study that MTA with a water-based gel has a better shear bond strength than composite resin and RMGIC materials.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: It has been found that MTA has different properties when it is mixed with polymer and water. Very few studies have been conducted in the past to compare MTA mixed with water and water-based gel regarding the shear bond strength with RMGIC and composite.

PMID:34267002

J Contemp Dent Pract. 2021 Apr 1;22(4):361-364.

ABSTRACT

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to evaluate the difference in torsional resistance of two reciprocating nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) rotary files: WaveOne Gold and EdgeOne Fire.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 nickel-titanium rotary instruments (n = 40): 20 WaveOne Gold Small (WOGS) and 20 EdgeOne Fire Small (EOFS) were divided into two groups. Each instrument was tested using a torsional resistance device already validated in previous studies to evaluate and compare torsional resistance. The static torsional test was implemented by blocking each instrument at 3 mm from the tip and rotating it until fracture with a reciprocating motion. Torque to fracture (TtF) and fragment length (FL) were measured and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS: Statistical analysis of TtF found significant differences between the two groups (p<0.05). The EOFS showed higher TtF if compared to WOGS, with a mean value and a standard deviation of 3.05 ± 0.07 (N cm) against 2.97 ± 0.08 (N cm). Data for FL showed no significant differences (p>0.05) between the two groups.

CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, it is reasonable to assert that EOFS instruments showed a higher torsional resistance if compared to the WOGS.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: As evidenced by this study, EOFS should be considered as a safer solution, in terms of torsional resistance, if compared to WOGS, reducing the risk of intracanal separation due to excessive torsional load.

PMID:34267004

J Contemp Dent Pract. 2021 Apr 1;22(4):378-387.

ABSTRACT

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to determine the golden proportion, golden mean, and the Preston proportion of the individuals between the widths of six maxillary anterior teeth and to determine which proportional formula exists in the population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted among 60 participants between 18 years and 30 years of age with an esthetic smile. They were grouped into 30 females and 30 males. Maxillary arch impressions were made using irreversible hydrocolloid material from each individual. The width of the anterior teeth on the graph paper was analyzed by using digital vernier caliper. The data were statistically analyzed by one way ANOVA test.

RESULTS: The study revealed that the formula of golden proportion and golden mean had no statistical differences between males and females but the Preston proportion has shown statistical differences in the total population.

CONCLUSION: From the current study, it was concluded that the formulas of golden mean and golden proportion proposed by Ward can be used for smile designing and full mouth rehabilitations.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Demand for smiles has gained its importance with time. The golden proportion, golden mean, and the Preston proportion are the guidelines used by the professional for better esthetic proportion in the dentition.

PMID:34267007

J Contemp Dent Pract. 2021 Apr 1;22(4):349-352.

ABSTRACT

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the apical extrusion of debris during root canal preparation with the use of different Nickel-Titanium (Ni-Ti) file systems.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Totally 60 single-rooted human mandibular premolar teeth with fully formed roots were chosen for the study. The coronal access cavity and all other preparations were done with the use of an access cavity kit and then 60 samples were randomly separated into three investigational groups (n = 20); group I: self-adjusting file, group II: WaveOne Gold, and group III: Mtwo rotary system. After instrumentation, the teeth were taken out from the tube and the root surface-adherent debris was collected by washing off the apical area of the tooth with distilled water (1 ml) into a centrifuge tube. The centrifuge tube was kept for 5 days in an incubator at 70°C to permit evaporation of the moisture prior to weighing the dry debris with the aid of an electrical analytical balance.

RESULTS: The highest quantity of debris extruded was by the Mtwo rotary system (0.0394 ± 0.880) followed by WaveOne Gold (0.0247 ± 1.030) and self-adjusting file (0.0198 ± 0.102). A statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) was found between the various file systems.

CONCLUSION: After considering the drawbacks of this study, apical debris extrusion could be found with all three groups. However, the self-adjusting file demonstrated a significantly reduced quantity of apical debris extrusion compared to the Mtwo rotary system and WaveOne Gold.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The chief step during the procedure of root canal treatment is the preparation of the infected root canals biomechanically. This preparation may lead to forcing the apical debris into the periapical space through the apical foramen, resulting in host-initiated immunological response which leads to postoperative discomfort and pain. This consequently leads to selection of a specific rotary system for endodontic treatment.

PMID:34267001

J Complement Integr Med. 2021 Jul 16. doi: 10.1515/jcim-2021-0072. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study intended to evaluate the efficacy of Ḥammām-i-yabis (dry bath) in metabolic syndrome as primary objective and perceived improvement and changes in quality of life as secondary objective.

METHODS: The study was designed as single arm, open-labelled, pre and post without control clinical trial comprising 30 diagnosed cases of metabolic syndrome belonging to 20-50 years of age of either sex. The enrolled patients were exposed to the dry heat of Ḥammām-i-yābis for 15 min at a temperature of 60 degree centigrade on every third day for a duration of 30 days (A total of 10 sittings). Objective parameters comprising systolic &diastolic blood pressure and waist circumference were assessed on every follow up, while other objective parameters (FBS, HDL and Serum Triglycerides) were assessed before and after the study.

RESULTS: Significant statistical difference was observed in objective parameters. Two tailed paired Student’s t-test, (for pre and post) and Repeated Measure ANOVA (for 0, 15th and 30th day) were used to find the significance of mean change in study parameters. No significant adverse change appeared in safety parameters.

CONCLUSIONS: Ḥammām-i-yābis was found effective, safer, more feasible and less expensive regimenal modality for the patients of Metabolic Syndrome.

PMID:34265883 | DOI:10.1515/jcim-2021-0072