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ct of pensions on healthcare-seeking behaviour and can be helpful in policy design and the formulation of improved models relating to pensions and healthcare utilisation.
Work-related stress and its detrimental effects on human health have rapidly increased during the past several years. It causes many different stress reactions, related diseases and unhealthy behavior among workers, but especially women workers. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of the work-related stress model based Workplace Mental Health Promotion Programme on the job stress, social support, reactions, salivary immunoglobulin A and Cortisol levels, work absenteeism, job performance and coping profiles of women workers.
This study had a "pre-test post-test non-equivalent control groups" design and included 70 women workers (35 in each study group) selected by randomized sampling from two factories. The programme was delivered as an intervention including 12 weeks of follow-up. Reminder messages, videos, and WhatsApp texts were used at the follow-up stage. The research measurements were; the assessment form, the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire, the Brief Coping Profile Scale, salivarycal studies that may support the data of the present study, but it is thought that the intervention can be maintained for the long-term. We recommend that occupational health professionals at workplaces should consider using this model-based cost-effective intervention, which seems easy and practical to apply in real-life situations.
ISRCTN registration ID ISRCTN14333710 (2020/10/03, retrospective registration).
ISRCTN registration ID ISRCTN14333710 (2020/10/03, retrospective registration).
The World Health Organization has advocated for the integration of dental care into the primary healthcare (PHC) setting, including oral urgent treatment (OUT). However, the knowledge necessary for OUT implementation in this setting is still limited. Thus, this study aimed to describe the impact of the implementation of oral disease risk assessment tools for oral health management in PHC.
This was a cross-sectional study that included individuals served by a single public PHC unit, with integrated oral healthcare teams, located in the south region of the city of São Paulo, Brazil, between April of 2015 and March of 2017. Data were collected from dental records. Three co-primary endpoints same day treatment offered, first future appointment scheduled fulfilled, and treatment plan completed were compared before and after the implementation of oral disease risk assessment for OUT.
A total of 1214 individuals that sought OUT, 599 before and 615 after the implementation of oral disease risk assessment for OUT were included in the study. All three co-primary endpoints had significant changes after the implementation of oral disease risk assessment for OUT. Individuals were significantly more likely to be offered same day treatment after (39.9%; 95% CI36.0-43.9%) than before (9.4%; 95% CI 7.2-12.0%), to fulfill their first future appointment scheduled after (34.9%; 95% CI31.1-38.8%) than before (20.7%; 95% CI 17.5-24.2%), and to have their treatment plan completed after (14.3%; 95% CI11.6-17.4%) than before (10.0%; 95% CI 7.7-12.7%) the intervention.
This study provided evidence of the positive impact oral disease risk assessment tools could have in the organization of OUT in PHC settings.
This study provided evidence of the positive impact oral disease risk assessment tools could have in the organization of OUT in PHC settings.
Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is an antioxidant enzyme, whose activity decreases during the acute phase response in many species. Little is known about PON-1 and its role as a negative acute phase protein during septic inflammation in horses, but promising findings about its utility in diagnosing SIRS and predicting the outcome in diseased horses, were recently highlighted. The objective of the study was to investigate the behaviour of PON-1 in horses after experimentally induced endotoxemia. To this aim, PON-1 activity was measured on 66 plasma samples collected from six clinically healthy mares, previously included in another study, before and at multiple time points between 12 and 240 h after intravenous infusion of Escherichia coli O55B5 lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
Compared with baseline values, a progressive transient decrease of PON-1 activity was observed starting from 24 h post-infusion, with lowest values observed between 3 to 7 days post-infusion, followed by a normalisation to pre-infusion levels the tenth day.
The results of this study suggest that measurement and monitoring of PON-1 activity might be useful to evaluate progression and recovery from endotoxemia in horses. Further studies in horses with naturally occurring sepsis are warranted.
The results of this study suggest that measurement and monitoring of PON-1 activity might be useful to evaluate progression and recovery from endotoxemia in horses. Further studies in horses with naturally occurring sepsis are warranted.
During the COVID-19 epidemic, the central sterile supply department (CSSD) staff handled many devices, implements and non-disposable protective articles used by suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients. As a result, the CSSD staff may have experienced psychological stress, however, the mental state of the CSSD staff during the COVID-19 epidemic has been rarely studied. We aim to investigate the mental state of the CSSD staff and relevant influencing factors experienced during the COVID-19 epidemic.
The survey utilising a general information questionnaire, Chinese perceived stress scale (CPSS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC) was conducted with 423 CSSD staff members from 35 hospitals in Sichuan Province, China. Data was analysed in SPSS24.0. Classification and regression tree (CART) was utilised to analyse variables and find variation between groups. A chi-square test was performed on enumeration data, and t-test and analysis of variance were performed on mehe CSSD staff, including taking protective measures regarding the risk factors to ensure they can maintain a healthy mental state.
During the epidemic, the CSSD staff's psychological resilience was at a low level; the anxiety level of the CSSD nurses was higher than that of the CSSD logistic staff. Therefore, more attention should be given to the mental health of the CSSD staff, including taking protective measures regarding the risk factors to ensure they can maintain a healthy mental state.
DNA and RNA of all cellular life forms and many viruses contain an expansive repertoire of modified bases. The modified bases play diverse biological roles that include both regulation of transcription and translation, and protection against restriction endonucleases and antibiotics. Modified bases are often recognized by dedicated protein domains. However, the elaborate networks of interactions and processes mediated by modified bases are far from being completely understood.
We present a comprehensive census and classification of EVE domains that belong to the PUA/ASCH domain superfamily and bind various modified bases in DNA and RNA. We employ the "guilt by association" approach to make functional inferences from comparative analysis of bacterial and archaeal genomes, based on the distribution and associations of EVE domains in (predicted) operons and functional networks of genes. Prokaryotes encode two classes of EVE domain proteins, slow-evolving and fast-evolving ones. Slow-evolving EVE domains in α stress response, and germline development in animals.
Medical tests provide important information to guide clinical management. Overtesting, however, may cause harm to patients and the healthcare system, including through misdiagnosis, false positives, false negatives and overdiagnosis. Clinicians are ultimately responsible for test requests, and are therefore ideally positioned to prevent overtesting and its unintended consequences. Through this narrative literature review and workshop discussion with experts at the Preventing Overdiagnosis Conference (Sydney, 2019), we aimed to identify and establish a thematic framework of factors that influence clinicians to request non-recommended and unnecessary tests.
Articles exploring factors affecting clinician test ordering behaviour were identified through a systematic search of MedLine in April 2019, forward and backward citation searches and content experts. Two authors screened abstract titles and abstracts, and two authors screened full text for inclusion. Identified factors were categorised into a preliminarof tests; time constraints, physical vulnerabilities and language barriers; availability and ease of access to tests; pre-emptive testing to facilitate subsequent care; contemporary medical practice and new technology CONCLUSION This thematic framework may raise awareness of overtesting and prompt clinicians to change their test request behaviour. The development of a scale to assess clinician knowledge, attitudes and practices is planned to allow evaluation of clinician-targeted interventions to reduce overtesting.
This study sought to investigate the clinical characteristics of congenital diaphragmatic eventration (CDE) and to compare the efficacies of thoracoscopy and traditional open surgery in infants with CDE.
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 125 children with CDE (90 boys, 35 girls; median age 12.2months, range 1h-7years; body weight 1.99-28.5kg, median body weight 7.87 ± 4.40kg) admitted to our hospital in the previous 10years, and we statistically analyzed their clinical manifestations and surgical methods.
A total of 108 children in this group underwent surgery, of whom 67 underwent open surgery and 41 underwent thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication. A total of 107 patients recovered well postoperatively, except for 1 patient who died due to respiratory distress after surgery. After 1-9.5years of follow-up, 107 patients had significantly improved preoperative symptoms. During follow-up, the location of the diaphragm was normal, and no paradoxical movement was observed. Eleven of the 17 chims of congenital diaphragmatic eventration vary in severity. Patients with severe symptoms should undergo surgery. Both thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication and traditional open surgery can effectively treat congenital diaphragmatic eventration, but compared with open surgery, thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication has the advantages of a short operation time, less trauma, and a rapid recovery. Thus, thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication should be the first choice for children with congenital diaphragmatic eventration.
Implant location is performed after placement to verify that the safety of neighboring anatomic structure and the realizability of prosthetic plan. Routine postoperative location is based on radiological scanning and raises the concerns on radiation exposure and inconveniency in practice. In the present study a location method based on surface scanning was introduced and the accuracy of this method was assessed in vitro.
A total of 40 implants were placed in 10 resin mandible models. The models were scanned with intraoral scanner (IS group) and extraoral scanner (ES group). The implant position was located with fusing the images of surface scanning and cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) after implant placement. Deviations were measured between positions located by surface scanner and postoperative CBCT with the parameters central deviation at apex (cda), central deviation at hex (cdh), horizontal deviation at apex (hda), horizontal deviation at hex (hdh), vertical deviation at apex (vda), vertical deviation at hex (vdh) and angular deviation (ad).
In IS group, the mean value of cda, cdh, hda, hdh, vda, vdh and ad was 0.27mm, 0.23mm, 0.12mm, 0.10mm, 0.21mm, 0.19mm and 0.72°, respectively. In ES group, the mean value of cda, cdh, hda, hdh, vda, vdh and ad was 0.28mm, 0.25mm 0.14mm, 0.11mm, 0.22mm, 0.20mm and 0.68°, respectively. The implant deviations in IS and ES groups were of no significant difference for any of the measurements.
Dental implant can be located via surface scanner with acceptable accuracy for postoperative verification. Further clinical investigation is needed to assess the feasibility of the method.
Dental implant can be located via surface scanner with acceptable accuracy for postoperative verification. Further clinical investigation is needed to assess the feasibility of the method.
Immunization has been an important public health intervention for preventing and reducing child morbidity and mortality over the years and coverage has increased in the past decades. However, the validity of the data from immunization coverages is usually disputed. Immunization data from health facilities show poor concordance between tallied registers and monthly reports as they are reported to higher levels of the health system. The study assessed the quality of data from routine immunization of some health facilities in the Ho central municipality in the Volta region of Ghana.
A descriptive cross-sectional study was used to review routine immunization data in tallied registers and reports submitted to the Municipal Health Directorate (MHD) from January to December, 2015. Simple random sampling was used to select three health facilities in Ho central municipality. The World Health Organization (WHO) Data Quality Self-assessment (DQS) tool was the main instrument used to present and analyze data for accuaccurate and lacked quality. Immunization data quality should be a priority among health staff at health facilities.
Recently, reports of unwanted tooth movements despite intact orthodontic bonded retainers have increased. These movements are not subject to relapse but are classified as a new developed malocclusion. The aims of the present pilot study were to analyze the prevalence of unwanted tooth movements despite intact bonded cuspid-to-cuspid retainers and to identify possible predisposing factors.
Plaster casts of all patients finishing orthodontic treatment during three consecutive years were assessed before treatment (T0), after multibracket appliance debonding (T1) and after two years of retention (T2). After multibracket appliance treatment, all patients received a cuspid-to-cuspid flexible spiral wire retainer bonded to each tooth of the retained segment in the upper and lower jaw. The study group (SG) consisted of 44 patients (16 male, 28 female) with tooth movements (T1-T2) of the retained segment despite intact bonded cuspid-to-cuspid retainer and the control group (CG) of 43 patients (19 male, 24 female) curred more often with maxillary than mandibular retainers. Patients with oral dysfunctions/habits and without interincisal contact had a higher prevalence of unwanted tooth movements.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in hospitalized patients and is associated with poor patient outcomes and high costs of care. The implementation of clinical decision support tools within electronic medical record (EMR) could improve AKI care and outcomes. While clinical decision support tools have the potential to enhance recognition and management of AKI, there is limited description in the literature of how these tools were developed and whether they meet end-user expectations.
We developed and evaluated the content, acceptability, and usability of electronic clinical decision support tools for AKI care. Multi-component tools were developed within a hospital EMR (Sunrise Clinical Manager™, Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc.) currently deployed in Calgary, Alberta, and included AKI stage alerts, AKI adverse medication warnings, AKI clinical summary dashboard, and an AKI order set. The clinical decision support was developed for use by multiple healthcare providers at the time and point of care on ge order set would improve the care and management of AKI patients.
Development and testing of EMR-based decision support tools for AKI with clinicians led to high acceptance by clinical end-users. Subsequent implementation within clinical environments will require end-user education and engagement in system-level initiatives to use the tools to improve care.
Development and testing of EMR-based decision support tools for AKI with clinicians led to high acceptance by clinical end-users. Subsequent implementation within clinical environments will require end-user education and engagement in system-level initiatives to use the tools to improve care.
Fertilization failure after intracytoplasmic sperm injection continues to affect couples and the etiology is not well-understood.
We characterized a couple with 2-year history of primary unexplained infertility. Three different assisted reproduction attempts (IVF + rescue ICSI, ICSI and ICSI-AOA) showed repeated fertilization failure for MII oocyte retrieval after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. After whole-exome sequencing and sanger sequencing of the couple and their family members, variant pathogenicity was assessed using SIFT, PolyPhen2, Mutation Taster, and Human Splicing Finder software. We identified novel compound heterozygous mutations, c.1535 + 3A > G and c.946C > T (p. Leu316Phe), in WEE2 in the female proband. Trios analysis of the variations revealed an autosomal recessive pattern. c.1535 + 3A > G in WEE2 was predicted to break the wild-type donor site and affect splicing, and the missense mutation c.946C > T (p. Leu316Phe) of WEE2 was predicted to be pathogenic.
A novel compound heterozygous mutation in WEE2 was identified in an infertile female who experienced repeated fertilization failure even after ICSI-AOA. These novel mutations in WEE2 provided genetic evidence for fertilization failure.
A novel compound heterozygous mutation in WEE2 was identified in an infertile female who experienced repeated fertilization failure even after ICSI-AOA. These novel mutations in WEE2 provided genetic evidence for fertilization failure.
It has been demonstrated in non-oral tissues that the locally evoked vasoconstriction could elicit remote vasoconstriction. This study aimed to investigate the spreading vasoconstrictor effects of epinephrine in the gingiva.
Gingival blood flow (GBF) was measured by laser speckle contrast imager in 21 healthy volunteers. In group A, two wells were fabricated from orthodontic elastic ligature and placed 2mm apically to the free gingival margin at the mid buccal line of 12 (test side) and 21 (control side) teeth. The GBF was measured in the wells and tightly apical, coronal, distal and mesial to the wells. In group B, the wells were made on the buccal surface of the same teeth, including the gingival sulcus. Four regions were selected for measurement from the gingival margin reaching the mucogingival line (coronal, midway1, midway2 and apical). After the baseline recording, 3µg epinephrine was applied into the test, and physiological saline into the control well. The GBF was recorded for 14min. The gingival Spreading Vasoconstriction in Human Gingiva with the reference number of NCT04131283 on 16 October 2019. https//clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT04131283.
Epinephrine could evoke intense vasoconstriction propagating to the mucogingival junction, indicating the presence of spreading vasoconstriction in the human gingiva. The attached gingiva is impermeable to epinephrine, unlike the gingival sulcus. This trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov titled as Evidence of Spreading Vasoconstriction in Human Gingiva with the reference number of NCT04131283 on 16 October 2019. https//clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT04131283.
A large number of articles in recent years studying the effects of non-surgically assisted tooth- versus bone-borne maxillary expanders in growing patients have found no significant differences in mid-palatal suture disjunction or even dentoalveolar changes. This suggests the need for new criteria and better use of current technology to make more effective devices and enhance the benefits of conventional treatments. This article describes a titanium grade V computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) maxillary expander supported by two miniscrews, along with a 3D printed surgical guide.
The first step was to obtain a digitized model of the patient's upper maxilla. To simplify the process and ensure the placement of the device in a high-quality bone area, the patients' digital dental cast was superimposed with a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan. Improved resistance to expansion forces was secured through the use of 2mm-wide miniscrews, long enough for bicortical anchorage. Placemeing new devices and updating traditional orthodontic procedures.
Digital models, CBCT and CAD/CAM technology, are essential to accomplish the goals proposed in this article. Further studies are necessary to establish safer miniscrew placement sites and insertion angles so as to achieve greater in-treatment stability. Both the clinician and the patient can benefit from the use of current technology, creating new devices and updating traditional orthodontic procedures.
Compassion fatigue, unprofessional behavior, and burnout are prompting educators to examine medical students' affective reactions to workplace experiences. Attributes of both students and learning environments are influenced by their socio-cultural backgrounds. To prevent 'educational cultural hegemony', opinion leaders have advocated research in under-represented cultural contexts, of which Asia is a prime example. This study aimed to broaden the discourse of medical education by answering the question how do students react affectively to workplace experiences in a Chinese cultural context?
In 2014, the authors recruited five female and seven male Taiwanese clerkship students to make 1-2 audio-diary recordings per week for 12 weeks describing affective experiences, to which they had consciously reacted. The authors analyzed transcripts of these recordings thematically in the original Mandarin and prepared a thick description of their findings, including illustrative extracts. An English-speaking educatioh ethics approval ( 20130864RINB ).
'Older People's Shoes' is a training intervention designed for healthcare assistants (HCAs) to improve the relational care of older people in hospital. The intervention formed part of a broader evaluation, in this paper we describe its development from a learning design and methodological perspective.
Learning theory and an instructional design model were key components of the In-PREP (Input, Process, Review and Evaluation, Product) development methodology used in the design of the 'Older People's Shoes' training intervention to improve the delivery of relational care by front-line hospital staff. An expert panel, current evidence, and pedagogical theory were used to co-design a training programme tailored to a challenging work environment and taking account of trainees' diverse educational experience. Peer review and process evaluation were built into the development model.
In-PREP provided a methodological scaffold for producing evidence-based, peer-reviewed, co-designed training. The product, 'Older People's Shoes', involved a one-day Train the Trainers event, followed by delivery of a two-day, face-to-face training programme by the trainers, with accompanying handbooks underpinned by a range of digital resources. Evaluation found the approach met learner needs, was applicable in practice and won approval from trainers.
In-PREP enables high quality learning content, alignment with learner needs and a product that is relevant, practical and straightforward to implement.
In-PREP enables high quality learning content, alignment with learner needs and a product that is relevant, practical and straightforward to implement.
Continuing medical education (CME) often uses passive educational models including lectures. However, numerous studies have questioned the effectiveness of these less engaging educational strategies. Studies outside of CME suggest that engaged learning is associated with improved educational outcomes. However, measuring participants' engagement can be challenging. We developed and determined the validity evidence for a novel instrument to assess learner engagement in CME.
We conducted a cross-sectional validation study at a large, didactic-style CME conference. Content validity evidence was established through review of literature and previously published engagement scales and conceptual frameworks on engagement, along with an iterative process involving experts in the field, to develop an eight-item Learner Engagement Instrument (LEI). Response process validity was established by vetting LEI items on item clarity and perceived meaning prior to implementation, as well as using a well-developed online platto teaching effectiveness. The LEI is supported by robust validity evidence including content, response process, internal structure, and relations to other variables. Given the relationship between learner engagement and teaching effectiveness, identifying more engaging and interactive methods for teaching in CME is recommended.
Engagement, as measured by the LEI, is strongly related to teaching effectiveness. The LEI is supported by robust validity evidence including content, response process, internal structure, and relations to other variables. Given the relationship between learner engagement and teaching effectiveness, identifying more engaging and interactive methods for teaching in CME is recommended.
Career intention is closely related to the distribution of university graduates across sectors in pharmacy-related field. The aim of the study was to describe career intention and identify its influencing factors among final-year pharmacy undergraduatestudents in China.
A questionnaire study on demographic characteristics, educational situation, family background, occupational value and career intention was conducted among final-year pharmacy undergraduate students at three universities in northwest China. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the constructs of occupational value. Multinominal logistic regression was adopted to analyse the factors influencing career intention.
Among the 275 student participants, 62.6% intended to work in public medical institutions (rural 44.4%; urban 18.2%), 26.5% aimed to work in the pharmaceutical industry, 6.5% wanted to work in other sectors in the pharmacy-related field, and 4.4% planned to work in other fields. Their gender, father's education level, monthly household income per capita, whose opinions were considered most during job selection, the self-gratification factor of occupational value, and employment guidance had significant impacts on students' career intentions.
In the Chinese background, the career intention of more than half of the undergraduate pharmacy students was to work in public medical institutions. The career intentions of the overall participants were mainly determined by their gender, family background as well as psychological self-gratification, and they could also be influenced by employment guidance.
In the Chinese background, the career intention of more than half of the undergraduate pharmacy students was to work in public medical institutions. The career intentions of the overall participants were mainly determined by their gender, family background as well as psychological self-gratification, and they could also be influenced by employment guidance.
The COVID-19 has been a pandemic around the world, which affirmatively brought mental health problems to medical staff. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety in Chinese medical staff and examine the mediation effects of coping styles on the relationship between social support and anxiety.
A cross-sectional study via internet survey was conducted from 15 March to 30 March, 2020. The social demographic data, Self-rated Anxiety Scale, Social Support Rate Scale and Trait Coping Style Scale were collected. Pearson correlation and a structural equation model were performed to examine the relationships of these variables. The bootstrap analysis was conducted to evaluate the mediation effects.
A total of 453 medical staff participated in this study. The mean score of SAS was 46.1 (SD = 10.4). Up to 40.8% of the participants had anxiety symptoms. The participants lived with family members had lower SAS score (45.1 ± 9.8 vs 49.6 ± 11.8). Social support was negatively associated with anxiety, mediated by positive coping and negative coping partially significantly with an effect size of - 0.183.
Chinese medical staff had a high level of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Coping styles had effects on the association between social support and anxiety. Sufficient social support and training on positive coping skills may reduce anxiety in medical staff.
Chinese medical staff had a high level of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Coping styles had effects on the association between social support and anxiety. Sufficient social support and training on positive coping skills may reduce anxiety in medical staff.
Aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of 1- to 6-year-old children who underwent general anesthesia (GA) in a German specialized pediatric dental institution between 2002 and 2011, and to evaluate the risk factors (age, migration background, nutritional status) for caries experience (dmf-s) in these children.
A cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection was designed. Children who underwent comprehensive dental treatment under GA were enrolled in the study. The data were collected from patient records and included personal background age, sex, dmf-s, nutritional status, reasons for GA and treatments provided. Mann-Whitney-U test, Chi-square tests, and linear regression modelling were applied for statistical analyses.
652 children (median age 3years [IQR 2-4], 41.6% female) were treated under GA between 2002 and 2011. Of these, 30.8% had migration background, 17.3% were underweight and 14.8% overweight. The median dmf-s was 28 (IQR 19-43.5). Univariate, only age and migrationhe first choice in most cases in the first time period, more conservative procedures were performed in the second half of the follow-up period.
The use of statins for primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases is associated with different benefit and harm outcomes. The aime of this study is how important these outcomes are for people and what people's preferences are.
We conducted a preference-eliciting survey incorporating a best-worst scaling (BWS) instrument in Iran from June to November 2019. The relative importance of 13 statins-related outcomes was assessed on a sample of 1085 participants, including 913 general population (486 women) and 172 healthcare providers from the population covered by urban and rural primary health care centers. The participants made trade-off decisions and selected the most and least worrisome outcomes concurrently from 13 choice sets; each contains four outcomes generated using the balanced incomplete block design.
According to the mean (SD) BWS scores, which can be (+ 4) in maximum and (- 4) in minimum, in the general population, the most worrisome outcomes were severe stroke (3.37 (0.8)), severe myocardial infarction (2.71(0.7)), and cancer (2.69 (1.33)). While myopathy (- 3. 03 (1.03)), nausea/headache (- 2.69 (0.94)), and treatment discontinuation due to side effects (- 2.24 (1.14)) were the least worrisome outcomes. Preferences were similar between rural and urban areas and among health care providers and the general population with overlapping uncertainty intervals.
The rank of health outcomes may be similar in various socio-cultural contexts. The preferences for benefits and harms of statin therapy are essential to assess benefit-harm balance when recommending statins for primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
The rank of health outcomes may be similar in various socio-cultural contexts. The preferences for benefits and harms of statin therapy are essential to assess benefit-harm balance when recommending statins for primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Fixed prosthodontics require an accurate impression for the teeth and the area to be restored for the laboratory to fabricate the desired restoration without mistakes. This study evaluated the quality of impressions received by private laboratories for the fabrication of fixed prosthesis by describing the frequency of clinically detectable errors and by analyzing association between the various factors involved.
165 impressions were collected from four dental laboratories. Jaw involved, type of tray, size of tray, number of prepared units, type of impression materials, techniques and viscosity in case of elastomeric impressions and type of prosthesis requested were recorded. Data referring to errors and visible defects including errors in finish line, in preparation area, in silicone impression technique and blood in impression were also documented. Factors affecting errors present were also assessed. Association between dentist gender and experience years and impression errors was assessed. Chi square anhigh frequency of detectable errors was found in fixed prosthesis impressions received by private dental laboratories. This high frequency is of serious concern, as this will result in poor fitted fixed prosthesis provided to patients.
The intellectual loss induced by fluoride exposure has been extensively studied, but the association between fluoride exposure in different susceptibility windows and children's intelligence is rarely reported. Hence, we conducted a cross-sectional study to explore the association between fluoride exposure in prenatal and childhood periods and intelligence quotient (IQ).
We recruited 633 local children aged 7-13 years old randomly from four primary schools in Kaifeng, China in 2017. The children were divided into four groups, of which included control group (CG, n = 228), only prenatal excessive fluoride exposure group (PFG, n = 107), only childhood excessive fluoride exposure group (CFG, n = 157), both prenatal and childhood excessive fluoride exposure group (BFG, n = 141). The concentrations of urinary fluoride (UF) and urinary creatinine (UCr) were determined by fluoride ion-selective electrode assay and a creatinine assay kit (picric acid method), respectively. The concentration of UCr-adjusted urinarof school children. Furthermore, children with prenatal fluoride exposure had lower IQ scores than children who were not prenatally exposed; therefore the reduction of IQ scores at higher levels of fluoride exposure in childhood does not become that evident.
Prenatal and childhood excessive fluoride exposures may impair the intelligence development of school children. Furthermore, children with prenatal fluoride exposure had lower IQ scores than children who were not prenatally exposed; therefore the reduction of IQ scores at higher levels of fluoride exposure in childhood does not become that evident.
Menarche is an expected event that occurs during the development of every normal young girl. We designed this study to evaluate the knowledge of young school girls on puberty, menarche, andmenstruation, andto update data on the age at menarche in a rural and urban setting in Cameroon.
We conducted a cross-sectional survey from February to March 2017, targeting female students aged 9 to 16 years in Yaoundé (urban) and Bamougoum (rural). Participants were included using a randomised cluster sampling and data collected using an auto-administrable questionnaire. Student t-test or the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare means, and the odds ratio used as the measure of association between age at menarche and selected covariates.
1157 participants were included in the study; 49.3% from an urban setting and 50.7% from a rural setting. Regarding the knowledge of our participants on puberty, menarche, and menstruation, 67.20% of rural participants had good knowledge, whereas only 46.00% had good knowledge in er, and frequency of watching TV. Age and urban/rural residence are associated with age at onset of menarche. The continually declining age at menarche is an alarm for future early menarche-linked morbidities.
Rural participants had better knowledge of puberty, menarche, and the menstrual cycle than their counterparts in the urban setting. The mean age at menarche over the last two decades has dropped by 7.4 and 4.2 months per decade in urban and rural Cameroon respectively. Mean age at menarche varies significantly with age group, urban/rural residence, state of both parents (both alive/at least one dead), occupation of the father, and frequency of watching TV. Age and urban/rural residence are associated with age at onset of menarche. The continually declining age at menarche is an alarm for future early menarche-linked morbidities.
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype with limited systemic treatment options. RX-5902 is a novel anti-cancer agent that inhibits phosphorylated-p68 and thus attenuates nuclear β-catenin signaling. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of β-catenin signaling blockade to enhance the efficacy of anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade in immunocompetent, preclinical models of TNBC.
Treatment with RX-5902, anti-PD-1, anti-CTLA-4 or the combination was investigated in BALB/c mice injected with the 4 T1 TNBC cell line. Humanized BALB/c-Rag2
Il2rγ
SIRPα
(hu-CB-BRGS) mice transplanted with a human immune system were implanted with MDA-MB-231 cells. Mice were randomized into treatment groups according to human hematopoietic chimerism and treated with RX-5902, anti-PD-1 or the combination. At sacrifice, bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen and tumors were harvested for flow cytometry analysis of human immune cells.
The addition of RX-5902 to CTLAat RX-5902 may have important immunomodulatory, as well as anti-tumor activity, in TNBC when combined with a checkpoint inhibitor.
Conclusions RX-5902 enhanced the efficacy of nivolumab in a humanized, preclinical model of TNBC. Several changes in immunologic profiles were noted in mice treated with RX-5902 and the combination, including an increase in activated TILs and a decrease in human myeloid populations, that are often associated with immunosuppression in a tumor microenvironment. RX-5902 also was shown to potentiate the effects of checkpoint inhibitors of CTLA4 and the PD-1 inhibitor in the 4 T-1 murine TNBC model. These findings indicate that RX-5902 may have important immunomodulatory, as well as anti-tumor activity, in TNBC when combined with a checkpoint inhibitor.
A key ethical question in genomics research relates to whether individual genetic research results should be disclosed to research participants and if so, which results are to be disclosed, by whom and when. Whilst this issue has received only scarce attention in African bioethics discourse, the extension of genomics research to the African continent has brought it into sharp focus.
In this qualitative study, we examined the views of adolescents, parents and caregivers participating in a paediatric and adolescent HIV-TB genomic study in Botswana on how solidarity and reciprocity obligations could guide decisions about feedback of individual genetic research results. Data were collected using deliberative focus group discussions and in-depth interviews.
Findings from 93 participants (44 adolescents and 49 parents and caregivers) demonstrated the importance of considering solidarity and reciprocity obligations in decisions about the return of individual genetic research results to participants. Participants viewed research participation as a mutual relationship and expressed that return of research results would be one way in which research participation could be reciprocated. They noted that when reciprocity obligations are respected, participants feel valued and not respecting reciprocity expectations could undermine participant trust and participation in future studies.
We conclude that expectations of solidarity and reciprocity could translate into an obligation to feedback selected individual genetic research results in African genomics research.
We conclude that expectations of solidarity and reciprocity could translate into an obligation to feedback selected individual genetic research results in African genomics research.
Although cardiovascular diseases in particular Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is associated with, high morbid-mortality in chronic hemodialysis, but its magnitude remains paradoxically unknown in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of PAH and associated factors in chronic hemodialysis in Sub-Saharan African population.
In a cross-sectional study, patients treated with HD for at least 6 months in 4 hemodialysis centers were examined. PAH was defined as estimated systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) ≥ 35 mmHg using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography performed 24 h after the HD session.
Eighty-five HD patients were included; their average age was 52.6 ± 15.9 years. Fifty-seven patients (67.1%) were male. Mean duration of HD was 13.3 ± 11 months. With reference to vascular access, 12 (14.1%), 29 (34.1%) and 44 (51.8%) patients had AVF, tunneled cuff and temporary catheter, respectively. The underlying cause of ESRD was diabetes in 30 patients (35.3%). The prevalence of PAH was 29.4%. Patients with PAH had more hyponatremia (11 (44%) vs 10 (16.7%), p = 0.010). In multivariate analysis, unsecured healthcare funding (aOR 4, 95% CI [1.18-6.018]), arrhythmia (aOR 3, 95% CI [1.29-7.34]), vascular access change (aOR 4, 95% CI [1.18-7.51]) and diastolic dysfunction (aOR 5, 95% CI [1.35-9.57] were independently associated with PAH.
One third of hemodialysis patients exhibit PAH, which is independently associated with low socioeconomic status (unsecured funding, vascular access change) and cardiovascular complications (arrhythmia, diastolic dysfunction).
One third of hemodialysis patients exhibit PAH, which is independently associated with low socioeconomic status (unsecured funding, vascular access change) and cardiovascular complications (arrhythmia, diastolic dysfunction).
Atlantoaxial fusion has been widely used for the treatment of atlantoaxial instability (AAI). However, atlantoaxial fusion sacrifices the motion of atlantoaxial articulation, and postoperative loss of cervical lordosis and aggravation of cervical kyphosis are observed. We investigated various factors under the hypothesis that the atlantodental interval (ADI) and T1 slope may be associated with sagittal alignment after atlantoaxial fusion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
We retrospectively investigated 64 patients with RA who underwent atlantoaxial fusion due to AAI. Radiological factors, including the ADI, T1 slope, Oc-C2 angle, cervical sagittal vertical axis, and C2-C7 angle, were measured before and after surgery.
The various factors associated with atlantoaxial fusion before and after surgery were compared according to the upper and lower preoperative ADIs. There was a significant difference in the T1 slope 1year after surgery (p = 0.044) among the patients with lower preoperative ADI values. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the preoperative ADI (> 7.92mm) defined in the receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was an independent predictive factor for the increase in the T1 slope 1year after atlantoaxial fusion (odds ratio, 4.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.34-15.73; p = 0.015).
We found an association between the preoperative ADI and difference in the T1 slope after atlantoaxial fusion in the patients with RA. A preoperative ADI (> 7.92mm) was an independent predictor for the increase in the T1 slope after atlantoaxial fusion. Therefore, performing surgical treatment when the ADI is low would lead to better cervical sagittal alignment.
7.92 mm) was an independent predictor for the increase in the T1 slope after atlantoaxial fusion. Therefore, performing surgical treatment when the ADI is low would lead to better cervical sagittal alignment.
Following the global upward trend of cardiovascular diseases (CVD/CHD), much attention has been paid to lifestyle behaviors such as physical activity (PA). However, most of previous studies were conducted in developed countries and with just one measurement of physical activity. The aim of the current study is to assess the effect of changes in the PA on the incidence of CVD/CHD in middle-aged and older men and women in an Eastern-Mediterranean population, over a decade follow-up.
This study has been conducted within the framework of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) including 4073 (57% women) participants without CVD/CHD at baseline. The participants were followed up for an average period of 12 years. The Iranian version of Modified Activity Questionnaire (MAQ) was used to measure PA at baseline and at the closest follow-up to the outcome. Subsequently, participants were categorized as "compliers", "non-compliers", "adopters" and "relapsers", based on their adherence to the PA guideline recommend recommendations have a protective effect on the incidence of CVD/CHD among middle-aged men; findings which need to be considered in reducing cardiovascular outcomes in this population.
Adhering to established PA recommendations have a protective effect on the incidence of CVD/CHD among middle-aged men; findings which need to be considered in reducing cardiovascular outcomes in this population.
A growing body of evidence suggest that the children's physical activity (PA) level in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings are insufficient. Since most children attend ECEC settings for many hours on most days of the week, and these institutions reach children across the socioeconomic spectrum, the ECEC settings may serve as an ideal avenue for increasing physical activity level, reduce sedentary time and enhance the overall health of young children. This paper investigates the effectiveness of the "Active Kindergarten - Active Children" study to increase children's PA level and reduce sedentary time within the ECEC setting.
Accelerometers were used to asses PA and sedentary time. A total of 116 three to four-year olds took part in a randomised controlled trial in 11 ECEC settings. Participants were cluster-randomised, by ECEC setting, to either a 12 week staff-led and expert-supported intervention or a waiting list control group.
The intervention group increased time spent in moderate- and vigorous intensity PA by 10 min/day (95% CI = 3, 18; P = 0.01), took 1909 more steps per day (95% CI = 1130, 2688; P < 0.01) and reduced sedentary time with 14 min/day (95% CI = - 27, - 1; P = 0.04) compared to the control group. The intervention group had a 2.4 higher odds (95% CI = 1.05, 5.7; P = 0.04) of meeting the PA recommendations compared to the control group at follow-up.
Our results show that a flexible staff-led and expert-supported multicomponent PA intervention can increase total PA level, moderate- and vigorous intensity PA and reduce time spent sedentary in three to four-year old children during their stay in ECEC settings.
The trial was retrospectively registered on September 19, 2020 and available online at ClinicalTrials.gov No. NCT04555746 .
The trial was retrospectively registered on September 19, 2020 and available online at ClinicalTrials.gov No. NCT04555746 .
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new option for oral lichen planus (OLP) management; however, there are different opinions on the efficacy of PDT for OLP. The aim of this study was to comprehensively assess the efficacy of PDT in the treatment of OLP and compare PDT with steroid therapy.
A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to assess the curative effect of PDT. Five electronic databases were searched, PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and EBSCO up to 1 December, 2019. Random and fixed effects models for pooled estimates calculation were used and the Meta package of R was applied.
Pooled estimates revealed that, after PDT, the lesion size decreased by 1.53 cm
(95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71-2.35) after PDT and the partial response (PR) was 0.77 (95% CI 0.65-0.85). The visual analogue scale (VAS) score decreased by 3.82 (95% CI 2.80-4.85) and the Thongprasom sign score decreased by 1.33 (95% CI 0.56-2.10) after PDT. Subgroup analyses revealed that the 5-aminolevulinds are contraindicated.
The Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) and its abbreviated version, the Mini-BESTest are clinical examination of balance impairment, but its psychometric properties have not yet been tested in European Spanish. We aimed to assess the psychometric properties of BESTest and Mini-BESTest in Spanish in community-dwelling elderly people.
We designed a cross-sectional transcultural adaptation and validation study. Convenience sample of thirty (N-30) adults aged 65 to 89 years old without balance problems were recruited. Two physiotherapists assessed participants at the same time. Internal consistency of Spanish BESTest and Mini-BESTest was carried out by obtaining the Cronbach Alpha. The reproducibility between raters was studied with the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient. The Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated by comparing the relationship between the BESTest, mini-BESTest, Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I).
BESTest and Mini-BESTest showed good intern on 2018/01/17.
Recently, colorectal cancer has increased in elderly patients worldwide, with laparoscopic colorectal surgery increasing in elderly patients with colorectal cancer. However, whether laparoscopic colorectal surgery is an optimal procedure for colorectal cancer in the elderly remains unclear. This study aimed to verify safety and curability of laparoscopic colorectal surgery in elderly patients ≥80 years old.
Patients undergoing curative colorectal surgery from 2006 to 2014 were enrolled and classified into the laparoscopic surgery in elderly patients aged ≥80 years (LAC-E) group, open surgery in elderly patients (OC-E) group, and laparoscopic surgery in non-elderly patients (LAC-NE) group. Short- and long-term outcomes were compared between these groups.
The LAC-E, OC-E, and LAC-NE groups comprised 85, 25, and 358 patients, respectively. Intraoperative blood loss and incidence of postoperative complications were significantly lower in the LAC-E versus OC-E group (97 vs. 440 mL, p< .01 and 14% vs. 32%, p< .05, respectively). Long-term outcomes were not different between these two groups. Operation time was significantly shorter in the LAC-E versus LAC-NE group (249 vs. 288 min, p< .01). Intraoperative blood loss and postoperative complications were similar between the groups. Although the 5-year overall survival rate in the LAC-E group was lower than that in the LAC-NE group (64% vs. 80%, p< .01), there was no difference in 5-year disease-specific survival between the groups.
Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is technically and oncologically safe for colorectal cancer in the elderly as well as the non-elderly and can be an optimal procedure for colorectal cancer in the elderly.
Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is technically and oncologically safe for colorectal cancer in the elderly as well as the non-elderly and can be an optimal procedure for colorectal cancer in the elderly.
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