Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA Test Research Articles

Morphological features of parietal cortex and hippocampus neuron of rats following subtotal cerebral ischemia associated with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids injection

Aim of the study was to investigate the morphological features of neurons of the parietal cortex and hippocampus of rats with subtotal cerebral ischemia (SACI) during administration of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFA). Materials and methods . The experiments were performed on 24 white outbred male rats. Surgical interventions were carried out under conditions of intravenous thiopental anesthesia (40–50 mg/kg). Acute SACI was modeled by bilateral ligation of the common carotid arteries. The animals of the main group ( n = 6, SACI + omega-3 PUFA) received intragastric injections of omega-3 PUFA preparation at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight prior to ischemia for a week. In the comparison group ( n = 6, SACI), the drug was not used; the control ( n = 6) was sham operated animals, which were incised without skin ligation. Animals were decapitated after 60 minutes of ischemia. In rats, morphological changes in the neurons of the parietal cortex and the CA1 field of the hippocampus were studied. For morphometric and histochemical studies, animals were quickly removed after decapitation of the brain, pieces of the anterior cortex of the cerebral hemispheres were fixed in Carnoy fluid. Serial paraffin sections were stained with 0.1 % toluidine blue according to the Nissl method. Statistical hypothesis testing was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test. Results and discussion . The morphological and functional disorders in the parietal cortex and hippocampus have been revealed in animals of both experimental groups. The appointment of omega-3 did not significantly affect the size and shape of neurons in both the parietal cortex and the hippocampus. In the hippocampus, the administration of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids resulted in a decrease in the number of hyperchromic shriveled neurons (by 20%) and an increase in hyperchromic neurons by 31 %. The number of shadow cells in this section did not differ from the indices of the control group. In the parietal cortex, no corrective effect was noted. Conclusions. Thus, subtotal cerebral ischemia leads to the development of morphofunctional disorders of the cerebral cortex. Administration of omega-3 had a positive effect on the state of rat hippocampal neurons, reducing the number of degenerative forms of neurons. The data obtained can serve as the basis for the search for new approaches to the treatment of acute ischemic stroke, which is one of the urgent problems of experimental and clinical neurology.

Bonding of conventional provisional resin to 3D printed resin: the role of surface treatments and type of repair resins.

PURPOSEThis study evaluated the shear bond strength between 3D printed provisional resin and conventional provisional resin depending on type of conventional provisional resin and different surface treatments of 3D printed resin.MATERIALS AND METHODSNinety-six disc-shaped specimens (Ø14 mm × 20 mm thickness) were printed with resin for 3D printing (Nextdent C&B, Vertex-Dental B. V., Soesterberg, Netherlands). After post-processing, the specimens were randomly divided into 8 groups (n=12) according to two types of conventional repair resin (methylmethacrylate and bis-acryl composite) and four different surface treatments: no additional treatment, air abrasion, soaking in methylmethacrylate (MMA) monomer, and soaking in MMA monomer after air abrasion. After surface treatment, each repair resin was bonded in cylindrical shape using a silicone mold. Specimens were stored in 37℃ distilled water for 24 hours. The shear bond strength was measured using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Failure modes were analyzed by scanning electron microscope. Statistical analysis was done using one-way ANOVA test and Kruskal-Wallis test (α=.05).RESULTSThe group repaired with bis-acryl composite without additional surface treatment showed the highest mean shear bond strength. It was significantly higher than all four groups repaired with methylmethacrylate (P<.05). Additional surface treatments, neither mechanical nor chemical, increased the shear bond strength within methylmethacrylate groups and bis-acryl composite groups (P>.05). Failure mode analysis showed that cohesive failure was most frequent in both methylmethacrylate and bis-acryl composite groups.CONCLUSIONOur results suggest that when repairing 3D printed provisional restoration with conventional provisional resin, repair with bis-acryl composite without additional surface treatment is recommended.

Ecological and geochemical assessment of the degree of contamination of the wastewater sump, for the development of ways of their treatment and use in the arid zone

The article presents the results of studies of the state of the sewage sump, which allow to determine the degree of contamination, and choose the most environmentally and economically expedient method of cleaning them for use in the irrigation system of plantings. Currently, the problem of finding alternative sources of water supply, solving the problem of water shortage even for irrigation of plantings, not to mention the needs of irrigated agriculture, is of paramount importance for the city of oil workers of Zhanaozen. Relevant and timely is the geochemical assessment of water pollution and bottom sediments of the sewage settling tank of urban sewage treatment plants, which allows us to analyze the special situation in the area of the settling tank and develop ways to solve the use of these waters for surface irrigation of urban plantations. Water sampling was carried out in accordance with GOST R 51592-2000. Selection and storage of bottom sediments were carried out in accordance with the requirements of GOST&nbsp;17.1.5.01-80. Water pH was determined using a portable Hanna pH meter. Determination of oil content was carried out according to a certified method of extraction-photometric method by the analyzer, the content of petroleum products “AH-2”. Statistical data processing was performed in the environment of the analytical software interface Statistica 10. The choice of the analysis method using Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test statistics was determined by a small volume of research samples with different distribution laws. GIS family programs (Google Maps, SAS Planet) were used to create a schematic map of the area where the wastewater sump is located. The results of the assessment of the degree of contamination of the sump, located almost within the city of Zhanaozen, with an insufficient degree of water treatment, which turns it into a “man-made” object, allow us to develop and choose the most economically feasible and environmentally friendly solar water treatment plant, in order to solve the problem of irrigation water shortage, for the green spaces of the city of oil workers. Key words: Sedimentation tank, waste water, bottom sediments, heavy metals, water pollution index, total pollution index.

Diagnostic performance of serum cystatin C and complement component 1q in lupus nephritis

BackgroundThe information concerning non-invasive, easily obtainable, and accurate biomarkers for diagnosis of lupus nephritis (LN) is extremely limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of cystatin C (CysC) and complement component 1q (C1q) for LN.MethodsA case-control study that included 905 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) without LN (group SLE), 334 patients with active lupus nephritis (group LNA), 255 patients with inactive lupus nephritis (group LNI), and 497 healthy individuals (group HC) was performed in Mianyang Central Hospital from March 2017 to December 2018. The serum levels of CysC, C1q, urea (Urea), and creatinine (Creat) were measured, and 2 estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRCysC and eGFRCreat) were calculated by equations which were based on serum CysC established by our group and the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD), respectively. ANOVA analysis or Kruskal-Wallis test was used for comparing the differences among the groups, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to identify the diagnostic efficiencies of individual or combined multiple indicators.ResultsSignificantly elevated CysC and decreased C1q were observed in the LNA and LNI groups, which was in contrast to their levels in the SLE and HC groups. CysC (AUC = 0.906) or eGFRCysC (AUC = 0.907) assessed the highest diagnostic performance on LNA when detected individually, followed by C1q (AUC = 0.753). Joint utilization of C1q and CysC achieved very good performance (AUC = 0.933) which approximated to the best one observed in the combinations of C1q, Urea, CysC, eGFRCreat, and Creat (AUC = 0.975).ConclusionThe separately detected CysC (eGFRCysC) and C1q were superior to the conventional biomarkers Urea, Creat, and eGFRCreat in the diagnosis of LNA. Moreover, although the combined detection of Urea, Creat, C1q, CysC, and eGFRCreat had the greatest diagnostic performance, the joint utilization of CysC and C1q could be prioritized for rapid discrimination of LNA if the economic burden is taken into consideration.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INNOVATIVENESS AND EXPORT IN CROATIAN COMPANIES

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between innovativeness and export in Croatian companies. The study involved 303 Croatian export companies from the manufacturing industry and the information and communication technology sector. The survey was conducted using the survey method over the last three months of 2016. For this purpose, Spearman rank correlation, the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test and canonical analysis were used. The results show that there is a positive relationship between innovativeness and export in Croatian companies. The results offer theoretical and managerial implications. This research has practical implications for Croatian companies to increase their efficiency and innovativeness. Value is reflected in the relationship between innovativeness and export and there is an important research gap in the literature on international trade, entrepreneurship and management. In the context of this research, it is likely that innovativeness influences a company's export activities, which can be positively reflected in creating and maintaining their competitive advantage on the international market.

Assessment of Human Health Risk in Groundwater at Rural and Agriculture Areas in Sabah, Malaysia

Lack of treated water system in Sabah has increase human dependency to groundwater sources. The presence of contaminants such as nitrate in groundwater can pose severe health implications to human, such as methemoglobinemia and cancerous diseases. The objectives of this paper were to quantify the nitrate concentration in groundwater, to calculate potential human health risk exposure of nitrate in groundwater and to compare the potential human health risk exposure of nitrate between rural and agriculture areas. Six tube wells were selected at Inanam and Kota Belud district and involved one-hundred eighty respondents aged from 7 to 12 years old. The groundwater samples were analyzed using Cadmium Reduction method of HACH DR2800 Spectrophotometer and human health risk exposure were assessed using Chronic Daily Intake (CDI) and Hazard Index (HI) after set of information of respondents were obtained by questionnaires. Result obtained were showing mean ± S.D of nitrate levels in groundwater well and filtered water of agriculture (0.79 ± 0.33 mg/L; 0.33 ± 0.29 mg/L) and rural (0.50 ± 0.12mg/L; 0.53 ± 0.10 mg/L) areas were within the acceptable value limit set by National Drinking Water Quality Standard of Malaysia (10 mg/L). The statistical analysis of Kruskal-Wallis and one-way ANOVA test implied there were no significant differences of nitrate levels between two areas (p>0.05). Moreover, the mean ± S.D of CDI for agriculture and rural areas were 0.0064 ± 0.0056 mg/kg/day 0.0140 ± 0.0096 mg/kg/day respectively and HI were less than 1. The insignificant differences of potential human health risk were noted in terms of gender and age of respondents between two areas. This specified that the human health risk of respondents involved in this study was in acceptable range and not exposed to severe health risks.

Correlations between genomic subgroup and clinical features in a cohort of more than 3000 meningiomas.

Recent large-cohort sequencing studies have investigated the genomic landscape of meningiomas, identifying somatic coding alterations in NF2, SMARCB1, SMARCE1, TRAF7, KLF4, POLR2A, BAP1, and members of the PI3K and Hedgehog signaling pathways. Initial associations between clinical features and genomic subgroups have been described, including location, grade, and histology. However, further investigation using an expanded collection of samples is needed to confirm previous findings, as well as elucidate relationships not evident in smaller discovery cohorts. Targeted sequencing of established meningioma driver genes was performed on a multiinstitution cohort of 3016 meningiomas for classification into mutually exclusive subgroups. Relevant clinical information was collected for all available cases and correlated with genomic subgroup. Nominal variables were analyzed using Fisher's exact tests, while ordinal and continuous variables were assessed using Kruskal-Wallis and 1-way ANOVA tests, respectively. Machine-learning approaches were used to predict genomic subgroup based on noninvasive clinical features. Genomic subgroups were strongly associated with tumor locations, including correlation of HH tumors with midline location, and non-NF2 tumors in anterior skull base regions. NF2 meningiomas were significantly enriched in male patients, while KLF4 and POLR2A mutations were associated with female sex. Among histologies, the results confirmed previously identified relationships, and observed enrichment of microcystic features among "mutation unknown" samples. Additionally, KLF4-mutant meningiomas were associated with larger peritumoral brain edema, while SMARCB1 cases exhibited elevated Ki-67 index. Machine-learning methods revealed that observable, noninvasive patient features were largely predictive of each tumor's underlying driver mutation. Using a rigorous and comprehensive approach, this study expands previously described correlations between genomic drivers and clinical features, enhancing our understanding of meningioma pathogenesis, and laying further groundwork for the use of targeted therapies. Importantly, the authors found that noninvasive patient variables exhibited a moderate predictive value of underlying genomic subgroup, which could improve with additional training data. With continued development, this framework may enable selection of appropriate precision medications without the need for invasive sampling procedures.

P4428Physical exercise during uncontrolled systemic arterial hypertension

Abstract Introduction Physical exercise reduces systemic arterial blood pressure and improves cardiac remodeling. However, the effects of exercise during uncontrolled arterial hypertension remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the influence of physical training on cardiac remodeling in untreated spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods Four experimental groups were used: sedentary (W-SED n=27) and trained (W-EX, n=31) normotensive Wistar rats, and sedentary (SHR-SED, n=27) and exercised (SHR-EX, n=32) hypertensive rats. At 13 months old, the exercise groups underwent treadmill exercise five days a week, for four months. Echocardiogram was performed to evaluate cardiac structures and function. In vitro myocardial function was analyzed in left ventricular (LV) papillary muscle preparations. Myocardial collagen was quantified by histology and hydroxyproline concentration and antioxidant enzyme activity was assessed by spectrophotometry. NADPH oxidase activity was analyzed by lucigenin reduction. Protein expression was quantified by Western blot. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) activity was evaluated by zymography. Statistical analyzes: two factor ANOVA and Bonferroni or Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests. Results Systolic blood pressure was higher in SHR groups. Exercised groups had greater physical capacity. Frequency of heart failure features was higher in hypertensive groups than controls; SHR-EX had a lower frequency of pleural effusion and tachypnea than SHR-SED. Echocardiogram showed lower LV wall thickness, LV relative wall thickness, left atrium diameter, and relaxation time in SHR-EX than SHR-SED. Myocardial function was better in SHR-EX (positive derivative of developed tension) than SHR-SED. SHR-EX had higher antioxidant enzyme activity than SHR-SED. Lipid hydroperoxide concentration, myocyte diameters, and phosphorylated JNK and total IkB protein expression were higher in hypertensive than control groups. Hydroxyproline, malondialdehyde, NADPH oxidase activity, and protein expression of collagen III, lysyl oxidase, TIMP-1, total JNK, phosphorylated p38, phosphorylated and total p65, and phosphorylated IkB did not differ between groups. Interstitial collagen fraction, MMP-2 activity, and protein expression of total p38, and total and phosphorylated ERK were higher in SHR-SED than W-SED. Exercise reduced MMP-2 activity and phosphorylated ERK in hypertensive rats. Conclusion Physical exercise improves physical capacity, reduces the frequency of heart failure features, and attenuates cardiac remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats. In addition, exercise increases antioxidant enzyme activity, decreases ERK phosphorylation and MMP-2 activity, and attenuates total ERK protein expression. Acknowledgement/Funding Fapesp, CNPq, Capes and UNESP

Structural and functional state of left ventricular myocardium in patients with stage II hypertension depending on galectin-3 and aldosterone levels

The analysis of structural and functional state of the left ventricular myocardium was conducted in the article, which concerned the determination of the general morphological and functional echocardiographic parameters of the heart according to the existing recommendations of the American Echocardiographic Society and the European Society of Cardiovascular Imaging; assessment of the relative dimensions/volumes of the LA (left atrium); determination of the structural-geometric remodeling variant of the left ventricular (LV) according to Ganau (1992) also determining the functions of the heart valves in patients with stage II 1-3 degrees hypertension, of different age and gender depending on plasma levels of galectin-3 and aldosterone. Determined the end-systolic (mm) and end-diastolic dimensions of the LV (mm), the thickness of the interventricular septum (mm) and the posterior wall of the LV (mm) in diastole, aortic diameter (AD, mm), size right atrium (RA, mm) and right ventricle (RV, mm), anterior-posterior size of the left atrium (LA, mm) and its index (ILA, mm/m2), LA volume (LPV, ml) and ejection fraction left ventricle (FV globe, %) by the modified Simpson method. LV mass (LVM, g) was estimated by the Penn Convention formula, and LVM index (LVM, g / m2) as the ratio of LVM to body surface area using the Du Bois nomogram (m2). The EchoCG in color Doppler mode measured the early (Ve) and late transmittal (Va) (m\s), their ratio (Ve\Va), the early LF filling time (DT), and the isovolumic LF relaxation time (IVRT) (ms). Statistical processing of the study results was performed using standard methods using the StatSoft Statistica v application package. 12.0 as recommended. In the case of quantitative values, the results were presented as medians and interquartile ranges (25 and 75 percentiles), in the case of relative values, as percentages (%). Comparison of the quantitative values in the groups was performed using the U-Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test, the relative values by the criterion χ2. A difference of p&lt;0.05 was considered plausible. The obtained data demonstrate that relatively high levels (RH) of both galectin-3 (&gt;2.4 pg/ml) and aldosterone (&gt;325 pg/ml) are identified with significant morphological and functional changes in heart parameters, namely: worse structural-geometric remodeling of LV (increase in cases of concentric hypertrophy (CH) and decrease in cases with normal geometry (NG) of LV). In order to exclude the fact of cross-influence of neurohormones on echocardiographic parameters of the heart, the alignment of the groups in terms of aldosterone and galectin-3 levels was conducted. The analysis turned to be optimal in groups with galectin-3 level of -&gt;2.0 and ≤2.0 pg/ml and aldosterone level of - &gt;290 and ≤290 pg/ml. As a result, it was detected that galectin-3 has a greater pathophysiological effect than aldosterone on such indices as: an increase in aortic diameter; increase in right and left heart chambers dimensions; LVMMI (left ventricular myocardial mass index) value and increase in systolic, diastolic myocardial stress, increase in the number of cases with CH (concentric hypertrophy) and decrease in cases with normal geometry (NG) of LV. Aldosterone level is associated with an increase in dimension/volume indices of LA, calculated per patient’s body area.

Application of otolith morphometry for the study of ontogenetic variations of Odontesthes argentinensis

The study of otolith morphometry is a tool widely used in numerous studies of fish populations (fish stocks, taxonomic, ecological, ontogeny, among others). The aim of this study was to detect ontogenetic variations in the otolith of Odontesthes argentinensis through the application of traditional and geometric morphometry and the association of these variations with ecological and trophic habits of the species. Fish (52 to 360 mm TL) were collected seasonally between years 2013–2016 in the southwest coast of the Atlantic Ocean (36°39’30.96”S - 56°40’40.09”W). Otolith shape indices (circularity, rectangularity, aspect ratio and surface occupied by sulcus) and Fourier descriptors were measured and compared through ontogenetic stages (I, II and III). The three stages analysed in the present study were differentiated by both traditional and geometric morphometry. The four analysed indices showed significant differences between stages (ANOVA Kruskal Wallis test, P < 0.001) and a simultaneous analysis of the morphometric variables also showed significant differences (Hotelling’s T2 < 0.001). The quadratic discriminant analysis performed on the Fourier descriptors showed a clear separation for each defined group. Therefore, the use of both methodologies simultaneously could be considered robust to evaluate the ontogenetic variations in this species. The observed changes could be associated to changes in the habitat throughout its development, to the sexual maturity of fish and to dietary shifting of these organisms.

Effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid irrigation on immune‐inflammatory response in teeth submitted to regenerative endodontic therapy

To analyse longitudinally the immune-inflammatory response in teeth of mice that underwent a regenerative protocol with or without the use of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to irrigate the root canal system. First maxillary molars of mice were devitalized using size 10 and 15 files. Teeth were divided into the following groups: Empty - the canals were left empty; Blood Clot (BC) - the canals were filled with a blood clot; and EDTA+Blood - the canals were irrigated with 0.06mL of 17% EDTA for 1min and filled with a blood clot. Access cavities were restored with Coltosol® . Animals were sacrificed at 7, 14 or 21days after the operative procedures, and teeth were collected. RNA was extracted, mRNA expression of the cytokines IGF, NGF, IL-1α, IL-10, TGF and VEGF was assessed using real-time PCR, and the anova Kruskal-Wallis test was used. IL-1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in the EDTA+BC group than in the Empty and BC groups at the 7th and 14th days of evaluation (P<0.05). IL-10 mRNA expression was similar across the three groups at all time periods. TGF-β mRNA expression in the EDTA+BC group was significantly higher on the 7th and 21st days than on the 14th (P<0.05); at day 21, TGF-β mRNA expression was similar between the BC and EDTA+BC groups but significantly higher than in the Empty group (P<0.05). IGF mRNA expression was significantly higher in the EDTA+BC group than in the other groups at all time periods. VEGF mRNA expression remained unchanged throughout the experimental period in all groups (P>0.05). NGF mRNA expression was similar amongst all groups at the 7th and 21st days (P>0.05). At the 14th day, however, there was a significant increase in NGF mRNA expression in the EDTA+Blood group (P<0.05) when compared with the expression in the other groups. EDTA promoted increased expression of factors that have the potential to improve the outcome of regenerative endodontic treatment.

Anti-inflammatory and antiresorptive functions of melatonin on experimentally induced periapical lesions.

To investigate the effects of systemically administered melatonin on inflammation and alveolar bone resorption in rats with experimentally induced periapical lesions. Thirty adult Sprague Dawley rats were divided equally into negative, positive control and melatonin groups. The pulp chambers of their mandibular first molars were exposed to the oral environment to induce experimental periapical lesions in the positive control and melatonin groups. The melatonin group received daily intraperitoneal injections of melatonin at a dose of 10mgkg-1 . After 21days, the animals were euthanized; the hemi-mandible parts were prepared for radiological, histopathological, immunohistochemical (IL-1β, RANK, RANKL, OPG and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and Brown-Brenn (bacteria) evaluations. Data were analysed by Kruskal-Wallis (for non-parametric data) and one-way anova tests (for parametric data) (P<0.05). The area of radiographic periapical bone loss was significantly smaller in rats that were given daily intraperitoneal injections of melatonin (P<0.01). The histopathological scores of the melatonin group were significantly lower than those of positive control group (P<0.01). Histomorphometrically, the area of periapical bone loss in the melatonin group was significantly smaller than the positive control group (P<0.01). The expression of IL1-β, RANK and RANKL was significantly higher in the positive control group, whereas OPG was significantly higher in the melatonin group (P<0.01). The number of osteoclasts was significantly greater in the positive control group by TRAP staining analyses (P<0.01). The scores for bacteria localization using Brown-Brenn staining in the melatonin group was significantly lower than that of the positive control group (P<0.01). Melatonin demonstrated antiresorptive effects on bone associated with experimentally induced periapical lesions in rats via its anti-inflammatory activity. Further studies are necessary to evaluate its possible effects on the healing of periapical lesions.

The effects of sodium hypochlorite and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on the microhardness of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and TotalFill Bioceramic Putty.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 5% NaOCl and 17% EDTA on the Vickers microhardness of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate, MTA Angelus (MTAA), and TotalFill Bioceramic Putty (BCP) after 24h and 8days. Twenty-four samples of MTAA and BCP were tested for baseline microhardness at 24h. They were divided into four subgroups (5% NaOCl or 17% EDTA, 24h, 5% NaOCl or 17% EDTA at 8days) and microhardness was evaluated at different time-points. Results were recorded and analysed statistically via one-way anova Kruskal-Wallis test and post hoc uncorrected Dunn's multiple comparison test. MTAA had a higher baseline microhardness than BCP. NaOCl reduced the microhardness of MTAA but increased that of BCP. EDTA reduced the microhardness for both materials at 24h. At 8days, EDTA reduced the microhardness of MTAA, while BCP exhibited an increase in microhardness. Enabling these materials to set for a week prior to exposure to irrigants improves their microhardness.

Employees’ Creativity Development within Innovative Processes of Enterprise

Abstract Business practice requires creativity to be considered an important part of management because innovation is the result of it. The aim of the paper is to find out how is the creativity of employees supported in food enterprises in Slovakia. After evaluating the information obtained from structured interview and questionnaire based on the 5-degree Likert scale, there were used one way ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis test as well as Cronbach alpha and Spearman’s correlation tests. The survey also highlighted the significant innovation potential of food enterprises in Slovakia. Innovation and creativity development activities can be stimulated through the use of various techniques, with some having a specific effect on a subset of innovation types and others being applicable to a wide variety of innovations.

Environmental Management in the Context of Corporate Sustainability Concept

Abstract The present age is marked by an unsustainable trends not only in the field of production but also in consumption, and concerns all levels of the community. At enterprise level, there is an effort to eliminate these negative trends by the application of several concepts in which environment and security are the essential parts. The paper focuses on environmental management as a significant part of the corporate sustainability concept and reports using of specific environmental tools to promote corporate sustainability. Apart from the tools, the paper also deals with motives that lead enterprises to focus on the environmental protection. The data were obtained through a questionnaire survey among Slovak manufacture enterprises. The focus of the research is transformed into several hypotheses. Several methods of inferential statistics (Interval estimate, Chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test) were used to verify our hypotheses. In hypothesis testing we used .05 level of significance. Based on the descriptive statistics it is evident that 50% of the total number of enterprises (N = 336) use at least one of the environmental management tools. Their using depends on the origin of capital. The results also indicate the individual benefits of focusing on environmental management and underline their importance to the business world.

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE PEDIATRIC ILIOTIBIAL BAND

Background: Previous work on adult specimens have demonstrated some differential thickness of the iliotibial band (ITB) tissue in different areas. The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) to quantitatively and qualitatively describe the relevant surgical anatomy of the ITB, at the level of the knee, in pediatric cadaveric specimens in which either an iliotibial band tenodesis or extraphyseal reconstruction would be considered, and 2) to provide recommendations that allow the surgeon to obtain the ideal graft in terms of tissue width and location on the larger ITB structure. Methods: Pediatric cadaveric specimens (n=24) were dissected by a group of fellowship trained pediatric orthopaedic surgeons. Digital photography of each specimen was obtained prior to collecting quantitative data of the ITB and its three main divisions using digital calipers and a coordinated measurement device (Hexagon Romer Absolute V3 CMM). Measurements included thickness, surface area, length, and width of each branch; surface area and length of each insertion; and distance of insertion in relation to other pertinent anatomical landmarks. Specimens were grouped into four age groups (Group 1: 2 year olds, Group 2: 3 and 4 year olds, Group 3: 5-7 year olds, and Group 4: 9-11 year olds). The four age groups were compared utilizing ANOVA and nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis tests with post-hoc analysis using the Tukey method. In order to correlate measurements and age, a Spearman’s correlation was used. Results: All specimens (mean age 4.7 years; range 2-11) contained a visible ITB with a direct primary arm to Gerdy’s tubercle. Sixteen specimens (66.6%) had a visible trifurcation point, in which the aggregate of ITB fibers diverge into three distinct branches: a direct arm, the iliopatellar branch, and the iliotendinous branch (Figure 1). Fibers from the central third of the iliotibial band, as described as the primary site for harvest, do not terminate on Gerdy’s tubercle, but diverge to the patella, patellar tendon and a portion of Gerdy’s tubercle. The length from the trifurcation point to the insertion of the direct arm at Gerdy’s tubercle increased with each age group (21.3 mm, 29.9 mm, 31.5 mm, and 41.8 mm, respectively) with a significant difference seen between Group 1 and 4 (p&lt;0.01) and Group 2 and 4 (p=0.03), indicating migration of this point with longitudinal growth. The mean thicknesses of the direct arm (0.55 mm), the iliopatellar branch (0.74 mm), and iliotendinous branch (0.42 mm) were not statistically different between age groups. Length, width, and surface area were also not statistically different between age groups. Conclusion: The ITB is a consistent, well-defined structure in pediatric specimens. While some longitudinal changes in the ITB and its insertions were seen with increasing age, the thickness and width of the direct arm of the ITB, typically harvested for extra-physeal ACL reconstruction, does not appear to differ between age groups and does not represent the thickest distal branch of the ITB. The location of ITB harvest may influence the impact that the extra-articular “capsular tightening” has on joint mechanics, including altering the compression across the joint, and/or the impact on the Pivot-Shift/rational laxity of the knee undergoing ITB reconstructions. Further study of the graft location/harvest and its impact on knee biomechanics is warranted. [Figure: see text]

The role of biopsychosocial factors in the rehabilitation process of individuals with a stroke.

BACKGROUND:A large proportion of individuals with a stroke are unable to return to work, although figures vary greatly. Due to the very high cost of post-stroke care, both tangible and intangible, in the form of long-term social consequences, it seems extremely important to search for factors responsible for the low efficiency of the rehabilitation and recovery process, because this fact has direct influence on future employment. Such knowledge would enable physiotherapists to quickly identify those patients who are at risk of rehabilitation breakdown, in order to provide them with special care and include them in intensive therapeutic treatments.OBJECTIVE:The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of post-stroke rehabilitation, evaluated within the biopsychosocial aspect.METHODS:The study consisted of 120 patients after first stroke, including 48 women and 72 men aged 58.0 (±8.6). The measure of the effects of physiotherapy in the present study was not only the improvement of the functional state (simple and complex activities of daily life, locomotive activities), but also the improvement of the mental state (mood and the sense of well-being, level of acceptance of illness, perceived self-efficacy) and the reduction of pain. The Mini-Mental State Examination, the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, the Acceptance of Illness Scale, the Visual Analogue Scale, the Barthel Index, the Instrumental Activity of Daily Living and the Rivermead Mobility Index were used. All parameters were measured twice: on admission to the ward and after three weeks of physiotherapy. The characteristics of the study group were presented using descriptive statistics. The analysis of interdependence of the efficacy of physiotherapy used two non-parametric tests: the Mann-Whitney U test to compare two groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test to compare a greater number of groups. Correlations between characteristics with continuous distributions were assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (ρ), and in case of categorical variables, Pearson’s chi-squared (χ2) correlation coefficient. Linear regression was used to determine the hierarchy of the influence of particular characteristics on the efficacy of physiotherapy.RESULTS:Statistical analyzes show that patient’s age, time since stroke, number of comorbidities, family care capacity, marital status of the patient and also a low level of acceptance of illness, depression symptoms and lack of a sense of self-efficacy were related with low efficacy of post-stroke rehabilitationCONCLUSIONS:Comprehensive neurological rehabilitation, taking into account mental challenges and socio-economic circumstances of individuals with a stroke is essential in order to achieve high efficacy of physiotherapy. Important external factors may play a pivotal role in returning to work as well and should be taken into account during rehabilitation. Of interest should be to assess more biopsychological factors, such as acceptance of illness and a sense of self-efficacy referred to as barriers to return to work.

Bcl-2 expression in reactive oral lesions with atypical epithelium and in oral epithelial dysplasia associated with carcinogen exposure.

Background:Reactive lesions of the oral cavity are nonneoplastic proliferations with very similar appearance to benign neoplastic lesions and are associated with chronic local irritation or trauma. Although these lesions are uncommonly associated with carcinogen exposure, at times, they present histopathologically with dysplastic epithelium, thus making it difficult to differentiate it from true potentially malignant disorders. Hence, the present study was conducted to evaluate the expression of Bcl-2 protein, an antiapoptotic marker, in reactive lesions with and without atypical epithelium and in true epithelial dysplasia, which clinically presents as premalignant disorders.Materials and Methods:The samples included 15 cases each of normal oral mucosa (NOM), reactive lesions with and without dysplasia and oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) associated with carcinogen exposure. All the samples were subjected to immunohistochemical staining using Bcl-2 antibody. The total number of cells in the basal and parabasal layers in each field and total number of cells expressing Bcl-2 among them and the staining intensity were assessed.Statistical Analysis:Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA test was used to compare the number of positive cells among the four groups. The comparison of average percentage of positive cells between the study groups was done using Mann–Whitney U-test.Results:The immunohistochemical staining for Bcl-2 protein was identified in few cells in the basal layers of NOM, reactive lesions without atypical epithelium and in the basal and parabasal layers in reactive lesions with atypical epithelium and OED, as a granular cytoplasmic staining and as an accentuation around the nuclear membrane. There was a gradual increase in the expression and intensity of staining from Group I to IV.Interpretation and Conclusion:The altered or increased expression of Bcl-2 oncoprotein in reactive lesions with atypical epithelium and in OED with carcinogen exposure may lead to prolonged cell survival and can be considered as an early molecular event in carcinogenesis, helping us in understanding the nature of dysplasia in reactive lesions, which was not considered during the histopathology reporting.

Expression of cluster differentiation-44 stem cell marker in grades of oral epithelial dysplasia: A preliminary study.

Introduction:Oral cancer is one among the alarming diseases related to oral cavity. Its prevalence and incidence have increased in many folds, in the past decade. This has led the investigators to find the preliminary stages and related early evaluating methods to restrain it. Few clinical lesions such as leukoplakia, erythroplakia, oral submucous fibrosis and lichen planus reflected malignant changes. These premalignant disorders provided scope to assess the underlying cellular and molecular events, which shall be helpful in early detection, aggressiveness and prognosis of the patient.Materials and Methods:Forty formalin fixed, paraffin embedded blocks were utilized and evenly subdivided into Group I – control tissue, Group II – mild epithelial dysplasia, Group III – moderate epithelial dysplasia and Group IV – severe epithelial dysplasia. The study group was categorized based on the WHO classification of dysplasia 2005. Routine staining was performed to reconfirm the diagnosis of all the samples. Simultaneously, immunohistochemical staining was done with cluster differentiation-44 (CD44) antibody. Positive cells were counted on 10 representative fields with a minimum of 100 cells per field using ×20.Statistical Analysis:Comparison of four groups with respective to number of positive cells was done using Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA test. Pair-wise comparison of three grades of oral epithelial dysplasia and the controls was done using Mann–Whitney U test.Results:The mean of Group I is 745.50, Group II is 665.20, Group III is 530.10 and Group IV is 322.90. A statistically significant P = 0.00001 was ascertained on comparison of the mean between the groups.Conclusion:CD44, a cell membrane marker could help in cell adhesion and cell-cell interactions. Loss of CD44 expression enhances the binding of the growth factors with their principle receptors that enhances the cellular proliferation. It can be used as a prognostic marker for identifying the rate of malignant transformation in these disorders.

In vitro evaluation of cytotoxicity of Emblica officinalis (amla) on cultured human primary dental pulp fibroblasts

The dental pulp tissue is capable of healing after surgical amputation of infected/inflamed tissue during vital pulp therapy, when in contact with a suitable medicament. Emblica officinalis (amla), a traditional medicine, is one such medicament which has never been evaluated for its healing potential in pulp therapy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of E. officinalis (amla) against human primary dental pulp fibroblasts. This was in vitro study. Human dental pulp fibroblasts were obtained from dental pulp tissue of extracted over-retained primary incisors. The primary cells were cultured using the Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium and used for the study after the fourth passage. The test medicament was E. officinalis with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) (100%) and untreated cells as positive and negative controls, respectively. Methyl-thiazol-diphenyl-tetrazolium (MTT) cytotoxicity assay was performed, and the cell survival was observed and analyzed at intervals of 24, 48, and 72 h. Cell survival within groups was compared with Wilcoxon matched-paired t-test and in between groups at each point interval was analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Within the groups, across the time periods of evaluation, there was a decline in cell survival in both the groups but was statistically significant in the MTA group. On interval-wise comparison, the decline in cell survival was statistically significant between the three groups at 72 h (P = 0.001). E. officinalis preserved the vitality of the human primary dental pulp fibroblasts and has the potential to be developed into vital pulp therapy medicament.