Low Index Values Research Articles

Açık kalp cerrahisi geçiren 80 yaş üstü hastalarda Geriatrik Nutrisyonel Risk İndeksinin mortalite oranını tahmin edebilme gücü

Purpose: This retrospective study aimed to determine the predictive power of the geriatric nutritional risk index, calculated using the preoperative albumin value of patients over 80 years old who underwent open-heart surgery, in relation to the postoperative mortality rate.
 Materials and Methods: A total of 22 patients (13 males, 9 females; mean age: 82.1±2.4 years; range, 80-88 years) who underwent open elective heart surgery for coronary bypass and heart valve replacement between July 2019 and September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed using the geriatric nutritional risk index. Based on this index, two distinct groups were formed. Values 98 and below were considered risky, and values 99 and above were considered risk-free. There were 6 patients in the risk group. The other 16 patients were in the risk-free group. All patient groups were compared on the basis of surgical procedures, age, gender, body mass index (kg/m2), diabetes, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, smoking, and operative characteristics.
 Results: In the study, 6 risky (27.3%) and 16 risk-free (%72.7) patients were examined according to the geriatric nutritional risk index and the mortality rate was found to be high (%66.7) in the risky group. The patients in the risk group had lower body mass index and albumin values (25.0±1.8 and 30.1±2.4) compared with the risk-free group (28.1±2.4 and 36.7±3.1). In addition, the mean extubation values were high (11.2±4.2). No significant difference was found between the other parameters and the presence of risk.
 Conclusion: Before undergoing open heart surgery, the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index can strongly predict postoperative mortality rates.

Evaluation and Interpretation of Legacy Major-Ion Chemistry for the Niobrara River Watershed, Northwestern and Northcentral Nebraska, USA

Evaluation and Interpretation of Legacy Major-Ion Chemistry for the Niobrara River Watershed, Northwestern and Northcentral Nebraska, USA

UNVEILING THE HIDDEN LINK: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND VOTER TURNOUT IN BALOCHISTAN, PAKISTAN

The province of Balochistan in Pakistan provides an intriguing opportunity to analyze the complex correlation between human development and voter engagement. This study aims to determine if there is a direct relationship between the Human Development Index (HDI) and voter turnout in Balochistan. The study utilizes a quantitative research approach, analyzing data from the Human Development Index (HDI) and voter participation records for districts in Balochistan, Pakistan. The HDI data was acquired from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), whilst the voter turnout data was gathered from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The study's findings indicate no direct correlation between HDI and voter turnout. Some districts with low Human Development Index (HDI) values have a high voter turnout, whereas, on the other hand, certain districts with high HDI values have a low voter turnout. These findings indicate that other factors beyond HDI substantially influence voter turnout in Balochistan. Further research would be helpful to thoroughly understand the intricate relationship between HDI and voter turnout in Balochistan. These research efforts have the potential to find strategies that can increase voter turnout in the province.

Community structure and functional diversity of soil nematodes from Udupi district, Karnataka, India

Nematodes constitute the most significant, most numerous, and diversified set of multicellular organisms on the earth. They live in various environments and exhibit a wide range of behavioural patterns. In the soil food web, they can be found at various trophic levels as herbivores (plant parasitic nematodes), bacterivores, fungivores, omnivores, and predators. As there were fewer studies on nematode ecology in the Udupi region, the present study aims to study the community structure and functional diversity of soil nematodes. Soil samples were collected following opportunistic random sampling employing a soil auger and were stored at 40C until transported to the laboratory. Nematodes were isolated from soil, killed, fixed, dehydrated, and displayed on a glass slide after isolation. The standard keys were used to identify the individual to genera level. 62 genera of soil nematodes belonging to 26 families and 7 orders were identified. Predator were the most prevalent communities. Various statistical indices for assessing nematode population ecology and nematodes specific indices were also calculated and it indicated a significant abundance of large plant parasitic nematodes. The region exhibits low levels of labile organic carbon and nutrient enrichment (Enrichment Index (EI):14.06 to 21.22). Despite this, the soil food web in the region is well-structured, indicated by Structure Index (SI) (85.51 to 89.74). Prevalence of fungal decomposition dominance and the soil appears to be minimally disturbed, as indicated by high channel index values and low Basal Index (BI) values, respectively

Contemporary comprehensive approaches to assessing the effectiveness of experimental model of neurodegenerative disorders with cognitive status changes

Aim of the study was to characterize the locomotor and cognitive aspects of the behavior of experimental rats under intracerebroventricular colchicine administration in the open field test and the 8-arm radial maze, as well as identify a set of behavioral features of experimental animals that emerged during the study.
 Materials and methods. The study was conducted in two stages on 20 male Wistar rats aged 10–11 months. The first stage involved assessment of initial locomotor activity and cognitive functions in all intact rats. At the next stage, the rats were divided into two experimental groups (n = 10): the first group with intracerebroventricular injection of physiological NaCl solution, and the second group with intracerebroventricular injection of colchicine. In 14 days after the surgery, repeated recording of locomotive and cognitive activity indicators was performed.
 Results. The locomotor activity characteristics did not statistically differ between the animals before the surgical procedures and the rats of the first group. However, in the second group, the activity indicators were significantly higher than in the respective pre-surgery rats. In the intergroup comparison of the rats that entered the second stage of the experiment, it was found that among all the investigated parameters, only the indicator of high activity duration was significantly higher in the second group compared to the first group. At the same time, the animals in the second group showed significant cognitive impairments compared to the first group, as indicated by significantly lower memory index values, the number of correct entries into the maze arms, and a significantly longer time to make the first correct entry into the maze arm.
 Conclusions. Intracerebroventricular administration of colchicine to experimental rats is accompanied by increased locomotor activity and impairment of cognitive functions. The administration of a physiological solution is not accompanied by a statistically significant increase in locomotor activity, but it demonstrates a clear tendency to increase, which may indicate a certain influence of the procedure itself. The applied pharmacological model of neurodegeneration with subsequent comprehensive assessment of animal behavior in an open field and an 8-arm radial maze is legitimate and can be used to study the early development of neuroinflammation, neuroapoptosis, and synaptogenesis disorders in the experiment.

Micromonospora parastrephiae sp. nov. and Micromonospora tarensis sp. nov., isolated from the rhizosphere of a Parastrephia quadrangularis plant growing in the Salar de Tara region of the Central Andes in Chile.

Two novel Micromonospora strains, STR1-7T and STR1S-6T, were isolated from the rhizosphere of a Parastrephia quadrangularis plant growing in the Salar de Tara region of the Atacama Desert, Chile. Chemotaxonomic, cultural and phenotypic features confirmed that the isolates belonged to the genus Micromonospora. They grew from 20 to 37 °C, from pH7 to 8 and in the presence of up to 3 %, w/v NaCl. The isolates formed distinct branches in Micromonospora gene trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and on a multi-locus sequence analysis of conserved house-keeping genes. A phylogenomic tree generated from the draft genomes of the isolates and their closest phylogenetic neighbours showed that isolate STR1-7T is most closely related to Micromonospora orduensis S2509T, and isolate STR1S-6 T forms a distinct branch that is most closely related to 12 validly named Micromonospora species, including Micromonospora saelicesensis the earliest proposed member of the group. The isolates were separated from one another and from their closest phylogenomic neighbours using a combination of chemotaxonomic, genomic and phenotypic features, and by low average nucleotide index and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values. Consequently, it is proposed that isolates STR1-7T and STR1S-6T be recognized as representing new species in the genus Micromonospora, namely as Micromonospora parastrephiae sp. nov. and Micromonospora tarensis sp. nov.; the type strains are STR1-7T (=CECT 9665T=LMG 30768T) and STR1S-6T (=CECT 9666T=LMG 30770T), respectively. Genome mining showed that the isolates have the capacity to produce novel specialized metabolites, notably antibiotics and compounds that promote plant growth, as well as a broad-range of stress-related genes that provide an insight into how they cope with harsh abiotic conditions that prevail in high-altitude Atacama Desert soils.

Paleoenvironmental Settings of the Soma Coal Basin (Turkey): Insights from Maceral Data, Biomarker, and Carbon Isotopic Composition.

Organic geochemical (TOC, pyrolysis, biomarker) and petrographic (maceral analysis) investigations together with organic carbon isotope studies were carried out to characterize in detail the depositional environment, determine the organic matter type, and assess the hydrocarbon production potential of three coal seams (KP1-upper, KM3-middle, and KM2-lower) in the Soma (Manisa, Western Anatolia) coal field in Turkey. The total organic carbon value of the upper coal seam ranged between 11.7 and 55.75%, the middle coal seam between 20.12 and 62.86%, and the lower coal seam between 50.03 and 65.71%. Coals in all three seams are characterized by low hydrogen index (HI) values (<151 mg HC/g TOC), low bitumen index (BI) (<19 g HC/g TOC), and quality index (QI) between 23 and 156 mg HC/g TOC. According to Rock-Eval pyrolysis data, the organic matter type of the coals is type III kerogen. Huminite reflectance, Tmax, and biomarker data (22S/22S+22R (C32) sterane, ββ/(αα + ββ) (C29) sterane, and MPI-1) indicate that the organic matter is not thermally mature and that the Soma-Manisa coal has reached the sub-bituminous rank. Rock-Eval data shows that coal is gas-prone and has not reached the maturity threshold required for initial gas production. The dominant maceral group is huminite while liptinite and inertinite macerals have been found in minor amounts. Groundwater index (GWI), vegetation index (VI), tissue preservation index (TPI), and gelification index (GI) parameters indicate a transition from limnic-limno-telmatic to limno-telmatic-telmatic environment from the upper seam to the lower seam. N-Alkane distributions show that paleoclimatic conditions have changed from KP1 to KM2. The higher abundance of pristane compared to phytane and low C35/C31-C35 homohopane index values demonstrate that the coals were deposited in a suboxic-oxic environment. The predominance of n-alkanes with generally high carbon number, relative variable abundances of C27-C28-C29 steranes, δ13C values, C/N ratios, and very low gammacerane index indicate a terrestrial ecosystem with nonmarine influence, although algae and microorganisms also contributed to the biomass.

Hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus during hospitalization: associated factors and prognostic value

BackgroundThe risk factors for hypoglycemia during hospital admission and its consequences in patients with diabetes are not entirely known. The present study aimed to investigate the risk factors for hypoglycemia, as well as the potential implications of hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus admitted to the hospital.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included 324 patients (214 [66.0%] men; median age 70 years, range 34–95 years) with type 2 diabetes admitted to a university hospital who were consulted the Endocrinology Department for glycemic control during a 12-month period. We investigated the potential role of demographic factors, metabolic factors, therapy, and comorbidities on the development of in-hospital hypoglycemia. We explored the prognostic value of hypoglycemia on mortality (both in-hospital and in the long-term), hospital readmission in the following year, and metabolic control (HbA1c value) after discharge (median follow-up, 886 days; range 19–1255 days).ResultsHypoglycemia occurred in 154 (47.5%) patients during their hospitalization and was associated with advanced age, previous insulin therapy, higher Charlson Comorbidity Index, lower body mass index and lower baseline HbA1c values. Hypoglycemia was associated with greater in-hospital and long-term mortality, longer hospital stays, higher readmission rates, and poorer metabolic control after discharge. These negative consequences of hypoglycemia were more frequent in patients with severe (≤ 55 mg/dL) hypoglycemia and in patients who had hypoglycemia during a greater percentage of hospitalization days.ConclusionsHypoglycemia during hospital admission is a marker of a poor prognosis in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Effect of sleep-disordered breathing on recovery in patients with “wake-up” stroke

Background. Wake-up stroke (WUS) is often combined with sleep-disordered breathing and may potentially have a more unfavorable course.Objective — to evaluate the association between the time of stroke onset and the pattern of sleep-disordered breathing, as well as the effect of wake-up stroke on stroke recovery and stroke severity in patients with ischemic stroke.Design and methods. We included patients 18–85 years old with acute ischemic stroke admitted within 24 hours of symptom onset to the neurological resuscitation unit, and performed polygraphy within the first day of hospitalization to assess the parameters and severity of sleep-disordered breathing. In 2018–2023, 2122 patients were screened, polygraphy was performed in 639 patients, and data from 292 patients were included in the final analysis. Stroke severity was assessed using the NIHSS scale, stroke type was determined using the TOAST classification. WUS was considered when symptoms were detected upon awakening. Functional status was assessed by the Barthel index, and rehabilitation outcomes by the modified Rankin scale. The cumulative end point included death from any cause, new nonfatal myocardial infarction, new nonfatal stroke/transient ischemic attack, emergency revascularization, or emergency hospitalization due to exacerbation of cardiovascular disease.Results. WUS was detected in 101 patients (34,6 %). The WUS group had more frequent diabetes mellitus and higher NIHSS (p = 0,021) and Barthel index (p = 0,026) at discharge, less frequent thrombolytic therapy and emergency endovascular procedures (p = 0,007) which in most cases was associated with hospitalization in time beyond the therapeutic window (p &lt; 0,001). Endpoints were reached in 21,6 % with a median follow-up of 209 days. No significant differences were found in the main indices of sleep-disordered breathing in groups of different severity and pathogenetic type of stroke. The most significant factors related to Barthel index were stroke severity at discharge (p &lt; 0,001) and age (p &lt; 0,001). Stroke severity at discharge was most influenced by thrombolytic therapy (p = 0,006) and stroke severity on admission (p &lt; 0,001).Conclusions. Our study did not show the previously described higher incidence of sleep-disordered breathing in WUS. The best outcomes were in subjects who received reperfusion therapy. Patients with WUS should be hospitalized in a hospital where reperfusion therapy is available. Lower Barthel index values at discharge of patients with WUS may characterize their lower rehabilitation potential.

Evaluating flash flood vulnerability using combined deterministic and parametric model: A case in the upper Ciliwung watershed, Indonesia

On January 19, 2021, a flash flood hit the Upper Ciliwung watershed, a mountainous area in Indonesia, causing damage to seven buildings and displacing 1,800 residents. To minimize the impact of such disasters, there is a need for disaster risk awareness and management specifically focused on flash floods in mountainous regions. Therefore, this study aims to assess the flash flood potential index value in the Upper Ciliwung watershed. The research utilized deterministic (Soil and Water Assessment Tool-SWAT) and parametric (Flash Flood Potential Index-FFPI) modeling to analyze various factors, including slope, geology, ground movement, Antecedent Precipitation Index (API), and Runoff Coefficient (Curve Number-CN). The models showed satisfactory goodness-of-fit statistics with R2 and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiencies (NSE) values of 0.58 and 0.57, respectively. The findings indicated that 39.95% of the watershed had a moderate vulnerability index value of 3, while downstream areas (31.7%) had a low vulnerability index value of 2, and the middle and upstream regions had high vulnerability index values of 4 and 5, covering 23.65% and 2.49% of the total area. These results provide valuable insights to local authorities for implementing measures to reduce the Upper Ciliwung watershed’s vulnerability to flash floods.

Study of exercise-induced desaturation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients visiting tertiary care center in Bangalore

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients often have a lower ability to exercise and muscle weakness, both decreasing their quality of life. The 6 min walk test (6MWT) offers insightful data on the functional capacity of respiratory variables on exercise performance. A significant reduction in oxygen saturation (SpO2) throughout the test signifies a lower tolerance for exercise or additional oxygen requirement. Aims and Objectives: This study focuses to investigate desaturation in COPD patients with normal resting oxygen levels (normoxemic) employing the 6MWT. The objective of the study defines to analyze different clinical parameters such as smoking behavior, 6MWT, and clinical parameters of COPD patients to diagnose respiratory performance. Materials and Methods: Between June 2019 and May 2020 study was conducted on patients presenting to our OPD, who were above 40 years and diagnosed with COPD, with baseline SpO2 ≥90%. 6MWT was performed on them as per American Thoracic Society guidelines. Noting their distance covered and desaturation if present. Results: The study group included 60 patients; the group was divided into 35 desaturators (DS) and 25 Non-DS (NDS) based on fall in SpO2 during 6MWT, all current smokers were in the DS group and had low body mass index values, DS group covered less distance when compared to NDS, DS had low mean forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume 1 second values. Conclusion: This study established the relationship between COPD risk variables and 6MWT. The 6MWT was identified as a useful method to examine respiratory performance by noting exercise-induced desaturation and in turn the respiratory capacity among COPD patients.

Exploring climate variability during the Marinoan glaciation: A study of black shale geochemistry

The Marinoan glaciation is the younger of the two extraordinary glaciations during the Cryogenian Period. It has been debated whether the glacial world was featured by a complete ice cover or if parts of the oceans remained ice free. Here, we present petrographic and geochemical data of two black shale units found within diamictites of the Marinoan-aged Nantuo Formation in South China. The lower black shales exhibit low values of the chemical index of alteration (CIA) and muted enrichments of uranium, while the upper black shales show elevated CIA and uranium concentrations. These distinct geochemical signals are best explained by intensified chemical weathering and terrestrial runoff, which might be linked to global/local temperature changes. Our study is consistent with the notion that significant climate variations occurred during the Marinoan glaciation. The cyclic isolation and expansion of habitable areas might have acted as a biodiversity pump, contributing to the rapid radiation of eukaryotic life in the aftermath of the glaciation.

КЛИНИКО-ЛАБОРАТОРНАЯ ОЦЕНКА ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ ФАРМАКОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ КОМПОЗИЦИИ КОМБИНИРОВАННОГО ДЕЙСТВИЯ ПРИ ЛЕЧЕНИИ ПАРОДОНТИТА У ЛИЦ С НЕДОСТАТОЧНОЙ ПРИВЕРЖЕННОСТЬЮ ЛЕЧЕНИЮ

The treatment of chronic periodontitis is based on a comprehensive approach that includes supportive therapy, which requires patient commitment to treatment. Patient commitment to treatment is enhanced by the use of appropriate therapeutic regimens and the use of medications in the form of fixed combinations.&#x0D; Objective of the study: to assess the clinical effectiveness of a new pharmacological composition for the treatment of chronic periodontitis in patients with insufficient treatment adherence. &#x0D; Materials and methods: a study and treatment were conducted on 92 patients with moderate-severity chronic periodontitis with insufficient treatment adherence (control group, n = 62 – received standard treatment; main group, n = 30 – received standard treatment supplemented with the new pharmacological composition). The level of treatment adherence was determined using the Treatment Adherence Quantification Questionnaire. Comparative assessment of treatment effectiveness in the study groups was conducted dynamically at control points (7, 14 days, 1, 6 months) based on clinical-instrumental data, periodontal tissue condition index assessment (OHI-S, PMA, PI), microcirculation condition (linear and volumetric blood flow velocities, pulsatility index). Disease outcome was recorded after 6 months: compensation, stabilization, or development of a new disease related to the primary one. &#x0D; Results: The main group of patients showed statistically significantly lower PMA and PI index values at all control points. Microcirculation indicators significantly improved at the 14-day, 1-month, and 6-month control points compared to the control group. The recurrence rate after 6 months in the main group was 1.6 times lower than in the control group.&#x0D; Conclusion: The use of a new pharmacological composition for the treatment of chronic periodontitis in patients with insufficient treatment adherence showed clinical effectiveness, leading to longer stabilization of the process and compensation of the condition in over half of the cases.

Fatigue Index Analysis in Student Soccer Clubs after 45 Minutes of Soccer Match

The purpose of this study was to determine and see the value of the fatigue index in student football athletes after playing a match for 45 minutes in the first halfs. This study used a quantitative descriptive method with 22 sample. The instrument used in this study is the Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST), which is a test carried out by sprinting with a distance of 35 meters for 6 repetitions and a 10 second rest interval for each repetition performed by the athlete. The test results showed that from 22 students who played soccer for 45 minutes, 15 students (68.18%) had a high fatigue index value, while 7 students (31.82%) had a low fatigue index value. Based on the results of data analysis and discussion, it can be concluded that 15 out of 22 people (68.18%) of student soccer athletes after playing a soccer match for 45 minutes in the first half had a high fatigue index value.

Comparison of Storage-Related Volatile Profiles and Sensory Properties of Cookies Containing Xylitol or Sucrose.

Excessive consumption of simple sugars is responsible for non-communicable diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. Xylitol has anticarcinogenic, prebiotic-like characteristics and a lower glycaemic index and caloric value than sugars, which makes it a valuable alternative sweetener. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of storage of volatile compounds and sensory profiles of cookies containing xylitol as a sucrose alternative or sucrose by applying solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and quantitative descriptive analysis. The volatile compound profiles of both kinds of cookies were similar, especially regarding markers of Maillard reactions (Strecker aldehydes, pyrazines) and unfavourable compounds (aldehydes, hydrocarbons, and organic acids). Throughout the period of storage lasting 0-9 months, the total content of hydrocarbons was stable and averaged 10.2% in xylitol cookies and 12.8% in sucrose cookies; their storage for 12 months significantly (p < 0.05) increased the contents to 58.2% and 60.35%, respectively. Unlike sucrose, xylitol improved the stability of the pH and water activity of cookies and sensory attributes such as buttery aroma and texture characteristics during 12 months of storage. The results indicated that 9 months of cookie storage was the maximum recommended period. The inclusion of xylitol in cookies might replace sucrose and high-fructose-corn syrup and synthetic additives commonly used in industrial production.

The energy efficiency and environmental analysis of open-type commercial display cabinet with a multi-flow air curtain design

Open vertical display case refrigerators are often preferred as commercial refrigerators. This is because, despite their high energy consumption they have a higher marketing potential with the product display and offer easy access. Commercial refrigeration system accounts for half of the energy consumption in supermarkets. Air curtains of different designs are used in open vertical cabinets to reduce heat and mass transfer between the cooled air and the indoor environment. Hence, an experimental study was conducted to evaluate the multi-flow designed air curtain effects on the energy efficiencies of open display case-type commercial refrigerators. The experiments were conducted with ISO 23953:2005 standard in a controlled test room. During the trials, four different temperatures of air flowed to the refrigerator: +25 °C, +11 °C, +2°C, and 0 °C respectively through the air curtains. As a result of the experiments, a higher Coefficient of Performance COP value and lower Energy Efficiency Index (EEI) value were obtained with multi-flow air curtains. The multi-flow designed air curtain has nearly 40 % eliminated the air entrained from the outside to the indoor environment. It has ensured that the interior temperature values remain at the desired level. The second polyurethane body has reduced heat transfer through the surface by about 30 %, thereby reducing cooling load and energy consumption.

Impact of structural parameters on multimode D-shaped optical fiber refractive index sensors for different materials

In this work, a D-shaped optical fiber sensor has been experimentally developed to compare how the refractive index (RI) of a water analyte (used as the cladding layer over a small length of the stripped D-polished optical fiber) changes due to the inclusion of an unknown concentration of two distinct materials, one with a low RI and the other with a high RI. No metal film is deposited in the proposed D- shaped optical fiber sensor and hence we demonstrate the sensor's ability to detect the lowest concentration of the added material into the water analyte without employing the surface plasmon modes. A side-polished multi-mode optical fibre with various sensing lengths and polishing depths is used to construct the D-shaped fibre sensor. Experimental results verify that in a tunable refractive index (RI), the sensitivity increases with the sensing length due to the increase in the interaction area between the surrounding material and the sensing area. The sensitivity also increases with polishing depth in the high-RI range for materials with higher concentrations. The D-shaped fibre sensor's maximum sensitivity of 25.076 a.u./RIU is attained in the range of low refractive index values (1.3329) to (1.3345) RIU. Nonetheless, its maximum sensitivity drops to 0. 317 a.u./RIU at the high refractive index region of 1.348–1.4048 RIU. This sensor is predicted to have potential uses in low-RI materials with very low concentrations. Therefore, the best D-shape fibre sensor was used to detect the lowest concentration of the sodium chloride solution in the low refractive index range, and it was found that the lowest detected concentration was 0.012% with a high sensitivity of 327.32 a.u./RIU.

For older individuals there is greater variance in low mean Bone Material Strength Index values obtained with the OsteoProbe

PurposeBone Material Strength Index (BMSi) quantifies the resistance of bone to a specified force in vivo at the mid tibia using impact microindentation (IMI). Anecdotal evidence suggests that within-participant variance in BMSi may be associated with the individual's mean BMSi. This study aimed to investigate associations between mean and variance of IMI measures in a population-based study. MethodsParticipants were men (n = 420) and women (n = 55) from the Geelong Osteoporosis Study who underwent BMSi measurement using the OsteoProbe at recent follow-up phases (men 2016–2022; women 2022–2023). Median age was 63.7 yr (IQR 53.0–71.8). BMSi standard deviation was skewed and therefore natural log transformed (referred to as ln-SD). Linear regression models were developed with ln-SD as the dependent variable and mean BMSi as the independent variable adjusting for sex, age, height and weight. ResultsIn unadjusted models, greater BMSi was associated with lower ln-SD (β = −1.58, p = 0.042). This association was sustained after adjustment (p = 0.013), and an interaction between BMSi and age was observed (p = 0.004). In those aged 63.7 yr and over (median age), mean BMSi was inversely associated with ln-SD (β = −3.22, p = 0.002). Sex was not identified as an effect modifier. In younger participants, no BMSi*ln-SD association was observed. ConclusionIn older men and women, there was greater variance in low BMSi values. This suggests that standard deviation of the BMSi measure may provide additional information in the assessment of bone health and is worthy of further investigation. Mini abstractIn older men and women, greater variance is observed when BMSi values are low, reflecting potential variation in the bone surface.

The Relationship Between Global Left Ventricular Function, as Indicated by the Tei Index, and Long-Term Survival in Patients With Non-Ischemic, Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Aim. Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the leading causes of low ejection fraction (EF) heart failure (HF). The Tei index is a reliable marker that reflects both left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function, and it has prognostic value in patients with DCM. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the Tei index and long-term survival in non-ischemic, DCM patients.Material and methods. The present study included 98 patients with non-ischemic DCM. The mean survival time of the patients was 59 mos.Results. The Tei index was prominently higher in patients who died (0.64±0.08 vs 0.71±0.12, respectively; p=0.01). LV end-systolic volume and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) were independent prognostic factors and predicted worse long-term survival. Additionally, the patients with LVEF ≥32.7 % and the Tei index ≤0.76 had significantly longer survival.Conclusion. The present study showed that the Tei index was significantly associated with mortality and the patients with both low LVEF (≤32.7 %) and high Tei index (≥0.76) values had a shorter life expectancy. As a result, we suggest that the Tei index may be a useful echocardiographic marker to predict long-term survival in DCM patients.

Clinical and radiographic performance of preformed zirconia crowns and stainless-steel crowns in permanent first molars: 18-month results of a prospective, randomized trial

BackgroundThe treatment of young permanent first molars with extensive carious tissue loss may often require restoration with preformed crowns. This study compared the clinical and radiographic performance of stainless-steel crowns (SSCs) and preformed zirconia crowns (ZCs).MethodsForty-eight molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH)- or caries-affected permanent molars in 20 healthy patients between 6–13-year-old were randomly divided into ZC and SSC groups (n = 24 teeth/group) in a split-mouth design. The oral hygiene levels of patients were assessed using Greene and Vermillion simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S). Plaque accumulation and gingival health were evaluated using the Silness&Löe plaque index (PI) and Löe&Silness gingival index (GI), respectively. Clinical retention, marginal extension level, marginal adaptation of crowns and wear of the antagonist teeth were assessed at baseline, 1, 6, 12 and 18 months. The radiological assessments for evaluating the marginal adaptation of crowns and periapical pathology of crowned teeth were performed at 6 and 12 months. The data were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier analysis, Mann–Whitney U test, and two-way ANOVA.ResultsA total of forty teeth in 17 children were evaluated for 18 months. ZCs had significantly lower gingival and plaque index values than teeth restored with SSCs during all evaluation periods (p < 0.05). Neither crown type resulted in clinically-detectable wear on opposing dentition or periapical pathology. One ZC was lost at 13 months, while all SSCs survived in function clinically. The cumulative survival rates of ZCs and SSCs were 95.2% and 100% respectively.ConclusionsBoth ZCs and SSCs showed high clinical retention rates in young permanent molars. ZCs had lower plaque accumulation and better gingival health than SSCs, which were consistently associated with mild gingival inflammation.Clinical Trial Registration NumberNCT05049694.