Matched Pairs T-test Research Articles

Effects of tongue pressing effortful swallow in older healthy individuals

IntroductionThe risk of swallowing disorders is increased for older individuals due to weak tongue and pharyngeal muscle strength. This study was appraised the value of a preventative approach by developing the tongue pressing effortful swallow (TPES) applied using a home-based and self-administered procedure. The TPES was developed by combining two swallowing exercises: tongue strengthening exercise and the effortful swallow. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the TPES on maximum tongue pressure and peak amplitude of submental muscle activity in older individuals. Material and methods27 older individuals (mean 73 years) performed a 4-week TPES. The exercise program was adapted to a home-based and self-administered procedure. The maximum tongue pressure was measured by the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument and peak amplitude of submental muscle activity by surface electromyography (sEMG). Statistical comparisons were made by a matched pairs t-test (p<0.05). ResultsThe results of this study showed that the TPES had statistically significant and positive effects on increasing maximum tongue pressure, but the peak amplitude of the submental sEMG did not differ between before and after exercises. ConclusionsThe TPES had a positive impact in older individuals. The TPES, a combining exercise, was possible because two exercises had common physiological events. The TPES was a more innovative and efficient approach than the tongue strengthening exercise alone. In addition, older individuals were able to perform the swallowing exercise at home and by themselves with little assistance. Future research needs to refine the TPES and apply it to patients with dysphagia.

The influence of gene expression profiling on decisional conflict in decision making for early-stage breast cancer chemotherapy

BackgroundWomen with early-stage breast cancer, of whom only 15% will experience a recurrence, are often conflicted or uncertain about taking chemotherapy. Gene expression profiling (GEP) of tumours informs risk prediction, potentially affecting treatment decisions. We examined whether receiving a GEP test score reduces decisional conflict in chemotherapy treatment decision making. MethodsA general population sample of 200 women completed the decisional conflict scale (DCS) at baseline (no GEP test score scenario) and after (scenario with GEP test score added) completing a discrete choice experiment survey for early-stage breast cancer chemotherapy. We scaled the 16-item DCS total scores and subscores from 0 to 100 and calculated means, standard deviations and change in scores, with significance (p < 0.05) based on matched pairs t-tests. ResultsWe identified five respondent subgroups based on preferred treatment option; almost 40% did not change their chemotherapy decision after receiving GEP testing information. Total score and all subscores (uncertainty, informed, values clarity, support, and effective decision) decreased significantly in the respondent subgroup who were unsure about taking chemotherapy initially but changed to no chemotherapy (n =33). In the subgroup of respondents (n = 25) who chose chemotherapy initially but changed to unsure, effective decision subscore increased significantly. In the overall sample, changes in total and all subscores were non-significant. ConclusionsGEP testing adds value for women initially unsure about chemotherapy treatment with a decrease in decisional conflict. However, for women who are confident about their treatment decisions, GEP testing may not add value. Decisions to request GEP testing should be personalised based on patient preferences.

Lipid profile of human synovial fluid following intra-articular ankle fracture.

This study characterizes the metabolic profile of synovial fluid after intra-articular ankle fracture with an emphasis on changes in the lipid profile. Bilateral ankle synovial fluid from 19 patients with unilateral intra-articular ankle fracture was submitted for metabolic profiling. Contralateral ankle synovial fluid from each patient served as a matched control. Seven patients participated in a second bilateral synovial fluid collection after 6 months. Random forest classification, matched pairs t-tests (α < 0.01), repeated measures ANOVA with post-test contrasts (α < 0.01), correlation to cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases, and fracture and injury classification analyses yielded key lipid biomarkers in synovial fluid following intra-articular fracture. Free fatty acids, sphingomyelins, and lysolipids demonstrated significant elevation in fractured ankles at baseline. Fatty acids and sphingomyelins showed a significant decrease 6 months post-surgery. Random forest analysis showed predominantly fatty acids differentiating between groups. Significant correlations included fatty acids, sphingomyelins, and lysolipids with inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases. Fracture classification showed increased fatty acids, lysolipids, and inositol metabolites as fracture severity increased. Fatty acid and sn-1 lysolipid elevation could be detrimental to the joint, as these strongly correlated with matrix metalloproteinases and TNF-α. This elevation also suggests involvement of phospholipase A2 , a potential target for therapeutic intervention. Together with elevated 2-hydroxyl fatty acids, these findings suggest elevated sn-1 lysolipids, sphingomyelins, and subsequent lipid metabolites in synovial fluid as biomarkers of ankle injury. Reversal of this signature after 6 months suggests temporary involvement of these metabolites in disease progression, although they may activate signaling pathways which drive progression to osteoarthritis. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:657-666, 2017.

Offering support to the general public by building CBT-based life skills: lessons learnt from an initial evaluation.

Two outcome measures (the Patient Health Questionnaire - PHQ-9, and Generalised Anxiety Disorder - GAD-7) were completed and analysed using a matched pairs t-test in respect of all participants at three intervals across the programme. Qualitative feedback was also sought upon completion of the course and offered insight into significant change and individual impact of the programme. A total of 2289 individuals nationwide registered for the programme through the Aware website with 1885 completing the 6 weeks. There was an average attendance of 67% for the 6-week programme. Statistically significant reductions in terms of scores of depression and anxiety were seen upon completion but earlier trends towards improvement were noted. Completion of a 6-week Life Skills Programme has been associated with a reduction from moderately severe to mild scores in relation to both depressive and anxiety symptoms. Longitudinal follow-up will be required to determine if the effectiveness of the intervention is maintained but CBT-based group programmes may represent a useful alternative to traditional services to treat clinically significant depression.

A longitudinal population-based study of carers of people with psychosis.

Few studies have examined the experiences of carers of people with psychosis using a representative sample. Aiming to obtain generalisable results concerning carers in the context of increased emphasis on involving carers in Australian mental health service delivery and policy frameworks, this study recruited carers within the second Australian national survey of psychotic disorders (Survey of High Impact Psychosis, SHIP). Given that most SHIP participants had long-term illness and extended relationships with carers, the health and wellbeing of carers as a group were expected to be relatively stable. However, since it is unknown whether carers' health and wellbeing would change, our main aim was to explore change and stability in carers' health and wellbeing and the relationship between any changes experienced by individual carers and corresponding SHIP participants' functioning over time. Ninety-eight caregivers of SHIP participants were recruited at baseline and completed validated instruments assessing their health and wellbeing. Seventy-eight carers were re-interviewed at 1-year follow-up. Clinical factors were extracted from the SHIP database. Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test and t-test were used to analyse changes in variables over time. Cross-lagged analyses were conducted to identify possible causative relationships in changes in SHIP participant and carer variables. A substantial percentage of carers experienced social isolation (28.6%), psychological distress (37.7%) and poorer quality of life than population norms. There were no statistically significant changes between baseline and follow-up scores for almost all carers' health and wellbeing variables, other than a poorer perception of their quality of life in relation to their physical health after 1 year. Cross-lagged analyses suggested that poorer functioning of people with psychosis influenced carers' social isolation, grief and psychological distress. Findings show that carers' perception of their health and wellbeing did not improve within current mental health service delivery frameworks over time. Carer's persistently poor health and wellbeing suggests a pressing need to enhance services that improve carers' health and wellbeing especially their physical health and the functioning of people with psychosis whom they support.

Comparison of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Surface Markers from Bone Marrow Aspirates and Adipose Stromal Vascular Fraction Sites.

The objective of this study was to subjectively evaluate the harvest of two areas of adipose collection and three areas of bone marrow collection as potential sites for clinical harvest of adipose stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and bone marrow concentrate for clinical use by quantifying the amount of tissue harvested, subjective ease of harvest, the variation of each site, and determining the cell surface marker characteristics using commercially available antibodies. Bone marrow and adipose tissue samples were collected from 10 adult mixed breed dogs. Adipose tissue was collected from the caudal scapular region and falciform fat ligament. Bone marrow aspirates were collected from the ilium, humerus, and tibia. Tissues were weighed (adipose) or measured by volume (bone marrow), processed to isolate the SVF or bone marrow concentrate, and flow cytometry was performed to quantitate the percentage of cells that were CD90, CD44 positive, and CD45 negative. Sites and tissue types were compared using matched pairs t-test. Subjectively subcutaneous fat collection was the most difficult and large amounts of tissue dissection were necessary. Additionally the subcutaneous area yielded less than the goal amount of tissue. The bone marrow harvest ranged from 10 to 27.5 ml. Adipose tissue had the highest concentration of cells with CD90+, CD44+, and CD45− markers (P < 0.05), and bone marrow had the highest total number of these cells at harvest (P < 0.05). Variation was high for all sites, but the adipose collection yielded more consistent results. These results describe the relative cellular components in the SVF of adipose tissue and bone marrow as defined by the biomarkers chosen. Although bone marrow yielded higher absolute cell numbers on average, adipose tissue yielded more consistent results. Fat from the falciform ligament was easily obtained with less dissection and therefore created less perceived relative patient trauma.

The environmental impact of distribution to retail channels: A case study on packaged beverages

This study aims to quantify the environmental impact of two retail distribution networks and offer consumers a channel that is more beneficial to the environment. The environmental impact of replenishing the packaged beverages sold in convenience stores (CVSs) and hypermarkets is assessed using the streamlined life-cycle assessment (LCA) approach. In this study, the life-cycle impact assessment (LCIA) for packaged beverages up to the point of sale illustrates the distribution-level environmental impacts of truck transportation. The matched-pair t-test shows that the environmental impacts of transporting 1800cartons of 24-pack/10oz. beverages to be sold in Carrefour and 7-11 stores is different at a significance level of 0.1. The transport-focused LCA is used to improve the understanding and compare the environmental characteristics of the two distribution and retail systems. This study constitutes a vehicle for communicating to both internal and external stakeholders the environmental profiles of distributing the same product sold through two retail channels.

DDEL-09QUANTIFICATION OF TRANSIENT BLOOD BRAIN BARRIER DISRUPTION FOLLOWING THE SYSTEMIC ADMINISTRATION OF REGADENOSON

BACKGROUND: The blood brain barrier (BBB) makes it difficult for oral or intravenous chemotherapy to achieve therapeutic concentrations in brain parenchyma. Regadenoson is an adenosine receptor agonist which transiently disrupts the BBB, allowing systemically administered high molecular weight dextran (MW 70kD) to enter normal rodent brain. Our recent studies with this compound suggest that temozolomide concentrations in rodent brain are also increased by regadenoson. This FDA approved agent is used routinely for cardiac stress tests in patients unable to exercise along with visipaque and cardiac computed tomography (CT) imaging. Visipaque (MW 1550) typically only enters brain where there is significant disruption of the BBB. This study is being conducted to determine if regadenoson will allow more contrast to enter normal human brain. METHODS: Patients without known intracranial disease who were undergoing clinically indicated pharmacologic cardiac stress tests (visipaque with cardiac CT followed by visipaque with regadenoson and cardiac CT) were eligible. This IRB approved study only added brain CT pre- and post-regadenoson. Contrast delivery was measured in hounsfield units (HU), at the level of the basal ganglia, within the cortex, deep gray and white matter. A total of 27 patients are required to assist in comparison analysis of regional contrast uptake. A matched-pairs t-test was performed to determine if the difference was significant. RESULTS: Five of the 27 patients have been accrued and analyzed. There was no difference in contrast following visipaque alone and visipaque with regadenoson (29.3HU vs 30.2HU respectively, P = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Early results from this ongoing study suggest that even accounting for the additional visipaque dose there is a trend towards increased contrast enhancement following regadenoson administration in patients with presumably normal brains. Transient disruption of the BBB to facilitate drug entry using an FDA approved agent could be of significant importance to the field of neuro-oncology.

A feasibility pilot study on the use of complementary therapies delivered via mobile technologies on Icelandic surgical patients' reports of anxiety, pain, and self-efficacy in healing.

BackgroundComplementary therapies (CT), such as relaxation technique, massage, guided imagery, and accupuncture have shown to benefit patients undergoing surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using audio relaxation technique (ART), music intervention (MI), nature video application with music (NVAM), and nature video application without music (NVA) delivered via mobile technologies in a clinical setting. Secondary, the effects of ART, MI, NVAM and NVA on patients’ state anxiety, pain perception, and perceived self-efficacy in healing were determined.MethodsA randomized clinical trial (RCT) involving 105 same day surgery (SDS) patients, who were assigned to an ART (n = 25), MI (n = 25), NVAM (n = 15), NVA (n = 16), or a control group (n = 24) were assessed for state anxiety, self-reported pain, and self-efficacy four days prior to surgery, immediately prior and following a surgical intervention, and day five post-operative.ResultsANOVA found no statistically significant differences in anxiety scores; pain, or perceived self-efficacy between the five groups. Matched pairs t-Test revealed all participants had an increase in anxiety from pre-op to day 10 follow-up; a significant change in pain levels from pre-op to day 10 follow-up; and all participants had a significant increase in general self-efficacy from pre-op to day 10 follow-up. Mean pain level scores from day 1 to pre-op showed a significant decrease in pain for the ART group and NVAM group. Matched pairs t-Test for self-efficacy scores indicated the MI group and the NVA group had significant increases in self-efficacy. A significant decrease in anxiety from pre-op to day 10 for participants reporting a prior history of anxiety and for those reporting prior history of taking anti-anxiety medications.ConclusionsDespite the non-significant findings between the five groups, at any measurement point, there were valuable trends toward significance and confirmed feasibility in a clinical setting. Among the groups there were statistically significant findings for all interventions on anxiety, pain, and self-efficacy. The feasability of the implementation of novel interventions of NVAM and NVAM adds to clinical practice and the CT literature.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02236455 (September 4, 2014)

Innovative training with virtual patients in transcultural psychiatry: the impact on resident psychiatrists' confidence.

BackgroundVirtual patients are now widely accepted as efficient and safe training tools in medical education, but very little is known about their implementation in psychiatry, especially in transcultural clinical care of traumatized refugee patients.ObjectiveThis study aimed at assessing the impact of training with a virtual patient on confidence in providing clinical care for traumatized refugee patients.MethodsThe authors developed an educational tool based on virtual patient methodology portraying the case of “Mrs. K”, a traumatized refugee woman with symptoms of PTSD and depression. A group (N=32) of resident psychiatrists tested the system and their confidence in different aspects of providing clinical care for this patient group was evaluated pre- and post-test by using a validated confidence questionnaire. Cronbach’s α was calculated for all clusters. Changes between pre- and post-test were compared by using the matched-pair t-test, binomial distribution for exact significance test and a calculation of effect sizes (Cohen’s d).ResultsA statistically significant improvement was exhibited in overall confidence (mean Δ: 0.34; p<0.0001; d: 0.89) as well as in four more specific domains of clinical care, with the area of identifying and evaluating trauma-related diagnoses and disability showing the most prominent improvement (mean Δ: 0.47; p<0.0001; d: 1.00).ConclusionsThis VP-system can lead to physicians’ improvement of confidence in providing transcultural clinical care for traumatized refugee patients. Further research is required to investigate improvement in actual performance and cognitive outcomes with several VPs and in a long-term effect perspective.

The Impact of Teacher’s Self-disclosure on Students’ Attitude towards Language Learning in a Foreign Language Context

This study, conducted in two quantitative and qualitative phases, was designed to investigate the possible impact of teacher’s self-disclosure on students’ attitude towards English language learning. The participants were 48 female EFL learners of intermediate level who were randomly assigned to experimental (23) and control (25) groups. In the quantitative phase, to check the effect of teacher’s self-disclosure on students’ attitude, the questionnaire of Attitudes towards English Language was administered in both groups as a pre-test at the beginning and a post-test at the end of the term. During the term, the experimental group received teacher’s self-disclosure as treatment. The data were analyzed by means of Independent sample-t-test and matched pair t-test. The results showed significant differences between groups. For the qualitative phase, the experimental group received the questionnaire of the Approval of teacher’s self-disclosure. Subjects’ responses to the questionnaire and the analysis of teacher’s observations confirmed the results of the first phase.

Self-reported and employer-recorded sickness absence in doctors.

Doctors' sickness absence reduces the quality and continuity of patient care and is financially costly. Doctors have lower rates of sickness absence than other healthcare workers. To compare self-reported with recorded sickness absence in doctors in a UK National Health Service hospital trust. A retrospective questionnaire study. The main outcome measures were self-reported and trust-recorded sickness absence episodes of 4 days or more in two consecutive 6-month periods. The response rate was 82% (607/736). Self-reported sickness absence rates were 1.2% compared with a rate of 0.6% from trust-recorded data. There were 38 matched pairs of self-reported (mean duration: 18 days, standard deviation: 22 days) and trust-recorded (mean duration: 10 days, standard deviation: 17 days) sickness absence episodes of 4 days or more in the 12 months studied. A matched pairs t-test determined that the difference between the two means was significant (t = 2.57, P < 0.05). Doctors' sickness absence was significantly under-recorded in this study population.

LOW GLUCOSE UTILIZATION AND HIGH LACTATE PRODUCTION IN THE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE BRAIN

Background: Age-related changes in the cerebral white matter (WM) have been demonstrated in cognitively intact elderly, and are associated with cognition. The etiology of microstructuralWMdegeneration and its relation to cerebral blood flow (CBF) and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) are uncertain.Methods: 61 cognitively intact elderly volunteers (mean age 85, CDR 0) underwent 3T MRI Q2TIPS pulsed arterial spin labeling (PASL), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and cognitive assessment. Voxelwise Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) was performed. A general linear model using permutation-based nonparametric testing (FSLRANDOMIZE) examined regional associations betweenWMCBF,WMHs, and microstructural measures. WMHs and WM CBF were examined in relation to fractional anisotropy using both voxel-based and mean WMH volume and WM CBF values. Region of interest (ROI) analyses included atlas-based segmentation of the corpus callosum (CC), limited to the TBSS-derived WM skeleton, and examined CC integrity in relation to cognitive function. Analyses were corrected for partial volume effects and adjusted for age and gender. Matched pairs t-test examined differences in anterior and poster WM integrity.Results: In TBSS voxel-based analysis, associations between WM integrity and WMHs were observed in regions commonly associated with small vessel ischemic disease, along the periventricular WM tracts. WM integrity was significantly decreased in relation to lowerWMperfusion in similar regions. Findings were largely replicated when WMH and WM CBF were entered into the model as mean values, rather than voxel-wise analysis. In addition, clusters of decreased WM integrity were seen in areas of normal appearing white matter in the anterior and posterior cc and WM tracts in the frontal and parietal lobes. ROI analyses showed greater WM integrity disruption in the anterior compared with posterior CC. Anterior CC integrity was associated with performance on executive and memory function tests. Conclusions: Greater WMH and lower WM perfusion are independently associated with decreased WM integrity both within and outside of commonly observedWMlesions.Anterior> poster cc involvement may represent greater susceptibility of this region to hypoperfusion.WMCBF may serve as a potentiallymodifiable target in trials aimed at preserving cognitive function in elderly individuals, prior to cognitive impairment.

A Comparison of Student Engaged Time in Agriculture Instruction

Teacher and student behaviors in the classroom have been linked to student achievement. The hands-on, real world experiences which students are offered through career and technical education courses provide an opportunity for agricultural education to make contributions to student achievement. The purpose of this study was to compare engaged time during traditional instruction and during the instruction of an inquiry based curriculum (CASE). The target population for this study consisted of students enrolled in animal science courses taught by secondary agriculture teachers. The study employed a quasi-experimental, static-group comparison design. Nine CASE certified teachers represented the treatment group, which were matched with nine traditional agriculture teachers on selected criteria. Student engagement was measured using the Behavioral Observation of Students in Schools. Matched pairs t-tests were used to compare the CASE group and the traditional group on student engagement. Students in the CASE group were found to spend significantly more time actively engaged than those in traditional agriculture courses. From the findings it was concluded that the CASE curriculum and professional development can impact the active engagement of students in the classroom and potentially affect student achievement.

Parent vs Burn-Injured Child Self-Report

Anxiety disorders are the most commonly reported form of mental health problem among youth, but they often go undiagnosed and untreated. This study examined the relationship between burn-injured youths' self-reported anxiety levels, as compared with their parent's perceptions of their child's emotional well-being. Burn-injured children were invited to voluntarily complete the Child Version of the 41-item survey, Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders, which consists of five anxiety subscales as well as a Total Anxiety Score. Parents were invited to complete the Parent Version. Sixty-three parent-child dyads, with girls (57%) and boys (43%), completed surveys. Mothers (73%) fathers (16%), and other caregivers (11%) participated. Youth mean age was 12.63 years and 60% reported visible burn scars. Matched-pairs t-tests were used to compare parent and child reports. Significantly lower mean scores were found between Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders Total Anxiety Score--Parent mean score of 10.52 vs the Youth mean score 21.06 (P<.001), as well as on all subscales including; panic disorder/somatic symptoms (P<.001), generalized anxiety disorder (P=.004), social anxiety disorder (separation anxiety (P<.001), and school avoidance (P<0.001). Results indicate that parents may be severely underestimating the psychological well-being of burn-injured youth. Findings emphasize the importance of a comprehensive approach in assessment for anxiety, involving the collection of feedback from both child and parent. Asking children for input into their psychological well-being is important. This study reinforces the need for a course of ongoing patient and parent education.

Performance Characteristics of the Verbal QuickDASH

To quantify the performance of the verbally administered Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire by assessing its replication of self-administered scores, its test-retest reliability, and its rate of scorable completion compared with its self-administered, written administration. Fifty patients presenting for initial visits to a hand clinic were enrolled regardless of diagnosis. All patients completed a written and a verbal QuickDASH 1 day apart (25 patients written first; 25 patients verbal first). Intraclass correlation coefficients quantified the verbal questionnaire's ability to reproduce written scores. Participants verbally completed the questionnaire a final time, 5 months later, to assess test-retest reliability. To quantify the usability of survey data, we compared percentages of scorable surveys between written and verbally administered QuickDASH questionnaires in this study and in prior studies within our division. The intraclass correlation coefficient between the 2 QuickDASH administration types for the entire sample was 0.91. Across all participants, there was a minimal change in mean score from a patient's written QuickDASH to that patient's first verbal QuickDASH score. Scoring consistency between QuickDASH administrations was similar for each administration sequence (phone followed by written vs. written followed by phone) and by diagnosis. Test-retest reliability between the 2 verbal administrations demonstrated good reliability and a minimal difference between scores. In this study, no written or verbal surveys were incomplete. Reviewing our practice, 17% of 258 written questionnaires produced unscorable data compared with 0% of 239 verbally administered surveys. Our results indicate that verbal administration of the QuickDASH replicates clinically relevant scores of the written QuickDASH, has good test-retest performance, andmay minimize unusable data. These data allow researchers greater flexibility in gatheringpatient outcome data in both retrospective and prospective studies. Diagnostic II.

The Accuracy of Tooth Image Reconstruction from Spiral CT, Micro-CT, and Cone-Beam CT Scans

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare 3D accuracy of tooth image reconstruction from three kinds of CT scans using 3D superimpositional method. Methods 18 sound extracted human teeth were scanned by 3D optical system, spiral CT, micro-CT, and cone-beam CT scanner. The digital teeth images reconstructed from three kinds of CT scans were superimposed onto the standard image from optical scans respectively. Distribution patterns of shape discrepancy were presented using histogram, as well as showed in different colors on the superimposed imagines. The ratio of voluminal discrepancy versus the volume of the standard image (RVD/VS) was calculated and analyzed, using the matched-pair t-test and rank sum test. Results Compared with the standard tooth image, the average RVD/VS of digital teeth images by the micro-CT, cone-beam CT, spiral CT scans were 5.11%, 20.73%, 24.60% respectively, and there were statistically significant difference among the three kinds of CT scans (P&lt;0.01). Significant difference were also found among the anterior teeth, bicuspids, and molars (P&lt;0.01). Histogram gave the description about the counts and magnitude of the discrepancies. Marked by difference colors, the superimposed images could give visualized information about the magnitude and distribution patterns of discrepancies. Conclusions The digital teeth models reconstructed from the spiral CT, micro-CT, cone-beam CT images are inhomogeneous enlarged, compared with the original models. As the only realizable way to individualized FEM analysis, tooth modeling by CT scans needs more efforts and refinements to improve its accuracy.

Comparison of 3M™ Petrifilm™ Aerobic Count Plates to Standard Plating Methodology for Use with AOAC Antimicrobial Efficacy Methods 955.14, 955.15, 964.02, and 966.04 as an Alternative Enumeration Procedure: Collaborative Study

A multilaboratory study was conducted to determine the equivalence of the 3M Petrifilm Aerobic Count Plate and standard plating methodology for measuring viable bacteria and spores recovered from hard-surface carriers (stainless steel and porcelain), also known as "control carrier counts," used in AOAC antimicrobial efficacy test methods. Six laboratories participated in the study in which carriers inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, and spores of Bacillus subtilis were evaluated using 3M Petrifilm Aerobic Count (AC) plates and standard plating side-by-side. The data were analyzed using a matched-pair t-test to determine the between-method effect with confidence intervals. For all test organisms pooled across all laboratories, the mean difference in log10 concentration between the standard plate count method and 3M Petrifilm AC Plates was -0.012, with a 95% confidence interval of (-0.090, +0.066), which was well within the -0.5, +0.5 interval established as the acceptance criterion. The between-carrier SD averaged 0.139; the between-replicate SD was 0.050. The carrier reproducibility, given that a single replicate per carrier is done, was estimated to be 0.148. Although differences were seen in the final concentrations of the test organisms among laboratories, there were no statistical differences between the enumeration methods. Based on the results from this study, 3M Petrifilm AC Plates are equivalent to standard plating methodology and can be used as an alternative procedure for the enumeration of test organisms used in AOAC Methods 955.14, 955.15, 964.02, and 966.04.

Effectiveness of Australia’s Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service®: maintenance of self-reported anthropometric and behavioural changes after program completion

BackgroundThe Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service® (GHS) is a population-wide telephone-based program aimed at assisting adults to implement lifestyle improvements. It is a relatively uncommon example of the translation of efficacious trials to up-scaled real-world application. GHS participants who completed the 6-month coaching program made significant initial improvements to their weight, waist circumference, Body Mass Index (BMI), physical activity and nutrition behaviours. This study examines the maintenance of anthropometric and behaviour change improvements 6-months after program completion.MethodsGHS coaching participants (n=1088) were recruited between February 2009 and June 2011. Participants were eligible if they completed the 6-month coaching program and had available data at 12-month follow-up (n=277). Weight, waist circumference, BMI, fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity were collected at baseline and 6-months by GHS coaches and 12-months (6-months post program) by independent evaluators. Matched pair t-tests, mixed linear regression and logistic regression analyses were performed to assess maintenance of program effects.ResultsImprovements in weight (−2.9 kg, 95% CI: -3.6, -2.1), waist circumference (−5.4 cm, 95% CI: -6.7, -4.1), BMI (−1.1units, 95% CI: -1.5, -0.8), and fruit (+0.3 serves per day, 95% CI: 0.2, 0.3) and vegetable (+0.5 serves per day 95% CI: 0.3, 0.6) consumption were observed from baseline to 12-months. Apart from vegetable consumption, there were no significant differences between 6-month and 12-month changes from baseline, indicating these risk factor improvements were maintained from the end of the coaching program. There were also improvements in the proportion of participants undertaking recommended levels of physical activity from baseline to 12-months (increase of 5.2%), however the improvements made at end of the coaching program were not maintained at the 6-month follow up.ConclusionsThis study provides preliminary evidence that the GHS has potential to contribute to substantial improvements in the chronic disease risk factor profile of program completers and facilitates sustained maintenance six months after completing the coaching program.

결혼이주여성의 구강보건교육 프로그램 적용 후 구강상태의 변화

본 연구는 구강건강 증진을 위한 구강건강신념의 형성을 위해서 결혼이주여성들은 대상으로 구강보건교육 프로그램을 개발 실시하여 구강보건교육 실시 전과 실시 후가 구강건강 지식 및 태도에 어떤 효과가 있는지 진단해보고 실제적으로 구강상태를 조사하여 구강건강증진 어떤 변화가 있는지 알아보고자한다. 다문화가족지원센터에서 2012년 3월 26일에서 2012년 6월 30일까지 연구대상자는 실험집단, 통제집단 각각 51명으로 구성되었고, 구강지식과 인식을 사전-사후 조사했으며 인식에 변화가 있어 치과를 방문한 사람을 추후 조사하여 구강상태를 조사하여 대응표본t검증, 반복측정 변량분석을 실시하였다. 그 결과 구강보건 인식에서는 구강상식, 치주질환, 치아우식증, 잇솔질 영역에서 향상 나타났고 구강보건지식에서는 치주질환, 치아우식증, 잇솔질, 불소, 구취영역에서 구강보건인식에서 향상 나타났다. 우식경험영구지수(DMFT index)변화 즉 우식경험 미처치 치아수 (DT index)가 줄어들고 우식경험 처치치아수 (FT index) 늘어났다. 이상의 결과와 같이 본 연구에서 개발한 국제결혼이주 여성을 위한 구강보건 교육 프로그램은 결혼이주여성들의 구강보건인식. 지식 등의 변화를 가져왔으며 지식의 변화는 행동의 영향을 주어 치주상태, 우식경험 영구치지수의 변화도 있었다. 이는 결혼이주여성의 구강보건을 위한 교육프로그램의 중요성을 보여주고 있으며, 추후 구강보건교육 프로그램 개발을 위한 정보를 제공하여 다양한 측면에서 구강보건교육 프로그램이 개발되어 예방과 치료를 병행할 수 있게 되어야할 것이다. This study aims at finding which change there is of oral health promotion as investigating the oral health status in quality, diagnosing which effects knowledge and attitude of oral health has before and after the oral health education as developing and conducting the oral health education program for international marriage migrant women to form their oral health belief for improving oral health. This study consisted of each 51 of the experimental group and the controlled group at the multi-cultural family support center from <TEX>$26^{th}$</TEX> of March, 2012 to <TEX>$30^{th}$</TEX> of June, 2012 as the subjects, and pre-to-post investigated knowledge of oral and cognition. Also as it took follow-up examination of the clients who visited to the dentist with changing of their cognition, conducted matched-pair sample t-test and analysis of repeated measure variance. As the result, there were always the changes at the field of knowledge about oral, periodontal disease and toothbrush in awareness of oral health, and at the field of periodontal disease, dental caries, toothbrush, fluorine and bad breath in knowledge of oral health. The change of DMFT index, DT index has been reduced and FT index has been increased. As the result above, the oral health education program for international marriage migrant women has led to change awareness of oral health and knowledge, and the change of knowledge has influenced to a behavior, so there were the changes of periodontal status and DMFT index as well. This has been showing the importance of the program for oral health of international marriage migrant women. Moreover, while the oral health education program is developed in various aspects by offering the information for developing the oral health education program in future, it needs to run parallel prevention with treatment.