Mean Paired Difference Research Articles

Abstract 11006: Fick’s versus Cardiac MRI Measured Pulmonary Blood Flow in Pre-Fontan Assessment

Background: Fick’s principle (FP) is unreliable if there are two sources of pulmonary blood flow (Q p ) with different saturations. We compared Q p and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVRI) measured by cardiac MRI (CMR) and FP in pre-Fontan patients. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of CMR and catheterization data obtained under the same general anesthetic from Jan 2009 to March 2021. FP derived Q p and PVRI used assumed O 2 consumption from Sackler’s equation. Paired T test was used for comparison between FP and CMR parameters. Results: 98 patients, with (mean ± sd): age 3.01±1.38 years and weight 13.31±2.4 kg. The FP derived Q p was 2.5(± 0.58) L/min/m 2 and PVRI1.91±0.61 Woods units*m 2 (WU*m 2 ). CMR measured pulmonary arterial flow (Q pa ) and pulmonary venous flow (Q pv ) were 1.97±0.55 L/min/m 2 and 3.49±0.76 L/min/m 2 , respectively. The PVRI using CMR Q pv was 1.38±0.47 WU*m 2 . The paired mean differences between Q p by FP and CMR Q pa or CMR Q pv were 0.53 (95%CI 0.41, 0.66; p<0.001) and -0.98(95%CI -1.13, -0.83; p<0.001), respectively. The paired mean difference between PVRI by FP and PVRI by CMR Qpv was 0.53(95%CI 0.44, 0.61; p<0.001). The difference between CMR Q pv and FP derived Q p were correlated with aortopulmonary collateral flow (Pearson r=0.615, p<0.001). PVRI derived from FP (1.91±0.61 WU*m 2 ) was higher than that from CMR (1.38±0.47, p<0.001). However, this only resulted in one FP based PVRI estimate being >4.0WU*m 2 when the CMR PVRI was <4.0WU*m 2 . Conclusion: s: FP derived Q p is lower than CMR Q pv resulting in higher PVRI estimates by FP. In most patients this will not affect clinical risk stratification based on PVRI. In high-risk candidates for the Fontan, CMR based flow measurements are preferrable.

Comparison of Several Prediction Equations Using Skinfold Thickness for Estimating Percentage Body Fat vs. Body Fat Percentage Determined by BIA in 6-8-Year-Old South African Children: The BC-IT Study.

Body composition measurement is useful for assessing percentage body fat (%BF) and medical diagnosis, monitoring disease progression and response to treatment, and is essential in assessing nutritional status, especially in children. However, finding accurate and precise techniques remains a challenge. The study compares %BF determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and calculated from available prediction equations based on skinfolds in young South African children. A cross-sectional study performed on 202 children (83 boys and 119 girls) aged 6-8 years. Height and weight, triceps and subscapular skinfolds were determined according to standard procedures. %BF was determined with BIA and three relevant available equations. SPSS analyzed the data using paired samples tests, linear regression, and Bland-Altman plots. Significant paired mean differences were found for BIA and Slaughter (t201 = 33.896, p < 0.001), Wickramasinghe (t201 = 4.217, p < 0.001), and Dezenberg (t201 = 19.910, p < 0.001). For all of the equations, the standards for evaluating prediction errors (SEE) were above 5. The Bland-Altman plots show relatively large positive and negative deviations from the mean difference lines and trends of systematic under- and over-estimation of %BF across the %BF spectrum. All three equations demonstrated a smaller %BF than the %BF measured by BIA, but the difference was smallest with the Wickramasinghe equation. In comparison, a poor SEE was found in the three %BF predicted equations and %BF derived from BIA. As such, an age-specific %BF equation incorporating criterion methods of deuterium dilution techniques or 'gold-standard' methods is needed to refute these findings. However, in the absence of developed %BF equations or 'gold-standard' methods, the available prediction equations are still desirable.

Validating the use of 3D biplanar radiography versus CT when measuring femoral anteversion after total hip arthroplasty : a comparative study.

Although CT is considered the benchmark to measure femoral version, 3D biplanar radiography (hipEOS) has recently emerged as a possible alternative with reduced exposure to ionizing radiation and shorter examination time. The aim of our study was to evaluate femoral stem version in postoperative total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients and compare the accuracy of hipEOS to CT. We hypothesize that there will be no significant difference in calculated femoral stem version measurements between the two imaging methods. In this study, 45 patients who underwent THA between February 2016 and February 2020 and had both a postoperative CT and EOS scan were included for evaluation. A fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologist and radiological technician measured femoral version for CT and 3D EOS, respectively. Comparison of values for each imaging modality were assessed for statistical significance. Comparison of the mean postoperative femoral stem version measurements between CT and 3D hipEOS showed no significant difference (p = 0.862). In addition, the two version measurements were strongly correlated (r = 0.95; p < 0.001), and the mean paired difference in postoperative femoral version for CT scan and 3D biplanar radiography was -0.09° (95% confidence interval -1.09 to 0.91). Only three stem measurements (6.7%) were considered outliers with a > 5° difference. Our study supports the use of low-dose biplanar radiography for the postoperative assessment of femoral stem version after THA, demonstrating high correlation with CT. We found no significant difference for postoperative femoral version when comparing CT to 3D EOS. We believe 3D EOS is a reliable option to measure postoperative femoral version given its advantages of lower radiation dosage and shorter examination time.Cite this article: Bone Joint J2022;104-B(11):1196-1201.

Implementing a Longitudinal Adolescent Transition of Care Curriculum: Identifying Comfort and Barriers Among Residents.

Amid growing recognition of the importance of transitioning adolescents and young adults (AYA) from pediatric- to adult-oriented health care systems, residency programs are being tasked with educating residents on best transition practices. However, consensus on how to approach training residents in transition of care (TOC) is limited. Our academic residency program therefore created and implemented a TOC of AYA curriculum for pediatric residents in an effort to increase provider knowledge and comfort with this topic. Three classes of post-graduate year one (PGY1) pediatric residents participated in this curriculum from 2017-2019 (n=35) and subsequently completed a problem-based learning (PBL) exercise in a primary care clinic with adolescent patients based on core goals in transitioning AYA. Residents completed pre-PBL and post-PBL surveys quantifying provider comfort in several aspects of the transition process. The majority of residents (94%) identified the PBL exercise as being useful, with no significant difference between classes. Eighty-nine percent (n=31) identified 1) earlier introduction of TOC and/or 2) incorporation of TOC discussions during AYA well visits as intended areas of future practice change. Overall provider comfort in transitioning AYA increased significantly from matched pre-PBL to post-PBL surveys (p=0.004). Paired mean differences also showed a significant increase in provider comfort based on several identifiable skillsets in transitioning AYA. This study suggests that a formal curriculum for pediatric residents significantly increases resident comfort in transitioning AYA and encourages change in future clinical practice. Future directions include evaluating the implementation of a formal longitudinal curriculum across several PGY levels and expansion of the curriculum to include internal medicine residents. Standardized curricula on this topic may improve resident comfort on a national level.

Efficacy of contact lenses for myopia control: Insights from a randomised, contralateral study design.

To determine the efficacy of two myopia control contact lenses (CL) compared with a single-vision (SV) CL. Ninety-five Chinese children with myopia, aged 7-13 years in a 1-year prospective, randomised, contralateral, cross-over clinical trial with 3 groups; bilateral SVCL (Group I); randomised, contralateral wear of an extended depth of focus (EDOF) CL and SVCL (Group II) and MiSight® CL and SVCL (Group III). In Groups II and III, CL were crossed over at the 6-month point (Stage 1) and worn for a further 6months (Stage 2). Group I wore SVCL during both stages. At baseline and the end of each stage, cycloplegic spherical equivalent refractive error (SE) and axial length (AL) were measured. Six-monthly ΔSE/ΔAL across groups was analysed using a linear mixed model (CL type, stage, eye and eye* stage included as factors). Intra-group paired differences between eyes were determined. In Group I, mean (SD) ΔSE/ΔAL with SVCL was -0.41 (0.28)D/0.13 (0.09)mm and -0.25 (0.27)D/0.16 (0.09)mm for stages 1 and 2, with a mean paired difference between eyes of 0.01 D/0.01 mm and 0.05 D/-0.01 mm, respectively. ΔSE/ΔAL with SVCL was similar across Groups I to III (Stage 1: p=0.89/0.44, Stage 2: p=0.70/ 0.64). In Groups II and III, ΔSE/ΔAL was lower with the EDOF and MiSight® CL than the contralateral SVCL in 68% to 94% of participants, and adjusted 6-month ΔSE/ΔAL with EDOF was similar to MiSight® (p=0.49/0.56 for ΔSE/ΔAL, respectively). Discontinuations across the three groups were high, but not different between the groups (33.3%, 48.4% and 50% for Groups I to III, respectively [p=0.19]) and most discontinuations occurred immediately after baseline. Extended depth of focus and MiSight® CL demonstrated similar efficacy in slowing myopia. When switched from a myopia control CL to SVCL, myopia progression was similar to that observed with age-matched wearers in SVCL and not suggestive of rebound.

Single dose of budesonide/formoterol turbuhaler compared to salbutamol pMDI for speed of bronchodilator onset in asthma: a randomised cross-over trial

ObjectiveTo compare bronchodilator response after to salbutamol and budesonide/formoterol in adults with stable asthma.MethodsA double-blind, cross-over, single-centre, placebo-controlled, non-inferiority trial. Adults with stable asthma were randomised to different orders of...

Efficacy of knee traction with stimulation and without stimulation on physical activity level among knee osteoarthritis patients

The purpose of the research was to find out the effect of knee traction with stimulation and without stimulation on physical activity level among knee osteoarthritis. To achieve the purpose of this research, 30 patients in the age group of 55 to 65 years. The selected subjects were divided into three groups of ten each. Thus, knee traction with stimulation, knee traction without stimulation were selected as independent variables and physical activity level were selected as dependent variables. The treatment period was delimited to twelve weeks, in knee traction with stimulation, knee traction without stimulation were given to respective experimental groups (Group-I & Group-II). The group-III acted as control and did not participate in any systematic treatment. Data were collected before and after treatment. The collected data were statistically treated by using ANCOVA. When the obtained ‘F’ ratio was significant, Scheffe’s post hoc test was used to find out the significant paired mean differences. In all the cases, 0.05 level of confidence was fixed to test the significance. It is inferred that the twelve weeks of knee traction with stimulation treatment have significantly improved physical activity level. The result further reveals that the knee traction with stimulation group has shown significant improvement in physical activity level as compared to the knee traction without stimulation group. Participation in knee traction with stimulation, knee traction without stimulation resulted in a significant development in experimental groups when compared to control group.

Angle Kappa measurement pre-keratorefractive and post-keratorefractive surgery using Orbscan 3

Aim of the study Measurement of the mean angle Kappa pre-keratorefractive and post-keratorefractive surgery utilizing Orbscan 3. Patients and methods This retrospective study was conducted on patients who had refractive surgeries, group A included patients who underwent Lasik and group B included patients who underwent Photo Refractive Keratectomy (PRK). Mean age from 18 to 45 years. Preoperative, 1-week, and 1-month postoperative assessments included detailed ocular examination, slit-scanning topography done by Orbscan 3, and total ocular aberrations by Zywave 3 were done. Results The study comprised 146 eyes of 75 individuals. Preoperative data demonstrated that angle Kappa mean in Lasik group (group A) was 2.38±1.54 at 147.05±96.94, in PRK group (group B) was 2.31±1.17 at 137.67±85.7. Paired mean differences of the two groups between preoperative data and 1-week postoperative show no statistically significant difference in central corneal thickness (CCT) nor angle Kappa values. Paired mean differences of the two groups between preoperative data and 1-month postoperative show no statistically significant difference regarding CCT nor angle Kappa values. Preoperative, 1-week postoperative, and 1-month postoperative correlation of angle Kappa to refractive error, spherical equivalent, average K-reading, CCT and axial length, showed that both groups had a positive correlation with axial length. Conclusion Keratorefractive surgeries do not affect angle Kappa or its intercept measurements.

Cloistered and coalesce effect of power yoga and plyometric training on selected physical variable among tribal taekwondo players

The purpose of the study was to determine the Cloistered and Coalesce effect of Power Yoga and Plyometric Training on selected Physical variable among Tribal Taekwondo Players. To achieve this purpose, sixty (N=60) girls Tribal Taekwondo players studying various schools in Kerala. Their age ranged from 14 to 16 years. The subjects were assigned at random into four groups of fifteen in each (n=15). Group-I underwent Power Yoga, Group-II underwent Plyometric Training, Group-III underwent Coalesce Power Yoga and Plyometric Training and Group –IV was as the Control group. Speed was selected as dependent variable and it was assessed by 50 Meters Sprint test. The data collected from the four groups prior to and immediately after the training programme on the selected criterion variables were statistically analyzed with Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Whenever the ‘F’ ratio for adjusted post test means was found to be significant, Scheffe’s test was followed, as a post hoc test to determine which of the paired mean differences was significant. In all the cases .05 level of confidence was fixed. The experimental groups namely, power yoga, plyometric training and coalesce power yoga and plyometric training had significantly improved in speed.

Effects of Different Types of Meditations Namely Transcendental Meditation and Heart Rhythm Meditation on Selected Physiological Variable

The purpose of the study was to find out the effects of different types of meditations namely Transcendental Meditation and Heart Rhythm Meditation on selected physiological variables namely resting pulse rate among college men students. To achieve this purpose of the study, sixty men students studying for bachelor’s degrees in and around colleges nearby Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu, India were randomly selected as subjects. The age, height and weight of the selected subjects ranged from 18 to 24 years, 158 to 171 cm and 56 to 69 kilograms respectively. The selected subjects were divided into three equal groups of twenty subjects each at random. Group I underwent Transcendental Meditation, Group II underwent Heart Rhythm Meditation and Group III acted as a control. All the subjects of the three groups were tested on selected dependent variables prior to and immediately after the training programme. The collected data were analyzed statistically by using ANCOVA (analysis of covariance) to find out the effects of different types of meditations on selected physiological variables. Whenever the obtained ‘F’ ratio for the adjusted post-test mean was found to be significant, Scheffe’s test was applied as a post hoc test to determine the paired mean differences, if any. The 0.05 level of confidence was fixed to test the level of significance which was considered appropriate.

EPANET MODEL CLEAN WATER NETWORK CALLIBRATION USING MODIFIED ROUGHNESS C NUMBER HAZEN WILLIAM METHOD

The Epanet model in clean water pipelines is intended for time efficiency in calculating hydraulic behaviour. Calibration of the water pipe network is to compare the simulation results of the model to actual field observations and to see that the model that has been made is truly valid and reliable as a tool to determine the hydraulic behaviour of the network system when a change input into the system is given (e.g. the addition of pipelines and number of customer tapping debits). The pipe roughness coefficient (C) is a number that indicates the amount of energy loss due to friction between the flowing fluid and the pipe wall. The increasing age of the pipe will cause the pipe wall roughness to increase, and the energy loss will be even more significant. This research aims to calibrate the pipe network model by adjusting the C value of the actual pipe roughness coefficient according to the installed age. An initial simulation model was carried out by entering the standard pipe C value in the Hazen Williams energy loss equation in the Epanet link/pipe properties. Then a simulation is carried out by modifying the value of C according to the pipe's service life. For 600 mm steel pipe, change the C value from 150 to 87 (pipe age &gt;30 years), HDPE 315 mm pipe changes in C value from 140 to 100 (pipe age &gt;10 years) and 25-50 mm PVC pipe from 140 to 100 (pipe age &gt;10 years). From the simulation results of the Epanet model-field observations, the average compressive height was obtained for five observation nodes.of 2 tails was performed paired sample test the pressure height value of the model-observation. Before modifying the value of C, the paired mean difference test results showed a significant difference between the simulation results of the model on field observations with a model significance value of 0.004, which means &lt;0.005. There is a considerable difference between the simulations and observations, and the model is considered invalid. However, after modifying the value of C according to the actual age of the pipe, a paired sample test T average value of the compression model-observation was 0.098 &gt; 0.005), which means that there is no significant difference between the simulation and observation. This means that the model made is quite valid. Product moment correlation between the model simulation height - field observations, the value of R = 0.967, the relationship is robust between the two results.

Cloistered and coalesce effect of power Yoga and plyometric training on selected physical variable among tribal taekwondo players

The purpose of the study was to determine the Cloistered and Coalesce effect of Power Yoga and Plyometric Training on selected Physical variable among Tribal Taekwondo Players. To achieve this purpose, sixty (N=60) girls Tribal Taekwondo players studying various schools in Kerala. Their age ranged from 14 to 16 years. The subjects were assigned at random into four groups of fifteen in each (n=15). Group-I underwent Power Yoga, Group-II underwent Plyometric Training, Group-III underwent Coalesce Power Yoga and Plyometric Training and Group –IV was as the Control group. Speed was selected as dependent variable and it was assessed by 50 Meters Sprint test. The data collected from the four groups prior to and immediately after the training programme on the selected criterion variables were statistically analyzed with Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Whenever the ‘F’ ratio for adjusted post test means was found to be significant, Scheffe’s test was followed, as a post hoc test to determine which of the paired mean differences was significant. In all the cases .05 level of confidence was fixed. The experimental groups namely, power yoga, plyometric training and coalesce power yoga and plyometric training had significantly improved in speed.

Isolated and combined effect of yogasana adn burpee ecercise on vital capacity among college men students

The main purpose of the study was to find out the Impact of varied training package on fitness parameters of college students. 60 subjects were selected for the study. The subjects were selected from the Faculty of Management, Alagappa University. The subject’s age range was taken from 18 to 24 years. The pre and post test random sampling would be used to select the subject. Training package Group-I underwent yogasana, Training package Group-II underwent burpee exercises, Training package Group - III combined group underwent yogasanas and burpee exercises. Each group consisting of 20 subjects. The duration of the training period was 12 weeks. The subjects were trained 6 days a week, per day 1- hour training was given. In package GroupI-15 asana was given in training. Training Package GroupII-10burpees was given in training. Training package group III combined group the subjects was joined with training package group I, 3 alternative days and training package group II, 3 alternative days, The Analysis of Co-variance (ANCOVA) was applied to find out the significant improvement on pre and post test data, if the result were significant the Schiff’s post hoc test was used to find out the paired mean differences.

Analysis of Bulgarian bag training, Swiss ball training and combined training on selected anthropometric variables among volleyball players

Context: Analysis the impact of Bulgarian bag training, Swiss ball training and combined training on selected anthropometric variables of volleyball players. Aim: This study aims to identify the Bulgarian bag training, Swiss ball training and combined training on selected anthropometric variables of volleyball players. Material and Methods: The study was confined to 60 volleyball players from Madurai district, Tamilnadu, India. Their age ranged from 18 to 25 years. The selected subjects were divided in to four groups namely Bulgarian bag training, Swiss ball training, combined training and control group, each group consisting of 15 subjects. The study was conducted on dependent variables such as Biceps girth. Statistical Analysis Used: Analysis the impact of Bulgarian bag training, Swiss ball training and combined training on selected anthropometric variables of volleyball players. were tested by Analysis of Co-variance (ANCOVA) would be applied to find out the significant improvement on them, the results were significant, the Schiff’s post hoc test would be used to find out the paired mean differences. In all the cases the 0.05 level of confidence would be fixed was applied to determine whether the programs of training produced significantly different improvements in Biceps girth after Twelve weeks of training.

Exploring the quantification and measurement of public procurement performance expectations gap in community roadworks in Uganda: evidence from comprehensive survey

PurposeThis paper aims to quantify, for the first time, the performance expectations gap in community roadworks projects by proposing a performance expectations gap index (PEGI) that can answer a vital question of how wide/how narrow the gap is from a stakeholder perspective. Previous scholars have offered qualitative descriptions of the expectations gap from an auditing point of view using a constructivist approach. This study uses a positivistic approach in addressing the procurement performance expectations gap.Design/methodology/approachThe index is computed by combining data from actual and perceived performance of public roadworks from two categories of respondents: “Technical personnel” and “Road users” in selected District Local Governments (DLGS) of Uganda using paired mean differences. The authors created grand means from these two groups for us to make a meaningful comparison. Data were collected from community access roads projects opened, maintained and completed and the satisfaction levels from 69 DLGS. The community leaders and political representatives formed a group of road-users, whereas DLG Engineering staff represented the technical staff. Data was collected on the extent to which the DLG had achieved performance efficiency, performance effectiveness and performance reasonableness. The measurements items was anchored along the continuum of: (5) Outstanding = Performance is consistently superior to (1) Unsatisfactory = Performance is consistently unacceptable.FindingsStudy findings show the level of performance of roadworks attained by technical staff is only 65%, with 15.9% gap is attributed to performance efficiency, the 29.1% gap is attributed to performance effectiveness issues and 20% gap is the perceived performance unreasonableness gap in the stakeholder’s perspective, creating an overall performance gap of 35%, in the perspective of road users. From the computations carried out, the authors determined the size of the expectation gaps by the technical DLG stakeholders and road-users of 0.3493. The gap index (0.3493) falls within the range between 0.2 and 0.39, which is a small performance expectations gap, calling for top management’s attention to identify and work on the parameters causing operational inefficiency within implementing units of DLGs. Study findings show the level of performance of roadworks attained by technical staff is 65%, creating a performance gap of 35%, in the perspective of road users.Research limitations/implicationsThe implications of these results can ignite a meaningful debate on whether financing of road projects should be based on how narrow the performance gap should be and having sustained evidence that the gap is progressively being narrowed for improved sustainability of roadworks financing by donor agencies. Whereas this quantification of the performance gap is a new positivistic direction towards minimizing the performance expectation gap, it can easily be adopted by roadworks implementing units in assessing road-user performance needs at the point of project completion and once these are not achieved, such minor loopholes would be worked on, on a regular basis as and when need warrants.Practical implicationsThe authors have introduced and empirically verified the performance expectation gap index, which further understands the performance expectations gap from a positivistic approach. The paper provides a problem-solving tool to analyse stakeholder engagement linkages with performance expectations variations on the practical side.Social implicationsThe paper has started on a change perception campaign of shaping road-user critical perspectives about the outcome of community roadworks procurements. By introducing and creating a mindset of quantitative assessments in understanding the expectation gaps that can be caused by a number of factors, the responsible people for creating, maintaining and widening PEGs will eventually wake up and improve personal behaviours that lead to the widening of the procurement performance gap in roadworks, from a stakeholders’ perspective.Originality/valueUnlike previous scholars who used a constructivist approach, the paper is the first of its kind to use a positivistic approach to quantify the procurement performance expectations gap using a PEGI. The use of the index gives new insights to managing procurement performance expectations to the satisfaction of stakeholders from a quantitative perspective.

A Review of Current Literature of Interest to the Office-Based Anesthesiologist.

A Review of Current Literature of Interest to the Office-Based Anesthesiologist.

Effects of Different Types of Meditation on Diastolic Blood Pressure

Background: The study was intended to find out the effects of different types of meditations namely transcendental meditation and heart rhythm meditation on diastolic blood pressure among male college students. Methodology: Sixty male students studying bachelor’s degree in colleges in and around Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu, India were randomly selected as subjects to achieve the purpose of this study. The age of subjects ranged between 18 and 24 years, height and weight ranged from 158 to 171 cm and 56 to 69 kg respectively. The selected sixty subjects were divided into three groups of twenty subjects each at random. Group I (transcendental meditation), Group II (heart rhythm meditation) and Group III (control). Prior to and immediately after the training programme, all the subjects of three groups were tested on the selected dependent variable. ANCOVA (analysis of covariance) was used to analyse the collected data to find out the effects of different types of meditations on diastolic blood pressure. Whenever the obtained ‘F’ ratio for the adjusted post-test mean was found to be significant, Scheffe’s test was applied as post hoc test to determine the paired mean differences, if any. The 0.05 level of confidence was fixed to test the level of significance which was considered as an appropriate. Results &amp; Conclusion: There was a significant differences exist among transcendental meditation group, heart rhythm meditation group and control group on selected physiological variable namely diastolic blood pressure. There was significant change on selected physiological variable namely diastolic blood pressure due to transcendental meditation and heart rhythm meditation after twelve weeks of training period. Significant differences were found between transcendental meditation group and heart rhythm meditation group on selected physiological variable namely diastolic blood pressure after twelve weeks of training period.

DEVELOPING A RELATIVELY VALIDATED AND REPRODUCIBLE FOOD FREQUENCY QUESTIONNAIRE IN BAGHDAD, IRAQ

Nutritional assessment is essential in the evaluation of individuals’ health status. this study seeks to develop and validate a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that can be used as a nutritional assessment tool in epidemiological studies. a stratified random sampling enrolled sixty-five participants from Baghdad university college of medicine. participants were asked to fill a four days food upon which the questionnaire was developed. the participants were asked to fill the questionnaire based on their food intake in the last year. the data was entered using a food application, and the data source for the food nutritional values was obtained from different food composition tables. the serving size was assessed based on the Canadian nutritional society guidelines. the validation and reliability of the questionnaire were evaluated by comparing food intake of the records and the questionnaires using paired mean difference and Pearson correlation coefficient. the energy was adjusted using the nutrient density method. the mean difference between the records and questionnaire was 151.3 kcal, 7.61, 10.45, 10.24 gram for energy, fat, carbohydrate, and protein, respectively. the correlation coefficient between the record and the questionnaire was 0.829, 0.583, 0.323, and 0.547 for energy, fat, carbohydrate, and protein, respectively. in conclusion, this is the first valid food frequency questionnaire that was shown to be valid and reliable in providing a nutritional assessment of dietary intake in Iraq. it requires more efforts to be considered as a national tool for dietary assessment.

American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Discrepancy Index and peer assessment rating (PAR) index with models versus photographs

BackgroundThe objectives of this study were to determine whether rating systems, such as the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) and the American Board of Orthodontics Objective Grading System (ABO-OGS) can be applied to intraoral photographs. MethodsModels and photographs of 50 cases were graded by 4 raters, and a 20% repeat of randomized cases was completed 2 weeks later. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to assess inter- and intra-rater agreements, as well as the level of agreement between the ratings on models and photographs. ResultsThe intra- and inter-rater agreements were considered good to excellent. The paired mean difference (model minus photo) for the PAR index and the ABO Discrepancy Index as a total was 2.405 and 1.156, respectively. Overjet was the subdomain that produced the highest differences between photos and models. The ABO- Discrepancy Index method on photographs was more reliable than the PAR index when grading pre-treatment and more-severe malocclusions. ConclusionsBoth methods can be used, but the choice depends on the purpose of the evaluation, and on consideration of the weaknesses and strengths of each relating to its use on photographs.

Assessment of peripheral artery disease risk in building construction workers by Ankle-Brachial index measurement with automated oscillometric and hand-held Doppler device.

Background:Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) remains underdiagnosed, partly because of the limitations of the Doppler ankle-brachial index (ABI) with regards to equipment, training, and time constraints.Aims:To compare the accuracy and validity of automated oscillometric ABI measurement in detecting PAD in primary care settings against a gold standard Doppler device.Settings and Design:A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the physiology department, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (DrRMLIMS), Lucknow.Methods and Material:A total of 200 male building construction workers of all types of age groups between 20 and 40 years were recruited. The ABI measurement was performed using the Watch BP Office and hand-held HI.dop, BT-200 Vascular Doppler device.Statistical Analysis Used:The Bland-Altman plot and receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve were determined to analyze the agreement between the two methods. For the reliability of the test, Pearson’s correlation with linear regression was done and the intraclass correlation (ICC) coefficient was calculated.Results:The mean ABI (Osc) and ABI (Dop) were 1.13 ± 0.09 and 1.06 ± 0.08, respectively. The ABI (Dop) and ABI (Osc) methods were highly correlated Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.96 with 95% confidence interval (CI) ranges between 0.985 and 1.066 (P < 0.001). On linear regression analysis, the ABI (Dop) predicted ABI (Osc) 92.6% correctly. The paired mean difference between the two measuring devices was 0.07 (95% CI = −0.03 to −0.12). At 0.90 cut-off value of diagnosing PAD, the sensitivity is 50%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, and negative predictive value 97% by an oscillometric automated device.Conclusion:Our finding suggested that ABI measurement by the automated oscillometric device is reliable, free of examiner bias, and less time-consuming.