Moderate Positive Correlation Research Articles

Temporal Complementarity Analysis of Wind and Solar Power Potential for Distributed Hybrid Electric Generation in Chile

We evaluate the temporal complementarity in daily averages between wind and solar power potential in Chile using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. We used hourly wind speed and solar radiation data for 176 geographic points from 2004 to 2016. The results allow us to identify four zones: Zone A1 on the coast and in the valleys in the north of Chile between latitudes 18° S and 36° S, with moderate positive correlation; Zone A2 in the north Andes between latitudes 25° S and 33° S, with weak negative correlation; Zone B in the center-south part of the country between latitudes 36° S and 51° S with moderate negative correlation; and Zone C in the south, between latitudes 51° S and 55° S with null or weak positive correlation. On the one hand, the interannual analysis shows that Zone A1 keeps uniform correlation values with negative asymmetry, i.e., higher correlation values. On the other hand, there is positive asymmetry in most of the years in Zone A2, i.e., lower (or negative) values of correlation. Zone B shows an interannual oscillation of the median correlation, while Zone C shows a larger dispersion in the interannual results. Significance analysis shows that 163 out of the 176 points are statistically significant, while Zones A1, A2, and B have significant correlations, with Zone C being marginally significant. The results obtained are relevant information for further studies on the location of hybrid generation facilities. We expect our methodology to be instrumental in Chile’s energetic transition to a 100% renewable generation matrix.

Elevated periodic limb movement index is associated with hypoxemia in children with early onset scoliosis.

Patients with early onset scoliosis are at high risk of sleep disordered breathing, sleep disruption, and adverse consequences of poor sleep. In this study, we aim to assess the prevalence of periodic limb movements of sleep in a cohort of children with early onset scoliosis and identify factors that correlate with the presence of periodic limb movements. This is a retrospective chart review of 40 patients with EOS (ages 1-17years) who underwent a PSG from 2003 through 2019. Data collected included age, sex, and polysomnography parameters. Descriptive statistics were used: independent T test and Pearson correlation. The average age was 9.6years (SD 5.2); 22 were female. Eleven patients (27.5%) had elevated periodic limb movement index (PLMI) (≥ 5). Those with PLMI ≥ 5 had arousal index of 15.4 (SD 7.2) and those with normal PLMI having an arousal index of 9.4 (SD 4.9); this reached statistical significance (p < 0.05). Those with elevated PLMI spent 4.9 (SD 8.3) minutes with saturations below 88%, while those with normal PLMI spent 1.0 (SD 1.8); this was statistically significant. There was a moderate positive correlation between arousal index, hypoxemia, and PLMI. The study suggests that children with early onset scoliosis have higher frequency of periodic limb movements during sleep, and these may be correlated with increased arousal and with hypoxemia.

The relationship between survey-based subjective olfactory awareness and objective olfactory function.

Correlation between symptom-based surveys and objective olfactory testing is variable. For diagnosis and symptom monitoring, surveys should correlate with objective testing. The Odor Awareness Scale (OAS) and Affective Importance of Odor Scale (AIO) showed significant but moderate positive correlations with University of Pennsylvania Scent Identification Test (UPSIT) score.

One-year anti-VEGF therapy outcomes in diabetic macular edema based on treatment intensity: Data from the FRB! registry

PurposeTo compare one-year outcomes of eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME) treated in routine clinical practice based on the proportion of visits where intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor injections were delivered. DesignCohort study ParticipantsThere were 2288 treatment-naïve eyes with DME starting intravitreal VEGF inhibitor therapy from 31 October 2015 to 31 October 2021 from the Fight Retinal Blindness! international outcomes registry. MethodsEyes were grouped according to the proportion of visits at which an injection was received, Group A with less than the median of 67% (n=1172) versus Group B with greater than the median (n=1116). Main Outcome MeasureMean visual acuity (VA) change after 12 months of treatment. ResultsThe mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) VA change after 12 months of treatment was 3.6 (2.8, 4.4) letters for eyes in Group A versus 5.2 (4.4, 5.9) letters for eyes in Group B (p=0.005). The mean (95% CI) central subfield thickness (CST) change was -69 (-76, -61) μm and -85 (-92, -78) μm for eyes in Group A versus Group B, respectively (p=0.002). A moderate positive correlation was observed between the number of injections received over 12 months of treatment and the change in VA (p<0.001). Additionally, eyes that received more injections had a moderately greater CST reduction. ConclusionsThis registry analysis found that overall VA and anatomic outcomes tended to be better in DME eyes treated at a greater proportion of visits in the first year of intravitreal VEGF inhibitor therapy.

Relationship between the severity of pre-frailty and the degree of adaptation of Ninjin’yoeito (NYT) on pre-frailty

With the global trend towards longer life expectancies, there’s an increasing emphasis on not just living longer, but also maintaining health and wellbeing into older age. This study explores the efficacy of Ninjin’yoeito (NYT) in the early stages of frailty, a critical period for preventive interventions. Taking account of the knowledge gap regarding the association between early frailty and NYT, we use data from workplace health checkups to examine the relationship between pre-frailty severity and NYT adaption. The objective of our research is to enhance the comprehension of early treatments using NYT to prevent the progression of frailty. A total of 314 employees of the Kyoto Industrial Health Association who received workplace health checkups between November 2021 and March 2023 and consented to this study were included in the analysis. Information on gender, age, body mass index (BMI), NYT-specific symptoms assessment, the Japanese version of the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), and the Kihon Checklist (KCL) were obtained. The correlation analysis revealed that there was a strong positive correlation between the number of applicable NYT indications and the GHQ-12 score (r = 0.5992, p &amp;lt; 0.0001). Similarly, a moderate positive correlation was observed between the number of applicable NYT indications and the KCL score (r = 0.5030, p &amp;lt; 0.0001). In the multivariate analysis, both GHQ-12 (β = 0.49, SE = 0.06, t = 7.66, 95% CI: 0.36 to 0.62, p = 0.000) and KCL (β = 0.54, SE = 0.12, t = 4.29, 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.79, p = 0.000) showed significant positive associations with the variance in the number of applicable NYT indications, indicating that higher scores on these measures were related to a greater number of indications. NYT has the potential to be utilized not only as a therapeutic intervention for frailty, but also as a preventive measure.

Assessing the quality and reliability of YouTube videos as a source of information on inflammatory back pain.

Inflammatory back pain is a chronic condition with localized pain, particularly in the axial spine and sacroiliac joints, that is associated with morning stiffness and improves with exercise. YouTube is the second most frequently used social media platform for accessing health information. This study sought to investigate the quality and reliability of YouTube videos on inflammatory back pain (IBP). The study design was planned as cross-sectional. A search was conducted using the term "inflammatory back pain," and the first 100 videos that met the inclusion criteria were selected on October 19, 2023. The data of the videos selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria in the study settings were examined. Videos with English language, with audiovisual content , had a duration >30 s, non-duplicated and primary content related to IBP were included in the study. A number of video parameters such as the number of likes, number of views, duration, and content categories were assessed. The videos were assessed for reliability using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Benchmark criteria and the DISCERN tool. Quality was assessed using the Global Quality Score (GQS). Continuous variables were checked for normality of distribution using Shapiro-Wilk test and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the continuous data depending on the number of groups. Categorical data were analyzed using Pearson's chi-square test. Reliability assessment based on JAMA scores showed 21% of the videos to have high reliability. Quality assessment based on GQS results showed 19% of the videos to have high quality. JAMA, DISCERN, and GQS scores differed significantly by source of video (p<0.001, < 0.001, and = 0.002, respectively). Video duration had a moderate positive correlation with scores from the GQS (r=0.418, p<0.001), JAMA (r=0.484, p<0.001), and modified DISCERN (r=0.418, p<0.001). The results of the present study showed that YouTube offers videos of low reliability and low quality on inflammatory back pain. Health authorities have a responsibility to protect public health and should take proactive steps regarding health information shared on social media platforms.

Predicting attitudes toward ambiguity using natural language processing on free descriptions for open-ended question measurements

Individual traits and reactions to ambiguity differ and are conceptualized in terms of an individual’s attitudes toward ambiguity or ambiguity tolerance. The development of natural language processing technology has made it possible to measure mental states and reactions through open-ended questions, rather than predefined numerical rating scales, which have traditionally been the dominant method in psychological research. This study presented three ambiguity-related situations and responses collected online from 591 participants in an open-ended format. After the analysis with bidirectional encoder representations from transformers, correlations were calculated using scores from the numerical evaluation by conventional questionnaire, and a significant moderate positive correlation was found. Therefore, this study found that attitudes toward ambiguity can be measured using an open-ended response method of reporting everyday life states. It is a novel methodology that can be expanded to other scales in psychology and can potentially be used in educational and clinical situations where participants can be asked to respond with minimal burden.

Exploring the atypia of undetermined significance: Malignant ratio, ThyroSeq v3 positive call rate, molecular-derived risk of malignancy, and risk of malignancy as possible quality metric tools in thyroid cytology.

The atypia of undetermined significance (AUS) category is heterogeneous, leading to variations in its use. To prevent excessive usage, the AUS rate should be≤10%. Although this recommendation aims to maintain diagnostic quality, it lacks supporting data. The AUS:Malignant (AUS:M) ratio has been proposed as a metric tool to evaluate AUS use. Furthermore, integrating ThyroSeq v3 (TSV3) positive call rate (PCR) and the molecular-derived risk of malignancy (MDROM) have been put forward as performance improvement tools. The authors reviewed their AUS:M ratios, TSV3 PCR, MDROM, and ROM. Thyroid aspirates evaluated in the laboratory (from August 2022 to September 2023) by seven cytopathologists (CPs) were identified. AUS:M ratio, MDROM, ROM, and TSV3 PCR results for the laboratory and each CP were recorded and analyzed. A total of 2248 aspirates were identified (462 AUS and 80 malignant). The AUS:M ratio for the laboratory was 5.8 (CPs range, 2.8 to 7.3). The TSV3 PCR for the laboratory was 23% (CPs range, 11% to 41%). The MDROM for the laboratory was 19% (CPs range, 9% to 31%), whereas the ROM was 36% (CPs range, 29% to 50%). Linear regression analysis of AUS:M ratio versus TSV3 PCR and MDROM demonstrated a moderate positive correlation but a weak negative correlation to the ROM. Deviations from established targets were attributed to multiple factors. The findings of this study underscore the importance of using a combination of metrics to evaluate diagnostic practices. By dissecting the practice patterns of each CP, the authors can measure different aspects of their performance and provide individualized feedback.

Digits-in-Noise Test as an Assessment Tool for Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between an American English Digits in Noise (DIN) test and commonly used audiological measures to evaluate the DIN test’s ability to detect hearing loss and validate hearing aid fitting. QuickSIN and DIN tests were completed by participants with untreated hearing loss (n = 46), prescription hearing aids (n = 15), and over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids (n = 12). Performance on the QuickSIN showed moderate positive correlations with DIN for untreated hearing loss participants and prescription hearing aid users, but not for OTC hearing aid users. For untreated hearing loss participants, both QuickSIN and DIN tests showed positive moderate to strong correlations with high frequency puretone averages. In OTC users, DIN scores did not significantly change over a 6-month time period and were better when conducted remotely compared to in-person testing. Our results suggest that the DIN test may be a feasible monitoring option for individuals with hearing loss and those fitted with hearing aids. However, due to small sample size in this pilot study, future research is needed to examine DIN test’s utility for fitting and validating OTC hearing aids.

Experiences of Patients with Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis: A Mixed-Methods Study of the Insider’s Perspective

ObjectiveUnilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) is often characterized by severe dysphonia and has a significant impact on a patient’s communication in daily and vocational situations. Having a better understanding of how UVFP influences quality of life and patient experiences can help improve patient-centered care in this population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of patients with UVFP. MethodsTwenty-five adults with UVFP (age range: 39 – 84 years) participated in the study. Quantitative data were collected from 22 participants, using the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI), and Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI). Qualitative data were collected from 25 individual semi-structured interviews, which were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed with the software program NVivo. The interviews were coded using an inductive thematic approach. ResultsQuantitative results showed a mean DSI of -1.6, mean AVQI of 3.80, and mean VHI of 45.8 in the participant group. A statistically significant, moderate (positive) correlation was found between VHI and time after onset (in years). From the qualitative analysis of the interviews, four main themes were identified: emotional impact, psychosocial impact, physical complaints, and coping strategies. Voice problems caused by UVFP generally had a negative impact on patients’ emotional and psychological well-being, with considerable effects on participation, self-identity, and professional activity. Participants demonstrated a combination of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies to accommodate to these issues. Half of the participant group also showed avoidance as a coping style. VHI scores were significantly higher in participants who reported experiencing current emotional and participation problems due to UVFP, and who had not yet accepted their new voice. ConclusionThe themes from this study emphasize the importance of focused anamnesis and emotive counseling in practice, with specific attention to the psychosocial and emotional impact of UVFP. Data Availability StatementData is available from the authors upon request due to privacy reasons.

Assessment of Cobalt Binding Activity of Albumin in COVID-19 Patients and its Correlation with CRP

Background: Covid 19 pandemic has thrown a big challenge in terms of available manpower, space and financial recourses at all levels of healthcare facilities. The disease manifestation ranges from asymptomatic to severe but a pro-inflammatory milieu is the underlying ongoing event. Detection of pro- inflammatory markers in early stages of the disease is instrumental to avert future complications.Method: For the present study 35 RT-PCR positive Covid patients were chosen from indoor admissions along with 35 age and sex matched controls. C Reactive Protein (CRP) and cobalt binding activity of albumin measured in both groups and compared statistically.The values of CRP is elevated in cases (153.92± 87.56) as compared to controls (3.71± 3.07) which is statistically significant (p value= 0.001).Elevation of Cobalt binding activity of albumin is statistically significant (p value=0.0001) in cases (151.04± 37.38) when compared to controls (81.96± 29.49). Moreover elevation of cobalt binding activity of albumin bears moderate positive correlation (r=0.609) with the elevation of CRP levels.Conclusion: As laboratory assay of cobalt binding albumin has manifold advantages, when compared to assay of CRP, the former may emerge as a promising marker if similar result are obtained with a larger study population.

The Relationship Between FTP And VO2max Ability and Strength and Flexibility in Cyclists

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between VO2max and FTP in female road cyclists with strength (right/left-hand grip, back, leg), flexibility, and anthropometric variables.   Descriptive statistics are presented as median and interquartile range. The median values of the participants were as follows: height 158.5 cm, body weight 54.9 kg, body fat percentage 19.6%, and body muscle mass 41.5 kg. The participants’ leg strength was measured at 70 kg, while their back strength was found to be 50 kg. Their right-hand grip strength was 29.1 kg, and their left-hand grip strength was 29.6 kg. The participant's flexibility was measured at 32 cm. Their VO2max was found to be 58.2 ml/kg/min, with a VO2max pulse of 189 beats/min and a VO2max workload of 262 watts. During the FTP test, the participant's mean pulse rate was 181 beats/min, mean cadence was 83 rpm, mean workload was 184 watts, normalized power was 185 watts, and relative power was 3.1 watts/kg. The study found a moderate positive correlation between VO2max and back strength and a strong negative correlation with flexibility. Additionally, a strong positive relationship was observed between VO2max workload value and body muscle mass, as well as right- and left-hand grip strength. No relationship was found between VO2max HR, AnT VO2, AnT HR, and AnT workload. Furthermore, the study found a moderate positive correlation between FTP value and body muscle mass and a very strong positive correlation with calendar age. The study also found significant correlations between mean FTP cadence and body muscle mass, as well as between mean FTP workload and body muscle mass. Additionally, a very strong positive correlation was observed between mean FTP workload and calendar age. Finally, a strong negative correlation was found between FTP relative strength and flexibility. The study concluded that as the strength of the back muscles in the group increased, so did their VO2max and FTP values, along with an increase in body muscle mass. The results suggest that back strength and body muscle mass are important variables for the participants in the study. 

TENDINopathy Severity assessment–Achilles (TENDINS-A): evaluation of reliability and validity in accordance with COSMIN recommendations

ObjectiveTo evaluate the construct validity (structural validity and hypothesis testing), reliability (test–retest reliability, measurement error and internal consistency) and minimal important change (MIC) of the 13-item TENDINopathy Severity assessment–Achilles (TENDINS-A).MethodsParticipants...

Prognostic Significance of Lymph Node Ratio in Predicting the Outcome of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma – A Retrospective Study

Abstract Introduction: The lymph node status is a very important prognostic factor in head-and-neck cancer. The presence of metastatic lymph nodes will reduce the overall survival by 50%. Lymph node ratio (LNR) is defined as the ratio of the number of positive lymph nodes to the total number of lymph nodes dissected. The aim of the study was to investigate the prognostic value of LNR in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Materials and Methods: Medical records of pathologically confirmed OSCC patients who reported with loco-regional recurrence from January 2017 to January 2022 were analysed. LNR and disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated for each patient. The endpoint of the study was disease-free survival. Spearman’s correlation was used to establish a correlation between DFS and LNR. Results: A total of 33 patients were included in the study. DFS was calculated for all the patients. LNR was calculated in patients with pathological N+ neck. There was a negative significant moderate correlation between LNR and DFS (Spearman’s rho = −0.593, P &lt; 0.001). A higher LNR value of more than 0.01 was associated with a shorter DFS period. T4 tumour stage had significantly higher LNR. A positive significant moderate correlation was found between LNR and tumour stage (Spearman’s rho = 0.703, P = 0.01). As the T stage increased, the LNR ratio also increased. In the present study, tumour subsite tongue was associated with significantly higher LNR (P = 0.001). Discussion: LNR can be considered an independent prognostic parameter for DFS in OSCC patients with cervical lymph node metastasis.

Perkembangan Nilai Tukar Petani (NTP) Jawa Barat dan Korelasinya dengan Tenaga Kerja, Inflasi, dan Produk Domestik Regional Bruto (PDRB) Sektor Pertanian Jawa Barat

This research aims to identify the developments of Farmer Exchange Rate (FER) in the West Java Agricultural Sector in the period 2000-2022. This paper analyzes the extent of the correlation between Agricultural Sector Labor, the Inflation Rate variables, and the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of Agricultural Sector on the FER in the in West Java. The correlation identification between these variables was analyzed through Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation analysis based on West Java FER. The FER data is obtained from the Farmer Exchange Rate Statistics published by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). The research results show: a) There are variations in the FER value during the period 2005-2022 with an average of 103.99; b) The West Java Agricultural Sector Labor variable has a moderate positive linear correlation with West Java's FER; c) The West Java Agricultural Sector variable GRDP has weak negative linear correlation with West Java's FER; and d) The West Java inflation variable has a weak positive linear correlation with West Java's FER.

Seagrass Community Structure and Ecosystem Carbon Stocks Along the Shoreline of Semujur Island, Bangka Belitung Province, Indonesia

Seagrass meadows serve as vital blue carbon ecosystems, sequestering significant amounts of CO2 and playing a crucial role in climate change mitigation. Semujur Island, located in the Bangka Belitung Province, exemplifies numerous small Indonesian islands boasting extensive seagrass meadows lining their shores. This research seeks to (1) describe the community structure of seagrass on Semujur Island, (2) assess the carbon storage within the seagrass ecosystem, and (3) analyze the relationship between seagrass community structure and carbon reserves across three distinct sites. According to the results of this study, there are eight species of seagrass on Semujur Island, i.e., Cymodocea rotundata, Enhalus acoroides, Halodule uninervis, Halophila ovalis, Oceana serrulata, Syringodium isoetifolium, Thalassia hemprichii, and Thalassodendron ciliatum. Diversity indices varied among sites, ranging from 1.48 to 1.72. Species evenness indices varied between 0.83 and 0.92, while dominance indices varied between 0.20 and 0.28. The highest estimated carbon stock was obtained at the site dominated by the species H. uninervis (75.11 MgC/ha); followed by the site dominated by T. hemprichii (50.55 MgC/ha). The correlation between seagrass community structure, including density and coverage, and carbon stocks demonstrated a moderate positive correlation, with coefficients of 0.430 and 0.528, respectively (p&lt;0.05). This research highlights the significance of integrating ecological dynamics into the management of seagrass ecosystems to enhance climate change mitigation efforts. Additionally, it offers valuable data as a reference for the restoration and conservation of seagrass ecosystems.

The Relationship Between Anxiety and Maladaptive Daydreaming in Nursing Students: A Correlational Study

In this cross-sectional study conducted among nursing students in India, the research explores the intricate relationship between maladaptive daydreaming (MD) and anxiety, filling a gap in a context where limited prior research exists. Using self-administered questionnaires, including the Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the study reveals a moderate positive correlation between MD and anxiety symptoms (r = 0.494, p &lt; .001). Notably, MD was identified as a significant predictor of 24.2% of the variance in anxiety levels among nursing students. Moreover, the Kruskal-Wallis test demonstrated significant differences in anxiety levels across groups with varying degrees of MD tendencies. This research underscores the substantial impact of maladaptive daydreaming on anxiety among nursing students, emphasizing the imperative need for tailored interventions and support mechanisms. The study offers insights into these complex psychological phenomena within a unique cultural context, setting the stage for cross-cultural comparative research and targeted strategies for this student population's well-being.

Correlation of Body Mass Index and Disease Activity Score (DAS-28) in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is the most common autoimmune disease. RA can cause permanent deformity and loss of productivity. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the relationship of BMI with Disease Activity Score in RA patients. The secondary objective was to evaluate the presence of comorbidities such as diabetes, thyroid, hypertension, periodontitis, and pregnancy outcomes (in the case of females) in the RA patients population presented at the tertiary healthcare centre. Method: The presented study was a cross-sectional study. 100 Patients presented to the joint clinic were recruited. RA diagnosis of patients was based on the ACR/ELULAR criteria. Their demographic and clinical data was collected through one-on-one interviews. Results: The recruited population shows that BMI has a moderate positive correlation (r=0.347, p=0.001) with disease activity scores. 51% of RA patients have one or more comorbidities. 45.2 % of female RA patients suffered one or two miscarriages during their pregnancy. It is significantly higher as compared normal female population. Conclusions: Active control of BMI may be required to prevent RA symptom aggravation. RA patients are prone to develop comorbidities and females with RA may need close monitoring during their pregnancy period.

Differentiation of peripheral and non-peripheral etiologies in children with vertigo/dizziness: The video-head impulse test and suppression head impulse paradigm

ObjectivesTo identify the etiology of vertigo/dizziness and determine the effectiveness of the video-head impulse test (vHIT) and the suppression head impulse paradigm (SHIMP) tests in distinguishing between peripheral and non-peripheral etiologies in children who presented to the otolaryngology department with complaints of vertigo/dizziness. MethodsThe vHIT and SHIMP tests were applied to the children. The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain and saccade parameters were compared. ResultsIn 27 children presenting with vertigo/dizziness, the most common etiological factor was inner ear malformation (IEM) (n = 6/27, 22.2%), followed by cochlear implant surgery (11.1%) and migraine (11.1%). Vestibular hypofunction was indicated by the vHIT results at a rate of 60% (9/15 children) and SHIMP results at 73.3% (11/15 children) among the children with a peripheral etiology, while these rates were 8.3% (1/12 children) and 25% (3/12 children), respectively, in the non-peripheral etiology group. SHIMP-VOR and vHIT-VOR gain values had a moderate positive correlation (p = 0.01, r = 0.349). While there were overt/covert saccades in the vHIT, anti-compensatory saccade (ACSs) were not observed in the SHIMP test (p = 0.041). The rates of abnormal vHIT-VOR gain (p = 0.001), over/covert saccades (p = 0.019), abnormal vHIT response (p = 0.014), ACSs (p = 0.001), and abnormal SHIMP response (p = 0.035) were significantly higher in the peripheral etiology group. ConclusionsIEM was the most common etiological cause, and the rate of vestibular hypofunction was higher in these children with peripheral vertigo. vHIT and SHIMP are effective and useful vestibular tests for distinguishing peripheral etiology from non-peripheral etiology in the pediatric population with vertigo/dizziness. These tests can be used together or alone, but the first choice should be the SHIMP test, considering its short application time (approximately 4–5 min) and simplicity.

Novel 3D MRI-Based Volumetric Assessment of Rotator Cuff Musculature Demonstrates Stronger Correlation with Preoperative Functional Status When Compared to the Goutallier Grading Scheme

The Goutallier classification (GC) is used to assess fatty atrophy in rotator cuff (RC) tears, yet limitations exist. A battery of 3D-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumetric scores (VS) was developed to provide comprehensive characterization of RC pathology. The purposes of this study were to: (1) Describe the correlation between GC and VS for supraspinatus changes in RC tears, (2) Characterize the chronicity of RC tears using the battery of 12 VS measurements, and (3) Compare GC and VS to determine which method most closely corresponds with preoperative patient reported outcome measures (PROMs). Preoperative shoulder MRIs were reviewed after arthroscopic RC repair. Preoperative GC stage and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function (PF) and pain interference (PI) scores were collected. The battery of VS included fat infiltration (FIS), muscle size (MSS) and relative volume contribution (RCS) for each RC muscle. Backwards linear regression was performed to compare GC stage with preoperative PROMIS PF/PI to determine which VS measurement most closely correlated with preoperative PROMs. Eighty-two patients underwent RC repair (mean age 55±8.2 years, 63% male, 68% GC stage ≤1). In evaluation of the supraspinatus, there was a moderate positive correlation between GC and FIS (r = 0.459, p < 0.001); strong negative correlations were observed between MSS (r = -0.800, p < 0.001) and RCS (r = -0.745, p < 0.001) when compared to GC. A negligible linear correlation was observed between GC and preoperative PROMIS PF (r = -0.106, p = 0.343) and PI (r = -0.071, p = 0.528). On multivariate analysis, subscapularis MSS (beta > 0, p = 0.064) was a positive predictor, and subscapularis FIS (beta < 0, p = 0.137), teres minor MSS (beta < 0, p = 0.141) and FIS (beta < 0, p = 0.070) were negative predictors of preoperative PF (r = 0.343, p = 0.044); while supraspinatus MSS (beta > 0, p = 0.009) and FIS (beta > 0, p = 0.073), teres minor FIS (beta > 0, p = 0.072) and subscapularis FIS (beta > 0, p = 0.065) were positive predictors of preoperative PI (r = 0.410, p = 0.006). Although gold standard in evaluation of RC pathology, GC demonstrated negligible correlation with preoperative functional disability. Alternatively, a battery of 3D VS showed strong correlation with GC through a quantitative, comprehensive evaluation of the RC unit including several moderate predictors of preoperative functional disability.