Paired-samples Student Research Articles

Evaluation of international educational programme student engagement in Spanish classes in a multilingual learning environment

Importance. The main goal of the study is to study the impact of multilingual education of uni versity students on the degree of their involvement in the educational process, as well as to prove the positive impact of involvement on the level of mastery of a second foreign language – Spanish. Although the impact of engagement on student achievement in traditional learning has previously been extensively researched, less is known about how it influences student learning in the context of multilingual learning. The research contributes to the study of student learning engagement in higher education by exploring the less studied context of learning in a multilingual environment.Materials and Methods. The study involves 2 groups of 3rd year undergraduate students (N = 47) of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. To identify the degree of student engage ment in the process of learning Spanish, questionnaires, testing and statistical methods are used.Results and Discussion. In the experimental group (N = 23), a multilingual approach is imple mented. In the control group (N = 24), the English Medium Instruction-based approach is used. The Student Engagement Scale is measured using the three most common dimensions identified by researchers (behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement). Paired samples Student’s t-test and Pearson’s correlation test are performed to analyze descriptive statistics.Conclusion. Based on the results of student engagement, it can be concluded that students in the experimental group show a higher level of emotional and cognitive activity.

Statistical assessment for reusing permeate from dewatering water treatment sludge process: more sustainability in environmental sanitation.

Sludge from water treatment plants (WTPs) is usually processed by physicochemical clarification followed by thickening, which results in the production of an effluent from dewatering/drying sludge processes that can potentially impact the environment. This paper assessed the viability of employing sludge dewatering water from a water treatment sludge plant (WTSP) in São Paulo State, Brazil, for reuse purposes. Water quality variables were monitored in the effluent and receiving stream. The data were analyzed by paired samples Student t-test (parametric significance test), paired samples Wilcoxon signed rank test (non-parametric significance test), and principal component analysis (multivariate analysis). Despite the distribution of data, typically not Gaussian, both Student and Wilcoxon methods agreed in 9 out of 10 studied parameters regarding the influence of WTSP discharge on waterbody; only for total manganese the Wilcoxon approach provided better fit than Student. Principal component analysis helped to evince correlations among all variables. Results provided useful information for understanding the vocation of WTSP effluent for reuse. For direct non-potable reuse, recirculating the final effluent back to the WTP for two months saved 92,000 m3 of water, the volume of drinking water demanded by the city (n = 292,000 inhabitants) in approximately 30h.

Biofilm adhesion on polypropylene and nylon sutures in clinical crown lengthening surgery: controlled clinical trial

Objective. The aim of this study was to compare biofilm adherence in polypropylene versus nylon sutures in clinical crown lengthening surgery on anterior teeth. Material and methods. This controlled clinical trial was conducted between April and October 2019 at the Dental Center and the Microbiology Laboratory of the Antenor Orrego Private University, with 30 patients undergoing clinical crown lengthening surgery for prosthetic reasons of an anterior tooth who met the established selection criteria. Participants were chosen using the non-probabilistic selection method for convenience. Reliability was determined by calibration of the principal investigator, using Cohen's Kappa test, both intra-evaluator (0.984) and inter-evaluator (0.978) with an independent collaborator, a microbiology technician from the University. After lengthening the clinical crown, suturing was done by placing two simple interrupted stitches in the same surgical site, one made with propylene and the other made with nylon, with an approximate distance of 1cm between them. Seven days after surgery, in addition to postoperative control, the suture stitches were removed, cutting a 1cm segment exposed in the oral cavity, from each thread, to be analyzed. Bacterial adhesion of polypropylene and nylon yarns was compared using the paired-samples Student's t-test and also compared to a control. A significance level of 5% was considered. Results. There is a significant difference (p=0.001) between the adherence of biofilm in polypropylene suture compared to nylon after clinical crown lengthening surgery. Conclusion. Polypropylene suture adheres less biofilm compared to nylon in clinical crown lengthening surgery.

Quantification of perineural satellitosis in pretreatment glioblastoma with structural MRI and a diffusion tensor imaging template.

Survival outcomes for glioblastoma (GBM) patients remain unfavorable, and tumor recurrence is often observed. Understanding the radiological growth patterns of GBM could aid in improving outcomes. This study aimed to examine the relationship between contrast-enhancing tumor growth direction and white matter, using an image registration and deformation strategy. In GBM patients 2 pretreatment scans (diagnostic and neuronavigation) were gathered retrospectively, and coregistered to a template and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) atlas. The GBM lesions were segmented and coregistered to the same space. Growth vectors were derived and divided into vector populations parallel (Φ = 0-20°) and perpendicular (Φ = 70-90°) to white matter. To test for statistical significance between parallel and perpendicular groups, a paired samples Student's t-test was performed. O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation status and its correlation to growth rate were also tested using a one-way ANOVA test. For 78 GBM patients (mean age 61 years ± 13 SD, 32 men), the included GBM lesions showed a predominant preference for perineural satellitosis (P < .001), with a mean percentile growth of 30.8% (95% CI: 29.6-32.0%) parallel (0° < |Φ| < 20°) to white matter. Perpendicular tumor growth with respect to white matter microstructure (70° < |Φ| < 90°) showed to be 22.7% (95% CI: 21.3-24.1%) of total tumor growth direction. The presented strategy showed that tumor growth direction in pretreatment GBM patients correlated with white matter architecture. Future studies with patient-specific DTI data are required to verify the accuracy of this method prospectively to identify its usefulness as a clinical metric in pre and posttreatment settings.

Manual handling amongst physiotherapists: Analysis of intra-shift variations in pain, fatigue and movement.

Manual handling injuries amongst physiotherapists are common and the need to improve our understanding of causal influences is imperative. The objective was to determine whether intra-shift variations in manual handling task performance occurred in our cohort, which may inform mechanisms underpinning related injuries. We used motion capture, force plate dynamics and electromyography to identify variations in task performance, loading forces and muscle activity, during the performance of one static and one dynamic standardized manual handling task, pre- and post-shift, by 40 physiotherapists. Participants also rated their pain and fatigue on a visual analogue scale (VAS). Statistical analysis utilised paired samples Student's t tests. Significant differences were seen in the EMG activity in the quadriceps during the static task only. No significant differences were seen for any of the kinematic variables. Significant differences in fatigue (p < 0.005) were seen between the pre- and post-shift sessions. Notably, there were significant differences in pain between the pre- and post-shift sessions in the static (p < 0.01) and dynamic tasks (p < 0.05). This increase in pain was at a level which impacted on function. Whilst significant variations in task performance were not observed, our findings indicate that physiotherapists frequently experience task-related pain towards the end of their shift. Contemporary research indicates that frequent transient low back pain may transition to a chronic disabling condition, as such we posit that the effects of intra-shift pain, and its causative factors, should be more widely considered in a 'whole-of-job' approach to mitigating risk in this demographic.

Evaluation of Temporomandibular Joint in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Comparative Study.

(1) The aim of this study was to perform an evaluation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and present the morphological differences of the TMJ between healthy subjects and patients with PD. (2) A total of 102 Caucasian subjects were divided equally into two groups. The study group consisted of patients with PD, while the control group comprised healthy subjects. Ten parameters, including anterior joint space (AJS), superior joint space (SJS), posterior joint space (PJS), condyle head length (CHL), condylar neck width (CNW), minor axis of the condyle (MAC), long axis of the condyle (LAC), condylar axis inclination (CI), medial joint space (MJS), and lateral joint space (LJS), were measured using magnetic resonance images. The data were statistically analyzed using paired samples t-test and Student's t-test, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. (3) In the PD group, all TMJ parameters showed a statistically significant difference between both sides of the face (p < 0.05). However, in the control group, AJS, SJS, PJS, CHL, CNW, MAC, CI, MJS, and LJS did not show a statistically significant difference between both sides of the face (p > 0.05), except for LAC (p < 0.05). The asymmetry index values of AJS, SJS, PJS, CHL, CNW, MAC, CI, MJS, and LJS demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the study and control groups (p < 0.05), except for LAC (p > 0.05). (4) Within the limitations of this retrospective study, the findings suggest that TMJ morphology and asymmetry could be associated with PD.

A Paper-Based Simulation Model for Teaching Inguinal Hernia Anatomy

BackgroundInguinal hernias remain a challenging area of learning for medical students due to its relatively complex anatomy. Modern curriculum delivery methods are conventionally limited to didactic lectures and demonstration of anatomy intraoperatively. These strategies have limitations; lectures are inherently descriptive and based on 2-dimensional models, while intraoperative teaching is often unstructured and opportunistic.MethodsA paper-based model was developed comprising three overlapping paper panels simulating the anatomical layers of the inguinal canal which can be modified readily to further simulate various hernia pathologies and their surgical repair. These models were incorporated into a timetabled structured learning session for 3rd- and 4th-year medical students. Learners responded to fully anonymised surveys before and after the learning session.FindingsA total of 45 students participated in these sessions over a period of 6 months. Pre-learning session mean ratings for the learners’ confidence in their understanding of the layers of the inguinal canal, identifying indirect and direct inguinal hernias and in naming the contents of the inguinal canal were 2.5, 3.3 and 2.9, while post-learning session mean ratings were 8.0, 9.4 and 8.2, respectively. Paired samples Student’s t-tests for all three questions were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The mean rating for usefulness of the session was 9.6/10. Free comments from students emphasised the models’ usefulness as a visual learning aid.Discussion and ConclusionOur novel, low-cost paper model was associated with an improvement in learners’ perceived knowledge and understanding of inguinal canal anatomy and pathology.

Improved glycemic control and cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes mellitus Type II following cataract phacoemulsification surgery

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the glycemic control and cardiovascular risk (CV risk) change in diabetes mellitus type II (DM-II) patients undergoing uncomplicated bilateral cataract phacoemulsification surgery. Design: Retrospective study. Participants: We selected 28 patients who underwent uncomplicated bilateral cataract surgery at Centro Hospitalar de Entre o Douro e Vouga between January 2018 and December 2019. Inclusion Criteria: We included patients submitted to bilateral cataract surgery without other known ophthalmological pathology. Furthermore, there were available records of their comorbidities, lipid profile, blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and body max index (BMI) prior to and in the 6 months following surgery. Materials and Methods: We assessed our patient cohort for changes in HbA1c, lipid profile, BMI, and blood pressure before and after surgery. We further subdivided our patient cohort into two different groups: group 1 – no to mild visual impairment, ≤0.48 logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (LogMAR); Group 2 – moderate to severe visual impairment, &gt;0.48 LogMAR, and assessed for the same variables at the mentioned time points. Comparisons were done using paired samples Student's t-test or Wilcoxon rank and repeated measures ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc tests, respectively. Results: Following cataract surgery and subsequent improved visual acuity (VA), our patient cohort showed decreased HbA1c, lower arterial blood pressure, and decreased BMI, with an improved CV risk score within 6 months of cataract surgery. These improvements were more evident in the patients with worse baseline VA. Conclusions: Phacoemulsification cataract surgery resulted in improved CV risk and glycemic control in DM-II patients.

Longitudinal Predictors of Coronavirus-Related PTSD among Young Adults from Poland, Germany, Slovenia, and Israel.

The aim of this study was to reveal longitudinal predictors of coronavirus-related PTSD and the moderating roles of country, sex, age, and student status among young adults from Poland, Germany, Slovenia, and Israel. We included the following predictors: perceived stress, exposure to COVID-19, perceived impact of COVID-19 on well-being in socioeconomic status (PNIC-SES) and social relationships (PNIC-SR), fear of COVID-19, fear of vaccination, and trust in institutions. We conducted the study online among a representative sample of 1723 young adults aged 20–40 (M = 30.74, SD = 5.74) years in February 2021 (T1) and May–June 2021 (T2). We used McNemar’s χ2 and the paired samples Student’s t-test to test differences over time. We assessed the relationships between variables using Pearson’s correlation. We performed structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the associations between variables at T1 and T2. We used a lagged regression model to examine the causal influences between variables across different time points (T1 and T2). The results showed that all variables decreased over time, except exposure to COVID-19. The rates of infected, tested, and under-quarantine participants increased. The rates of those who lost a job and experienced worsening economic status decreased. The rate of hospitalized participants and those experiencing the loss of close ones did not change. Higher perceived stress, fear of COVID-19, fear of vaccination, and trust in institutions were significant longitudinal predictors of coronavirus-related PTSD regardless of country, sex, age, and student status. Institutions should provide more accurate programs for public health, so trust in institutions can be a protective and not a risk factor in future traumatic events.

Changes in Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Representative Sample of Young Adults from Germany, Israel, Poland, and Slovenia: A Longitudinal Study.

The aim of this cross-national longitudinal study was to identify a change in mental health indicators: coronavirus-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), perceived stress, and fear of vaccination (FoVac). The first measurement (T1) took place in February 2021, and the second (T2) took place in May–June 2021. The sample consisted of 1723 participants across Germany, Israel, Poland, and Slovenia, between the age of 20 and 40 (M = 30.74, SD = 5.74). A paired-samples Student’s t-test was used for testing the differences between T1 and T2. A repeated measures two-way ANOVA was performed to examine changes over time (T) and across the countries (C). A significant although small decrease at T2 was found for coronavirus-related PTSD, perceived stress, and FoVac. A significant main effect was found for T, C, and TxC for all variables, except the interaction effect for coronavirus-related PTSD and perceived stress. A medium effect size was found for coronavirus-related PTSD and FoVac across countries as well as perceived stress over time. A small effect size was revealed for coronavirus-related PTSD and FoVac over time, perceived stress across countries, and interaction for FoVac. A significant improvement in mental health was demonstrated across the four countries (particularly in Israel); however, there were still differences among each of them. Therefore, the cross-national context should be taken into consideration when analyzing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health.

The Pentacam® AXL Wave provides a reliable wavefront-based objective refraction when compared to manifest subjective refraction: A prospective study.

Purpose:Accurate refraction is arguably the most important parameter for a successful laser vision correction surgery and is based on a combination of manifest and cycloplegic refraction. Wavefront-based objective refraction may be useful in the evaluation of patients. So far, the reliability of objective refraction as measured using the Pentacam® AXL Wave has not been published in the literature.Methods:This was a prospective study including a total of 168 eyes belonging to 84 young non-presbyopic patients evaluated for refractive surgery. Pentacam® AXL Wave full sequence was taken for all patients. Then, a clinician who was unaware of the objective refraction results performed a full physical examination, including manifest refraction starting from an autorefractometer value. All refraction values were transferred to astigmatic power vectors as per the Thibos method. Reliability of the different vectors and a unifying blur value were compared using Spearman correlation, Bland–Altman plot, and intraclass correlation coefficient.Results:The mean age was 28.8 ± 5.4 years, with a female preponderance (60.7%). The correlation between both eyes was high. The difference in M vector between subjective and objective refraction was 0.16 D, while the difference was 0.04 and 0.01 D for the J0 and J45 vectors, respectively. Paired samples Student t was non-significant for all comparisons. Spearman rho correlations were high (0.666–0.924, all P < 0.001). Intraclass correlation coefficients were also high (0.890–0.966). Bland–Altman plots did not demonstrate any systematic errors.Conclusion:Wavefront-based refractive refraction obtained using the Pentacam® AXL Wave is highly agreeable and correlated with measurements obtained by manifest subjective refraction.

Sleep talking versus sleep moaning: electrophysiological patterns preceding linguistic vocalizations during sleep.

Sleep talking (ST) has been rarely studied as an isolated phenomenon. Late investigations over the psycholinguistic features of vocal production in ST pointed to coherence with wake language formal features. Therefore, we investigated the EEG correlates of Verbal ST as the overt manifestation of sleep-related language processing, with the hypothesis of shared electrophysiological correlates with wake language production. From a sample of 155 Highly frequent STs, we recorded 13 participants (age range 19-30 years, mean age 24.6 ± 3.3; 7F) via vPSG for at least two consecutive nights, and a total of 28 nights. We first investigated the sleep macrostructure of STs compared to 13 age and gender-matched subjects. We then compared the EEG signal before 21 Verbal STs versus 21 Nonverbal STs (moaning, laughing, crying, etc.) in six STs reporting both vocalization types in Stage 2 NREM sleep. The 2 × 2 mixed analysis of variance Group × Night interaction showed no statistically significant effect for macrostructural variables, but significant main effects for Group with lower REM (%), total sleep time, total bedtime, sleep efficiency index, and greater NREM (%) for STs compared to controls. EEG statistical comparisons (paired-samples Student's t-test) showed a decrement in power spectra for Verbal STs versus Nonverbal STs within the theta and alpha EEG bands, strongly lateralized to the left hemisphere and localized on centro-parietal-occipitals channels. A single left parietal channel (P7) held significance after Bonferroni correction. Our results suggest shared neural mechanisms between Verbal ST and language processing during wakefulness and a possible functional overlapping with linguistic planning in wakefulness.

Performance and Return to Sport After Open Fracture in National Football League Players.

Background:Open fractures are debilitating injuries for athletes. No prior studies have investigated open fractures in National Football League (NFL) players.Purpose:To compare outcomes after open fracture in NFL players in terms of (1) time to return to sport (RTS), (2) postinjury career length and games played per season, (3) postinjury performance, and (4) postinjury performance compared with matched controls.Study Design:Retrospective comparative series; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:Publicly available records were used to identify NFL players who had sustained an open fracture between 1970 and 2018. Controls were matched to injured players by age, experience, position, and preinjury performance. RTS was defined as playing in at least 1 NFL game after open fracture. Comparisons between injured and control players were made using the paired-samples Student t test.Results:Injuries in 37 players were analyzed (age, 27.2 ± 3.6 years; experience, 4.4 ± 3.6 seasons). The 3 most common locations for open fracture were the tibia/fibula (n = 16), hand/finger (n = 12), and forearm/wrist (n = 3). A total of 30 (81%) players had a mean time of RTS of 9.3 ± 8.2 months after open fracture; of these players, 4 (13.3%) who sustained hand/finger open fracture did not undergo surgical treatment. There was no difference in postinjury career length or games played per season between control and injured players. Postinjury performance was similar to preinjury performance in injured players, and postinjury performance scores were similar between injured and control players. There were significant differences between players who sustained upper extremity and lower extremity open fractures in RTS time (4.0 ± 4.8 vs 14.6 ± 7.4 months, respectively; P = .00007) and postinjury performance (6.4 ± 4.3 vs 3.3 ± 2.1, respectively; P = .03).Conclusion:RTS after open fracture among NFL players was high. Players who sustained an open fracture had similar games played per season, career length, and performance compared with matched controls. Players who sustained an upper extremity open fracture had a faster RTS time, higher RTS rate, and improved postinjury performance compared with players who sustained a lower extremity open fracture.

Return-to-Sport Time and Postoperative Performance in MLB Players Undergoing Wrist Arthroscopy.

Wrist injuries are common in sports and can result in prolonged time missed from playing. This study aimed to determine in Major League Baseball-players after arthroscopic wrist surgery the return-to-sport (RTS) rate, postoperative career length, and changes in performance compared with preoperative statistics and matched controls. Major League Baseball players who underwent arthroscopic wrist surgery from 1990 to 2019 were identified. Demographic and performance data were collected for each player, and matched controls were identified. Comparisons were made via paired samples Student t tests. Twenty-six players (27 surgeries) were identified. The average age of included players was 28.9 ± 2.9 years with an average professional experience of 5.2 ± 3.4 years. Eighty-four percent of players returned to sport, with an average RTS time of 5.0 ± 2.7 months. A statistically significant (P < .05) decrease was seen in preoperative and postoperative runs scored per season (95.6 ± 91.3 vs 41.0 ± 29.5), batting average (BA) (0.270 ± 0.024 vs 0.240 ± 0.036), and average wins above replacement (WAR) (1.5 ± 1.1 vs 0.8 ± 0.9). Major League Baseball players who underwent arthroscopic wrist surgery had an RTS rate of 84% at a mean time of 5.0 months. There was no significant difference in performance statistics between cases postoperatively and matched controls overall, with some differences in performance found when categorized by position. However, a significant decrease in performance among case players was observed between preoperative and postoperative performance, including runs per season, BA, and WAR.

Distal biceps ruptures in National Football League players: return to play and performance analysis

Distal biceps ruptures are rare injuries that tend to occur at a younger age in high-level athletic populations. Data analyzing athletes' ability to return to play, as well as performance, after surgery for a distal biceps rupture are lacking. All National Football League (NFL) players from the 2000-2016 seasons who were found to have a surgically treated distal biceps rupture were included. Analysis of performance and career length was conducted with a control group matched for position, age, experience, and performance statistics. Data for the cohort vs. control group, as well as before vs. after injury, were analyzed with the paired-samples Student t test, with P < .05 deemed statistically significant. We identified 35 NFL players for the study; 33 (94%) were able to return to sport at an average of 351.4 ± 123.9 days. Offensive linemen undergoing surgery played fewer games per season compared with the control group (P = .04). However, the average number of seasons after surgery and after the index date was not found to be significant (P > .05). Mean career length, as well as number of games per season, did not differ in the postsurgical group vs. control group (P > .05) for all other positions. Performance scores within skill players did not prove to be significant between the postoperative and control groups (P > .05). Distal biceps ruptures treated surgically in NFL players allow for return to play at a high rate. The level of performance after surgery is similar to that of the player before injury. On average, NFL career length does not appear to be affected after distal biceps surgery.

Effects of dexamethasone in traumatic brain injury patients with pericontusional vasogenic edema: A prospective-observational DTI-MRI study.

Cerebral edema is a frequent and serious complication in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. The objective is to study the effect of dexamethasone in patients with brain contusions, and to assess its effect on the vasogenic component of the pericontusional edema.Prospective-observational study to quantify, using magnetic resonance imaging, the volume of the edema before and after 10 days of dexamethasone in patients with brain contusions. Using diffusion tensor imaging, we have examined the effect of dexamethasone on fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). To assess changes, the pre- and post-treatment values for each patient were compared using a paired-samples Student t test.We included 30 TBI patients, 15 in each group. The volume of the vasogenic edema in the group of patients treated with dexamethasone decreased from 22 to 19 mL and this decrease was statistically significant (P < .05). Nevertheless, in the non-steroids group the volume of the vasogenic edema increased from 11 to 15 mL. There was a significant decrease in the ADC value (from 1.78–1.59; P < .05); and a significant increase in the FA value (0.09–0.11; P < .05) in the patients treated with dexamethasone.Using diffusion tensor imaging we have shown in a selected group of TBI patients with vasogenic pericontusional edema, a reduction of edema volume, a decrease in the ADC and an increase in the FA after treatment with dexamethasone. However, we have no data if such results are beneficial in terms of improving functional outcome.

Myocardial oxygen consumption in the bed bath and shower bath in patients with acute coronary syndrome

BackgroundBed and shower hygiene measures are performed by the nursing staff in patients admitted with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Few studies have evaluated the difference in energy consumption between the two types of bath. ObjectivesTo analyse and compare the variation in Heart Rate (HR), Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and rate-pressure-product (RPP) between bed and shower bath in ACS patients. DesignQuantitative, analytical, prospective study. SettingsThis study was conducted in a Coronary Intensive Care Unit, including patients over 18 years admitted for ACS in Killip classes I and II. Main outcome measuresThe level of myocardial oxygen consumption was assessed by calculating the RPP before, immediately after and 5 minutes after the first bed bath and the first shower bath. Differences in mean RPP before, during and 5 minutes after each body hygiene were compared using the paired-samples Student’s t-test. ResultsSeventy patients were included. No important clinical variation was found in HR, SBP and RPP during bed bath and during shower bath. The comparison of HR, SBP and RPP between bed bath and shower showed no statistically significant difference. ConclusionBed bath and shower bath did not significantly increase energy expenditure in patients with acute coronary syndrome and there was no difference in energy expenditure between the two types of body hygiene.

Performance and Return to Sport After Hip Arthroscopy in the National Basketball Association

To determine: (1) return to sport (RTS) rate in National Basketball Association (NBA) players following hip arthroscopy, (2) postoperative career length and games per season, (3) pre- and postoperative performance, and (4) postoperative performance compared with control players. NBA athletes who underwent hip arthroscopy and matched controls were identified. RTS was defined as playing in at least 1 game after surgery. Player efficiency ratings were used for performance evaluation. Continuous variables of each group were compared using a 2-tailed paired samples Student t test for normally distributed data. χ2 was used to analyze categorical data. RTS was used as the primary outcome with statistical significance defined by a P value < .05. A Bonferroni correction was used to control for the remaining multiple comparisons with statistical significance defined by a P value ≤.008. Twenty-three players (24 hips) were analyzed (mean age 27.5 ± 3.1 years; mean experience in the NBA 5.8 ± 2.8 years at time of surgery). Small forwards (n= 8, 33.3%) represented the largest proportion of players that underwent hip arthroscopy. Twenty players (21 surgeries, 87.5%) were able to RTS in NBA at an average of 5.7 ± 2.6 months. The overall 1-year NBA career survival rate of players undergoing hip arthroscopy was 79.2%. Players in the control group (5.2 ± 3.5 years) had a similar career length as (P= .068) players who underwent surgery (4.4 ± 3.0 years). There was no significant (P= .045) decrease in games per season following surgery. There was no significant difference in performance postoperatively compared with preoperatively (P= .017) and compared with matched controls following surgery (P= .570). The RTS rate for NBA athletes after hip arthroscopy is high. There was no decrease in games played, career lengths, or performance following hip arthroscopy in NBA players versus preoperatively and matched controls. Level III case-control study.

Direct and fast determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in contaminated soils and sediments by thermal desorption-gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A direct procedure based on thermal desorption-gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (TD–GC–MS–MS) was developed for the fast extraction of seven polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from sediments and soils. PCBs were directly extracted, from 20 to 75 mg of sample, without any chemical pre-treatment or use of organic solvents, after the addition of 10 µL internal standard (PCB 195) in acetone. Sample treatment was totally automated. PCBs were extracted at 250 °C for 20 min, using a helium flow and the PCBs were trapped in a cryogenic Tenax trap at −10 °C. After that, analytes were directly desorbed at 270 °C and introduced to the GC–MS–MS system. Recoveries were established using spiked soil and sediment from 2.5 to 50 ng g−1, obtaining values from 74 to 127%. The limits of quantification were from 1.0 to 1.7 ng g−1 for soil and from 0.3 to 0.4 ng g−1 for sediments, respectively. Precision, assessed as the relative standard deviation (RSD), was lower than 8 and 11% for sediment and soil analysis, respectively, except for PCB-28 in soil samples which provided a RSD of 18%. Certified reference material and field samples were analysed by the proposed TD–GC–MS–MS method. Results were compared by a paired samples Student's t-test with those obtained by a reference extraction procedure based on pressurized solvent extraction, followed by stir bar sorptive extraction, being statistically comparable (α = 0.05). A comprehensive greenmetric evaluation of the proposed method was carried out, having the TD extraction a negligible environmental impact as compared to conventional extraction procedures.

Evaluating the Effect of Slow-Stroke Back Massage on the Anxiety of Candidates for Cataract Surgery

The patients under cataract surgery often experience anxiety not only during the surgery, but also prior to the surgery. We sought to determine the effects of slow-stroke back massage on anxiety in patients undergoing cataract surgery. The study was conducted in the Amiral-momenin Hospital of Zabol city, south-east of Iran. A total of 60 candidates of cataract surgery participated in the study. The participants were randomly allocated to either control or intervention groups. The intervention group received slow-stroke back massages, while patients in control group received routine interventions. The slow-stroke back massage was performed on the patients assigned to the intervention group. The intervention was performed in the morning of the surgery day at 30 minutes before the surgery. The researcher performed each massage session in a sitting position. The duration of each massage session was 15 minutes. Anxiety was assessed in the both groups in the morning of the surgery, before and immediately after the intervention. Independent samples Student's t test, paired samples Student's t test, and chi-squared test were used to analyze the data. Anxiety was not significantly different between the two groups before and after the massage (p = .816). On the other hand, paired samples Student's t test showed a significant difference comparing the anxiety scores before (49.7±5.43) and after (45.16±3.89) the massage in the intervention group (p < .001). Based on our results, slow-stroke back massage, which is a low-cost and safe method, reduced anxiety in patients who were candidates for cataract surgery.