Pairwise Comparisons Research Articles

CMAA–AHP: combinatorial multicriteria acceptability analysis with the analytic hierarchy process

AbstractCombinatorial multi-criteria acceptability analysis (CMAA) is a framework for supporting multicriteria group decisions that provides both a detailed analysis of the effects of individual decision-maker inputs as well as interactive guidance for a consensus-building process. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is a widely-used model of decision-maker evaluations that is based on pairwise comparisons. The goal of this work is to show how CMAA can be integrated with AHP in order to make its benefits available to AHP users. We use a minimal input format for AHP which avoids a problem with inconsistency and also reduces the cognitive load on the decision-makers. We extend the CMAA method by introducing new judgement and preference sensitivity variables, which provide helpful insights for the facilitator of the group decision. An example illustrates the combined CMAA–AHP method and its ability to deliver consensus in a very small number of iterations. Monte Carlo simulation is used to study the convergence behavior of the method for a range of problem dimensions. It was found that the mean number of steps to reach consensus grows linearly with the number of alternatives and criteria. We consider two previously published group decisions that use the standard AHP approach of averaging decision-maker judgements and preferences. In both cases, CMAA–AHP delivers the same rankings based on the original input. However, the new method also provides insight into each decision and would have been able to guide each group to consensus within a small number of resolution steps.

KLF3 impacts insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle.

Skeletal muscle is one of the predominant sites involved in glucose disposal, accounting for approximately 80% of postprandial glucose uptake, and plays a critical role in maintaining glycemic homeostasis. Dysregulation of energy metabolism in skeletal muscle is involved in developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Transcriptomic responses of skeletal muscle to exercise found that the expression of Klf3 was increased in T2D Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats and decreased after exercise with improved hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, implying that Klf3 might be associated with insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. We also found that knockdown of Klf3 promoted basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in L6 myotubes, while overexpression of Klf3 resulted in the opposite. Through pairwise comparisons of L6 myotubes transcriptome, we identified 2256 and 1988 differentially expressed genes in Klf3 knockdown and overexpression groups, respectively. In insulin signaling, the expression of Slc2a4, Akt2, Insr and Sorbs1 was significantly increased by Klf3 knockdown and decreased with klf3 overexpression; Ptprf and Fasn were markedly downregulated in klf3 reduced group and upregulated in klf3 overexpressed group. Moreover, downregulation of Klf3 promoted the expression of GLUT4 and AKT proteins, as well as the translocation of GLUT4 to the cell membrane in the basal situation, and enhanced insulin sensitivity, characterized by increased insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation and AKT, TBC1D1 and TBC1D4 phosphorylation, while overexpression of Klf3 showed contrary results. These results suggest that Klf3 affects glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity via insulin signal transduction and intracellular metabolism, offering a novel potential treatment strategy for T2D.

Perceptions of Harm and Addictiveness for Nicotine Products, THC e-Cigarettes, and e-Cigarettes with Other Ingredients Among Adolescents, Young Adults, and Adults

Background Perceptions of health harms and addictiveness related to nicotine products, THC e-cigarettes, and e-cigarettes with other ingredients are an important predictor of use. This study examined differences in perceived harm and addiction across such products among adolescents, young adults, and adults. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey (N = 6,131, ages 13–40 years old) in which participants reported perceived harm and addictiveness for 11 products (cigarettes, disposable nicotine e-cigarettes, pod-based nicotine e-cigarettes, other nicotine e-cigarettes, THC e-cigarettes, e-cigarettes with other ingredients, nicotine pouches, nicotine lozenges, nicotine gums, nicotine tablets, nicotine toothpicks). We applied adjusted regression models and conducted pairwise comparisons between age groups (13–17, 18–20, 21–25, and 26–40) and product use status (never, ever, and past-30-day use), adjusting for gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and financial comfort. Results Overall, participants in younger age groups perceived products to be more harmful and addictive than those in older age groups, with the exception of e-cigarettes with other ingredients. For all products, participants who never used perceived each product to be more harmful than those who ever used. For all products, participants who used the products in the past 30-days had lower perceived harm and addictiveness compared to never and ever use. Certain sociodemographic groups, such as people who identify as LGBTQ+, Non-Hispanic Black, or Hispanic, had lower perceived harm and addictiveness for most products. Discussion Efforts should be made to educate all age groups and minoritized groups on harms and addictiveness of all nicotine products, THC e-cigarettes, and e-cigarettes with other ingredients.

Pilates mat versus cervical stabilization exercises on the craniovertebral angle, pain, function, and myoelectrical activity of the cervical muscles in forward head posture: a randomized controlled trial

IntroductionOne of the most prevalent postural problems involving the neck is called forward head posture (FHP), which is defined as the anterior head protruding from the sagittal plane and appearing to be positioned in front of the body. The incidence of FHP is 70% in young adults. This study aimed to compare Pilates mat versus cervical stabilization exercises on the craniovertebral angle (CVA), pain, function, and myoelectric activity of the upper trapezius (UT) and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles in patients with FHP. Also, both experimental groups were compared to the control group in terms of CVA, pain, function, and myoelectric activity of the UT and SCM muscles.MethodsSixty participants (18 to 25 years old) with symptomatic FHP were randomly assigned to three groups using an opaque sealed envelope; Pilates mat and postural correction exercises were assigned group A, cervical stabilization and postural correction exercises were assigned group B, and solely postural correction exercises were assigned group C for 12 weeks at a frequency of 3 times/week. The patients were assessed before and after 12 weeks of interventions. The photogrammetric method was used to determine CVA, the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain intensity, the Arabic neck disability index (ANDI ) for neck function, and surface electromyography (sEMG) for the UT and SCM muscle root mean square during rest and activity.ResultsMultiple pairwise comparisons revealed statistically significant differences between pre and post-treatments for all variables in the Pilates, cervical stabilization, and control groups with a <i>p</i> < 0.05. Between groups, analyses showed that there were statistically significant differences (<i>p</i> < 0.05) at post-treatment between the Pilates and cervical stabilization groups and also between Pilates and the control, and finally between the cervical stabilization and control groups with more favor to the Pilates group.ConclusionsPilates mat and cervical stabilization exercises are both effective interventions for FHP, with Pilates mat exercises being superior.

Beyond Technical Specs: Using AHP to Prioritize User Needs in Turkish Basketball Arena Designs

Basketball arenas are crucial spaces that must meet specific standards to ensure the sustainability of the sport and the quality of play. While Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) assesses these standards, it often assumes that all performance indicators are equally important, potentially leading to a gap between design intent and actual user experience. This study aims to bridge this gap by using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to prioritize evaluation criteria for Turkish professional basketball arenas designed for national and international matches, regional/local competitions, and training programs. Existing studies and reports indicate that basketball arenas in Turkey often fall short in meeting necessary physical requirements and exhibit performance deficiencies. To address this gap, this study identifies factors determining arena performance, categorized as technical, functional, and behavioral based on Preiser's framework. These criteria were further categorized according to different spaces within the arena, including general use areas, administrative spaces, and athlete-specific areas. A panel of expert sports facility design professionals provided judgments about the relative importance of these criteria using pairwise comparisons. The AHP method was then employed to calculate priority weights for each criterion. The results reveal the relative importance of different criteria for each space. For example, in general use areas, "furniture suitability/sufficiency" and "provision of ergonomic conditions for the disabled" ranked highest. In administrative spaces, "fire protection" and "accessibility" were deemed most important, while in athlete-specific areas, "visual and auditory privacy" and "security" took precedence. This study demonstrates the potential of AHP for developing a systematic and reliable framework for qualitative evaluations that measure user satisfaction. AHP-based evaluation models offer a valuable tool for architects, facility managers, and decision-makers to assess architectural design quality, prioritize design criteria, and support user-centered design processes.

Examining the relationship between the decision-making styles of basketball referees and their mental well-being

In this study, the influence of mental well-being on the decision-making styles of basketball referees was examined. This descriptive study was conducted using a screening model. Active field referees within the Turkish Basketball Federation for the 2023-2024 season were included in the study. Due to the ongoing basketball season, the sample was formed using a convenience sampling method. Of the referees participating in the study, 86.4% (n: 342) were male and 13.6% (n: 54) were female. Among these referees, 7.6% were Class A, 14.6% were Class B, 46.7% were Class C, and 31.1% were local referees. The average age of the participating referees was 27.85, with an average refereeing experience of 7.77 years. For data collection, a personal information form, the "Melbourne Decision Making Scale" adapted to Turkish by Deniz (2004), and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) developed by Keldal (2015), were utilized. Data analysis involved using t-tests for pairwise comparisons, Pearson's correlation coefficient for determining relationships between variables, and multiple linear regression. The study found no significant difference between referees' genders regarding decision-making styles and mental well-being. A positive and significant relationship was found between referees' age and experience with self-respect in decision-making and mental well-being. A negative relationship was observed between the referees' age and experience with buck-pasing, procrastination, and hypervigilance. There was a positive and significant relationship between basketball referees' levels of mental well-being, self-respect, and vigilant. A negative and significant relationship was found between mental well-being and avoidant, procrastinating, and panic decision-making styles. This suggests a strong relationship between mental well-being and decision-making styles. Key Words: Referee, Basketball, Decision Making, Mental Well-being

Accuracy of measurements on CBCT-generated digital models using different exposure parameters (in vitro study).

Dental imaging comprises a wide range of techniques and modalities, each with different diagnostic features influenced by numerous parameters, all of which contribute to the precision and effectiveness of dental evaluations and treatments. This study examined the dimensional reproducibility of arch measurements from CBCT scans with different voxel sizes and exposure parameters compared to a reference model from Extra-oral scanners (EOS) and how these parameters affected digital matching and diagnostic image quality. A diagnostic observational study of arch dimensions, including inter-canine, inter-premolar, intermolar, arch width and arch length, was conducted on digital models (DMs) created from 65 CBCT scans of a full dentate epoxy maxillary model. The measurements obtained from EOS scans served as the control for the study. Normality was tested with the Shapiro-Wilk test, comparisons used the Kruskal-Wallis test with Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons for significant results, and data were analysed using IBM SPSS (Version 26.0), with significance set at p < .05. Significant deviations were revealed among study groups, with group I (smallest voxel size) consistently displaying the lowest values, mean (SD) deviation was reported as 0.01 (0.006) and group IV (lowest kV value) exhibiting the highest deviations, mean (SD) deviation of 0.16 (0.17). Combining a small voxel size (0.12 mm) with high milliampere (8 mA) and kilovoltage (90 kV) settings in CBCT ensured detailed anatomical visualization and accurate linear measurements, crucial for precise dental assessments, and emphasizing the necessity for strict control over CBCT parameters in dental applications.

Dutch auction dynamics in non-fungible token (NFT) markets

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) rose to prominence as a wide-scale implementation of blockchain technology to support the emergence of crypto-asset markets. These nascent digital markets raise questions about the behaviours of investors in the digital economy and their appetite for risk. Using 28,919 auction listings, 4937 sales, and 30,197 Telegram messages, we conduct a field study on the bidding and selling behaviours of NFT investors in a Dutch auction system. We reveal risk-seeking behaviours in our sample of Dutch auction sales. We document that time pressures and value propositions significantly influence NFT investors: fast clock speeds and greater price separations induce underbidding behaviours and are associated with low value retention for sellers. These results are confirmed using a matched-pairs analysis. Our study raises further questions on the risk preferences of investors in emergent digital marketplaces. We propose value maximisation strategies for marketplace developers and participants, while drawing attention to the presence of potentially exploitable biases and heuristics amongst participants, courtesy of bidding incentivisation schemes significantly altering how investors value NFTs.

Study of parasitosis in laboratory mice and rats in different types of vivariums

The purpose of the research is to study the parasite fauna in laboratory rats and mice in SPF-status and open-type vivariums and to compare the infection rate depending on the maintenance type within each type of samples.Materials and methods. The studies were conducted using life-time diagnosis (flotation method and Scotch-tape test), and the material were fecal samples from laboratory rodents and litter samples. Ten percent of the vivarium population and all newly arrived mice and rats in quarantine were examined. Fifty-four individual samples from pure line mice, and 24 litter samples were examined. A total of 234 samples were collected from the laboratory rats: 93 individual samples, 55 combined samples, and 17 sawdust samples; 69 samples were examined by Scotch-tape test.Results and discussion. Twenty six percent of the laboratory SPF vivarium mice were found to have protozoa: Giardia muris (11.1%) and Trichomonas sp. (20.4%). Nematodes Aspiculuris tetraptera (51.0%) and Syphacia obvelata (20.6%), and cestode Rodentolepis nana (12.0%) were recorded in the open-type vivarium mice. The laboratory open-type vivarium rats were found to have nematodes S. muris (up to 60.9%), A. tetraptera (5.4%), Trichosomoides crassicauda (1.8%), cestode R. nana (27.3%), protozoa Eimeria sp. (7.2%) and Giardia sp. (9.0%). The compared infection of individual with combined mouse fecal samples showed statistically significant differences for all parasites in general and for individual species. Pairwise comparisons of the infection showed that the combined sample detected R. nana statistically significantly more often versus the individual sample (27.3 vs. 5.4%, P &lt; 0.001). The comparison of the infection depending on the type of rat maintenance within each sample type did not show statistically significant differences.

On the intransitivity of the win ratio

The win-ratio analysis of controlled clinical trials uses pairwise comparisons between patients in the treatment and control group based on a primary outcome, say time to death, with indeterminacies resolved where possible by a secondary outcome, say time to hospitalization. The resulting preferences may not be transitive. Intransitivity occurs when potential follow-up times vary between patients and rankings from the primary events differ from those from secondary events. We characterize the structure of closed loops, derive some general properties of win-ratio preferences and provide simple numerical illustrations. Under realistic assumptions, unless all potential follow-up times are equal, intransitivities are certain to occur in sufficiently large samples, but their overall frequency is low.

A new method of intraoperative assessment of the dynamics of cortical blood flow using imaging photoplethysmography

Background. Intraoperative assessment of changes in cerebral blood flow is an important component of objective quality control of surgical treatment of cerebral artery aneurysms. Various techniques have been tried to solve this task, but they all have their drawbacks, which forces us to look for new ways of blood flow monitoring. We propose to use the technology of imaging photoplethysmography (IPPG) – a technically simple, contactless, safe and cheap optical method for assessing the perfusion of biological tissues.Aim. To demonstrate the possibility of using IPPG to assess the dynamics of cerebral blood flow parameters during aneurysm clipping surgery, as well as to identify early changes in blood supply to the cerebral cortex.Materials and methods. The study was carried out during six surgeries of clipping aneurysms of the anterior part of the Willis’s circle, both in the acute stage of rupture (n = 1) and in a planned manner (n = 5). The IPPG system, which is an LED illuminator in a single unit with a digital video camera, was located on a tripod 25 cm from the intervention zone. During each operation, two one-minute recordings of the illuminated surface of the cerebral cortex were performed: after dissection of the dura mater and before its suturing at the end of the main stage of the intervention. To improve the measurement accuracy, video frames of the studied area were recorded synchronously with the registration of an electrocardiogram. After recording, two IPPG parameters were calculated and compared: the amplitude of the pulsatile component and the pulse wave transit time. Thereafter, the obtained data were compared with the results of computed tomography. Statistical analysis was performed using pairwise comparison tests in the GraphPad Prism software package.Results. Clipping of cerebral vessel aneurysms are accompanied by significant changes in the parameters of cerebral blood flow. Analysis of the data for all patients revealed significant differences in IPPG parameters before and after surgery, namely, statistically significant increase in amplitude of the pulsatile component (n = 3) and decrease in pulse wave transit time (n = 5). The absence of significant changes in both parameters was found only in one patient who had mechanical damage in the cortex in the region of video recording.Conclusion. The IPPG system is capable to quantify changes in blood supply to the cortex during surgical treatment of cerebral artery aneurysms and to identify areas with either increased or decreased blood supply. In-depth studies are required to obtain additional markers of the postoperative state of cerebral blood flow.

Effects of Supplementation with a Microalgae Extract from Phaeodactylum tricornutum Containing Fucoxanthin on Cognition and Markers of Health in Older Individuals with Perceptions of Cognitive Decline.

Forty-three males and females (64.3 ± 6.0 years, 79.8 ± 16.0 kg, 27.0 ± 4.0 kg/m2) with perceptions of cognitive and memory decline completed the double-blind, randomized, parallel-arm, placebo-controlled intervention clinical trial. Participants were counterbalanced by sex and BMI and randomly allocated to their respective 12-week supplementation interventions, which were either the placebo (PL) or 1100 mg/day of PT containing 8.8 mg of fucoxanthin (FX). Fasting blood samples were collected, and cognitive assessments were performed during the testing session at 0, 4, and 12 weeks of intervention. The data were analyzed by multivariate and univariate general linear model (GLM) analyses with repeated measures, pairwise comparisons, and mean changes from baseline analysis with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the clinical significance of the findings. FX supplementation significantly affected (p < 0.05) or exhibited tendencies toward significance (p > 0.05 to p < 0.10 with effect sizes ranging from medium to large) for word recall, picture recognition reaction time, Stroop color-word test, choice reaction time, and digit vigilance test variables. Additionally, FX supplementation promoted a more consistent clinical improvement from baseline values when examining mean changes with 95% CIs, although most differences were seen over time rather than between groups. The results demonstrate some evidence that FX supplementation can improve working and secondary memory, vigilance, attention, accuracy, and executive function. There was also evidence that FX promoted more positive effects on insulin sensitivity and perceptions about sleep quality with no negative effects on clinical blood panels or perceived side effects. Additional research should investigate how FX may affect cognition in individuals perceiving memory and cognitive decline. Registered clinical trial #NCT05759910.

Cybercrime in the Middle East: A Comparative Analysis with Global Trends

This article aims to present a modern methodological approach that will allow the selection of the optimal strategy for combating cybercrime in the Middle East. The research methodology requires using methods that would enable the assessment of the study problem and help solve it effectively; thus, the hierarchy analysis developed by T. Saaty was widely used by researchers and practitioners in solving economic problems. The method of paired comparison and the involvement of experts through the Delphi method was also used. This paper explicitly defends the choices made for countering cybercrime, stressing that these choices should be tailored to the changes in the Middle East. The study acknowledges this restriction by concentrating only on the features of cybercrime in Middle Eastern nations. To gain a more profound understanding of the problem, future studies should investigate cybercrime in other areas, such as EU nations.

Parental attitudes towards sexual orientation and gender diversity: challenging LGBT discrimination in Australian schools.

As Australia considers legislative reform regarding the rights of religious schools to discriminate against LGBT students and staff, claims are often made that religious parents or those enrolling children in religious schools do not affirm diversity of sexuality or gender. Using a national dataset of parents (n = 2418), attitudes towards sexual orientation, gender diversity, homophobia and transphobia were examined. Across all religiosities, school sectors and attitudinal statements, significant majorities of parents reported positive attitudes (62.7%-93.5%). Only small minorities expressly reported negative attitudes (1.6%-20.2%). Pairwise religiosity comparisons between parents with children only at a secular school, versus any religious school, revealed few differences. Amongst Catholic parents, those with children at Catholic schools and those with children only at secular schools, held similar attitudes towards LGBT issues and a majority held favourable attitudes, suggesting most Catholic parents who enrol their children in Catholic schools do so despite or in ignorance of Catholic doctrine. Findings suggest a significant majority of parents sending children to religious schools hold supportive attitudes towards diverse sexual orientations, gender diversity, and actions to address homophobia and transphobia. This empirical evidence contradicts religious schools' calls for the rights to discriminate against LGBT persons based on parental values and attitudes.

Behavioral characteristics of toddlers later identified with an autism diagnosis, ADHD symptoms, or combined autism and ADHD symptoms.

Autism commonly co-occurs with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but less is known regarding how ADHD symptoms impact the early presentation of autism. This study examined early behavioral characteristics of a community sample of toddlers later identified with autism diagnosis, ADHD symptoms, combined autism and ADHD symptoms, or neither condition. Participants were 506 toddlers who were part of a longitudinal study of children's behavioral development. Parents completed questionnaires about their children's behavior at two time points. Four groups were identified based on study measures or medical record: autism diagnosis (n = 45), elevated ADHD symptoms (n = 70), autism and ADHD symptoms (n = 30), or neurotypical development (n = 361). Relationships between early parent report of autism- and ADHD-related behaviors, social-emotional and behavioral functioning, and caregiver experience and subsequent group designation were evaluated with adjusted linear regression models controlling for sex. Significant group differences were found in measures of autism-related behaviors, ADHD-related behaviors, externalizing and internalizing behaviors, and parent support needs (p < .0001). Pairwise comparisons indicated toddlers later identified with combined autism diagnosis and ADHD symptoms had higher levels of autism-related behaviors, externalizing and internalizing behaviors, and autism-related parent support needs compared to the other groups. Toddlers with subsequent elevated ADHD symptoms or combined autism diagnosis and ADHD symptoms exhibited similar levels of ADHD-related behaviors, while both groups displayed more ADHD-related behaviors than toddlers subsequently identified with autism or those with neither condition. In this community sample, toddlers for whomcombined autism diagnosis and ADHD symptoms were subsequently identified showed a distinct presentationcharacterized by higher early autism-related behaviors, broader behavioral concerns, and higherparent support needs. Presence of ADHD symptoms (alone or in combination with autism) was associated with higher parent-reported ADHD-related behaviors during toddlerhood. Results indicate that ADHD-related behaviors are manifest by toddlerhood, supporting screening for both autism and ADHD during early childhood.

Accuracy Analysis of Digital Models from Intraoral Scanners and 3D-Printed Casts in Children and Teenagers

Purpose: The aim was to analyze the accuracy of digital models and 3D-printed casts from full-arch digital impressions using two intraoral scanners (iTeroTM and PrimescanTM). Materials and methods: A crossover reliability study was designed, scanning children and teenagers with iTeroTM and PrimescanTM. Accuracy was evaluated by measuring intercanine, intermolar, and ipsilateral canine–molar distances intraorally and comparing these measurements with those from plaster casts, digital models obtained with intraoral scanners, and 3D-printed casts. A paired comparison and a general linear model with a one-way repeated measures ANOVA procedure were carried out with a confidence level of 95% (p ≤ 0.05). Results: A total of 51 subjects were analyzed (mean age 12.35 ± 2.57). Statistical differences (p &lt; 0.05) were found in the upper and lower arch regarding accuracy in comparison to intraoral measurements, except for the iTeroTM-printed cast and canine–molar upper right and intercanine lower distances (p &gt; 0.05 for all comparisons). Regarding a comparison between reproduction methods, the plaster cast oversized the intercanine upper distance in comparison with both intraoral scanners’ digital models and the PrimescanTM-printed cast (p = 0.001), but there were no differences in the lower arch (p &gt; 0.05 for all comparisons). Conclusion: Intraoral scanners reproduce tooth structures with similar accuracy to conventional methods.

Phenazines are involved in the antagonism of a novel subspecies of Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain S1Bt23 against Pythium ultimum

Long-term use of chemical fungicides to control plant diseases caused by fungi and oomycetes has led to pathogen resistance and negative impacts on public health and environment. There is a global search for eco-friendly methods and antagonistic bacteria are emerging as alternatives. We isolated a potent antagonistic bacterial strain (S1Bt23) from woodland soil in Québec, Canada. Taxonomic characterization by 16S rRNA, multi-locus sequence analysis, pairwise whole-genome comparisons, phylogenomics and phenotypic data identified strain S1Bt23 as a novel subspecies within Pseudomonas chlororaphis. In dual culture studies, strain S1Bt23 exhibited potent mycelial growth inhibition (60.2–66.7%) against Pythium ultimum. Furthermore, strain S1Bt23 was able to significantly bioprotect potato tuber slices from the development of necrosis inducible by P. ultimum. Annotations of the whole genome sequence of S1Bt23 revealed the presence of an arsenal of secondary metabolites including the complete phenazine biosynthetic cluster (phzABCDEFG). Thin-layer (TLC) and high-performance liquid (HPLC) chromatographic analyses of S1Bt23 extracts confirmed the production of phenazines, potent antifungal compounds. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of phzB (S1Bt23ΔphzB) or phzF (S1Bt23ΔphzF) gene abrogated phenazine production based on TLC and HPLC analyses. Also, S1Bt23ΔphzB and S1Bt23ΔphzF mutants lost antagonistic activity and bioprotection ability of potato tubers against P. ultimum. This demonstrated that phenazines are involved in the antagonistic activity of S1Bt23 against P. ultimum. Finally, based on genotypic and phenotypic data, we taxonomically conclude that S1Bt23 represents a novel subspecies for which the name Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. phenazini is proposed.

Three-dimensional assessment of the nasopharyngeal airway in Down syndrome during the mixed dentition period: a case-control study.

In this retrospective case-control study, we aimed to evaluate the nasopharyngeal airway volume of children with Down syndrome (DS) and compare the results with those of control participants well matched for sex and age. Fifteen children with DS (mean age = 9.43 ± 0.38 years; 8 boys, 7 girls) and 15 control participants (mean age = 9.51 ± 0.40 years; 8 boys, 7 girls) were enrolled. The nasopharyngeal airway volume and the cross-sectional morphology were measured with cone-beam computed tomography taken for orthodontic treatment. All measurements were assessed by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) using Bonferroni post hoc pairwise comparison tests. Covariates were body height and body weight, and the ANB angle and the mandibular plane angle. Significance was set at P < .0019. Nasal airway, superior airway, and total airway volumes of DS participants were significantly smaller than those of the control participants in ANCOVA results adjusted for ANB angle and mandibular plane angle (P = .000). In ANCOVA results adjusted for body height and body weight, no statistically significant differences in the volume measurements were found. The results indicate that the nasopharyngeal airway volume differs between children with and without DS and that the airway volume tends to be smaller in DS children than in children without DS.

Relationship Between Modified Systemic Immune- inflammatory Index and Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Objective: Developing contrast induced nephropathy after primary PCI in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction is a risky condition in terms of mortality and morbidity. Various studies have shown that the systemic inflammatory index predicts (SII) the development of CIN. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an important indicator known to be associated with the platelet function and activation. Therefore, we revised SII and named it modified SII (mSII) by using NLR multiply MPV. Materials and Methods: This study includes patients who underwent pPCI due to STEMI in our cardiology department between February 2015 and February 2021. Modified SII was obtained by using MPV instead of platelet in the formula (mSII= NLR x MPV). Patients who underwent pPCI with STEMI were divided into two groups, those with CIN and those without CIN, and compared. Results: In the logistic regression analysis, it was observed that the mSII, NLR, GFR and contrast medium amount was independent predictor of CIN. The optimal threshold mSII for predicting CIN was &gt;42.5, with a 78.1% sensitivity and 52.3% specificity ([AUC]: 0.639, 95%CI: 0.602- 0.674, p&lt; 0.001). Pairwise comparison of ROC curves, it was observed that the predictive value of mSII for the development of CIN was better than NLR. (z-test = 3.144, P = 0.001) Conclusion: We think that mSII, which we have shown to be superior to SII in predicting the development of CIN and is very easy to calculate, is a parameter that can be considered in predicting the development of CIN after pPCI in STEMI patients.

The Effect of Oral and Dental Health Status on the Self-Esteem Levels of Turkish University Youth

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of oral and dental health status on the self-esteem levels of Turkish university youth. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included a sample of 962 Turkish university youth, aged 16 - 24, who met all the study criteria during the 2020 - 2021 academic year. Data were collected using a questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). The data were analyzed with SPSS version 23.0. T-tests were used for pairwise comparisons, and one-way ANOVA was used for multiple comparisons. Results: Among the students who participated in the study, 56.7% were found to have high self-esteem, with a mean RSES score of 1.69 ± 1.62. Statistically significant differences were found between the RSES score and several factors, including decayed teeth (P &lt; 0.01), presence of halitosis (P &lt; 0.01), tooth color (P &lt; 0.01), crooked teeth (P = 0.045), and toothache (P = 0.008). It was determined that dental crookedness, decayed teeth, bad breath, dark yellow teeth, the presence of tooth fillings, and extracted teeth were negatively associated with self-esteem. However, no statistically significant differences were found between self-esteem and factors such as the presence of tooth fillings, extracted teeth, tooth brushing habits, frequency of dental visits, or snack food consumption (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study reveal that poor oral care negatively impacts individuals' self-esteem. Issues related to oral and dental health, particularly concerning the appearance and condition of teeth, affect young people's relationships and self-confidence in social environments. It is crucial to develop family and school education programs, as well as national policies, particularly during childhood and university years, when attitudes toward oral and dental health are being established.