Preferred Frequency Research Articles

Examination of gender‐based video game‐playing classes: Influencing determinants and relations to academic achievement

AbstractBackgroundTheir ubiquity is particularly notable as video games become increasingly intertwined with the technological revolution. Despite this prominence, gender disparities in adolescent video gaming remain under‐explored.ObjectivesThis research aims to determine the frequency classes of video game playing based on gender, analyse the variables (age of first digital device/internet use, weekday/weekend internet frequency in and out of school, economic, social, and cultural status) that might influence assignment to these classes, and reveal the differences in PISA scores among these classes.MethodsOur study utilises multiple group latent class analysis and multinomial logistic regression to investigate the video gaming frequencies of 6890 Turkish students (49.1% female, 50.9% male) from the PISA‐2018 exam. A three‐step multiple logistic regression was employed to identify the effect of the variables on assignment probabilities. Also, the multivariate Delta method tested mean differences between classes for PISA scores.Results and ConclusionsThis study classifies Turkish students from PISA 2018 into four video gaming preference frequency classes (frequent, regular, casual, and non‐video game players) based on gender. Our study reveals that frequent male gamers begin using digital devices and the internet earlier than their female counterparts, spending more time gaming outside school. Notably, the frequency of video game play, which varies by gender, was found to have a significant effect on academic achievement.

Treatment Preferences of Adolescents and Young Adults with Depressive Symptoms: A Discrete Choice Experiment.

Depression in adolescents and young adults is common and causes considerable disease burden while hampering their development, leading to adverse consequences in later life. Although treatment is available, young people are a vulnerable group regarding uptake and completion of treatment. To improve this, insight into youth's preferences for treatment is essential. The aim of this study was to investigate patient preferences for depression treatment in a Dutch sample aged 16-24 years using a discrete choice experiment (DCE). The study was conducted in The Netherlands between October 2018 and June 2019, and included 236 adolescents and young adults with current depressive symptoms or previous treatment. The DCE included five attributes (treatment type,frequency of appointment, waiting time, effectiveness, evaluation of therapeutic alliance) with corresponding levels. Results were analysed using latent class analysis. Results show a general preference for individual psychotherapy, treatment with high frequency, high effectiveness, short waiting time and a standard evaluation of the therapeutic alliance ('click' with the therapist) early in treatment. Latent class analysis revealed three different patterns of preferences regarding treatment type and willingness to engage in therapy. The first class showed a strong preference for individual therapy. The second class, including relatively older, higher educated and treatment-experienced participants, preferred high frequency treatment and was more open to different forms of therapy. The third class, including lower educated, younger and treatment-naïve adolescents showed reluctance to engage in therapy overall and in group therapy specifically. In this DCE, three classes could be identified that share similar preferences regarding treatment effectiveness, waiting time and evaluation of the therapeutic alliance, but varied considerably in their preference for treatment type (individual, group, or combined psychotherapy) and their willingness to engage. The results from this study may inform mental health care providers and institutions and help optimize professional care for adolescents and young adults with depressive symptoms, improving engagement in this vulnerable group.

Is it possible to generate an additional pleasant and pain-relieving muscle stimulation when using a low-frequency spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for the treatment of lower back pain? Pilot study: A new technique: "MuscleSCS".

The combined use of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and muscle stimulation, in the treatment of chronic pain, using the same probe, could improve the clinical results. However, this technique has not been established as yet. It was our hypothesis that it is possible to generate muscle stimulation by using low frequencies with SCS electrodes and use it to additionally treat chronic back pain. We generated muscle stimulation in patients with previously implanted SCS electrodes, for the treatment of lower back pain, by using low frequencies (2, 4, 6, and 8 Hz) and different contact combinations of the electrodes. The results were evaluated by using visual inspection (videos), haptic control, surface electromyography (EMG), and sonographic recordings. This pilot study (17 patients, seven females, age 36-87 years, 11 percutaneous paddle leads, and 6 octrodes) was performed at the Neurosurgical Department of the University of Tuebingen. The most preferred frequencies were 6 Hz (45.5% of percutaneous paddle leads) and 8 Hz (50% of octrodes) at contacts 3&4 or 5&6. The preference of frequencies differed significantly among genders (p = 0.023). Simultaneous EMG and ultrasonic recordings demonstrated the generation of muscle potentials and the stimulation of deeper muscle groups. In this study, it has been shown that with low-frequency SCS stimulation, pleasant and pain-relieving muscle contractions of the lower and upper back can also be generated. This combined method has been coined by us as "MuscleSCS" technique. Clinical trials are necessary to establish the value of this combined technique and its subtypes.

Preferences for Monitoring Comprehensive Heart Failure Care: A Latent Class Analysis.

To measure preference heterogeneity for monitoring systems among patients with a chronic heart failure. A best-worst scaling experiment (BWS case 3) was conducted among patients with chronic heart failure to assess preferences for hypothetical monitoring care scenarios. These were characterized by the attributes mobility, risk of death, risk of hospitalization, type and frequency of monitoring, risk of medical device, and system-relevant complications. A latent class analysis (LCA) was used to analyze and interpret the data. In addition, a market simulator was used to examine which treatment configurations participants in the latent classes preferred. Data from 278 respondents were analyzed. The LCA identified four heterogeneous classes. For class 1, the most decisive factor was mobility with a longer distance covered being most important. Class 2 respondents directed their attention toward attribute "monitoring," with a preferred monitoring frequency of nine times per year. The attribute risk of hospitalization was most important for respondents of class 3, closely followed by risk of death. For class 4, however, risk of death was most important. A market simulation showed that, even with high frequency of monitoring, most classes preferred therapy with high improvement in mobility, mortality, and hospitalization. Using LCA, variations in preferences among different groups of patients with chronic heart failure were examined. This allows treatment alternatives to be adapted to individual needs of patients and patient groups. The findings of the study enhance clinical and allocative decision-making while elevating the quality of clinical data interpretation.

The Impact of social media on the Socialization of Left-behind Children in China

With the rapid development of the new media era, the influence of media on children becomes more and more obvious in the process of socialization. Growing up in this context, left-behind children have also become one of the main groups using social media, with the characteristics of high frequency of use and different preferences. Through reviewing previous research, this paper aims to understand the use of social media in daily life of left-behind children, analyze its impact on the socialization of left-behind children, explore the underlying reasons, and summarize the relationship between the use of social media and media literacy of left-behind children. When left-behind children have high media literacy, they do not have excessive dependence and tend to browse beneficial social media content; while when their media literacy is low, they will have a high sense of dependence on media and contact with bad social media content. Socialization process of left-behind children in China is subject to many restrictions and challenges. Social media is an important way for left-behind children to communicate with the outside world, obtain information and establish social relationships. Therefore, studying the impact of social media on the socialization of left-behind children can help future research explore how to better use social media to promote the socialization process of left-behind children, and provide a basis for formulating relevant policies and measures. Future studies should cover different regions and combine quantitative and qualitative methods to better understand the process of socialization of left-behind children.

Enhancement and contextual modulation of visuospatial processing by thalamocollicular projections from ventral lateral geniculate nucleus

In the mammalian visual system, the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (vLGN) of the thalamus receives salient visual input from the retina and sends prominent GABAergic axons to the superior colliculus (SC). However, whether and how vLGN contributes to fundamental visual information processing remains largely unclear. Here, we report in mice that vLGN facilitates visually-guided approaching behavior mediated by the lateral SC and enhances the sensitivity of visual object detection. This can be attributed to the extremely broad spatial integration of vLGN neurons, as reflected in their much lower preferred spatial frequencies and broader spatial receptive fields than SC neurons. Through GABAergic thalamocollicular projections, vLGN specifically exerts prominent surround suppression of visuospatial processing in SC, leading to a fine tuning of SC preferences to higher spatial frequencies and smaller objects in a context-dependent manner. Thus, as an essential component of the central visual processing pathway, vLGN serves to refine and contextually modulate visuospatial processing in SC-mediated visuomotor behaviors via visually-driven long-range feedforward inhibition.

Outcomes that matter most to burn patients: A national multicentre survey study in the Netherlands

BackgroundThe use of patient-reported outcomes to improve burn care increases. Little is known on burn patients’ views on what outcomes are most important, and about preferences regarding online Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs). Therefore, this study assessed what outcomes matter most to patients, and gained insights into patient preferences towards the use of online PROMs. MethodsAdult patients (≥18 years old), 3–36 months after injury completed a survey measuring importance of outcomes, separately for three time periods: during admission, short-term (<6 months) and long-term (6–24 months) after burn injury. Both open and closed-ended questions were used. Furthermore, preferences regarding the use of patient-reported outcome measures in burn care were queried. ResultsA total of 140 patients were included (response rate: 27%). ‘Not having pain’ and ‘good wound healing’ were identified as very important outcomes. Also, ‘physical functioning at pre-injury level’, ‘being independent’ and ‘taking care of yourself’ were considered very important outcomes. The top-ten of most important outcomes largely overlapped in all three time periods. Most patients (84%) had no problems with online questionnaires, and many (67%) indicated that it should take up to 15 minutes. Patients’ opinions differed widely on the preferred frequency of follow-up. ConclusionsNot having pain and good wound healing were considered very important during the whole recovery of burns; in addition, physical functioning at pre-injury level, being independent, and taking care of yourself were deemed very important in the short and long-term. These outcomes are recommended to be used in burn care and research, although careful selection of outcomes remains crucial as patients prefer online questionnaires up to 15 minutes.

Conservative Treatments of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Physical Therapists' Perspectives.

This study aimed to examine physical therapists' perspectives in conservative treatments of pediatric patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). A cross-sectional survey design was used. A validated questionnaire was distributed to physical therapists, and the responses were analyzed. Preferred treatment frequency was 60 minutes (53.8%), twice weekly (41.5%), over 3 to 5 months (44.6%). Top 3 clinical interventions were core and trunk stability enhancement (90.8%), abdominal strengthening (83.1%), and postural correction (80.0%). Top 3 therapeutic goal-setting parameters were activity-based (78.5%), quality-of-life measure-based (56.9%), and participation-based (50.8%). The most common quality-of-life survey used was Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire (15.6%) followed by Scoliosis Research Society-22 instrument (12.5%). According to our data, physical therapists believe that pediatric patients with AIS can benefit with addressing core and trunk stability, a 60-minute per session, twice weekly, over 3 to 5 months based on activity-based goal-setting and quality-of-life measures using Oswestry questionnaire.

Qualitative Research on Social Media Addictions of Psychological Counsellor Candidates

Social media (SM), which is frequently preferred by young people, poses a risk of addiction when used excessively and unconsciously. Having self-awareness and becoming digitally literate, unlike other university students, is essential for psychological counselor candidates (PCC) in terms of preventive counseling they will do in the institutions they will work in the future. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare young people who use social media intensively or less by examining the views of PCC with high or low levels of social media addiction (SMA). This study presents a phenomenological approach to qualitative research. The SMA Scale-Adult Form was applied to the students (total 138 students) from the Department of Psychological Counselling and Guidance at Artvin Çoruh University. Focus group interviews were conducted with 20 PCC students who got the highest (11 students) and lowest (9 students) points on the scale, and extreme case and outlier samplings were preferred from the interviews. The data collected through the interviews were analyzed using content analysis. As a result of the study, SMA and related addiction symptoms have been observed in the PCC. The opinions of the PCC with low and high SMA levels varied in terms of the frequency of SM usage, application preferences, usage purposes, emotions, and opinions on the effect of SM on professional use. The results of the study are discussed and interpreted in line with the relevant literature, and recommendations are presented.

Self-Administered Virtual Reality for Postsurgical Pain Management: A Qualitative Study of Hospital Patients' Reported Experiences.

Virtual Reality (VR) has been shown to effectively reduce pain in patients with various pain conditions. However, questions arise on the use of VR in multimodal postsurgical pain management. Optimizing VR for pain management requires an understanding of intervention- and context-specific factors, based on patients' needs and expectations after major surgery. This substudy is part of a randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of three VR interventions as an add-on, self-administered treatment for postsurgical pain. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to evaluate VR effects, software, hardware, prescriptions, and factors affecting the implementation of VR. Experiences across interventions were compared to identify relevant factors for successful implementation. Patients benefitted from self-administered VR in postsurgical pain management in various aspects and without serious drawbacks. Participants preferred an intuitive, 3D, 360-degree VR device with a large choice of applications matching their interests. The preferred frequency and duration of VR use was 2-3 sessions a day for 10-15 min each. Adjusting the VR use to individuals' needs and contexts was reported to be key for successful implementation, with attention paid to improving the awareness of VR as a non-pharmacological means of promoting postsurgical recovery among patients and healthcare professionals.

GNR based Tapered Vivaldi antenna for THz band applications

This article presents a novel high gain Tapered Vivaldi antenna (TVA) utilizing Graphene Nano Ribbon (GNR) for the Terahertz band applications. The proposed design based on substrate extension technique and graphene hybrid metal structure to improve the radiation characteristics. It also derives the Electric and Magnetic field of graphene is systematically using FDTD numerical modeling. The reconfigurability properties of antenna can be achieved by changing the chemical potential. The result offers a minimum return loss of −58.68 dB, an impedance bandwidth of 298.84 GHz, a peak gain of 12.31 dBi, peak directivity of 13.1 dBi, and radiation efficiency of 83.63 %. The investigated results reveal the better results within the preferred frequency band. Therefore, the designed antenna can be useful for various THz applications.

A common cause for nystagmus in different congenital stationary night blindness mouse models.

In Nyxnob mice, a model for congenital nystagmus associated with congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB), synchronous oscillating retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) lead to oscillatory eye movements, i.e. nystagmus. Given the specific expression of mGluR6 and Cav 1.4 in the photoreceptor to bipolar cell synapses, as well as their clinical association with CSNB, we hypothesize that Grm6nob3 and Cav 1.4-KO mutants show, like the Nyxnob mouse, oscillations in both their RGC activity and eye movements. Using multi-electrode array recordings of RGCs and measurements of the eye movements, we demonstrate that Grm6nob3 and Cav 1.4-KO mice also show oscillations of their RGCs as well as a nystagmus. Interestingly, the preferred frequencies of RGC activity as well as the eye movement oscillations of the Grm6nob3 , Cav 1.4-KO and Nyxnob mice differ among mutants, but the neuronal activity and eye movement behaviour within a strain remain aligned in the same frequency domain. Model simulations indicate that mutations affecting the photoreceptor-bipolar cell synapse can form a common cause of the nystagmus of CSNB by driving oscillations in RGCs via AII amacrine cells. KEY POINTS: In Nyxnob mice, a model for congenital nystagmus associated with congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB), their oscillatory eye movements (i.e. nystagmus) are caused by synchronous oscillating retinal ganglion cells. Here we show that the same mechanism applies for two other CSNB mouse models - Grm6nob3 and Cav 1.4-KO mice. We propose that the retinal ganglion cell oscillations originate in the AII amacrine cells. Model simulations show that by only changing the input to ON-bipolar cells, all phenotypical differences between the various genetic mouse models can be reproduced.

Coarse-to-fine interaction on perceived depth in compound grating.

To encode binocular disparity, the visual system uses a pair of left eye and right eye bandpass filters with either a position or a phase offset between them. Such pairs are considered to exit at multiple scales to encode a wide range of disparity. However, local disparity measurements by bandpass mechanisms can be ambiguous, particularly when the actual disparity is larger than a half-cycle of the preferred spatial frequency of the filter, which often occurs in fine scales. In this study, we investigated whether the visual system uses a coarse-to-fine interaction to resolve this ambiguity at finer scales for depth estimation from disparity. The stimuli were stereo grating patches composed of a target and comparison patterns. The target patterns contained spatial frequencies of 1 and 4 cycles per degree (cpd). The phase disparity of the low-frequency component was 0° (at the horopter), -90° (uncrossed), or 90° (crossed), and that of the high-frequency components was changed independent of the low-frequency disparity, in the range between -90° (uncrossed) and 90° (crossed). The observers' task was to indicate whether the target appeared closer to the comparison pattern, which always shared the disparity with the low-frequency component of the target. Regardless of whether the comparison pattern was a 1-cpd + 4-cpd compound or a 1-cpd simple grating, the perceived depth order of the target and the comparison varied in accordance with the phase disparity of the high-frequency component of the target. This effect occurred not only when the low-frequency component was at the horopter, but also when it contained a large disparity corresponding to one cycle of the high-frequency component (±90°). Our findings suggest a coarse-to-fine interaction in multiscale disparity processing, in which the depth interpretation of the high-frequency changes based on the disparity of the low-frequency component.

Muscle power production during intermittent swimming in bluegill sunfish.

Locomotion is essential for the survival and fitness of animals. Fishes have evolved a variety of mechanisms to minimize the cost of transport. For instance, bluegill sunfish have recently been shown to employ intermittent swimming in nature and in laboratory conditions. We focused on the functional properties of the power-producing muscles that generate propulsive forces in bluegill to understand the implications of intermittent activity. We used in vivo aerobic or red muscle activity parameters (e.g., oscillation frequency and onset time and duration of activation) in muscle physiology experiments to examine muscle power output during intermittent versus steady swimming in these fish. Intermittent propulsion involves swimming at relatively slow speeds with short propulsive bursts alternating with gliding episodes. The propulsive bursts are at higher oscillation frequencies than would be predicted for a given average swimming speed with constant propulsion. The work-loop muscle physiology experiments with red muscle demonstrated that intermittent activity allows muscle to produce sufficient power for swimming compared with imposed steady swimming conditions. Further, the intermittent muscle activity in vitro reduces fatigue relative to steady or continuous activity. This work supports the fixed-gear hypothesis that suggests that there are preferred oscillation frequencies that optimize efficiency in muscle use and minimize cost of transport.

Estimation of Patient Knowledge and Medication Preference on Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disorders in the United Arab Emirates: A Single-Center Study at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

Abstract Introduction: Rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders (RMDs) are chronic diseases that often require lifelong management to achieve quiescence. In view of this, the patient’s education regarding their treatment decisions plays a large role in ensuring therapeutic effectiveness. Although this has been studied in European and American literature, there remains a paucity of patient education in RMD in the middle eastern region. This study aims to learn the RMD knowledge and drug preferences of the patients of a rheumatology outpatient department at a large tertiary center in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: Between May 2018 and July 2022, a questionnaire was distributed to 455 patients at the rheumatology outpatient department to gather information about RMD understanding and drug preferences. Results: The questionnaire was filled out by 455 patients. At the outset, the majority of patients (76.6%) were females of Emirati nationality (78.5%) with a mean age of 43 years. The most common disease (37.3%) was rheumatoid arthritis. The most commonly used medications (61.7%) were conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. More than half of the respondents (60%) believed that RMDs could be cured and that they could interfere with pregnancy. Nearly half of those polled (49.9%) thought RMD treatment was indefinite. The majority of patients (74.9%) preferred the oral route over others, with monthly dosing (42.9%) being the preferred frequency. Conclusion: For the first time, this study demonstrates the level of RMD knowledge and medication preferences in the UAE. It should serve as a springboard for further research into how education can improve patient outcomes.

Preparation of fluorinated carbon nanotube with heterogenous fluorine pattern and the electromagnetic response

The heterogeneous interface structures are widely recognized for the favorable impact on optimizing microwave absorption (MA) properties of microwave absorbers. However, the facile construction of heterogeneous interface and deep exploration of the electromagnetic response is challenging. Herein, we presented an approach of direct fluorination utilizing F2/N2 to construct heterogenous interface on single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and the electromagnetic effect was disclosed. By molecular fluorination, fluorinated SWCNTs with heterogeneously aggregated fluorine pattern (M-CNTs-F) were fabricated. The aggregated fluorine pattern on M-CNTs-F lead to stronger polarization loss strength compared to pristine SWCNTs and the discrete-fluorine pattered sample, as well as gradual prolongation of relaxation time (τ) with increase of fluorine content. Consequently, M-CNTs-F demonstrates superior MA property with minimal reflection loss (RLmin) and effective absorption band (EAB) value of −49 dB and 5.6 GHz at 1.76 mm with filler content only 2 wt%. Surprisingly, M-CNTs-F also exhibit preferable low frequency MA performance. Based on aforementioned foundations, M-CNTs-F were furtherly architected to construct CNT-contained composite foam, achieving RLmin and EAB value of −66 dB and 10.36 GHz, respectively. Our study highlights the superiority of direct fluorination in constructing heterogeneous interface, and emphasizes the critical role of heterojunction pattern in MA modification.

Preferences and Expectations of Japanese Employees toward Telecommuting Frequency in the Post-Pandemic Era

Telecommuting has reached unprecedented levels in Japan, previously established due to the sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, there is a lack of in-depth research on telecommuting frequency from the perspective of the post-pandemic era. Hence, this study investigated the relationship between employees’ expected levels of telecommuting allowed by the company and their preferred telecommuting frequency after the pandemic using an ordered response probit model with a correlation effect. Data were collected through an online questionnaire in three major metropolitan areas of Japan; the questionnaire included questions on sociodemographic, commuting, household, and work-related characteristics. The findings revealed that work-environment characteristics are prime factors influencing both expected and preferred telecommuting frequency; therefore, a telecommuting-oriented work environment is crucial for bridging the gap between employees and employers regarding telecommuting. Also, the results indicated that the preferred level of telecommuting is unattainable probably due to a lack of support from the company. Finally, a gap was identified between the expected telecommuting frequency that companies would allow and the preferred telecommuting frequency. This study provides implementations to achieve a work environment better adapted to the post-pandemic era and contributes to the establishment of future traffic forecasting models that enable effective mobility management through telecommuting.

EVALUATION OF DESIGN ELEMENTS INFLUENCING HOW CHILDREN PERCEIVE SPACE IN PEDIATRIC PATIENT ROOMS WORLDWIDE

EVALUATION OF COMPONENTS REGARDING THE PERCEPTION OF SPACE IN PEDIATRIC PATIENT ROOM DESIGN OVER THE WORLD&#x0D; ABSTRACT &#x0D; Hospitals are the very institutions that deal with health issues and create solutions in one's life after birth. Children make up a sizable group receiving health services, as is evident from the health complexes built in their name after the 19th century. The physical layout and spatial arrangement of pediatric hospitals have become more significant as a result of this circumstance. It has been observed that the negative effects and experiences associated with childhood illnesses have an impact on children's quality of life, which, in turn, shapes their personality, behavior, sense of shame, and moral judgments as adults. Therefore, providing designs that will support patients' physical, cognitive, and psychosocial needs and promote their well-being has become essential rather than optional. This research serves as the initial phase of a doctoral study that is currently being conducted at the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, KTO University. Within the parameters of the study, an assessment was made of the design elements that influence how patients perceive their surroundings in pediatric hospitals across the globe and our own country. By using the morphological card technique to examine the patient rooms, spatial readings were made on the design elements that influence spatial perception. The information gathered is anticipated to help determine the frequency of preference for the color, light, texture, form, and size to be used in the design of the pediatric patient room and will serve as a guide for future application examples.&#x0D; Keywords: Child, Design Components, Pediatric Hospital, Perception in Space, Sick Room.

Biological therapy of seropositive juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Results of a retrospective single-center study

Seropositive juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is one of the rarest and most unfavorable subtypes of juvenile arthritis, characterized by an increased frequency of inefficacy of therapy. Objective – to characterize biologic therapy in patients with seropositive JIA, to identify factors influencing the choice of a biological agents (BA) and the need to replace it, to evaluate the value of the JADI damage index for predicting the response to BA.Material and methods. The diagnosis of seropositive JIA for the period from 2010 to 2022 was verified in 92 patients, 10.9% were boys. The median age of JIA onset in the study group was 12.0 [7.7; 14.0] years. BA were prescribed to 89.1% of patients in the study group, 31.7% of them for a period of less than 1 year from the onset. The median number of active joints at the time of BA initiation was 15 [10; 22], median ESR – 29 [18; 43] mm/h, CRP – 15.0 [5.3; 31.0] mg/l. Extra-articular manifestations at the time of prescribing BA occurred in 29.0% of patients. The analysis of factors that could influence the need to switch BA was carried out: age of onset, timing of diagnosis verification and initiation of BA, gender, the number of active joints at the start of BA, ACCP positivity, RF, ACCP, ESR and CRP values – at the time of BA appointment, the presence of secondary Sjögren’s syndrome. Since 2021, the complex of examinations included the calculation of the JADI (The Juvenile Arthritis Damage Index) damage index in all patients from the study group who were admitted to the hospital (28 in total; 17.9% – boys). The median age of JIA onset among them was 10.5 [6.31; 13.0] years, 81.2% received BA. The JADI index was compared with the ACCP, RF, CRP, ESR and the need to prescribe and switch BA. The design of the study was a retrospective, open-label, non-randomized, uncontrolled study. Results. In the study group of patients, 29% had experience with more than 1 BA. Abatacept (45.1%), TNF-inhibitors (40.3%) were most often used as the first BA; tocilizumab and rituximab were predominantly used in the 2nd–4th line of therapy, with a trend towards their more frequent prescription in recent years. The main reason for switching from one BA to another is the secondary failure of therapy, 4.9% of patients have serious adverse reactions (AE). In general, AEs that did not require discontinuation of therapy were recorded in 24.6% of patients. Patients who received more than 1 BA had relatively higher values of RF, ACCP and significantly higher CRP. The mean value of JADI-A was 2.39 points, 50% of patients had significant JADI-A scores, 92.8% of whom received BA with experience of more than 1 prescription of BA in 28.6% of them. A direct correlation of the JADI index with ACCP, ESR and CRP was revealed. Conclusions. Seropositive JIA is characterized by a high need for prescribing BA, the frequency of prescribing BA is associated with significant indicators of the JADI damage index. The choice of a specific BA is determined, first of all, by the presence of systemic manifestations or secondary Sjögren’s syndrome. In patients with high surrogate measures of activity (especially CRP), given the high risk of secondary failure of TNF-inhibitors, tocilizumab in the first line of therapy may be considered as the preferred choice. Our data did not reveal an effect of ACCP positivity on the preferred choice or frequency of BA replacement. Attention was drawn to the trend towards higher RF and ACCP values in patients treated with more than one BA. A correlation was established between the JADI index and ACCP, ESR, and CRP, which indirectly leads to the conclusion that it is necessary to prescribe BA earlier in this category of patients in order to avoid permanent damage and increase the effectiveness of thera py. The use of BA had an acceptable safety profile.

The Influence of Age and Gender on the Esthetic Preference for the Shape of Maxillary Anterior Teeth

Background: An esthetic smile comes from various smile elements and requires knowing the complexities that control the equilibrium between teeth and soft tissues. In all dentistry areas, especially in prosthodontics and restorative dentistry, restoring a natural dental appearance has gained a lot of importance. This study's results will lead us to the popular esthetic choices for forming anterior maxillary teeth among Khyber Pakhtunkhwa patients Aim: To determine the esthetic preference for the shape of maxillary anterior teeth. Study design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and duration of study: Department of Prosthodontics, Sardar Begum Dental College &amp; Hospital, Peshawar from 17th July 2021 to 17th January 2022. Methodology: After taking the study's approval from the hospital ethical review committee board, 196 patients reporting to the Prosthodontics Department who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were invited to participate in the study. Patients were shown photograph displaying only maxillary teeth having three primary forms of five distinct incisor varieties, i.e., square (S), oval (O), triangular (T), and the two different maxillary teeth form: tapered-ovoid (TO) and square- tapering (ST). Results: The frequency of esthetic preference, 55(28.1%) patients had square incisor ‘S’, 23(11.7%) patients had ovoid incisors ‘O’, 44(22.4%) had triangular incisors ‘T’, 34(17.3%) patients had square tapered ‘ST’ while 40(20.4%) patients had tapered ovoid ‘TO’ esthetic preference. Practical Implication: Dentists preferred square-round incisors. In the study, there are some lay people does not discriminate between incisors shape for women. Dentists preferred square-round incisors. In the study, there are some lay people does not discriminate between incisors shape for women. Conclusion: Female patients of younger age group were affected by their esthetic perception of the shapes of the maxillary anterior teeth as compared to the male patients of the same group and most of the patients had square incisor ‘S’ as their choice of esthetic preference. Key words: Esthetic smile, Esthetic preference, Maxillary anterior teeth