scholarly journals The Influence of Decontamination Procedures on the Surface of Two Polymeric Liners Used in Prosthodontics

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 4340
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Mańka-Malara ◽  
Maciej Trzaskowski ◽  
Dominika Gawlak

Polymeric liners are materials commonly used in prosthodontics to reshape denture surfaces contacting the soft tissues of the oral cavity. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of different cleaning methods on two polymeric materials used in prosthodontics as non-adhesive permanent liners. The material for the research consisted of samples made from Mollosil Plus (Detax, Ettlingen, Germany)—direct polysiloxan liner; and Plastitanium (Pressing Dental, San Marino, Republic of San Marino)—an injection-molded liner. A total of 198 samples were made, 99 of each assessed material. They were exposed to different cleaning methods—a toothbrush, a toothbrush and soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste (BlendaMed, Procter&Gamble, Cincinnati, OH, USA), a toothpaste and denture cleaning paste (Protefix Hygiene Denture Paste, Queisser Pharma, Germany), denture cleansing tablets (Protefix Hygiene Cleaning Tablets, Queisse Pharma, Germany), and a disinfecting spray (Aftermat, Port Jefferson Station, New York City, NY, USA)—for 1 min, 5 min, 10 min, and 15 min. The image acquisition was performed with scanning electron microscopy and samples were analyzed for the homogeneity of their surfaces—the presence of holes, grooves, precipitate, and small and large separating pieces of the material marking departures from this homogeneity. For each type of damage, one point was given. Continuous data from two groups were compared with Mann–Whitney U testing. Due to a small sample size and distribution of variables other than normal, to compare more than two groups, Kruskal–Wallis testing with post hoc analysis (Dunn test with Bonferroni correction) was used. Categorical data were compared with the chi-square test and the Fisher’s exact test. The Mollosil Plus material should be decontaminated with the use of a toothbrush or toothbrush with soap, while Plastitanium material should be disinfected. Plastitanium samples are more susceptible to damage during the decontamination procedures than Mollosil Plus.

Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 5037-5037
Author(s):  
Zhen Wang ◽  
Elaine Zhai ◽  
Aleksic Sandra ◽  
Kibola Adam ◽  
Richard May ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) 2012 Guidelines recommend a restrictive transfusion strategy of 7 g/dL to 8 g/dL in asymptomatic, hemodynamically stable patients (pts) and for Hgb less than 8 g/dL in pts with preexisting cardiovascular disease. [1] Additional recommendations based on expert opinion include transfusion at threshold Hgb of 7 g/dL for hemodynamically stable ICU pts and Hgb less than 10 g/dL in pts with symptomatic anemia. We examined adherence to these guidelines and for differences in outcomes between restrictive and non-restrictive approaches at an academic hospital. Methods: We performed an IRB-approved retrospective review of all pts admitted to the Internal Medicine Service at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey from July 1st to November 30th 2015 who received RBC transfusions. Charts were abstracted for demographic information, past medical history, indication for transfusion, presence of signs or symptoms of anemia (chest pain, orthostatic hypotension or tachycardia unresponsive to fluid resuscitation, or congestive heart failure), pre-transfusion Hgb, number of units transfused, and post-transfusion hgb. Outcomes were defined as requirement for additional transfusions, infections, cardiovascular events, adverse transfusion reactions, and death within 30 days of transfusion. Each transfusion was categorized as either adherent or non-adherent to the guidelines. Difference in outcomes between groups (adherent vs non-adherent) was tested using chi-square and Fisher's exact test with SAS studio version 3.4 (Cary, NC). Results: We reviewed 318 RBC transfusion records for 210 pts (median age: 55±17 years) with 157 (49%) transfusions in male and 161 (51%) in female pts. Site was ICU for 86 and the ward for 232 transfusions. The leading indication was acute bleeding (121 or 38%; pre-transfusion Hgb 6.9±1.3g/dL), followed by asymptomatic anemia (107 or 33%; pre-transfusion Hgb 6.8±0.8g/dL), and symptomatic anemia (91 or 29%; pre-transfusion Hgb 6.6±0.8g/dL). Of the 107 pts with asymptomatic anemia, 37 had pre-existing heart disease. Within this group, 35 were transfused at Hgb < 8g/dL (adherence of 95%). Seventy of the 107 transfusions were performed in pts without pre-existing cardiac disease. Fifty-nine were transfused at hgb < 7g/dL with an adherence of 84%. In the ICU, 21 of the 27 transfusions occurred for hgb < 7 g/dL in hemodynamically stable pts with an adherence of 78%. There were 91 transfusions for symptomatic anemia and all were adherent (100%). Regarding 30 day post-transfusion outcomes, there were 140 (44%) with subsequent transfusions; 54 (14%) infections; 7 (2.2%) cardiovascular events; 8 (2.5%) transfusion adverse reactions; 27(8%) deaths. No difference was detected for 30 day outcomes between the adherent group and the non-adherent group. (Table 1) Transfusion of at least 2unitsRBC in asymptomatic, symptomatic, and active bleeding pts were 25% (27/107), 44% (40/91), 57% (69/120) respectively. No difference in outcomes was found for the group receiving only 1 unit RBC (restrictive) compared to the group receiving 2 or more units RBC (non-restrictive). (Table 1) Conclusion: The majority of transfusions (92%) performed adhered to current guideline. While the restrictive approach was not associated with more complications or mortality, this study is limited by the small sample size and further work is being done. Acknowledgment: The authors are grateful to Dr. Koshy, Director of Blood Bank at University Hospital, for assistance. Reference: 1. Carson, J. L. et al. Red blood cell transfusion: a clinical practice guideline from the AABB. Ann Intern Med 157, 49-58 (2012). Disclosures Chang: Johnson and Johnson: Other: Stock; Amgen: Other: Research; Boehringer Ingelheim: Other: Research.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S12-S12
Author(s):  
Sarah Zavala ◽  
Gabrielle Wasilewski ◽  
Anisha Sharma ◽  
Olga Bulakh ◽  
Joseph Fahmy ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Methadone can be used to wean opiates and reduce length of mechanical ventilation (MV) in critical care and burn patients. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of methadone use on ventilator-free days and clinical outcomes in burned patients requiring MV. Methods This was a retrospective study of adult patients admitted to a burn center for initial management of burn injuries who required MV for at least 48 hours between September 2013 and November 2019. Patients were excluded from the study if they had prior methadone use, total body surface area (TBSA) of less than 5%, or expired within the first 28 days of admission. The primary endpoint was the difference in ventilator-free days among those who received methadone compared to those who did not. Secondary endpoints include length of stay, mortality, sedative agent and average daily dose, analgesic agent and average daily dose, and incidence of delirium. Baseline demographics were compared using descriptive statistics. Nominal data was compared using Chi-square test. Continuous data was analyzed using student’s t-test or Mann-Whitney U test, as appropriate. Multivariate regression was used to identify variables for possible association with MV duration. Results A total of 83 patients were included in the study; 52 received methadone and 31 were controls. Patients were generally well-matched between groups, however patients receiving methadone were younger (45.3 vs 56.2 years, p = 0.002) and had a larger TBSA (30.4 vs 19.1%, p = 0.001). Patients who received methadone had fewer ventilator free days of the first 28 (9.5 vs 15.0 days, p = 0.009) and a longer ICU stay (57.2 vs 35.8 days, p = 0.025). There was no difference between groups in terms of mortality, reintubations, and incidence of delirium. Patients who received methadone had longer duration of analgesia (20.7 vs 12.0 days, p = 0.011) and sedation (19.0 vs 12.4 days, p = 0.026) while on MV. Conclusions This study found that methadone use contributed to fewer ventilator-free days and longer ICU stays, which was unexpected but worth discussing. There are several limitations to this study. This study occurred during a time period in which the pain management and sedation strategies of this burn unit were evolving, and strategies may not have been consistent between providers. The study included a small sample size and baseline demographics demonstrated significant differences in age and TBSA between the two groups. Additionally, pain scores were not collected as part of this study, which would have provided better insight into the effectiveness of pain management. The use of methadone as an adjunct for pain control remains undetermined.


10.3823/2278 ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacianne Nascimento Santos ◽  
Anne Milane Formiga Bezerra ◽  
Maria do Carmo Andrade Duarte de Farias ◽  
Guilherme Gadelha Pereira de Carvalho ◽  
Edineide Nunes da Silva ◽  
...  

Introduction: Pre-hospital care professionals face situations in which they are very vulnerable to occupational risks of the biological type, due to direct and constant contact with patients in numerous adverse situations. Objective: To analyze the biological risks inherents to the nursing team of the Mobile Emergency Care Service (MECS) in Patos-PB. Method: The study was an exploratory, descriptive type, with a quantitative data approach. The research population was composed of all the nurses and nursing technicians employed in the MECS, Regional of Patos-PB who were available to participate in the research. Data were analyzed with SPSS software (version 21). Descriptive statistics of relative and absolute frequencies, central tendency (mean and median) and dispersion (standard deviation and minimum and maximum values) were used. Considering the small sample size, we adopted non-parametric inferential tests of Mann Whitney and Pearson's Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, accepting as statistically significant that p <0.05. Results: The sample consisted of 45 professionals of the nursing team, with the majority (88.9%) being female and a prevalent age range from 27 to 33 years, a workload of 36 hours per week, with less than one year of performance in the service; 95.6% use the complete uniform; 97.8% make use of masks, and only 24.4% confirm wearing protective glasses; 31.1% perform reoccurrence of needles already contaminated, and 24.4% already suffered some type of accident with a sharp device. Only 24.4% said they had undergone some training on the part of the company. Conclusion: It was evidenced that the occurrence of the accidents is directly related to the exhaustion of the professionals and their lack of experience in the area, besides the lack of training offered by the service. It can be noted that the company lacks in the area of employee protection, since they do not offer a professional training course, so there is no investment in continuing health education.


2019 ◽  
Vol 129 (4) ◽  
pp. 127-131
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Parfin ◽  
Krystian Wdowiak ◽  
Marzena Furtak-Niczyporuk ◽  
Jolanta Herda

AbstractIntroduction. The COVID-19 is the name of an infectious disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). It was first diagnosed in December 2019 in patients in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The symptoms are dominated by features of respiratory tract infections, in some patients with a very severe course leading to respiratory failure and, in extreme cases to death. Due to the spread of the infection worldwide, the WHO declared a pandemic in March 2020.Aim. An investigation of the impact of social isolation introduced due to the coronavirus pandemic on selected aspects of life. The researchers focused on observing changes in habits related to physical activity and their connections with people’s subjective well-being and emotional state.Material and methods. The study was carried out within the international project of the group „IRG on COVID and exercise”. The research tool was a standardized questionnaire.Results. Based on the data collected and the analysis of the percentage results, it can be observed that the overwhelming majority of people taking up physical activity reported a better mood during the pandemic. However, statistical tests do not confirm these relationships due to the small sample size.Conclusions. Isolation favours physical activity. Future, in-depth studies, by enlarging the population group, are necessary to confirm the above observations.


Author(s):  
Seiyeong Park ◽  
Junhye Kwon ◽  
Chiyoung Ahn ◽  
Hae-Sung Cho ◽  
Hyo Youl Moon ◽  
...  

Previous studies have identified that a behavior can occur through the strongest predictor intention, but there is a gap between intention and behavior. Dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) is known to account for a variance in sporting behaviors in human and animal subjects. However, the relationship between DRD2 and sport participation has been poorly studied, and the limited available reports are inconsistent. The present study was performed to examine the impact of DRD2 on sport participation among Korean university students based on the integrated behavioral model (IBM). Data were collected from enrolled university students in Seoul (N = 45). Participants answered survey questions first, and then they gave investigators their hair to provide DNA information (i.e., the A1 allele of DRD2). DRD2 had a significant effect on sport participation, but only in male students. Male students who carried the A1 allele of DRD2 significantly participated in 105.10 min more sporting activities than male students who did not. Moreover, the effect of intention on sport participation was significantly decreased when considering DRD2. Despite the small sample size, the results of this study could be a preliminary case for a larger study and indicate the direction of future research. Our results suggest that DRD2 may have played an important role as the “actual skill” shown in the IBM.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 300-301
Author(s):  
DOREN FREDRICKSON

To the Editor.— I wish to comment on the study reported by Cronenwett et al,1 which was a fascinating prospective study among married white women who planned to breast-feed. Women were randomly selected to perform either exdusive breast-feeding or partial breast-feeding with bottled human milk supplements to determine the impact of infant temperament and limited bottle-feeding on breast-feeding duration. The authors admit that small sample size and lack of statistical power make a false-negative possible.


Author(s):  
Gaelle Vofo ◽  
Marrigje Aagje de Jong ◽  
Michal Kaufman ◽  
Julia Meyler ◽  
Ron Eliashar ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) represents a frequently encountered otological entity, of various types and severity, with an array of associated symptoms including vertigo. This is a devastating life-changing condition with a blurry prognosis. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical association of vestibular impairment by electronystagmography (ENG) and caloric tests, and their ability to predict prognosis. Methods An observational, crossectional study was carried out amongst patients admitted with SSNHL. Each consenting patient had an audiometry test performed on admission as well as ENG and caloric tests. Treatment included oral steroids and carbogen with intratympanic steroids used only as salvage treatment. Follow-up was completed after 6 months when hearing gains were evaluated. Finally, an association was sought between the rate of recovery and ENG and caloric test results. Results Of 35 patients included, marked recovery was seen in patients without vertigo when compared to those with vertigo (p=0.003). A statistically significant association was found between the presence of vertigo and hearing deterioration (p=0.008). More so, normal electronystagmography results were associated with marked recovery (p=0.04). Conclusions The vestibular end organs are both subjectively and objectively affected in SSNHL as demonstrated by the abnormal ENG and caloric tests in our study despite the small sample size. Concomitant vestibular involvement carries poorer prognosis and routine identification may help foresee the recovery of patients with SSNHL and as such, aid in patient counseling. ENG and caloric tests are easily available and may be recommended for all patients with SSNHL.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 608-625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amel Kouaib ◽  
Anis Jarboui ◽  
Khaireddine Mouakhar

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on the moderating effect of mandatory International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption on the relationship between chief executive officer (CEO) experience/education and earnings management in European companies. Design/methodology/approach Data from a sample of 302 European firms listed on Stoxx Europe 600 index and 596 CEOs from 2000 to 2014 are used to test the moderation model using moderation regression analysis. Findings Evidence reveals that CEO’s accounting-based attributes are negatively associated with accruals-based earnings management and positively associated with real earnings management (REM). Further, mandatory IFRS adoption significantly moderates the impact of CEO’s accounting-based traits on earnings-management activities. Research limitations/implications A small number of European firms were studied and, given the long study period, many firms with missing data were eliminated. To avoid a small sample size, countries with few observations were included, which leads to an uneven distribution between observations per country. Practical implications Findings from this paper can help: European firms to consider demographic traits when recruiting or promoting executives; the IASB to improve enforcement mechanisms and make IFRS implementation mandatory; and audit committees to effectively monitor REM. Originality/value This study is unique in providing European evidence for the moderating effect of mandatory IFRS adoption on the relationship between CEOs’ accounting experience/education and earnings management activities. This paper is also relevant as it addresses the effectiveness and efficiency of accounting literates.


Author(s):  
Marianna Rita Stancampiano ◽  
Kentaro Suzuki ◽  
Stuart O’Toole ◽  
Gianni Russo ◽  
Gen Yamada ◽  
...  

Abstract In the newborn, penile length is determined by a number of androgen dependent and independent factors. The current literature suggests that there are inter-racial differences in stretched penile length in the newborn and although congenital micropenis should be defined as a stretched penile length of less than 2.5SDS of the mean for the corresponding population and gestation, a pragmatic approach would be to evaluate all boys with a stretched penile length below 2 cm, as congenital micropenis can be a marker for a wide range of endocrine conditions. However, it remains unclear as to whether the state of micropenis, itself, is associated with any long-term consequences. There is a lack of systematic studies comparing the impact of different therapeutic options on long-term outcomes, in terms of genital appearance, quality of life and sexual satisfaction. To date, research has been hampered by a small sample size and inclusion of a wide range of heterogeneous diagnoses; for these reasons, condition specific outcomes have been difficult to compare between studies. Lastly, there is a need for a greater collaborative effort in collecting standardized data so that all real-world or experimental interventions performed at an early age can be studied systematically into adulthood.


Author(s):  
Michel Prud’homme ◽  
François Mathieu ◽  
Nicolas Marcotte ◽  
Sylvine Cottin

AbstractBackground: Current opinions regarding the use of dexamethasone in the treatment of chronic subdural hematomas (CSDH) are only based on observational studies. Moreover, the use of corticosteroids in asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patient with this condition remains controversial. Here, we present data from a prospective randomized pilot study of CSDH patients treated with dexamethasone or placebo. Methods: Twenty patients with imaging-confirmed CSDH were recruited from a single center and randomized to receive dexamethasone (12 mg/day for 3 weeks followed by tapering) or placebo as a conservative treatment. Patients were followed for 6 months and the rate of success of conservative treatment with dexamethasone versus placebo was measured. Parameters such as hematoma thickness and clinical changes were also compared before and after treatment with chi-square tests. Adverse events and complications were documented. Results: During the 6-month follow-up, one of ten patients treated with corticosteroids had to undergo surgical drainage and three of ten patients were treated surgically after placebo treatment. At the end of the study, all remaining patients had complete radiological resolution. No significant differences were observed in terms of hematoma thickness profile and impression of change; however, patients experienced more severe side effects when treated with steroids as compared with placebo. Dexamethasone contributed to many serious adverse events. Conclusions: Given the small sample size, these preliminary results have not shown a clear beneficial effect of dexamethasone against placebo in our patients. However, the number of secondary effects reported was much greater for corticosteroids, and dexamethasone treatment was responsible for significant complications.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document