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Journal of Surgical Education Jun 2024This study aims to evaluate the instructional efficacy of a 3D Surgical Training System (3DSTS), which combines real surgical footage with high-definition 3D animations,...
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to evaluate the instructional efficacy of a 3D Surgical Training System (3DSTS), which combines real surgical footage with high-definition 3D animations, against conventional surgical videos and textbooks in the context of orthopedic proximal humerus fracture surgeries.
DESIGN
Before the experiment, 89 participants completed a pre-educational knowledge assessment. They were then randomized into 3 groups: the 3DSTS group (n = 30), the surgical video (SV) group (n = 29), and the textbook group (n = 30). After their respective teaching courses, all participants took a posteducational assessment and completed a perceived cognitive load test. The 3DSTS group also filled out a satisfaction survey. Once all assessments were finished, the SV and textbook groups were introduced to the 3DSTS course and subsequently completed a satisfaction survey. All statistical analyses were executed using IBM SPSS version 24 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). For data fitting normal distribution, we employed one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) and Tukey HSD tests, whereas, for non-normally distributed data, we used Kruskal-Wallis H tests and Dunn's tests. The significance level for all tests was set at p < 0.05.
SETTING
Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, P. R. China.
PARTICIPANTS
About 89 doctors who undergoing standardized residents training.
RESULT
The initial assessment scores among the three groups were comparable, showing no significant statistical difference. Post-education revealed a marked difference in the scores, with the 3DSTS group outperforming both the SV and textbook groups. Specifically, the 3DSTS group exhibited statistically greater improvement in areas such as procedural steps, and specialized surgical techniques compared to the SV and textbook groups. During the 3DSTS teaching process, participants reported the least perceived cognitive load and expressed strong satisfaction, highlighting that the instructional materials are well-prepared, and considering this teaching method superior and more innovative than previous courses they had encountered.
CONCLUSION
The 3D Surgical Training System, integrating real videos with 3D animations, significantly enhances orthopedic surgery education over conventional methods, providing improved comprehension, lower cognitive load, and standardized learning outcomes. Its efficacy and high participant satisfaction underscore its potential for broader adoption in surgical disciplines. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials. gov ID: ChiCTR2300074730.
PubMed: 38944585
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2024.05.015 -
Dental Materials : Official Publication... Jun 2024To assess the influence of calcination process on the properties of minimally processed recycled 3Y-TZP, and to compare it with its commercial counterpart.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the influence of calcination process on the properties of minimally processed recycled 3Y-TZP, and to compare it with its commercial counterpart.
METHODS
Non-milled 3Y-TZP waste was collected, fragmented and ball-milled to a granulometric < 5 µm. Half of the recycled powder was calcined at 900 °C. Recycled 3Y-TZP disks were uniaxially pressed and sintered to create two recycled groups: 1) Calcined and 2) Non-calcined to be compared with a commercial CAD/CAM milled 3Y-TZP. The microstructure of experimental groups was assessed through density (n = 6), scanning electron microscopy (n = 3) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (n = 3); and the crystalline content was evaluated through X-ray diffraction (XRD) (n = 3). Optical and mechanical properties were investigated through reflectance tests (n = 10), and Vickers hardness, fracture toughness (n = 5), and biaxial flexural strength tests (n = 16), respectively. Fractographic analysis was performed to identify fracture origin and crack propagation. Statistical analyses were performed through ANOVA followed by Tukey´s test, and by Weibull statistics.
RESULTS
Particle size distribution of recycled powder revealed an average diameter of ∼1.60 µm. The relative density of all experimental groups was > 98.15 % and XRD analysis exhibited a predominance of tetragonal-phase in both recycled groups, which were similar to the crystallographic pattern of the control group. Cross-section micrographs presented flaws on the non-calcined group, and a more homogeneous microstructure for the calcined and commercial groups. Commercial samples showed lower contrast-ratio and higher translucency-parameter than the recycled groups, where non-calcined presented higher translucency-parameter and lower contrast-ratio than its calcined counterpart. The commercial group presented higher fracture toughness and characteristic strength than the recycled groups. Moreover, the calcined group exhibited higher hardness, characteristic strength, and probability of survival at higher loads than the non-calcined group. Fractographic analysis depicted the presence of microstructural flaws in the non-calcined group, which may have acted as stress-raisers and led to failures at lower flexural strengths values.
SIGNIFICANCE
The calcination process improved the microstructure, optical, and mechanical properties of the recycled 3Y-TZP.
PubMed: 38944559
DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2024.06.026 -
Journal of Applied Microbiology Jun 2024Shellfish production areas are classified for suitability for human consumption using counts of E.coli in shellfish samples. Two alternative laboratory methods are...
AIMS
Shellfish production areas are classified for suitability for human consumption using counts of E.coli in shellfish samples. Two alternative laboratory methods are approved in the EU and UK for measuring E. coli in shellfish samples; the MPN and pour plate methods. These methods have inherently different statistical uncertainty and may give different counts for the same sample. Using two approaches: simulated data and spiking experiments, we investigate the theoretical properties of the two methods to determine their reliability for shellfish waters classification.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Assuming a Poisson distribution of E. coli in shellfish samples, we simulate concentrations in 10,000 samples using the MPN and pour plate methods. We show that for higher concentrations of E. coli the pour plate method becomes increasingly more reliable than the MPN method. The MPN method has higher probabilities than pour plate of generating results exceeding shellfish classification thresholds, while conversely having higher probabilities of failing to detect counts that exceed regulatory thresholds. The theoretical analysis also demonstrates that the MPN method can produce genuine extreme outliers, even when E. coli are randomly distributed within the sampled material. A laboratory spiking experiment showed results consistent with the theoretical analysis, suggesting the Poisson assumption used in the theoretical analysis is reasonable.
CONCLUSION
The large differences in statistical properties between the pour plate and MPN methods should be taken into consideration in classifying shellfish beds, with the pour plate method being more reliable over the crucial range of E. coli concentrations used to determine class boundaries.
PubMed: 38944416
DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxae163 -
Journal of Dentistry Jun 2024This study evaluated the quality of nutritional uptake of the care-dependent, community-dwelling older adults.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the quality of nutritional uptake of the care-dependent, community-dwelling older adults.
METHODS
Community-dwelling care-dependent elders were recruited in this study. The food items along with their nutritional content were extracted from the participants' refrigerators and categorized according to the NOVA classification (G1: unprocessed/minimally processed; G2: processed culinary ingredients; G3: processed; G4: ultra-processed). The nutritional information of food items was entered into a dietary analysis software that analyzed the content. Data was verified for and normal distribution and non-parametric tests were applied for statistical analysis (p<0.05).
RESULTS
100 subjects (mean age=81.1±9.5 y; mean MMSE: 26.6±6.8) participated in this study. The participants had significantly more G1 than G2, G3 or G4 (p<0.001) foods. Women had more G1 items in their refrigerators than men (r=0.372, p<0.001). Higher socio-economic status indicated a presence of more G1 (r=0.313, p=0.002), G2 (r=0.342, p<0.001) and G4 (r=0.237, p=0.024) foods. Higher cognitive scores revealed an increase in presence of G4 (r=0.238, p=0.023) items. Participants with an increased need for assistance had less G2 (r=-0.332, p = 0.001), and G4 (r = -0.215, p = 0.041) foods; age had no influence.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study confirm that the majority of care-dependent, community-dwelling adults procured healthy dietary aliments for their daily living; however, whether this correlated to the actual nutritional state of these older adults needs to be further investigated. This highlights the need for further investigation and tailored interventions to ensure good nutrition, emphasizing regular assessments and comprehensive support beyond just food access.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Clinicians must recognize that access to healthy food alone may not ensure good nutrition in older adults. Regular nutritional assessments, personalized dietary interventions, and additional support services like meal preparation assistance, nutritional counseling, and tailored programs are essential to address specific dietary needs and preferences.
PubMed: 38944266
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105155 -
The International Journal of... Jul 2024Traditional methods for Sample Size Determination (SSD) based on power analysis exploit relevant fixed values or preliminary estimates for the unknown parameters. A...
Traditional methods for Sample Size Determination (SSD) based on power analysis exploit relevant fixed values or preliminary estimates for the unknown parameters. A hybrid classical-Bayesian approach can be used to formally incorporate information or model uncertainty on unknown quantities by using prior distributions according to the Bayesian approach, while still analysing the data in a frequentist framework. In this paper, we propose a hybrid procedure for SSD in two-arm superiority trials, that takes into account the different role played by the unknown parameters involved in the statistical power. Thus, different prior distributions are used to formalize design expectations and to model information or uncertainty on preliminary estimates involved at the analysis stage. To illustrate the method, we consider binary data and derive the proposed hybrid criteria using three possible parameters of interest, i.e. the difference between proportions of successes, the logarithm of the relative risk and the logarithm of the odds ratio. Numerical examples taken from the literature are presented to show how to implement the proposed procedure.
PubMed: 38943460
DOI: 10.1515/ijb-2023-0050 -
Biophysical Journal Jun 2024Protein solutions can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), where a dispersed phase with a low protein concentration coexists with coacervates with a high...
Protein solutions can undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), where a dispersed phase with a low protein concentration coexists with coacervates with a high protein concentration. We focus on the low complexity N-terminal domain of cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding-4 protein, CPEB4, and its isoform depleted of the Exon4, CPEB4Δ4. They both exhibit LLPS, but in contrast to most systems undergoing LLPS, the single-phase regime preceding LLPS consists mainly of soluble protein clusters. We combine experimental and theoretical approaches to resolve the internal structure of the clusters and the basis for their formation. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) show that both isoforms exhibit clusters with diameters ranging from 35-80 nm. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of spin-labeled CPEB4 and CPEB4Δ4 revealed that these proteins have two distinct dynamical properties in the clusters and coacervates. Based on the experimental results, we proposed a core-shell structure for the clusters, which is supported by the agreement of the DLS data on cluster size distribution with a statistical model developed to describe the structure of clusters. This model treats clusters as swollen micelles (microemulsions) where the core and the shell regions comprise different protein conformations, in agreement with the EPR detection of two protein populations. The effects of ionic strength and the addition of 1,6-hexanediol (HD) were used to probe the interactions responsible for cluster formation. While both CPEB4 and CPEB4Δ4 showed phase separation with increasing temperature and formed clusters, differences were found in the properties of the clusters and the coacervates. The data also suggested that the coacervates may consist of aggregates of clusters.
PubMed: 38943248
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2024.06.027 -
Parasites & Vectors Jun 2024African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and severe haemorrhagic disease of Suidae, with mortalities that approach 100 percent. Several studies suggested the...
BACKGROUND
African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and severe haemorrhagic disease of Suidae, with mortalities that approach 100 percent. Several studies suggested the potential implication of non-biting dipterans in the spread of ASFV in pig farms due to the identification of the ASFV DNA. However, to our knowledge, no study has evaluated the viral DNA load in non-biting dipterans collected in outbreak farms and no risk factors have been analysed. In this context, our study aimed to analyse the risk factors associated with the presence of non-biting dipterans collected from ASF outbreaks in relation to the presence and load of viral DNA.
METHODS
Backyard farms (BF), type A farms (TAF), and commercial farms (CF), were targeted for sampling in 2020. In 2021, no BF were sampled. Each farm was sampled only once. The identification of the collected flies to family, genus, or species level was performed based on morphological characteristics using specific keys and descriptions. Pools were made prior to DNA extraction. All extracted DNA was tested for the presence of the ASFV using a real-time PCR protocol. For this study, we considered every sample with a CT value of 40 as positive. The statistical analysis was performed using Epi Info 7 software (CDC, USA).
RESULTS
All collected non-biting flies belonged to five families: Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Fanniidae, Drosophilidae, and Muscidae. Of the 361 pools, 201 were positive for the presence of ASFV DNA. The obtained CT values of the positive samples ranged from 21.54 to 39.63, with a median value of 33.59 and a mean value of 33.56. Significantly lower CT values (corresponding to higher viral DNA load) were obtained in Sarcophagidae, with a mean value of 32.56; a significantly higher number of positive pools were noticed in August, mean value = 33.12.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study brings compelling evidence of the presence of the most common synanthropic flies near domestic pig farms carrying ASFV DNA, highlighting the importance of strengthening the biosecurity measures and protocols for prevention of the insect life cycle and distribution.
Topics: Animals; African Swine Fever Virus; African Swine Fever; Swine; Disease Outbreaks; Farms; DNA, Viral; Romania; Diptera; Insect Vectors
PubMed: 38943218
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06346-x -
Boletin Medico Del Hospital Infantil de... 2024The administration of colostrum through its absorption at the oropharyngeal level stimulates the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, providing a local immunological... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
The administration of colostrum through its absorption at the oropharyngeal level stimulates the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, providing a local immunological protection barrier. The study aimed to investigate the association of oropharyngeal colostrum administration with the reduction of inflammatory indices.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was an observational, ambispective, analytical study of newborns < 32 weeks of gestation at risk of sepsis. Oropharyngeal colostrum was administered at 0.2 mL every 4 h for 5 days. Inflammatory indices were analyzed. Statistical analysis included frequencies, percentages, mean and Standard deviation, contingency coefficient, and Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for the distribution curve of the numerical data.
RESULTS
There were 50 patients, 33 (66%) female and 17 (34%) male, with a median gestational age of 30-31 weeks (95% confidence interval [CI]). Nineteen patients had sepsis. A lower positivity rate in C-reactive protein was found, with a median of 0.5-0.6 (95% CI) at 5 days of colostrum administration versus 0.5-1.1 (95% CI) as the initial C-reactive protein. Analysis with χ yielded a p = 0.13, and the contingency coefficient showed a p = 0.196, indicating an association.
CONCLUSION
Oropharyngeal colostrum administration was associated with a lower C-reactive protein positivity rate and clinical improvement in premature newborns at risk of sepsis.
Topics: Humans; Colostrum; Infant, Newborn; Female; Male; Infant, Premature; C-Reactive Protein; Gestational Age; Oropharynx; Inflammation; Sepsis; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
PubMed: 38941632
DOI: 10.24875/BMHIM.23000048 -
European Spine Journal : Official... Jun 2024Establishing thresholds of change that are actually meaningful for the patient in an outcome measurement instrument is paramount. This concept is called the minimum...
INTRODUCTION
Establishing thresholds of change that are actually meaningful for the patient in an outcome measurement instrument is paramount. This concept is called the minimum clinically important difference (MCID). We summarize available MCID calculation methods relevant to spine surgery, and outline key considerations, followed by a step-by-step working example of how MCID can be calculated, using publicly available data, to enable the readers to follow the calculations themselves.
METHODS
Thirteen MCID calculations methods were summarized, including anchor-based methods, distribution-based methods, Reliable Change Index, 30% Reduction from Baseline, Social Comparison Approach and the Delphi method. All methods, except the latter two, were used to calculate MCID for improvement of Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ) Symptom Severity of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Numeric Rating Scale for Leg Pain and Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire Walking Ability domain were used as anchors.
RESULTS
The MCID for improvement of ZCQ Symptom Severity ranged from 0.8 to 5.1. On average, distribution-based methods yielded lower MCID values, than anchor-based methods. The percentage of patients who achieved the calculated MCID threshold ranged from 9.5% to 61.9%.
CONCLUSIONS
MCID calculations are encouraged in spinal research to evaluate treatment success. Anchor-based methods, relying on scales assessing patient preferences, continue to be the "gold-standard" with receiver operating characteristic curve approach being optimal. In their absence, the minimum detectable change approach is acceptable. The provided explanation and step-by-step example of MCID calculations with statistical code and publicly available data can act as guidance in planning future MCID calculation studies.
PubMed: 38940854
DOI: 10.1007/s00586-024-08369-5 -
Frontiers in Physiology 2024The mechanisms underlying the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis (AS) are diverse, among which endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is an important mechanism... (Review)
Review
The mechanisms underlying the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis (AS) are diverse, among which endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is an important mechanism that should not be overlooked. However, up to now, there has been no bibliometric study on the relationship between ERS and AS. To understand the research progress in ERS and AS, this paper conducted a statistical analysis of publications in this field using bibliometrics. A total of 1,035 records were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and the R package "bibliometric" were used to analyze the spatiotemporal distribution, countries, authors, institutions, journals, references, and keywords of the literature, and to present the basic information of this field through visualized maps, as well as determine the collaboration relationships among researchers in this field. This field has gradually developed and stabilized over the past 20 years. The current research hotspots in this field mainly include the relationship between ERS and AS-related cells, the mechanisms by which ERS promotes AS, related diseases, and associated cytokines, etc. Vascular calcification, endothelial dysfunction, NLRP3 inflammasome, and heart failure represent the frontier research in this field and are becoming new research hotspots. It is hoped that this study will provide new insights for research and clinical work in the field of ERS and AS.
PubMed: 38938744
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1392454