Alleviation of chronic venous leg ulcers with a hand-held dielectric barrier discharge plasma generator (PlasmaDerm(®) VU-2010): results of a monocentric, two-armed, open, prospective, randomized and controlled trial (NCT01415622).

BACKGROUND Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP, i.e. ionized air) is an innovating promising tool in reducing bacteria. OBJECTIVE We conducted the first clinical trial with the novel PlasmaDerm(®) VU-2010 device to assess safety and, as secondary endpoints, efficacy and applicability of 45 s/cm(2) cold atmospheric plasma as add-on therapy against chronic venous leg ulcers. METHODS From April 2011 to April 2012, 14 patients were randomized to receive standardized modern wound care (n = 7) or plasma in addition to standard care (n = 7) 3× per week for 8 weeks. The ulcer size was determined weekly (Visitrak(®) , photodocumentation). Bacterial load (bacterial swabs, contact agar plates) and pain during and between treatments (visual analogue scales) were assessed. Patients and doctors rated the applicability of plasma (questionnaires). RESULTS The plasma treatment was safe with 2 SAEs and 77 AEs approximately equally distributed among both groups (P = 0.77 and P = 1.0, Fisher's exact test). Two AEs probably related to plasma. Plasma treatment resulted in a significant reduction in lesional bacterial load (P = 0.04, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). A more than 50% ulcer size reduction was noted in 5/7 and 4/7 patients in the standard and plasma groups, respectively, and a greater size reduction occurred in the plasma group (plasma -5.3 cm(2) , standard: -3.4 cm(2) ) (non-significant, P = 0.42, log-rank test). The only ulcer that closed after 7 weeks received plasma. Patients in the plasma group quoted less pain compared to the control group. The plasma applicability was not rated inferior to standard wound care (P = 0.94, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test). Physicians would recommend (P = 0.06, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test) or repeat (P = 0.08, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test) plasma treatment by trend. CONCLUSION Cold atmospheric plasma displays favourable antibacterial effects. We demonstrated that plasma treatment with the PlasmaDerm(®) VU-2010 device is safe and effective in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers. Thus, larger controlled trials and the development of devices with larger application surfaces are warranted.

Is a grooved collar implant design superior to a machined design regarding bone level alteration? An observational pilot study.

OBJECTIVE This retrospective observational pilot study examined differences in peri-implant bone level changes (ΔIBL) between two similar implant types differing only in the surface texture of the neck. The hypothesis tested was that ΔIBL would be greater with machined-neck implants than with groovedneck implants. METHOD AND MATERIALS 40 patients were enrolled; n = 20 implants with machined (group 1) and n = 20 implants with a rough, grooved neck (group 2), all placed in the posterior mandible. Radiographs were obtained after loading (at 3 to 9 months) and at 12 to 18 months after implant insertion. Case number calculation with respect to ΔIBL was conducted. Groups were compared using a Brunner-Langer model, the Mann-Whitney test, the Wilcoxon signed rank test, and linear model analysis. RESULTS After the 12- to 18-month observation period, mean ΔIBL was -1.11 ± 0.92 mm in group 1 and -1.25 ± 1.23 mm in group 2. ΔIBL depended significantly on time (P < .001), but not on group. In both groups, mean marginal ΔIBL was significantly less than -1.5 mm. Only insertion depth had a significant influence on the amount of periimplant bone loss (P = .013). Case number estimate testing for a difference between group 1 and 2 with a power of 90% revealed a sample size per group of 1,032 subjects. CONCLUSION ΔIBL values indicated that both implant designs fulfilled implant success criteria, and the modification of implant neck texture had no significant influence on ΔIBL.

Survival analysis of longevity in siblings

Do siblings of centenarians tend to have longer life spans? To answer this question, life spans of 184 siblings for 42 centenarians have been evaluated. Two important questions have been addressed in analyzing the sibling data. First, a standard needs to be established, to which the life spans of 184 siblings are compared. In this report, an external reference population is constructed from the U.S. life tables. Its estimated mortality rates are treated as baseline hazards from which the relative mortality of the siblings are estimated. Second, the standard survival models which assume independent observations are invalid when correlation within family exists, underestimating the true variance. Methods that allow correlations are illustrated by three different methods. First, the cumulative relative excess mortality between siblings and their comparison group is calculated and used as an effective graphic tool, along with the Product Limit estimator of the survival function. The variance estimator of the cumulative relative excess mortality is adjusted for the potential within family correlation using Taylor linearization approach. Second, approaches that adjust for the inflated variance are examined. They are adjusted one-sample log-rank test using design effect originally proposed by Rao and Scott in the correlated binomial or Poisson distribution setting and the robust variance estimator derived from the log-likelihood function of a multiplicative model. Nether of these two approaches provide correlation estimate within families, but the comparison with the comparison with the standard remains valid under dependence. Last, using the frailty model concept, the multiplicative model, where the baseline hazards are known, is extended by adding a random frailty term that is based on the positive stable or the gamma distribution. Comparisons between the two frailty distributions are performed by simulation. Based on the results from various approaches, it is concluded that the siblings of centenarians had significant lower mortality rates as compared to their cohorts. The frailty models also indicate significant correlations between the life spans of the siblings. ^

Prevalência do baixo nível de atividade física e sua associação no comprometimento da mobilidade e risco para óbito em idosos residentes no município de São Paulo

Introdução: Em 2008, o baixo nível de atividade física (< 30 min de atividade moderada/vigorosa por dia) foi responsável por 9 por cento da ocorrência de óbito no mundo. Além disso, está associado ao comprometimento de mobilidade em idosos com 80 anos e mais. No entanto, devido a dificuldades metodológicas, poucos são os estudos populacionais que realizaram a associação entre baixo nível de atividade física e comprometimento de mobilidade e risco para óbito, utilizando método objetivo para avaliação da atividade física, e ainda não se tem conhecimento de pesquisas que verificaram essa associação na América Latina. Objetivo: Identificar a prevalência do baixo nível de atividade física e sua associação com o comprometimento da mobilidade e risco para óbito em idosos com 65 anos e mais residentes no município de São Paulo em 2010. Métodos: Estudo exploratório e quantitativo de base populacional, que utilizou a base de dados do Estudo SABE de 2010 e ocorrência de óbito em 2014. Foram avaliados 599 indivíduos em 2010. O nível de atividade física foi analisado de duas maneiras: 1) baixo nível de atividade física (< 30 minutos de atividade moderada e/ou vigorosa por dia) e alto nível de atividade física (> 30 minutos de atividade moderada e/ou vigorosa por dia); e 2) a amostra foi distribuída em tercis, de acordo com as contagens por minuto, e agrupada em dois grupos, sendo os idosos do mais baixo tercil classificados com baixo nível de atividade física e os idosos dos dois outros tercis como intermediário/alto nível de atividade física. A regressão logística hierárquica foi utilizada para: 1) identificar as variáveis associadas ao baixo nível de atividade física; 2) analisar a associação do baixo nível de atividade física no comprometimento da mobilidade; e 3) estimar o risco para óbito em idosos com baixo nível de atividade física. A curva de sobrevida foi analisada com o método de Kaplan-Meier utilizando o teste de log-rank e o risco proporcional foi calculado pelo modelo de risco proporcional de Cox. Resultados: A prevalência de baixo nível de atividade física em idosos foi de 85,4 por cento e as variáveis associadas, após ajuste, foram sexo (feminino), grupo etário (>75 anos), multimorbidade (> 2 doenças crônicas), dor crônica (dor crônica nos últimos 3 meses) e índice de massa corporal (maior valor médio). O baixo nível de atividade física permaneceu significativamente associado ao comprometimento de mobilidade (OR= 3,49; IC95 por cento = 2,00 6,13) e ao risco para (RP= 2,79; IC95 por cento = 1,71 4,57), mesmo após ajuste das variáveis sóciodemográficas e clínicas. Conclusão: A prevalência do baixo nível de atividade física em pessoas idosas residentes no Município de São Paulo é superior aos encontrados na população brasileira, mas se aproxima de outras populações que utilizaram o mesmo método de avaliação da atividade física. O baixo nível de atividade física (< 30 min de atividades moderadas/vigorosas) foi associado com variáveis sociodemográficas (sexo feminino e grupo etário) e clínicas (multimorbidade, dor crônica e índice de massa corporal). O baixo nível de atividade física (menor tercil de contagens por minuto) foi associado ao comprometimento de mobilidade e risco para óbito em quatro anos. Dessa forma, o baixo nível de atividade física pode ser utilizado como uma forma adequada para identificar idosos com maiores chances de apresentar comprometimento da mobilidade e aumento do risco para óbito.

Sobrevida de mulheres e homens com 60 anos e mais no município de São Paulo - Estudo SABE: as diferenças nas semelhanças em características do curso de vida

Objetivos: Avaliar numa coorte de idosos se há diferenças entre as situações do curso de vida que contribuem para uma maior chance de sobrevida em homens e mulheres com 60 anos e mais. Métodos: 2.143 idosos entrevistados em 2000 foram acompanhados durante quase 15 anos. Utilizou-se na análise estatística o teste de associação para amostras complexas (Rao-Scott), o estimador produto limite de Kaplan-Meier, o teste de log-rank, análise univariada e multivariada do modelo de riscos proporcionais de Cox, sendo construídos, através deste último, dois modelos finais por gênero, ao nível de significância de 5 por cento . Resultados e discussão: Dos 836.204 idosos paulistanos representados pelo estudo 51,6 por cento continuavam vivos (43,0 por cento dos homens e 57,7 por cento das mulheres). Em ambos os gêneros, os/as que tinham boas condições materiais e que realizavam sem dificuldade e sem ajuda mais da metade das atividades básicas e instrumentais de vida diária (ABVD/AIVD) apresentaram maior chance de sobrevivência. O mesmo foi verificado naquelas mulheres com menos de duas limitações de determinadas doenças, nas casadas, nas que ofereciam algum tipo de ajuda e nas que realizaram ações preventivas em relação a sua condição de saúde. Entre os homens o mesmo ocorreu naqueles que se referiram ser chefe de família, nos que tinham participação comunitária, nos que residiam com algum outro morador que foi ou ia à escola, que trabalharam predominantemente como proprietário ou por conta própria e nos que relataram ter tido alguma doença em seus primeiros quinzes anos de vida. Conclusão: As chances de sobrevida são diferentes entre gêneros, e entre si, mesmo em situações aparentemente semelhantes do curso de vida vivenciados e presentes em homens e mulheres idosas.

A Comparative Analysis of Two Slug Test Methods in Puget Lowland Glacio-Fluvial Sediments near Coupeville, WA

Two different slug test field methods are conducted in wells completed in a Puget Lowland aquifer and are examined for systematic error resulting from water column displacement techniques. Slug tests using the standard slug rod and the pneumatic method were repeated on the same wells and hydraulic conductivity estimates were calculated according to Bouwer & Rice and Hvorslev before using a non-parametric statistical test for analysis. Practical considerations of performing the tests in real life settings are also considered in the method comparison. Statistical analysis indicates that the slug rod method results in up to 90% larger hydraulic conductivity values than the pneumatic method, with at least a 95% certainty that the error is method related. This confirms the existence of a slug-rod bias in a real world scenario which has previously been demonstrated by others in synthetic aquifers. In addition to more accurate values, the pneumatic method requires less field labor, less decontamination, and provides the ability to control the magnitudes of the initial displacement, making it the superior slug test procedure.

Statnote 10: the two-way analysis of variance

The two-way design has been variously described as a matched-sample F-test, a simple within-subjects ANOVA, a one-way within-groups ANOVA, a simple correlated-groups ANOVA, and a one-factor repeated measures design! This confusion of terminology is likely to lead to problems in correctly identifying this analysis within commercially available software. The essential feature of the design is that each treatment is allocated by randomization to one experimental unit within each group or block. The block may be a plot of land, a single occasion in which the experiment was performed, or a human subject. The ‘blocking’ is designed to remove an aspect of the error variation and increase the ‘power’ of the experiment. If there is no significant source of variation associated with the ‘blocking’ then there is a disadvantage to the two-way design because there is a reduction in the DF of the error term compared with a fully randomised design thus reducing the ‘power’ of the analysis.

Statnote 34 : the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test

The Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test is a non-parametric test which can be used in two different circumstances. First, it can be used as an alternative to chi-square (?2) as a ‘goodness-of-fit’ test to compare whether a given ‘observed’ sample of observations conforms to an ‘expected’ distribution of results (KS, one-sample test). An example of the use of the one-sample test to determine whether a sample of observations was normally distributed was described previously. Second, it can be used as an alternative to the Mann-Whitney test to compare two independent samples of observations (KS, two-sample test). Hence, this statnote describes the use of the KS test with reference to two scenarios: (1) to compare the observed frequency (Fo) of soil samples containing cysts of the protozoan Naegleria collected each month for a year with an expected equal frequency (Fe) across months (one-sample test), and (2) to compare the abundance of bacteria on cloths and sponges sampled in a domestic kitchen environment (two-sample test).

Ki-67 Proliferation Index in Gastric Cancer - Biologic Significance

Objectives/Introdution: Ki-67 protein has been used as an indicator of proliferation activity in tumor cells. In gastric cancer the prognostic value has not been fully understood. This study was designed to assess the biologic significance of Ki-67 proliferation index (PI) in gastric cancer. Material/Methods: Seventy-two patients with gastric cancer were evaluated. These patients underwent gastric resection, and the tumor tissue was stained immunohistochemically. Ki-67 PI was defined as the percentage of tumor cells positive for Ki-67. Ki-67 PI was correlated with clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival. Results: A low Ki-67 PI (less than or equal to 50%) was associated with poorly differentiated histology - diffuse type (p=0.009) and signet ring cells (p=0.004) - and younger age (p=0.022). A worse prognosis in patients with low Ki-67 PI was also found (a mean survival of 41.8 vs 63 months for high Ki-67 PI group), but not statistically significant (p=0.623, log rank test). Discussion/Conclusion: We found an inversely correlation between Ki-67 PI and histological differentiation grade. Patients in group with low Ki-67 PI are younger, with poorly differentiated histology and have a lower mean survival. Like other studies already suggested, we may have two different tumors phenotypes - highly invasive with low proliferative capability, and less invasive potential with higher proliferative ability. However, in this sample, no significant prognostic value was achieved between both.

Two years survival rate of Class II ART restorations in primary molars using two ways to avoid saliva contamination

AIM To compare the survival rates of Class II Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) restorations placed in primary molars using cotton rolls or rubber dam as isolation methods. METHODS A total of 232 children, 6-7 years old, both genders, were selected having one primary molar with proximal dentine lesion. The children were randomly assigned into two groups: control group with Class II ART restoration made using cotton rolls and experimental group using rubber dam. The restorations were evaluated by eight calibrated evaluators (Kappa > 0.8) after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. RESULTS A total of 48 (20.7%) children were considered dropout, after 24 months. The cumulative survival rate after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months was 61.4%, 39.0%, 29.1% and 18.0%, respectively for the control group, and 64.1%, 55.1%, 40.1% and 32.1%, respectively for the rubber dam group. The log rank test for censored data showed no statistical significant difference between the groups (P = 0.07). The univariate Cox Regression showed no statistical significant difference after adjusting for independent variables (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Both groups had similar survival rates, and after 2 years, the use of rubber dam does not increase the success of Class II ART restorations significantly.

How task format affects cognitive performance: a memory test with two species of New World monkeys

In cognitive tests, animals are often given a choice between two options and obtain a reward if they choose correctly. We investigated whether task format affects subjects' performance in a physical cognition test. In experiment 1, a two-choice memory test, 15 marmosets, Callithrix jacchus, had to remember the location of a food reward over time delays of increasing duration. We predicted that their performance would decline with increasing delay, but this was not found. One possible explanation was that the subjects were not sufficiently motivated to choose correctly when presented with only two options because in each trial they had a 50% chance of being rewarded. In experiment 2, we explored this possibility by testing eight naïve marmosets and seven squirrel monkeys, Saimiri sciureus, with both the traditional two-choice and a new nine-choice version of the memory test that increased the cost of a wrong choice. We found that task format affected the monkeys' performance. When choosing between nine options, both species performed better and their performance declined as delays became longer. Our results suggest that the two-choice format compromises the assessment of physical cognition, at least in memory tests with these New World monkeys, whereas providing more options, which decreases the probability of obtaining a reward when making a random guess, improves both performance and measurement validity of memory. Our findings suggest that two-choice tasks should be used with caution in comparisons within and across species because they are prone to motivational biases.

Evolução da capacidade preditiva da informação contábil : um estudo a partir dos disclosures das Companhias listadas na BM&FBovespa após a adoção das Normas Internacionais de Contabilidade no Brasil

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Programa de Pós-Graduação Multiinstitucional e Inter-Regional de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Contábeis, 2016.

Estudo da correlação entre coordenação motora e habilidades motoras de pessoas com sindrome de down

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Estratégias para individualização de resultados em testes de desempenho

Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Faculdade de Educação Física

Comparação de estimativas para o auto-relato de condições crônicas entre inquérito domiciliar e telefônico - Campinas (SP), Brasil

OBJETIVO: O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar as estimativas obtidas por diferentes modalidades de inquérito para condições crônicas auto-referidas em adultos residentes em Campinas (SP) no ano de 2008. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados os dados do ISACamp, inquérito domiciliar realizado pela Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas com apoio da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, e do VIGITEL - Campinas (SP), inquérito telefônico realizado pelo Ministério da Saúde para Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para Doenças Crônicas na população adulta (18 anos ou mais). Estimativas do auto-relato de hipertensão arterial, diabetes, osteoporose, asma/bronquite/enfisema, foram avaliadas e comparadas por meio do teste t de Student para duas amostras independentes. RESULTADOS: Para as estimativas globais, maior prevalência de hipertensão arterial e osteoporose foram verificadas pelo inquérito telefônico. Diabetes e asma/bronquite/enfisema não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas significantes. Na análise segundo variáveis sócio-demográficas, maior prevalência de hipertensão foi obtida pelo VIGITEL para os homens, entre as pessoas de 18 a 59 anos e nos que referiram 9 ou mais anos de estudo. Maior prevalência de osteoporose entre adultos (18 a 59 anos) foi verificada pelo VIGITEL. Em relação à asma/bronquite/enfisema nos idosos, maior prevalência foi observada pelo ISACamp. CONCLUSÃO: Exceto para hipertensão arterial, os dados obtidos do inquérito telefônico constituíram uma alternativa rápida para disponibilizar estimativas globais da prevalência das condições estudadas na população adulta residente em Campinas (SP).