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Statistically Significant Differences (statistically + significant_difference)
Selected AbstractsSlowed Progression or Elimination of Atherosclerosis by Low-Frequency Electrical ImpulsesJOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 1 2003Ph.D., Valeri Chekanov M.D. In this investigation we demonstrated the slow progression or elimination of atherosclerosis by low-frequency EI in case of moderate atherosclerosis (after eight weeks of HCD). Methods: Series I rabbits (control group) were fed HCD for eight weeks. Series II rabbits were fed HCD for eight weeks and were then switched to normal diet for eight weeks (no EI). Series III rabbits were fed HCD for eight weeks and then switched to a normal diet with simultaneous EI (applied near the abdominal aorta) for eight weeks (3 V, 30 single impulses per minute, 24 hours/day). After euthanization, the level of atherosclerosis, percentage of surface area involved in the atherosclerosis process, and an atherosclerosis score were calculated in the aortic arch, thoracic and abdominal aorta. Results: Statistically significant differences were seen in the level of atherosclerosis in the abdominal aorta between series III animals (0.4 ± 0.2) and the other two groups: 1.5 ± 0.4 in series I (HCD only), 1.2 ± 0.3 in series II (HCD then normal diet). Gross examination of the surface also revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in the percentage of atherosclerosis between the control series I (30.1 ± 4.1%) and series II (21.3 ± 3.6%), compared with series III (5.5 ± 5.4%). In addition, the atherosclerosis score was also significantly different: 45.8 ± 3.9 in series I, 25.2 ± 6.9 in series II, and 2.2 ± 2.0 in series III (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study showed that, when applied near the abdominal aorta, low-frequency electrical impulses decrease atherosclerotic deposition in the abdominal aorta. (J Card Surg 2003; 18:47-58) [source] Aesthetic perception after root coverage procedureJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 8 2008Roberto Rotundo Abstract Aim: To investigate the aesthetic perception of the clinical outcomes of a simulated root coverage procedure in three different groups: patients, dentists, and periodontists. Material and Methods: 100 patients, 107 general dentists affiliated with the Dental Association of Prato, Italy, and 81 active members of the Italian Society of Periodontology were recruited for this study. The following variables: age, gender, level of education, place of residence, and years of practice (only for dentists and periodontists) were recorded by means of a questionnaire administered to each subject within the three different groups. In addition, the participants in the study were requested to assign scores to images of eight simulated clinical cases of gingival recessions: a pre- and post-treatment image for each case. Results: Statistically significant differences between groups were not detected in most of the scores. Gender and residence were not significantly associated with the scores, while age was correlated for two clinical cases (p=0.0014 and 0.0017). All the cases of complete root coverage showed the highest scores among all the participants. Conclusions: These results showed that complete root coverage following root coverage procedure is perceived as the most successful outcome by patients, dentists, and periodontists. [source] Effect of Implant Angulation upon Retention of Overdenture AttachmentsJOURNAL OF PROSTHODONTICS, Issue 1 2005MSEd, MSciDent, Michael P. Gulizio DMD Introduction: Overdentures supported and retained by endosteal implants depend upon mechanical components to provide retention. Ball attachments are frequently described because of simplicity and low cost, but retentive capacity of these components may be altered by a lack of implant parallelism. Purpose: The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the retention of gold and titanium overdenture attachments when placed on ball abutments positioned off-axis. Methods and Materials: Four ball abutments were hand-tightened onto ITI dental implants and placed in an aluminum fixture that allowed positioning of the implants at 0°, 10°, 20°, and 30° from a vertical reference axis. Gold and titanium matrices were then coupled to the ball abutments at various angles and then subjected to pull tests at a rate of 2 mm/second; the peak loads of release (maximum dislodging forces) were recorded and subjected to statistical analyses. A balanced and randomized factorial experimental design testing procedure was implemented. Results: Statistically significant differences in retention of gold matrices were noted when ball abutments were positioned at 20° and 30°, but not at 0° and 10°. Statistically significant differences were noted among the titanium matrices employed for the testing procedure, as well as for the 4 ball abutments tested. Angle was not a factor affecting retention for titanium matrices. Conclusions: (1) The gold matrices employed for the testing procedures exhibited consistent values in retention compared to titanium matrices, which exhibited large variability in retention. (2) Angle had an effect upon the retention of gold matrices, but not for titanium matrices. [source] Regional differences among employed nurses: A Queensland studyAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2009Tim Henwood Abstract Objective:,To ascertain differences in the working lives of geographically dispersed nurses. Design:,Cross-sectional. Setting:,Registered, enrolled and assistants-in-nursing members of the Queensland Nurses' Union employed in nursing in Queensland, Australia. Participants:,A total of 3000 members of the Union, equally stratified by sector (public, private, aged care). Among them, 1192 responded and 1039 supplied postcodes matching the Australian Standard Geographical Classification. Main outcome measures:,Statistically significant differences in working lives of nurses employed in different geographical locations. Results:,Nurses in outer regional/remote/very remote localities are more likely to be employed as permanent full-time staff and self-report higher levels of work stress. These levels could be explained by: lack of replacement staff for leave, longer working and on call hours and lack of support for new staff. Distance remains a major barrier to accessing continuing professional education. However, outer regional/remote/very remote nurses were more likely to be provided employer support for professional education. Inner regional nurses were more likely to work part time, would work more hours if offered and were more likely to have taken a break from nursing as a result of family commitments. Conclusion:,The data confirm that current policies are not addressing the differences in the working lives of geographically dispersed nurses. Policies addressing orientation, mentoring and workloads should be implemented to address these issues. [source] Pharmacokinetic interaction between fluoxetine and metoclopramide in healthy volunteersBIOPHARMACEUTICS AND DRUG DISPOSITION, Issue 6 2006Laurian Vlase Abstract The pharmacokinetic interaction of fluoxetine with metoclopramide in healthy volunteers was evaluated. A dose of 20 mg metoclopramide in combination with 60 mg fluoxetine was administered to 24 healthy male volunteers in a two treatment study design, separated by 8 days in which the fluoxetine alone was administered as a single p.o. dose daily. Plasma concentrations of metoclopramide were determined during a 24 h period following drug administration. Metoclopramide plasma concentrations were determined by a validated HPLC method. Pharmacokinetic parameters of metoclopramide were calculated using non-compartmental analysis. In the two periods of treatment, the mean peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) were 44.02 ng/ml (metoclopramide alone) and 62.72 ng/ml (metoclopramide after pre-treatment with fluoxetine). The times taken to reach Cmax and tmax, were 1.15 h and 1.06 h, respectively. The total areas under the curve (AUC0,,) were 312.61 ng.h/ml and 590.62 ng.h/ml, respectively. The half-life values (t1/2) were 5.52 h and 8.47 h. Statistically significant differences were observed for both AUC0,, and t1/2 of metoclopramide when administered alone or after 8 days treatment with fluoxetine. The experimental data demonstrate the pharmacokinetic interaction between fluoxetine and metoclopramide and suggest that the observed interaction may be clinically significant, but its relevance has to be confirmed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Impact of adalimumab treatment on health-related quality of life and other patient-reported outcomes: results from a 16-week randomized controlled trial in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasisBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2008D. Revicki Summary Background, Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and other patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are important in evaluating the impact of psoriasis and its treatment. Objectives, To assess the impact of adalimumab treatment on HRQOL and other PROs in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Methods, A 16-week, double-blind, double-dummy, randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of adalimumab in 271 adults with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Patients were randomized in a 2 : 2 : 1 ratio to adalimumab, methotrexate (MTX) or placebo. PROs were evaluated throughout the study and included the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Patient's Global Assessment of disease severity, plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis pain visual analogue scale (VAS), Psoriasis-Related Pruritus Assessment and EuroQOL 5D (EQ-5D). Results, Statistically significant differences were observed between the adalimumab- and placebo-treated and the MTX-treated groups on mean DLQI total scores during the 16-week double-blind study (both P < 0·001). Significant differences, favouring adalimumab compared with placebo, were also observed on the Patient's Global Assessment of disease severity (P < 0·001), VAS for pain (P < 0·001), Psoriasis-Related Pruritus Assessment (P < 0·001), EQ-5D VAS (P < 0·001) and EQ-5D index score (P < 0·01). Compared with MTX, adalimumab resulted in statistically significantly greater improvements in the Patient's Global Assessment of disease severity (P < 0·001), the VAS for pain (P < 0·01) and the Psoriasis-Related Pruritus Assessment (P < 0·001). Conclusions, Adalimumab was efficacious in improving dermatology-specific HRQOL, disease control and symptom outcomes in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. [source] | ||||||||||