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Reported Findings (reported + finding)
Selected AbstractsEducational and health service needs of Australian general practitioners in managing hepatitis CJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 4 2006Leena Gupta Abstract Background:, There has been interest in recent years in the role of primary care practitioners in managing hepatitis C, but there has been minimal research to identify educational and health service needs. A national survey of Australian general practitioners (GPs) was therefore conducted to assess their needs and identify areas for service development. Methods:, A self-administered questionnaire was developed that included questions to assess caseload, confidence in patient management, educational needs and approaches to management and prevention. Questionnaires were sent to a random sample of Australian GPs. Returned questionnaires were coded, frequencies tabulated and significant associations identified. Results:, A 70% response rate was achieved from 658 eligible GPs. A total of 76% of respondents had managed one patient in the previous year with hepatitis C. While 69% reported feeling more confident about their management of hepatitis C than 5 years previously, 55% identified a high level of need for hospital-based clinics. Financial benefits for case conferences and chronic case management were not considered useful by most GPs. Topics identified for further skills development included therapeutics and diagnostic testing. Only 39% were highly likely to discuss psychosocial issues as part of initial patient management and 37% reported finding it difficult to play a central role in the medical and psychosocial care of patients with hepatitis C. Conclusion:, These results have significant implications for policy and service development, as well as identifying areas where GPs need support. The findings invite further discussion between health authorities about the source and magnitude of funding for hospital-based services and further consideration of how to provide services to address patients' psychosocial needs. [source] Outcome of primary root canal treatment: systematic review of the literature , Part 2.INTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 1 2008Influence of clinical factors Abstract Aims, (i) To carry out meta-analyses to quantify the influence of the clinical factors on the efficacy of primary root canal treatment and (ii) to identify the best treatment protocol based on the current evidence. Methodology, The evidence for the effect of each clinical factor on the success rate (SR) of primary root canal treatment was gathered in three different ways: (i) intuitive synthesis of reported findings from individual studies; (ii) weighted pooled SR by each factor under investigation was estimated using random-effect meta-analysis; (iii) weighted effect of the factor under investigation on SR were estimated and expressed as odds ratio for the dichotomous outcomes (success or failure) using fixed- and random-effects meta-analysis. Statistical heterogeneity amongst the studies was assessed by Cochran's (Q) test. Potential sources of statistical heterogeneity were investigated by exploring clinical heterogeneity using meta-regression models which included study characteristics in the regression models. Results, Out of the clinical factors investigated, pre-operative pulpal and periapical status were most frequently investigated, whilst the intra-operative factors were poorly studied in the 63 studies. Four factors were found to have a significant effect on the primary root canal treatment outcome, although the data heterogeneity was substantial, some of which could be explained by some of the study characteristics. Conclusions, Four conditions (pre-operative absence of periapical radiolucency, root filling with no voids, root filling extending to 2 mm within the radiographic apex and satisfactory coronal restoration) were found to improve the outcome of primary root canal treatment significantly. Root canal treatment should therefore aim at achieving and maintaining access to apical anatomy during chemo-mechanical debridement, obturating the canal with densely compacted material to the apical terminus without extrusion into the apical tissues and preventing re-infection with a good quality coronal restoration. [source] Wood-feeding beetles and soil nutrient cycling in burned forests: implications of post-fire salvage loggingAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Tyler P. Cobb 1Rising economic demands for boreal forest resources along with current and predicted increases in wildfire activity have increased salvage logging of burned forests. Currently, the ecological consequences of post-fire salvage logging are insufficiently understood to develop effective management guidelines or to adequately inform policy decision-makers. 2We used both field and laboratory studies to examine the effects of post-fire salvage logging on populations of the white-spotted sawyer Monochamus scutellatus scutellatus (Say) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) and its ecological function in boreal forest. 3Monochamus s. scutellatus adults were relatively abundant in both burned and clear-cut logged sites but were absent from salvage logged sites. 4An in situ mesocosm experiment showed that the abundance of M. s. scutellatus larvae in burned white spruce bolts was linked to changes in total organic nitrogen and carbon in mineral soil. 5Organic nutrient inputs in the form of M. s. scutellatus frass increased mineral soil microbial respiration rates by more than three-fold and altered the availability of nitrogen. Changes in nitrogen availability corresponded with decreased germination and growth of Epilobium angustifolium and Populus spp. but not Calamagrostis canadensis. 6Although the present study focused on local scale effects, the reported findings suggest that continued economic emphasis on post-fire salvage logging may have implications beyond the local scale for biodiversity conservation, nutrient cycling and plant community composition in forest ecosystems recovering from wildfire. [source] Quantification of red myotomal muscle volume and geometry in the shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) and the salmon shark (Lamna ditropis) using T1 -weighted magnetic resonance imagingJOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 4 2007Cameron N. Perry Abstract T1 -weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in conjunction with image and segmentation analysis (i.e., the process of digitally partitioning tissues based on specified MR image characteristics) was evaluated as a noninvasive alternative for differentiating muscle fiber types and quantifying the amounts of slow, red aerobic muscle in the shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) and the salmon shark (Lamna ditropis). MRI-determinations of red muscle quantity and position made for the mid-body sections of three mako sharks (73.5,110 cm fork length, FL) are in close agreement (within the 95% confidence intervals) with data obtained for the same sections by the conventional dissection method involving serial cross-sectioning and volumetric analyses, and with previously reported findings for this species. The overall distribution of salmon shark red muscle as a function of body fork length was also found to be consistent with previously acquired serial dissection data for this species; however, MR imaging revealed an anterior shift in peak red muscle cross-sectional area corresponding to an increase in body mass. Moreover, MRI facilitated visualization of the intact and anatomically correct relationship of tendon linking the red muscle and the caudal peduncle. This study thus demonstrates that MRI is effective in acquiring high-resolution three-dimensional digital data with high contrast between different fish tissue types. Relative to serial dissection, MRI allows more precise quantification of the position, volume, and other details about the types of muscle within the fish myotome, while conserving specimen structural integrity. J. Morphol., 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Investigation of interaction between human hemoglobin A0 and platinum anticancer drugs by capillary isoelectric focusing with whole column imaging detectionJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 10 2008Tibebe Lemma Abstract CIEF with whole column imaging detection (WCID) was used to investigate the interaction of platinum-based anticancer drugs, cis -platinum(II) diamine dichloride (cisplatin) and [SP-4-2-{1R-trans)]-(1,2-cyclohexanediamine- N,N,)[ethanedioata(2,)- O,O,]platinum (oxaliplatin), with human hemoglobin A0 (Hb). This technique facilitates the investigation and characterization of the formation of adducts between drugs and proteins. Cisplatin and oxaliplatin were mixed with the target protein at different concentrations (0:1, 1:1, 1:10, 1:50, and 1:100), and the reaction mixtures were incubated for 0, 0.5, 1, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h at 37°C in a water-bath. The focused Hb,drug adduct profiles were imaged by WCID. At higher drug to protein molar ratios (for both oxaliplatin and cisplatin), the results exhibit significant changes in the peak shapes and heights, which may indicate the destabilization of the protein. However, the conformational change was less evident at lower molar ratios. In addition, a major pI shift was observed for the oxaliplatin reaction mixtures (for 1:10, 1:50, and 1:100 ratios). In comparison with previously reported findings obtained by other analytical methods, conclusions were drawn about the validity of CIEF as a simple and convenient method for the investigation of protein,drug interactions. These results may provide useful information for further understanding the activity and toxicity of these chemotherapeutic drugs and improving their clinical performance. [source] Predictive validity of the multiple mini-interview for selecting medical traineesMEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 8 2009Kevin W Eva Introduction, In this paper we report on further tests of the validity of the multiple mini-interview (MMI) selection process, comparing MMI scores with those achieved on a national high-stakes clinical skills examination. We also continue to explore the stability of candidate performance and the extent to which so-called ,cognitive' and ,non-cognitive' qualities should be deemed independent of one another. Methods, To examine predictive validity, MMI data were matched with licensing examination data for both undergraduate (n = 34) and postgraduate (n = 22) samples of participants. To assess the stability of candidate performance, reliability coefficients were generated for eight distinct samples. Finally, correlations were calculated between ,cognitive' and ,non-cognitive' measures of ability collected in the admissions procedure, on graduation from medical school and 18 months into postgraduate training. Results, The median reliability of eight administrations of the MMI in various cohorts was 0.73 when 12 10-minute stations were used with one examiner per station. The correlation between performance on the MMI and number of stations passed on an objective structured clinical examination-based licensing examination was r = 0.43 (P < 0.05) in a postgraduate sample and r = 0.35 (P < 0.05) in an undergraduate sample of subjects who sat the MMI 5 years prior to sitting the licensing examination. The correlation between ,cognitive' and ,non-cognitive' assessment instruments increased with time in training (i.e. as the focus of the assessments became more tailored to the clinical practice of medicine). Discussion, Further evidence for the validity of the MMI approach to making admissions decisions has been provided. More generally, the reported findings cast further doubt on the extent to which performance can be captured with trait-based models of ability. Finally, although a complementary predictive relationship has consistently been observed between grade point average and MMI results, the extent to which cognitive and non-cognitive qualities are distinct appears to depend on the scope of practice within which the two classes of qualities are assessed. [source] Signal transduction meets systems biology: deciphering specificity determinants for protein,protein interactionsMOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2008Robert B. Bourret Summary Two recent papers (Gao et al. 2008 and Skerker et al. 2008) describe investigations into the specificity of protein,protein interactions that occur during signal transduction by two-component regulatory systems. This MicroCommentary summarizes and provides context for the reported findings. The results offer insights into molecular determinants that provide specificity to maintain signal separation and thus prevent deleterious cross-talk between pathways, as well as the potential extent and nature of interactions that may combine signals to achieve beneficial cross-regulation among pathways. The methods employed are suitable for application to other systems. [source] Skeletal effects of bite jumping therapy on the mandible , removable vs. fixed functional appliancesORTHODONTICS & CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2005G Shen Structured Abstract Authors , Shen G, Hägg U, Darendeliler MA Objective , Based on an extensive review of the literature, the aim of this study was to explore the mainstream consensus on the controversial topic of whether the bite jumping treatment could enhance mandibular growth. Design , The data for removable and fixed functional appliances were respectively comprehended and analyzed with regard to their attributes in mandibular growth modification. Furthermore, numerous reported findings were assessed by relating them to some important factors influencing the effects of bite jumping, such as treatment timing, treatment duration and post-treatment follow-up, to allow for a more objective and accurate evaluation. Results , The key differences between removable and fixed appliances are working hours (intermittent vs. continuous), length of treatment time (long vs. short), optimal treatment timing (before puberty growth vs. at or after puberty spurt), and mode of bite-jumping (considerable vertical opening vs. limited vertical opening). These different features lead to different treatment effects on mandibular and TMJ growth, such as the intensity of possibly increased growth (clinically less significant vs. significant), the direction of enhanced growth (vertical vs. horizontal), and the stability of treatment changes (unstable vs. stable). The short-term or long-term post-treatment relapse mainly relates to the rebound of dental position. Conclusion , The immediate effects of bite jumping functional appliances on the mandibular growth enhancement are convincing during actual treatment. This extra gain of growth might be sustainable during the short-term and long-term post-treatment period. [source] Understanding statistical analysis in the surgical literature: some key conceptsANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 5 2009Jane Young Abstract Understanding the fundamentals of statistical analysis allows surgeons to evaluate the logic and validity of statistical methods presented in published papers in order to make a judgement about the quality of the reported findings. This paper presents an overview of some basic concepts, with an emphasis on principles rather than on mathematical detail, which relate to selecting the correct statistical test and interpreting the results of statistical analysis. The most important factor in determining the appropriate significance test is the type of outcome data that have been collected. A significance test is used to calculate a probability (P) value, which is a measure of the strength of the effect seen in the study, but additional useful information is obtained from confidence intervals that indicate not only the size and direction of the effect but also the precision of the study. Judgements about the clinical importance of a result should be based on the size of the effect seen rather than the P value, as the latter is strongly influenced by the size of the study. [source] | |||||||||||||