Exclusion Criteria of Preferential Purchasing Policies: A Preliminary Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 91
Author(s):  
Soung-Wan Kim ◽  
Min Kim ◽  
Hye-Kyeong Lee
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (23) ◽  
pp. 5611
Author(s):  
Liliana Szyszka-Sommerfeld ◽  
Magdalena Sycińska-Dziarnowska ◽  
Krzysztof Woźniak ◽  
Monika Machoy ◽  
Sławomir Wilczyński ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to assess the electrical activity of the superior (SOO) and inferior (IOO) orbicularis oris muscles in children with Down syndrome (DS) and in children without DS. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 30 subjects were eligible to participate in the later stages of the research—15 subjects with DS (mean age 10.1 ± 1.1) and 15 healthy controls (mean age 9.8 ± 1.0). The electrical potentials of the SOO and IOO muscles were recorded using a DAB-Bluetooth electromyography machine (Zebris Medical GmbH, Germany) during the following tasks: At clinical rest, saliva swallowing, lip protrusion, lip compression, and production of the syllable/pa/. The Mann–Whitney U test was conducted to compare the study results between the groups. An analysis of the electromyographical (EMG) recordings showed that the electrical activity of the orbicularis oris muscle in children with DS and lip incompetence was significantly higher compared to healthy children during saliva swallowing, lip compression, and when producing the syllable/pa/, and this may suggest greater muscular effort due to the need to seal the lips during these functional conditions.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adel Maamar ◽  
Valentine Parent ◽  
Emmanuel Guérot ◽  
Pauline Berneau ◽  
Aurélien Frérou ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Swallowing disorders (SDs) are frequent after extubation in intensive care unit (ICU) exposing patients to aspiration pneumonia. There is no validated bedside swallowing evaluation (BSE) after extubation. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of our BSE in comparison with fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in critically ill patients after extubation, and to identify the incidence and risk factors of SD.Methods: After a preliminary study in a first center, we conducted a 1-year prospective study as a validation cohort in a second center. Patients intubated for longer than 48 hours were included. Exclusion criteria were a known laryngeal pathology, a preexisting SD and an admission for stroke. FEES of the larynx and BSE were assessed within 24 hours after extubation to compare the accuracy of the BSE to the FEES procedure.Results: One hundred and twenty eight patients were included, respectively 69 and 79 in the preliminary study and the validation cohort. Thirteen of 69 (19%) and 33/79 (42%) had SD assessed by FEES. The area under curve (AUC) reached respectively 0.86 (95% CI 0.73-0.98) and 0.83 (95% CI 0.74-0.92). Sensitivities were 77% (95% CI 0.54-0.99) and 85% (95% CI 0.73-0.94), specificities 94% (95% CI 0.87-0.98) and 80% (95% CI 0.7-0.91), and negative predictive values (NPV) were 95% and 90% in respectively preliminary study and validation cohort. Independent risk factors for SD were duration of intubation (OR=1.08; 95% CI 1.02-1.17, p=0.03) and hemodynamic failure (OR=4.46; 95% CI 1.27-21, p=0.03).Conclusion: Our BSE is accurate to detect SDs after extubation in critically ill patients and can easily be implemented in an ICU setting.


Author(s):  
Juan Luis Alcázar ◽  
Moya Manuela ◽  
Caparros Maria ◽  
Salas Aina ◽  
Errasti Tania ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this preliminary study is to analyze and compare tridimensional coded contrast imaging hysterosalpingocontrast- sonography (3D-CCI HyCoSy) with conventional hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography (HyCoSy) with saline serum for the evaluation of tubal patency in women with sterility. Materials and methods This was a prospective preliminary observational study performed in the Clinica Universidad de Navarra. Intending to compare 3D-CCI HyCoSy with conventional HyCoSy, we decided and perform conventional HyCoSy between 1st of January 2015 and 15th of February 2015 and 3D-CCI HyCoSy between 16th of February and 15th of April 2015, in different sets of patients. Exclusion criteria were: recent vaginal infection, previous pelvic inflammatory disease, previous salpingectomy or hidrosalpinx diagnosed previously or while performing the ultrasound examination. Results Total number of cases was 22 (12 women underwent conventional HyCoSy and 10 a 3D-CCI HyCoSy). The mean age of patients was 33.8 years (SD: 3.2 range: 23–40 years). Three cases (100%) of Fallopian tube obstruction were detected by 3D-CCI HyCoSy and confirmed by laparoscopic tubal chromopertubation (LTC). Four of the six cases (67%) of obstruction detected by conventional HyCoSy were confirmed by hysterosalpingography/LTC (HSG/LTC). Two cases of severe post-procedure pain were reported in women who underwent conventional HyCoSy. Conclusion The results of the study show that 3D-CCI HyCoSy was better to visualize the entire Fallopian tube and evaluate its patency How to cite this article Alcázar JL, Moya M, Caparros M, Salas A, Errasti T, Ruiz-Zambrana A. Assessment of Tubal Patency with Tridimensional Coded Contrast Imaging Hysterosalpingo-Contrast-Sonography Compared with Conventional HyCoSy: A Preliminary Study. Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016;10(1):103-106.


Author(s):  
John H.L. Watson ◽  
John L. Swedo ◽  
R.W. Talley

A preliminary study of human mammary carcinoma on the ultrastructural level is reported for a metastatic, subcutaneous nodule, obtained as a surgical biopsy. The patient's tumor had responded favorably to a series of hormonal therapies, including androgens, estrogens, progestins, and corticoids for recurring nodules over eight years. The pertinent nodule was removed from the region of the gluteal maximus, two weeks following stilbestrol therapy. It was about 1.5 cms in diameter, and was located within the dermis. Pieces from it were fixed immediately in cold fixatives: phosphate buffered osmium tetroxide, glutaraldehyde, and paraformaldehyde. Embedment in each case was in Vestopal W. Contrasting was done with combinations of uranyl acetate and lead hydroxide.


Author(s):  
H.D. Geissinger ◽  
C.K. McDonald-Taylor

A new strain of mice, which had arisen by mutation from a dystrophic mouse colony was designated ‘mdx’, because the genetic defect, which manifests itself in brief periods of muscle destruction followed by episodes of muscle regeneration appears to be X-linked. Further studies of histopathological changes in muscle from ‘mdx’ mice at the light microscopic or electron microscopic levels have been published, but only one preliminary study has been on the tibialis anterior (TA) of ‘mdx’ mice less than four weeks old. Lesions in the ‘mdx’ mice vary between different muscles, and centronucleation of fibers in all muscles studied so far appears to be especially prominent in older mice. Lesions in young ‘mdx’ mice have not been studied extensively, and the results appear to be at variance with one another. The degenerative and regenerative aspects of the lesions in the TA of 23 to 26-day-old ‘mdx’ mice appear to vary quantitatively.


Author(s):  
J P Cassella ◽  
V Salih ◽  
T R Graham

Left ventricular assist systems are being developed for eventual long term or permanent implantation as an alternative to heart transplantation in patients unsuitable for or denied the transplant option. Evaluation of the effects of these devices upon normal physiology is required. A preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the morphology of aortic tissue from calves implanted with a pneumatic Left Ventricular Assist device-LVAD. Two 3 month old heifer calves (calf 1 and calf 2) were electively explanted after 128 days and 47 days respectively. Descending thoracic aortic tissue from both animals was removed immediately post mortem and placed into karnovsky’s fixative. The tissue was subsequently processed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Some aortic tissue was fixed in neutral buffered formalin and processed for routine light microscopy.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hicham Zaroual ◽  
El Mestafa El Hadrami ◽  
Romdhane Karoui

This study examines the feasibility of using front face fluorescence spectroscopy (FFFS) to authenticate 41 virgin olive oil (VOO) samples collected from 5 regions in Morocco during 2 consecutive crop seasons.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2S) ◽  
pp. 915-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristie A. Spencer ◽  
Mallory Dawson

Purpose This preliminary study examined whether speech profiles exist for adults with hereditary ataxia based on 2 competing frameworks: a pattern of instability/inflexibility or a pattern of differential subsystem involvement. Method Four dysarthria experts rated the speech samples of 8 adults with dysarthria from hereditary ataxia using visual analog scales and presence/severity rating scales of speech characteristics. Speaking tasks included diadochokinetics, sustained phonation, and a monologue. Results Speech profiles aligned with the instability/inflexibility framework, with the pattern of instability being the most common. Speech profiles did not emerge for the majority of speakers using the differential subsystem framework. Conclusions The findings extend previous research on pure ataxic dysarthria and suggest a possible framework for understanding the speech heterogeneity associated with the ataxias. The predominance of the instability profile is consistent with the notion of impaired feedforward control in speakers with cerebellar disruption.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 1221-1230
Author(s):  
Jane Roitsch ◽  
Kimberly A. Murphy ◽  
Anastasia M. Raymer

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate executive function measures as they relate to clinical and academic performance outcomes of graduate speech-language pathology students. Method An observational design incorporating correlations and stepwise multiple regressions was used to determine the strength of the relationships between clinical outcomes that occurred at various time points throughout the graduate program (clinical coursework grades throughout the program and case study paper scores at the end of the program), academic outcomes (graduate grade point average and Praxis II exam in speech-language pathology scores), and executive function (EF) scores (EF assessment scores, self-reported EF scores). Participants were 37 students (36 women, M age = 24.1) in a master's degree program in speech-language pathology at a southeastern U.S. university during the 2017–2018 academic year. Results Findings of this preliminary study indicated that a limited number of objective EF scores and self-reported EF scores were related to clinical and academic outcomes of graduate speech-language pathology students. Conclusion As results of this preliminary study suggest that EF tests may be related to clinical and academic outcomes, future research can move to study the potential role of EF measures in the graduate admissions process in clinical graduate programs such as speech-language pathology.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document