Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Comparison of Short-Term Oral Impacts Experienced by Patients Treated with Invisalign or Conventional Fixed Orthodontic Appliances.
Our objective was to test the hypothesis that thermoplastic clear aligners (Invisalign®; Align Technology, Santa Clara, CA, USA) are more pleasant for patients than conventional fixed orthodontic appliances. ⋯ Clear aligner therapy is not necessarily more pleasant, but it is more tolerable as it satisfies patient needs over food consumption and absence of mucosal ulcerations. However, clear aligners affect pronunciation and speech delivery in the short term.
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Previous studies have reported that propofol has antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects in addition to its anesthetic properties. To confirm this, a retrospective investigation was conducted to determine whether different anesthetic agents, particularly propofol and inhalation anesthetics, have an effect on the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients who were diagnosed with primary HCC and underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy. ⋯ During the 24-month period after hepatic resection, less HCC patients in the propofol group than in the inhalation group recurred (p = 0.046). The mean time to recurrence was 20.8 months (95% CI, 19.7-22.0) and 19.1 months (95% CI, 17.8-20.4) in the propofol group and the inhalation group, respectively. In addition, multivariable Cox proportional regression analysis revealed that the propofol group showed significantly decreased recurrence versus the inhalation group (hazard ratio, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.47-0.69; p = 0.029). When propofol was used as the main general anesthetic agent for laparoscopic hepatic resection, the postoperative 2-year recurrence rate decreased in early- and intermediate-stage HCC.
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Several cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers are used to distinguish between acute bacterial meningitis (BM) and viral meningitis (VM). We compared the ability of lactate and glucose (GL) in CSF and the CSF/blood GL ratio to distinguish between acute BM and VM with typical and atypical CSF characteristics. ⋯ The CSF lactate assay can be routinely used in laboratories as a rapid, automated, and easy method that is independent of lactate blood levels.
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Comparative Study
Perception and Attitudes of Dental Students towards Their Role in the Delivery of a Brief Smoking Cessation Intervention.
An assessment of dental students' attitudes and perceptions towards smoking, and their role in smoking cessation, needs to be understood to develop an effective training program in smoking cessation counseling. The aim of the study was to understand attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge of students towards their role in smoking cessation, to understand students' self-reported requirements in relation to skills and knowledge prior to training, and to understand students' self-reported learning from training. ⋯ Students need more client-centered skills and knowledge to bolster their confidence in cessation counseling.
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Systemic administration of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) has been proposed as a treatment for pediatric patients with acute asthma. However, previous trials show mixed results and uncertain evidence of benefit. The aim of the study was to ascertain whether intravenous (IV) MgSO4 improves lung function parameters in children with acute asthma. ⋯ Administration of IV MgSO4 was associated with improved pulmonary function in children with acute asthma.