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Evaluation of a German version of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and Dougados Functional Index (D-FI).

OBJECTIVE: Transcultural adaptation of the two most widely used and accepted functional indices in ankylosing spondylitis, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and Dougados Functional Index (D-FI). METHODS: The instruments were translated and tested for internal consistency (Cronbach's coefficient alpha), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC), construct validity (testing for association with Schober's test, finger floor distance, occiput wall distance, frequency and duration of awakenings at night, and a visual analog scale pain), and responsiveness (standardized response mean, SRM). RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 72 patients of a randomized, controlled clinical trial receiving either Diclofenac or placebo. Visual assessment of distribution patterns revealed a ceiling effect of both instruments. Both questionnaires had a high internal consistency (Cronbach alpha: 0.81 [BASFI], 0.85 [D-FI] and a high test-retest reliability (ICC: 0.92 [BASFI], 0.89 [D-FI]). The limited responsiveness to Diclofenac treatment (SRM: 0.46 [BASFI], 0. 33 [D-FI]) may be related to the selected study sample. The BASFI was significantly correlated with all tested validation parameters. The D-FI was only significantly correlated with finger floor distance, occiput wall distance, and duration of awakenings at night. CONCLUSION: The transculturally adapted version of both functional indices are valid, reliable, and internally consistent. Because of psychometric advantages, the BASFI may be preferred in clinical trial settings.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Prediction of retention indexes. II. Structure-retention index relationship on polar columns.

A method is described for the prediction of the retention index (I) from chemical structure, using the number of atoms in the molecule (Z), the I increment for atom addition (A) and the group retention factors (GRFs) of the functional groups and substituents. This method can predict the retention indexes of a wide range of compounds, such as acids, alcohols, amines, acid esters, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, aromatic hydrocarbons, alicyclics, heterocyclics, etc. on polar as well as non-polar columns to within 3% error. Accurate A and GRF values are essential to the prediction. These values can be obtained from homologous series, but a system of arbitrarily assigned A value and adjusted GRFs are also used. The GRFs of the substituents and functional groups depend on the polarity and polarizability of the analyte and the stationary phase and also on the molecular connectivity of the atoms, namely, primary, secondary and tertiary carbon atoms or hydrogen atoms, to which these groups are attached. Highly polar and polarizable groups can alter the A value. When the functionality of a group is masked by substitution, the analyte molecule will tend to behave chromatographically like hydrocarbons. The difficulty in predicting the I values of compounds of multi-functionality by the rule of additivity is the unknown intramolecular interaction that can alter both A and GRF values.

Alcohols↗

Influence of irradiation of a primary tumor on the labeling index and estrogen receptor index in a distant tumor focus.

The present investigation reaffirms our observation that removal of a C3H mouse mammary adenocarcinoma results in a perturbation of tumor cells in a metastatic focus. An increase occurs in the proportion of cells undergoing DNA synthesis (labeling index, LI), and a decrease occurs in the proportion demonstrating estrogen receptor (ER index; ERI). The changes are transient but of sufficient duration and magnitude to produce an increase in the size of a distant tumor. This study was conducted to determine whether cytoreduction of a primary tumor by irradiation would produce a similar change in metastatic tumor cells and whether preoperative radiation would obtund the effect of primary tumor removal. The administration of a maximum tolerated dose of radiation (50 Gy) to a primary tumor produced a significant (p less than 0.001) increase in LI and decrease in ERI of a lesser magnitude than that observed following surgical removal of the primary tumor, but still sufficient to enhance the growth of a metastatic focus. Whereas, there was almost a 50% increase in LI in a metastasis 1 and 3 days following removal of a primary tumor the increase was only 13% three days after radiation. There was a 20% decrease in ERI 3 days following radiation and a 37% decrease at that time following tumor removal. Preoperative irradiation of a primary tumor 1, 3, or 5 days prior to tumor removal, obtunds the increase in LI and decrease in ERI following operation. Radiation the day before surgery was most effective because the changes in a distant focus occurring as a result of the radiation and of the surgery were prevented. The clinical relevance of these observations deserves further consideration.

Animals↗

Longevity index (LI%) and centenarity index (CI%): new indicators to evaluate the characteristics of aging process in the Italian population.

Centenarians represent a group of population displaying the most rapid expansion. This progressive increase of the presence of centenarians is a multi-factorial phenomenon, which is due to the improvements of the environmental conditions and the life style and also to the progress of the medical science. In order to obtain a more reliable estimate of the longevity per gender and territorial entities, we propose two new indicators. (i) The ratio between the ultranonagenarians and the total population above 65 years old (called longevity index: LI%); (ii) the ratio between the centenarians and the total population above 90 years old (called centenarity index: CI%). An analysis of the data of the Italian National Office of Statistics (ISTAT, ) using these two indicators demonstrates that the subjects above the age of 90 are more frequent in the regions of Central and Northern Italy, which are more developed regarding the economic conditions and technological progress. Nevertheless, the Southern and Insular regions of Italy have a higher occurrence of centenarians among the ultranonagenarian population, and also a higher prevalence of male centenarians, as compared to the northern regions. This demonstrates that achievement of the threshold of 100 years old does not require only particular socio-economic conditions, but also an adequate climate and environment, as well as a favorable genetic composition.

Aged↗

Carotid-subclavian artery index: new echocardiographic index to detect coarctation in neonates and infants.

BACKGROUND: In neonates and young infants (less than 3 months), coarctation may be missed or underestimated by echocardiography, especially with a patent ductus arteriosus or severe concurrent illness. A reliable noninvasive screening tool for coarctation would be useful for these patients. METHODS: From 1997 to 2003, echocardiographic evaluation was performed in 63 consecutive patients with coarctation (47 neonates and 16 infants) as well as in 23 controls (16 neonates and 7 infants). End-systolic measurements were obtained from 12 different sites of the aortic arch. RESULTS: In patients, the diameters of the ascending and descending aorta were comparable to controls, but the dimensions of the transverse arch were significantly smaller. The distances between the origins of the great vessels were longer in patients with coarctation than in controls. The ratio of the aortic arch diameter at the left subclavian artery, to the distance between the left carotid artery and the left subclavian artery, which we propose as the carotid-subclavian artery index, was significantly smaller in patients with coarctation. A cut-off point at 1.5 showed a sensitivity of 97.7% and 94.7%, and a specificity of 92.3% and 100%, for neonates and young infants, respectively. The positive predictive value to have coarctation was 97.7% and 100%, for neonates and infants, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The carotid-subclavian artery index is a simply obtainable noninvasive screening parameter, showing high sensitivity and specificity for coarctation, and may be useful in unstable patients or in those with a patent ductus arteriosus in which coarctation may be overlooked.

Aortic Coarctation↗

The myocardial performance index during low-dose dobutamine echocardiography in control subjects and patients with a recent myocardial infarction: a new index of left ventricular functional reserve?

BACKGROUND: Wall-motion analysis during low-dose dobutamine echocardiography (LDDE) is a semiquantitative measure of left ventricular contractile reserve after myocardial infarction (MI). The Doppler echocardiographic myocardial performance index (MPI) is a quantitative measure of combined left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. We sought to characterize the changes in MPI during LDDE in control subjects and patients with MI, and to describe the relation of these changes to changes in regional systolic function. METHODS: MPI was obtained at rest and during LDDE (10 microg/kg/min) in 25 healthy volunteers (group 1) and 50 patients with a recent MI. Patients were divided into two subsets; those with (n = 23; group 2A) and those without (n = 27; group 2B) a contractile reserve defined as an improvement of wall motion in more than two contiguous infarct-zone segments during LDDE. DeltaMPI was defined as the change from rest to LDDE. RESULTS: MPI decreased significantly during LDDE in groups 1 and 2A, whereas MPI increased in group 2B (DeltaMPI = 0.12 +/- 0.04 and 0.10 +/- 0.08 vs -0.03 +/- 0.08, P <.0001). On multivariate analysis, Deltawall-motion score index predicted DeltaMPI (beta = 0.65, P <.0001) independently of age, sex, and the dobutamine-induced change in heart rate and systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that the change in MPI during LDDE may provide a simple and quantitative measure of overall left ventricular functional reserve in patients with a recent MI.

Aged↗

Arterial stiffness index as a screening test for cardiovascular risk: a comparative study between coronary artery calcification determined by electron beam tomography and arterial stiffness index determined by a VitalVision device in asymptomatic subjects.

BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness has recently been proposed as a powerful independent predictor of cardiovascular disease. However, the influence of arterial stiffening on the interaction between the heart and large vessels and atherosclerosis is not well defined. The arterial stiffness index (ASI) has recently been determined with a new device (VitalVision) that calculates ASI in the upper arm using computerized oscillometry. Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a useful surrogate marker of coronary artery disease detected non-invasively by electron beam tomography (EBT). We investigated the correlation between ASI and CAC in a group of patients. METHODS: CAC and ASI measurements were determined with EBT and a VitalVision device, respectively, on the same day in 97 asymptomatic patients. Patients with calcium scores above 0 were classified as CAC+ and those with calcium scores equal to 0 were classified as CAC-. The ASI index was divided into three groups - mild, moderate, and high - according to the H-value, provided by the VitalVision device. RESULTS: In patients below 51 years of age, no correlation between the ASI and CAC was found. In patients over 50 years of age, a moderate positive and significant correlation was found between the CAC score and ASI measurements (r=0.40, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a correlation between the CAC and ASI in patients over 50 shows that the ASI can be used to investigate atherosclerotic risk.

Journal Article↗

Assessment of lichen diversity by index of atmospheric purity (IAP), index of human impact (IHI) and other environmental factors in an urban area (Grenoble, southeast France).

An assessment of air quality in the Grenoble area was made using the index of atmospheric purity (IAP). The survey area was divided into 198 units (0.7 x 1 km), in which 345 average lichen relevés were analyzed according to the Braun-Blanquet method. Each relevé station was characterized in the field by a subjective index of human impact (IHI) calculated according to four local environmental parameters influencing the epiphytic lichen flora: urbanization (urban, suburban or rural area), road traffic (low or high), local developments (stations located within crop fields, green areas, housing sites or car parks), and exposure (trees isolated, in rows or grouped). Eighty-three epiphytic lichen species and two algae were recorded and grouped into three ecological categories defined according to bark type and nutrient needs: nitrophytic, neutrophytic and acidophytic species. IAP values, varying from 5.9 to 71.7, were clustered into five categories in order to produce an air-quality map. The geographical pattern of the IAP map showed no clear connection with local sources of pollution, such as the vicinity of a road or an industrial plant, and was not correlated with annual mean values of SO(2), NO(2) and NO for the years 1994-1997. IAP appeared to be influenced by environmental artificiality as shown by a polynomial trend observed between IAP and IHI, even if IAP values were broadly scattered. Multivariate analysis (canonical correspondence) showed that high IAP values could be observed in stations of "natural" environments at high elevations and in stations of "artificial" environments at low elevations. It was also shown that IAP varied in relation to the relative proportion of ecological groups of lichen relevés: although a majority of neutrophytic species (>50%) with a much lower percentage of nitrophytic species generally characterized high IAP, a predominance of acidophytic or nitrophytic species led to a decrease in the IAP. A correlation between nitrophytic species and artificiality of the environment was also shown. Furthermore, IAP, initially created to characterize atmospheric pollution or atmospheric purity by means of the lichen flora, is shown to be influenced by other parameters such as environmental and landscape factors.

Air Pollutants↗

Prediction of retention indexes. I. Structure-retention index relationship on apolar columns.

A simple method is reported for predicting the retention index (RI) of a chemical compound from the number of carbon and carbon equivalent atoms in the molecule, the RI increment for atom addition and the group retention factors (GRFs) for substituents and functional groups. Atoms other than carbon such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, chlorine, bromine and iodine are assigned carbon atom equivalency of approximately 1, 1, 2, 2, 3 and 4, respectively and are counted for their contribution towards RI prediction. The GRFs of substituents and functional groups are derived from the RIs of reference compounds and series of homologues. Ring structures, ring fusion, ring connection, iso- and neo-carbons, chain branching and unsaturation are also assigned GRFs. The predicted RIs of a number of alicyclic, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols, phenols, aliphatic amines, aromatic amines, heterocyclics, carboxylic acids, acid esters, aldehydes, ketones, and halogenated compounds, are found to be within +/- 3% of the observed values. The structure-retention index relationship thus developed is extremely useful in the tentative identification of radioactive side products formed in tritium labeling by radiation-induced methods.

Alcohols↗

Comparing and contrasting two orthodontic indices, the Index of Orthodontic Treatment need and the Dental Aesthetic Index.

This article compares and contrasts two orthodontic indices, the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN), and the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). Both contain esthetic and clinical criteria. Both accept the premise that a significant benefit of orthodontic treatment is improved esthetics and, by inference, social and psychological well-being. Both have as their goal the identification of children most in need of orthodontic treatment subsidized by public funds. The first part of this article describes the IOTN, its development, reliability, and validity. The second section describes the DAI, its development, reliability, and validity. The third part of the article compares and contrasts the indices. There are a number of differences between the IOTN and the DAI. In the IOTN, the esthetic component is a separate instrument from the dental health component. The unique aspect of the DAI is its linking of people's perceptions of esthetics with anatomic trait measurements by regression analysis to produce a single score obviating the need, as in the IOTN, for two separate scores that cannot be combined. Both components of the IOTN have only three grades, "no need," "borderline need," and "definite need." The IOTN cannot rank order cases with greater or lesser need for treatment within grades. In contrast, DAI scores can be rank ordered on a continuous scale and can differentiate cases within severity levels. With the IOTN, about a third of British schoolchildren would be found eligible for treatment in public programs. Providing publicly funded orthodontic care to as many as a third of the schoolchildren would not be feasible in the United States.

Child↗

Comparison of resistive index versus pulsatility index in assessing the benign etiology of adnexal masses.

Retrospective analysis of pelvic sonograms with colorguided spectral Doppler evaluation of 189 adnexal masses yielded four malignancies, 20 benign neoplasms, 32 cysts, and 14 endometriomas. Fifty-eight masses were presumed benign on additional imaging. Pulsatility index (PI) < 1.0 was seen in 70% neoplasms, 63% benign cysts and 50% endometriomas. Thirteen percent of benign cysts and no neoplasms had resistive index (RI) < 0.4. Fifty percent malignancies had PI < 1.0. None had RI < 0.4. Both thresholds lack sufficient sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing benign and malignant lesions.

Adolescent↗

Determination of on-line differential refractive index and molecular weight via gradient HPLC interfaced with low-angle laser light scattering, ultraviolet, and refractive index detection.

Gradient ion-exchange chromatography (IEC) was interfaced with a low-angle laser light scattering photometer (LALLS) and ultraviolet (UV) and refractive index (RI) detectors connected in series for on-line determination of the differential refractive index (dn/dc) of proteins and eventually their molecular weights (Mw's). Interfacing of gradient HPLC with a RI detector was made possible by using two isorefractive buffers, which helped generate stable baselines for the LALLS and RI detectors. An optically modified, laser based RI detector was used for determination of dn/dc. On-line determinations of dn/dc required smaller amounts of sample compared to off-line determinations (3-4 mg vs 200 mg). Also, dn/dc could be measured by making one repetitive injection of the sample, if the molar absorptivity of the sample was known. dn/dc values determined on-line were in close agreement with those determined off-line. Additionally, percent recovery of the sample was calculated on-line, and this provided true concentration detected at the UV detector, which was then used for determination of Mw.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Are childhood and adult medulloblastomas different? A comparative study of clinicopathological features, proliferation index and apoptotic index.

Childhood medulloblastomas have been suspected to be biologically different from adult tumors, though comparative studies are sparse in the literature. The present study aims to establish any differences or nexus in the biological characteristics between childhood and adult medulloblastomas. A total of 181 medulloblastomas were studied with respect to clinical and histological characteristics, MIB-1 labeling index (MIB-1 LI), apoptotic index (AI), ratio of apoptotic to LI, p53 and Bcl-2 protein expressions. Two-thirds (112) of the 181 medulloblastomas occurred in children (< or = 15 years) and 69 in adults (> 15 years). Childhood tumors were more commonly of classical histology and midline location while the desmoplastic variant and lateral location occurred more frequently in adults. Adult medulloblastomas were biologically less aggressive, having lower growth rate parameters (mean MIB-1 LI 19.1 +/- 15.7; AI 3.73 +/- 2.71 and AI:LI 0.207 +/- 0.162) as compared to childhood tumors (mean MIB-1 LI 28.3 +/- 20.4; AI 2.86 +/- 2.14 and AI:LI 0.108 +/- 0.111). p53 and Bcl-2 protein expressions were infrequent in all groups of tumors. No difference was noted in any of the parameters when classical and desmoplastic medulloblastomas were compared as a whole. But when compared between the age groups, an interesting observation (hitherto unreported in English literature) was that both classical and desmoplastic variants of childhood medulloblastomas had higher LI, lower AI and lower AI:LI ratio than their counterparts in adults, indicating that differences in growth rates cannot be attributed to differences in the frequency of occurrence of the histological variants in the two age groups. Thus, this study conclusively shows that there is a biological difference between childhood and adult medulloblastomas which is independent of standard histology and appeared to be associated more with age-related factors. This also warrants less-aggressive therapy for adult medulloblastoma.

Adolescent↗

The influence of downstream arterial perfusion parameters on doppler pulsatility index and resistance index in an in-vitro perfusion model.

BACKGROUND: To investigate in vitro how downstream perfusion parameters influence pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI) and their constituting Doppler velocities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the influence of resistance, compliance, reflection coefficient and input impedance on PI and RI in an in-vitro model of arterial flow. RESULTS: The nominators of PI and RI were determined by resistance. The numerators were determined by compliance and by the reflection coefficient. There were close relationships of PI and RI with resistance under the condition of constant compliance, but not when compliance was variable. CONCLUSION: PI and RI consist of velocity terms which are independently influenced by different parameters of impedance: compliance, reflection coefficient and resistance. These findings explain the contradictory results reported for the relationship between the indices and peripheral resistance in studies where compliance and reflection effects were not considered.

Animals↗

A comparison of bispectral index and ARX-derived auditory evoked potential index in measuring the clinical interaction between ketamine and propofol anaesthesia.

We evaluated the effects of a bolus (0.4 mg.kg-1) and continuous infusion (1 mg.kg-1.h-1) of ketamine on Bispectral Index (BIS) and A-Line(R) ARX Index (AAI) during propofol anaesthesia. We included 15 ASA I patients scheduled for general anaesthesia. Induction was performed by infusion of propofol at 100 ml.h-1 until loss of consciousness. Both BIS and AAI monitors responded appropriately at that time. The calculated effect site concentration of propofol at loss of consciousness was maintained by means of a computer controlled infusion system. A 'pseudo' steady-state effect site concentration was reached after 4 min. After 1 min of baseline measurements, ketamine was administered. BIS values increased from the 3rd to the 8th min after the administration of ketamine. The AAI showed no significant increase or decrease, but between-patient variability increased.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗

[Reference values for the pulsatility index and the resistance index of blood flow curves of the umbilical artery and fetal aorta in the 3d trimester].

In 209 pregnancies without complications we recorded blood velocity waveforms of the umbilical artery and the foetal aorta between 29 and 42 weeks of gestation by means of a Duplex-pulsed Doppler system (umbilical artery: n = 276; foetal aorta: n = 244). We calculated the pulsatility index (PI) and the resistance index (RI). Both indices were normally distributed. The regression lines and reference ranges for the 95% confidence intervals are shown. The PI as well as the RI of waveforms of the umbilical artery demonstrated a significant fall with increasing gestation. The PI of the foetal aorta demonstrated a gentle, non-significant fall; RI showed no changes throughout the third trimester. Comparisons with the reference ranges published by other authors are discussed.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

The Tei index: a new prognostic index for patients with symptomatic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: The Tei index (TI) is a new echocardiographic/Doppler index of combined systolic and diastolic function, calculated as isovolumic relaxation time plus isovolumic contraction time divided by ejection time. This purpose of this study was to explore the prognostic value of TI in patients with heart failure from left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. METHODS: Of 105 randomly selected participants with LV ejection fraction less than 30% and at least 1 hospitalization for heart failure, we included 60 patients in whom assessment of the TI was technically feasible. Using the patients' medical records, we collected information on several clinical and echocardiographic variables. We monitored patients for a mean duration of 24 +/- 19 months from the time of the echocardiogram. The study outcome was the composite of death from any cause or emergency heart transplant. RESULTS: The median value (interquartile range) of TI was 0.79 (0.54, 1.14). Of 57 patients (95%) with complete follow-up, 28 (49%) died, and 2 (3.5%) underwent emergency heart transplant at a mean duration of 17 +/- 14 months. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed a higher cumulative incidence of the study end point among patients in the highest quartile of TI, compared with the other 3 quartiles (log rank P =.002). After adjustment for potential clinical confounders, TI in the highest quartile (TI > 1.14) was a significant independent predictor of the composite end point (odds ratio 5.3, 95% confidence interval 1.9 to 14.9, P =.0018). CONCLUSION: Prolonged TI (>1.14) is a powerful and independent predictor of poor clinical outcome in patients with symptomatic heart failure and severe LV systolic dysfunction.

Aged↗

High-carbohydrate-low-glycaemic index dietary advice improves glucose disposition index in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.

Controversy exists about the optimal amount and source of dietary carbohydrate for managing insulin resistance. Therefore, we compared the effects on insulin sensitivity (SI), pancreatic responsivity (AIRglu) and glucose disposition index of dietary advice aimed at reducing the amount or altering the source of dietary carbohydrate in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Subjects were randomized to high-carbohydrate-high-glycaemic index (GI) (high-GI, n 11), high-carbohydrate-low-GI (low-GI, n 13), or low-carbohydrate-high-monounsaturated fat (MUFA, n 11) dietary advice, with SI, AIRglu and DI measured using a frequently sampled, intravenous glucose tolerance test before and after 4 months treatment. Carbohydrate and fat intakes and diet GI, respectively, were: high-GI, 53 %, 28 %, 83; low-GI, 55 %, 25 %, 76; MUFA, 47 %, 35 %, 82. Weight changes on each diet differed significantly from each other: high-GI, -0.49 (sem 0.29) kg; low-GI, -0.19 (sem 0.40) kg; MUFA +0.27 (sem 0.45) kg. Blood lipids did not change, but glycated haemoglobin increased significantly on MUFA, 0.02 (sem 0.11) %, relative to low-GI, -0.19 (sem 0.08) %, and high-GI, -0.13 (sem 0.14) %. Diastolic blood pressure fell by 8 mmHg on low-GI relative to MUFA (P=0.038). Although SI and AIRglu did not change significantly, DI, a measure of the ability of beta-cells to overcome insulin resistance by increasing insulin secretion, increased on low-GI by >50 % (P=0.02). After adjusting for baseline values, the increase in DI on low-GI, 0.17 (sem 0.07), was significantly greater than those on MUFA, -0.09 (sem 0.08) and high-GI, -0.03 (sem 0.02) (P=0.019). Thus, the long-term effects of altering the source of dietary carbohydrate differ from those of altering the amount. High-carbohydrate-low-GI dietary advice improved beta-cell function in subjects with IGT, and may, therefore, be useful in the management of IGT.

Adult↗