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At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Comparison of the bleeding on marginal probing index and the Eastman interdental bleeding index as indicators of gingivitis.

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to compare 2 indices, i.e., the Eastman interdental bleeding (EIB) index and the bleeding on marginal probing (BOMP) index. The comparison was made (a) in terms of the degree of bleeding provoked and the relationship with plaque in natural gingivitis and (b) for the ability of these 2 methods to detect differences between the development of experimental gingivitis in a control group and a group in which the development of gingival inflammation was suppressed by treatment. For the present studies, subjects were selected without interdental recession of the gingival tissues. METHODS EXPERIMENT 1: In this experiment, 43 subjects having established moderate gingivitis were assessed using a random splitmouth design (1st and 3rd/2nd and 4th quadrant). Plaque was scored on all approximal sites after which the BOMP index was assessed in one half of the mouth and the EIB index in the other. RESULTS EXPERIMENT 1: The BOMP index showed a bleeding score of 84% and the EIB index of 87%. The significant correlation between plaque and gingival bleeding for the BOMP index (0.55) was higher than for the EIB index (0.44). METHODS EXPERIMENT 2: For this experiment, 25 subjects participated in an experimental gingivitis trial of the lower jaw. At baseline, first the BOMP index and immediately thereafter the EIB index were assessed at all approximal sites. Experimental gingivitis (EG) was carried out in one randomly assigned quadrant and as a treatment modality only floss was used in the other (FL). RESULTS EXPERIMENT 2: In the EG quadrant, the BOMP index increased to 69% and the EIB index to 73%. Both indices showed a significant correlation with plaque; 0.60 and 0.64 respectively. In the FL quadrant, the BOMP index increased to 38% and the EIB index to 30%. No significant correlation between both gingivitis indices and the amount of plaque was present in the FL quadrant. CONCLUSION: The ability of the BOMP index and the EIB index to assess the level gingival inflammation appears to be comparable.

Dental Plaque↗
PubMed2001

New CT index to quantify arterial obstruction in pulmonary embolism: comparison with angiographic index and echocardiography.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to define and evaluate a specific index to quantify arterial obstruction with helical CT in acute pulmonary embolism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients (mean age, 56 years) with proven pulmonary emboli among 158 consecutive patients, who had undergone both CT and pulmonary angiography for clinically suspected pulmonary embolism, were eligible for the study. The CT obstruction index was defined as (n. d) (n, value of the proximal clot site, equal to the number of segmental branches arising distally; d, degree of obstruction scored as partial obstruction [value of 1] or total obstruction [value of 2]). We compared the CT obstruction index with pulmonary arterial obstruction on angiography (assessed by the Miller index), using linear regression, and correlated it with findings on echocardiography. Interobserver variability was determined for both CT and pulmonary angiography indexes. RESULTS: The CT obstruction index (29% +/- 17%) and the Miller index (43% +/- 25%) were well correlated (r = 0.867, p < 0.0001) with an excellent concordance between investigators for both the CT index (r = 0.944, p < 0.0001) and the Miller index (r = 0.904, p < 0.0001). A CT obstruction index greater than 40% identified more than 90% of patients with right ventricular dilatation. CONCLUSION: The degree of arterial obstruction in pulmonary embolism may be quantified by a specific CT index that appears reproducible and highly correlated to the previously described index with pulmonary angiography. Further evaluations are needed to investigate the usefulness of the CT obstruction index for stratification of patient risk and determining therapeutic options.

Angiography↗
PubMed2004

Comparability of Narcotrend index and bispectral index during propofol anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: The dimensionless Narcotrend (NCT) index (MonitorTechnik, Germany, version 4.0), from 100 (awake) to 0, is a new index based on electroencephalogram pattern recognition. Transferring guidelines for titrating the Bispectral Index (BIS, Aspect Medical Systems, USA, version XP) to the NCT index depends on their comparability. We compared the relationship between BIS and NCT values during propofol anaesthesia. METHODS: Eighteen adult patients about to have radical prostatectomy were investigated. An epidural catheter was placed in the lumbar space and electrodes for BIS and NCT were applied as recommended by the manufacturers. After i.v. fentanyl 0.1 mg, anaesthesia was induced with a propofol infusion. After intubation, patients received bupivacaine 0.5% 15 ml via the epidural catheter. Forty-five minutes after induction, the propofol concentration was increased to substantial burst suppression pattern and then decreased. This was done twice in each patient, and BIS and Narcotrend values were recorded at intervals of 5 s. The efficacy of NCT and BIS in predicting consciousness vs unconsciousness was evaluated using the prediction probability (P(K)). RESULTS: We collected 38 629 artefact-free data pairs of BIS and NCT values from the respective 5-s epochs. Because of artefacts, another 5008 epochs had been excluded from data analysis (3855 epochs for the NCT index alone, 245 epochs for the BIS alone and 908 epochs for both indices). Mean (sd) values in awake patients were 94 (6) for Narcotrend and 91 (8) for BIS. With loss of the eyelash reflex, both values were significantly reduced, to 72 (9) for NCT (P<0.001) and to 77 (11) for the BIS index (P<0.001). The PK value for loss of eyelash reflex was similar for BIS (0.95) and NCT (0.93). Decreasing BIS values coincided with decreasing NCT values. A sigmoid model [NCT index=52.8+26.8/(1+exp(-(BIS-78.3)/4.8))(0.4); r=0.52] described the correlation between BIS and NCT index in a BIS range between 100 and 50. For BIS values lower than 50, a second sigmoid model with a correlation of r=0.83 was applied [NCT index=6.6+45.3/(1+exp(-(BIS-29.8)/2.4)) (0.6) r=0.83]. The relationship between burst suppression ratio (BSR) and NCT index was best described by the following sigmoid model: NCT index=265/(1+exp((-BSR+108)/-49); r=0.73. CONCLUSIONS: We found a sufficient correlation between BIS and NCT index, but deviations from the line of identity in some ranges require attention. Therefore, a simple 1:1 transfer from BIS to NCT values is not adequate. Our results might serve as a blueprint for the rational translation of BIS into NCT values.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Is the ARX index a more sensitive indicator of anesthetic depth than the bispectral index during sevoflurane/nitrous oxide anesthesia?

BACKGROUND: During general anesthesia, hypnotic components have been monitored with electroencephalogram. The bispectral index is derived from a cortical electroencephalogram, but the A-line ARX index is the electroencephalographic response to auditory stimuli. The purpose of this study was to compare the changes of the A-line ARX index and the bispectral index during sevoflurane - nitrous oxide anesthesia. METHODS: One hundred females aged 30-60 years, and scheduled for partial mastectomy, were divided into two groups. Anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane 5% and nitrous oxide in oxygen for 3 min. A laryngeal mask airway was inserted, and anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane 1-2% and nitrous oxide in oxygen. During surgery, the sevoflurane end-tidal concentration was kept at 0.5%, 1%, or 2% for 5 min before each measurement. Blood pressure, heart rate, and the A-line ARX index (n = 50), and the bispectral index (n = 50) were measured. RESULTS: Blood pressure and heart rate increased following laryngeal mask airway insertion and blood pressure decreased at 2% sevoflurane in both groups similarly. The A-line ARX index, but not the bispectral index, increased significantly by laryngeal mask airway insertion and skin incision. The A-line ARX index decreased at 2% sevoflurane compared with 0.5%, while the bispectral index remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: During sevoflurane-nitrous oxide anesthesia, the A-line ARX index might be a more sensitive indicator of anesthetic depth than the bispectral index.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Narcotrend index versus bispectral index as electroencephalogram measures of anesthetic drug effect during propofol anesthesia.

UNLABELLED: The Narcotrend monitor (MonitorTechnik, Bad Bramstedt, Germany) performs an automatic analysis of the electroencephalogram (EEG) during anesthesia based on a visual assessment of the raw EEG. Its newest software version 4.0 includes a dimensionless index that, similar to the bispectral index (BIS), ranges from 100 (awake) to 0. We compared the performance of Narcotrend index and BIS as EEG measures of anesthetic drug effect during propofol anesthesia. Eighteen adult patients scheduled for radical prostatectomy were investigated. An epidural catheter was placed in the lumbar space and electrodes for BIS (version XP; Aspect Medical Systems, Natick, MA) and Narcotrend were positioned as recommended by the manufacturers. Narcotrend index, BIS values, and propofol plasma and effect site concentrations as parallelly simulated by Rugloop software (Department of Anesthesia, Ghent University, Belgium) were automatically recorded in intervals of 5 s. Induction of anesthesia consisted of a fentanyl bolus and a propofol infusion. After endotracheal intubation, patients received 15 mL bupivacaine 0.5% epidurally, and 45 min later propofol dosages were subsequently increased and decreased twice. Simulated propofol effect site concentrations ranged from 2.0 +/- 0.4 microg/mL (smallest) to 6.3 +/- 1.3 microg/mL (largest) during these subsequent increases and decreases of propofol. In terms of prediction probability (P(K)) the performance of the Narcotrend index (P(K) = 0.88 +/- 0.03) to predict propofol effect site concentrations was comparable to the BIS (P(K) = 0.85 +/- 0.04). Using the respective EEG index as a measure of drug effect the mean k(e0) was calculated as 0.20 +/- 0.05 min(-1) for Narcotrend index and 0.16 +/- 0.07 min(-1) for BIS. In the observed propofol concentration range Narcotrend index detected differences in EEG dynamics as well as BIS. IMPLICATIONS: This study in 18 adult patients undergoing radical prostatectomy describes the relationship between Narcotrend index and bispectral index versus predicted propofol effect compartment concentrations. In terms of prediction probability, the performance of the Narcotrend index and the bispectral index to predict propofol effect site concentrations was comparable.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Investigating the relationship between intrathoracic blood volume index and cardiac index.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether cardiac index and intrathoracic blood volume index are "mathematically coupled" under euvolaemic conditions with increasing levels of inotropic support. DESIGN: Prospective case series. SETTING: A 14-bed general intensive care unit in a university-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: Twelve mechanically ventilated patients, monitored with the COLD system and receiving dobutamine as inotropic support. INTERVENTION: After measuring cardiac index and intrathoracic blood volume index the rate of dobutamine infusion was increased until cardiac index rose by at least 20%. A further measurement of intrathoracic blood volume index was made at the new cardiac index. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The mean increase in cardiac index was 31.7%, compared with a mean increase in intrathoracic blood volume index of only 2.84%. CONCLUSION: Under euvolaemic conditions, raising cardiac index by increasing inotropic support does not alter intrathoracic blood volume index significantly, thus demonstrating that the two measurements are not 'mathematically coupled' under these conditions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Regional wall motion index for infarct and noninfarct regions after reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction: comparison with global wall motion index.

A regional wall motion index has been derived from two-dimensional echocardiograms by use of a 16-segment model that was subdivided into anterior (nine segments) and infero-postero-lateral (seven segments) regions. This new method is compared with the use of a previously described global wall motion index for the analysis of serial echocardiograms after reperfusion in 23 patients who had acute myocardial infarction. Mean global index improved from 1.84 +/- 0.46 to 1.56 +/- 0.37 at 24 hours (p less than 0.01) and to 1.50 +/- 0.29 after 3 days to 7 days (p less than 0.02), whereas mean regional index for infarct regions improved from 2.28 +/- 0.73 to 1.82 +/- 0.58 at 24 hours (p less than 0.01) and to 1.70 +/- 0.42 after 3 to 7 days (p less than 0.01), with no significant change in the noninfarct index (1.34 +/- 0.32 initially and 1.28 +/- 0.36 after 3 to 7 days). Although both global and regional indexes effectively demonstrate early recovery of left ventricular function, (within 24 hours in many patients), the regional index for infarct regions is higher than the global index and effectively distinguishes between infarct and noninfarct segments. An overlap index in which an additional apical segment is included in the anterior region (10 segments) for anterior infarctions and in the infero-postero-lateral region (eight segments) for inferior infarctions results in a greater differentiation between infarct and noninfarct regions, with the mean initial noninfarct overlap index (1.17 +/- 0.33) significantly less than the nonoverlap index.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Echocardiography↗
PubMed2003

Left ventricular mass index in aortic valve surgery: a new index for early valve replacement?

OBJECTIVE: Increased left ventricular mass index has been associated with higher mortality. We analyze the effect of increased left ventricular mass index on outcomes in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement. METHODS: Echocardiographic left ventricular dimensions were used to calculate left ventricular mass index in 614 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement between June 1993 and November 2001. Left ventricular mass index was considered increased if higher than the value of the superior decile (277 g/m(2) in males and 251 in females). RESULTS: Mean left ventricular mass index was: 178+/-111 g/m(2), and increased index was considered in 9.9% of patients. Postoperative complications (low cardiac output syndrome, respiratory failure, arrhythmias, pneumonia and mediastinitis), median length of hospital stay: 12 days (6-57) versus 11 days (5-51), and in-hospital mortality (11.4, 3.2%, P<0.01) were higher in patients with increased left ventricular mass index. Multivariable analysis identified increased left ventricular mass index (odds ratio: 5.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.2-25.0; P=0.02) and other three variables: age (P=0.04), history of chronic renal failure (P=0.03) and cardiopulmonary bypass time (P=0.004), as independent predictors of early mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Increased left ventricular mass index is associated with an in-hospital adverse outcome and a significantly higher in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement. Outcomes in asymptomatic patients could be improved before a clinically significant increase in left ventricular mass index. Further studies should be performed to determine the usefulness of this index in selecting patients for earlier aortic valve replacement.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The T index in the elderly with altered values of free thyroxine and/or thyrotropin. A new thyroid diagnostic-therapeutic index].

BACKGROUND: Routinary evaluation of FT4 and TSH, in elderly in-patients without thyroid disease shows frequent, isolated and, often unclear, changes from normal values of plasma TSH and FT4 concentrations. A new parameter called "T index" derived from the product of FT4 and TSH values has been used by the authors. In a previous work they studied "T index" variations in 1257 elderly subjects with normal FT4 and TSH levels. They have determined the "T index" theoretic model of distribution and identified a normality range (values from 5.78 to 50.76), a suspect range (values from 2.92 to 5.78 and from 50.76 to 68.6) and a pathologic range (values less than 2.92 and more than 68.6). Aim of this study was to investigate "T index" variations in a group of 357 elderly subjects with altered FT4 and/or TSH levels. METHODS: Patients were divided into eight groups according to different concentrations of FT4 and/or TSH levels. "T index" results were expressed as mean, standard deviation, maximum and minimum values. Patients were therefore divided into three groups (normality range, suspect range, pathologic range) according to "T index" distribution as previously described. RESULTS: In 20% of elderly people hospitalized, we found alterations of thyroid hormones levels represented mostly by: a) FT4 normal; TSH low. b) FT4 normal; TSH high, c) FT4 low; TSH normal. In case of hypothalamus-hypophysis hypothyroidism and in case of hyperthyroidism, "T index" score is, usually, less than 2.92, whereas in case of hypothalamus-hypophysis hypothyroidism and hypothyroidism "T index" score is, nearly always, more than 68.6. When TSH levels are into the range of normality "T index" score has always normality levels. The "T index" helps us to divide patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism into two groups: one with values from 5.78 to 2.92 (suspect range), and the other, with values less than 2.92 pathologic range). In patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, some patients have values from 50.76 to 68.6 (suspect range), other patients have values more than 68.6 (pathologic range). CONCLUSIONS: In case of subclinical hypothyroidism or subclinical hyperthyroidism the use of "T index" seems to be a good way to select the cases in which it is better to start pharmacological treatment (hormonal replacement or thyroid inhibition) from those which is better to follow-up.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

The HLD (CalMod) index and the index question.

The malocclusion index problem arises because of the need to identify which patient's treatments will be paid for with tax dollars. Both the civilian (Medicaid) and military (Champus) programs in the United States require that "need" be demonstrated. Need is defined as "medically necessary handicapping malocclusion" in Medicaid parlance. It is defined by Champus as "seriously handicapping malocclusion." The responsible specialty organization (the AAO) first approved the Salzmann Index in 1969 for this purpose and then reversed course in 1985 and took a formal position against the use of any index. Dentistry has historically chosen a state of occlusal perfection as ideal and normal and declared that variation was not normal hence abnormal and thus malocclusion. This "ideal" composes from 1% to 2% of the population and fails all statistical standards. Many indexes have been proposed based on variations from this "ideal" and fail for that reason. They are not logical. The HLD (CalMod) Index is a lawsuit-driven modification of some 1960 suggestions by Dr. Harry L. Draker. It proposes to identify the worst looking malocclusions as handicapping and offers a cut-off point to identify them. In addition, the modification includes two situations known to be destructive to tissue and structures. As of Jan. 1, 1998, the California program has had 135,655 patients screened by qualified orthodontists using this index. Of that number, 49,537 patients have had study models made and screened by qualified orthodontists using the index. Two separate studies have been performed to examine results and to identify problems. Necessary changes have been made and guidelines produced. The index problem has proven to be very dynamic in application. The HLD (CalMod) Index has been successfully applied and tested in very large numbers. This article is published as a factual review of the situation regarding the index question and one solution in the United States.

California↗
PubMed1990

Volume-corrected mitotic index and mitotic activity index in transitional cell bladder cancer.

A retrospective study was done including 265 patients with a mean clinical follow-up of 10 years. The mitotic activity in initial bladder tumor biopsies was estimated using two different methods: the traditional mitotic activity index (MAI) and the recently introduced volume-corrected mitotic index (M/V index). The grading results obtained using these indexes were compared to prognostic information obtained by subjective histological grading (WHO) and clinical staging (UICC). The progression of bladder cancer during the follow-up period was significantly related to the M/V index (p less than 0.0001), MAI (p less than 0.0001) and histological grade (p less than 0.0001) in that order. The progression in Ta-T1 tumors was significantly related to the M/V index in univariate and multivariate analysis as well. The recurrence-free period was significantly related to MAI (p = 0.006) and M/V index (p = 0.032). Clinical stage (p less than 0.0001), histological grade (p less than 0.0001), M/V index (p less than 0.0003) and MAI (p less than 0.0001) predicted bladder cancer-related survival. In a multivariate analysis the M/V index predicted the progression and survival better than MAI and gave comparable results to those obtained with subjective histological grading. The results encourage the use of the M/V index in grading bladder cancer in place of MAI.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Cytoplasmic p105 index is an accurate mitotic index, but is not related to prognosis in cervical carcinoma.

The monoclonal antibody p105 (clone 780-3) recognizes proliferation-associated nuclear antigen p105 in conventionally fixed and processed histological materials. Formaldehyde solution-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens excised from 184 patients with stage III squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix who were treated with radiation therapy alone were investigated for p105 positivity using an immunohistochemical method. Mitotic cancer cells were strongly positive for p105, showing cytoplasmic p105 positivity in almost all cases. The mean cytoplasmic p105 index was 2.02%, and the mean mitotic index in hematoxylin-eosin-stained preparations was 0.65%. There was a correlation between the cytoplasmic p105 index and mitotic index in hematoxylin-eosinstained preparations (y = 0.32x-0.003, r = .63). There was no significant relationship between the cytoplasmic p105 index or mitotic index in hematoxylin-eosin-stained preparations and prognosis. These results indicate that the cytoplasmic p105 index is not a predictive indicator for prognosis in patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma, although this index is a more accurate mitotic index than the mitotic index itself in hematoxylin-eosin-stained preparations.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Comparison of the EEG-based SNAP index and the Bispectral (BIS) index during sevoflurane-nitrous oxide anaesthesia.

The BIS monitor (Aspect Medical Inc, Newton, USA) was the first electroencephalogram (EEG)-based monitor of the hypnotic effect reflected by a dimensionless figure ranging from 100 (awake state) to 0 (flat line EEG). Its widespread use makes it the most-studied and the best-known among same intended devices. Its algorithm processes low-frequency EEG oscillations in order to provide the Bispectral index. A BIS index ranging from 40 to 60 has been established as the proper for surgical performance. The BIS monitor permits a closer approach to the hypnotic component of anaesthesia beyond clinical signs and may reduce the probability of intraoperative awareness; therefore, it has become a recommended monitoring tool in routine practice. The SNAP monitor (Nicolet Biomedical, Madison WI, USA) is also intended for monitoring the hypnotic effect of anaesthetics, which is in turn displayed as an index ranging from 100 to 0, with 100 meaning a fully awake state and 0 meaning no brain activity. The algorithm of the SNAP monitor is featured by its additional processing of ultra-high EEG frequencies, which seem to be involved in the formation of consciousness. The use of these frequencies would theoretically improve responsiveness during increased brain activity. We studied its behaviour patterns and capability to monitor the hypnotic effect induced by sevoflurane-nitrous oxide by comparison with the BIS index. Seventy patients ASA I-III were induced with propofol, fentanyl and rocuronium, and maintained with sevoflurane-N(2)O. BIS and SNAP indices were simultaneously recorded before induction, after intubation, after incision, at the following 10, 30 and 50 minutes, awakening and extubation time points, together with heart rate and blood pressure. The Pearson correlation was R(2) = 0.68 (p < .05). The Bland and Altman test showed a bias of 14.3 for SNAP index values with respect to BIS index values. We concluded that the SNAP index correlates with variations in the hypnotic effect induced by sevoflurane-nitrous oxide anaesthesia when compared with the BIS index. In this context, a SNAP index ranging from 58 to 70 would be equivalent to the BIS index range 40 to 60 and, therefore, the accurate for surgical performance.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Correlation of the American Urological Association symptom index with self-administered versions of the Madsen-Iversen, Boyarsky and Maine Medical Assessment Program symptom indexes. Measurement Committee of the American Urological Association.

We correlated the American Urological Association (AUA) symptom index with other indexes that have been used to measure symptoms for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and compared their psychometric properties. A self-administered questionnaire that allowed derivation of AUA, Maine Medical Assessment Program, Madsen-Iversen and Boyarsky symptom scores was completed by 76 men with clinically defined BPH, 59 younger control subjects, and 27 men before and after prostatectomy. The scores from the 4 indexes were strongly correlated (r = 0.77 to 0.93). All 4 indexes had good internal consistency and test-retest reliabilities. All indexes were predictive of patient global ratings of the degree of bother from the urinary condition. The AUA index discriminated BPH patients from controls significantly better than the Maine Medical Assessment Program index, and equivalently to the Madsen-Iversen and Boyarsky indexes (despite having fewer items). All 4 indexes were responsive when BPH patients underwent prostatectomy, although the AUA and Madsen-Iversen indexes were significantly more sensitive.

Humans↗
PubMed1997

Indexing events in memory: evidence for index dominance.

Research on narrative comprehension and autobiographical memory converge on three hypotheses which make different predictions about event organisation. The availability of different event components as indexes may explain the convergence on three hypotheses rather than one. In this paper, three experiments assessed event indexing in narratives with different available indexes. In Experiment 1, participants read event descriptions organised by character or time. In Experiment 2, event descriptions were organised by character or location. In Experiment 3, participants read event descriptions where events were grouped by activity. In each experiment, memory could be organised by any of the available components alone, by both components, or by using the organisation imposed by the discourse. Participants indexed events by character in Experiment 1, re-indexing information when necessary. Results of Experiment 2 indicated equal use of character and location indexes. In this case, participants used the discourse organisation. In Experiment 3, participants indexed events using activity groupings, again re-indexing events when necessary. Results are interpreted as indicating reliance on a single organising index with flexibility in the selection of different event components as indexes.

Cues↗
PubMed2006

Evaluation of right ventricular Tei index (index of myocardial performance) in healthy dogs and dogs with tricuspid regurgitation.

Right ventricular (RV) Tei index (index of myocardial performance) has been demonstrated to be clinically useful in estimating RV function in various human cardiac diseases. The purposes of this study were to validate the correlation between RV Tei index and RV function obtained by cardiac catheterization in healthy dogs, and to evaluate the RV Tei index in dogs with tricuspid regurgitation (TR). In healthy dogs, the RV Tei index significantly correlated with the RV peak +dP/dt (r=-0.80, p<0.0001) and -dP/dt (r=0.69, p=0.0001). In normal dogs, the RV Tei index was not significantly correlated with heart rate, body weight, and age. The RV Tei index significantly increased in dogs with moderate to severe TR (0.39 +/- 0.35, p=0.0015), filariasis (0.46 +/- 0.16, p=0.0131), and trivial to mild TR and severe mitral regurgitation (MR; 0.61 +/- 0.14, p=0.0017) when compared with the normal dogs (0.17 +/- 0.10). In addition, the RV Tei index in dogs with TR significantly increased in association with pulmonary hypertension [PH(-), 0.19 +/- 0.09; PH(+), 0.65 +/- 0.14; respectively p<0.0001]. Our study has demonstrated that RV Tei index is a feasible approach to estimate RV function in dogs and is not influenced by heart rate, body weight, and aging. Further investigations are required to clarify the clinical significance of RV Tei index in dogs with right-sided cardiac diseases.

Aging↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[An index for childhood nutrition--"chung-hsin" index].

For evaluation of growth and development of children, a nutritional index is one of the most important guides. Many methods have been proposed to estimate the index. Kaup's Index is one, used frequently to check the nutritional condition, but it is unsuitable for evaluation of infants under three-months-old. From July 1, 1986 to June 30, 1989, random selection of 274 normal, full-term newborns was made at Taipei Municipal Chung-Hsin Hospital; others studied were 477 normal healthy infants and preschool children from the well-baby clinic, and 629 normal healthy students from kindergartens and elementary schools in nearby downtown and rural area of Taipei County. Body weights (by gram) and body heights (by centimeter) were checked before eating. Naked for children under 3-years-old; those older were checked when wearing only underwear. The nutritional index was calculated by formula of 3 square root of W/Lx100 (Temporarily called "Chung-Hsin Index"). The distribution of Chung-Hsin Index was comparable to kaup's Index for children of three months or older. Under three months the distribution of Kaup's Index cannot be adapted as well as the Chung-Hsin Index. In conclusion, it was found that extraction of the cubic root of body weight and body height among normal newborns showed normal distribution. The Chung-Hsin Index, 3 square root of W/Lx100, which was based on the idea of normal distribution, is suitable for evaluation of the balance of body weight and body height not only in children under 3 months, but also in children up to 15 years old.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

[Changes in index-F and index-delta 4P in normal pregnancy, labor and the puerperium].

Index-F and index-delta 4P (cortisol and progesterone which are not bound to corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) in the umbilical cord vein and the maternal blood were determined during pregnancy, at delivery and puerperium. Index-F and index-delta 4P were calculated as the total cortisol or total progesterone X% unbound to CBG divided by 100. The level of index-F showed a gradual rise during pregnancy, and in late pregnancy reached about 1.5 times as high as that of non-pregnant women, whereas the total cortisol level was about 3.3 times. Near delivery, index-F was almost completely stable, but at delivery, it increased suddenly in proportion to the rise in the total cortisol level. This rise is probably due to stress. In the umbilical cord vein blood, the level of index-F was 1.5 times higher than that in the maternal plasma before delivery; however the total cortisol level was lower than that of the maternal plasma. The levels of both index-delta 4P and total progesterone showed a gradual increase during pregnancy in parallel, and each value in late pregnancy was about 4.5 to 4.9 times that of early pregnant women. At or near delivery, the level of index-delta 4P was almost stable and no decrease occurred. In the umbilical cord vein plasma, the levels of index-delta 4P and total progesterone were extremely high. However, the meaning of these results isn't clear.

Carrier Proteins↗