Search results for " Nonparametric"
showing 10 items of 335 documents
The clinical use of statistical permutation test methodology: a tool for identifying predictive variables of outcome.
2015
<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> To identify the predictive variables affecting the outcome after radical surgery for bladder cancer by a newer statistical methodology, i.e. nonparametric combination (NPC). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A multicenter study enrolled 1,312 patients who had undergone radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in 11 Italian oncological centers from January 1982 to December 2002. A statistical analysis<b> </b>of their medical history and diagnostic, pathological and postoperative variables was performed using a NPC test. The<b> </b>patients were included in a comprehensive database with medical history and cli…
Nitrate-induced coronary vasodilation by stress-magnetic resonance imaging: A novel noninvasive test of coronary vasomotion
2004
Purpose To evaluate the feasibility of assessing coronary vasodilation following exogenous nitrates, using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). The assessment of coronary response to exogenous nitrovasodilators may have a diagnostic and prognostic impact in patients with coronary artery disease. To date, stress imaging of coronary artery vasomotion has been confined to the catheterization laboratory. MRA is emerging as a noninvasive tool for coronary artery imaging. Materials and Methods Coronary MRA was performed in 20 healthy volunteers (12 males, age = 33 ± 8). We used spiral spoiled gradient echo (SSGE) sequences for imaging of coronary artery lumen. After the baseline short-axis view …
Efficacy of low level laser therapy in reducing postoperative pain after endodontic surgery-- a randomized double blind clinical study.
2004
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of low level laser application on postoperative pain after endodontic surgery in a double blind, randomized clinical study. Fifty-two healthy adults undergoing endodontic surgery were included into the study. Subsequently to suturing, 26 patients had the operation site treated with an 809 nm-GaAlAs-laser (oralaser voxx, Oralia GmbH, Konstanz, Germany) at a power output of 50 mW and an irradiation time of 150 s. Laser treatment was simulated in further 26 patients. Patients were instructed to evaluate their postoperative pain on 7 days after surgery by means of a visual analogue scale (VAS). The results revealed that the pain level in the laser…
A multicenter clinical trial on the use of alpha1-antichymotrypsin-prostate-specific antigen in prostate cancer diagnosis
2001
BACKGROUND The aim was to evaluate the clinical performance of alpha1-antichymotrypsin prostate-specific antigen (PSA-ACT) for early diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) in a multicenter trial. METHODS Three hundred sixty-seven white men with PCa and 290 with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with tPSA concentrations between 2 and 20 μg/L were analyzed. The Elecsys system 2010 (Roche Diagnostics, Germany) was used for determination of total PSA (tPSA) and free PSA (fPSA). The PSA-ACT test was a prototype assay used on the ES system (Roche Diagnostics). RESULTS The median concentrations of tPSA (PCa: 8.43 μg/L vs. BPH: 6.60 μg/L) and PSA-ACT (8.30 μg/L vs. 6.46 μg/L) were significantly differ…
Effects of a nonsurgical exercise program on the decreased mouth opening in patients with systemic scleroderma.
2004
The decreased mouth opening (microstomia) represents a frequent finding in patients with systemic scleroderma (SSD), but little information is available about the efficacy of nonsurgical management of this condition. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of a nonsurgical exercise program on the decreased mouth opening in a group of 10 SSD patients with severe microstomia (maximal mouth opening 0.1). At the end of the 18-week period, all patients commented that eating, speaking and oral hygiene measures were easier. The edentulous subjects also experienced less difficulty inserting their own dentures. These findings suggest that regular application of the proposed exercise program m…
Validity of Pelvic Autonomic Nerve Stimulation With Intraoperative Monitoring of Bladder Function Following Total Mesorectal Excision for Rectal Canc…
2005
This prospective study was designed to clarify whether the results of the intraoperative stimulation of parasympathetic pelvic nerves performed in 31 patients after mesorectal excision for rectal carcinoma allowed predictions in terms of the postoperative bladder function of the patients.After monopolar stimulation of the splanchnic pelvic nerves using a constant voltage stimulator (Screener 3625), intravesical pressure increase was measured manometrically. The results were related to the postoperative residual urine volume, requirement of recatheterization and long-term catheterization, just as to the results of the validated International Prostatic Symptom Scores and the Quality of Life I…
Influence of myocardial fibrosis and blood oxygenation on heart T2* values in thalassemia patients
2009
Purpose To determine whether T2* measurements quantifying myocardial iron overload in thalassemia patients are influenced by myocardial fibrosis and blood oxygenation. Materials and Methods Multislice multiecho T2* was performed in 94 thalassemia patients in order to quantify myocardial iron overload. The left ventricle was automatically segmented into a 16-segment standardized heart model, and the T2* value on each segment as well as the global T2* were calculated. Delayed enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance (DE-CMR) images were obtained to detect myocardial fibrosis. The blood oxygenation was assessed by the noninvasive measurement of partial pressure of oxygen (pO2). Results Myoca…
Laparoscopic temporary clipping of uterine artery during laparoscopic myomectomy
2012
Purpose: Our aim is to study the feasibility and effect of bilateral laparoscopic temporary occlusion of uterine arteries by special vascular clamps on blood loss during laparoscopic myomectomy. Methods: Of 166 women with symptomatic uterine myomas necessitating surgical intervention who wished to retain their uteri, 80 underwent laparoscopic uterine artery clipping and myomectomy (experimental group) and 86 received laparoscopic myomectomy only (control group). Main outcome measures were operating time, number and weight of leiomyomas, blood loss, Doppler examination of the uterine arteries and complications of procedure. Results: In the experimental group the median hemoglobin drop measur…
Acoustic Airway Profiles in Unilateral Cleft Palate Patients
1999
Objective: This study investigates the nasal airway in unilateral cleft palate patients by means of a noninvasive, objective diagnostic method that provides topographic information about the airway profile. Design: A consecutive sample of patients was measured. Setting: Cleft palate rehabilitation center of the University of Mainz, Germany. Patients: Forty-nine subjects were investigated: 34 full-grown patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate and 15 controls with subjective normal nasal patency. Intervention: A transnasal series of three acoustic measurements of nasal volume was performed per nostril; measurements were taken both before and after decongestion with 0.3 mg xylom…
Clinical parameters and aMMP-8-concentrations in gingival crevicular fluid in pregnancy gingivitis.
2013
BACKGROUND During pregnancy hormonal changes may increase the risk for developing gingivitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the signs of gingival inflammation and the enzyme activity of matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8) in the gingival crevicular fluid of pregnant women. METHODS After approval by the ethics commission, a total of 40 volunteers participated in the study; group 1 (n = 20, age: 32 +/- 4 years) with pregnant women, and group 2 (n = 20, age: 30 +/- 10 years) with age-matched non-pregnant women as controls. After obtaining anamnestic data, the dental examination included assessment of oral hygiene, gingival inflammation, probing pocket depth, and recession. Gingival cre…