Evaluating dental zirconia

Objectives

To survey simple contact testing protocols for evaluating the mechanical integrity of zirconia dental ceramics. Specifically, to map vital material property variations and to quantify competing damage modes.

File-splitting multilayer vs monolithic Y-TZP: Fatigue flexural strength and loading stresses by finite element analysis

Objective

To compare file-splitting multilayer (fused and cemented) with monolithic Y-TZP on the fatigue flexural strength and finite element analysis (FEA) stresses. Additionally, to verify the effect of the material under tension in multilayer Y-TZP.

Validation of the Korean Version of Schedule of Fatigue and Anergia: General Physician Questionnaire

The Schedule of Fatigue and Anergy/General Physician (SOFA/GP) was developed to screen for prolonged fatigue in the primary care setting. We aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the SOFA/GP (SOFA/GP-K), which is adapted from the original English version. We performed translation and back translation, and after conducting a pilot study, we tested the final version of the questionnaire for its reliability and validity in a Korean primary care setting. Two hundred participants that visited a health examination center in a university hospital completed the survey between September and November 2012. A second survey was performed within 2 weeks of the primary survey to test for reliability. We evaluated concurrent validity between the SOFA/GP-K score, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Brief Fatigue Index (BFI) scores. The Spearman correlation coefficient between SOFA/GP-K and FSS was 0.71 and 0.61 between SOFA/GP-K and BFI. Internal consistency of SOFA/GP-K was observed (Cronbach''s alpha = 0.82) and construct validity was confirmed by factor analysis. The Kappa scores for test-retest reliability for each survey item were between 0.28 and 0.64. The SOFA/GP-K is a valid and reliable questionnaire for screening fatigue in a primary care setting.     

Double-blind, randomized trial of dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride for the treatment of sarcoidosis-associated fatigue

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a common complaint in patients with sarcoidosis. We studied the effectiveness of dexmethylphenidate hydrochloride (d-MPH) in treating sarcoidosis-associated fatigue. METHODS: This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of d-MPH. Patients were seen weekly and completed Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) and Fatigue Assessment Score (FAS) instruments. After a 1-week wash-in period, patients received either d-MPH or placebo. After 8 weeks, the medications were stopped. Following a 2-week wash-out period, patients were crossed over to 8 weeks of the other treatment. FVC and 6-min walk distance (6MWD) were determined initially and after each treatment arm. RESULTS: Ten patients with sarcoidosis were enrolled: 8 women and 5 African Americans. All were receiving systemic sarcoidosis therapy. Significant improvement in fatigue was reported by patients when receiving d-MPH (FACIT-F, p < 0.001; FAS, p < 0.02). FVC was higher at the end of 8 weeks of d-MPH compared to the baseline values (baseline median, 2.38 L; range, 1.17 to 4.53 L; placebo median, 2.41 L; range, 1.50 to 4.65 L; d-MPH median, 2.56 L; range, 1.50 to 4.96 L; p < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the 6MWD (baseline median, 330 m; range, 60 to 460 m; placebo median, 350 m; range, 180 to 460 m; d-MPH median, 390 m; range, 200 to 460 m). d-MPH was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with d-MPH was associated with a significant improvement in sarcoidosis-associated fatigue. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00361387.     

太极拳联合耳穴贴压对COPD缓解期患者疲劳的影响

目的 探讨太极拳联合耳穴贴压对COPD缓解期患者疲劳的影响.方法 将60例COPD缓解期出现疲劳的患者随机分为观察组和对照组各30例,对照组接受常规出院护理指导;观察组在此基础上给予太极拳及耳穴贴压干预,2个月后评价效果.结果 观察组在干预后疲劳总分显著低于对照组[(78.81±2.81) vs.(94.08±3.50)](P＜0.05),肺功能检查和生活质量评分优于对照组(P＜0.05).结论 太极拳联合耳穴贴压能有效减轻COPD缓解期患者的疲劳程度,改善患者肺功能,提高患者的生活质量.     

The Effects of Fatigue and Task Repetition on the Surface Electromyographic Signal

The effects of fatigue and repetition of the task on the surface electromyographic signal were examined during 4 sessions using an isometric motor control task. The muscle chosen for this study was one of the main ankle dorsiflexors (m. tibialis anterior). The electromyographic output and a functional (force) output of this muscle were recorded during two conditions: a SHORT-F condition in which the effect of task repetition on the relationship between force and IEMG was studied, and a LONG-F condition in which the effect of fatigue was studied. The results indicated that repetition of the task resulted in a significant increase in the ratio between the electromyographic and functional output of the m. tibialis anterior, indicating an increase in efficiency across the 4 sessions. Fatigue on the other hand resulted in a significant decrease in the ratio between the electromyographic and functional output of the m. tibialis anterior, indicating a decrease in efficiency. Fatigue also resulted in a significant and rapid increase in the electromyographic activity. The implications of these results for the therapeutic use of the electromyographic signal were discussed.     

Median frequency of the myoelectric signal

Summary A study was performed to investigate the existence of any distinction in the fatiguability of corresponding contralateral muscles in the hand as a function of hand dominance. The first dorsal interosseous muscle was studied. The median frequency of the myoelectric signal was employed to describe the fatigue behavior of the muscle. It was found that during sustained contractions the median frequency decreased faster in the non-dominant hand of right handed individuals, whereas, no statistically significant distinction could be found in left handed individuals. This distinction was evident in both male and female subjects. This study demonstrates that continued preferential usage of a muscle is associated with altered electrical properties of the myoelectric signal and that the median frequency of the signal provides an appropriate measure of the modifications. It is argued that the findings may provide an indication of modifications in the metabolic properties of muscle fibers induced by a lifetime of preferred functional use. Dr. Sabbahi is now with the Texas Woman's University School of Physical Therapy in Houston, Texas, USA     

The impact of fatigue on the development of postpartum depression

BACKGROUND: Previous research suggests early postpartum fatigue (PPF) plays a significant role in the development of postpartum depression (PPD). Predicting risk for PPD via early identification of PPF may provide opportunity for intervention. OBJECTIVE: To replicate and extend previous studies concerning the impact of PPF on symptoms of PPD and to describe the relationships among PPF, PPD, and other variables using the theory of unpleasant symptoms. DESIGN: Correlational, longitudinal study. SETTING: Participants' homes. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of 42 community-dwelling women recruited before 36 weeks of pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: PPF, depressive symptoms, and stress measured during prenatal weeks 36 to 38, and on Days 7, 14, and 28 after childbirth. Salivary cortisol was measured as a physiological marker of stress. RESULTS: Significant correlations were obtained between PPF and symptoms of PPD on Days 7, 14, and 28, with Day 14 PPF levels predicting future development of PPD symptoms in 10 of 11 women. Perceived stress, but not cortisol, was also correlated with symptoms of PPD on Days 7, 14, and 28. Women with a history of depression had elevated depression scores compared to women without, but no variable was as effective at predicting PPD as PPF. CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue by Day 14 postpartum was the most predictive variable for symptoms of PPD on Day 28 in this population.     

Fatigue and psychiatric illness in a large community sample of persons with multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Fatigue and depression are among the most common and disabling symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS), but the nature and extent of the relationships between fatigue and psychiatric disorders in MS patients remain poorly understood. METHODS: A mail survey was completed by 739 members of the King County (WA) MS Association. Fatigue was evaluated by questions from the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), depressive symptoms by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), substance-use disorders from the PRIME-MD. Information on demographics, employment and characteristics of MS was also collected. Logistic regression was used to identify covariates significantly associated with disabling fatigue. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of fatigue for depression. RESULTS: Twenty-five percent of this community-dwelling sample reported that their activities were often or almost always limited by fatigue. Seventy-six percent of subjects with disabling fatigue had significant depressive symptoms (CES-D >16), compared with 31% of those without disabling fatigue. Depression was strongly associated with fatigue, after controlling for age, gender, marital status, and severity, course and duration of illness. In logistic regression analysis, subjects with clinically significant depressive symptoms (CES-D >16) were much more likely to report disabling fatigue: OR = 6.24 (4.16, 9.35). Anxiety and substance-use disorders did not have the same strong associations with fatigue. Fatigue was highly sensitive and specific for clinically significant depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Disabling fatigue is strongly associated with clinically significant depressive symptoms. Patients who report disabling fatigue should be screened for depression.