Validated WGS and WES protocols proved saliva-derived gDNA as an equivalent to blood-derived gDNA for clinical and population genomic analyses.

BACKGROUND: Whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) have become standard methods in human clinical diagnostics as well as in population genomics (POPGEN). Blood-derived genomic DNA (gDNA) is routinely used in the clinical environment. Conversely, many POPGEN studies and commercial tests benefit from easy saliva sampling. Here, we evaluated the quality of variant call sets and the level of genotype concordance of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small insertions and deletions (indels) for WES and WGS using paired blood- and saliva-derived gDNA isolates employing genomic reference-based validated protocols. METHODS: The genomic reference standard Coriell NA12878 was repeatedly analyzed using optimized WES and WGS protocols, and data calls were compared with the truth dataset published by the Genome in a Bottle Consortium. gDNA was extracted from the paired blood and saliva samples of 10 participants and processed using the same protocols. A comparison of paired blood-saliva call sets was performed in the context of WGS and WES genomic reference-based technical validation results. RESULTS: The quality pattern of called variants obtained from genomic-reference-based technical replicates correlates with data calls of paired blood-saliva-derived samples in all levels of tested examinations despite a higher rate of non-human contamination found in the saliva samples. The F1 score of 10 blood-to-saliva-derived comparisons ranged between 0.8030-0.9998 for SNVs and between 0.8883-0.9991 for small-indels in the case of the WGS protocol, and between 0.8643-0.999 for SNVs and between 0.7781-1.000 for small-indels in the case of the WES protocol. CONCLUSION: Saliva may be considered an equivalent material to blood for genetic analysis for both WGS and WES under strict protocol conditions. The accuracy of sequencing metrics and variant-detection accuracy is not affected by choosing saliva as the gDNA source instead of blood but much more significantly by the genomic context, variant types, and the sequencing technology used.

A probability model for estimating age in young individuals relative to key legal thresholds: 15, 18 or 21-year.

Age estimations are relevant for pre-trial detention, sentencing in criminal cases and as part of the evaluation in asylum processes to protect the rights and privileges of minors. No current method can determine an exact chronological age due to individual variations in biological development. This study seeks to develop a validated statistical model for estimating an age relative to key legal thresholds (15, 18, and 21 years) based on a skeletal (CT-clavicle, radiography-hand/wrist or MR-knee) and tooth (radiography-third molar) developmental stages. The whole model is based on 34 scientific studies, divided into examinations of the hand/wrist (15 studies), clavicle (5 studies), distal femur (4 studies), and third molars (10 studies). In total, data from approximately 27,000 individuals have been incorporated and the model has subsequently been validated with data from 5,000 individuals. The core framework of the model is built upon transition analysis and is further developed by a combination of a type of parametric bootstrapping and Bayesian theory. Validation of the model includes testing the models on independent datasets of individuals with known ages and shows a high precision with separate populations aligning closely with the model's predictions. The practical use of the complex statistical model requires a user-friendly tool to provide probabilities together with the margin of error. The assessment based on the model forms the medical component for the overall evaluation of an individual's age.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Peri-Implant Diseases in a Random Norwegian Population: Prevalence, Risk Indicators, and Clinical Validation of Patient-Reported Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of peri-implant diseases in a randomly selected Norwegian population. The secondary aims were to explore risk indicators for peri-implant diseases and to validate self-reported outcome measures from a survey with clinical parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients (n = 3083) rehabilitated with dental implants in 2014 were mailed a questionnaire and invited to a clinical examination. A randomly selected subset of responders underwent a clinical examination (n = 242). Full mouth clinical and radiographic examinations were conducted. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess patient-related risk indicators for peri-implantitis. Self-reported data were compared with data from the clinical examination using Spearman correlation and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of peri-implantitis was 17.0% at patient level and 8.6% at implant level, according to the 2018 classification. Risk indicators for peri-implantitis included smoking and periodontitis in the adjusted model. The correlation was strong (r = 0.91, p < 0.001) between number of self-reported implants and clinical counts, whereas self-reported peri-implant inflammation was associated with peri-implantitis (OR 6.4 [95% CI 3.0, 13.7]). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking and periodontitis were identified as key risk indicators for peri-implantitis. Questionnaire data rendered clinically valid estimates of implant number, and self-reported peri-implant inflammation was associated with clinical peri-implantitis.

Evaluation of an Inverse Method for Quantifying Spatially Variable Mechanics.

Soft biological tissues often function as highly deformable membranes in vivo and exhibit impressive mechanical behavior effectively characterized by planar biaxial testing. The Generalized Anisotropic Inverse Mechanics (GAIM) method links full-field deformations and boundary forces from mechanical testing to quantify material properties of soft, anisotropic, heterogeneous tissues. In this study, we introduced an orthotropic constraint to GAIM to improve the quality and physical significance of its mechanical characterizations. We evaluated the updated GAIM method using simulated and experimental biaxial testing datasets obtained from soft tissue analogs (PDMS and TissueMend) with well-defined mechanical properties. GAIM produced stiffnesses (first Kelvin moduli, K1) that agreed well with previously published Young's moduli of PDMS samples. It also matched the stiffness moduli determined via uniaxial testing for TissueMend, a collagen-rich patch intended for tendon repair. We then conducted the first biaxial testing of TissueMend and confirmed that the sample was mechanically anisotropic via a relative anisotropy metric produced by GAIM. Next, we demonstrated the benefits of full-field laser micrometry in distinguishing between spatial variations in thickness and stiffness. Finally, we conducted an analysis to verify that results were independent of partitioning scheme. The success of the newly implemented constraints on GAIM suggests notable potential for applying this tool to soft tissues, particularly following the onset of pathologies that induce mechanical and structural heterogeneities.

A novel potentiometric screen-printed electrode based on crown ethers/nano manganese oxide/Nafion composite for trace level determination of copper ion in biological fluids.

Copper levels in biological fluids are associated with Wilson's, Alzheimer's, Menke's, and Parkinson's diseases, making them good biochemical markers for these diseases. This study introduces a miniaturized screen-printed electrode (SPE) for the potentiometric determination of copper(II) in some biological fluids. Manganese(III) oxide nanoparticles (Mn2O3-NPs), dispersed in Nafion, are drop-casted onto a graphite/PET substrate, serving as the ion-to-electron transducer material. The solid-contact material is then covered by a selective polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane incorporated with 18-crown-6 as a neutral ion carrier for the selective determination of copper(II) ions. The proposed electrode exhibits a Nernstian response with a slope of 30.2 ± 0.3 mV/decade (R2 = 0.999) over the linear concentration range 5.2 × 10-9 - 6.2 × 10-3 mol/l and a detection limit of 1.1 × 10-9 mol/l (69.9 ng/l). Short-term potential stability is evaluated using constant current chronopotentiometry (CP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). A significant improvement in the electrode capacitance (91.5 µF) is displayed due to the use of Mn2O3-NPs as a solid contact. The presence of Nafion, with its high hydrophobicity properties, eliminates the formation of the thin water layer, facilitating the ion-to-electron transduction between the sensing membrane and the conducting substrate. Additionally, it enhances the adhesion of the polymeric sensing membrane to the solid-contact material, preventing membrane delamination and increasing the electrode's lifespan. The high selectivity, sensitivity, and potential stability of the proposed miniaturized electrode suggests its use for the determination of copper(II) ions in human blood serum and milk samples. The results obtained agree fairly well with data obtained by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry.

Factors associated with furcation involvement and fixed prostheses: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to explore the relationship between horizontal and vertical furcation involvement (FI) in teeth with or without a single unit fixed prosthesis (FP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult subjects presenting to the periodontics department requiring cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) analysis were recruited for this study. 79 patients, with a total of 200 teeth, were split into two groups based on the presence or absence of FP within the same patient. Our analysis considered patient-level factors like smoking, diabetes, and periodontal severity and tooth-level factors including root trunk length (RTL), probing depth (PD), periodontal supracrestal tissue height (STH), supracrestal tissue attachment (STH-PD), interproximal bone distance (IPBD) to the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) (control) or crown margin (Test), and the distance from the furcation to the CEJ (control) or crown margin (Test). Subsequently, we developed a predictive model for FI. RESULTS: The presence of a prosthesis had a significant association with FI, with an odds ratio (OR) of 12.8 (p < 0.001). Other factors significantly correlated with FI were periodontitis (OR = 10.9; p = 0.006), buccal furcation site (OR = 5.70; p < 0.001), and PD (OR = 1.90; p = 0.027). FP placement increased IPBD by 1.08 mm (p < 0.001). The predictive model built for FI demonstrated a sensitivity of 92.9% and a specificity of 66.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Fixed prosthesis significantly influenced FI only in periodontitis patients. Factors such as periodontitis Stage, probing depth, and buccal site contribute to FI. The high sensitivity of the predictive model highlights the importance of considering these correlations during treatment planning. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Comprehending FI factors is vital for devising customised treatment plans to halt disease progression and enhance outcomes of periodontal regenerative therapies.

Performance evaluation of portable respiratory polygraphy for assessing sleep bruxism in adults.

BACKGROUND: Polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard for sleep bruxism (SB) assessment, it is expensive, not widely accessible, and time-consuming. OBJECTIVE: Given the increasing prevalence of SB, there is a growing need for an alternative, readily available, reliable and cost-effective diagnostic method. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic validity of portable respiratory polygraphy (PRPG) compared with PSG for SB diagnosis. METHODS: One hundred and three subjects underwent simultaneous examinations using PRPG (NOX T3, NOX Medical) and PSG (NOX A1, NOX Medical) in a sleep laboratory. RESULTS: The mean Bruxism Episodes Index (BEI) measured by PRPG was 4.70 ± 3.98, whereas PSG yielded a mean BEI of 3.79 ± 3.08. The sensitivity for detecting sleep bruxism (BEI >2) by PRPG was 48.3%, with a specificity of 81.2%. The positive predictive value was estimated at 51.9%, and the negative predictive value at 78.9%. However, when distinguishing between mild bruxism (BEI >2 < 4) and severe bruxism (BEI >4), PRPG demonstrated a sensitivity of 77.8% and 68.3% and a specificity of 48.6% and 71.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Polysomnography continues to be the SB diagnostic gold standard tool, as the sensitivity and specificity of PRPG are significantly lower when compared with PSG. Nevertheless, PRPG could serve as an alternative tool for SB screening or diagnosis, despite its limitations. Furthermore, our data indicate that comorbidities such as sleep apnea and sleep quality do not influence the diagnostic accuracy of PSG, suggesting its potential as a screening instrument in individuals with other sleep disorders.

A translation and validation of the French version of the Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire 2 (F-GTQ-2).

BACKGROUND: Limitation of mouth opening, widely known as trismus, is a major symptom altering quality of life in individuals presenting from temporomandibular joint disorder or head and neck cancer. A French-language instrument addressing jaw opening limitation following treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC) or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is lacking. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to translate and validate the Gothenburg Trismus Questionnaire-2 (GTQ-2) into French. METHODS: A French translation of the GTQ-2 was performed according to established international guidelines, leading to the French-GTQ-2 (F-GTQ-2). The validation study included 154 participants with trismus (minimum interincisal opening of ≤35 mm) following treatment for TMD or HNC and 149 age-matched participants without trismus. All participants completed the F-GTQ-2 and participants with trismus completed additional health-related quality of life questionnaires to allow for analysis of convergent validity. RESULTS: The F-GTQ-2 demonstrated retained psychometric properties with Cronbach's alpha values above 0.70 for the domains, jaw-related problems, eating limitations, facial pain and somewhat lower for muscular tension (0.60). Mainly moderate correlations were found when comparing the F-GTQ-2 to other instruments, which was in line with the pre-specified hypotheses, indicating satisfactory convergent validity. Discriminant validity was found with statistically significant differences in all domains of the F-GTQ-2 between trismus and non-trismus participants. CONCLUSION: The F-GTQ-2 can be considered a reliable and valid instrument to assess jaw-related difficulties in individuals with trismus due to HNC or TMD.

Development and psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Orofacial Esthetic Scale.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop the Turkish version of the Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES-Tr) and to evaluate its psychometric properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The OES-Tr questionnaire was obtained from the English version of OES by translation and back-translation. The current version's psychometric properties were evaluated in a cohort of 221 participants (81 dental students, 70 dentists with 1-10 years of clinical experience, and 70 dentists with 11-20 years of clinical experience). To assess the test-retest reliability, the OES was administered twice to all participants, with a time interval of 2-4 weeks. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were assessed. Also, in validity studies, OES total scores were correlated with Oral Health Impact Profile-Turkish Version (OHIP-Tr) total scores. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha value obtained from seven items was 0.866 in the examination performed on all individuals. Reliability results show that all questionnaire items are consistent within the test. Bartlett's test of sphericity was statistically significant (p < 0.05) and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test was 0.794. The results of the exploratory factor analysis indicated the creation of a single-factor structure. The examinations conducted on all participants revealed a statistically significant weak negative correlation between OES and OHIP scores (r = -0.144). CONCLUSIONS: OES-Tr can be utilized as a reliable tool to evaluate an individual's perception of their orofacial appearance. With its excellent psychometric properties, it serves as a valuable instrument for assessing self-perceived orofacial esthetics. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: OES-Tr is a valuable instrument for assessing the appearance of the orofacial region, with good psychometric properties.

Validation of an educational comic book to guide conducts in situations of dental trauma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Childhood dental trauma poses a prevalent concern, and the limited knowledge of lay caregivers toward the needed immediate actions can adversely affect a child's well-being. This study aimed to create and validate an educational comic book for lay individuals, designed to guide immediate actions in dental trauma cases, and assess its effects toward enhancing reader knowledge. METHODOLOGY: The four-stage study involved: (1) Literature review and script development; (2) Version 1 of the comic book creation (including illustrations, layout, and design) and Flesch Readability Index (FI) calculation; (3) Version 1 validation by expert judges, assessed by the Content Validity Index (CVI); (4) Version 1 refinement based on the judges' feedback, recalculation of FI, and a pilot test (CVI) involving lay individuals who validated the final material (Version 2). The validation process involved 67 participants, including 13 specialist judges and 54 elementary school teachers. RESULTS: The CVI for Version 1 was calculated at 0.89 (89%), indicating a favorable level of agreement on the evaluated criteria. The FI was determined as 91.1%, indicating a high level of readability. The FI for Version 2 was 92.1% (indicating a very easy level of comprehension). The CVI calculated for the target audience after the pilot test was 0.99 (99%), denoting a substantial agreement among the participants. In assessing the level of knowledge, a significant increase was observed in the rate of correct answers after the comic book was read by lay individuals (p < 0.05), inasmuch as the percentage rose from 50.5% before to 81.2% after reading it. CONCLUSION: The educational comic book proved valid in terms of readability, appearance, and content. Furthermore, it had a positive impact on gaining the knowledge needed to take the appropriate actions, thus making it a valuable tool for guiding the lay population in cases of dental trauma.

Evidence of reliability and validity of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Jefferson Scale of Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Collaboration.

Interprofessional collaboration leads to better health outcomes. Measuring attitudes related to interprofessional collaboration is not a simple task, and in Brazil, there are few instruments for this evaluation. This study aimed to evaluate the evidence of validity and reliability of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Jefferson Scale of Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Collaboration in a population of undergraduate healthcare students. It included 108 undergraduates from medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, dentistry, pharmacy, psychology, and physical education academic programmes. The median age was 22 (18 and 58) and 75% were females. The scale comprises 20 items divided into two domains: working relationships, consisting of 12 items, and accountability, consisting of 8 items. The instrument showed good reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.77, 95% CI 0.71-0.83) and no item was considered inconsistent in improving the scale significantly. The scale demonstrated good evidence of validity and reliability for application among a population of Brazilian healthcare students.

Development of occlusal canting identifying tool: verification, reliability and validation assessment.

INTRODUCTION: Occlusal cant (OC) is a malocclusion trait that lacks accurate clinical assessment methods. The occlusal canting identifying tool (OCIT) was invented and patented as a clinical tool to accurately identify and quantify the degree of maxillary OC. This study aimed to 1) develop a prototype of the OCIT, 2) verify the functionality of the OCIT and 3) assess the validity and reliability of the OCIT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A patented OCIT design was revised, and the dimensions were finalized, followed by a three-dimensional conceptual prototype design that was reviewed and approved by the inventors. Verification was performed using a digital angle gauge to determine the accuracy of the bubble level as well as the angle between the bite plate and the protractor. For laboratory validation, 40 orthodontists measured the simulated OC at (0°, 2°, 4°, 6° and 8°) on five phantom heads using the OCIT. A reliability assessment of the tool was performed in three occasions by one orthodontist using the same laboratory settings. RESULTS: The OCIT was prototyped from a medical-grade stainless steel alloy (316 L). Verification assessment revealed that the accuracy error of the bubble level (0.316° ± 0.028°) was statistically significant but clinically insignificant, while that of the angle between the bite plate and protractor (0.100° ± 0.050°) was statistically insignificant. Validation assessment showed high validity of the OCIT with no statistically significant difference between the OCIT and the reference values, having more errors in identifying smaller OC degrees compared to larger OC degrees. The intraclass correlation coefficient indicated the high reliability of the OCIT. CONCLUSION: The OCIT was verified and proven to be a valid and reliable clinical tool that accurately evaluates the degree of OC.

Translation and validation into Spanish of the oral health self-efficacy scale in Chilean older adults.

BACKGROUND: Population ageing poses a challenge to improving the well-being of older adults, particularly in terms of oral health. Promoting self-efficacy in oral health behaviours is crucial for maintaining this population's health and quality of life. The Oral Health Self-Efficacy Scale (OHSES) has been widely used to assess dental self-efficacy and is considered comprehensive and reliable. However, there is a need to validate OHSES for Spanish-speaking older adults. This study aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the translated questionnaire for use in the older Chilean population. METHODS: A sample of 188 older adults, aged 60 years and above residing independently in the community, were recruited by accessing databases from the National Senior Citizen Service and various community organisations within the region of La Araucanía. The participants underwent comprehensive oral examinations and oral health interviews, focusing on variables such as OHSES, Oral health-related quality of life (OHIP-14Sp), assessment of remaining teeth, knowledge and attitudes toward oral health, and sociodemographic characteristics. The validity of the translated questionnaire was assessed through translation and cross-cultural adaptation, cognitive debriefing, and face and content validation. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire were evaluated through measures of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), content validity (Content validity index), construct validity (factor analysis and Pearson correlation analysis), and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation). RESULTS: The Spanish version of OHSES demonstrated adequate face and content validity. The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed a two-factor scale with 7 items for a better fit. The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.821) and acceptable test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.411). Correlations were found between the OHSES score, the number of remaining teeth, knowledge and attitudes towards oral health, and the OHIP-14Sp (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the validity of the Spanish version of the Oral Health Self-Efficacy Scale for older adults in Chile. The scale is expected to be helpful in assessing self-efficacy in dental interventions and collecting data for international comparisons. This research opens new dimensions in patient-reported assessment of oral health.

Laboratory validation and clinical performance of a saliva-based test for monkeypox virus.

Improved diagnostic tests and accessibility are essential for controlling the outbreak of monkeypox. We describe a saliva-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for monkeypox virus, in vitro test performance, and clinical implementation of that assay in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Palm Springs, CA. Finally, using prespecified search terms, we conducted a systematic rapid review of PubMed and Web of Science online databases of studies reporting the performance of oral pharyngeal or saliva-based tests for the monkeypox virus. The assay showed in silico inclusivity of 100% for 97 strains of monkeypox virus, with an analytic sensitivity of 250 copies/ml, and 100% agreement compared to known positive and negative specimens. Clinical testing identified 22 cases of monkeypox among 132 individuals (16.7%), of which 16 (72.7%) reported symptoms, 4 (18.2%) without a rash at the time of testing. Of an additional 18 patients with positive lesion tests, 16 (88.9%) had positive saliva tests. Our systematic review identified six studies; 100% of tests on oropharyngeal specimens from 23 patients agreed with the PCR test result of a lesion. Saliva-based PCR tests are potential tools for case identification, and further evaluation of the performance of such tests is warranted.

Development and application of a multiplex PCR system for forensic salivary identification.

In forensics, accurate identification of the origin of body fluids is essential for reconstructing a crime scene or presenting strong evidence in court. Microorganisms have demonstrated great potential in body fluid identification. We developed a multiplex PCR system for forensic salivary identification, which contains five types of bacteria:Streptococcus salivarius, Neisseria subflava, Streptococcus. mutans, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, and Bacteroides. uniformis. And the validated studies were carried out following the validation guidelines for DNA analysis methods developed by the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM), which included tests for sensitivity, species specificity, repeatability, stability, and mixed samples, trace samples, case samples, and a population study. Our result depicted that the lowest detection limit of the system was 0.01 ng template DNA. Moreover, the corresponding bacteria can still be detected when the amount of saliva input is low to 0.1 µL for DNA extraction. In addition, the target bacteria were not detected in the DNA of human, seven common animals, and seven bacteria DNA and in nine other body fluid samples (skin, semen, blood, menstrual blood, nasal mucus, sweat, tears, urine, and vaginal secretions). Six common inhibitors such as indigo, EDTA, hemoglobin, calcium ions, alcohol and humic acid were well tolerated by the system. What is more, the salivary identification system recognized the saliva component in all mixed samples and simulated case samples. Among 400 unrelated individuals from the Chinese Han population analyzed by this novel system, the detection rates of N. subflava, S. salivarius, and S. mutans were 97.75%, 70.75%, and 19.75%, respectively, with 100% identification of saliva. In conclusion, the salivary identification system has good sensitivity, specificity, stability, and accuracy, which can be a new effective tool for saliva identification.

Validation of the parent-proxy pediatric Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease quality of life outcome measure.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) reduces health-related quality of life (QOL) in children. We have previously developed and validated the English and Italian versions of the pediatric CMT-specific QOL outcome measure (pCMT-QOL) for children aged 8 to 18. There is currently no parent-proxy CMT QOL outcome measure for use in clinical trials, which could provide complementary information in these children and adolescents. This study describes the validation studies conducted to develop the parent-proxy version of the pCMT-QOL outcome measure for children aged 8 to 18 years old. Development and validation of the parent-proxy version of the pCMT-QOL outcome measure for children aged 8 to 18 years old was iterative, involving identifying relevant domains, item pool generation, prospective pilot testing and clinical assessments, structured focus-group interviews, and psychometric testing, conducted on parents of children with CMT seen at participating sites from the USA, United Kingdom, and Australia. We utilized previously described methods to develop a working parent-proxy version of the pCMT-QOL measure. From 2010 to 2016, the parent-proxy pCMT-QOL working version was administered to 358 parents of children with CMT aged 8 to 18, seen at the participating study sites of the Inherited Neuropathies Consortium. The resulting data underwent rigorous psychometric analysis, including factor analysis, test-retest reliability, internal consistency, convergent validity, IRT analysis, and longitudinal analysis, to develop the final parent-proxy version of the pCMT-QOL outcome measure for children aged 8 to 18 years old. The parent-proxy version of the pCMT-QOL outcome measure is a reliable, valid, and sensitive proxy measure of health-related QOL for children aged 8 to 18 with CMT.

Psychometric Properties of Food Frequency Questionnaires Used in Dentistry: A Systematic Review.

The objective of this systematic review was to analyze the quality of the food frequency instruments/scales used in dentistry while considering their psychometric properties. The databases consulted were PubMed (August 7, 2020), Scopus (August 27, 2020), Web of Science (August 27, 2020), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source (via EBSCO) (August 28, 2020), LILACS and BBO (August 25, 2020), gray literature: Proquest (October 1, 2020), Capes Theses Bank (October 1, 2020), Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (October 1, 2020), Google Scholar (October 2, 2020), and proceedings of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) (October 10, 2020). All databases were updated on December 12, 2022. Articles were initially selected by reading the 6,421 titles and 13 abstracts selected, followed by reading the 8 articles included for full text reading to confirm the eligibility criteria, with the aid of Rayyan software. Databases of the construction and/or validation of instruments/scales for assessing food consumption for use in dentistry (in clinical contexts and/or epidemiological studies), with or without assessment of their psychometric properties, were included. Review studies, letters to editors, and research protocols were excluded. Risk of bias assessment was performed according to the Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist. The extracted data were author, country, instrument language, sample, assessment instrument, instrument structure, type of food, instruments compared with the clinical condition, adaptation of an existing instrument, and psychometric properties evaluated. The selection, risk of bias analysis, and data extraction processes were performed by two independent evaluators. Seven studies were identified. The instruments available in the literature were in English, Japanese, Creole, and Malay. Only one study performed translation and cross-cultural validation of an instrument, whereas the others were construction studies. One study did not assess psychometric properties. Regarding the quality assessment and general classification of the studies by the COSMIN checklist, all were considered "inadequate," with reliability (test-retest) being the most validated psychometric property; only one study carried out the validation of all psychometric properties measured in COSMIN. Regarding the quality of the instruments presented, all the studies were classified as "inadequate" in the general assessment. Advances are needed in the validation process.

Method validation for the recovery of the porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus, a potential SARS-CoV-2 surrogate, from stainless steel.

Virus survival on fomites may represent a vehicle for transmission to humans. This study was conducted to optimize and validate a recovery method for the porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV), a potential SARS-CoV-2 surrogate, from stainless steel. Coupons (1.5 × 1.5 cm) inoculated with ca. 7 logs TCID50 of PRRSV were dried for 15 min at room temperature, followed by incubation at 4°C and 35% relative humidity. After 1 h and 24 h, the coupons were processed by four different methods: vortex in DMEM media, vortex in DMEM media with beads, vortex in elution buffer, and shake in elution buffer. The rinsates were processed for titration using the TCID50 method in the MARC-145 cell line. All four methods were equally effective to recover the virus from the soiled SS surfaces (> 79% recovery). The amount of infectious virus recovered after 24 h was similar (P > 0.05) to that recovered after 1 h, indicating that the virus was stable at 4°C for up to 24 h. Using an elution buffer followed by shaking was the least labor-intensive and most economical method. Therefore, this method will be used for future experiments on PRRSV survival and transfer from food-contact surfaces.

Validated HPLC-UV method for amphotericin B quantification in a critical patient receiving AmBisome and treated with extracorporeal replacement therapies.

Amphotericin B (AMB) is a polyene macrolide antifungal agent used for treating invasive fungal infections. Liposomal AMB is a lipid dosage form, available as AmBisome, which reduces the toxicity of the drug. A simple HPLC-UV method was developed for the determination of AMB in plasma to study its pharmacokinetic profile in a critical patient receiving AmBisome and treated with extracorporeal replacement therapies. Sample preparation was performed using plasma deproteinization and drug release from liposome by the addition of acetonitrile (ACN)/zinc sulfate and ultrasonication. Chromatographic separation was performed using a C18 column and a mobile phase consisting of phosphate buffer (pH 3.0)/ACN (65/35, v/v). The UV detector was set at 407 nm. The total run time analysis was 23 min. The method was validated according to the standard guidelines and applied to study the pharmacokinetics of AMB in a critical patient. The total run time analysis obtained was shorter than that of the previously reported methods, being useful for therapeutic drug monitoring or pharmacokinetic profile research.

Development and validation of HPLC method for simultaneous estimation of erlotinib and niclosamide from liposomes optimized by screening design.

The emerging drug resistance to the approved first-line drug therapy leads to clinical failure in cancer. Drug repurposing studies lead to the identification of many old drugs to be used for cancer treatment. Combining the repurposed drugs (niclosamide) with first-line therapy agents like erlotinib HCl showed improved efficacy by inhibiting erlotinib HCl acquired resistance. But there is a need to develop a sensitive, accurate, and excellent analytical method and drug delivery system for successfully delivering drug combinations. In the current study, an HPLC method was developed and validated for the simultaneous estimation of niclosamide and erlotinib HCl. The retention time of niclosamide and erlotinib hydrochloride was 6.48 and 7.65 min at 333 nm. The developed method was rapid and sensitive to separating the two drugs with reasonable accuracy, precision, robustness, and ruggedness. A Plackett-Burman (PBD) screening design was used to identify the critical parameters affecting liposomal formulation development using particle size, size distribution, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency as the response. Lipid concentration, drug concentration, hydration temperature, and media volume were critical parameters affecting the particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), ZP, and %EE of the liposomes. The optimized NCM-ERL liposomes showed the particle size (126.05 ± 2.1), PDI (0.498 ± 0.1), ZP (-16.2 ± 0.3), and %EE of NCM and ERL (50.04 ± 2.8 and 05.42 ± 1.3). In vitro release studies indicated the controlled release of the drugs loaded liposomes (87.06 ± 9.93% and 42.33 ± 0.89% in 24 h).