ABSTRACT
ZnO particles were synthetized by the sol-gel method and subsequent heat treatment of 400, 500 and 600 °C was applied. The nano ZnO particles were incorporated to the unsaturated polyester resin by solution blending at 0.05 wt % concentration. X-ray diffraction detected the formation of a wurtzite-like structure. Viscoelastic behavior of neat polyester and nanocomposites revealed the nano ZnO particles does not promote better mechanical properties because of a weak interaction and the glass transition temperature of the polyester was favored by the presence of a higher quantity of nano-size ZnO particles. Thermogravimetric analysis at 5, 10 and 20 °C/min allowed determining the degradation kinetic parameters based on the Friedman and Kissinger models for neat polyester and nanocomposites. Heating rates promoted an increase in the temperature degradation and the addition of ZnO particles promoted a catalyst effect that reduce the amount of thermal energy needed to start the thermal degradation.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of hearing-impaired children fitted with either a cochlear implant and a hearing aid or bilateral hearing aids, and to compare their outcomes with those of normal-hearing peers. We also investigated the impact of demographic, clinical, and audiological results on QOL. METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional study using a generic QOL questionnaire. Questionnaires were completed by children and their parents. Eighty-eight children were divided into three groups: bilateral deaf children with a cochlear implant and a contralateral hearing aid (bimodal group), bilateral deaf children with bilateral hearing aids (hearing aid group), and normal-hearing children. The Spanish version of the KINDLr test was used. Responses were correlated with demographic, clinical, and audiological data. RESULTS: The questionnaires revealed a high health-related QOL with a total self-rating score for the children and a proxy score for the parents of 75 or higher in five out of six domains. No significant difference was found in the QOL among the three groups. Additionally, there was no significant difference between the self-rating and the proxy total scores, and no significant association was found between the QOL and the variables of the study. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate a high level of QOL in hearing-impaired children and their families following treatment with either bilateral hearing aids or bimodal stimulation. Children and their parents reported a QOL similar to that of normal-hearing children.
Subject(s)
Cochlear Implants , Hearing Aids , Quality of Life , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Disabled Children , Female , Humans , Male , Patient Satisfaction , Persons With Hearing ImpairmentsABSTRACT
In order to assess a cost analysis in the management of recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM) in children, we performed a prospective study with data obtained from 80 patients with RAOM, evaluated between january 1998 and february 2000. A good outcome with the antibiotic prophylaxis was obtained in 67 cases (83,7%), with either amoxicillin or azythromicin. Applying the model of assumptions the control of RAOM with ear tube insertion was obtained in 66 children (82,5%). Thus, the cost of antibiotic chemoprophylaxis was Euro 83,60 for the amoxicillin patients and Euro 116,60 for the azythromicin ones. Surgical approach of this entity with the use of ear tubes costs Euro 392,95 per case. To sum up, in pediatric patients, without medical contraindications, the initial treatment for RAOM is chemoprophylaxis, with ear tubes reserved its failure.
Subject(s)
Otitis Media/economics , Acute Disease , Anti-Bacterial Agents/economics , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Child , Child, Preschool , Costs and Cost Analysis , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Ear Ventilation/economics , Otitis Media/drug therapy , Otitis Media/surgery , Prospective Studies , Secondary Prevention , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Con el objeto de calcular los costos en el manejo de la otitis media aguda de repetición (OMAR), se realizó un estudio prospectivo sobre 80 pacientes vistos entre enero de 1998 y febrero de 2000. En 67 de los 80 pacientes (83,7%) se controlaron los episodios de O MAR mediante una profilaxis antibiótica (bien con amoxicilina o con azitromicina). Según el modelo de estimación estadística, en 66 niños se hubiese conseguido el mismo objetivo utilizando los TDT (82,5%). El coste por enfermo de cada tipo de terapia fue: 83,60 para los enfermos tratados con amoxicilina, 116,60 para los tratados con azitromicina y 392,95 en los operados. Así, en niños sin contraindicaciones médicas, el manejo inicial más conveniente de la OMAR parece ser la profilaxis antibiótica, reservando los TDT para sus fracasos
In arder to assess a cost analysis in the management of recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM) in children, we performed a prospective study with data obtained from 80 patients with RAOM, evaluated between january 1998 and february 2000. A good outcome with the antibiotic prophylaxis was obtained in 67 cases (83,7%), with either amoxicillin or azythromicin. Applying the model of assumptions the control of RAOM with ear robe insertion was obtained in 66 children (82,5%). Thus, the cost of antibiotic chemoprophylaxis was 83,60 for the amoxicillin patients and 116,60 for the azythromicin ones. Surgical approach of this entity with the useof ear robes costs 392,95 per case. To sum up, in pediatric patients, without medical contraindications, the initial treatment for RAOM is chemoprophylaxis, with ear robes reserved its failure
