The Relationship Between Auditory and Cognitive Processing Abilities in Children With Specific Learning Disorders.

PURPOSE: Specific learning disorder (SLD) refers to a pattern of learning difficulties characterized by problems with reading, writing, or mathematics that are not solely due to intellectual disabilities, sensory deficits, or other neurological or medical conditions. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the processing and organizing of information. Auditory and cognitive processing is affected in most children with SLD, although to a varying degree. However, it is still unclear whether there exists any relationship between auditory and cognitive processing disorders in children with SLD. METHOD: We tested 1,259 children, of whom 77 were diagnosed as SLD and 30 age- and gender-matched typically developing (TD) children were selected. Auditory processing abilities were assessed for auditory discrimination, pattern perception, closure, temporal processing, binaural integration, and separation using standardized tests and procedures. Cognitive processing was measured using working memory, short-term memory, and attention tasks. RESULTS: The test data of the TD children were taken as the norm. Based on the normative range, children with SLD were divided into those with auditory processing disorder (APD; n = 31) and those without APD (n = 46). A regression model highlighted a robust positive relationship between APD and cognitive processing, particularly pronounced in SLD with APD children. The results are discussed, supporting the information-processing theory of learning disability and highlighting a complex loop between auditory and cognitive deficits in children with SLD. CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscore the critical role of both auditory and cognitive abilities in children with SLD. Tailoring the intervention to break the loop is recommended, which may improve learning abilities more effectively.

A randomized clinical trial investigating the effect of three vital tooth bleaching protocols on oral health-related quality of life.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare changes in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) resulting from three vital tooth bleaching protocols. Methods: The participants (n = 105) were randomly assigned to one of three vital bleaching treatment groups: home bleaching (HB), in-office bleaching (IOB), or combined bleaching (CB). HB involved the use of custom-made trays and 10% carbamide peroxide for a 14-day treatment period. IOB utilized 37.5% hydrogen peroxide applied in three cycles. CB treatment involved the use of IOB followed by HB. Tooth colour change was evaluated using a shade guide (ΔVS) and a digital spectrophotometry device (ΔES). The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and Oral Impact on Daily Performance-22 (OIDP-22) instruments were used to assess changes in OHRQoL at baseline, 15-days and 6-month recalls. Linear mixed models were used to estimate between- and within-group differences. Results: All bleaching protocols led to significant improvements in overall OHIP-14 scores at the 6-month recall (p ≤ 0.037). CB and IOB treatments were associated with more substantial positive impacts on overall scores, psychological discomfort, physical disability (CB only), and psychological disability (CB only) compared to HB (p ≤ 0.011). Significant enhancements in OIDP-22 scores were observed in the CB and HB groups at the 6-month recall compared to baseline (p ≤ 0.006), with evidence indicating that these improvements were greater in the CB group compared to the IOB group (p = 0.007). Conclusion: All bleaching treatments demonstrated a positive impact on OHRQoL. However, the positive impact was most consistent across domains and age groups in the CB group. The positive impact was less pronounced in older age groups.

Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Rollouts and Their Effects on Health Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Vaccination against the coronavirus disease (SARS-CoV-2) is understood to be the key way out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Limited evidence exists on the determinants of vaccine rollouts and their health effects at the country level. OBJECTIVE: Examine the determinants of COVID-19 vaccine rollouts and their effects on health outcomes. METHODS: Ordinary least squares regressions with standard errors clustered at the country level for Cross-section and Panel daily data of vaccinations and various health outcomes (new COVID-19 cases, fatalities, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions) for an unbalanced sample of about 200 countries during the period 16 December 2020 to 20 June 2021. RESULTS: We find evidence that: (i) early vaccine procurement, domestic production of vaccines, the severity of the pandemic, a country's health infrastructure, and vaccine acceptance are significant determinants of the speed of vaccination rollouts; (ii) vaccine deployment significantly reduces new COVID-19 infections, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions, and fatalities, and is more effective when coupled with stringent containment measures, or when a country is experiencing a large outbreak; and (iii) COVID-19 cases in neighboring countries can lead to an increase in a country's domestic caseload, and hamper efforts in taming its own local outbreak. CONCLUSIONS: By providing an early broad overview of the quantitative empirical estimates of the determinants of vaccine rollouts and the effects of COVID-19 vaccines, our paper can help policymakers make informed decisions about local and global distributions of vaccines, as well as related policy tools, such as containment measure.

The effects of COVID-19 vaccines on economic activity.

This paper empirically examines the economic effects of COVID-19 vaccine rollouts using a cross-country daily database of vaccinations and high-frequency indicators of economic activity-nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions, carbon monoxide (CO) emissions, and Google mobility indices-for a sample of 46 countries over the period December 16, 2020 to June 20, 2021. Using surprises in vaccines administered, we find that an unexpected increase in vaccination per capita is associated with a significant increase in economic activity. We also find evidence for nonlinear effects of vaccines, with the marginal economic benefits being larger when vaccination rates are higher. Country-specific conditions play an important role, with lower economic gains if strict containment measures are in place or if the country is experiencing a severe outbreak. Finally, the results provide evidence of spillovers across borders, highlighting the importance of equitable access to vaccines across nations.

Predictive ability of scoring systems towards casting in treatment of idiopathic clubfoot by the Ponseti method in infants.

A prospective study to find a correlation between the severity of clubfoot and the number of casts required for the correction was conducted. The relationship of early relapse with the severity of the deformity was also studied. A total of 42 infants (61 feet) with primary and idiopathic clubfeet were included in the study. Previously treated and clubfeet due to secondary causes were excluded. All clubfeet were treated by the Ponseti method, and the Pirani score, Dimeglio score and Foot Bimalleolar (FBM) angle were taken at presentation and before every casting and at 6 months of follow-up. The average age of the child at presentation was 24 days, the average initial Pirani score was 4.172, the average initial Dimeglio score was 14.36 and the average FBM angle was 63.87 degrees. The average number of corrective casts given was 5.08 (range 2-8). The regression analysis showed a low correlation between Pirani and Dimeglio scores with the number of casts. There was no correlation between FBM angle and casting. Eleven of the 61 feet had a relapse (18%). Ten of 11 relapsed feet had a midfoot Pirani score of equal to or more than 2. The regression analysis shows a low correlation between Pirani and Dimeglio scores with the number of casts. There was no correlation between FBM angle and casting. Midfoot score equal to or more than 2 is a significant risk factor for relapse.

A randomized clinical trial investigating three vital tooth bleaching protocols and associated efficacy, effectiveness and participants' satisfaction.

OBJECTIVES: To compare tooth colour change and participant's satisfaction following: home (HB), in-office (IOB) and combined (CB) bleaching treatments. METHODS: A group of 105 participants received HB, IOB and CB treatments. HB was performed using custom-made trays and 10 % carbamide peroxide for 14 days. IOB was performed using 37.5 % hydrogen peroxide applied in 3 cycles. CB bleaching treatment involved IOB followed by HB. Tooth colour change was assessed visually (VC-ΔVC) and using a digital spectrophotometry device (ES-ΔeVS). Participant's perception of oral health, smile and straightness and whiteness of teeth were evaluated using self-reported questionnaire. Parameters/responses were evaluated/collected prior bleaching and at recalls. Linear mixed models were used to estimate between- and within-group differences. RESULTS: CB resulted in significantly higher shade difference at 15 days recall (ΔVC and ΔeVS, all p ≤ 0.046). At 6 months recall, CB group demonstrated higher ΔeVS compared to IOB (p = 0.018) but the difference was not significant between the same groups when using VC (p = 0.051). Significant colour improvement was observed among all groups at 6 months recall (all within-group p < 0.001) except older participants (≥40 years) who received HB (ΔeVS: within-group p = 0.060). Overall, self-perception of oral health and satisfaction with smile and whiteness of teeth were significantly improved in all groups (all within-group p ≤ 0.001). Satisfaction levels with straightness of teeth were significantly improved for CB and IOB overall and in younger (<40 years) participants (all within-group p ≤ 0.013). CONCLUSION: CB treatment resulted in a pronounced colour improvement when compared to both techniques used individually. All bleaching protocols resulted in significant improvement of participants' perceived oral health and satisfaction with smile and whiteness of teeth. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Accelerated whitening can be achieved using a combination of in-office and home bleaching. Patients who may accept gradual whitening of teeth can be treated effectively using a cost-effective protocol and less concentrated bleaching agents.

Vital bleaching and oral-health-related quality of life in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that investigated changes in perceived quality of life following vital tooth bleaching. METHODS: Online searches (Medline, PubMed, the Cochrane database of systemic reviews and Google scholar), bibliographic, and manual searches were carried out. Two authors independently screened the 313 articles identified from the searches and two authors extracted data, including risk of bias using the Cochrane data collection form. Random effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the pooled standardized mean difference (with 95% CI) and the 95% prediction interval. RESULTS: Only four studies met the inclusion criteria, two showing statistically significant improvement, one worsening, and one inconclusive. The pooled standardized estimate for change in quality of life after bleaching was 0.04 (95% CI -0.15, 0.24) with substantial heterogeneity (I-squared 82.1%). Within these studies, there was a pattern of improvement in aesthetic-related domains (e.g. smiling and psychological discomfort) and deterioration in function-related domains (e.g. hygiene and pain). CONCLUSIONS: Vital bleaching was not associated with improvements in overall Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in these heterogeneous populations. Vital bleaching appeared to impact some domains of OHRQoL positively and some negatively, indicating the need for clinicians to treat patients receiving bleaching treatment so as to obtain the best improvement in aesthetics with minimal side effects. Clinicians should be aware of the potential impact caused by tooth sensitivity and offer proper instruction to prevent it or treatment to reduce its impact. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Bleaching treatment produces positive changes in young participants' OHRQoL in aesthetic areas such as smiling, laughing, and showing teeth without embarrassment. Tooth sensitivity, the main side-effect of vital bleaching treatment, can affect quality of life, and so oral health professionals should offer evidence-based advice to prevent and manage sensitivity.