Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations with sleep phenotypes in a German community sample.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disorders and vitamin D deficiency are among the most common health problems. Few studies investigated the effect of vitamin D on objectively recorded sleep with sound methodological quality and reasonable temporal proximity. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and objective sleep parameters assessed within close temporal proximity in a population-based sample. It is expected that higher serum 25(OH)D concentrations are associated with 1) better objective sleep outcomes (longer sleep duration, higher sleep efficiency, earlier mid-sleep time) and 2) more positive subjective sleep evaluations. METHODS: A subset of participants (n = 1045) from the LIFE-Adult-Study was analysed. Measurement of serum 25(OH)D vitamin was performed using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Actigraphic assessments were performed using SenseWear Pro 3 devices. The following objective sleep parameters were calculated: total sleep duration, night sleep duration, night sleep efficiency, midsleep time and wake after sleep onset (WASO). Subjective sleep evaluations were assessed via questionnaire (sleep quality (PSQI), daytime sleepiness (ESS)). Data were analysed applying a multiple linear regression model with a stepwise approach. RESULTS: The regression models revealed significant associations of serum 25(OH)D concentration with night sleep duration and midsleep time. No association was found for total sleep duration and night sleep efficiency. Higher serum 25(OH)D concentration was further associated with shorter WASO in males but longer WASO in females. Moreover, serum 25(OH)D concentration did not show any significant association with subjective sleep quality and daytime sleepiness. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that a higher concentration of serum 25(OH)D is associated with longer and earlier night sleep. Although the present study was able to demonstrate an association between serum 25(OH)D concentration and objective sleep parameters, no conclusion about underlying mechanisms or causal inferences can be drawn.

Adhesion to primary and permanent dentin and a simple model approach.

OBJECTIVES: First to compare different dentin bonding agents' shear bond strength to primary and permanent dentin. Secondly to compare the fracture failure modes and making an attempt to develop a statistical model that could be helpful in predicting them. METHODS: Extracted human primary and permanent molars were used as substrates (dentin). The shear bond strength of composite to substrate was measured and fracture surfaces were evaluated visually and with stereomicroscope. Using the data obtained, a statistical model was built in order to predict the failure modes. RESULTS: Higher bond strength values were obtained for permanent dentin. Total-etch adhesives displayed higher shear bond strength values than the self-etch adhesive. Adhesive failures were more frequently seen in primary dentin. Self-etch adhesive system displayed more adhesive failures. Prepared model confirmed the negative relationship between shear bond strength and the probability of observing adhesive failure. CONCLUSIONS: There should be an application protocol for the usage of dentin bonding agents in primary dentin. Further development of statistical and fuzzy models for failure modes can be supportive alternatives for microscopic evaluations and also be helpful in understanding and eliminating the factors which are responsible for the formation of adhesive failures and for achieving clinically more successful adhesive restorations.

Linear regression modeling to compare fluoride release profiles of various restorative materials.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the released fluoride profiles of various restorative materials by using linear regression analysis. METHODS: Specimens were prepared using a cylindrical Teflon mold with a height of 2 mm and a radius of 8 mm. After being prepared, specimens were immediately placed into artificial saliva which was replaced at various times during 6 weeks. These released intrinsic fluoride amounts were measured by using an ion selective electrode. Then, data obtained cumulatively were statistically analyzed, and the released profiles were compared. RESULTS: It was observed that the materials released fluoride at different levels of concentration and the largest fluoride release was obtained from the conventional glass ionomer cement. This was followed by resin modified glass ionomer cement, polyacid modified composite resin, and fluoride releasing composite resin, respectively. Although the released fluoride amounts of the materials were different, their release profiles were found to be similar in that the release was initially fast and then it became steady as time passed. SIGNIFICANCE: The statistical modeling of the release profiles helps to compare the fluoride release behavior of materials and also to predict fluoride release amounts for the future. In literature, for these purposes, separate nonlinear statistical models have extensively been utilized. However, the single linear statistical modeling approach has numerous advantages such as providing estimators having good statistical properties, exact results, precise inference and simplicity in calculation. Therefore, this study was conducted to introduce the use of single linear regression modeling to compare release profiles statistically.