Dental Hygiene Educators' Perspectives Towards Manikin Testing for Clinical Licensure Examination.

The use of manikin testing was recently introduced for dental hygiene licensure examinations. There is currently a lack of research about the efficacy and accuracy of manikin testing for clinical licensure. The purpose of this study is to identify perceptions of dental hygiene educators regarding the use of manikins for the dental hygiene clinical licensure exam.

Sensitivity of viscoelastic characterization in multi-harmonic atomic force microscopy.

Quantifying the nanomechanical properties of soft-matter using multi-frequency atomic force microscopy (AFM) is crucial for studying the performance of polymers, ultra-thin coatings, and biological systems. Such characterization processes often make use of cantilever's spectral components to discern nanomechanical properties within a multi-parameter optimization problem. This could inadvertently lead to an over-determined parameter estimation with no clear relation between the identified parameters and their influence on the experimental data.

A randomised, open-label, phase 2 study of the IDO1 inhibitor epacadostat (INCB024360) versus tamoxifen as therapy for biochemically recurrent (CA-125 relapse)-only epithelial ovarian cancer, primary peritoneal carcinoma, or fallopian tube cancer.

Objective: Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) is a key regulator of immune tolerance in ovarian cancer. This study investigated efficacy and safety of the IDO1 enzyme inhibitor epacadostat versus tamoxifen in patients with biochemical-only recurrence (CA-125 elevation) following complete remission after first-line chemotherapy for advanced epithelial ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer.

Methods: In this open-label, phase 2 study (NCT01685255), patients were randomised 1:1 to epacadostat 600mg or tamoxifen 20mg twice daily for successive 28-day cycles and stratified by time since completion of first-line chemotherapy to first CA-125 elevation (3 to <12 or ≥12months).

Cervical cancer incidence after normal cytological sample in routine screening using SurePath, ThinPrep, and conventional cytology: population based study.

 To compare the cumulative incidence of cervical cancer diagnosed within 72 months after a normal screening sample between conventional cytology and liquid based cytology tests SurePath and ThinPrep. Retrospective population based cohort study. Nationwide network and registry of histo- and cytopathology in the Netherlands (PALGA), January 2000 to March 2013.

Real-Time Monitoring of Results During First Year of Dutch Colorectal Cancer Screening Program and Optimization by Altering Fecal Immunochemical Test Cut-Off Levels.

Background & Aims: After careful pilot studies and planning, the national screening program for colorectal cancer (CRC), with biennial fecal immunochemical tests (FITs), was initiated in The Netherlands in 2014. A national information system for real-time monitoring was developed to allow for timely evaluation. Data were collected from the first year of this screening program to determine the importance of planning and monitoring for optimal screening program performance.

Automated radiogrammetry is a feasible method for measuring bone quality and bone maturation in severely disabled children.

Background: Children with severe neurological impairment and intellectual disability are prone to low bone quality and fractures.

Objective: We studied the feasibility of automated radiogrammetry in assessing bone quality in this specific group of children. We measured outcome of bone quality and, because these children tend to have altered skeletal maturation, we also studied bone age.

Cervical Cancer Screening in Partly HPV Vaccinated Cohorts - A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

Background: Vaccination against the oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 will reduce the prevalence of these types, thereby also reducing cervical cancer risk in unvaccinated women. This (measurable) herd effect will be limited at first, but is expected to increase over time. At a certain herd immunity level, tailoring screening to vaccination status may no longer be worth the additional effort.

Comparing SurePath, ThinPrep, and conventional cytology as primary test method: SurePath is associated with increased CIN II+ detection rates.

Purpose: Within the last decade, SurePath and ThinPrep [both liquid-based cytology (LBC) tests] have replaced conventional cytology (CC) as primary test method in cervical cancer screening programs of multiple countries. The aim of our study was to examine the effect in the Dutch screening program.

Methods: All primary smears taken within this program from 2000 to 2011 were analyzed using the nationwide registry of histo- and cytopathology (PALGA) with a follow-up until March 2013.

The estimated impact of natural immunity on the effectiveness of human papillomavirus vaccination.

Background: Mathematical modelling is used to estimate the effectiveness of HPV vaccination. These estimates depend strongly on herd immunity and thus on naturally acquired immunity, a mechanism of which little is known. We estimated the impact of different vaccination strategies on HPV-16 and HPV-18 transmission and cervical cancer incidence in the Netherlands, considering different acquired immunity mechanisms.

The value of models in informing resource allocation in colorectal cancer screening: the case of The Netherlands.

In May 2011, the Dutch government decided to implement a national programme for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening using biennial faecal immunochemical test screening between ages 55 and 75. Decision modelling played an important role in informing this decision, as well as in the planning and implementation of the programme afterwards. In this overview, we illustrate the value of models in informing resource allocation in CRC screening using the role that decision modelling has played in the Dutch CRC screening programme as an example.

Exploring the trend of increased cervical intraepithelial neoplasia detection rates in the Netherlands.

Objective: Over the last decade, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) detection has increased in the Netherlands. We investigated the underlying mechanism by quantifying the increase, and analyzing patterns of CIN and cervical cancer detection over time.

Methods: We observed annual CIN and cervical cancer detection rates (DRs) per 10,000 primary smears within the Dutch screening programme for 2000-2011.

Offering Self-Sampling to Non-Attendees of Organized Primary HPV Screening: When Do Harms Outweigh the Benefits?

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling might be a promising tool to increase effectiveness of primary HPV screening programs when offered to non-attendees. However, effectiveness could decrease if regular attendees "switch" to self-sampling, because self-sampling test characteristics may be inferior. We examined under which conditions the harms would outweigh the benefits.

How many cervical cancer cases can potentially be prevented using a more sensitive screening test at young age?

The human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA test has higher sensitivity than cytology for cervical cancer screening. Therefore, cervical cancer cases that are missed by cytology could potentially be identified if we use primary HPV testing. Studies showed that HPV screening is the preferred primary test at age 35 and over.

Feasibility and reliability of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) in older adults with intellectual disabilities.

Objective: Feasibility and reliability of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) in older adults with intellectual disabilities (ID).

Design: Instrument development.

Setting: Three care providers for people with ID.

Impact of infantile short bowel syndrome on long-term health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study.

Background/purpose: Studies on the long-term effects of short bowel syndrome (SBS) on the quality of life are scarce. Therefore, we determined health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents with a history of infantile SBS compared with that of same-aged controls drawn from the general population.

Methods: Cross-sectional assessment (2005-2007) of HRQoL in children with a history of infantile SBS treated in their first year of life, born between 1987 and 2002, using generic HRQoL measures was performed.

Prevalence and incidence of myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident in ageing persons with intellectual disability.

Background: Epidemiological information on age-related cardiovascular disease in people with intellectual disability (ID) is scarce and inconclusive. We compared prevalence and incidence of cerebrovascular accident and myocardial infarction over age 50 in a residential population with ID to that in a general practice population.

Method: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted, based on medical records of 510 persons with ID and 823 general practice patients, aged 50 years and over.

Lumbar spine and total-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in children with severe neurological impairment and intellectual disability: a pilot study of artefacts and disrupting factors.

Background: Children with severe neurological impairment and intellectual disability (ID) are susceptible for developing low bone mineral density (BMD) and fractures. BMD is generally measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Objective: To describe the occurrence of factors that may influence the feasibility of DXA and the accuracy of DXA outcome in children with severe neurological impairment and ID.

Long-term impact of infantile short bowel syndrome on nutritional status and growth.

Short-term bowel adaptation has been documented, but data on long-term effects are scarce. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term consequences of infantile short bowel syndrome (SBS). A cross-sectional assessment (2005-7) of growth, nutritional status, defecation pattern and health status in individuals with a history of infantile SBS, born between 1975 and 2002, were performed.

Measuring body composition and energy expenditure in children with severe neurologic impairment and intellectual disability.

Background: Accurate prediction equations for estimating body composition and total energy expenditure (TEE) in children with severe neurologic impairment and intellectual disability are currently lacking.

Objective: The objective was to develop group-specific equations to predict body composition by using skinfold-thickness measurements and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and to predict TEE by using data on mobility, epilepsy, and muscle tone.

Design: Measures of body composition with the use of skinfold-thickness measurements (percentage of body fat) and BIA (total body water) were compared with those from isotope dilution (reference method) by using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland and Altman limits of agreement analyses.

Is the temporal artery thermometer a reliable instrument for detecting fever in children?

Aims And Objective: We aimed to study the diagnostic accuracy of the temporal artery thermometer vs. rectal temperature in a large group of children with and without fever, aged 0-18 years.

Background: Many have studied the diagnostic accuracy of the temporal artery thermometer in children compared with a reference method, with contradictory outcomes.

Study healthy ageing and intellectual disabilities: recruitment and design.

Problems encountered in epidemiologic health research in older adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) are how to recruit a large-scale sample of participants and how to measure a range of health variables in such a group. This cross-sectional study into healthy ageing started with founding a consort of three large care providers with a total client population of 2322 clients of 50 years and over, and two academic institutes. This consort made formal agreements about a research infrastructure and research themes: (1) physical activity and fitness, (2) nutrition and nutritional state, and (3) mood and anxiety.

Feasibility of quantitative ultrasound measurement of the heel bone in people with intellectual disabilities.

Low bone mineral density (BMD) and fractures are common in people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Reduced mobility in case of motor impairment and the use of anti-epileptic drugs contribute to the development of low BMD. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurement of the heel bone is a non-invasive and radiation-free method for measuring bone status that can be used outside the hospital.