Replication Studies on Significant Differences in Personality Profiles of Securely and Insecurely Attached Psychotherapists and Dentists

This study contributes to the therapist variable in general and the personality profile of securely and insecurely attached psychotherapists and other healthcare professionals in particular. In a preceding study, it has been found that insecurely attached psychotherapists differ in nine personality styles from securely attached ones. The aim of the present study was to replicate these findings and to investigate whether they also apply to other health professions such as dentists. About 891 subjects from two German professional societies for hypnosis were surveyed online with a personality questionnaire [Personality Styles and Disorder Inventory (PSDI)] and an attachment questionnaire [Relationship Scale Questionnaire (RSQ)]. Since these subjects were interested in hypnosis and used it in their practice (HYP), 150 dentists without a hypnosis context (NONHYP) were studied as a control group with the same survey. The results of the preceding attachment study could be replicated: Insecurely attached healthcare professionals differed significantly from securely attached ones in the same nine (plus one, i.e., 10) personality styles if they use psychological methods including hypnosis. If they do not use psychological methods (like the NONHYP dentists), they differ in half of the personality styles. No within-sample and no between-sample differences have been found in the assertive/antisocial (AS) personality style. No within-sample differences have also been found in the conscientious/compulsive (ZW) and the intuitive/schizotypal (ST) personality styles. However, large between-sample differences were obvious in ZW and the ST. Both of the samples of the dentist were much more compulsive than the two psychotherapeutic samples. In addition, both of the HYP samples were much more schizotypal than the NONHYP samples. The latter is the general signature of those individuals who are interested in hypnosis and were metaphorically termed homo hypnoticus. It seems that AS, ZW, and ST are independent of attachment

Cost-Effectiveness of Treatment Decisions for Early Childhood Caries in Infants and Toddlers: A Systematic Review.

Background and Objectives: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a multifactorial, biofilm-mediated, sugar-related, dynamic disease of primary dental hard tissues occurring in varying degrees of severity in infants and toddlers. Untreated ECC may lead to pain, infections, and severe systemic complications. The aim of this study was to systematically review and evaluate the scientific evidence on the cost-effectiveness of treatment decisions in ECC in infants and toddlers. Materials and Methods: Observational epidemiological studies, i.e., cohort studies, case-control studies, and randomized controlled trials, reporting cost-effectiveness of treatment decisions in ECC in infants and toddlers were included in the systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines. Using an ad hoc search with search terms or keywords (MeSH), electronic databases Embase, MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, and gray literature were searched. Results: The search identified 494 articles, of which 446 remained after removing duplicates. A total of 417 articles were excluded after title and abstract evaluation; 29 full-text articles were screened for eligibility, and five articles were discarded. Twenty-four full-text articles were included in the systematic review, assigning 17 to prevention and seven to restoration. Results were heterogeneous; comparability of included studies is difficult because of the different methodologies used. Conflicting efficacies were demonstrated for different interventions implemented, and cost-effectiveness data were documented. Conclusions: Socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic differences must be considered when comparing conditions in terms of cost-effectiveness. A paradigm shift from surgical towards preventive treatment decisions can be observed. Cost-effectiveness studies on therapies for ECC in infants and toddlers are needed to identify the best practice approach and the most cost-effective therapy decisions

Personality Styles of Dentists Practicing Hypnosis Confirm the Existence of the Homo Hypnoticus.

Several publications with healthcare professionals, such as psychotherapists, have shown a significant difference in personality styles in practitioners using hypnosis compared to those not using hypnosis. To investigate differences in personality styles, dentists were contacted to participate in a personality-inventory [Personality Style and Disorder Inventory (PSDI)] online survey. Dentists using hypnosis (HYP DGZH) (n = 418) were compared to dentists not using hypnosis (NONHYP DENT) (n = 162). Results show that hypnosis-practicing dentists score significantly higher in the intuitive/schizotypal ST personality style (p < 0.001) compared to non-hypnosis-practicing dentists. Female dentists scored significantly higher in intuitive/schizotypal ST and unselfish/self-sacrificing SL in the HYP DGZH sample but only in unselfish/self-sacrificing SL in the NONHYP DENT sample. The percentage of women was similar in both samples (68.2%; 67.3%). Intuitive/schizotypal ST was found to be the predominant personality style of men who are interested in or use hypnosis, metaphorically so-called "homo hypnoticus." Within the limitations of this cross-sectional non-interventional observational online-questionnaire study, results expand this notion to the so-called "homo hypnoticus dentalis." However, further research on the subject is needed to investigate and confirm this personality type in other than the German-speaking DACH countries

External quality assessment of molecular biology-based methods used in laboratories of clinical chemistry and human genetics

The Reference Institute of Bioanalysis of the German Society of Clinical Chemistry has performed the first external assessment of molecular genetics methods used in medical diagnosis. The following procedures were tested: (I) DNA preparation from whole blood, (II) PCR amplification using "standard" primers, and (III) submarine agarose gel electrophoresis. Out of 50 participants, 45 returned samples for evaluation

Testing a simple recipe for estimating galaxy masses from minimal observational data

The accuracy and robustness of a simple method to estimate the total mass profile of a galaxy is tested using a sample of 65 cosmological zoom-simulations of individual galaxies. The method only requires information on the optical surface brightness and the projected velocity dispersion profiles and therefore can be applied even in case of poor observational data. In the simulated sample massive galaxies ($\sigma \simeq 200-400$ \kms) at redshift $z=0$ have almost isothermal rotation curves for broad range of radii (RMS $\simeq 5$ for the circular speed deviations from a constant value over $0.5R_{\rm eff} < r < 3R_{\rm eff}$). For such galaxies the method recovers the unbiased value of the circular speed. The sample averaged deviation from the true circular speed is less than $\sim 1$ with the scatter of $\simeq 5-8$ (RMS) up to $R \simeq 5R_{\rm eff}$. Circular speed estimates of massive non-rotating simulated galaxies at higher redshifts ($z=1$ and $z=2$) are also almost unbiased and with the same scatter. For the least massive galaxies in the sample ($\sigma < 150$ \kms) at $z=0$ the RMS deviation is $\simeq 7-9$ and the mean deviation is biased low by about $1-2$. We also derive the circular velocity profile from the hydrostatic equilibrium (HE) equation for hot gas in the simulated galaxies. The accuracy of this estimate is about RMS $\simeq 4-5$ for massive objects ($M > 6.5\times 10^{12} M_\odot$) and the HE estimate is biased low by $\simeq 3-4$, which can be traced to the presence of gas motions. This implies that the simple mass estimate can be used to determine the mass of observed massive elliptical galaxies to an accuracy of $5-8$ and can be very useful for galaxy surveys.Comment: 15 pages, 14 figures, 1 tabl

"How obsessive are dentists?" - A Personality Styles & Disorder Inventory based prospective, controlled study.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to examine the typical personality traits of dentists and to discuss critically their influence on the necessary characteristics for a good dentist-patient relationship. METHODS Two groups were invited via e-mail to participate the study in 2015-2020. One group consisted of German dentists (DENT N=580). The other group was formed by German speaking psychotherapists from Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH N=1.027). The Personality Styles and Disorder Inventory was used in its short form (PSDI-S) via online survey. The normalization sample (NORM N=3.392) of the PSDI-S was used to compare the results with a normative sample. RESULTS Dentists differed in 10 out of 14 personality styles from the normalization sample (NORM), and in 13 out of 14 personality styles compared with the psychotherapists (DACH). Female dentists differed in 7 out of 14 personality styles to their male colleagues. CONCLUSIONS The most significant differences in personality styles were willful (PN), spontaneous (BL), reserved (SZ), ambitious (NA), optimistic (RH) and conscientious (ZW), which seem to be necessary for a good dentist-patient relationship and dental procedures. The expression of personality styles is most likely to influence the choice, delivery and cost as well as patient perception of treatment. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Dentist's personality has an important impact on the interpersonal, which influences the dentist-patient relationship and its therapeutic outcome

Correlation of objective image quality and working length measurements in different CBCT machines: An ex vivo study

To investigate potential correlations between objective CBCT image parameters and accuracy in endodontic working length determination ex vivo. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and spatial resolution (SR) as fundamental objective image parameters were examined using specific phantoms in seven different CBCT machines. Seven experienced observers were instructed and calibrated. The order of the CBCTs was randomized for each observer and observation. To assess intra-operator reproducibility, the procedure was repeated within six weeks with a randomized order of CBCT images. Multivariate analysis (MANOVA) did not reveal any influence of the combined image quality factors CNR and SR on measurement accuracy. Inter-operator reproducibility as assessed between the two observations was poor, with a mean intra-class correlation (ICC) of 0.48 (95%-CI 0.38, 0.59) for observation No. 1. and 0.40 (95%-CI 0.30, 0.51) for observation No. 2. Intra-operator reproducibility pooled over all observers between both observations was only moderate, with a mean ICC of 0.58 (95%-CI 0.52 to 0.64). Within the limitations of the study, objective image quality measures and exposure parameters seem not to have a significant influence on accuracy in determining endodontic root canal lengths in CBCT scans. The main factor of variance is the observer

Efficacy of Hypnosis on Dental Anxiety and Phobia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Hypnosis is a commonly used therapy option in dentistry and medicine for fear and pain reduction. Nevertheless, it is viewed very critically, as there is still insufficient evidence for a treatment effect. Specific phobia of dental treatment and dental anxiety are prevalent conditions that can cause an oral health impairment. This paper critically reviews 19 clinical trials aimed at reducing dental anxiety and fear avoidance in adults, published in peer-reviewed journals between 1979 and 2021. The search identified 257 papers; 223 were selected after removing duplicates. A total of 188 articles were excluded after title and abstract evaluation; 35 full text articles were assessed for eligibility. Another 10 papers were discharged after full text evaluation, as these were case reports and questionnaires. Six papers were discharged due to the lack of a comparable scale to measure dental anxiety. The following treatment techniques were reviewed: various forms of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation training, benzodiazepine premedication, self-hypnosis by audio therapy, hypnotherapy, hypnosis, and nitrous oxide sedation. CBT delivered in a variety of formats, including one-session treatment, showed the most evidence for the efficacy of reducing anxiety. A wide heterogeneity of methods allowed only the inclusion of five studies to the performed meta-analysis, showing contrasting results for the application of hypnosis. The main reason for this issue is the great variety in methods used, making a distinct assessment of hypnotic interventions difficult. However, the results of the systematic review are promising in that hypnosis can also be regarded as powerful and successful method for anxiety reduction, while there are also studies with a small or even slightly negative effect. Therefore, further research is needed. Within the limitations of the current study, a more consistent use of methods to examine anxiety for hypnosis research is recommended

Internal Morphology of Mandibular Second Premolars Using Micro-Computed Tomography

To examine root canal morphology of mandibular second premolars (Mn2P) of a mixed Swiss-German population by means of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Root canal configuration (RCC) of 102 Mn2P were investigated using micro-CT unit (µCT 40; SCANCO Medical AG, Brüttisellen, Switzerland) with 3D software imaging (VGStudio Max 2.2; Volume Graphics GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany), described with a four-digit system code indicating the main root canal from coronal to apical thirds and the number of main foramina. A total of 12 different RCCs were detected. 1-1-1/1 (54.9%) was most frequently observed RCC, followed by 1-1-1/2 (14.7%), 1-1-2/2 (10.8%), 1-2-2/2 (4.9%), 1-1-3/3 (3.9%), 1-1-1/3 (2.9%), 2-1-1/1 (2.9%) and less frequently 1-1-2/3, 1-2-1/2, 2-1-2/2, 1-1-2/5, 1-1-1/4 with each 1.0%. No accessory foramina were present in 35.3%, one in 35.3%, two in 21.6%, three and four in 2.9%, and five in 2.0%. In 55.9% Mn2Ps, accessory root canals were present in apical third and 8.8% in middle third of a root. Connecting canals were observed less frequently (6.9%) in apical and 2.9% in the middle third, no accessory/connecting canals in coronal third. Every tenth tooth showed at least or more than three main foramina. Almost two thirds of the sample showed accessory root canals, predominantly in apical third. The mainly single-rooted sample of Mn2Ps showed less frequent morphological diversifications than Mn1Ps

Comparison of the Effects of Early Pregnancy with Human Interferon, Alpha 2 (IFNA2), on Gene Expression in Bovine Endometrium

Interferon tau (IFNT), a type I IFN similar to alpha IFNs (IFNA), is the pregnancy recognition signal produced by the ruminant conceptus. To elucidate specific effects of bovine IFNT and of other conceptus-derived factors, endometrial gene expression changes during early pregnancy were compared to gene expression changes after intrauterine application of human IFNA2. In experiment 1, endometrial tissue samples were obtained on Day (D) 12, D15, and D18 postmating from nonpregnant or pregnant heifers. In experiment 2, heifers were treated from D14 to D16 of the estrous cycle with an intrauterine device releasing IFNA2 or, as controls, placebo lipid extrudates or PBS only. Endometrial biopsies were performed after flushing the uterus. All samples from both experiments were analyzed with an Affymetrix Bovine Genome Array. Experiment 1 revealed differential gene expression between pregnant and nonpregnant endometria on D15 and D18. In experiment 2, IFNA2 treatment resulted in differential gene expression in the bovine endometrium. Comparison of the data sets from both studies identified genes that were differentially expressed in response to IFNA2 but not in response to pregnancy on D15 or D18. In addition, genes were found that were differentially expressed during pregnancy but not after IFNA2 treatment. In experiment 3, spatiotemporal alterations in expression of selected genes were determined in uteri from nonpregnant and early pregnant heifers using in situ hybridization. The overall findings of this study suggest differential effects of bovine IFNT compared to human IFNA2 and that some pregnancy-specific changes in the endometrium are elicited by conceptus-derived factors other than IFNT