Validity and internal consistency of the thoracic outlet syndrome index for patients with thoracic outlet syndrome

Background: No validated scales exist specifically for measuring quality of life (QoL) and functioning level in patients with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). This cross-sectional survey examined whether some items adopted from validated QoL scales could be suitable for patients with TOS.Methods: To find an optimal thoracic outlet syndrome index (TOSI), a panel of 14 specialists experienced in treating TOS independently evaluated the relevance of 19 items adopted from scales used in other upper-extremity syndromes. After undergoing surgery for TOS, 52 patients rated the relevance of those items found by experts to be relevant. Content validity was measured by a content validity index, content validity ratio, and modified κ. The internal consistency of 15 retained items was assessed with the Cronbach α, and its construct validity was assessed by an exploratory factor analysis.Results: Of the 19 items, 15 were considered relevant for TOS by the panelists, with an overall test content validity index of 0.93. The internal consistency of these 15 items was excellent. The exploratory factor analysis accompanied by a parallel analysis confirmed the uni-dimensionality of the TOSI. All 15 items that the panelists considered relevant were also items that the patients marked with scores over 7 points on an 11-point scale of relevance.Conclusion: The internally consistent, face- and content-valid TOSI scale is proposed for use in evaluating specifically the QoL in TOS patients, as well as improving future longitudinal studies comparing functioning before and after interventions or spontaneous recovery in TOS patients.</p

Three-dimensional printing of zirconia: characterization of early stage material properties

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanical properties of 3D printed zirconia (ZrO2). Materials and Methods: The test specimens were produced with a 3D printer that uses lithography-based ceramic manufacturing (LCM) technique with two different parameters in horizontal and vertical printing orientations. Altogether four groups of nine specimens were printed and examined. Mechanical characterization was performed using 3-point bending test (ISO 10477) and surface microhardness (Vickers) test. Grain structure, porosity and printing layer morphology were examined with optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally fractography analysis was done to investigate and evaluate features of fracture initiation site. Numeric results were statistically analyzed with ANOVA (a = 0.05).Results: The average flexural strength reached for printed zirconia was 499 MPa (+/−75 MPa) for specimens printed in horizontal orientation and 575 MPa (+/−69 MPa) for specimens printed in vertical orientation. Optical microscopy and SEM analysis revealed that fractures initiated between the printing layers or from a local porosity. Printing layer thickness varied from under 13 μm to over 20 μm.Conclusions: The study revealed that 3D printed zirconia has challenges in regards to layer integration. Based on this study, 3D printed zirconia still suffers from low mechanical strength, which together with long carbon-debinding time, does not make 3D printed zirconia a potential material for dental appliances at this stage. Further research is needed to create more suitable zirconia precursor slurries and to optimize printing parameters and sintering conditions to be able to 3D print zirconia with higher mechanical properties.</p

Sense of coherence and intentions to retire early among Finnish women and men

Peer reviewe

Musculoskeletal pain among Finnish orchestra musicians versus core workforce

Published: 11 August 202