title: Mortality in the Waikato Hospital Systemic Sclerosis Cohort

authors: Ooi, Clement

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Objective

To characterize the causes of mortality and standardised mortality ratio in a cohort of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).
Methods

A cohort of 132 patients enrolled at the Waikato Systemic Sclerosis Clinic was prospectively followed from 2005 to 2016. Patient demographics, diagnoses and laboratory reports were used to assess risk of mortality and generate standardised mortality ratios (SMR). Survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methods.
Results

Of the cohort of 132 patients, 20 (15%) were deceased by the end of the study period. The median age of diagnosis and death was 52 years (range 13–86) and 71 years (range 42–87) respectively. Seventy percent of deaths were SSc related and the leading causes of death were due to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), interstitial lung disease (ILD) and scleroderma renal crisis (SRC). Patients diagnosed after the age of 60 had renal or cardiac manifestations and were associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality. The overall SMR was 2.59 (95% CI 1.67–4.01) and was higher in those with diffuse versus limited SSc (6.46, 95% CI 3.08–13.54 vs. 1.93, 95% CI 1.10–3.41) and males (4.17, 95% CI 1.74–10.02 vs. 2.30, 95% CI 1.39–3.81).
Conclusion

This study demonstrated an increased risk of mortality in patients with SSc relative to that of the general population. An excess in risk was observed particularly in those with diffuse SSc and in males. Renal and cardiac involvement were found to be significant indicators of mortality and reinforces the necessity of screening for these complications.

text: Mortality in the Waikato Hospital Systemic Sclerosis Cohort Objective

To characterize the causes of mortality and standardised mortality ratio in a cohort of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).
Methods

A cohort of 132 patients enrolled at the Waikato Systemic Sclerosis Clinic was prospectively followed from 2005 to 2016. Patient demographics, diagnoses and laboratory reports were used to assess risk of mortality and generate standardised mortality ratios (SMR). Survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier methods.
Results

Of the cohort of 132 patients, 20 (15%) were deceased by the end of the study period. The median age of diagnosis and death was 52 years (range 13–86) and 71 years (range 42–87) respectively. Seventy percent of deaths were SSc related and the leading causes of death were due to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), interstitial lung disease (ILD) and scleroderma renal crisis (SRC). Patients diagnosed after the age of 60 had renal or cardiac manifestations and were associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality. The overall SMR was 2.59 (95% CI 1.67–4.01) and was higher in those with diffuse versus limited SSc (6.46, 95% CI 3.08–13.54 vs. 1.93, 95% CI 1.10–3.41) and males (4.17, 95% CI 1.74–10.02 vs. 2.30, 95% CI 1.39–3.81).
Conclusion

This study demonstrated an increased risk of mortality in patients with SSc relative to that of the general population. An excess in risk was observed particularly in those with diffuse SSc and in males. Renal and cardiac involvement were found to be significant indicators of mortality and reinforces the necessity of screening for these complications.

year: 2017

title: Antibacterial Ti-Mn-Cu alloys for biomedical applications

authors: Alqattan, Mohammad

subjects: titanium alloys

abstract: Titanium alloys are common biomedical materials due to their biocompatibility and mechanical performance. However, titanium alloys are expensive and, unless surface treated, generally cannot prevent surgical infections related to bacteria which can damage the integrity of the implant. In this study, new titanium alloys were developed via powder metallurgy and the addition of manganese and copper, respectively, aiming to limit the manufacturing costs and induce new functionality on the materials including antibacterial response. The addition of manganese and copper to titanium significantly changes the behaviour of the Ti-Mn-Cu alloys leading to the successful stabilization of the beta titanium phase, great refinement of the typical lamellar structure, and achievement of materials with low level of porosity. Consequently, it is found that the mechanical performance and the antibacterial efficacy are enhanced by the addition of a higher amount of alloying elements. The manufactured Ti-Mn-Cu alloys fulfil the requirements for structural biomedical implants and have antibacterial response making them potential candidates for permanent medical implants.

text: Antibacterial Ti-Mn-Cu alloys for biomedical applications Titanium alloys are common biomedical materials due to their biocompatibility and mechanical performance. However, titanium alloys are expensive and, unless surface treated, generally cannot prevent surgical infections related to bacteria which can damage the integrity of the implant. In this study, new titanium alloys were developed via powder metallurgy and the addition of manganese and copper, respectively, aiming to limit the manufacturing costs and induce new functionality on the materials including antibacterial response. The addition of manganese and copper to titanium significantly changes the behaviour of the Ti-Mn-Cu alloys leading to the successful stabilization of the beta titanium phase, great refinement of the typical lamellar structure, and achievement of materials with low level of porosity. Consequently, it is found that the mechanical performance and the antibacterial efficacy are enhanced by the addition of a higher amount of alloying elements. The manufactured Ti-Mn-Cu alloys fulfil the requirements for structural biomedical implants and have antibacterial response making them potential candidates for permanent medical implants.

year: 2020

title: Maori preservice primary teachers’ responses to mathematics investigations

authors: Hāwera, Ngārewa

subjects: mathematics

abstract: There has been concern for some years about the low mathematics achievement of Maori students in New Zealand. This case study reports on the responses of 18 Maori preservice teachers to investigative approaches to learning mathematics during their compulsory Year 1 mathematics education course, as a possible aid towards helping improve the achievement level of Maori in mathematics.

text: Maori preservice primary teachers’ responses to mathematics investigations There has been concern for some years about the low mathematics achievement of Maori students in New Zealand. This case study reports on the responses of 18 Maori preservice teachers to investigative approaches to learning mathematics during their compulsory Year 1 mathematics education course, as a possible aid towards helping improve the achievement level of Maori in mathematics.

year: 2006