A large value of X50 indicates a poor MP. The variable “b” (broadness variable) represents

the distribution of particles in the different sieves, i.e., the size spread of the distribution, reflecting the extent to which the particles are equally sized. Increasing values of “b” correspond to distributions of particle sizes that are less broad. The chewing test was replicated twice with a 5 min interval, and the portion that showed the lower percentage weight loss between the initial (before the test) and final weight (after the test) was taken into account for sieving. Data were collected using the Portuguese versions of the CPQ for individuals aged 8–10 years (CPQ8–10) and 11–14 years (CPQ11–14).22 These formed the components of the Child Oral Health Quality of Life Questionnaire that had been designed MDV3100 molecular weight to assess the impact of oral conditions on the QoL of children, considering the different stages of development and cognition.23 and 24 Both questionnaires were self completed by the children in a separate room under the selleck kinase inhibitor supervision of the researcher (TSB) who was also available to answer any questions. Items of the CPQ used Likert-type scales with response options of “Never” = 0, “Once or twice” = 1,

“Sometimes” = 2, “Often” = 3 and “Very often” = 4. For the CPQ11–14, the questions referred to a period of three months, while that of the CPQ8–10 was 4 weeks. Items were grouped into four domains: oral symptoms (OS), functional limitations (FL), emotional well-being (EW) and social well-being (SW). Higher scores indicated worse OHRQoL. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 9.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA) with a 5% significance level, and normality was assessed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. All assessed variables showed asymmetrical distribution; therefore, non-parametrical tests were used in the performed analyses. Overall CPQ scores for each participant were calculated by adding the item codes, whereas the subscale scores were obtained by

adding the codes for questions within the four health domains. The correlations between clinical data (sum of decayed, missing and filled teeth in deciduous and permanent dentitions, DAI ratings), MP parameters (X50 and “b” values) and CPQ scores were calculated Liothyronine Sodium using Spearman’s correlation test. Multiple linear regression analyses using “backward stepwise” entry procedures were used to assess the independent effects of variables (clinical data and MP parameters) on overall CPQ and domain scores in accordance with each age group. A summary of the data on sample characteristics is presented in Table 1. The correlation coefficients between the clinical data, MP parameters and CPQ scores are shown in Table 2 and Table 3. In 8–10-year-old children, MP parameters did not correlate with other studied variables.