Category: Nevin Manimala

Br J Math Stat Psychol. 2022 Jan 25. doi: 10.1111/bmsp.12264. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Logistic regression models are a powerful research tool for the analysis of cross-classified data in which a categorical response variable is involved. In a logistic model, the effect of a covariate refers to odds, and the simple relationship between the coefficients and the odds ratio often makes these the parameters of interest due to their easy interpretation. In this article we present a distance-based logistic model that allows a simple graphical interpretation of the association coefficients using the odds ratio in a contingency table. Two configurations are estimated, one for the rows and one for the columns, as the categories of a polytomous predictor and a nominal response variable respectively, such that the local odds ratio and the distances between the predictor and response categories are inversely related. The associations in terms of the odds ratios, or the ratios of the odds to their geometric means, are interpreted through distances for the most common coding schemes of the predictor variable, and the relationship between the distances related to different codings is investigated in its full dimension. The performance of the estimation procedure is analysed with a Monte Carlo experiment. The interpretation of the model and its performance, as well as its comparison with a two-step procedure involving first a logistic regression and then unfolding, is illustrated using real data sets.

PMID:35080009 | DOI:10.1111/bmsp.12264

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Jan 25. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-18743-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Diazinon is a widely used pesticide that can be effectively degraded in aqueous solutions via photocatalytic oxidation. This quantitative systematic review was conducted to shed light on the various aspects of photocatalytic diazinon removal based on evidence. A systematic search was performed in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Ovid databases with keywords including diazinon, photocatalysis, and their equivalents. The search was limited to original articles in English published between January 1, 2010, and March 25, 2021. The results were expressed by descriptive statistics including mean, SD, median, and percentiles, among others. The initial electronic and manual search retrieved 777 articles, among which 41 studies comprising 49 trials were qualified for data synthesis. The reported diazinon degradation rate ranged from 2 to 100%, with a mean ± SD of 59.17 ± 28.03%. Besides, ZnO/UV, WO₃/UV, TiO₂/UV, and TiO₂/Vis, in sequence, were the most widely used processes with the highest efficacies. Solution pH in the range of 5-8, catalyst dose below 600 mg/L, diazinon initial concentration below 40 mg/L, and contact time of 20-140 min could be the optimum conditions. Diazinon degradation obeyed the first-order kinetic model with k_obs between 0.0042 and 1.86 min^-1 and consumed energy of 38.93-350.36 kWh/m³. Diazoxon and IMP were the most detected by-products of diazinon degradation although bioassay data were scarce. Based on the results, photocatalytic processes are very efficient in removing diazinon from aqueous solutions although more elaborate studies are needed to assess the mineralization rate and effluent toxicity.

PMID:35079967 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-022-18743-9

Hu Li Za Zhi. 2022 Feb;69(1):63-72. doi: 10.6224/JN.202202_69(1).09.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pain records provide important data to medical teams to guide their provision of pain management interventions. Incomplete records and records that do not integrate pain data will affect patient safety. Use of information technology helps facilitate communication within the medical team and improve quality of care.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a pain management information system.

METHODS: The questionnaire survey method was employed in this study. The system-evaluation questionnaire was designed based on the six dimensions of the information system success model (ISSM), including system quality, information quality, service quality, intention to use, user satisfaction, and net benefits. Three months after the pain management system was implemented, the opinions of 282 nurses from a medical center in central Taiwan were collected. Research data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods.

RESULTS: Of the six dimensions, “information quality” received the highest average score (4.71). The two dimensions of “intention to use” and “user satisfaction” had the highest correlation with “net benefits”. “User satisfaction” was found to have the highest predictive power for the “net benefits” of the system, with an explanatory power of about 81.2%.

CONCLUSIONS: The pain management system considered in this study was shown to provide complete and accurate pain management information, which is an important factor affecting nurses’ intention to use and satisfaction. The evaluation results based on the ISSM show the pain management system to be a good information system that generates accurate information and has a high intention-to-use rate and high rate of user satisfaction.

PMID:35079999 | DOI:10.6224/JN.202202_69(1).09

Ambio. 2022 Jan 25. doi: 10.1007/s13280-021-01695-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Illegal wildlife crime is a global phenomenon, accelerating the ongoing biodiversity crisis. In the Old World, and particularly in Africa, illegal use of poisons to eliminate carnivores is the main driver of the continental vulture crisis. Knowledge about the underlying source and drivers of this threat is lacking for most areas, including Kenya, a global vulture and biodiversity hotspot. An extensive questionnaire survey of over 1300 respondents was run, using a specialized questioning technique and quantitative analytical approaches. Results show that, while pastoralists have a positive attitude towards vultures, over 20% of them use poisons to eliminate predators. Poisoning was largely driven by livestock losses to predators, and by negative attitude towards predators. Poisoning was less prevalent among respondents aware of the Kenya Wildlife Act. Overall, we suggest that a combination of top-down, e.g. legislation, and bottom-up (such as corrals or compensation) along with awareness campaigns may help reduce poisoning on the ground.

PMID:35079963 | DOI:10.1007/s13280-021-01695-8

Jpn J Radiol. 2022 Jan 26. doi: 10.1007/s11604-021-01240-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: To develop and validate a simple-to-use nomogram based on preoperative CT to predict spread through air space (STAS) status of stage IA lung adenocarcinoma (ADC).

METHODS: In this retrospective study, 434 patients with pathological proven periphery stage IA lung adenocarcinoma were included, which consisted of 349 patients from center I for training group and 85 patients from Center II for test group. STAS was identified in 53 patients (40 patient in the training group and 13 patients in the test group). On the basis of preoperative CT images, 19 morphological characteristics were analyzed. Univariable analysis was used to explore the association between clinical and CT characteristics and STAS status in the training group (P < 0.002). Independent risk factors for STAS were identified using multivariable logistic regression analysis and then used to build a nomogram for preoperative predicting STAS status.

RESULTS: Type of nodules, diameter of solid component, lobulation and percentage of the solid component (PSC) were associated with STAS status of peripheral stage IA lung ADCs statistical significantly. Multivariate logistics regression analysis revealed that PSC and lobulation were independent risk factors for STAS. The nomogram based on these factors achieved good predictive performance for STAS with a C-index of 0.803 in the training group and a well-fitted calibration curve. Using a cut-off value which was obtained from Youden index of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, a diagnosis accuracy of 70.6% was obtained in the test group with sensitivity, specificity, positive prediction value (PPV) and negative prediction value (NPV) of 92.3%, 66.7%, 33.3% and 98.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The nomogram based on preoperative CT images could achieve good predictive performance for STAS status of lung adenocarcinomas. This simple-to-used model can facilitate surgeons for a rational operation pattern choice at bedside.

PMID:35079955 | DOI:10.1007/s11604-021-01240-3

Int Ophthalmol. 2022 Jan 26. doi: 10.1007/s10792-021-02172-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Comparison of postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) course and early complications in 23-gauge (23-G) pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) using vertical entry sclerotomy and scleral tunnel sclerotomy in uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

METHOD: A prospective, randomized, comparative, interventional clinical trial of 103 23-G vitrectomy cases using two different transconjunctival sutureless sclerotomy techniques performed by a single vitreoretinal surgeon for uncomplicated RRD. Fifty-two eyes underwent PPV using a three-port 23-G single stage, vertical trocar entry without creating a scleral tunnel (Group 1), while in 51 eyes, a two-stage, oblique trocar entry with creation of a scleral tunnel was performed (Group 2). Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas (20%) was used in all cases as a buffer. Intraocular pressure measurements and detailed biomicroscopic examination of the groups were recorded on the postoperative first day, first week, and first month. Visual acuity and fundoscopic examinations were recorded at one month. The effects of the two methods on postoperative intraocular pressure and early complications were compared.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age and gender (p > 0.05). The mean postoperative intraocular pressure on the first day was 15.06 ± 3.71 for Group 1 and 16.14 ± 3.09 mmHg for Group 2. The lowest recorded IOP was 6 mmHg. Postoperative visual acuity did not differ between the two groups (p > 0.05). In addition, IOP values did not differ statistically between the two groups (p > 0.05). In both groups, the mean IOP values measured at different intervals did not differ statistically (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in terms of postoperative IOP between vertical entry 23-G sclerotomy and 23-G tunnel entry sclerotomy for PPV with 20% SF6 tamponade surgery.

PMID:35079939 | DOI:10.1007/s10792-021-02172-7

J Urban Health. 2022 Jan 25. doi: 10.1007/s11524-021-00603-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Housing is a key social determinant of health with implications for both physical and mental health. The measurement of healthy housing and studies characterizing the same in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are uncommon. This study described a methodological approach employed in the assessment and characterization of healthy housing in SSA using the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data for 15 countries and explored healthy housing determinants using a multiple survey-weighted logistic regression analysis. For all countries, we demonstrated that the healthy housing index developed using factor analysis reasonably satisfies both reliability and validity tests and can therefore be used to describe the distribution of healthy housing across different groups and in understanding the linkage with individual health outcomes. We infer from the results that unhealthy housing remains quite high in most SSA countries. Having a male head of the household was associated with decreased odds of healthy housing in Burkina Faso (OR = 0.80, CI = 0.68-0.95), Cameroon (OR = 0.65, CI = 0.57, 0.76), Malawi (OR = 0.70, CI = 0.64-0.78), and Senegal (OR = 0.62, CI = 0.51-0.74). Further, increasing household size was associated with reducing odds of healthy housing in Kenya (OR = 0.53, CI = 0.44-0.65), Namibia (OR = 0.34, CI = 0.24-0.48), Nigeria (OR = 0.57, CI = 0.46-0.71), and Uganda (OR = 0.79, CI = 0.67-0.94). Across all countries, household wealth was a strong determinant of healthy housing, with middle and rich households having higher odds of residing in healthy homes compared to poor households. Odds ratios ranged from 3.63 (CI = 2.96-4.44) for households in the middle wealth group in the DRC to 2812.2 (CI = 1634.8-4837.7) in Namibia’s wealthiest households. For other factors, the analysis also showed variation across countries. Our findings provide timely insights for the implementation of housing policies across SSA countries, drawing attention to aspects of housing that would promote occupant health and wellbeing. Beyond the contribution to the measurement of healthy housing in SSA, our paper highlights key policy and program issues that need further interrogation in the search for pathways to addressing the healthy housing deficit across most SSA countries. This has become critical amid the COVID-19 pandemic, where access to healthy housing is pivotal in its control.

PMID:35079945 | DOI:10.1007/s11524-021-00603-5

J Med Syst. 2022 Jan 26;46(3):14. doi: 10.1007/s10916-022-01799-y.

ABSTRACT

During the first confinement in Spain, between the months of March to June 2020, Information and Communication Technologies strategies were implemented in order to support health workers in the Wellbeing of Mental Health. Faced with so much uncertainty about the pandemic, an Online Mindfulness course. The objective of the course was to support healthcare professionals in Castilla y León in managing stress, anxiety and other emotional disturbances generated by coping with a situation as uncertain and unexpected as a pandemic, in order to manage emotions and thoughts that can lead to suicidal ideation. The motivations for the demand, reasons or motivations in which the health professionals of Castilla y León decided to participate in the mindfulness course in the first wave of Covid-19 in Spain are described. The descriptive and inferential statistical analysis of the customer satisfaction survey applied at the end of the mindfulness course, to the health professionals who participated in a satisfaction survey (CSQ-8: Client Satisfaction Questionnaire). Professional were asked to complete a survey based on (CSQ-8: Client Satisfaction Questionnaire) whose Cronbach’s alpha = 0.917 is why the instrument used with N = 130 participants has high reliability. The 66% answered with a highly satisfied that they would return to the mindfulness online course. The 93% of the people who answered the satisfaction survey were women, of which they are professionals in the nursing area, with a participation of around 62%. In relation to the online system used in the Mindfulness intervention, 74% expressed that they fully agreed that it has been easy to use the online system for the mindfulness intervention. Health Professionals responded with 58% high satisfaction and 36% satisfaction, making a total of 94% on the help received in the online mindfulness courses to solve their problems. There is no difference between the age groups of the professionals who have preferred the Mindfulness online course (p = 0.672).

PMID:35079899 | DOI:10.1007/s10916-022-01799-y

Mol Biol Rep. 2022 Jan 25. doi: 10.1007/s11033-021-07047-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggested that CXCL12 was involved in the development, metastasis, and invasion of breast cancer, and genetic variants were associated with the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with breast cancer. The present study was aimed to assess the relationships between CXCL12 polymorphisms (rs1801157, rs2297630, and rs2839693) and susceptibility and clinicopathological features of breast cancer.

METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in 434 breast cancer patients and 450 health controls. Student t-test and chi-square test were used to analyze the differences of age distribution and genotype frequencies between the two groups. Correlations between polymorphisms and clinical parameters were also assessed by chi-square test. The potential effects of the three polymorphisms on CXCL12 were investigated by the public database.

RESULTS: A statistical association was found between CXCL12 rs1801157 polymorphism and breast cancer risk, possibility of metastasis, and estrogen receptor status. Patients with rs2839693 C/T or C/T-T/T genotypes were more likely to be progesterone receptor-negative. However, no associations of rs2297630 polymorphism with breast cancer risk or any clinicopathological characteristics were observed. In addition, rs2297630 affected the splicing quantitative trait loci of CXCL12 in the subcutaneous fat, rs2839693 polymorphism affected the splicing quantitative trait loci of CXCL12 in the human breast mammary tissues.

CONCLUSIONS: Those results indicated that CXCL12 polymorphisms might be potential diagnostic indicators, and more investigation is needed in the future.

PMID:35079936 | DOI:10.1007/s11033-021-07047-9

Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2022 Jan 26. doi: 10.1007/s00404-021-06370-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire (PFBQ) is a self-administered instrument for determining pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). The PFBQ was validated in English, but lately in other languages. However, a Chinese version has not been established. Thus, we aimed at validating a Chinese PFBQ version.

METHODS: We used a translation-back method to develop a PFBQ Chinese version and validated in 102 women, 51 with at least one PFD symptom participated in the patient group, and 51 without PFD in the control group. Construct validity was assessed by comparing groups and a content validity index (CVI) determined. For test-retest reliability, participants completed the questionnaire twice within 1-week interval and the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was determined. Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach’s statistics.

RESULTS: Missing information after applying the translated PFBQ did not exceed 4% of any questions. Total scores between control and PFD women were significantly different (2.94 ± 1.84 vs. 10.29 ± 6.64; P < 0.001). The CVI for all items ranged from 0.800 to 1.000, and a good reliability was corroborated (α = 0.677, ICC = 0.938).

CONCLUSION: The Chinese PFBQ version is a valid and reliable tool to identify the existence and severity of bothersome symptoms in Chinese women with PFD.

PMID:35079874 | DOI:10.1007/s00404-021-06370-7