Category: Statistics

Biomed Mater. 2024 Aug 21;19(5). doi: 10.1088/1748-605X/ad6dc3.

ABSTRACT

Melanoma is a common malignant tumor, with a five-year mortality rate as high as 62% in cases of metastatic melanoma according to cancer statistics (2024). In recent years, the focus of melanoma research has predominantly centered on immunotherapy and targeted therapy, grappling with challenges such as resistance and immunogenicity. The discovery of nanoparticles (NPs) has brought nano-delivery systems to the forefront of melanoma diagnosis and treatment. Although certain NPs, like liposomes, have gained clinical approval, utilizing most nano-delivery systems for melanoma diagnosis and treatment remains largely exploratory. The inherent limitations of NPs present a major obstacle to their clinical translation. By selecting suitable nanocarriers and functionalizing NPs to optimize nano-delivery systems, and combining these systems with other therapies, it is possible to reduce the systemic toxicity and resistance associated with conventional therapies and the NPs themselves. This optimization could significantly improve the effectiveness of nano-delivery systems in the early detection and timely treatment of melanoma. However, there have been few reviews on the optimization of NPs and the combined application of other therapies in the treatment and diagnostic application of melanoma in the past three years. This review summarizes the latest applications of nano-delivery systems in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma over the past three years, including innovations and achievements in both preclinical and clinical studies, offering new perspectives on their potential and future application prospects. It integrates clinical data and patent information, highlights trends in nano-delivery system development, and offers new insights into their clinical translation. Additionally, it discusses the challenges and opportunities of nano-delivery systems in melanoma treatment, providing a foundation for advancing their application in diagnosis, treatment, and clinical translation.

PMID:39166400 | DOI:10.1088/1748-605X/ad6dc3

J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 2024 Aug 14. doi: 10.2459/JCM.0000000000001661. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Clinical complications of anorexia nervosa (AN) include cardiac structural and functional alterations. Available evidence on impaired myocardial deformation in AN patients without overt systolic dysfunction as assessed by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is scanty and based on a few studies. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to provide comprehensive and updated information on this issue.

METHODS: Following the PRISMA guidelines, systematic searches were conducted across bibliographic databases (Pub-Med, OVID, EMBASE and Cochrane library) to identify eligible studies from inception up to 31 January 2024. Searches were limited to clinical investigations published in English reporting data on left ventricular (LV) mechanics (i.e. global longitudinal strain) in patients with anorexia and controls. The statistical difference of the echocardiographic variables of interest between groups such as LVEF and global longitudinal strain (GLS) was calculated by standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) by using random-effects models.

RESULTS: Five studies including 171 AN and 147 healthy normal-weight individuals were considered for the analysis. Pooled average LVEF values were 63.2 ± 0.4% in the healthy control group and 64.6 ± 1.0% in the AN group (SMD -0.08 ± 0.11, CI: -0.15/0.30, P = 0.51); the corresponding values of GLS were -20.1 ± 0.9% and -20.2 ± 0.9% (SMD 0.07 ± 0.3, CI: -0.46/0.60, P = 0.80). Unlike GLS, apical strain (data from three studies) was higher in AN than in controls (-23.1 ± 1.8 vs. -21.3 ± 1.8; SMD: -0.42 ± 0.17, CI: -0.08/-0.76, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present meta-analysis do not support the view that myocardial deformation as assessed by GLS is impaired in patients with AN and preserved LVEF. The role of STE in detecting subclinical cardiac damage in this clinical condition deserves to be evaluated in future studies including regional LV strain.

PMID:39166392 | DOI:10.2459/JCM.0000000000001661

Expert Rev Proteomics. 2024 Aug 21. doi: 10.1080/14789450.2024.2395398. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) represents the most prevalent form of oral cancer. Potentially malignant disorders of oral mucosa exhibit an elevated propensity for malignant progression. A substantial proportion of cases are discerned during advanced stages, significantly impacting overall survival. This investigation aims to ascertain salivary metabolites with potential utility in the early detection of OSCC.

METHODS: A search encompassing PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Ovid, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases was conducted to identify eligible articles. The search strategy employed precise terms. The quality assessment of the included studies was executed using the QUADAS 2 ROB tool. This was registered with PROSPERO CRD42021278217.

RESULTS: Upon removing duplicate articles and publications that didn’t satisfy the inclusion criteria, seven articles were included in the current study. The Random Effects Maximum Likelihood (REML) model adopted for quantitative synthesis identified N-acetyl glucosamine as the sole metabolite in two studies included in this meta-analysis. The pathways significantly influenced by these identified metabolites were delineated.

CONCLUSION: This study highlights N-acetyl glucosamine as a distinctive metabolite with the potential to serve as an early diagnostic marker for OSCC. Nevertheless, further research is warranted to validate its clinical utility.

PMID:39166387 | DOI:10.1080/14789450.2024.2395398

Head Neck. 2024 Aug 21. doi: 10.1002/hed.27916. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: In the management of sinonasal malignancies treatment-induced morbidity and mortality is gaining relevance both for surgical approaches (endoscopic and open resection) and non-surgical therapies. The aim of this multicenter study is to assess complications associated with endoscopic surgery and non-surgical treatments (neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant) for malignant sinonasal tumors.

METHODS: All patients with nasoethmoidal malignancies treated with curative intent with endoscopic or endoscopic-assisted surgery at three referral centers with uniform management policies were included. Neo- and/or adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy was administered according to histology and pathological report. Demographics, treatment characteristics, and complications related both to the surgical and non-surgical approaches were retrieved. The data were analyzed with univariate and multivariate statistics to assess independent predictors of complications.

RESULTS: Nine hundred and forty patients were included, 643 males (68%) and 297 females (32%). A total of 225 complications were identified in 187 patients (19.9%): cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak (3.5%), mucocele (2.3%), surgical site bleeding (2.0%), epiphora (2.0%), and radionecrosis (2.0%) were the most common. Treatment-related mortality was 0.4%. Variables independently associated with complications at multivariate analysis were principally dural resection (OR 1.92), cranioendoscopic or multiportal resection (OR 2.93), dural repair with multilayer technique with less than three layers (OR 2.17), and graft different from iliotibial tract (OR 3.29).

CONCLUSION: Our study shows that modern endoscopic treatments and radiotherapy for sinonasal malignancies are associated with limited morbidity and treatment-related mortality. CSF leak and radionecrosis, although rare, remain the most frequent complications and should be further addressed by future research efforts.

PMID:39166378 | DOI:10.1002/hed.27916

Nurs Open. 2024 Aug;11(8):e70003. doi: 10.1002/nop2.70003.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To investigate the relationships among communication competence, professional autonomy and clinical reasoning and to identify the factors that influence clinical reasoning competence in oncology nurses.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive design.

METHODS: Participants included 147 oncology nurses with more than a year of clinical experience in cancer wards. The Global Interpersonal Communication Competence Scale, Schutzenhofer Professional Autonomy Scale and Nurses Clinical Reasoning Scale (NCRS) were used to collect data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis and hierarchical multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS: Communication competence (r = 0.59) and professional autonomy (r = 0.46) showed significant positive relationships with clinical reasoning competence. Clinical experience, communication competence, age and professional autonomy were statistically significant predictors and explained 48.6% of clinical reasoning competence.

CONCLUSIONS: The clinical reasoning competence of oncology nurses increases proportionally with their communication competence and professional autonomy. Therefore, oncology nurses must reinforce their communication competence and professional autonomy to enhance their clinical reasoning competence.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: The reinforcement of communication competence and professional autonomy is necessary for oncology nurses to enhance their clinical reasoning competence. In order to improve nurses’ communication competence, practical-focused communication education programmes must be designed and deployed systematically and periodically. In addition, to increase nurses’ professional autonomy, it is necessary to expand their clinical experiences through the regular rotation of working units and to make institutional efforts to retain experienced nurses.

REPORTING METHOD: We have adhered to STROBE checklist.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Participants in the study were recruited online. They were informed of the study’s purpose, method and usability and the survey could only be conducted if they consented to participate voluntarily.

PMID:39166373 | DOI:10.1002/nop2.70003

Can J Psychiatry. 2024 Aug 21:7067437241271738. doi: 10.1177/07067437241271738. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:39166343 | DOI:10.1177/07067437241271738

Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2024 Jun 25;40(3):261-268. doi: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2023.131101.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To explore the association between violent behaviors and emotions in individuals with mental disorders, to evaluate the application value of facial expression analysis technology in violence risk assessment of individuals with mental disorders in supervised settings, and to provide a reference for violence risk assessment.

METHODS: Thirty-nine male individuals with mental disorders in supervised settings were selected, the participant risk of violence, cognitive function, psychiatric symptoms and severity were assessed using the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS), the Historical, Clinical, Risk Management-Chinese version(HCR-CV), the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). An emotional arousal was performed on the participants and the intensity of their emotions and facial expression action units was recorded before, during and after the arousal. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the differences in the intensity of emotions and facial expression action units before, during and after the arousal. Pearson correlation analysis was used to calculate the correlations between the intensity of the seven basic emotional facial expressions and the scores of the assessment scales.

RESULTS: The intensity difference of sadness, surprise and fear in different time periods was statistically significant (P<0.05). The intensity of the left medial eyebrow lift action unit was found significantly different before and after the emotional arousal (P<0.05). The intensity of anger was positively correlated with the Modified Overt Aggression Scale score throughout the experiment (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Eye action units such as eyebrow lifting, eyelid tightening and upper eyelid lifting can be used as effective action units to identify sadness, anger and other negative emotions associated with violent behaviors. Facial expression analysis technology can be used as an auxiliary tool to assess the potential risk of violence in individuals with mental disorders in supervised settings.

PMID:39166307 | DOI:10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2023.131101

Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2024 Jun 25;40(3):245-253. doi: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2023.430803.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To describe the current state of research and future research hotspots through a metrological analysis of the literature in the field of forensic anthropological remains identification research.

METHODS: The data retrieved and extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), the core database of the Web of Science information service platform (hereinafter referred to as “WoS”), was used to analyze the trends and topic changes in research on forensic identification of human remains from 1991 to 2022. Network visualisation of publication trends, countries (regions), institutions, authors and topics related to the identification of remains in forensic anthropology was analysed using python 3.9.2 and Gephi 0.10.

RESULTS: A total of 873 papers written in English in the field of forensic anthropological remains identification research were obtained. The journal with the largest number of publications was Forensic Science International (164 articles). The country (region) with the largest number of published papers was China (90 articles). Katholieke Univ Leuven (Netherlands, 21 articles) was the institution with the largest number of publications. Topic analysis revealed that the focus of forensic anthropological remains identification research was sex estimation and age estimation, and the most commonly studied remains were teeth.

CONCLUSIONS: The volume of publications in the field of forensic anthropological remains identification research has a distinct phasing. However, the scope of both international and domestic collaborations remains limited. Traditionally, human remains identification has primarily relied on key areas such as the pelvis, skull, and teeth. Looking ahead, future research will likely focus on the more accurate and efficient identification of multiple skeletal remains through the use of machine learning and deep learning techniques.

PMID:39166305 | DOI:10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2023.430803

Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2024 Jun 25;40(3):237-244. doi: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2023.230501.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effects of different test positions on quantitative muscle strength of wrist and finger flexor muscle groups and to establish a standardized muscle strength test protocol for each muscle group.

METHODS: Forty healthy subjects (12 males and 28 females) were recruited. A portable digital quantitative muscle strength tester, Micro FET2^TM, was used to measure the flexor muscle strength of each finger and the wrist joint at the 30° extension, 0° neutral, and 30° flexion, respectively. Palmar abduction strength of the thumb was measured at 30° and 60°, respectively. Ten subjects were randomly selected from the 40 subjects, and the quantitative muscle strength of each muscle group was tested again by the same operator after an interval of 10 to 15 days.

RESULTS: Except for the fact that in males, there was no significant difference in flexor muscle strength of thumb and wrist joint between 30° of wrist extension and neutral 0° position, the muscle strength of the other fingers flexion and wrist palmar flexor showed the following characteristics：30° of wrist extension > neutral 0° position > 30° of flexion, and the PAST was 30°>60°; The flexor muscle strength of all the subjects was thumb > index finger > middle finger > ring finger > little finger; All muscle strength values of male were greater than those of female, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); There was no significant difference between the left and right side muscle strength values of all subjects (P>0.05). The reliability of muscle strength values measured at different times in 10 subjects was good.

CONCLUSIONS: The quantitative muscle strength of each muscle group of the hand and wrist is affected by the test position, and a standardized and uniformed test position should be adopted in the actual identification. Micro FET2^TM has good reliability for hand and wrist quantitative muscle strength testing. The 30° extension of the wrist can be used as the best standardized test position for the flexion muscle strength of each finger and wrist joint. The 30° position can be used as the best standardized test position for PAST.

PMID:39166304 | DOI:10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2023.230501

Nurs Open. 2024 Aug;11(8):e70004. doi: 10.1002/nop2.70004.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To determine the occurrence of occupational stress among Palestinian nurses, and their associated sources and risk factors.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive design.

METHODS: A total of 250 registered nurses from eight governmental hospitals, using a convenience sampling method. Data collection were conducted using the 30-items self-reported Occupational Stress Scale from December 2022 to March 2023. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis were applied to analysis data. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis.

RESULTS: The prevalence of high occupational stress levels was 64.8% (Mean = 3.9 out of 5). The main sources of stress are too much responsibility and work, understaffing, lack of promotion and recognition, inadequate pay, time pressure, and management style. The results regression analysis demonstrated that male nurses with a Masters or PhD degree and those working in fixed shifts experienced higher occupational stress. Moreover, participants who worked overtime hours were more susceptible to stress.

CONCLUSIONS: The research indicates that occupational stress presents a notable challenge for nurses in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. It suggests that in order to alleviate this stress, decision-makers in healthcare policy and hospital management should prioritize the execution of strategies aimed at addressing the primary stressors and risk factors identified.

REPORTING METHOD: This study adhered to the STROBE guidelines.

PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: A total of 250 registered nurses were taken part in this study by answering a self-administered study survey.

PMID:39166300 | DOI:10.1002/nop2.70004