Category: Statistics

Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2024 Dec 6. doi: 10.1111/apt.18430. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is a non-invasive tool for evaluating transmural inflammation in Crohn’s disease (CD). However, its utility is constrained by operator dependency and limited accessibility.

AIMS: To explore the feasibility of serum biomarkers-specifically leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein (LRG)-as an alternative to IUS for assessing transmural inflammation.

METHODS: This retrospective, single-centre study included patients with CD who underwent IUS and measurements of LRG and C-reactive protein (CRP). We assessed correlations between biomarkers and five IUS scores (Limberg score, Bowel Ultrasound Score (BUSS), International Bowel Ultrasound Segmental Activity Score (IBUS-SAS), Simple Ultrasound Score (Simple-US) and Simple Ultrasound Score for Crohn’s Disease (SUS-CD)) using receiver operator characteristic curve analysis and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. We conducted subgroup analyses for patients in clinical remission.

RESULTS: We analysed 213 IUS examinations performed on 97 patients; 170 (80%) IUS were during clinical remission. The area under the curve for LRG for each IUS score (0.76, 0.80, 0.77, 0.75 and 0.69, respectively) was superior to that of CRP and was statistically significant, particularly for LS, BUSS, IBUS-SAS and Simple-US (p < 0.001, p = 0.018, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Predictive values remained consistent among patients in remission. LRG demonstrated excellent correlation with IUS scores in both the overall patient population and those in remission.

CONCLUSION: LRG showed a robust correlation with IUS scores, suggesting its potential as a novel indicator for targeting transmural healing in patients with CD.

PMID:39641226 | DOI:10.1111/apt.18430

Minerva Dent Oral Sci. 2024 Dec 6. doi: 10.23736/S2724-6329.24.05064-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Anxiety and fear are significant challenges in pediatric dentistry, often leading to avoidance of dental treatment. Some studies suggest a potential link between the dopamine beta-hydroxylase gene and the ABO gene. As ABO blood group type is determined genetically, it could serve as a bioindicator for assessing the impact of genetics on personality traits. The association between blood types and personality characteristics has long been debated.

METHODS: Eighty eligible children, meeting the inclusion criteria, were enrolled in the study. Blood group data were obtained from parents/guardians. Dental anxiety assessment was done using the RMS-Picture scale and pulse oximeter.

RESULTS: The collected data were analyzed statistically.

CONCLUSIONS: The study found no correlation between dental anxiety and ABO blood grouping.

PMID:39641189 | DOI:10.23736/S2724-6329.24.05064-2

Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2024 Dec 6;18:e306. doi: 10.1017/dmp.2024.271.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The mental health of paramedics is critical for disaster response in order to provide rapid and effective interventions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related individual and occupational factors in Turkish paramedics during the eleventh month of the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: The “Sociodemographic Information Form,” “Life Events Checklist,” and “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist” were used to collect data from 440 randomly selected paramedics in this cross-sectional study.

RESULTS: The prevalence of PTSD was 59.8% in the 11^th month of the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple regression analysis revealed that approximately 25% of the total PTSD score could be independently explained by paramedics’ general health situation and sociodemographic characteristics; 27% by crisis management skills, long working hours, a lack of equipment, and intensive work; and 40% by past traumatic experiences due to difficult life events during their professional practice, such as responding to gunshot wounds, becoming a victim of a gunshot attack, or sexual assault (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Integrating a mental health monitoring system into the health and safety program, providing paramedics with supervision and psychological assistance, and engaging them in disaster preparedness planning would be beneficial.

PMID:39641176 | DOI:10.1017/dmp.2024.271

Circ Cardiovasc Imaging. 2024 Dec 6:e017033. doi: 10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.124.017033. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Persistent immune activation is linked to elevated cardiovascular diseases in people with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. The fat attenuation index (FAI) is a measure of peri-coronary inflammation that independently predicts cardiovascular disease risk in people without HIV. Whether FAI is associated with immune activation is unknown.

METHODS: Peripheral blood T-cell activation and homing phenotypes were measured in people with HIV (n=58) and people without HIV (n=16) without known cardiovascular disease who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography and had FAI measurements. A cross-sectional analysis of an observational cohort was performed. The primary aim was to evaluate associations of T-cell activation and phenotypes with the outcome variables, FAI values of the right coronary artery and left anterior descending artery, which were assessed using multivariable regression models adjusted for age, natal sex, race, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, body mass index, and use of lipid-lowering medication.

RESULTS: T cells from people with HIV showed greater activation, as measured by cluster of differentiation (CD) 38/human leukocyte antigen – DR isotype coexpression on CD4 central memory and terminally-differentiated effector memory subsets and on CD8 effector memory (TEM), than did cells from people without HIV. Expression of the chemokine receptor C-C Chemokine Receptor 2 was reduced on CD4 central memory and TEM and CD8 TEM and terminally-differentiated effector memory subsets in people with HIV. Among all participants, PD-1 (programmed cell death 1) in CD8 central memory was associated with worsened peri-coronary inflammation of the right coronary artery, whereas perforin/granzyme B on CD8 TEM was associated with improved peri-coronary inflammation of the right coronary artery and left anterior descending artery in adjusted analyses. When accounting for HIV serostatus, CD38/human leukocyte antigen – DR isotype coexpression on CD8 central memory, TEM, and terminally-differentiated effector memory cells was associated with more peri-coronary inflammation of the left anterior descending artery.

CONCLUSIONS: The associations between T-cell activation with FAI are novel and suggest that T-cell activation may be an important driver of peri-coronary inflammation, occurring at an early stage of atherosclerosis, even before the development of clinical disease.

PMID:39641168 | DOI:10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.124.017033

Circ Heart Fail. 2024 Dec 6:e011962. doi: 10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.124.011962. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In heart failure, sympathetic excess and exercise intolerance impair quality of life. In heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, exercise stimulates a reflex increase in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) that relates inversely to peak oxygen uptake (V̇O_2peak). Whether similar sympathoexcitatory responses are present in heart failure with preserved EF (HFpEF) and relate to V̇O_2peak are unknown.

METHODS: In 13 patients with HFpEF (70±6 years), 17 comorbidity-matched controls (CMC; 67±8 years), and 18 healthy controls (65±8 years), we measured heart rate, blood pressure, and MSNA (microneurography) during (1) 7-minute baseline; (2) 2-minute isometric handgrip (40% maximal voluntary contraction) or rhythmic handgrip (50% and 30% maximal voluntary contraction) exercise, followed by 2-minute postexercise circulatory occlusion; and (3) 4-minute 1-leg cycling (2 minutes each at mild and moderate intensity). V̇O_2peak was obtained by open-circuit spirometry.

RESULTS: Resting MSNA was higher and V̇O_2peak was lower in HFpEF versus CMCs and healthy controls (all P<0.05). During handgrip, MSNA increased in all groups (all P<0.05); in HFpEF, MSNA was greater than CMCs and healthy controls during HG and postexercise circulatory occlusion at 40% isometric handgrip (all P<0.05) and HG only at 50% and 30% rhythmic handgrip (all P<0.05). During cycling, MSNA (bursts·min^-1) decreased during mild (-4±4; P=0.01) and moderate (-8±6; P<0.001) cycling in healthy controls, was unchanged during mild (+1±7; P=0.42) and moderate (+2±8; P=0.28) cycling in CMCs, yet increased in HFpEF during mild (+8±8; P<0.001) and moderate (+9±10; P<0.001) cycling. In HFpEF, the change in MSNA during moderate cycling related inversely to relative (r=-0.72; R ²=0.51; P<0.01) and percent-predicted (r=-0.63; R ²=0.39; P=0.03) V̇O_2peak. No statistically significant relationships were detected in controls (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to CMCs, patients with HFpEF exhibit augmented MSNA at rest and during exercise. The magnitude of such paradoxical sympathoexcitation during dynamic cycling relates inversely to V̇O_2peak, consistent with a neurogenic, vasoconstrictor limit on exercise capacity in HFpEF.

PMID:39641163 | DOI:10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.124.011962

Hand (N Y). 2024 Dec 6:15589447241298982. doi: 10.1177/15589447241298982. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) is a promising tool to aid in diagnostic accuracy and patient communication. Prior literature has shown that ChatGPT answers medical questions and can accurately diagnose surgical conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of ChatGPT 4.0 in evaluating radiologic imaging of common orthopedic upper extremity bony pathologies, including identifying the imaging modality and diagnostic accuracy.

METHODS: Diagnostic imaging was sourced from an open-source radiology database for 6 common upper extremity bony pathologies: distal radius fracture (DRF), metacarpal fracture (MFX), carpometacarpal osteoarthritis (CMC), humerus fracture (HFX), scaphoid fracture (SFX), and scaphoid nonunion (SN). X-ray, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) modalities were included. Fifty images were randomly selected from each pathology where possible. Images were uploaded to ChatGPT 4.0 and queried for imaging modality, laterality, and diagnosis. Each image query was completed in a new ChatGPT search tab. Multinomial linear regression was used to identify variations in ChatGPT’s diagnostic accuracy across imaging modalities and medical conditions.

RESULTS: Overall, ChatGPT provided a diagnosis for 52% of images, with accuracy ranging from 0% to 55%. Diagnostic accuracy was significantly lower for SFX and MFX relative to HFX. ChatGPT was significantly less likely to provide a diagnosis for MRI relative to CT. Diagnostic accuracy ranged from 0% to 40% with regard to imaging modality (x-ray, CT, MRI) though this difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS: ChatGPT’s accuracy varied significantly between conditions and imaging modalities, though its iterative learning capabilities suggest potential for future diagnostic utility within hand surgery.

PMID:39641156 | DOI:10.1177/15589447241298982

Pediatr Transplant. 2025 Feb;29(1):e14885. doi: 10.1111/petr.14885.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Incidence of and risk factors for early hospital readmission (EHR) are poorly defined in pediatric liver transplant recipients. Therefore, we evaluated EHR incidence and risk factors for pediatric liver recipients in a nationally representative sample.

METHODS: Using the Society of Pediatric Liver Transplantation database, we retrospectively analyzed 2808 pediatric liver-only recipients transplanted 2011-2022. Recipient-, donor-, and center-level characteristics were evaluated as possible risk factors for EHR within 30 days of hospital discharge using multivariable modified Poisson regression.

RESULTS: Overall, 23% (N = 642) of pediatric recipients experienced EHR. Independent risk factors for EHR include diabetes (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 2.33, 95% CI: 1.41-3.86, p = 0.001), history of malignancy (aRR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.19-2.11, p = 0.002), and shorter length of transplant hospitalization. Recipients in the shortest length of stay quartile (median [IQR] 8 [7-9] days) had a ninefold increased risk for EHR compared with recipients in the longest length of stay quartile (34 [28-48] days) (aRR 8.86, 95% CI: 5.68-13.81, p < 0.001). Incidence of EHR did not vary by transplant center and was not associated with other characteristics of the donor (DCD vs. not DCD), recipient (age, race, sex, and diagnosis), procedure (whole vs. split liver, ischemic time), or transplant center.

CONCLUSION: We found the 30-day readmission rate for pediatric liver transplant recipients was 23%. Shorter hospital stays were a major risk factor for EHR, highlighting that longer initial transplant hospital stays may be beneficial for predischarge optimization and coordination of their complex care.

PMID:39641150 | DOI:10.1111/petr.14885

Eur Urol Open Sci. 2024 Nov 18;71:15-21. doi: 10.1016/j.euros.2024.10.019. eCollection 2025 Jan.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate whether a very large prostate volume significantly affects the incidence of perioperative complications and compromises outcomes among patients undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP).

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data for 1815 adult patients who underwent HoLEP at Evangelisches Krankenhaus Königin Elisabeth Herzberge, Berlin, between January 2019 and May 2024. Patients were divided into two groups according to their prostate volume: ≤149 ml (group A) and ≥150 ml (group B). Propensity score matching on age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, and the presence of an indwelling catheter was used to balance baseline differences. A Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous variables between the groups, and a χ² test for comparison of categorical variables, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Postoperative complications were assessed according to the Clavien-Dindo classification.

KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS: After propensity score matching, 163 matched cases per group were analyzed. Group B had significantly longer median total operative time (76 vs 47 min; p < 0.001), enucleation time (42 vs 26 min; p < 0.001), coagulation time (11 vs 6 min; p < 0.001), and morcellation time (15 vs 7 min; p < 0.001). Clavien-Dindo grade ≥IIIb complications (8.7% vs 1.2%; p = 0.02) and blood transfusion (2.5% vs 0%; p = 0.045) were significantly more frequent in group B. Catheterization time (1.9 vs 2.0 d; p = 0.01) and the proportion of patients with postoperative residual urine volume ≤50 ml (85.2% vs 80.2%; p = 0.18) were comparable between the groups. Limitations include the retrospective and single-center study design.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Prostate volume ≥150 ml is associated with a longer operative time, a higher rate of major complications, and a more frequent need for blood transfusion. Therefore, HoLEP for prostate glands ≥150 ml should be performed in experienced high-volume centers.

PATIENT SUMMARY: We compared outcomes of laser surgery for enlarged prostate glands of different sizes. We found that while the surgery is generally effective for very large prostates, it takes longer and has a higher risk of complications in comparison to more typical prostate sizes. However, this procedure is still the best treatment available for prostate enlargement and should be carried out in high-volume hospitals specializing in this treatment.

PMID:39641120 | PMC:PMC11617294 | DOI:10.1016/j.euros.2024.10.019

Eur Urol Open Sci. 2024 Nov 16;71:11-14. doi: 10.1016/j.euros.2024.10.021. eCollection 2025 Jan.

ABSTRACT

For men with prostate cancer (PCa) within the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), the cause of death is determined by a Cause of Death Committee (CODC) that evaluates all medical records using a fixed algorithm. The aim of this study was to compare the classification of PCa-specific mortality (PCSM) between the CODC and Statistics Netherlands. We calculated the sensitivity (PCSM agreement divided by total PCSM deaths according to the CODC) and specificity (agreement for other-cause mortality [OCM] divided by total OCM deaths according to the CODC) using the last 21-yr follow-up data from ERSPC Rotterdam. For the core age group (age 55-69 yr at randomization; n = 1732), the sensitivity was 86% (95% CI 83-89) and specificity was 93% (95% CI 91-94), with no statistical difference between the youngest ages and the oldest ages. Extrapolation of our findings to 30 yr of follow-up would result in an expected risk reduction of PCSM of 30% using data from the CODC and 33% using official statistics in favor of screening. In conclusion, our results support the use of official statistics in determining the cause of death, without compromising the main outcome of ERSPC Rotterdam.

PATIENT SUMMARY: We compared the classification of prostate cancer death between a dedicated trial committee and official statistics in the Netherlands. We found that official statistics are an accurate representation in determining the cause of death.

PMID:39641118 | PMC:PMC11615526 | DOI:10.1016/j.euros.2024.10.021

Heliyon. 2024 Nov 12;10(22):e39804. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39804. eCollection 2024 Nov 30.

ABSTRACT

Plagiarism has long been a concern within the academic community. However, its prevalence and impact in the Middle Eastern context, particularly in Saudi Arabia, have not been sufficiently addressed. This study aims to investigate Saudi undergraduate students’ perceptions of plagiarism in English as a foreign language (EFL) research writing during e-learning sessions and examine whether their academic levels, grade point average (GPA), and gender play a substantial role in affecting their perceptions of plagiarism. A survey was conducted with 110 Saudi undergraduate students (33 males and 77 females) majoring in English at a university in Saudi Arabia. The findings indicate that most of the participants were aware of the most prevalent forms of plagiarism in EFL research writing during e-learning sessions. The findings also reveal that students’ GPA and gender did not have a statistically substantial impact on the participants’ perceptions. However, it was observed that students’ academic levels had a discernible effect on their perceptions. This study provides some practical implications for enhancing student awareness and assisting them in avoiding plagiarism in EFL research writing.

PMID:39641084 | PMC:PMC11617220 | DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39804