Category: Statistics

Heliyon. 2024 Nov 6;10(22):e40163. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40163. eCollection 2024 Nov 30.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of excessive and episodic consumption of ethanol (EtOH, a high-intensity drinking manner) on induced apical periodontitis in rats. Thirty-two animals were divided into the following four groups: control, EtOH, apical periodontitis, and EtOH + apical periodontitis. Ethanol exposure (3 g/kg 20 % w/v EtOH) was performed by orogastric gavage for 3 consecutive days, followed by 4 days of withdrawal for 4 weeks. Lesions were induced by exposing the dental pulp of the lower first molar and by the absence of any treatment/curative for 28 days. Finally, the animals were euthanized, and mandibles were collected. The mandible was divided medially, with one hemimandible being used for micro-computed tomography analysis of the volume of the periapical lesion and bone quality parameters, such as bone volume and trabecular bone assessments; the other hemimandible was used for histological analysis, with a descriptive histopathological analysis of the tissue and the pattern of bone loss presented, as well as an assessment of the collagen content present. The data were subjected to statistical analysis (one-way analysis of variance with Tukey’s post-hoc test). Our results showed that the EtOH + apical periodontitis group had a larger volume of periapical lesions than animals that were not exposed to ethanol. Additionally, bone quality parameters showed a reduction in bone volume and thickening of the trabeculae, associated with increased tissue destruction and reduced collagen content in the remnant region of the alveolar bone. These results suggest that exposure to EtOH in a pattern of excessive alcohol consumption is an aggravating factor in apical periodontitis and, consequently, in its progression, the quality and quantity of the alveolar bone remaining in the region of the periapical lesion are the modulating aspects.

PMID:39641066 | PMC:PMC11617731 | DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40163

Heliyon. 2024 Nov 13;10(22):e40228. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40228. eCollection 2024 Nov 30.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to assess prognostic factors associated with an increased risk of recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radical treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective, single-center analysis of data on HCC recurrence in patients who underwent radical treatment. Molecular tumor characteristics, baseline laboratory results and hepatic viral status were analyzed.

RESULTS: Data from 111 patients were included in the analysis. The most important prognostic factors for recurrence were vascular microinvasion (HR 4.54; 95 % CI 1.769-11.681; p 0.001), baseline white blood count (HR 2.13; 95 % CI 1.261-3.567; p 0.004) and baseline alpha-fetoprotein (HR 1.00009; 95 % CI 1.000001-1.00002; p 0.034). Microvascular invasion was only prognostic factor which correlate significantly with the overall survival (HR 5.04, 95 % CI 2.352-12.413; p < 0.001). PD-L1 expression was confirmed in 4 patients and all of them developed a disease recurrence. However, there was no statistically significant assosciation with prognosis. The presence of CD68 tumor-associated macrophages was confirmed in 62 patients, ranging from 5 % to 40 %. Analysis showed that CD68 was not associated with the risk of recurrence of HCC.

CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm that microvascular invasion is the most important factor associated with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence and death, while PD-L1 and CD68 expression did not have an impact on patient prognosis.

PMID:39641063 | PMC:PMC11617879 | DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40228

Heliyon. 2024 Nov 16;10(22):e40493. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40493. eCollection 2024 Nov 30.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: As a global public health issue, childhood maltreatment is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We aimed to investigate the association between childhood maltreatment and immune-mediated inflammatory disorders (IMIDs).

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective matched open cohort study using a UK primary care database between January 1, 1995 and January 31, 2021. Clinical codes were used to identify patients exposed to childhood maltreatment who were matched by general practice (GP), age, and sex to up to four unexposed patients. Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk of developing IMIDs (inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus) during follow-up in the exposed versus unexposed groups.

RESULTS: 256,130 exposed patients were matched to 712,478 unexposed patients. Those exposed to childhood maltreatment were 1) at an increased risk of developing Rheumatoid arthritis (aHR 1·39; 95 % CI 1·12-1·74) and Psoriasis (aHR 1·16; 95 % CI 1·10-1·23), 2) not statistically significantly at risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (aHR 0·87; 95 % CI 0·75-1·00), multiple sclerosis (aHR 1·07; 95 % CI 0·77-1·49) and systemic lupus erythematosus (aHR 1·28; 95 % CI 0·89-1·85) and 3) at a reduced risk of coeliac disease (aHR 0·74; 95 % CI 0·62-0·88) compared to the unexposed group.

INTERPRETATIONS: Childhood maltreatment is estimated to affect one in three children globally; therefore, an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis represents a substantial contribution to the burden of IMIDs. Implementation of broad public health approaches to prevent and detect childhood maltreatment and its negative downstream consequences, such as, IMID development, is essential.

PMID:39641040 | PMC:PMC11617863 | DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40493

Heliyon. 2024 Nov 13;10(22):e40282. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40282. eCollection 2024 Nov 30.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Since the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in late 2019, many studies suggest that actual infection rates may far exceed reported cases. Therefore, this study provides a comprehensive overview of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody measurements and their significance in epidemiological surveillance, especially regarding the true extent of SARS-CoV-2 infections, allowing more detailed insights into the dynamics of the pandemic.

METHODS: Antibodies were measured using the Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 assay for the nucleocapsid (N) protein and the SARS-CoV-2 IgG (sCOVG) assay for the spike (S) protein. A total of 25197 specimens from University Hospital Heidelberg were analyzed between May 2020 and December 2023, with 16957 samples measured for both antibodies, 2756 for anti-N only, and 5484 for anti-S only.For the epidemiological tracing of the SARS-CoV-2 incidence we analyzed changes in the anti-N positivity rate and anti-S positivity rate within our tertiary hospital setting across consecutive quarters.

RESULTS: Anti-N measurements allowed for a retrospective analysis of SARS-CoV-2 epidemiological developments, revealing significant changes (p <0.05) in the anti-N positivity rate following incidence peaks (increase) and low incidence periods (decrease) with only three non-significant transitions.On the other hand, the anti-S positivity rate showed only four significant transitions between consecutive quarters.

CONCLUSION: The anti-N positivity rate is an effective and straightforward retrospective serological tool for tracking epidemiological trends, while the anti-S rate is influenced by vaccination and epidemiology as well, making it inept for the tracing of epidemiological changes. Although the recent development in SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology with increasing intervals between infection waves already provide an enhanced statistical robustness, we recommend the determination of the anti-N positivity rate in larger study populations.

PMID:39641027 | PMC:PMC11617710 | DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40282

Heliyon. 2024 Nov 15;10(22):e40442. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40442. eCollection 2024 Nov 30.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Higher bending forces during chewing and occlusal loading can lead to the deformation of denture bases. Roughness and microbial adhesion can be the result of improper care of the denture. Many attempts have been made to improve the properties of denture bases through the addition of different materials. The present study aimed to evaluate the surface hardness and flexural strength (FS) of newly formulated nanocomposite denture base resin made by adding zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles in heat polymerized polymethyl methacrylate resin in concentrations of 1 % and 2 %.

METHODS: Rectangular metal master dies of dimension 65mm × 10mm × 3.3 mm for flexural strength and 30mm × 10mm × 3 mm for surface hardness were made. These dies were duplicated in 120 acrylic resin samples. These samples were divided into five groups in which group I is control group samples in conventional resin and group II,III, IV &V contained 1 % and 2 % concentrations of ZnO & TiO₂ nanoparticles in heat cure acrylic resin. The processing and finishing of the models were done. Flexural strength was measured using a universal testing machine and surface hardness using a Rockwell hardness testing machine.

RESULTS: The minimum SH reported was 101.7 HRM while FS was 81.1 MPa and maximum was 118.7 HRM and 131.8 MPa respectively. The results showed that group IV containing 1 % TiO₂ nanoparticles showed the highest surface hardness values whereas the flexural strength was highest in group II containing 1 % ZnO nanoparticles. The analysis of variance showed a p value of <0.001 which was statistically highly significant.

CONCLUSION: Nanocomposite denture base resins modified with ZnO & TiO₂ nanoparticles have more flexural strength and surface hardness than conventional denture base resin.

CLINICAL IMPLICATION: The hardness of a denture base material can be increased by adding these nanoparticles for long term use in oral cavity and in cases prone to denture fracture.

PMID:39641016 | PMC:PMC11617853 | DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40442

Clin Park Relat Disord. 2024 Nov 17;11:100284. doi: 10.1016/j.prdoa.2024.100284. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dual-task (DT) performance is impaired in Parkinson’s disease (PD), contributing to bradykinesia, postural instability, freezing of gait, and falls. Tactile cueing, including vibrotactile stimulation, has been suggested to improve DT performance in PD.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Does tactile cueing affect DT performance in PD, specifically measured by dual-task cost (DTC)?

METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in PubMed and EMBASE up to October 30, 2023, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Eligible studies were those in English that examined the effects of tactile cueing and/or closed-loop vibrotactile stimulation on DT performance in adults over 18 with idiopathic PD. The primary outcome, DTC, was calculated as the percentage change in performance from DT to single-task using the formula: [(single-task – dual-task)/single-task]* 100. A meta-analysis using a random-effects model pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) of DTC. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: From 130 initially identified studies, eight were included in the review. Four studies with 374 participants were included in meta-analyses focusing on walking speed and step length. Three of the four studies indicated that tactile cueing improved DTC for these parameters. However, the SMD for walking speed (-109.69; 95 % CI -454.89 to 235.51, p = 0.39) and step length (-14.21; 95 %CI -53.25 to 24.83, p = 0.33) showed weak evidence of improvement.

CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis provides weak evidence that tactile cueing may enhance walking speed and step length in DT conditions in PD. Rigorous objective studies are still lacking in this field of research.

PMID:39640985 | PMC:PMC11617393 | DOI:10.1016/j.prdoa.2024.100284

Front Med (Lausanne). 2024 Nov 21;11:1472384. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1472384. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To construct a hierarchical management system for specialist nurses based on Patricia Benner’s theory, and evaluate its implement effect, so as to provide reference for the hierarchical management of specialist nurses.

METHODS: Literature retrieval, semi-structured interview and Delphi method were conducted for initially formulation of the draft of hierarchical management system for specialist nurses. Forty-three specialist nurses and 14 nursing managers were selected for the study, using a non-randomized controlled experimental study design, and at the end of the study, the job satisfaction, job engagement, job exuberance, advice behaviors and nursing managers’ overall job satisfaction of specialist nurses were compared before and after the hierarchical management.

RESULTS: This study constructed a hierarchical management system for specialist nurses. The differences in specialist nurses’ job satisfaction, job engagement, job exuberance and constructive behaviors before and after hierarchical management were statistically significant (p < 0.05), and the differences in the nursing managers’ assessment of specialist nurses’ overall job satisfaction were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The hierarchical management system of specialist nurses based on Patricia Benner’s theory improves the quality of hierarchical management of specialist nurses, which could improve the job satisfaction of specialist nurses. The system could provide guidance and reference for hierarchical management system of specialist nurses.

PMID:39640983 | PMC:PMC11619138 | DOI:10.3389/fmed.2024.1472384

Front Med (Lausanne). 2024 Nov 21;11:1447716. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1447716. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease-associated bronchiectasis (IBD-BE) and to explore the possible risk factors for IBD-BE, which could help to understand the pulmonary involvement in patients with IBD and to determine the global incidence of the disease.

METHODS: We searched PubMed and EMBASE databases to identify information on the prevalence of IBD-BE among IBD patients in the published literature. Information was extracted on study design, country, year, IBD-BE testing method, IBD characteristics, number of IBD-BE cases and total number of IBD patients, and factors associated with IBD-BE. We conducted meta-analyses using random-effects or fixed-effects models to estimate the prevalence of IBD-BE among IBD patients.

RESULTS: Out of a total of 682 studies, we identified 16 studies that reported prevalence. These studies used a heterogeneous approach to identify IBD-BE. In these 16 studies, there were 92,191 patients with IBD, of whom 372 cases of IBD-BE were identified. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the overall prevalence of IBD-BE in IBD derived from the use of a random effects model was 5.0% (95% CI 2.0-12.0%). In contrast, the prevalence of IBD-BE in studies using high-resolution chest computed tomography (HRCT) imaging was 12% (95% CI 4-39%) using a random-effects model. When only retrospective studies with sample sizes greater than 100 (n = 6) were considered, the prevalence was 1% (95% CI 0-1%). However, when only retrospective studies with sample sizes less than 100 were included (n = 4), the prevalence was 29% (95% CI 6-100%); in prospective studies (n = 6), the combined prevalence was 11% (95% CI 4-29%). we performed a subgroup analysis of the differences in the incidence of IBD-BE between the different studies, each of which we subgrouped by type of study, type of disease, duration of disease, and diagnostic modality, and the results showed no significance. Future studies should standardize methods to identify IBD-BE cases and investigate the natural history and clinical course given the relatively high prevalence among IBD.

CONCLUSION: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the prevalence of IBD-BE was 12% among studies with HRCT imaging, suggesting that bronchiectasis may be an underestimated common extraintestinal manifestation of IBD. Asymptomatic patients with IBD-BE may present with abnormalities on HRCT or pulmonary function tests. Future studies should standardize methods to identify IBD-BE cases and investigate the natural history and clinical course given the relatively high prevalence among IBD.

PMID:39640979 | PMC:PMC11617167 | DOI:10.3389/fmed.2024.1447716

Front Med (Lausanne). 2024 Nov 21;11:1422163. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1422163. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Genetic and genomic literacy of health professionals is of utmost importance to realize the full potential of personalized medicine. As part of a European Union project, we piloted an e-learning course on oncogenomics, primarily targeted to physicians, and we assessed both its effectiveness and users’ satisfaction.

METHODS: The course materials were developed in English according to the Problem-Based Learning method. Learning objectives, covering the basic principles of genetics and the OMICS technologies applied to oncology, were defined based on previously identified core competencies. We used a pre-test vs. post-test study design to assess knowledge improvements. Performance results by demographic and professional characteristics of participants were analyzed using univariate or multivariate statistical methods.

RESULTS: Overall, 346 Italian professionals (61% physicians, 39% biologists) successfully completed the course. Their average post-test score was almost 19% higher than the pre-test (71.6% vs. 52.9%), with no significant differences by sex. Older age (>50 years) and southern area of residence were both correlated with higher gains. The average proportion of correct answers in the final certification test after three attempts was 85% (69% at first attempt), with some differences across professional categories. Methodology, quality of content and usability of the e-learning platform were all highly rated via satisfaction questionnaire (average scores between 4 and 5, scale 1 to 5).

CONCLUSION: The pilot phase confirmed the suitability of the e-learning as a cost-effective method to improve oncogenomic literacy of health professionals. Translation into natural languages and accreditation by European or country-specific Continuing Medical Education systems will be the main incentives for wider dissemination.

PMID:39640978 | PMC:PMC11617149 | DOI:10.3389/fmed.2024.1422163

J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2024 Nov 28;100:205-207. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2024.11.049. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the potential use of artificial dermal grafts in the lower eyelid following surgical resection of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), focusing on the degree of scar contracture. Postoperative changes were assessed using four quantitative and two qualitative parameters. Anthropometric analysis revealed no statistically significant differences across the four quantitative measures. Furthermore, no new cases of ectropion or scleral show were observed after grafting. These findings suggest that artificial dermal grafting may be a viable option following surgical excision of BCCs on the lower eyelids, without inducing significant eyelid retraction.

PMID:39637516 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2024.11.049