Category: Statistics

Front Pharmacol. 2024 Oct 18;15:1466677. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1466677. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The inflammatory response is the main pathophysiological basis of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and is a key factor leading to frequent exacerbations and disease progression. Suppressing the inflammatory response can improve pulmonary function, prognosis, and quality of life in AECOPD patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of Qingjin Huatan decoction (QHD) on pulmonary function and inflammatory mediators in AECOPD patients.

METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the treatment of AECOPD with QHD were retrieved from eight Chinese and English electronic databases up to 31 May 2024. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and the modified Jadad scale. Statistical analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias assessment were performed using Stata 17.0 software.

RESULTS: A total of 40 RCTs involving 3,475 AECOPD patients were included. Compared to conventional treatment, QHD significantly improved pulmonary function, with increases in FEV1 (MD = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.26 to 0.34, p = 0.000), FVC (MD = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.41, p = 0.000), FEV1/FVC (MD = 6.07, 95% CI: 5.55 to 6.58, p = 0.000), and PaO₂ (MD = 7.20, 95% CI: 4.94 to 9.47, p = 0.000), and a decrease in PaCO₂ (MD = -5.37, 95% CI: 7.99 to -2.74, p = 0.000). QHD also significantly suppressed the expression of inflammatory mediators, including TNF-α (MD = -10.87, 95% CI: 12.51 to -9.23, p = 0.000), IL-1β (MD = -13.63, 95% CI: -16.31 to -10.95, p = 0.000), IL-6 (MD = -7.58, 95% CI: -10.10 to -5.06, p = 0.000), IL-8 (MD = -9.45, 95% CI: -12.05 to -6.85, p = 0.000), CRP (MD = -5.62, 95% CI: -6.60 to -4.65, p = 0.000), and PCT (MD = -0.84, 95% CI: -1.07 to -0.62, p = 0.000). Additionally, QHD improved clinical efficacy (RR = 4.16, 95% CI: 3.26 to 5.30, p = 0.000) without increasing the incidence of adverse reactions (RR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.68 to 1.61, p = 0.000).

CONCLUSION: Existing evidence suggests that QHD can significantly improve pulmonary function, suppress the expression of inflammatory mediators, and enhance clinical efficacy in AECOPD patients, with a good safety profile. Given the limitations of this study, more high-quality studies are needed to provide reliable evidence.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=559436, identifier CRD42024559436.

PMID:39494348 | PMC:PMC11528017 | DOI:10.3389/fphar.2024.1466677

Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2024 Oct 30;17:3761-3777. doi: 10.2147/PRBM.S476768. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Child abuse and trauma are significant risk factors in the etiology of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Apart from affecting the risk of developing BPD, adverse childhood experiences seem to increase its symptoms and related disability. Self-stigma presents another common issue with equally prominent consequences for mental health. Despite being theoretically linked, the connections among childhood trauma, self-stigma, and mental health have not been explored in patients with BPD. This study aimed to provide first insights into this understudied topic.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 283 inpatients diagnosed with BPD participating in a residential transdiagnostic psychotherapeutic program. The patients completed several measurements – the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire – Short Form, the Clinical Global Impression – Severity, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Dissociative Experiences Scale, the Sheehan Disability Scale, and a demographic questionnaire. The data was statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS and AMOS 26 programs, and bivariate correlation tests and structural equation modeling explored the hypotheses.

RESULTS: Retrospectively reported childhood trauma positively correlated with current self-stigma. Both childhood trauma and self-stigma were also positively related to several indicators of general psychopathology and disability. The significance of these connections was subsequently confirmed by structural equation modeling, where self-stigma acted as a partial mediator of childhood trauma, general psychopathology, and disability.

CONCLUSION: Self-stigma significantly mediates the relationship between childhood trauma and selected mental health symptoms among adult patients diagnosed with BPD. Longitudinal studies are necessary to explore the causality of the findings. Therapeutic and societal efforts to tackle childhood trauma or self-stigma might benefit from reflecting its broader psychosocial context.

PMID:39494319 | PMC:PMC11531720 | DOI:10.2147/PRBM.S476768

Gerontol Geriatr Med. 2024 Oct 31;10:23337214241292794. doi: 10.1177/23337214241292794. eCollection 2024 Jan-Dec.

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) caused by bisphosphonates (BPs) and denosumab (Dmab) is still a major oral adverse event caused by cancer treatment and may be under-recognized by private dental services. With the aim of reducing the prevalence of MRONJ, this study, which is a pilot study for a planned future large-scale survey, compared knowledge about MRONJ between dental hygienists (DHs) in private dental clinics and those in cancer center hospitals. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire-based survey regarding MRONJ between 1 November 2023 and 31 January 2024 on DHs at a cancer base hospital and a private clinic in Saitama, Japan. We statistically analyzed the data collected using the χ² test or Fisher’s exact test with the level of significance set at 5%. Results: This study included 10 in-hospital and 53 private clinic DHs. The in-hospital DHs had appropriate knowledge of MRONJ. However, compared with the in-hospital DHs, although the private clinic DHs knew that BPs are used for osteoporosis, significantly fewer had knowledge of Dmab (p < .001) or knew that BPs and Dmab could also be used to treat cancer (both p < .001). In addition, few private clinic DHs were aware of MRONJ cases refractory to antibiotic treatment alone (p = .012). Conclusion: These findings suggest that private clinic DHs have less knowledge of MRONJ than those in cancer base hospitals.

PMID:39494315 | PMC:PMC11528679 | DOI:10.1177/23337214241292794

Front Nutr. 2024 Oct 18;11:1462931. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1462931. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIM: Current evidence indicates a correlation between the inflammatory potential of diet and the risk of cancer and cancer-specific mortality. This study aimed to assess the association between empirical dietary inflammatory pattern (EDIP), which has recently been designed based on the inflammatory potential of the diet, and the risk of cancer and cancer-specific mortality.

METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted across the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from January 2016 to March 2024. A random effects model was used to calculate the pooled effect size (ES) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using the Cochran Q test and the I ² statistic.

RESULTS: From the initial 229 records, 24 prospective cohort studies with 2,683,350 participants and 37,091 cancer incidence cases, as well as 20,819 cancer-specific mortality, were included in our study. Pooled results indicated a significant association between higher adherence to the EDIP and an increased risk of total cancer (ES: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.05-1.15; I ² = 41.1), colorectal cancer (ES: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.11-1.27; I ² = 41.1), and liver cancer (ES: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.14-1.94; I ² = 36.9). However, no significant association between increased adherence to the EDIP and an increased risk of ovarian or endometrial cancer was found. Furthermore, greater adherence to the EDIP was significantly associated with an increased risk of cancer-specific mortality (ES: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.05-1.33; I ² = 45.4).

CONCLUSION: Our results showed that a diet with higher inflammatory properties is associated with an increased risk of cancer and cancer-specific mortality.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42024496912.

PMID:39494310 | PMC:PMC11527705 | DOI:10.3389/fnut.2024.1462931

PeerJ. 2024 Oct 30;12:e18380. doi: 10.7717/peerj.18380. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to optimize the culture conditions of the termite-derived fungus Aspergillus chevalieri BYST01 for the production of physcion, a characteristic component of the traditional herb rhubarb, which has been commercially approved as a botanical fungicide in China. First, potato dextrose broth was screened as the suitable basal medium for further optimization, with an initial yield of 28.0 mg/L. Then, the suitable carbon source, fermentation time, temperature, pH value, and the rotary shaker speed for physcion production were determined using the one-variable-at-a-time method. Based on the results of single factors experiments, the variables with statistically significant effects on physcion production were further confirmed using the Plackett-Burman design (PBD). Among the five variables, temperature, initial pH, and rotary shaker speed were identified as significant factors (P < 0.05) for physcion productivity in the PDB and were further analyzed by response surface methodology (RSM). Finally, we found that the maximum physcion production (82.0 mg/L) was achieved under the following optimized conditions:initial pH 6.6, rotary shaker speed of 177 rpm, temperature of 28 °C, and glucose concentration of 30 g/L in PDB medium after 11 d of fermentation. The yield of physcion under the optimized culture conditions was approximately threefold higher than that obtained using the basal culture medium. Furthermore, the optimum fermentation conditions in the 5-L bioreactor achieved a maximal physcion yield of 85.2 mg/L within 8 d of fermentation. Hence, response surface methodology proved to be a powerful tool for optimizing physcion production by A. chevalieri BYST01. This study may be helpful in promoting the application of physcion produced by A. chevalieri BYST01 to manage plant diseases.

PMID:39494288 | PMC:PMC11531253 | DOI:10.7717/peerj.18380

PeerJ. 2024 Oct 30;12:e18410. doi: 10.7717/peerj.18410. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Tennis, the second-largest ball game in the world, has a particularly wide audience. To date, little research has been conducted on the biomechanics of female serves.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to capture the key moments by using 1,000 frames/s high-speed video analysis, to analyze the kinematics of the serving techniques of national athletes and provincial athletes, to determine the differences between the two levels of athletes, and to provide theoretical references for the improvement of scientific training level.

METHODS: Ten female athletes were selected as participants for this study, five of whom are national athletes, and the other are provincial athletes. Three-dimensional filming techniques were employed to capture videos of the first and second serve techniques. Simi Motion was applied to obtain the 3D kinematic data. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0, and Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted to determine differences between groups.

RESULTS: Significant differences in kinematics were found between national and provincial athletes. At the moment of the left knee’s minimum flexion (T2), in the first serve, national athletes had a smaller shoulder-hip vertical plane angle (-18.281 ± 6.142° vs. -25.631 ± 3.497°; p = 0.047) and a larger hip vertical plane rotation angle (-9.378 ± 4.263° vs. -0.470 ± 4.724°; p = 0.047). In the second serve, national athletes had a smaller hip horizontal plane rotation angle (-1.720 ± 4.683° vs. 24.146 ± 24.014°; p = 0.047) but a larger hip vertical plane rotation angle (-11.553 ± 1.949° vs. -0.422 ± 4.958°; p = 0.009). At the moment of impact (T4), in the second serve, national athletes’ batting position (0.296 ± 0.088 m vs. 0.446 ± 0.094 m; p = 0.047) was further back. Additionally, in the second serve, national athletes consistently had their body center of gravity further back at T2 (-0.106 ± 0.052 m vs. -0.018 ± 0.048 m; p = 0.028), T3 (0.002 ± 0.038 m vs. 0.132 ± 0.039 m; p = 0.009), and T4 (0.073 ± 0.050 m vs. 0.217 ± 0.034 m; p = 0.009).

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated several significant kinematic differences between national and provincial athletes, these variations were noted in the shoulder, hip, and body center of gravity. In summary, for the overall first and second serves, it is recommended that national athletes increase the horizontal plane angle of the shoulders and hips at T2, whereas provincial athletes decrease the horizontal plane angle of the shoulder-hip. In addition, provincial athletes need to increase the vertical plane angle of the hip joint, so that the top of the hip can be increased more, and provincial athletes need to be careful not to have the center of gravity too far in front of the body at T2, T3, and T4, so that it can hit the ball at a higher position to increase the swing speed.

PMID:39494283 | PMC:PMC11531263 | DOI:10.7717/peerj.18410

Fr J Urol. 2024 Oct 25:102797. doi: 10.1016/j.fjurol.2024.102797. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Curative surgery for localized prostate cancer can lead to iatrogenic erectile dysfunction (ED), affecting couples. Sexuality remains influenced by social norms, often requiring men to provide pleasure through rigid erections. However, iatrogenic ED does not prevent male orgasm, although it can disrupt body image and self-esteem. This study aims to describe couples’ sexual repertoire and partners’ sexual satisfaction post radical prostatectomy at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Martinique. A monocentric retrospective observational study was conducted with data collected from January 2021 to March 2024. The Valentin and ASEX questionnaires were administered to the partners of future vesiculo-prostatectomy patients at the start of the sex-rehabilitation program. Responses were analyzed anonymously using the Sphinx iQ2 application. The characteristics of the population were described in terms of proportions and means, with a significance threshold set at 0.05 for statistical tests.Of the 152 couples identified, 65 Valentine questionnaires were available. Respondents were heterosexual women, with an average age of 59, and their partners had an average age of 64. Non-penetrative sex was already part of the sexual repertoire for 52% of couples prior to prostate cancer diagnosis. After surgery, 32% of partners resumed penetrative sex, while 43% had not yet resumed sexual intimacy, and 14% had resumed non-penetrative sex. Mutual fondling (85%), vaginal penetration (70%), female oro-genital sex (70%) and male oro-genital sex (52%) were the most popular sexual stimuli. Surgery was therefore no obstacle to sexual satisfaction for our respondents, with a satisfaction level of 90% before and 86% after total prostatectomy. The same applies to orgasm before and after total prostatectomy.The results show that erectile dysfunction is not an obstacle to partners’ sexual satisfaction, with couples able to reinvent their sexuality around non-penetrative practices. Sexual satisfaction indicators before and after RA show a strong correlation, confirming that surgery does not negatively affect sexual satisfaction. The results show that men suffering from post-RP ED can free themselves from the dogma of penile erection by exploring female sexual pleasure to a greater extent. Couples practicing non-penetrative sexuality report satisfying, more playful, complicit and varied sexuality. Finally, ED has less of an impact on partners than future operators believe.

PMID:39490901 | DOI:10.1016/j.fjurol.2024.102797

Sci Total Environ. 2024 Oct 25:177191. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177191. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

To better characterize properties governing the sorption of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to biochar, twenty-three diverse biochars were characterized and evaluated as sorbents for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Biochars were produced at various temperatures, using two different technologies, and made from sewage sludge, food waste reject, wood wastes, and one reference substrate (wood pellets). The biochars were characterized in terms of surface area, pore volume and pore size distributions, elemental composition, leachable elements, ash content, pH, zeta potential, condensed aromatic carbon (ConAC) content (determined by benzenepolycarboxylic acid (BPCA) markers), and their -OH functional group content (infrared spectroscopy). PFOA sorption isotherms were determined using Polanyi-Dubinin-Manes (PDM) and Freundlich models. The sludge-based biochars [Freundlich coefficients (log K_F) between 2.56 ± 0.11 and 6.72 ± 0.22 (μg/kg)/(μg/L)^nF; fitted free energy of adsorption (E) and pore volume (V_o) from the PDM model between 13.27 and 17.26 kJ/mol, and 0.50 and 523.51 cm³/kg] outperformed wood biochars [log K_F between 1.02 and 4.56 ± 0.22 (μg/kg)/(μg/L)^nF; E between 9.87 and 17.44 kJ/mol; V_o between 0.21 and 6.52 cm³/kg] as PFOA sorbents. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that the sorption capacity was mainly controlled by pore volume within the pore diameter region that could accommodate the molecular size of PFOA (3-6 nm). Hydrophobic interactions between PFOA and aromatic carbon rich regions controlled sorption affinity, especially in the wood biochars.

PMID:39490842 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177191

Sci Total Environ. 2024 Oct 25:177193. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177193. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Accurate estimation of soil water content (SWC) is essential for effective agriculture and water resources management. While various methods have been developed for in-situ SWC measurement, practical limitations and the need for comprehensive water sensor networks make their use complicated. To overcome these challenges, heuristic data-driven models may provide a suitable alternative to practical methods for SWC simulation under different cultivation conditions. In this paper, the application of gene expression programming (GEP) methodology was proposed to simulate SWC at three different depths in rice fields using information related to weather and groundwater. A modeling study was conducted that applied the robust k-fold testing data assignment method, considering two different chronologic strategies of “k” defining to evaluate both strategies. The first one was based on the definition of the “k” values based on yearly data partitioning, while the second one considered growing stages as the “k” definition criterion. Besides evaluating the models using error statistics, a further uncertainty analysis was also conducted to check stability and confidence. The obtained results revealed that selection of “k” based on growing stages produced more accurate and stable results. Among the target parameters, water content at the third layer was predicted with higher accuracy.

PMID:39490826 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177193

Sci Total Environ. 2024 Oct 25:177120. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177120. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Establishing natural background levels (NBLs) of nitrate‑nitrogen (NO₃-N) is crucial for groundwater resource management and pollution prevention. Traditional statistical methods for evaluating NO₃-N NBLs generally overlook the hydrogeochemical processes associated with NO₃-N pollution. We propose using a method that combines principal component factor analysis and K-means clustering (PCFA-KM) to identify NO₃-N anomalies in three typical areas of the Huaihe River Basin and evaluate the effectiveness of this method in comparison with the hydrochemical graphic method (Hydro) and the Gaussian mixture model (GMM). The results showed that PCFA-KM was the most robust and effective for identifying NO₃-N anomalies caused by human activities. This method not only considers the data’s discreteness but also combines the influencing factors of NO₃-N pollution to identify anomalies, thus avoiding the influence of non-homogeneous hydrogeological conditions. Moreover, 70 % of the identified anomalies were explained by sampling survey data, geochemical ratios, and pollution percentage indices, confirming the method’s effectiveness and reliability. The upper limits of NO₃-N NBLs obtained by PCFA-KM were 12.97 mg/L (CUs-I), 4.42 mg/L (CUs-V), and 5.57 mg/L (CUs-VI). This study provides a new approach for NO₃-N anomaly identification, which can guide future NO₃-N NBLs assessments and pollution prevention and control efforts.

PMID:39490819 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177120