Category: Statistics

Cureus. 2024 Jul 12;16(7):e64441. doi: 10.7759/cureus.64441. eCollection 2024 Jul.

ABSTRACT

Background IL-19 and IL-24 induce proinflammatory cytokine production through the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway. The primary objective of this study was to investigate any changes in IL-19 and IL-24 expression between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and healthy controls, as well as before and after the initiation of biologics. The secondary objective was to investigate any relation between their expression and disease phenotype and activity. Methods IL-19 and IL-24 expression was measured in intestinal tissue samples from 121 patients with moderate to severe IBD versus healthy controls using immunohistochemistry. Their expression was then measured 12 months after treatment on the patient group treated with biologics. The disease activity was measured before and after treatment using the Harvey Bradshaw Index (HBI) for Crohn’s disease (CD) patients and the Mayo Score (MS) for ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Data were analyzed using SPSS (IBM Inc., Armonk, New York). Results IL-19 expression was raised in the IBD group versus healthy controls. In the CD group, the IL-19 expression was related with the disease activity score post-biologic treatment. IL-24 was also highly expressed in patients with active UC and CD and was increased post-treatment. Its expression in UC was statistically related with the MS. Conclusions IL-24 and IL-19 are key factors in IBD-related intestinal inflammation and this is one of the few human studies to suggest that. An immunosuppressive role of IL-24 was demonstrated in the UC group. A future use as biomarkers of disease activity and response to treatment might be feasible.

PMID:39007024 | PMC:PMC11245665 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.64441

Cureus. 2024 Jul 12;16(7):e64434. doi: 10.7759/cureus.64434. eCollection 2024 Jul.

ABSTRACT

Background Although there has been steady growth in the number of postgraduate nurse practitioner (NP) and physician assistant/associate (PA) residency and fellowship programs in the United States, little is known about annual salaries paid to trainees across a national sample of postgraduate programs and specialties. We describe postgraduate program NP and PA trainee salaries and the relationship to specific variables. Methodology An electronic survey was distributed via email to 336 postgraduate NP, PA, and joint NP/PA residency/fellowship programs between November 2023 and December 2023. Frequency tables (for categorical variables) and descriptive statistics (for continuous variables) were used to summarize the data. Chi-square tests of independence were used to determine the relationship between trainee salary and program type, geographical location, and clinical setting. Results There was a statistically significant association between trainee salary for primary care and clinical profession (χ²(6) = 13.993, p = 0.022). Over half of NP respondents (52.1%) reported that their trainees had an annual salary between $76000 and $86000. The majority of PA respondents (57.1%) reported that their trainees had an annual salary below $75000. Respondents who were non-clinical professionals (50.0%) reported that their trainees had an annual salary of over $86000. The single physician respondent also reported that their trainees’ had an annual salary of over $86000. It appears that PA respondents were more likely to report lower trainee salaries than respondents who were NPs and non-clinical professionals. Additionally, respondents associated with primary care joint NP/PA cohorts were more likely to report higher trainee salaries than participants having NP-only cohorts. Lastly, there was a statistically significantly positive relationship between trainee salary and the number of postgraduate advanced practice provider (APP) trainees in psychiatric mental health (τ_b = 0.451, p = 0.006). Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this national study is the first of its kind to examine and summarize APP postgraduate trainee annual salaries across multiple specialties. Additional studies are needed to clarify the relationships between trainee salaries and other variables.

PMID:39007022 | PMC:PMC11245340 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.64434

Acta Med Philipp. 2024 Jun 28;58(11):54-61. doi: 10.47895/amp.v58i11.9664. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Phantom and simulation models are valuable training tools for teaching and skill enhancement, yet high costs and limitations of commercial options drive the search for alternatives. This study evaluated the locally sourced phantom models developed for transvaginal and transabdominal gynecologic interventional ultrasound procedures, aiming to cater to the educational needs of OB-GYN ultrasound subspecialists.

METHODS: Four phantom models simulating biopsy and cyst aspiration/paracentesis through transvaginal and transabdominal approaches, were developed, and assessed by 37 ultrasound subspecialists in obstetrics and gynecology. The respondents, comprising 19 experienced and 18 with limited exposure to guided procedures, utilized an 11-item Likert-scored questionnaire to evaluate the models’ acceptability and suitability for training. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: Both experienced and less-experienced groups consistently assigned high scores, particularly highlighting the realistic ultrasound image and positioning of structures. The models proved effective in enhancing confidence and proficiency during simulation-based training for probe manipulation, aspiration, and biopsy procedures. While respondents identified concerns like durability and needle track marks, no significant differences emerged between the two groups in evaluating the model.

CONCLUSIONS: The overall evaluation of the developed phantom model was positive, showcasing its acceptability among end-users and suitability for training ultrasound-guided procedures in obstetrics and gynecology. The identified issues provide valuable insights for potential improvements in future iterations of the model.

PMID:39006995 | PMC:PMC11239992 | DOI:10.47895/amp.v58i11.9664

Acta Med Philipp. 2024 Jun 28;58(11):46-53. doi: 10.47895/amp.v58i11.8968. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is an inconvenience that can affect a woman’s well-being. Reconstructive pelvic floor surgery involves repairing defects in the endopelvic fascia and pelvic floor musculature as close to the physiologic and anatomic norm. The cornerstone of successful prolapse repair is a strong apical support.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to determine the outcomes of abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC) and abdominal sacrohysteropexy (ASH) in the Philippines.

METHODS: The study utilized a descriptive study design to compare the pre-operative and post-operative Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification Score (POP-Q Score), presence of mesh complications, and urinary/bowel symptoms in patients operated within 2010-2016 in a Philippine tertiary training hospital. Based on recovered charts and inclusion/exclusion criteria, this study sampled 34 of 50 patient records. Statistical measures of median and range were used to describe pre-operative and post-operative POP-Q scores in any two follow-ups within 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month interval. The objective success rate and incidence of urinary/bowel symptoms were described using frequencies and percentages. Presence of any mesh erosion was noted for each follow-up. McNemar’s test was applied to assess the comparative occurrence of each symptom comparing between the pre-operative and first follow-up periods.

RESULTS: ASC had a success rate of 73.7% at six months and 56.3% at 12 months post-surgery. ASH showed an 84.6% success rate at six months and 71.4% at 12 months. Apical support has a 97% success rate without affecting the anterior or posterior compartments. Out of 20 ASC patients, 5 (25%) exhibited anterior compartment descent, whereas two out of 14 ASH patients (14.2%) had the same condition. It is observed that the anterior vaginal wall has the higher tendency to descend after reconstructive surgery, independent of route or technique. In addition, not all patients with surgical prolapse beyond -1 experienced symptomatic vaginal bulges. Overall, a notable decrease in the occurrence of urine symptoms was seen after the surgery. No mesh erosion was seen within the initial two years of follow-up but there was a single reported instance of abdominal hernia, an uncommon consequence.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that ASC and ASH have good success rate in apical support; however, descent of the anterior or posterior compartment diminishes the overall success rate in terms of over-all objective POP-Q score. Both resulted to improvement in symptoms with minimal complications.

PMID:39006991 | PMC:PMC11239997 | DOI:10.47895/amp.v58i11.8968

Acta Med Philipp. 2024 Jun 28;58(11):29-38. doi: 10.47895/amp.v58i11.8977. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: PCOS is a common gynecologic disorder and recent studies have found that they are more prone in developing depression and anxiety compared to the general population. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a popular and simple self-administered instrument reliable for detecting states of anxiety and depression. Using this simple screening tool, it may lead to the identification of such mental disorders that may warrant timely psychiatric referral.

OBJECTIVES: The study aims to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression among PCOS patients using the HADS-P questionnaire and to determine the association between depression and anxiety and disease characteristics.

METHODS: Convenience sampling was done to recruit PCOS patients >18 years old in Philippine General Hospital. Cross-sectional design was used for the prevalence of depression and anxiety, while nested case control design for the evaluation of the predictors of depression and anxiety. The HADS-P, a self-administered rating scale with independent subscales for anxiety and depression, was administered to the participants after securing consent. A cut-off score of >8 points on either of the depression and anxiety subscale was used to determine their respective prevalence. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association of clinical variables with anxiety or depression.

RESULTS: A total of 253 patients with PCOS were recruited. On the basis of a HADS-P score of >8.0 per category, the prevalence of PCOS patients who were suggestive to have anxiety was 46.25% (n: 117, 95% CI: 39.98-52.60%), while 9.09% (n: 23, 95% CI: 5.85-13.33%) of them were suggestive to have depression. Crude logistic regression identified presence of depression, infertility, impaired glucose tolerance, and prominent acne as predictors of anxiety; whereas low parity, hirsutism, and presence of anxiety were predictors of depression. Adjusted logistic regression identified only presence of depression and infertility were significant predictors of anxiety (n: 116, LR χ² (5): 15.46, p<0.01); while presence of anxiety increased the odds of depression by 2- to 13-fold, it was not statistically significant (n: 116, LR χ² (5): 9.79, p: 0.08).

CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of anxiety and depression among PCOS patients. The factors that were seen to be significantly associated with the development of anxiety were the presence of depression, impaired glucose tolerance, infertility and prominent acne, while for the development of depression were the presence of anxiety, hirsutism, and low parity. Screening for anxiety and depression is of paramount importance and physicians should be vigilant for the need of possible psychiatric intervention.

PMID:39006990 | PMC:PMC11239981 | DOI:10.47895/amp.v58i11.8977

Sociol Methods Res. 2021 May;50(2):866-900. doi: 10.1177/0049124118799384. Epub 2018 Oct 3.

ABSTRACT

Questions on voluntary association memberships have been used extensively in social scientific research for decades. Researchers generally assume that these respondent self-reports are accurate, but their measurement has never been assessed. Respondent characteristics are known to influence the accuracy of other self-report variables such as self-reported health, voting, or test scores. In this article, we investigate whether measurement error occurs in self-reports of voluntary association memberships. We use the 2004 General Social Survey (GSS) questions on voluntary associations, which include a novel resource: the actual organization names listed by respondents. We find that this widely used voluntary association classification scheme contains significant amounts of measurement error overall, especially within certain categories. Using a multilevel logistic regression, we predict accuracy of response nested within respondents and interviewers. We find that certain respondent characteristics, including some used in research on voluntary associations, influence respondent accuracy. Inaccurate and/or incorrect measurement will affect the statistics and conclusions drawn from the data on voluntary associations.

PMID:39006983 | PMC:PMC11244701 | DOI:10.1177/0049124118799384

Oncol Lett. 2024 Jul 2;28(3):418. doi: 10.3892/ol.2024.14551. eCollection 2024 Sep.

ABSTRACT

The Stupp regimen remains the standard treatment for newly diagnosed glioblastomas, although the prognosis remains poor. Several temozolomide alternative schedules have been studied, with extended adjuvant treatment (>6 cycles of temozolomide) frequently used, although different trials have indicated contrasting results. Survival data of 87 patients who received 6 (‘6C’ group) or 12 (’12C’ group) cycles of temozolomide were collected between 2012 and 2022. A total of 45 patients were included in the 6C group and 42 patients were included in the 12C group. Data on isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation and methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status were also collected. The 12C group exhibited statistically significantly improved overall survival [OS; 22.8 vs. 17.5 months; hazard ratio (HR), 0.47; 95% CI, 0.30-0.73; P=0.001] and progression-free survival (15.3 vs. 9 months; HR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.25-0.62; P=0.001). However, in the subgroup analysis according to MGMT status, OS in the 12C group was significantly superior to OS in the 6C group only in the MGMT unmethylated tumors. The present data suggested that extended adjuvant temozolomide appeared to be more effective than the conventional six cycles.

PMID:39006948 | PMC:PMC11240269 | DOI:10.3892/ol.2024.14551

Front Insect Sci. 2024 Jun 28;4:1328235. doi: 10.3389/finsc.2024.1328235. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

Lablab (Lablab purpureus L.) is an important food and livestock feed legume that can also enhance soil fertility. However, its production is limited by insect pests, notably the black bean aphid (Aphis fabae). The present field study was conducted to determine the difference in the contribution of lablab genotypes and natural field margin vegetation (FMV) to the abundance and diversity of natural enemies and the damage, incidence, and abundance of bean aphids. Eighteen lablab genotypes were planted in the presence or absence of FMV in a randomized complete block design experiment replicated four times. Data on aphid abundance, incidence, and severity of damage were collected at four growth stages of the crop. Lablab genotypes significantly influenced aphid incidence, suggesting some level of tolerance to aphid colonization. Findings showed that lablab genotypes were a significant influence on natural enemy species richness with no statistical difference for abundance and natural enemy species diversity. However, the genotypes did not vary significantly in their influence on the number of aphid natural enemies. FMV was associated with low bean aphid damage. Overall, the presence or absence of FMV did not influence the number of natural enemies caught on the crop. This concurs with recent work that shows a similar number of natural enemies with field margin plants but may reflect the reduced number of pest insects. Cropping seasons influenced aphid abundance and damage severity, with the populations developing at the early stages of lablab development and decreasing as the crop advanced. This pattern was similar both in the presence or absence of FMV. The findings of this study highlight the important contribution of crop genotype together with the presence of field margin species in the regulation of aphids and their natural enemies in lablab.

PMID:39006941 | PMC:PMC11240140 | DOI:10.3389/finsc.2024.1328235

Int J Lab Hematol. 2024 Jul 14. doi: 10.1111/ijlh.14341. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:39004772 | DOI:10.1111/ijlh.14341

J Cardiothorac Surg. 2024 Jul 15;19(1):446. doi: 10.1186/s13019-024-02907-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The war that began on October 7th, 2023, has impacted all major tertiary medical centers in Israel. In the largest cardiac surgery department in Israel there has been a surprising increase in the number of open-heart procedures, despite having approximately 50% of surgeons recruited to military service. The purpose of this study is to characterize this increase in the number of operations performed during wartime and assess whether the national crisis has affected patient outcomes.

METHODS: The study was based on a prospectively collected registry of 275 patients who underwent cardiac surgery or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) during the first two months of war, October 7th 2023 – December 7th 2023, as well as patients that underwent cardiac surgery during the same period of time in 2022 (October 7th, 2022 – December 7th, 2022).

RESULTS: 120 patients (43.6%) were operated on in 2022, and 155 (56.4%) during wartime in 2023. This signifies a 33.0% increase in open-heart procedures (109 in 2022 vs. 145 in 2023, p-value 0.26). There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics of patients when comparing the 2022 patients to those in 2023. No significant differences between the two groups were found with regards to intraoperative characteristics or the type of surgery. However, compared to 2022, there was a 233% increase in the number of transplantations in the 2023 cohort (p-value 0.24). Patient outcomes during wartime were similar to those of 2022, including postoperative complications, length of stay, and mortality.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent cardiac surgery during wartime presented with comparable outcomes when compared to those of last year despite the increase in cardiac surgery workload. There was an increase in the number of transplants this year, attributed to the unfortunate increase in organ donors.

PMID:39004766 | DOI:10.1186/s13019-024-02907-4