Category: Statistics

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2024 Dec 20;70(11):46-51. doi: 10.14715/cmb/2024.70.11.6.

ABSTRACT

Vaspin plays a regulatory role in lipid and glucose metabolism and is a therapeutic adipokine against impaired glucose intolerance in obese individuals. We aimed to investigate serum vaspin levels in patients with FMS and whether there was any relationship between vaspin levels and metabolic and clinical parameters in fibromyalgia. A total of 64 female patients who applied to an outpatient clinic due to widespread pain lasting more than three months were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups: 32 in the fibromyalgia group and 32 in the healthy controls. The socio-demographic characteristics of the patients were evaluated with the standard evaluation form. Age, weight, height, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, presence of menopause were recorded. Pain intensity was evaluated with visual analogue scale (VAS). The Fibromyalgia Impact Scale (FIS) was utilized to measure quality of life and functional status. Metabolic syndrome components were significantly different in the fibromyalgia group compared to the control group (p <0.05). While 22 patients (68.8%) in the fibromyalgia group met the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome, three patients (9.4%) in the control group met these criteria. In the fibromyalgia intra-group correlation, vaspin was significantly positively correlated with BMI and waist circumference (p<0.05). In the control group, vaspin indicated a statistically significant positive correlation with BMI. This study elaborated that waist circumference, insulin, and insulin resistance were significantly higher in the fibromyalgia patients compared to the healthy control group. This was confirmed by the finding that significantly more patients met the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome. Additionally, vaspin was considerably higher in fibromyalgia patients and thus it was positively correlated with BMI and waist circumference.

PMID:39707782 | DOI:10.14715/cmb/2024.70.11.6

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2024 Nov 27;70(11):109-114. doi: 10.14715/cmb/2024.70.11.16.

ABSTRACT

Considering the relatively high frequency of genetic disorders associated with negative pregnancy outcomes, in this research, adverse pregnancy outcomes in amniocentesis patients were compared between two groups with normal and abnormal maternal serum analytes. This retrospective cohort study was conducted on singleton pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis and had fetuses with normal chromosomes at the perinatology clinic in Rasht. Eligible patients were divided into two groups of 307 people with normal and abnormal maternal serum analytes based on laboratory screening results. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were compared between the two groups. In a total of 614 pregnant women, adverse pregnancy outcomes were observed in 24% of the abnormal analyte group and 15% of cases in the normal analyte group. The association between adverse pregnancy outcomes and both normal and abnormal analytes was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). the most common adverse pregnancy outcome was hypertensive disorders, which was more prevalent in the abnormal analyte group (10.7%). The presence of abnormal levels of free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (free β-hCG) and inhibin-A factors were found to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Specifically, for each unit increase in inhibin-A level, the likelihood of experiencing an adverse pregnancy outcome was reported to be 1.83 times higher (OR=1.83, P=0.028). Similarly, the presence of abnormal free β-hCG values was associated with a 3.12 times higher chance of adverse pregnancy outcomes (OR=3.115, P=0.03). The utilization of serum analytes for first and second-trimester screening can be beneficial in the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.

PMID:39707773 | DOI:10.14715/cmb/2024.70.11.16

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2024 Nov 27;70(11):122-128. doi: 10.14715/cmb/2024.70.11.18.

ABSTRACT

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen. It’s a dimorphic fungus with hyphal form that can penetrate and proliferate the oral mucosa. Occlusal guard materials come into direct contact with the oral mucosa and saliva when worn for extended periods, the occlusal guard acts as a reservoir for C. albicans that imposes adverse oral or systemic effects, particularly in medically compromised patients. A randomized controlled trial was conducted among forty volunteers with a history of bruxism. The volunteers were divided into four groups, with each group assigned to wear occlusal guards made of one of the following materials: (Polyethylene Terephthalate-Glycol, Polymethyl methacrylate resin, Ethyl phenylphosphinate 3D printing resin and Chrome-Cobalt Alloy). The study samples were collected after one month, with an additional three months spent assessing C. albicans. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed and compared between groups with different time intervals. The statistical analysis revealed that C. albicans proliferation increased after three months of wearing the occlusal guards, however, the results showed non-significant differences (P = 0.914). Furthermore, the comparative analysis demonstrated that the highest proliferation of C. albicans was found with Polymethyl methacrylate and the least with Chrome-Cobalt Alloy. Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that reducing wearing time will reduce pathogenic infection by C. albicans, and the occlusal guard with the chrome-cobalt alloy material was better than the other materials in this aspect.

PMID:39707771 | DOI:10.14715/cmb/2024.70.11.18

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2024 Nov 27;70(11):134-143. doi: 10.14715/cmb/2024.70.11.20.

ABSTRACT

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Despite a thorough understanding of its biology, etiology, and epidemiology, an estimated 1.8 million new cases are diagnosed each year, and 900000 people die as a result of malignancy. The current study aims to investigate the expression pattern of S100A4 and S100A14 proteins in CRC tissue specimens and a panel of cell lines. Furthermore, to explore the metastatic potential of the aforementioned proteins in relation to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and their possible association with the clinical features of CRC. The present study involved 80 patients diagnosed with CRC. Upon identification of the sociodemographic and clinicopathological features of the participants, immunohistochemical studies were conducted to measure the expression pattern of the S100 proteins in CRC tissues. In addition to qPCR and western blot studies, a series of in vitro experiments were conducted in a panel of CRC cell lines to assess the effects of S100 protein expression in cell migration, invasion, and proliferation. The number of CRC patients with high S100A4 expression levels was considerably higher than those with low expression (p < 0.0001). S100A4 is positively correlated with TNM staging, nodal metastasis, distant metastasis, and perineural invasion and was statistically significant (p = 0.02, 0.01, 0.0001, and 0.02, respectively). In vitro studies demonstrated that S100A14 knockdown induced EMT and resulted in a substantial increase in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in HT29 cells. Moreover, S100A4 knockdown substantially inhibited migration, invasion, and proliferation in LoVo cells. The findings collectively suggest that both S100A4 and S100A14 play a pivotal role in colorectal cancer progression. Overexpression of S100A4 consistently with S100A14 downregulation is associated with the activation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which in turn enhances cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

PMID:39707769 | DOI:10.14715/cmb/2024.70.11.20

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2025 Dec;21(1):2440164. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2440164. Epub 2024 Dec 21.

ABSTRACT

People in Australia have access to different influenza vaccines, but may be unaware of their options and features. Preference studies for differentiated influenza vaccines including cell-based vaccines are limited, particularly in Australia. This study investigated which influenza vaccine attributes people in Australia value using a discrete choice experiment (DCE). Adults in Australia ineligible for free influenza vaccines had been vaccinated in the last 5 years and intended to be vaccinated again completed an online survey. Participants (N = 1203) were presented three influenza vaccine profiles described by eight attributes. Half the DCE scenarios described influenza season severity to be the same as last year, and the other half as more severe. DCE data were analyzed using a mixed multinomial logit (MMNL) model. All eight attributes significantly predicted vaccine choice (p < .05). Regardless of influenza season severity, participants preferred a vaccine: with greater protection, designed to be an exact match to circulating strains (match), using modern technology, manufactured by an Australian company, available at pharmacies, preferred by health care professionals (HCP), government funded for high-risk individuals and having lower cost. The top three attributes by importance were protection, match and cost. Participants were willing to pay more for match and higher protection. The Marginal Willingness to Pay (MWTP) for the most important attributes, excluding cost, were AUD $1.61/$2.18 for each additional percent in protection (same/more severe season), AUD $25.37/$32.37 for match and AUD $4.06/$15.97 for HCP preference. Findings indicate that match, protection, cost and HCP preference are key to vaccine choice, highlighting the importance of shared decision-making.

PMID:39707735 | DOI:10.1080/21645515.2024.2440164

Asian J Endosc Surg. 2025 Jan-Dec;18(1):e70004. doi: 10.1111/ases.70004.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Due to the growing medical need for gynecologic robotic surgery, several robotic surgeries may be performed in a single day at high-volume centers. This study evaluated the safety of performing multiple robot-assisted hysterectomies (RAHs) per day by the same surgeon.

METHODS: We reviewed the clinical data of patients who underwent robotic surgery from April 2018 to September 2024 at the Department of Gynecology, Yamanashi Central Hospital, and also examined the surgical type, order, and surgeon for each procedure.

RESULTS: A total of 352 RAHs performed by the same surgeon were included. Among them, 267 were the first and second cases performed on the same day (Group A), and 85 were the third to fifth cases (Group B). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding age, body mass index, uterine weight, surgical indication, and history of abdominal surgery. The median operative time of 68 (35-179) min in Group A and 66 (37-187) min in Group B was similar (p = 0.141). Both groups also had similar estimated blood loss (p = 0.744). Each group had two perioperative complications, and no patient underwent conversion to open or laparoscopic surgery.

CONCLUSION: Performing multiple RAHs by the same surgeon in a single day may be a safe procedure with no negative impact on operative time, blood loss, or perioperative complications. Hence, it could be a useful treatment option for high-volume centers.

PMID:39707725 | DOI:10.1111/ases.70004

Int J Urol. 2024 Dec 20. doi: 10.1111/iju.15657. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of docetaxel in addition to next-generation androgen receptor-axis-targeted therapies and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) remains unclear. We evaluated the efficacy of this combination through tumor volume-specific analysis.

METHODS: Individual patient data were reconstructed from seven clinical trials focusing mHSPC (ARASENS, PEACE-1, TITAN, ENZAMET, ARCHES, STAMPEDE, and LATITUDE) through the Shiny method. Overall survival (OS), radiological progression-free survival (rPFS), and time to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) were analyzed in the overall cohort and tumor volume-specific (high/low) subgroups. Sensitivity analyses were performed based on treatment methods and metastasis onset.

RESULTS: In 6931 cases, adding docetaxel to ARAT and ADT did not significantly improve OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.95-1.22, p = 0.27), rPFS (HR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.73-1.05, p = 0.16), or time to CRPC (HR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.80-1.18, p = 0.74). High-volume disease showed a non-significant trend toward improved OS with the triplet regimen. Low-volume disease showed a similar trend. Sensitivity analyses for second-generation androgen receptor inhibitors indicated potentially less advantageous OS with docetaxel addition, but no significant differences when stratified by tumor volume. Analyses of the docetaxel-naïve, abiraterone, and synchronous metastasis subgroups showed no statistically significant differences in OS compared with the overall population and volume-stratified cases.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with mHSPC did not show significant improvement with docetaxel addition to ARAT-based regimens, regardless of tumor volume. Further research is needed to identify potential beneficiaries of this combination therapy.

PMID:39707721 | DOI:10.1111/iju.15657

Pain Manag. 2024 Dec 20:1-8. doi: 10.1080/17581869.2024.2441650. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a painful sensation occurring in patients around the site of an amputation. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy of cryoneurolysis in the management of phantom limb pain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. An initial search yielded 200 articles from four major scientific databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, WebOfScience). Five articles met inclusion criteria, four of which underwent additional pooled statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Pooled analysis of the included trials revealed a cumulative Cohen’s d effect size of 1.55 (95% CI [0.24, 2.87]; p = 0.02; z = 2.32) for the reduction of pain on a 10-point pain scale following cryoneurolysis intervention. The remaining article that did not meet inclusion criteria for statistical analysis was a case report that reported a reduction in pain from 9/10 to 1/10 one week following intervention.

CONCLUSIONS: The large effect size demonstrated a statistically and clinically significant improvement in patient-reported pain. Additionally, patients may be able to reduce their amount of pharmaceutical pain management with successful cryoneurolysis treatment. However, these findings are limited by the small sample size and high heterogeneity between studies. Further high-quality studies should be performed to corroborate these findings.

PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero identifier is CRD42024543085.

PMID:39707720 | DOI:10.1080/17581869.2024.2441650

ACR Open Rheumatol. 2024 Dec 20. doi: 10.1002/acr2.11751. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Prognostic factors associated with medication discontinuation in children with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) remain largely elusive. We aim to identify the predictors of medication-free remission (MFR) in children with JDM.

METHODS: In this retrospective study, patients diagnosed with JDM according to Peter & Bohan criteria and followed for ≥18 months at a tertiary care center from 2006 through 2022 were included. Data extracted included demographics, physical examination, laboratory results, and medications. MFR was defined as inactive JDM after discontinuation of all systemic immunosuppressives for ≥6 months, in line with international consensus guidelines for trials of therapies in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. A two-sided P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Of 55 patients with JDM (63.6% female, age median [interquartile range (IQR)] 6 [3.5-12] years), 29 (52.7%) achieved MFR after a median (IQR) of 33 (22.5-55.2) months. MFR was more common in those who were younger at JDM diagnosis (median 5 vs 8 years, P = 0.008), had early resolution of disease activity (median 11 vs 18 months, P < 0.001), and presented with Gottron papules (χ² = 5.25; P = 0.022) and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (χ² = 4.82, P = 0.028). Diagnosis of JDM before 5 years old (odds ratio 4.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-16.7) was the only predictor of MFR in our multivariate model (area under the curve 0.65, 95% CI 0.53-0.76).

CONCLUSION: Half of our patients with JDM achieved MFR. Age at JDM diagnosis may be an important predictor of achieving MFR.

PMID:39707697 | DOI:10.1002/acr2.11751

Pharmacol Res Perspect. 2025 Feb;13(1):e70048. doi: 10.1002/prp2.70048.

ABSTRACT

Laboratory measurements used for safety assessments in clinical trials are subject to the limits of the used laboratory equipment. These limits determine the range of values which the equipment can accurately measure. When observations fall outside the measurable range, this creates a problem in estimating parameters of the normal distribution. It may be tempting to use methods of estimation that are easy to implement, however selecting an incorrect method may lead to biased estimates (under- or overestimation) and change the research outcomes, for example, incorrect result of two-sample test about means when comparing two populations or biased estimation of regression line. In this article, we consider the use of four methods: ignoring unmeasured observations, replacing unmeasured observations with a multiple of the limit, using a truncated normal distribution, and using a normal distribution with censored observations. To compare these methods we designed a simulation study and measured their accuracy in several different situations using relative error $\frac{\hat{\mu }–\mu }{\mu }$ , ratio $\frac{\hat{\sigma }}{\sigma }$ , and mean square errors of both parameters. Based on the results of this simulation study, if the amount of observations outside of measurable range is below 40%, we recommend using a normal distribution with censored observations in practice. These recommendations should be incorporated into guidelines for good statistical practice. If the amount of observations outside of measurable range exceeds 40%, we advise not to use the data for any statistical analysis. To illustrate how the choice of method can affect the estimates, we applied the methods to real-life laboratory data.

PMID:39707644 | DOI:10.1002/prp2.70048