Category: Statistics

Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2022 Nov 15. doi: 10.1007/s00228-022-03420-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We assessed the impact of plasma trough concentrations of abiraterone (ABI) and its metabolite Δ4-abiraterone (D4A) and related polymorphisms on adverse events (AEs) in patients with metastatic prostate cancer who received abiraterone acetate (AA).

METHODS: This prospective study enrolled patients with advanced prostate cancer treated with AA between 2016 and 2021. Plasma trough concentrations of ABI and D4A were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. The impact of HSD3B1 rs1047303, SRD5A2 rs523349, and cytochrome P450 family 3A member 4 rs2242480 polymorphisms on plasma concentrations of ABI and D4A and the incidence of AEs were also assessed.

RESULTS: In 68 patients treated with AA, the median ABI and D4A concentrations were 18.1 and 0.94 ng/mL, respectively. The high plasma trough concentration of ABI (≥ 20.6 ng/mL) was significantly associated with the presence of any AE and its independent risk factor based on multivariable analysis (odds ratio, 7.20; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.20-23.49). Additionally, a high plasma trough concentration of ABI was an independent risk factor of time to withdraw AA (hazard ratio, 4.89; 95% CI: 1.66-14.38). The risk alleles of three polymorphisms were not statistically associated with the ABI and D4A concentrations and the incidence of AEs.

CONCLUSIONS: The plasma trough concentration of ABI is associated with the presence of AEs and treatment failure after AA administration. ABI concentration monitoring may be useful in patients with prostate cancer who received AA.

PMID:36378297 | DOI:10.1007/s00228-022-03420-0

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2022 Nov 15. doi: 10.1007/s00167-022-07227-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Given the improved accuracy of robot-assisted surgery, robotic-arm assisted functionally aligned total knee arthroplasty (RFA-TKA) aims to preserve the native pre-arthritic knee biomechanics, to achieve balanced flexion-extension gaps. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of the implant position and short-term clinical outcomes of patients who underwent RFA-TKA vs. mechanically aligned total knee arthroplasty with manual technique (MA-TKA).

METHODS: A prospectively collected database was reviewed retrospectively for patients who underwent primary TKA. Sixty patients who underwent RFA-TKA between February 2020 and July 2020 were included in the RFA-TKA group. Sixty patients who underwent MA-TKA were included via 1:1 matching for age, sex, and body mass index based on the RFA-TKA group. For radiological evaluation, knee X-rays were used to assess the functional knee phenotype and implant position accuracy by measuring the coronal and sagittal alignment, and these measurements were compared between the two groups. Patient demographic characteristics and patient-reported outcomes including Knee Society scores, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index, and forgotten joint score-12 were compared between the groups.

RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed in postoperative 2-year clinical outcomes in favor of RFA-TKA group which showed greater accuracy in the tibial component sagittal alignment than MA-TKA (1.0 ± 2.3 vs. 0.7 ± 1.6, respectively; P < 0.001). However, outliers in the component positions were more common in the MA-TKA group, which was statistically significant for the femoral coronal and tibial sagittal alignments (P = 0.017 and 0.015, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: Functional alignment in TKA could be accurately obtained with the assistance of a robotic arm, and the results showed greater 2 year postoperative patient-reported outcome and satisfaction than mechanically aligned TKA using manual instruments.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

PMID:36378291 | DOI:10.1007/s00167-022-07227-5

Abdom Radiol (NY). 2022 Nov 15. doi: 10.1007/s00261-022-03732-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the technical and clinical success rates of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for subcapsular hematoma of the liver.

METHODS: Between January 2010 and March 2022, 34 patients underwent TAE for subcapsular hematomas of the liver. The causes of subcapsular hematoma were liver tumor rupture (n = 12), trauma (n = 12), iatrogenic complications (n = 9), and spontaneous bleeding (n = 1). The technical and clinical success rates of TAE, blood test results after TAE and additional treatments were evaluated. The patients were divided into either with or without retrograde segmental or lobar portal venous flow on angiography. Technical and clinical success rates and blood test results after TAE were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: Technical and clinical success rates were 94.1% and 73.5%, respectively. Six patients died within one month of TAE. A repeat TAE was performed in three patients. Surgical removal and hemostasis for subcapsular hematoma were done in four patients. One patient had liver failure. The retrograde portal venous flow was observed in 18 patients. The difference in technical and clinical success rates and blood test results after TAE between the two groups was statistically insignificant.

CONCLUSION: TAE is an effective and safe treatment for subcapsular hematomas of the liver. The success rates of TAE and liver damage due to TAE did not differ between patients with and without retrograde portal venous flow.

PMID:36378282 | DOI:10.1007/s00261-022-03732-w

Chin Med J (Engl). 2022 Nov 16. doi: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000002427. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: World Health Organization recommends that influenza vaccines should benefit as much of the population as possible, especially where resources are limited. Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become one of the greatest threats to health systems worldwide. The present study aimed to extend the evidence of the association between influenza vaccination and COVID-19 to promote the former.

METHODS: In this systematic review, four electronic databases, including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, were searched for related studies published up to May 2022. All odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled by meta-analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 36 studies, encompassing 55,996,841 subjects, were included in this study. The meta-analysis for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection provided an OR of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.73-0.87). The statistically significant estimates for clinical outcomes were 0.83 (95% CI: 0.72-0.96) for intensive care unit admission, 0.69 (95% CI: 0.57-0.84) for ventilator support, and 0.69 (95% CI: 0.52-0.93) for fatal infection, while no effect seen in hospitalization with an OR of 0.87 (95% CI: 0.68-1.10).

CONCLUSION: Influenza vaccination helps limit SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe outcomes, but further studies are needed.

REGISTRATION: PROSPERO, CRD 42022333747.

PMID:36378238 | DOI:10.1097/CM9.0000000000002427

JAMA. 2022 Nov 15;328(19):1984. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.17215.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:36378217 | DOI:10.1001/jama.2021.17215

Water Sci Technol. 2022 Nov;86(9):2071-2088. doi: 10.2166/wst.2022.342.

ABSTRACT

Suspended solids removal is a key performance measure for proprietary stormwater treatment devices. Various technologies are available, with manufacturers claiming hydrodynamic separators offer performance advantages. However, it is important to assess manufacturers’ claims. Accordingly, this study seeks to compare the performance of proprietary devices, by applying dimensional analysis to third-party certification data and experimental data from uncertified devices, and to determine the accuracy of a single parameter estimation (Hazen or Péclet number) of removal efficiency. Statistical analysis indicates that device performance is well described by a single parameter estimation transitioning from Hazen (Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient = 0.81 and root mean square error = 5.1%) at low surface loading rates (SLR) in all technology types (high removal efficiency) to Péclet (Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient = 0.5 to 0.61 and root mean square error = 5.9% to 4.3%) at higher SLR (low removal efficiency) for hydrodynamic separators. This indicates that performance at low SLR is well explained by gravity separation in all technology types, whilst in hydrodynamic separators removal at high SLR is better explained by gravity separation plus advection. Consequently, when high (>80%) removal efficiency is required there is no performance advantage between technology types. However, when low (<50%) removal efficiency is required hydrodynamic separators offer a 33% increase in treatment area.

PMID:36378167 | DOI:10.2166/wst.2022.342

Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc. 2022 Nov 14;61(Suppl 1):65-71.

ABSTRACT

The application of quality and its scope have diversified. From this perspective, quality assurance applied to analytical tests (performed in clinical laboratories or blood banks) for the detection of infectious markers is one of the concepts that has gained strength in the last 10 years. The official Mexican standards require ensuring the quality of the published results and for their compliance it is recommended the use of international guides and guidelines that describe good practices that can be applied when carrying out this activity, without losing sight of the fact that everything related to quality assurance must be supported by the implementation of a quality management system. Thus, by using materials selected correctly and in accordance with official regulatory requirements, a good statistical analysis and the appropriate tools, the quality assurance of the analytical phase of the laboratory process in the screening of infectious markers can bring great benefits to the emission of clinically useful results by monitoring indicators and applying the necessary corrective actions, in order to reduce the risk of unfavorable results for patients and donors.

PMID:36378156

Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2022 Nov 14. doi: 10.1007/s10006-022-01115-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the use of fat grafting enriched with platelet-rich plasma through a computerized-assisted mapping for esthetic restoration in progressive hemifacial atrophy (Parry-Romberg disease).

METHODS: This prospective study was conducted on 53 patients presented by Parry-Romberg disease and was corrected by facial fat grafting (FFG) enriched with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). A computerized software program was used to design a detailed map to achieve clinical symmetry with fat grafting application, as the anatomical subunits direct 3-dimensional volumetric symmetric, and compartments direct isolated recipient-specific grafting. Also, volumetric asymmetry was assessed through outlines of facial contour, projection, and proportions for both sides and comparing the mirror image of unaffected side as a template.

RESULTS: Objective ultrasound and photogrammetric measurements showed a significant improvement in facial symmetry postoperatively compared to preoperative (P < 0.05), with no significant differences between 12 and 18 months after surgery. The FACE-Q score regarding comparison before surgery and 18 months after surgery showed a statistically significant improvement in all modules (P < 0.001) with overall satisfaction concerning outcome of 82.7 ± 0.8.

CONCLUSION: Enriched fat grafting with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a good alternative to reconstruct soft tissue defects for patients with progressive hemifacial atrophy (Parry-Romberg disease) with a minimally invasive approach and low complications. It provides volumetric replacement, enhancement of skin texture, and improvement of hyperpigmentation with restoration of facial contour for an esthetic pleasing appearance. Isolated replacement in accordance with the anatomical facial subunits and fat compartments allows three-dimensional reconstruction and maximizes fat retention.

PMID:36376747 | DOI:10.1007/s10006-022-01115-5

Arch Sex Behav. 2022 Nov 14. doi: 10.1007/s10508-022-02459-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

To understand how household context factors impacted self-reported changes in solo and sexual behaviors in U.S. adults during early stages of the COVID- 19 pandemic, we conducted an online, nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of U.S. adults (N = 1010; aged 18-94 years; 62% response rate) from April 10-20, 2020. We used weighted descriptive statistics with Wilcoxon rank sign tests to understand the population prevalence and significance of self-reported changes (five-point scale: much less to much more) in 10 solo and partnered sexual behaviors. Ordinal regression was used to assess the impact of household predictor variables-including number of children at home, number of adults in home, partnership status (unpartnered, partnered and not living together, partnered and living together) and employment status (not working, employed not as essential worker, employed as essential worker). All models were adjusted for gender, age, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, and residence location (urban, suburban, rural).All solo and partnered sexual behaviors showed some amount of significant change-increased activity for some and decreased for others-for U.S. adults during the pandemic. Not living with a partner was broadly associated with decreased affectionate partnered sexual behaviors; unpartnered adults reported increased sexting. Individuals not employed reported increased oral sex and increased consumption of sexually explicit materials as compared to non-essential workers. Number of children at home and household size were not significantly linked to self-reported behavior change. Ongoing sexual health-focused research should continue to focus on understanding how adults manage opportunities and constraints to their sexual lives in the context of a still-going pandemic. While many aspects of social life look more “normal” (e.g., many people have returned to their in-person offices and children are largely back in school), new and more-infectious strains of COVID-19 have proven that the pandemic may still yet impact daily living. Lessons learned from COVID need to include sexual health planning both for any future strains of COVID, as well as for future public health emergencies.

PMID:36376743 | DOI:10.1007/s10508-022-02459-5