Category: Statistics

Int Wound J. 2023 Dec 5. doi: 10.1111/iwj.14523. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In a meta-study, we evaluated the effectiveness and security of the combination of topical anaesthetic and dexmedetomidine in the treatment of postoperative pain in patients with lumbar disease. Four databases were systematically searched for possible related articles. Only English-language research was taken into account on the Internet. Furthermore, we only took into account the studies that were published prior to 2023. Only those that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were considered: (1) in adults who were about to undergo spine operation, (2) dexmedetomidine combined with local anaesthesia, (3) Visual Analog Scale scores at 4 and 24 h after the event and (4) this was a randomized or nonrandomized, controlled study. The meta-analysis was carried out with Revman 5.3 software. A ROBINS-I-based instrument was used to evaluate controlled studies. All trials were synthesized by computing the end results with either a fixed or a random effect model, which was dependent on statistical diversity. Five trials showed a marked reduction in wound pain at 4 h after the operation in patients who were treated with dexmedetomidine for lumbar spinal surgery (MD, -0.81; 95% CI, -1.24, -0.35; p = 0.0005). In the case of lumbar spinal operations, the addition of dexmedetomidine to the postoperative treatment resulted in a marked reduction in the pain at 24 h post-operation (MD, -0.64; 95% CI, -0.79, -0.48; p < 0.0001). The quality of the data we evaluated was ‘moderate’ to ‘good’; thus, we have limited confidence in the impact estimation, and the actual impact might be significantly different from what we had expected. Additional studies should concentrate on practices that are well known to cause severe postoperative pain, especially for cases where the improvement of pain management may lead to substantial clinical benefits in terms of reduction of morbidity or cost-effectiveness in terms of quicker healing and release.

PMID:38050653 | DOI:10.1111/iwj.14523

J Aquat Anim Health. 2023 Dec 4. doi: 10.1002/aah.10212. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Feed additives have attracted increased attention in aquaculture due to their ability to modulate fish gut microbiota, resulting in improved fish growth and immunity. This study assessed two synbiotics’ effects in Japanese eels: Bacillus subtilis with mannooligosaccharide (MOS) and Enterococcus faecium with fructooligosaccharide (FOS). Six diets, including a control (CON), oxytetracycline (OTC), and four synbiotic diets – B.subtilis at 1 × 10⁶ and 10⁷ CFU/g with 5 g/kg MOS (BS6MO and BS7MO) and E. faecium at 1 × 10⁶ and 10⁷ CFU/g with 5 g/kg FOS (EF6FO and EF7FO) – were fed to triplicate groups of 20 fish averaging 6.00 ± 0.07g for eight weeks. Fish fed the BSMOS diets showed significantly higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), and feed efficiency (FE) compared to the CON and OTC diets (P < 0.05), but not significantly different from those fed the EFFOS diets. Weight gain, SGR of fish fed EFFOS were not significantly different from those fed all other diets (P > 0.05). Fish fed the OTC diet showed a higher mean aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level, though the difference was not statistically significant. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity of fish fed the BS7MO diet was significantly higher than in all other diets, and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of fish fed the BS7MO diet was also significantly higher than in the EF7FO diet. Overall, the BSMOS synbiotic diets were significantly more effective than the CON diet in enhancing fish survival against Vibrio anguillarum. Our findings suggest that synbiotics can be a preferable alternative to antibiotics in aquaculture.

PMID:38050651 | DOI:10.1002/aah.10212

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023 Dec 4. doi: 10.1111/jocd.16084. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hair serum is recommended therapy for the management of hair fall problems. People of all ages suffer from hair fall.

AIM: To evaluate safety and efficacy of hair growth promoting product in healthy adult subjects with hair fall complaints (Alopecia).

METHODS: In this safety and efficacy clinical study, 32 healthy individuals (aged 18-45 years) experiencing hair loss were enrolled. Participants applied 0.5 mL of the product to the affected scalp area daily for 60 days. The study evaluated various factors, including hair growth rate, thickness, density, scalp condition using CASLite-Nova, anagen-to-telogen ratio, hair fall reduction, overall hair and scalp appearance, hair strength, and participants’ subjective perceptions of the product.

RESULTS: Highly statistically significant improvement was observed in hair growth rate, thickness, and density at Day 30 and Day 60. Hair growth rate increased (p-value <0.01) by 10.52% in 30 days and 31.62% in 60 days after test product application. Average hair growth increased by 424.21 μm/day and 487.31 μm/day at Day 30 and 60 respectively. The hair growth improved by up to 1.5 times after 60 days of usage in healthy subjects with hair fall complaints. No adverse events or product-related adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION: Hair serum containing Redensyl, AnaGain, Procapil, Capilia longa, and 5 kDa hyaluronic acid was efficacious and well tolerable in reducing hair fall (Alopecia). Hair serum significantly improved hair growth, hair density, hair thickness, and hair strength within 60 days of usage, thereby demonstrating it worth as a beneficial inclusion as a daily haircare product.

PMID:38050644 | DOI:10.1111/jocd.16084

Ann Stat. 2022 Oct;50(5):2587-2615. doi: 10.1214/22-aos2195. Epub 2022 Oct 27.

ABSTRACT

For observational studies, we study the sensitivity of causal inference when treatment assignments may depend on unobserved confounders. We develop a loss minimization approach for estimating bounds on the conditional average treatment effect (CATE) when unobserved confounders have a bounded effect on the odds ratio of treatment selection. Our approach is scalable and allows flexible use of model classes in estimation, including nonparametric and black-box machine learning methods. Based on these bounds for the CATE, we propose a sensitivity analysis for the average treatment effect (ATE). Our semiparametric estimator extends/bounds the augmented inverse propensity weighted (AIPW) estimator for the ATE under bounded unobserved confounding. By constructing a Neyman orthogonal score, our estimator of the bound for the ATE is a regular root-$n$ estimator so long as the nuisance parameters are estimated at the $o_p\left(n^{–1/4}\right)$ rate. We complement our methodology with optimality results showing that our proposed bounds are tight in certain cases. We demonstrate our method on simulated and real data examples, and show accurate coverage of our confidence intervals in practical finite sample regimes with rich covariate information.

PMID:38050638 | PMC:PMC10694186 | DOI:10.1214/22-aos2195

Integr Blood Press Control. 2023 Nov 29;16:111-122. doi: 10.2147/IBPC.S436815. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Globally, hypertension affects 1.4 billion adults, accounting for 31% of the world population. The prevention and control of hypertension is not addressed only by pharmacological management. Even though the prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension and its complications is increasing every day, Adherence to lifestyle modification practice among diagnosed hypertensive individuals is low for a number of reasons. The study aims to assess adherence to lifestyle modification practices and associated factors among hypertensive patients at Bahir Dar city hospitals, in North West Ethiopia.

METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted at Bahir Dar city from October 30 to November 30, 2022. A stratified sampling technique was used. For the data quality pre-test was done, the questionnaire was checked for completion, the assumption of binary logistic regression (VIF 1.8 and no outlier), and model fit using the Hosmer and Lemeshow’s test was checked. Binary logistic and multivariate logistic regression were used to find significant variables after the data were entered into EpiInfo and analyzed using SPSS version 23.

RESULTS: The overall adherence to lifestyle modification practices was about 32.4%. From the independent factors, above secondary educational status (AOR = 0.201 95% CI (0.081-0.499)), good knowledge (AOR = 3.323 95% CI (1.79-6.168)), good self-efficacy (AOR = 3.553 95% CI (1.91-6.613)), good social support (AOR = 8.339 95% CI (4.251-16.357)), and good patient-physician relationship (AOR = 2.424 95% CI (1.309-4.490)) were statistically significant predictors of adherence to lifestyle modification practices.

CONCLUSION: Only one-third of the participants had adhered to the recommended lifestyle modifications. Educational status, knowledge, self-efficacy, social support, and patient-physician relationships were significant factors. Healthcare organizations should develop programs to raise hypertension patients’ awareness and degree of self-efficacy that aid in adherence to advised lifestyle changes.

PMID:38050636 | PMC:PMC10693782 | DOI:10.2147/IBPC.S436815

SAGE Open Med. 2023 Dec 1;11:20503121231216212. doi: 10.1177/20503121231216212. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a multisystem disease with multiple comorbidities. Hearing is dependent on the cochlear functions that may be affected by oxygenation. Affection of hearing is problematic and represents a major concern that should be seriously investigated as an important comorbidity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess auditory status among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

METHODOLOGY: The current study was carried out at Al-Azhar University Hospitals, Cairo, from 1 August 2021 to 2022, including 120 participants. In addition to the control group (60 healthy participants), there were two study groups: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with respiratory failure group (30 patients) and non-respiratory failure group (30 patients). Hearing functions were studied using pure tone audiometry, and auditory brain stem response.

RESULTS: There was statistically significant hearing impairment in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in comparison to control group. The hearing impairment was more significant in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with respiratory failure group in comparison to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease without respiratory failure group. The auditory impairment shows a negative interrelationship with oxygen tension (PaO2) and a positive interrelationship with the smoking index.

CONCLUSION: Hearing affection was meaningfully higher among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and more prominent in patients with respiratory failure. Hypoxia results in deterioration of pure tone audiometry and increased absolute and interpeak latencies in auditory brain stem response. At every frequency, the mean pure tone audiometry thresholds were higher for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease groups than control group albeit remaining in the mild to moderate area of hearing loss. Retro-cochlear affection was suggested among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as evidenced with the prolongation of auditory brain stem response waves latencies.

PMID:38050624 | PMC:PMC10693798 | DOI:10.1177/20503121231216212

PeerJ. 2023 Nov 30;11:e16439. doi: 10.7717/peerj.16439. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Anastomosis between posterior superior alveolar artery and infraorbital artery can go through bony canal in the lateral wall of the maxilla. This artery is called alveolar antral artery. It can complicate lateral sinus lift procedure by bleeding and hemosinus formation or bone graft wash out. The artery can also go in soft tissues where is not visible on cone beam computed tomography. In previous studies, the relation of this artery to sinus floor or alveolar process was measured. These structures are highly unstable during lifetime and after tooth loss. The aim of this study is to study presence and relations of bony canal in the lateral maxillary wall, to characterize the group of patients which is more likely to have bone canal in the lateral maxilla. The aim and the novelty of this study is the describing of the relationship of the bony canal to the more stable structure of hard palate and describing the relation of presence of bony canal on width of maxillary sinus, and to facilitate the prediction of presence of the alveolar antral artery.

MATERIALS: The cone beam computed tomography scans of the patients (251 in number) of the university hospital were examined for presence of alveolar antral artery (148 was fulfilled inclusion criteria), patient were characterized by gender, age, and sinus type (wide, average, narrow). The diameter of the bony canal and its relation to the level of sinus floor and hard palate were measured.

RESULTS: The cone beam computed tomography scans of 148 patients, out of it 55 man (37,2%) and 93 women (62,8%). Bony canal containing alveolar anastomosis was found in 69 cases (57,0%). Presence of the bony canal in the lateral wall of maxillae showed statistical probability depending on age with p = 0, 064 according to Mann-Whitney test. The older patients have more likely the bony canal. The presence of the alveolar antral artery was found more likely in the wide sinuses. The hard palate level can serve as a prediction point of alveolar antral artery only in first molar and second premolar region. In accordance with previous studies the width of bony canal is significantly higher in group of man (p = 0, 015). There was found a correlation between smaller distance of bony canal from sinus floor in the presence of teeth (p = 0, 067). After tooth loss the distance between sinus floor and bony canal increases, but the distance of bony canal to hard palate level stays constant. This can be explained hypothetically so that periodontal ligaments and root surface acts as a barrier for sinus pneumatization.

CONCLUSION: Lateral sinus lifting in some cases can be unenviable, the knowledge about alveolar antral artery anatomy can reduce the risk of arterial bleeding. The cone-beam computed tomography is a routine examination prior to augmentation surgery and therefore the data obtained from it has an impact on clinical practice.

PMID:38050605 | PMC:PMC10693819 | DOI:10.7717/peerj.16439

Clin Epidemiol. 2023 Nov 29;15:1095-1107. doi: 10.2147/CLEP.S427881. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Lipid metabolism is altered in systemic sclerosis (SSc), mediating activation of immune cells and fibroblasts. However, it is unclear whether altered lipid profile is associated with a risk of developing SSc. We aimed to assess the association between lipid profile and risk of incident SSc.

METHODS: From a Korean nationwide database, individuals without SSc who underwent national health check-ups in 2009 were selected and followed-up through 2019. Serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride were measured on the health check-up date in 2009. Individuals who developed SSc during follow-up were identified. Multivariable Cox models were performed to estimate the risk of incident SSc according to TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglyceride levels, respectively.

RESULTS: Of the 9,894,996 individuals selected, 1355 individuals developed SSc during a mean follow-up of 9.2 years (incidence rate=1.49 per 100,000 person-years). Levels of TC (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.959, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.945-0.974), HDL-C (aHR 0.968, 95% CI 0.950-0.987), LDL-C (aHR 0.968, 95% CI 0.952-0.983) were inversely associated with the risk of incident SSc, whereas no significant association was observed between levels of triglyceride (aHR 1.004, 95% CI 0.998-1.011) and risk of incident SSc.

CONCLUSION: Serum levels of TC, HDL-C, and LDL-C were inversely associated with the risk of incident SSc. Our findings provide new insights that altered lipid profile could be considered a non-causal biomarker associated with incident SSc, which could help early diagnosis. The underlying mechanism for this association needs further studies.

PMID:38050603 | PMC:PMC10693781 | DOI:10.2147/CLEP.S427881

J Child Orthop. 2023 Nov 16;17(6):618-625. doi: 10.1177/18632521231213150. eCollection 2023 Dec.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Scurvy is an uncommon medical condition that affects children and is caused by an inadequate intake of vitamin C. This study presents the characteristics of patients with scurvy to raise awareness of the diagnostic process in developing countries where laboratory testing for vitamin C levels is often not available.

METHODS: A retrospective study was performed from period of 2018 to 2023. Data extraction includes patient age, sex, body mass index, constitutional symptoms, musculoskeletal, mucosal, cutaneous symptoms, other accompanying disorders, anemia, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, radiographic examination, vitamin C dose, and duration of treatment. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed in this study.

RESULTS: Eighteen cases (17 males, 1 female) of scurvy were referred to our institution. Thirteen of 18 patients were misdiagnosed before referral. The median age at presentation was 4.5 (range, 2-11) years. The average body mass index was 13.93 ± 0.63 kg/m². Half of patients had healthy weight. All patients presented with lower limb pain and 17 of 18 with refusal to walk. The median onset of diagnosis was 11 (range 4-48) weeks. White line of Frankel was described in all patients. Seven had anemia and 6 of 18 had increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and/or C-reactive protein levels. Only one patient had ascorbic acid levels evaluation before treatment since it was not readily available in our country. Treatment length varied from 2 weeks to 6 months.

CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of scurvy is frequently delayed due to its extreme rarity in modern society and its ability to mimic numerous other conditions. In children presenting with limb pain and/or reluctance to walk and pathognomonic radiological findings, physicians must prioritize scurvy as a differential diagnosis. In scurvy, vitamin C supplementation is curative.

PMID:38050589 | PMC:PMC10693847 | DOI:10.1177/18632521231213150

Cureus. 2023 Dec 2;15(12):e49851. doi: 10.7759/cureus.49851. eCollection 2023 Dec.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The Kobe project, which utilizes prospective data from the national health insurance system, focuses on early detection and preventive strategies through the Frail Kenshin health check-up program. Previous research has underscored the correlation between tooth loss and the decline in physical and cognitive functions. In this study, using Kobe project data, we examined the link between remaining teeth and long-term care needs in individuals aged 64-65 years, with primary and secondary objectives involving various health parameters and quality of life.

METHODS: We analyzed baseline data from a prospective study conducted alongside the Frail Check program for generally healthy individuals aged 64-65 years to examine the relationship between the number of remaining teeth and various health indicators. This study focused on citizens aged 64-65 years to identify those at risk of needing long-term care by the age of 65 years.

RESULTS: Data from 1,530 participants were obtained, excluding eight individuals for specific reasons. At the end of the follow-up period, 41 (2.7%) individuals required support and 15 (1.0%) needed long-term care alone. The data revealed a significant association between the number of remaining teeth and the need for long-term care or support, as demonstrated by the Cochran-Armitage trend test (p<0.001). Although trends were noted for nutrition and total Cognitive Functional Instrument Self scores, they did not reach statistical significance. Additionally, a decrease in the number of remaining teeth was significantly associated with worse European Quality of Life Five Dimensions (EQ-5D-5L) visual analog scale scores, mobility, and regular activities (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Tooth loss indicates the potential long-term care needs of older adults. Monitoring oral health is crucial for addressing care requirements.

PMID:38050582 | PMC:PMC10693673 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.49851