Category: Statistics

Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2023 Jun 12:1-7. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2022-0460. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effect of a 6-day basketball tournament on the physical demands, perceptual-physiological responses, well-being, and game statistics of elite under-18 (years of age) players.

METHODS: Physical demands (player load [PL], steps, impacts, and jumps, all normalized by playing time), perceptual-physiological responses (heart rate and rating of perceived exertion), well-being (Hooper index), and game statistics of 12 basketball players were monitored during 6 consecutive games. Linear mixed models and Cohen d effect sizes were used to assess differences among games.

RESULTS: Significant changes were found for PL per minute, steps per minute, impacts per minute, peak heart rate, and Hooper index over the tournament. Pairwise comparisons showed that PL per minute was higher in game #1 than in games #4 (P = .011, large), #5 (P < .001, very large), and #6 (P < .001, very large). PL per minute recorded during game #5 was also lower than in games #2 (P = .041, large) and #3 (P = .035, large). The number of steps per minute was higher in game #1 than in all other games (all P < .05, large to very large). Impacts per minute were significantly higher in game #3 than in games #1 (P = .035, large) and #2 (P = .004, large). The only physiological variable that varied significantly was peak heart rate (higher in game #3 than in game #6; P = .025, large). The Hooper index gradually increased throughout the tournament, indicating poorer player well-being as the tournament advanced. Game statistics did not significantly change among games.

CONCLUSIONS: The average intensities of each game and the players’ well-being gradually decreased throughout the tournament. Conversely, physiological responses were mostly unaffected, and game statistics were unaffected.

PMID:37308139 | DOI:10.1123/ijspp.2022-0460

Semin Thromb Hemost. 2023 Jun 12. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1769510. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The release of extracellular traps by neutrophils (NETs) represents a novel active mechanism of cell death that has been recently implicated in the pathogenesis of thrombotic disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the generation of NETs in different groups of patients with acute thrombotic events (ATEs) and to establish whether NETs markers can predict the risk of new cardiovascular events. We performed a case-control study of patients with ATE, including acute coronary syndrome (n = 60), cerebrovascular accident (n = 50), and venous thromboembolism (n = 55). Control subjects (n = 70) were identified among patients admitted for acute chest pain and in which a diagnosis of ATE was excluded. Serum levels of NET markers and neutrophil activation, such as myeloperoxidase (MPO)-DNA complexes, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, polymorphonuclear neutrophil elastase, lactoferrin, and MPO, were measured in each patient. We found that circulating levels of MPO-DNA complexes were significantly increased in patients with ATE (p < 0.001) compared with controls and that this association remained significant even after fully adjustment for traditional risk factors (p = 0.001). A receiver operating characteristics analysis of circulating MPO-DNA complexes in discriminating between controls and patients with ATE showed a significant area under the curve of 0.76 (95% confidence interval: 0.69-0.82). After a median follow-up of 40.7 (± 13.8) months, 24 out of the 165 patients with ATE presented a new cardiovascular event and 18 patients died. None of the markers under investigation influenced survival or the incidence of new cardiovascular events. In conclusion, we found that increase of markers of NETosis can be observed in acute thrombotic conditions, occurring both on the arterial and venous site. Nevertheless, the level of neutrophil markers measured during the ATE is not predictive of future risk of mortality and cardiovascular events.

PMID:37308098 | DOI:10.1055/s-0043-1769510

J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2023 May 27:S0278-2391(23)00470-6. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2023.05.009. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: An edema assessment following dental surgeries is essential to improving the dental surgeon’s technique and, consequentially, patient comfort.

PURPOSE: Two-dimensional (2D) methods are limited in analyzing 3-dimensional (3D) surfaces. Currently, 3D methods are used to investigate postoperative swelling. However, there are no studies that directly compare 2D and 3D methods. The goal of this study is to directly compare 2D and 3D methods used in the assessment of postoperative edema.

STUDY DESIGN AND SAMPLE: The investigators implemented a prospective, cross-sectional study with each subject serving as its own control. The sample was composed of dental student volunteers without facial deformities.

PREDICTOR VARIABLE: The predictor variable is the method used to measure edema. After simulating edema, manual (2D) and digital (3D) techniques were used to measure edema. The manual method used direct facial perimeter measurements. The two digital methods were photogrammetry using a smartphone (iPhone 11, Apple Inc, Cupertino, California), and facial scanning with a smartphone application (Bellus3D FaceApp, Bellus3D Inc, Campbell, California) [3D measurements] MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLE: The coefficient of variation (CV) (CV = standard deviation /mean) was used to assess homogeneity of edema measurements.

ANALYSIS: The Shapiro-Wilk and equal variance tests were applied to assess data homogeneity. Next, one-way analysis of variance was performed, followed by a correlation analysis. Finally, the data were submitted to Tukey’s test. The statistical significance threshold was set at 5% (P < .05).

RESULTS: The sample was composed of 20 subjects aged 18-38 years. The CV showed higher values using the manual (2D) method (47%; 4.88% ± 2.99), compared with the photogrammetry method (18%; 8.55 mm ± 1.52) and the smartphone application (21%; 8.97 mm ± 1.93). A statistically significant difference was observed between the manual method values and those of the other two groups (P < .001). There was no difference between the facial scanning and photogrammetry groups (3D methods) (P = .778) CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Both digital measuring methods (3D) demonstrated greater homogeneity in analyzing facial distortions caused by the same swelling simulation. Therefore, it can be affirmed that digital methods may be more reliable that manual methods for assessing facial edema.

PMID:37308089 | DOI:10.1016/j.joms.2023.05.009

Contemp Clin Trials. 2023 Jun 10:107265. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107265. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We propose a simple and powerful data-dependent contrast test with ordinal-constraint contrast coefficients of the dose response determined from observed responses. The contrast coefficients are easily calculated using a pool-adjacent-violators algorithm and making assumptions for the contrast coefficients. Once the dose response is determined for p < 0.05 in the data-dependent contrast test, the best dose-response model is selected from multiple dose-response models. Using the best model, a recommended dose is identified. We demonstrate the data-dependent contrast test for sample data. In addition, we calculate the ordinal-constraint contrast coefficients and test statistic for an actual study, and we obtain a recommended dose. Finally, we perform a simulation study with 11 scenarios to evaluate the performance of the data-dependent contrast test by comparing multiple comparison procedures with modeling techniques. We confirm the dose response for both the sample data and the actual study. In the simulation study, the data-dependent contrast test is more powerful than the conventional method on the simulation datasets generated using non-dose-response models. In addition, the type-1 error rate of the data-dependent contrast test remains at a significant level when there is no difference between the treatment groups. We conclude that the data-dependent contrast test can be applied unproblematically in a dose-finding clinical trial.

PMID:37308075 | DOI:10.1016/j.cct.2023.107265

Environ Res. 2023 Jun 10:116391. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116391. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The societal costs of air pollution have historically been measured in terms of premature deaths (including the corresponding values of statistical lives lost), disability-adjusted life years, and medical costs. Emerging research, however, demonstrated potential impacts of air pollution on human capital formation. Extended contact with pollutants such as airborne particulate matter among young persons whose biological systems are still developing can result in pulmonary, neurobehavioral, and birth complications, hindering academic performance as well as skills and knowledge acquisition. Using a dataset that tracks 2014-2015 incomes for 96.2% of Americans born between 1979 and 1983, we assessed the association between childhood exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and adult earnings outcomes across U.S. Census tracts. After accounting for pertinent economic covariates and regional random effects, our regression models indicate that early-life exposure to PM_2.5 is associated with lower predicted income percentiles by mid-adulthood; all else equal, children raised in high pollution tracts (at the 75th percentile of PM_2.5) are estimated to have approximately a 0.51 decrease in income percentile relative to children raised in low pollution tracts (at the 25th percentile of PM_2.5). For a person earning the median income, this difference corresponds to a $436 lower annual income (in 2015 USD). We estimate that 2014-2015 earnings for the 1978-1983 birth cohort would have been ∼$7.18 billion higher had their childhood exposure met U.S. air quality standards for PM_2.5. Stratified models show that the relationship between PM_2.5 and diminished earnings is more pronounced for low-income children and for children living in rural environments. These findings raise concerns about long-term environmental and economic justice for children living in areas with poor air quality where air pollution could act as a barrier to intergenerational class equity.

PMID:37308068 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2023.116391

Am J Cardiol. 2023 Jun 10;200:78-86. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2023.05.036. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Risk prediction scores for long-term outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) are lacking. This study aimed to develop preprocedural risk scores for 5-year clinical outcomes after TAVI or SAVR. This analysis included 1,660 patients at an intermediate surgical risk with severe aortic stenosis randomly assigned to TAVI (n = 864) or SAVR (n = 796) from the SURTAVI (Surgical Replacement and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) trial. The primary end point was a composite of all-cause mortality or disabling stroke at 5 years. The secondary end point was a composite of cardiovascular mortality or hospitalizations for valve disease or worsening heart failure at 5 years. Preprocedural multivariable predictors of clinical outcomes were used to calculate a simple risk score for both procedures. At 5 years, the primary end point occurred in 31.3% of the patients with TAVI and 30.8% of the patients with SAVR. Preprocedural predictors differed between TAVI and SAVR. Baseline anticoagulant use was a common predictor for events in both procedures, whereas male sex and a left ventricular ejection fraction <60% were significant predictors for events in patients with TAVI and SAVR, respectively. A total of 4 simple scoring systems were created based on these multivariable predictors. The C-statistics of all models were modest but performed better than the contemporary risk scores. In conclusion, preprocedural predictors of events differ between TAVI and SAVR, necessitating separate risk models. Despite the modest predictive value of the SURTAVI risk scores, they appeared superior to other contemporary scores. Further research is needed to strengthen and validate our risk scores, possibly by including biomarker and echocardiographic parameters.

PMID:37307783 | DOI:10.1016/j.amjcard.2023.05.036

Leg Med (Tokyo). 2023 Jun 6;64:102280. doi: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102280. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In both forensic and archaeological domains, the discovery of incomplete human remains is a frequent occurrence. Nevertheless, the estimation of biological profiles from such remains presents a challenge due to the absence of crucial skeletal elements, such as the skull and pelvis. This study aimed to assess the utility of the proximal femur in the forensic identification process by creating a web application for osteometric analysis of the proximal femur. The aim was to determine the sex and stature of an individual from radiographs of the left anteroposterior femur. To accomplish this, an automated method was developed for acquiring linear measurements from radiographic images of the proximal femur using Python tools. The application of Hough techniques and Canny edge detection was utilized to generate linear femoral dimensions from radiographs. A total of 354 left femora were radiographed and measured by the algorithm. The sex classification model employed in this study was the Naïve Bayes algorithm (accuracy = 91.2 %). Results indicated that Gaussian process regression (GPR) was the most effective method for estimating stature (mean error = 4.68 cm, SD = 3.93 cm). The proposed web application holds the potential to serve as a valuable asset in the realm of forensic investigations in Thailand, particularly in the estimation of biological profiles from fragmentary skeletal remains.

PMID:37307774 | DOI:10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102280

Gait Posture. 2023 Jun 2;104:43-50. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.05.026. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: CMT is a clinically and genetically heterogenous disease with varying degrees of progression. Different foot deformities, gait and movement patterns are observed. In order to achieve an improved, targeted treatment strategy, the participants are divided into characteristic groups using a mathematical cluster analysis based on the data from the three-dimensional foot kinematics during walking.

METHODS: Outpatients from age 5-64 years (N = 33 participants, 62 feet) with a proven CMT type 1 (N = 16, 31 feet) or CMT without any further type assignment (N = 17, 31 feet) were retrospectively analyzed. After a standard clinical examination, participants underwent 3D gait analysis using the Oxford Foot Model. To classify the movement patterns, a k-means cluster analysis was calculated based on the principal component analysis (PCA) of the foot kinematics data. Gait parameters, clinical parameters and X-ray data were statistically tested.

RESULTS: The cluster analysis divided the gait data of the participants into two groups. Cluster 1 (N = 21 participants, 34 feet) showed increased dorsiflexion of the hindfoot and increased plantarflexion of the forefoot with cavus position in the sagittal plane, a hindfoot inversion and forefoot pronation with hindfoot varus in the frontal plane and in the transversal plane a forefoot adduction. Cluster 2 (N = 17 participants, 28 feet) deviated significantly from the norm mainly in the frontal plane and were characterized by a strong eversion of the hindfoot with a supination in the forefoot.

DISCUSSION: Based on the findings, the resultant clusters can be interpreted as cavovarus feet (cluster 1) and pes valgus (cluster 2). The most reliable variables in the 3D gait analysis to classify CMT feet with regard to significance are the ones in the frontal plane. This subdivision of participants goes hand in hand with the various necessary guidelines for orthopedic treatment.

PMID:37307763 | DOI:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.05.026

Gait Posture. 2023 Jun 2;104:22-30. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.05.028. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Gait analysis relies on the accurate and precise identification of anatomical landmarks to provide reliable and reproducible data. More specifically, the precision of marker placement among repeated measurements is responsible for increased variability in the output gait data.

RESEARCH QUESTION: The objective of this study was to quantify the precision of marker placement on the lower limbs by a test-retest procedure and to investigate its propagation to kinematic data.

METHODS: The protocol was tested on a cohort of eight asymptomatic adults involving four evaluators, with different levels of experience. Each evaluator performed, three repeated marker placements for each participant. The standard deviation was used to calculate the precision of the marker placement, the precision of the orientation of the anatomical (segment) coordinate systems, and the precision of the lower limb kinematics. In addition, one-way ANOVA was used to compare the intra-evaluator marker placement precision and kinematic precisions among the different levels of the evaluator’s experience. Finally, a Pearson correlation between marker placement precision and kinematic precision was analyzed.

RESULTS: Results have shown a precision of skin markers within 10 mm and 12 mm for intra-evaluator and inter-evaluator, respectively. Analysis of kinematic data showed good to moderate reliability for all parameters apart from hip and knee rotation that demonstrated poor intra- and inter-evaluator precision. Inter-trial variability was observed reduced than intra- and inter-evaluator variability. Moreover, experience had a positive impact on kinematic reliability since evaluators with higher experience showed a statistically significant increase in precision for most kinematic parameters. However, no correlation was observed between marker placement precision and kinematic precision which indicates that an error in the placement of one specific marker can be compensated or enhanced, in a non-linear way, by an error in the placement of other markers.

PMID:37307761 | DOI:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.05.028

Phytomedicine. 2023 Jun 2;117:154897. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154897. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Natural products are an important source for discovering novel drugs due to their various pharmacological activities. Salvia miltiorrhiza Burge (Danshen) has been shown to have promising therapeutic potential in the management of heart diseases, making it a candidate for cardiovascular drug discovery. Currently, there is limited quantitative analysis of the phosphorylation levels of Danshen-derived natural products on a proteome-wide, which may bias the study of their mechanisms of action.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the global signaling perturbation induced by Danshen-derived bioactive compounds and their potential relationship with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury therapy.

STUDY DESIGN: We employed quantitative proteome and phosphoproteome analysis to identify dysregulated signaling in IR injury hearts from mice. We compared changes induced by Danshen-derived compounds based on IR-associated phospho-events, using an integrative approach that maps relative abundance of proteins and phosphorylation sites.

METHODS: Isobaric chemical tandem mass tags (TMT) labeled multiplexing strategy was used to generate unbiased quantitative proteomics and phosphoproteomics data. Highly accurate and precise TMT quantitation was performed using the Orbitrap Fusion Tribrid Mass Spectrometer with synchronous precursor selection MS3 detection mode. Mass spectrometric raw files were analyzed with MaxQuant (2.0.1.0) and statistical and bioinformatics analysis was conducted with Perseus (1.6.15).

RESULTS: We quantified 3661 proteins and over 11,000 phosphosites in impaired heart tissue of the IR mice model, expanding our knowledge of signaling pathways and other biological processes disrupted in IR injury. Next, 1548 and 5545 differently expressed proteins and phosphosites were identified by quantifying the proteome and phosphoproteome of H9c2 cells treated by five Danshen bioactive compounds respectively. Results revealed the vast differences in abilities of five Danshen-derived bioactive compounds to regulate phosphorylation modifications in cardiomyocytes, with dihydrotanshinone I (DHT) showing potential for protecting against IR injury by modulating the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a new strategy for analyzing drug/natural product-regulated phosphorylation modification levels on a proteome-wide scale, leading to a better understanding of cell signaling pathways and downstream phenotypic responses.

PMID:37307738 | DOI:10.1016/j.phymed.2023.154897