Category: Statistics

J Anim Sci. 2023 Aug 10:skad269. doi: 10.1093/jas/skad269. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Technology that facilitates estimations of individual animal dry matter intake rates in group-housed settings will improve production and management efficiencies. Estimating dry matter intake in pasture settings or facilities where feed intake cannot be monitored may benefit from predictive algorithms that use other variables as proxies. This study examined the relationships between dry matter intake (DMI), animal performance, and environmental variables. Here we determined whether a machine learning approach can predict DMI from measured water intake variables, age, sex, full body weight, and average daily gain (ADG). Two hundred and five animals were studied in a drylot setting (152 bulls for 88 days and 53 steers for 50 days). Collected data included daily DMI, water intake, daily predicted full body weights, and average daily gain using In-Pen-Weighing Positions and Feed Intake Nodes. After exclusion of 26 bulls of low-frequency breeds and one severe (greater than 3 standard deviations) outlier, the final number of animals used for modeling were 178 (125 bulls, 53 steers). Climate data were recorded at 30-minute intervals throughout the study period. Random Forest Regression (RFR) and Repeated Measures Random Forest (RMRF) were used as a machine learning approaches to develop a predictive algorithm. Repeated Measures ANOVA (RMANOVA)was used as the traditional approach. Using the RMRF method, an algorithm was constructed that predicts an animal’s DMI within 0.75 kg. Evaluation and refining of algorithms used to predict DMI in drylot by adding more representative data will allow for future extrapolation to controlled small plot grazing and, ultimately, more extensive group field settings.

PMID:37561392 | DOI:10.1093/jas/skad269

Sports Med. 2023 Aug 10. doi: 10.1007/s40279-023-01880-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The literature on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) contains claims that, if true, could revolutionize the science and practice of exercise. This critical analysis examines two varieties of claims: (i) HIIT is effective in improving various indices of fitness and health, and (ii) HIIT is as effective as more time-consuming moderate-intensity continuous exercise. Using data from two recent systematic reviews as working examples, we show that studies in both categories exhibit considerable weaknesses when judged through the prism of fundamental statistical principles. Predominantly, small-to-medium effects are investigated in severely underpowered studies, thus greatly increasing the risk of both type I and type II errors of statistical inference. Studies in the first category combine the volatility of estimates associated with small samples with numerous dependent variables analyzed without consideration of the inflation of the type I error rate. Studies in the second category inappropriately use the p > 0.05 criterion from small studies to support claims of ‘similar’ or ‘comparable’ effects. It is concluded that the situation in the HIIT literature is reminiscent of the research climate that led to the replication crisis in psychology. As in psychology, this could be an opportunity to reform statistical practices in exercise science.

PMID:37561389 | DOI:10.1007/s40279-023-01880-7

Ir J Med Sci. 2023 Aug 10. doi: 10.1007/s11845-023-03485-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Early neurological deterioration (END) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS), patients is defined as clinical worsening or recurrence during first 72 h after onset of AIS. We have conducted this study to determine the association between END and functional outcome at 3 months of onset of AIS along with associated risk factors of END in AIS cases.

METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted after approval of Institute Ethics Committee. Two hundred three consecutive patients were admitted from September 2020 to January 2022 at a tertiary care hospital. One hundred ninety patients were included in the study; patients were divided into two groups: (1) early neurological deterioration (END) and (2) non-early neurological deterioration (non-END). Patients were followed-up either telephonically or in person at approximately 3 months using modified Rankin Scale 0-6. All the clinically significant prognostic markers and p < 0.10 variables were considered significant in univariate analysis; P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant for the multivariate analysis.

RESULTS: Out of 190 cases included in the cohort 34/190 (17.8%) cases showed END with mean age (56.56 (± 16.6)) and males (20/34 (58.8%)). END was independently associated with high blood glucose at admission (OR = 1.015; P = 0.002; 95%CI = 1.005-1.024) and low serum albumin (OR = 0.208; P = 0.002; 95%CI = 0.077-0.562). Patients with END showed poor functional outcome (mRS > 2) at end of 3 months (32 (94.1%); P < 0.001) and death was also statistically significant (22 (64.7%); P < 0.001) as compared to AIS cases having non-END.

CONCLUSION: Our study showed END may be associated with poor functional outcome in AIS patients. Higher blood glucose at admission and low serum albumin may be statistically significant causing END. Future prospective cohort with larger sample size may confirm the findings.

PMID:37561387 | DOI:10.1007/s11845-023-03485-5

Bull Exp Biol Med. 2023 Aug 10. doi: 10.1007/s10517-023-05876-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We studied the possibility of conductometric measurement of myelokaryocyte content in the red bone marrow of mice using a hematological Abacus Junior 5 Vet analyzer (Diatron). Statistical, correlation, and regression analyses were performed to assess of the results of myelokaryocyte counting in the suspensions of mouse red bone marrow by a direct method in cytometers and by using Abacus Junior 5 Vet analyzer. It was shown that in both intact mice and animals with modelled red bone marrow hypoplasia, irrespectively of the state of hematopoiesis in representative samples, conductometric measurements of myelokaryocyte content on the Abacus analyzer with high confidence reproduced direct counting results (in different tests p=0.64-0.82, p=0.83-0.98). This indicates that myelokaryocyte counting on the Abacus Junior 5 Vet analyzer can be an acceptable alternative to counting chamber measurements in mouse samplings. However, the variability of single measurements with the Abacus Junior 5 Vet in red bone marrow suspensions is high (5%) and this has to be considered in small samples.

PMID:37561375 | DOI:10.1007/s10517-023-05876-1

Int J Clin Pharm. 2023 Aug 10. doi: 10.1007/s11096-023-01625-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Medication safety is important to limit adverse events for nursing home residents. Several factors, such as interprofessional collaboration with pharmacists and medication reviews, have been shown in the literature to influence medication safety processes.

AIM: This study had three main objectives: (1) To assess how facility- and unit-level organization and infrastructure are related to medication use processes; (2) To determine the extent of medication safety-relevant processes; and (3) To explore pharmacies’ and pharmacists’ involvement in nursing homes’ medication-related processes.

METHOD: Cross-sectional multicenter survey data (2018-2019) from a convenience sample of 118 Swiss nursing homes were used. Data were collected on facility and unit characteristics, pharmacy services, as well as medication safety-related structures and processes. Descriptive statistics were used.

RESULTS: Most of the participating nursing homes (93.2%) had electronic resident health record systems that supported medication safety in various ways (e.g., medication lists, interaction checks). Electronic data exchanges with outside partners such as pharmacies or physicians were available for fewer than half (10.2-46.3%, depending on the partner). Pharmacists collaborating with nursing homes were mainly involved in logistical support. Medication reviews were reportedly conducted regularly in two-thirds of facilities.

CONCLUSION: A high proportion of Swiss nursing homes have implemented diverse processes and structures that support medication use and safety for residents; however, their collaboration with pharmacists remains relatively limited.

PMID:37561370 | DOI:10.1007/s11096-023-01625-6

Cardiol Young. 2023 Aug 10:1-7. doi: 10.1017/S1047951123002962. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although COVID-19 is known to have cardiac effects in children, seen primarily in severe disease, more information is needed about the cardiac effects following COVID-19 in non-hospitalised children and adolescents during recovery. This study aims to compare echocardiographic markers of cardiac size and function of children following acute COVID-19 with those of healthy controls.

METHODS: This single-centre retrospective case-control study compared 71 cases seen in cardiology clinic following acute COVID-19 with 33 healthy controls. Apical left ventricle, apical right ventricle, and parasternal short axis at the level of the papillary muscles were analysed to measure ventricular size and systolic function. Strain was analysed on vendor-independent software. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test, chi-square, Wilcoxon rank sum, and regression modelling as appropriate (p < 0.05 significant).

RESULTS: Compared to controls, COVID-19 cases had slightly higher left ventricular volumes and lower left ventricular ejection fraction and right ventricular fractional area change that remained within normal range. There were no differences in right or left ventricular longitudinal strain between the two groups. Neither initial severity nor persistence of symptoms after diagnosis predicted these differences.

CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiographic findings in children and adolescents 6 weeks to 3 months following acute COVID-19 not requiring hospitalisation were overall reassuring. Compared to healthy controls, the COVID-19 group demonstrated mildly larger left ventricular size and lower conventional measures of biventricular systolic function that remained within the normal range, with no differences in biventricular longitudinal strain. Future studies focusing on longitudinal echocardiographic assessment of patients following acute COVID-19 are needed to better understand these subtle differences in ventricular size and function.

PMID:37560822 | DOI:10.1017/S1047951123002962

Adv Physiol Educ. 2023 Aug 10. doi: 10.1152/advan.00181.2022. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Oral demonstration of knowledge is an effective learning and assessment strategy. It has been shown that generating explanations to oneself, or self-explaining, can improve student understanding of information. This can be achieved via student-generated videos. The quantitative effects of student-generated videos on learning and assessment in postsecondary education is unknown. To our knowledge, this is the first study to analyze the effects asynchronous student-generated videos have on student learning and assessment in a large-enrollment (~400 students), undergraduate physiology course. Students were charged with self-generating videos discussing major physiological concepts and uploading these videos to Flip for assessment. Flip is an online, social education platform for asynchronous video-based discussion. In the present study, we combined four semesters (n = 1,100 students) of Flip data and analyzed the effects it had on student examination performance. Specifically, we first analyzed how students performed on exam questions corresponding to their Flip prompts in comparison to students not assigned those prompts (25/44 (57%) were statistically significantly different). Second, we analyzed the association between Flip prompt score and performance on corresponding exam questions (39/44 (89%) were statistically significantly different). Third, we analyzed the association between cumulative Flip score and performance on all corresponding, and non-corresponding exam questions. Finally, we analyzed the association between cumulative Flip score and averaged exam performance. There was a positive association (r = 0.54). Taken together, our data suggest that asynchronous student-generated Flip videos can facilitate student learning and assessment in a large-enrollment, undergraduate physiology course.

PMID:37560782 | DOI:10.1152/advan.00181.2022

Anim Sci J. 2023 Jan-Dec;94(1):e13864. doi: 10.1111/asj.13864.

ABSTRACT

Identification of selection signatures may provide a better understanding of domestication process and candidate genes contributing to this process. In this study, two populations of domestic and wild goats from Iran were analyzed to identify selection signatures. RSB, iHS, and XP-EHH statistics were used in order to identify robust selection signatures in the goat genome. Genotype data of domestic and wild goats from the NextGen project was used. The data was related to 18 Capra aegagrus (wild goat) and 20 Capra hircus (domestic goat) from Iran. The iHS method indicated 675 and 441 selection signatures in C. aegagrus and C. hircus, respectively. RSB and XP-EHH methods showed about 370 and 447 selection signatures in C. aegagrus and C. hircus, respectively. These selection signatures were mainly associated with milk production, fleece trait, mammary epithelial cells, reproduction, and immune system.

PMID:37560768 | DOI:10.1111/asj.13864

Arch Med Sci. 2021 Apr 8;19(4):1003-1010. doi: 10.5114/aoms/128845. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Multiple studies suggest that cancer leads to activation of clotting and fibrinolysis pathways, elevating the risk of thromboembolic events. Kidney cancer is often complicated by clotting disorders. In this study, we hypothesized that preoperative clotting and fibrinolysis parameters are altered in healthy volunteers and kidney tumor patients. We also hypothesized that these differences may be associated with survival in patients who have undergone operations due to kidney tumors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, 96 patients with kidney tumors and 30 healthy volunteers were recruited at a single university center. All patients were assessed for pre-operative serum concentrations of tissue factor (TF), tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI, total TFPI, full-length TFPI, truncated TFPI), plasmin-antiplasmin complex (PAP), thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), von Willebrand factor (vWF), clotting factor XIII A1 (FXIIIA1), D-dimers, and fibrinogen. Additionally, standard peripheral blood morphology was evaluated.

RESULTS: Malignant kidney tumors were diagnosed in 85 of 96 tumor patients. In patients with kidney tumors, there were statistically significantly higher concentrations of fibrinogen, D-dimers, TAT, PAF, TF, TFPI, vWF, FXIIIA1, and leukocyte counts compared to the control group. Statistically significant correlations were found between multiple parameters. This points to significant clotting system alterations. Cox stepwise hazard analysis showed that pre-operative fibrinogen and D-Dimer concentrations were significantly associated with survival.

CONCLUSIONS: In patients with kidney tumors, multiple clotting and fibrinolysis parameters are significantly altered. Routine pre-operative measures should include determination of fibrinogen and D-dimer concentrations as these markers aid in prediction of survival probability.

PMID:37560740 | PMC:PMC10408028 | DOI:10.5114/aoms/128845

Arch Med Sci. 2021 Mar 18;19(4):1059-1068. doi: 10.5114/aoms/134635. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Ankle instability is a common injury in athletes, affecting the quality of life, functional limitation, as well as static and dynamic balance. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of virtual reality and Biodex balance training in the treatment of ankle instability in adolescent athletes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety football players were enrolled in this study after the assessment of their eligibility. Their age ranged from 12 to 16 years. They were randomly allocated to three groups of equal numbers. Group 1 received a guideline protocol, group 2 received the same guideline protocol in addition to Wii Sport Training, and group 3 received the same guideline protocol in addition to Biodex balance training. All groups received treatment protocols three times a week for 3 months. Outcome measures included the stability indices (overall stability, anteroposterior stability, and mediolateral) measured by the Biodex Balance System as well as ankle instability measured by the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool. Measurements were collected at the baseline and after 3 months of treatment.

RESULTS: Post-treatment findings revealed a statistically significant decrease in the overall, anteroposterior, and mediolateral stability indices, as well as significant increase in Cumberland Ankle Instability outcomes of all groups (p < 0.05). On the other hand, there were no statistically significant differences between the virtual reality and Biodex balance training groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Virtual reality training has a significant effect which appears to be similar to the Biodex balance training in adolescent athletes with chronic ankle instability.

PMID:37560731 | PMC:PMC10408012 | DOI:10.5114/aoms/134635