Category: Statistics

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2023 Dec 15;19(3):2278927. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2278927. Epub 2023 Nov 21.

ABSTRACT

Varicella is an acute, highly contagious disease in susceptible individuals and is preventable through vaccination. This study aimed to determine the impact of varicella vaccination on hospitalizations and complications at a pediatric reference hospital in Panama before and after the vaccine introduction. This descriptive ecological study analyzed clinical records of patients diagnosed with varicella through a retrospective and interrupted time series analysis. An autoregressive integrated moving average model was built to compare the incidence rates observed after vaccination with those expected rates derived from the model. A statistical model was fitted to the observed interrupted time series data by regression and used to predict future trends. The mean difference in varicella hospital discharges before and after the introduction of the varicella vaccine was 47%. The rate of hospitalizations for varicella decreased to 52.3%. A declining trend in varicella hospitalizations was observed from 2015 after vaccine introduction in 2014. Complications in vaccinated patients were secondary skin and soft tissue infection, possibly due to bacterial superinfection. The impact of varicella vaccination on reducing varicella hospital discharges reported at a pediatric reference hospital in Panama was confirmed.

PMID:38175951 | DOI:10.1080/21645515.2023.2278927

Adv Mater. 2024 Jan 4:e2309351. doi: 10.1002/adma.202309351. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Tunnel oxide passivated contacts (TOPCon) have recently gained interest as a way to increase the energy conversion efficiency of silicon solar cells, and the International Technology Roadmap of Photovoltaics forecasts TOPCon to become an important technology despite a few remaining challenges. To review the recent development of TOPCon cells, we have compiled a dataset of all device data found in the current literature, which sums up to 405 devices from 131 papers. This may seem like a surprisingly small number of cells given the recent interest in the TOPCon architecture, but it illustrates a problem of data dissemination in the field. Notwithstanding the limited number of cells, there is a great diversity in cell manufacturing procedures, and we observe a gradual increase in performance indicating that the field has not yet converged on a set of best practices. By analyzing the data using statistical methods and machine learning (ML) algorithms, we were able to reinforces some commonly held hypotheses related to the performance differences between different device architectures. We also identify a few more unintuitive feature combinations that would be of interest for further experimentally studies. This work also aims to inspire improvements in data management and dissemination within the TOPCon community, which would further increase the value of statistical analysis like this as well as enable a larger part of the ML toolbox to be used. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:38175915 | DOI:10.1002/adma.202309351

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2024 Jan 5;72(5253):1394. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm725253a6.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:38175812 | DOI:10.15585/mmwr.mm725253a6

Interdiscip Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2024 Jan 4:ivae001. doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivae001. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Despite robotic-assisted (RATS) lobectomy is on the rise in Europe, the majority of lobectomies in Germany are still performed with an open or thoracoscopic (VATS) approach. Empirical evidence in favour of RATS lobectomy is inconsistent. This retrospective cohort study investigates the impact of RATS lobectomy compared with OPEN (open thoracic surgery) and VATS lobectomy on short-term outcomes in Germany using multicentre real-world data.

METHODS: Anonymized routine data from Germany from 2018 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. These data were provided by 61 German hospitals. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) with subsequent Generalized Linear Models (GLM) was performed for statistical analysis. Additionally, in order to test the robustness of the results, multivariable regression analyses with cluster robust standard errors were used.

RESULTS: 2,498 patients with lobectomy were identified: In 1,345 patients OPEN, in 983 VATS and 170 a RATS lobectomy was performed. RATS-compared to OPEN and VATS-reduced length of stay by 28% or 4.2 days [CI: 2.9; 5.4] and by 13% or 1.6 days [CI: 0.2; 3.0], respectively. The risk of pneumonia was reduced by 5.3 percentage points in the RATS group compared to both OPEN and VATS (p = 0.07/0.01). RATS-compared to an open approach-reduces the risk of blood transfusions by 8.8 percentage points (p < 0.001) and length of stay on the ICU (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: This study provides strong support that RATS lobectomy outperforms OPEN or VATS lobectomy in terms of hospital length of stay, and short-term in-hospital postoperative complications in the real-world scenario in Germany.

PMID:38175785 | DOI:10.1093/icvts/ivae001

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2024 Jan 4:ezad437. doi: 10.1093/ejcts/ezad437. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To explore the prognostic value of brain computed tomography perfusion for postoperative new stroke in acute type A aortic dissection patients.

METHODS: Patients with acute type A aortic dissection and suspected cerebral malperfusion who underwent brain computed tomography perfusion and surgical repair were retrospectively analyzed. Brain perfusion was quantified mainly with the averaged cerebral blood flow. Significant clinical and imaging findings were identified through univariable and multivariable regression analysis. Furthermore, the added prognostic benefit of perfusion parameters was confirmed with the receiver-operating characteristic curves in the entire cohort and subgroup analysis.

RESULTS: The incidence of postoperative new stroke was 30.8% (44/143). The independent adjusted predictors of postoperative new stroke included an impaired averaged cerebral blood flow (mL/100 mL/min) (odds ratio: 0.889; p < 0.001), severe stenosis (odds ratio: 5.218; p = 0.011) or occlusion (odds ratio: 14.697; p = 0.048) of the true lumen in common carotid artery, hypotension on admission (odds ratio: 9.644; p = 0.016), and a longer surgery time (odds ratio: 1.593; p = 0.021). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves significantly improved after adding perfusion parameters to clinical and computed tomography angiography characteristics (p = 0.048). This benefit was more pronounced in patients with severe stenosis or occlusion in common carotid artery true lumen (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS: Brain computed tomography perfusion could be a useful prognostic tool for surgically treated acute type A aortic dissection patients and especially beneficial in patients with severe stenosis or occlusion of the common carotid artery true lumen.

PMID:38175783 | DOI:10.1093/ejcts/ezad437

STAR Protoc. 2024 Jan 2;5(1):102806. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102806. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Whole-exome sequencing (WES) is a major approach to uncovering gene-disease associations and pinpointing effector genes. Here, we present a protocol for estimating genetic associations of rare and common variants in large-scale case-control WES studies using MAGICpipeline, an open-access analysis pipeline. We describe steps for assessing gene-based rare-variant association analyses by incorporating multiple variant pathogenic annotations and statistical techniques. We then detail procedures for identifying disease-related modules and hub genes using weighted correlation network analysis, a systems biology approach. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Su et al. (2023).¹.

PMID:38175747 | DOI:10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102806

Aging (Albany NY). 2024 Jan 3;15. doi: 10.18632/aging.205413. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have indicated a potential connection between plasma levels of Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) and platelet-derived growth factor subunit-B (PDGF-B) with the development of atherosclerosis. However, the causal relationship between DKK1, PDGF-B, and the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is yet to be established. To address this research gap, we conducted Mendelian randomization (MR) and mediation analyses to investigate the potential mediating role of PDGF-B in the association between DKK1 and AMI risk. Summary statistics for DKK1 (n = 3,301) and PDGF-B (n = 21,758) were obtained from the GWAS meta-analyses conducted by Sun et al. and Folkersen et al., respectively. Data on AMI cases (n = 3,927) and controls (n = 333,272) were retrieved from the UK Biobank study. Our findings revealed that genetic predisposition to DKK1 (odds ratio [OR]: 1.00208; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00056-1.00361; P = 0.0072) and PDGF-B (OR: 1.00358; 95% CI: 1.00136-1.00581; P = 0.0015) was associated with an increased risk of AMI. Additionally, genetic predisposition to DKK1 (OR: 1.38389; 95% CI: 1.07066-1.78875; P = 0.0131) was linked to higher PDGF-B levels. Furthermore, our MR mediation analysis revealed that PDGF-B partially mediated the association between DKK1 and AMI risk, with 55.8% of the effect of genetically predicted DKK1 being mediated through genetically predicted PDGF-B. These findings suggest that genetic predisposition to DKK1 is positively correlated with the risk of AMI, and that PDGF-B partially mediates this association. Therefore, DKK1 and PDGF-B may serve as promising targets for the prevention and treatment of AMI.

PMID:38175715 | DOI:10.18632/aging.205413

J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2023 Nov-Dec;113(6):21-179. doi: 10.7547/21-179.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to share the clinical results of open calcaneus fractures, which are extremely rare and have become the fearful nightmare of orthopedic surgeons.

METHODS: Between June of 2014 and June of 2020, of 196 patients with the diagnosis of calcaneus fracture, Gustilo-Anderson type IIIB, 17 patients (11 men and six women; mean age, 36.2 ± 4.6 years; range, 22-56 years) under prospective follow-up were retrospectively screened and included in the study. Patients were recorded in terms of classification of fracture, mechanism of injury, comorbidities, surgical progress, complications, and associated orthopedic and nonorthopedic injuries. Functional clinical results and quality of life of the patients were evaluated at the 6-month follow-up with the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire.

RESULTS: The most common etiologic factor was work-related injuries, with 29.4%. Although triple arthrodesis surgery was performed in three cases because of pseudoarthrosis, amputation was performed in one case because of deep infection. The most common soft-tissue defect was located at the medial aspect of the foot, which was commonly reconstructed with the used of reverse flow island sural flap. The average total American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society hindfoot score was 51.6 (range, 48-74) and similarly, physical component, pain, and social parameters on the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey were statistically significant compared to Turkish population normal scores.

CONCLUSIONS: A long and laborious process is required for both the patient and the surgeon in the treatment of open calcaneal fractures. However, it is possible to obtain good results with soft-tissue reconstructions.

PMID:38175701 | DOI:10.7547/21-179

JMIR Form Res. 2024 Jan 4;8:e46515. doi: 10.2196/46515.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is defined as excessive concern with mild or nonexistent defects in personal physical appearance, which are not perceived by others. The worldwide prevalence of BDD ranges between 0.5% and 3.2%, with no differences across genders. The mean age of onset of BDD is 16.9 years. BDD is typically associated with young age, psychiatric disorders, and dermatological procedures. Patients with BDD typically display poorer mental health status than patients diagnosed with other mental disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of BDD in Spain and to identify the variables associated with BDD.

METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional descriptive study by collecting data through an anonymous web-based survey targeting the Spanish population aged 18 years or older. The measures in this study were (1) sociodemographic variables, (2) variables associated with dermatological and psychiatric disorders and cosmetic procedures, (3) scales measuring quality of life (12-item Short Form health survey, version 2) and (4) BDD (BDD Questionnaire). Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS software version 21. P values less than .05 were considered significant.

RESULTS: Of the 2091 participants who took the survey, 322 (15.2%) met the criteria of having BDD. The mean age of the participants with BDD was 23.5 (SD 9.6) years. In terms of BDD prevalence, women accounted for 19.9% (284/1421), men accounted for 5.2% (34/653), and students accounted for 25.2% (263/1043). Approximately 46.6% (150/322) of the participants with BDD reported a history of psychiatric comorbidities, including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and eating disorders. BDD was significantly associated with female gender, younger age (18-24 years), students, monthly income of less than €500 (€1=US $1.11), and the presence of dermatological and some psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders (P<.05). The number of body parts of concern in participants with BDD was significantly higher than that in those without BDD (4.6 vs 2.2, respectively; P<.001). Regarding the body parts of concern, body fat was the most common concern for both groups with BDD and without BDD, followed by thighs, face, hips, and skin in the BDD group and thighs, teeth, and hair in the non-BDD group. Participants with BDD showed a significantly poorer self-perception of their mental health, irrespective of the presence of any mental disorder (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that the prevalence of BDD in Spain was higher than expected. Further, BDD is frequently associated with other psychiatric disorders, particularly depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and eating disorder. Participants with BDD had a poorer perception of quality of life associated with mental but not physical health problems. Finally, the perception of quality of mental health life in participants with BDD was independent of diagnosis of any mental disorder.

PMID:38175692 | DOI:10.2196/46515

Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2024 Jan 4:zwae005. doi: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwae005. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and polygenic risk score have been used as novel markers to predict cardiovascular (CV) events of asymptomatic individuals compared to traditional scores. No previous studies have directly compared the additive capacity of these two markers relative to conventional scores.

AIM: Evaluate the change in CV risk prediction ability when CACS, genetic risk score (GRS) or both are added to SCORE2.

METHODS: A prospective, observational population-based study involving 1002 asymptomatic subjects (mean age 53.1±6.8years, 73.8%male), free of clinical coronary disease and diabetes, were selected from GENEMACOR-study controls. SCORE2, CACS and GRS were estimated to evaluate CV events’ predictive and discriminative ability through Harrell´s C-statistics. Net Reclassification Improvement (NRI) and Integrated Discrimination Index were used to reclassify the population. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard ratios (HR) analysis assessed the variables independently associated with CV events.

RESULTS: C-statistic demonstrated that the discriminative value for CV events occurrence was 0.608 for SCORE2, increasing to 0.749 (p=0.001) when CACS was added, and improved to 0.802 (p=0.0008) with GRS, showing a better discriminative capacity for CV events. Continuous NRI reclassified >70% of the population. Cox proportional analysis showed that highest categories of SCORE2, CACS and GRS remained in the equation with an HR of 2.9 (p=0.003), 5.0 (p<0.0001) and 3.2 (p=0.003), respectively, when compared with the lowest categories.

CONCLUSION: In our population, CACS added to SCORE2 had better ability than GRS in CV events risk prediction, discrimination and reclassification. However, adding the three scores can become clinically relevant, especially in intermediate-risk persons.

PMID:38175668 | DOI:10.1093/eurjpc/zwae005