Category: Statistics

J Orthop Surg Res. 2023 Jul 29;18(1):543. doi: 10.1186/s13018-023-04038-3.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the difference in efficacy between open PLIF and UBE for lumbar spinal stenosis and the effect on postoperative adjacent segment instability.

METHOD: The clinical data of 37 patients with PLIF and 32 patients with UBE for lumbar spinal stenosis were retrospectively analyzed to compare the differences in perioperative conditions and short- and medium-term outcomes.

RESULTS: All 69 patients completed the surgery successfully. The operating time, number of intraoperative fluoroscopies and hospital days were higher in the UBE group than in the open PLIF group. Intraoperative bleeding and postoperative drainage were lower than in the open PLIF group (P < 0.05). The visual analogue scale (VAS) of low back pain was lower in the UBE group than in the open PLIF group at 1 month and 3 months postoperatively (P < 0.05), and there were no statistically significant VAS scores for low back pain in the two groups at 1 day and 6 months postoperatively (P > 0.05). Leg pain VAS scores were lower in the UBE group than in the open PLIF group at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively (P < 0.05), and leg pain VAS scores were not statistically significant in both groups at 1 day postoperatively (P > 0.05). The ODI index was lower in the UBE group than in the open PLIF group at 1 day and 1 month postoperatively (P < 0.05) and was not statistically significant in the two groups at 3 months and 6 months postoperatively (P > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in postoperative interbody height, sagittal diameter of the spinal canal, efficacy of modified MacNab and interbody fusion (P > 0.05). The open PLIF group was more prone to postoperative adjacent vertebral instability than the UBE group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: With appropriate indications, the open PLIF group and the UBE group had similar short- and medium-term clinical outcomes for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis, but patients in the UBE group had better symptomatic improvement than the open PLIF group at 3 months postoperatively, and the effect on postoperative adjacent vertebral instability was smaller in the endoscopic group than in the open PLIF group.

PMID:37516831 | DOI:10.1186/s13018-023-04038-3

BMC Med Ethics. 2023 Jul 29;24(1):56. doi: 10.1186/s12910-023-00932-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Little is known about communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers regarding ethical concerns that patients and families experience in the course of illness and medical care. To address this gap in the literature, we surveyed patients and family members to learn about their ethical concerns and the extent to which they discussed them with their healthcare providers.

METHODS: We surveyed adult, English-speaking patients and family members receiving inpatient care in five hospitals in the Washington DC-Baltimore metropolitan area from July 2017 to March 2020. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the frequency, comfortableness, and helpfulness of discussions regarding ethical concerns experienced when sick or receiving medical care. Univariable and multivariable stepwise logistic regression models were used to identify associations between healthcare provider and respondent characteristics and attitudes and (1) the likelihood of speaking to a healthcare provider about their ethical concern and (2) their level of comfort during these discussions.

RESULTS: Of 468 respondents who experienced ethical issues, 299 (64%) reported discussing the situation with a member of their healthcare team; 74% (197/265) of respondents who had such a discussion found the discussion comfortable, and 77% (176/230) of respondents found the discussion helpful. To make discussions more comfortable and helpful, respondents proposed suggestions in open-ended responses involving (1) content and quality of communication; (2) positive healthcare provider qualities such as empathy, open-mindedness, knowledge, honesty, and trustworthiness; and (3) other contextual factors including having adequate time and available resources.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients and families often have ethical concerns that they discuss with clinicians, and they want clinicians to be routinely receptive and attentive to such discussions.

PMID:37516828 | DOI:10.1186/s12910-023-00932-x

Sci Rep. 2023 Jul 29;13(1):12325. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-39520-9.

ABSTRACT

Numerous studies have reported that circulating cytokines (CCs) are linked to age-related neurodegenerative diseases (ANDDs); however, there is a lack of systematic investigation for the causal association. A two-sample bidirectional Mendelian Randomisation (MR) method was utilized to evaluate the causal effect. We applied genetic variants correlated with concentrations of CCs from a genome-wide association study meta-analysis (n = 8293) as instrumental variables. Summary data of three major ANDDs [Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)] were identified from the IEU OpenGWAS platform (n = 627, 266). Inverse-variance weighted method is the main approach to analyse causal effect, and MR results are verified by several sensitivity and pleiotropy analyses. In directional MR, it suggested that several CCs were nominally correlated with the risk of ANDDs, with a causal odds ratio (OR) of Interleukin (IL)-5 of 0.909 for AD; OR of IL-2 of 1.169 for PD; and OR of Beta nerve growth factor of 1.142 for ALS). In reverse MR, there were some suggestively causal effects of ANDDs on CCs (AD on increased Basic fibroblast growth factor and IL-12 and decreased Stem cell growth factor beta; PD on decreased Monokine induced by interferon-gamma; ALS on decreased Basic fibroblast growth factor and IL-17). The findings were stable across sensitivity and pleiotropy analyses. However, after Bonferroni correction, there is no statistically significant association between CCs and ANDDs. Through the genetic epidemiological approach, our study assessed the role and presented possible causal associations between CCs and ANDDs. Further studies are warranted to verify the causal associations.

PMID:37516812 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-023-39520-9

Sci Rep. 2023 Jul 29;13(1):12314. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-39296-y.

ABSTRACT

Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) have become an integral part of the workforce providing delivery services in Nigeria due to the limited number of skilled birth attendants and cultural preferences. This study assessed the knowledge, management and preventive practices regarding postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) among TBAs in selected communities in Osun State, Southwest Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design and recruited 260 TBAs in four communities in Osun State. Data were collected by means of an adapted semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23 and summarized using descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square and logistic regression) with the level of significance set at p < 0.05. The findings indicated that most (71.4%) of the TBAs were cleric, while others were herbalist (28.6%). Although the majority (76.4%) of the TBAs had good knowledge of the causes and warning signs of PPH, a high percentage (69.3%) of TBAs had poor management practices, while 114 (64.1%) TBAs had inadequate preventive practices. Notably, almost none of the participants practised active management of the third stage of labour; the majority of TBAs did not administer any uterotonic drugs to the mother, nor did they deliver the placenta by controlled cord traction. Gender (P = 0.029), educational level (P = 0.035) and average number of births per month (P = 0.001) significantly influenced TBAs’ management practices. Similarly, the TBA type (P < 0.001), average number of births per month (P = 0.003) and experience with formal training (P = 0.005) showed significant associations with TBAs’ preventive practices. Furthermore, TBAs’ preventive practices towards PPH were influenced by the TBA type (OR: 4.23; 95% CI 1.64-10.90). TBA management practices were also influenced by the TBA type (OR: 4.42; 95% CI 2.03-9.61). Traditional birth attendants in this study had poor management and poor preventive practices for postpartum haemorrhage.

PMID:37516811 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-023-39296-y

Sci Rep. 2023 Jul 29;13(1):12303. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-37372-x.

ABSTRACT

Gutta-percha’s lack of adhesion has been presented as a drawback to avoid gaps at sealer/gutta-percha interface. Plasma treatments have been scarcely assessed on gutta-percha surfaces as a method of enhancing adhesiveness. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of low-pressure Argon and Oxygen plasma atmospheres on conventional and bioceramic gutta-percha standardized smooth discs, assessing their roughness, surface free energy, chemical structure, and sealer wettability. A Low-Pressure Plasma Cleaner by Diener Electronic (Zepto Model) was used. Different gases (Argon or Oxygen), powers (25 W, or 50 W), and exposure times (30 s, 60 s, 120 s, or 180 s) were tested in control and experimental groups. Kruskal-Wallis and Student’s t-test were used in data analysis. Statistically significant differences were detected when P < 0.05. Both gases showed different behaviors according to the parameters selected. Even though chemical changes were detected, the basic molecular structure was maintained. Argon or Oxygen plasma treatments favoured the wetting of conventional and bioceramic gutta-perchas by Endoresin and AH Plus Bioceramic sealers (P < 0.001). Overall, the functionalization of gutta-percha surfaces with Argon or Oxygen plasma treatments can increase roughness, surface free energy and wettability, which might improve its adhesive properties when compared to non-treated gutta-percha.

PMID:37516768 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-023-37372-x

Nat Commun. 2023 Jul 29;14(1):4572. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-39731-8.

ABSTRACT

Accurate determination of the extent and grade of adult-type diffuse gliomas is critical to patient management. In clinical practice, contrast-enhancing areas of diffuse gliomas in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences are usually used to target biopsy, surgery, and radiation therapy, but there can be discrepancies between these areas and the actual tumor extent. Here we show that adding ¹⁸F-fluoro-ethyl-tyrosine positron emission tomography (FET-PET) to MRI sequences accurately locates the most malignant areas of contrast-enhancing gliomas, potentially impacting subsequent management and outcomes. We present a prospective analysis of over 300 serial biopsy specimens from 23 patients with contrast-enhancing adult-type diffuse gliomas using a hybrid PET-MRI scanner to compare T2-weighted and contrast-enhancing MRI images with FET-PET. In all cases, we observe and confirm high FET uptake in early PET acquisitions (5-15 min after ¹⁸F-FET administration) outside areas of contrast enhancement on MRI, indicative of high-grade glioma. In 30% cases, inclusion of FET-positive sites changes the biopsy result to a higher tumor grade.

PMID:37516762 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-023-39731-8

Sci Rep. 2023 Jul 29;13(1):12308. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-39509-4.

ABSTRACT

Linear antenna arrays (LAAs) play a critical role in smart system communication applications such as the Internet of Things (IoT), mobile communication and beamforming. However, minimizing secondary lobes while maintaining a low beamwidth remains challenging. This study presents an enhanced synthesis methodology for LAAs using the Adaptive Naked Mole Rat Algorithm (ANMRA). ANMRA, inspired by mole-rat mating habits, improves exploration and exploitation capabilities for directive LAA applications. The performance of ANMRA is assessed using the CEC 2019 benchmark test functions, a widely adopted standard for statistical evaluation in optimization algorithms. The proposed methodology results are also benchmarked against state-of-the-art algorithms, including the Salp Swarm Algorithm (SSA), Cuckoo Search (CS), Artificial Hummingbird Algorithm (AHOA), Chimp Optimization Algorithm (ChOA), and Naked Mole Rat Algorithm (NMRA). The results demonstrate that ANMRA achieves superior performance among the benchmarked algorithms by successfully minimizing secondary lobes and obtaining a narrow beamwidth. The ANMRA controlled design achieves the lowest Side Lobe Level (SLL) of – 37.08 dB and the smallest beamwidth of 74.68°. The statistical assessment using the benchmark test functions further confirms the effectiveness of ANMRA. By optimizing antenna element magnitude and placement control, ANMRA enables precise primary lobe placement, grating lobe elimination, and high directivity in LAAs. This research contributes to advancing smart system communication technologies, particularly in the context of IoT and beamforming applications, by providing an enhanced synthesis methodology for LAAs that offers improved performance in terms of secondary lobe reduction and beamwidth optimization.

PMID:37516755 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-023-39509-4

Sci Rep. 2023 Jul 29;13(1):12328. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-39512-9.

ABSTRACT

This article deals with a comparative study of the physicochemical and electrical properties of monoesters of castor oil compared with their counterparts based on FeO₃ and Z_nO nanoparticles. The results are also compared with those in the literature on triesters, and also with the recommendations of the IEEE C 57.14 standard. The data is analysed statistically using a goodness-of-fit test. The analysis of the viscosity data at 40 °C shows an increase in viscosity. For concentrations of 0.10 wt%, 0.15 wt% and 0.20 wt% these are respectively 5.4%, 9.69%, 12.9% for F_eO₃ NFs and 7.6%, 9.91% and 12.7% for Z_nO NFs. For the same concentrations, the increase in acid number is respectively 3.2%, 2.9%, 2.5% for FeO3 samples and 3.18%, 2.0%, 1.2% for Z_nO samples. For the same concentrations, the fire point shows an increment of 4%, 3% and 2% for F_eO₃ samples and a regression of 8.75%, 6.88% and 5.63% for Z_nO samples. As for the breakdown voltage, for the same concentrations we observe respectively an increment of 43%, 27%, 34% for the F_eO₃. The results show an improvement on partial discharge inception voltage with FeO3 of 24%, 8.13% and 15.21% respectively for the concentrations 0.10 wt%, 0.15 wt% and 0.20 wt%.

PMID:37516740 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-023-39512-9

Sci Data. 2023 Jul 29;10(1):502. doi: 10.1038/s41597-023-02414-6.

ABSTRACT

Macrobenthic traits, for example feeding mode, life history, morphology, are increasingly used for determining responses of macrobenthic fauna to environmental change and influences on ecosystem functioning. Yet, trait information is scarce or non-existent in several parts of the world, such as New Zealand. This deficit makes collecting trait data a difficult and time-consuming task, limiting its potential use in trait-based assessments. Here, we present the New Zealand Trait Database (NZTD) for marine benthic invertebrates, the first comprehensive assessment of macrobenthic traits in New Zealand. The NZTD provides trait information for more than 700 macrobenthic taxa, categorised by 18 traits and 77 trait modalities. The NZTD includes five freely downloadable datasets, (1) the macrobenthic trait dataset, with outcomes from a fuzzy coding procedure, (2) the trait source information, (3) the references by taxa, (4) the full references list, and (5) the full taxa list used in the NZTD. Establishing the NZTD closes the trait knowledge gap in New Zealand and facilitates future research applying trait-based approaches to New Zealand’s coastal macrofauna.

PMID:37516737 | DOI:10.1038/s41597-023-02414-6

Theory Biosci. 2023 Jul 29. doi: 10.1007/s12064-023-00401-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This work concerns a many-body deterministic model that displays life-like properties such as emergence, complexity, self-organization, self-regulation, excitability and spontaneous compartmentalization. The model portraits the dynamics of an ensemble of locally coupled polar phase oscillators, moving in a two-dimensional space, that under certain conditions exhibit emergent superstructures. Those superstructures are self-organized dynamic networks, resulting from a synchronization process of many units, over length scales much greater than the interaction range. Such networks compartmentalize the two-dimensional space with no a priori constraints, due to the formation of porous transport walls, and represent a highly complex and novel non-linear behavior. The analysis is numerically carried out as a function of a control parameter showing distinct regimes: static pattern formation, dynamic excitable networks formation, intermittency and chaos. A statistical analysis is drawn to determine the control parameter ranges for the various behaviors to appear. The model and the results shown in this work are expected to contribute to the field of artificial life.

PMID:37516712 | DOI:10.1007/s12064-023-00401-4