Category: Statistics

Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2023 Jun 16. doi: 10.1111/vru.13265. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The size of an animal’s pelvis can have a substantial impact on the ease or difficulty of giving birth, which can vary depending on the breed. Radiography is a medical imaging technique that is commonly utilized in clinical cases to assess pelvic dimensions. The present retrospective, observational study was designed to evaluate pelvimetric differences in radiographic images of British Shorthair (BS) cats with dystocia and eutocia. Pelvimetric values (linear distance, angle, area, height/width) for ventrodorsal and laterolateral radiographic images were recorded in 15 BS cats with dystocia and 15 BS cats with eutocia. Statistical analysis of the obtained measurement values was performed. When the pelvimetric data were examined overall, it was seen that mean values, except the PL (pelvis length) measurement, were higher in cats with eutocia than in cats with dystocia. Vertical diameter, conjugate vera, coxal tuberosities, transversal diameter, acetabula, pelvic inclination, ischiatic arch, pelvis inlet area (PIA), and pelvic outlet area (POA) values were significantly higher in cats with eutocia than in cats with dystocia (P < 0.05). Mean PIA and POA measurement values in cats with dystocia were 22.89 ± 2.38 cm² and 19.59 ± 1.90 cm² , respectively; in cats with eutocia, the mean was calculated as 27.16 ± 2.76 cm² and 23.18 ± 1.88 cm² , respectively. In conclusion, the present study revealed that pelvimetric values, except the PL measurement, were higher in cats with eutocia than in cats with dystocia. Findings can be used to assist veterinarians in future clinical decision-making for pregnant BS cats.

PMID:37325948 | DOI:10.1111/vru.13265

Cancer Med. 2023 Jun 16. doi: 10.1002/cam4.6264. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) accounts for approximately 90% of esophageal cancer cases in China. There are no standard regimens for second or third-line chemotherapy of metastatic squamous esophageal cancer. The objective of this study was to investigate the security and effectiveness of irinotecan combined with raltitrexed or irinotecan monotherapy for salvage chemotherapy of ESCC.

METHODS: One hundred and twenty-eight patients with metastatic ESCC confirmed by histopathology were enrolled into this study. These patients had failure of the first-line chemotherapy combination of fluorouracil or platinum or paclitaxel and had not undergone chemotherapy with irinotecan or raltitrexed previously. Patients were randomly divided into irinotecan combined with raltitrexed group (experiment group) and irinotecan monotherapy group (control group). Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were the primary endpoint.

RESULTS: In the control group, the median PFS (mPFS) and median OS (mOS) of patients were 3.37 and 5.3 months. In the experiment group, mPFS and mOS were 3.91 and 7.0 months. There was statistical significance of PFS and OS between two groups (PFS P = 0.002, OS P = 0.01). In subgroup analysis, in the second-line treatment, the mPFS of control and experiment group, was 3.90 and 4.60 months, mOS was 6.95 and 8.5 months, which was statistically significant differences between the two groups. (PFS P = 0.001, OS P = 0.005), In the third-line and beyond treatment, mPFS of control and experiment group was 2.80 and 3.19 months, mOS were 4.5 and 4.8 months. But there was no significant difference of PFS or OS between the two groups (PFS P = 0.19, OS P = 0.31). There was no statistical significance of toxicity side effects between two groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The PFS and OS of irinotecan plus raltitrexed may be better than that of irinotecan monotherapy, especially in second line treatment, which should be confirmed with a phase III study including much more patients.

PMID:37325938 | DOI:10.1002/cam4.6264

Stroke. 2023 Jun 16. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.122.042290. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is characterized by acute and delayed reductions of cerebral blood flow (CBF) caused, among others, by spasms of cerebral arteries and arterioles. Recently, the inactivation of perivascular macrophages (PVM) has been demonstrated to improve neurological outcomes after experimental SAH, but the underlying mechanisms of protection remain unclear. The aim of our exploratory study was, therefore, to investigate the role of PVM in the formation of acute microvasospasms after experimental SAH.

METHODS: PVMs were depleted in 8- to 10-week-old male C57BL/6 mice (n=8/group) by intracerebroventricular application of clodronate-loaded liposomes and compared with mice with vehicle liposome injections. Seven days later, SAH was induced by filament perforation under continuous monitoring of CBF and intracranial pressure. Results were compared with sham-operated animals and animals who underwent SAH induction but no liposome injection (n=4/group each). Six hours after SAH induction or sham surgery, numbers of microvasospasms per volume of interest and % of affected pial and penetrating arterioles were examined in 9 standardized regions of interest per animal by in vivo 2-photon microscopy. Depletion of PVMs was proven by quantification of PVMs/mm³ identified by immunohistochemical staining for CD206 and Collagen IV. Statistical significance was tested with t tests for parametric data and Mann-Whitney U test for nonparametric data.

RESULTS: PVMs were located around pial and intraparenchymal arterioles and were effectively depleted by clodronate from 671±28 to 46±14 PVMs/mm³ (P<0.001). After SAH, microvasospasms was observed in pial arteries and penetrating and precapillary arterioles and were accompanied by an increase to 1405±142 PVMs/mm³. PVM depletion significantly reduced the number of microvasospasms from 9 IQR 5 to 3 IQR 3 (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that PVMs contribute to the formation of microvasospasms after experimental SAH.

PMID:37325921 | DOI:10.1161/STROKEAHA.122.042290

Rev Esp Salud Publica. 2023 Jun 15;97:e202306051.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The Dunning-Kruger effect refers to an excess of confidence regarding one’s abilities and knowledge; trust leads to transmitting information in an assertive manner, regardless of its validity or veracity, of experts, but of great impact on public opinion. This study evaluated the existence of the Dunning-Kruger effect in messages related to vaccination against COVID-19 on LinkedIn.

METHODS: 448 messages were evaluated and the authors’ knowledge and training on the subject were related. In the statistical treatment, the Chi-square test was performed to determine if there is a significant association between the variables, establishing the level of significance at P<0.05. These procedures were carried out using SPSS statistical software.

RESULTS: 448 messages were analyzed. Of these, 153 reflected very high certainty, 115 medium certainty, 107 low certainty and 73 reflected doubts. The group that issued the most messages with absolute certainty (41.8%) was the group with minimal knowledge about COVID-19. Of this group without knowledge on the subject, only 7.1% expressed messages without expressing certainty. The group with very high knowledge on the subject was more likely to reflect uncertainty, communicating 15.7% of the messages with absolute certainty and 37.1% with zero certainty.

CONCLUSIONS: It is obtained that those people with less knowledge express their messages more assertively and present less acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in their speeches. The presence of the Dunning-Kruger effect in relation to COVID-19 vaccination is demonstrated.

PMID:37325904

Med Confl Surviv. 2023 Jun 16:1-23. doi: 10.1080/13623699.2023.2222360. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Armed conflict exposure is associated with multiple mental health problems. However, more needs to be known about the differential effects of particular modalities of armed conflict violence and war methods on mental health. This study a) examined the modalities of violence employed in the Colombian armed conflict and b) assessed their association with mental health problems in armed conflict survivors. Using armed conflict data from the Colombian Armed Conflict Events Information System, we identified three violence modalities: armed confrontations, indiscriminate attacks, and selective violence. Descriptive statistics showed that selective violence generated most (86%) of the 333,219 victims of the Colombian armed conflict between 1996 and 2016. A subsample of armed conflict survivors (n = 551) from the 2015 Colombian Mental Health Survey was used to assess the association of each modality of violence with depression and anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and substance abuse. Adjusted Odds Ratios (aOR) (p < .05, 95% CI) showed that survivors of selective violence crimes such as forced disappearance of loved ones, kidnapping, sexual violence, and massacres were at increased risk of experiencing Common Mental Health Disorders, PTSD symptoms, and hazardous drinking. Identifying those at elevated risk for developing mental health problems and substance misuse among survivors of armed conflict may help to use limited resources more effectively.

PMID:37325901 | DOI:10.1080/13623699.2023.2222360

Cancer Med. 2023 Jun 16. doi: 10.1002/cam4.6221. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research was to analyze the prognostic significance of the minimum count of lymphocytes (LY) and the corresponding ratio of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) in cervical cancer (CC) patients receiving radiotherapy.

METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from 202 CC patients who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy alone at our hospital. Statistical methods including the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test and the Cox proportional hazards model were included to examine survival differences and identify independent factors that may affect overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS: The research enrolled a total of 202 patients. Patients with higher LY levels and lower NLR values during radiotherapy had significantly better survival prognosis than those with lower LY levels and higher NLR values. Multivariate COX regression analysis revealed that FIGO stage I, pathological types of SqCC, absence of lymph node metastasis, concurrent chemoradiotherapy, higher LY levels during radiotherapy, and lower NLR values before radiotherapy were independently associated with poorer PFS. Similarly, FIGO stage I, absence of lymph node metastasis and lower NLR values during and before radiotherapy were independently linked with poorer OS.

CONCLUSION: Minimum LY value and its corresponding NLR during radiotherapy serve as prognostic factors for CC.

PMID:37325889 | DOI:10.1002/cam4.6221

Brain Behav. 2023 Jun 16:e3116. doi: 10.1002/brb3.3116. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the impact of regular prevention and control of COVID-19 on the physical activity level (PAL) of adolescents and the relationship between PAL and mental health.

METHODS: Using the convenience sampling method, two stages of the on-site cross-sectional investigation were conducted in 11 middle schools in Guiyang City in China. There were 1132 participants who completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for old children (PAQ-C) in October 2020, and 1503 participants who completed the PAQ-C and Mental Health Inventory of Middle-school students (MMHI-60) in October 2021. All participants reported their demographic data. Descriptive, quantitative statistics were used for data analysis. One-way ANOVA was used to explore associations between PAL and mental health.

RESULTS: The results of statistical analysis showed a gradual yearly increase in the PAL of teenagers, and the PAL of male junior middle school students has a significant increase (p < .05); while that of adolescents in Grade 10 significantly decreased (p < .001). There is a statistically significant correlation between adolescents’ mental health (except for anxiety) and PAL (p < .05). The overall abnormal rate of mental health was 27.9%; The PAL and the total mean score of mental health had a negative correlation (p < .001). There was a significant difference between mental health scores and corresponding PAL (p < .001). Furthermore, there are statistically significant differences in scores of mental health factors corresponding to varying PAL among junior high school students and male students (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS: The regular epidemic prevention and control measures had significant adverse effects on the PAL of girls and high school adolescents, especially Grade 10 adolescents. Improving adolescents’ PAL can promote their mental health. Interventions based on PAL slightly lower than the level recommended in the physical activity guidelines can bring significant mental health effects.

PMID:37325875 | DOI:10.1002/brb3.3116

Biometrics. 2023 Jun 16. doi: 10.1111/biom.13886. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Causal inference practitioners have increasingly adopted machine learning techniques with the aim of producing principled uncertainty quantification for causal effects while minimizing the risk of model misspecification. Bayesian nonparametric approaches have attracted attention as well, both for their flexibility and their promise of providing natural uncertainty quantification. Priors on high-dimensional or nonparametric spaces, however, can often unintentionally encode prior information that is at odds with substantive knowledge in causal inference-specifically, the regularization required for high-dimensional Bayesian models to work can indirectly imply that the magnitude of the confounding is negligible. In this paper, we explain this problem and provide tools for (i) verifying that the prior distribution does not encode an inductive bias away from confounded models and (ii) verifying that the posterior distribution contains sufficient information to overcome this issue if it exists. We provide a proof-of-concept on simulated data from a high-dimensional probit-ridge regression model, and illustrate on a Bayesian nonparametric decision tree ensemble applied to a large medical expenditure survey.

PMID:37325868 | DOI:10.1111/biom.13886

J Bioinform Comput Biol. 2023 Jun 15:2350011. doi: 10.1142/S0219720023500117. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The P53 protein levels exhibit a series of pulses in response to DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs). However, the mechanism regarding how damage strength regulates physical parameters of p53 pulses remains to be elucidated. This paper established two mathematical models translating the mechanism of p53 dynamics in response to DSBs; the two models can reproduce many results observed in the experiments. Based on the models, numerical analysis suggested that the interval between pulses increases as the damage strength decreases, and we proposed that the p53 dynamical system in response to DSBs is modulated by frequency. Next, we found that the ATM positive self-feedback can realize the system characteristic that the pulse amplitude is independent of the damage strength. In addition, the pulse interval is negatively correlated with apoptosis; the greater the damage strength, the smaller the pulse interval, the faster the p53 accumulation rate, and the cells are more susceptible to apoptosis. These findings advance our understanding of the mechanism of p53 dynamical response and give new insights for experiments to probe the dynamics of p53 signaling.

PMID:37325863 | DOI:10.1142/S0219720023500117

Anthropol Anz. 2023 Jun 16. doi: 10.1127/anthranz/2023/1679. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Changes in the environment in which a particular population develops, including socio-economic factors, can influence craniofacial dimensions over time. The study aimed to investigate intergenerational changes in selected cranial measurements of adolescents (16-18 years of age) from Kraków, Poland. The analysis was based on the anthropometric measurements of four cohorts (years 1938, 1950, 2007 and 2020) of adolescents aged 16-18. Analysed characteristics included head breadth, length and head breadth-to-length ratio. The normality of each characteristic’s distribution was assessed using Shapiro-Wilk’s test, and the statistical significance of the differences between the cohorts was calculated using the two-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test. The pace of the secular changes of the analysed characteristics was also calculated. There was a secular increase in the head length from 1938 to 2020. The breadth of the head decreased between 1938 and 2007, but an increase was noted from 2007 to 2020. Changes analogous to head breadth were noted for the breadth-to-length ratio. The secular changes occurred the fastest between 2007 and 2020 for the length (18-year-olds), breadth (16-year old boys and 18-year-old girls) and the cephalic index (16-year old boys and 17-year-old girls). In conclusion, there was a tendency toward debrachycephalisation in the more contemporary cohorts. Observed changes may be associated with more favourable overall developmental conditions as well as possible changes in the growth tempo of the Polish population.

PMID:37325854 | DOI:10.1127/anthranz/2023/1679