Category: Statistics

Geobiology. 2022 Oct 2. doi: 10.1111/gbi.12529. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microbialites provide a record of the interaction of microorganisms with their environment constituting a record of microbial life and environments through geologic time. Our capacity to interpret this record is limited by an incomplete understanding of the microbial, geochemical, and physical processes that influence microbialite formation and morphogenesis. The modern system Laguna Negra in Catamarca Province, Argentina contains microbialites in a zone of carbonate precipitation associated with physico-chemical gradients and variable microbial community structure, making it an ideal location to study how these processes interact to drive microbialite formation. In this study, we investigated the geospatial relationships between carbonate morphology, geochemistry, and microbial community at the macro- (decimeter) to mega- (meter) scale by combining high-resolution imagery with field observations. We mapped the distribution of carbonate morphologies and allochtonously-derived volcaniclasts and correlated these with sedimentary matrices and geochemical parameters. Our work shows that the macroscale distribution of different carbonate morphologies spatially correlates with microbial mat distributions-a result consistent with previous microscale observations. Specifically, microbialitic carbonate morphologies more commonly occur associated with microbial mats while abiotically derived carbonate morphologies were less commonly associated with microbial mats. Spatial variability in the size and abundance of mineralized structures was also observed, however, the processes controlling this variability remains unclear and likely represent a combination of microbial, geochemical, and physical processes. Likewise, the processes controlling the spatial distribution of microbial mats at Laguna Negra are also unresolved. Our results suggest that in addition to the physical drivers observed in other modern environments, variability in the spatial distribution of microbialites and other carbonate morphologies at the macro- to megascale can be controlled by microbial processes. Overall, this study provides insight into the interpretation of microbialite occurrence and distributions in the geologic record and highlights the utility of geospatial statistics to probe the controls of microbialite formation in other environments.

PMID:36183342 | DOI:10.1111/gbi.12529

J Dig Dis. 2022 Oct 2. doi: 10.1111/1751-2980.13134. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Clostridioides difficile Infection (CDI) is known for significant morbidity and mortality. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is an effective therapy for recurrent and resistant CDI. However, its impact on the mortality rate of patients with severe and fulminant CDI has not been rigorously studied yet. We evaluated the effectiveness of FMT on the mortality rate of patients with severe or fulminant CDI in a community hospital system.

METHODS: Our study included 106 inpatients with severe or fulminant CDI. Both standard of care (SOC) and FMT were provided to 14 (13.2%) patients (FMT group). SOC antibiotics alone were provided to 92 (86.8%) patients out of whom we selected 28 controls via propensity score matching (SOC group).

RESULTS: The primary outcome was defined as the composite endpoint of mortality during admission, within 30 and 90 days after discharge, and discharge with comfort measures only. Each component was a secondary endpoint. The primary outcome rate in the FMT group was 7.1% (n=1/14) compared to 25% (n=7/28) in the SOC group. The univariate analysis demonstrated that FMT decreases mortality (odds ratio = 0.08, 95% confidence intervals 0.01 – 0.58, P = 0.01), however multivariate regression did not show statistical significance (odds ratio = 0.15, 95% confidence intervals 0.01 – 2.53, P = 0.19) possibly due to the small sample size.

CONCLUSIONS: FMT may decrease the mortality of patients with severe and fulminant CDI, and larger studies are needed to validate these findings.

PMID:36183340 | DOI:10.1111/1751-2980.13134

Health Econ. 2022 Oct 2. doi: 10.1002/hec.4607. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We study the health impact of food and beverage price promotion strategies-multi-buy offers and price discounts, typically biased toward unhealthy product categories-in British consumer retail. We are the first to employ econometric models from the marketing literature to analyze the impact of price promotions with a focus on population health. Our dynamic, reduced form demand model incorporates endogenous inventory (stock piling), consumption rates imputed from repeat purchases and allows for unobserved household heterogeneity. We find that removing price discounts is more effective for reducing purchase volume compared to removing multi-buy offers for 10 out of 12 food and drink groups, particularly those products for which price reduction is more common than multibuy. We find that price promotions induce consumption-and waste -through behavioral effects, associated with increased household inventory (stockpiling).

PMID:36183337 | DOI:10.1002/hec.4607

Med J Aust. 2022 Oct 2;217 Suppl 7:S22-S28. doi: 10.5694/mja2.51693.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of peer-facilitated interventions for improving the physical health of people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and random effects meta-analysis of peer-facilitated interventions for people with serious mental illness, including schizophrenia spectrum disorders, in which physical health outcomes were assessed.

DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, CENTRAL, and PubMed. In addition, reference lists of reviews were examined for further relevant studies published to 10 November 2021.

DATA SYNTHESIS: We included fourteen publications (thirteen randomised controlled trials of ten peer-facilitated interventions, and one secondary analysis; total of 2099 participants) that assessed physical health outcomes for people with mental health conditions, including schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Intervention duration ranged from three to eighteen months; peers were involved as sole or co-leaders of the programs in group or individual sessions. Meta-analysis identified a statistically significant pooled effect on physical activity and capacity (various measures; six studies; 468 intervention, 461 control participants; standardised mean difference, +0.19 standard deviation [SD]; 95% CI, +0.06-0.32 SD; I² = 0%); overall GRADE certainty of evidence was low. Marked study heterogeneity precluded secure conclusions regarding intervention effects on self-rated physical health, healthy eating, and body mass index.

CONCLUSIONS: Peer-facilitated interventions for improving physical outcomes are feasible for people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, a group at particular risk of certain physical health conditions. Further research is required to assess the effects of such interventions on other health-related parameters.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION: CRD42021283578 (retrospective).

PMID:36183320 | DOI:10.5694/mja2.51693

Med J Aust. 2022 Oct 2;217 Suppl 7:S7-S21. doi: 10.5694/mja2.51680.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To review recent published trials of nutrition and dietary interventions for people with serious mental illness; to assess their effectiveness in improving metabolic syndrome risk factors.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised and non-randomised controlled trials of interventions with a nutrition/diet-related component delivered to people with serious mental illness, published 1 January 2010 – 6 September 2021. Primary outcomes were weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. Secondary outcomes were total serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood glucose levels.

DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and CENTRAL databases. In addition, reference lists of relevant publications were examined for further additional studies.

DATA SYNTHESIS: Twenty-five studies encompassing 26 intervention arms were included in our analysis. Eight studies were at low or some risk of bias, seventeen were deemed to be at high risk. Eight of seventeen intervention arms found statistically significant intervention effects on weight, ten of 24 on BMI, and seven of seventeen on waist circumference. The pooled effects of nutrition interventions on metabolic syndrome risk factors were statistically non-significant. However, we identified small size effects on weight for interventions delivered by dietitians (five studies; 262 intervention, 258 control participants; standardised mean difference [SMD], -0.28; 95% CI, -0.51 to -0.04) and interventions consisting of individual sessions only (three studies; 141 intervention, 134 control participants; SMD, -0.30; 95% CI, -0.54 to -0.06).

CONCLUSIONS: We found only limited evidence for nutrition interventions improving metabolic syndrome risk factors in people with serious mental illness. However, they may be more effective when delivered on an individual basis or by dietitians.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION: CRD42021235979 (prospective).

PMID:36183316 | DOI:10.5694/mja2.51680

Cancer Causes Control. 2022 Oct 2. doi: 10.1007/s10552-022-01636-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Little is known about cancer survivors’ needs in Alaska. To address this knowledge gap, the Alaska Cancer Partnership conducted a needs assessment survey; our objectives were to identify unmet needs of Alaska’s cancer survivors; identify survivor sub-populations that might benefit from targeted interventions or programming; and develop recommendations for public health and community organizations and healthcare providers for addressing cancer survivors’ unmet needs.

METHODS: Cancer survivors were identified using data from the Alaska Cancer Registry. A random sample of 2,600 individuals was selected to receive the survey, which assessed unmet needs across the following domains: information needs and medical care issues; quality of life; emotional and relationship issues related to cancer diagnoses; and support services. We calculated descriptive statistics for survey responses and assessed demographic predictors of unmet needs using Poisson regression.

RESULTS: We received 335 survey responses, for a response of 13.7%. Only 29.9% of cancer survivors expressed that all their needs were met. The most highly ranked unmet needs were as follows: help to reduce stress in life; to know doctors were coordinating care; and managing concerns about cancer coming back. After adjustment, men, adults younger than 65 at diagnosis, Alaska Native people, survivors still receiving or who had recently received care, and people who had to travel 50+ miles for most of their care had significantly greater unmet needs than their comparison groups.

CONCLUSION: This assessment provided some of the first information regarding the needs of Alaska’s cancer survivors. These results will be used by Alaska Cancer Partnership members across the state to inform healthcare delivery, programs, and public health messaging to support survivors.

PMID:36183311 | DOI:10.1007/s10552-022-01636-0

Eur J Nutr. 2022 Oct 2. doi: 10.1007/s00394-022-03017-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of an anti-inflammatory compared to a low-calorie diet on the physical and mental health of patients with knee OA.

METHODS: In this randomized parallel clinical trial, participants were selected among overweight and obese women aged 40 years or older with mild to moderate OA. Sixty women with a ratio of 1:1 were randomly assigned to receive either low-calorie or anti-inflammatory accompanied by a low-calorie diet for two months. The dietary intake and weight of participants were measured. Study variables were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Index (WOMAC), visual analog pain scale (VAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI-I), and the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) to indicate the quality of life (QoL).

RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in demographic and baseline variables except for the emotional well-being subscale of QoL. There was significant difference in anti-inflammatory compared to low-calorie diet in terms of weight (MD (95% CI): – 4.02 kg (- 6.77 to – 1.28); p = 0.005), VAS (MD (95% CI): – 0.97 (- 1.53 to – 0.41); p = 0.001), WOMAC-total score (MD (95% CI): – 9.91 (- 15.05 to – 4.78); p < 0.001), WOMAC-pain subscale (MD (95% CI): – 3.30 (- 5.30 to – 1.29); p = 0.002), WOMAC-physical function (MD(95% CI): – 5.48 (- 9.41 to – 1.53); p = 0.007), depression (p = 0.003), anxiety (p = 0.011), QoL-physical functioning (0.041), and QoL-pain (0.010) after the intervention.

CONCLUSION: An anti-inflammatory accompanied by a low-calorie diet resulted in greater weight loss and greater improvement in pain intensity, functional status, depression, anxiety, and some dimension of QoL in overweight and obese women with knee OA compared to the low-calorie diet. Trial registration number and date of registration: IRCT201610220030424N2; 2018-04-23.

PMID:36183308 | DOI:10.1007/s00394-022-03017-4

Acta Neurol Belg. 2022 Oct 2. doi: 10.1007/s13760-022-02097-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Arachnoid granulations (AG) can be located anywhere outside the dural sinuses. Their presence is thought to be associated with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. It was aimed to evaluate the intraosseous AGs located in the middle and anterior cranial fosses in detail with three-dimensional T2-SPACE (Sampling Perfection with Application optimized Contrasts using different flip angle Evolution-Siemens) imaging and to investigate their clinical significance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-five intraosseous AG of 46 patients were included in this retrospective study. The highest diameter, bone indentation degree (in the inner tabula, diploe distance, reaching and exceeding the outer tabula), content (CSF/+parenchyma) of each AG were evaluated by 2 experienced radiologists. In addition, the presence of other MRI findings supporting IIH was examined.

RESULTS: Additional signs of IIH were detected in 25 patients, and they were statistically significantly more common in the middle cranial fossa. Parenchymal herniation (in four patients) was more common in the young population.

CONCLUSIONS: Intraosseous AGs can be evaluated in detail with T2-SPACE imaging. Determining intraosseous AG is very important both as an indicator of IIH and in terms of its content. T2-SPACE imaging is superior to CT and conventional sequences in this regard.

PMID:36183280 | DOI:10.1007/s13760-022-02097-7

J Cancer Educ. 2022 Oct 2. doi: 10.1007/s13187-022-02223-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In Colombia, prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer for incidence and mortality in men, which turns it into a public health problem. For high-risk communities to better understand the usefulness of basic research about PCa, a strategy of social appropriation of knowledge (SAK) in science and cancer was designed and implemented. A pedagogical activity and two tests (a pre-test and a post-test) were applied to middle education students in four schools in three Colombian cities to identify previous knowledge of biology concepts and cancer perceptions. As for biology concepts, there was a statistically significant increase (p < 0.01) in the total results of all questions in the post-test, especially in items related to the structure of DNA, differences between RNA and DNA, and codon. Similarly, better success rates were observed in questions about replication and mutation, and a statistically significant improvement related to the definition of cancer, cancer prevention, and its association with culture or ethnicity (p < 0.01). The results of the open question show what students learned about or were interested in the most, as evidence of the exchange of knowledge in those cities and the social appropriation of knowledge about PCa in Colombia. These findings show that this type of intervention, in diverse social contexts, is essential to improve understanding and perceptions that link school and scientific knowledge to a real problem, such as health and, in this case, cancer.

PMID:36183277 | DOI:10.1007/s13187-022-02223-2

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2022 Oct 2. doi: 10.1007/s00402-022-04620-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Posterolateral approach has been advocated for the treatment of ankle fractures involving the posterior malleolus and satisfactory results were demonstrated in several studies. The Bartonicek classification based on 3-dimensional CT scanning was commonly used for treatment recommendation of posterior malleolar fracture (PMF). The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical effect of the posterolateral approach for the treatment of PMF and present outcomes of patients with different types of Bartonicek classification.

METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical outcomes of 72 patients with ankle fractures involving posterior malleolus (PM) from January 2016 to December 2018. Posterior malleolus fractures (PMFs) were all directly reduced and fixed by a posterolateral approach using lag screws and/or buttress plates. AOFAS score and VAS pain score were used as the primary functional outcome measures. The radiographic evaluation included the quality of the reduction and Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) osteoarthritis classification. According to the CT-based Bartonicek classification, all patients were classified into three groups: 42 type II, 18 type III and 12 type IV. Bartonicek type II patients were further divided into subtype IIa 19 cases, subtype IIb 16 cases and subtype IIc 7 cases. The radiological and functional outcomes were analyzed among different types and subtypes of Bartonicek classification.

RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients (94.5%) achieved good or excellent reduction of PMF after surgery. The mean AOFAS score was 81.35 ± 6.15 at 6 months and 90.56 ± 4.98 at the final follow-up, respectively. The VAS score was 6.62 ± 1.03 one week after surgery, and 1.20 ± 0.92 at the final follow-up. Radiological evaluation at the final follow-up showed that primary bone union was achieved in all patients and 65 patients (88.9%) got no (KL grade 0) or just doubtable (KL grade 1) post-traumatic osteoarthritis. AOFAS scores decreased significantly with the severity of Bartonicek classification at 6 month (p < 0.001) and final follow-up (p < 0.05), while there was no statistical difference of VAS pain score among different types of Bartonicek classification. Reduction quality and the presence of osteoarthritis was not correlated to Bartonicek classification either. Besides, AOFAS scores at the final follow-up were statistically different among three subtypes of Bartonicek type II fractures (p < 0.05), and Bartonicek subtype IIa fractures had the highest AOFAS scores as 93 ± 4.99. Presence and severity of osteoarthritis was lower in patients with subtype IIa PMF compared to other subtype groups, this finding was statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The posterolateral approach could achieve good clinical outcomes in the treatment of posterior malleolus fracture. Patients with a Bartonicek type II fracture had a better functional outcome measured by the AOFAS score compared to other types. Bartonicek type IIa fractures got a higher AOFAS score and a lower incidence of osteoarthritis at the final follow-up than the other two subtypes. Classification of PMFs according to the Bartonicek classification was reliable.

PMID:36183274 | DOI:10.1007/s00402-022-04620-0