Category: Statistics

Math Biosci Eng. 2022 May 23;19(8):7570-7585. doi: 10.3934/mbe.2022356.

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis B is a disease that damages the liver, and its control has become a public health problem that needs to be solved urgently. In this paper, we investigate analytically and numerically the dynamics of a new stochastic HBV infection model with antiviral therapies and immune response represented by CTL cells. Through using the theory of stochastic differential equations, constructing appropriate Lyapunov functions and applying Itô’s formula, we prove that the disease-free equilibrium of the stochastic HBV model is stochastically asymptotically stable in the large, which reveals that the HBV infection will be eradicated with probability one. Moreover, the asymptotic behavior of globally positive solution of the stochastic model near the endemic equilibrium of the corresponding deterministic HBV model is studied. By using the Milstein’s method, we provide the numerical simulations to support the analysis results, which shows that sufficiently small noise will not change the dynamic behavior, while large noise can induce the disappearance of the infection. In addition, the effect of inhibiting virus production is more significant than that of blocking new infection to some extent, and the combination of two treatment methods may be the better way to reduce HBV infection and the concentration of free virus.

PMID:35801436 | DOI:10.3934/mbe.2022356

Math Biosci Eng. 2022 May 19;19(8):7425-7480. doi: 10.3934/mbe.2022351.

ABSTRACT

As uncertainty and sensitivity analysis of complex models grows ever more important, the difficulty of their timely realizations highlights a need for more efficient numerical operations. Non-intrusive Polynomial Chaos methods are highly efficient and accurate methods of mapping input-output relationships to investigate complex models. There is substantial potential to increase the efficacy of the method regarding the selected sampling scheme. We examine state-of-the-art sampling schemes categorized in space-filling-optimal designs such as Latin Hypercube sampling and L1-optimal sampling and compare their empirical performance against standard random sampling. The analysis was performed in the context of L1 minimization using the least-angle regression algorithm to fit the GPCE regression models. Due to the random nature of the sampling schemes, we compared different sampling approaches using statistical stability measures and evaluated the success rates to construct a surrogate model with relative errors of <0.1%, <1%, and <10%, respectively. The sampling schemes are thoroughly investigated by evaluating the y of surrogate models constructed for various distinct test cases, which represent different problem classes covering low, medium and high dimensional problems. Finally, the sampling schemes are tested on an application example to estimate the sensitivity of the self-impedance of a probe that is used to measure the impedance of biological tissues at different frequencies. We observed strong differences in the convergence properties of the methods between the analyzed test functions.

PMID:35801431 | DOI:10.3934/mbe.2022351

Math Biosci Eng. 2022 May 20;19(8):7521-7542. doi: 10.3934/mbe.2022354.

ABSTRACT

With the development of the field of survival analysis, statistical inference of right-censored data is of great importance for the study of medical diagnosis. In this study, a right-censored data survival prediction model based on an improved composite quantile regression neural network framework, called rcICQRNN, is proposed. It incorporates composite quantile regression with the loss function of a multi-hidden layer feedforward neural network, combined with an inverse probability weighting method for survival prediction. Meanwhile, the hyperparameters involved in the neural network are adjusted using the WOA algorithm, integer encoding and One-Hot encoding are implemented to encode the classification features, and the BWOA variable selection method for high-dimensional data is proposed. The rcICQRNN algorithm was tested on a simulated dataset and two real breast cancer datasets, and the performance of the model was evaluated by three evaluation metrics. The results show that the rcICQRNN-5 model is more suitable for analyzing simulated datasets. The One-Hot encoding of the WOA-rcICQRNN-30 model is more applicable to the NKI70 data. The model results are optimal for k=15 after feature selection for the METABRIC dataset. Finally, we implemented the method for cross-dataset validation. On the whole, the Cindex results using One-Hot encoding data are more stable, making the proposed rcICQRNN prediction model flexible enough to assist in medical decision making. It has practical applications in areas such as biomedicine, insurance actuarial and financial economics.

PMID:35801434 | DOI:10.3934/mbe.2022354

Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2022 Jul 7. doi: 10.17305/bjbms.2022.6973. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Taste dysfunctions occur in a large proportion of COVID-19 patients. This observational study compared interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in mild and moderate COVID-19 patients with the type (quantitative or qualitative) of taste disorders. The 208 COVID-19 patients (118 men and 90 women) showing only taste dysfunctions as prodromic symptoms were classified as mild and moderate patients. The evaluation of the taste disorder was carried out using a survey. The IL-6 levels were measured with a chemiluminescence assay. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon rank, Welch’s, and Mann-Whitney tests (p <0.05). The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the perception of sour and salty, nor in the presence of dysgeusia and phantogeusia in moderate versus mild patients (p>0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences in the perception of umami, bitter, sweet, and the presence of parageusia in moderate versus mild patients (p<0.05). There was an impairment of multiple tastes up to ageusia in patients with high IL-6 levels. The results showed that dysfunctions in the perception of sweet, bitter, umami, and the presence of parageusia can be considered as signs of more severe forms of COVID-19.

PMID:35801415 | DOI:10.17305/bjbms.2022.6973

Drug Deliv. 2022 Dec;29(1):2058-2071. doi: 10.1080/10717544.2022.2092236.

ABSTRACT

Asthma represents a globally serious non-communicable ailment with significant public health outcomes for both pediatrics and adults triggering vast morbidity and fatality in critical cases. The β₂-adrenoceptor agonist, terbutaline sulfate (TBN), is harnessed as a bronchodilator for monitoring asthma noising symptoms. Nevertheless, the hepatic first-pass metabolism correlated with TBN oral administration mitigates its clinical performance. Likewise, the regimens of inhaled TBN dosage forms restrict its exploitation. Consequently, this work is concerned with the assimilation of TBN into a novel non-phospholipid nanovesicular paradigm termed novasomes (NVS) for direct and effective TBN pulmonary targeting. TBN-NVS were tailored based on the thin film hydration method and Box-Behnken design was applied to statistically optimize the formulation variables. Also, the aerodynamic pattern of the optimal TBN-NVS was explored via cascade impaction. Moreover, comparative pharmacokinetic studies were conducted using a rat model. TBN elicited encapsulation efficiency as high as 70%. The optimized TBN-NVS formulation disclosed an average nano-size of 223.89 nm, ζ potential of -31.17 mV and a sustained drug release up to 24 h. Additionally, it manifested snowballed in vitro lung deposition behavior in cascade impactor with a fine particle fraction of 86.44%. In vivo histopathological studies verified safety of intratracheally-administered TBN-NVS. The pharmacokinetic studies divulged 3.88-fold accentuation in TBN bioavailability from the optimum TBN-NVS versus the oral TBN solution. Concisely, the results proposed that NVS are an auspicious nanovector for TBN pulmonary delivery with integral curbing of the disease owing to target specificity.

PMID:35801404 | DOI:10.1080/10717544.2022.2092236

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2022 Jun 27. doi: 10.5507/bp.2022.029. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Analysis of the effect of technical factors, i.e. the type of stone targeting and shock wave generator, on ESWL efficacy. Evaluation of secondary outcomes to determine an optimal strategy for performing the procedure.

PATIENTS AND METHOD: In the period from 01/2016 to 07/2021, we analyzed data from patients indicated for ESWL for nephrolithiasis and proximal or distal ureterolithiasis. This was a tricenter retrospective study to evaluate stone-free rates (SFR) while taking into account the number of ESWL sessions in four selected groups of patients with comparable characteristics. A patient is considered stone-free in the absence of residual lithiasis or with an asymptomatic residue of up to 2 mm. The real-time ultrasound-guided (USG) arm consisted of a group of 120 patients on the electromagnetic STORZ SLK lithotripter in the period from 02/2017 to 02/2020. A total of three comparison arms with x-ray guidance were created: A: 68 patients between 01/2016 and 03/2017 on the Medilit 7 electrohydraulic lithotripter. B: 72 patients from 04/2017 to 10/2017 on the Sonolith i-sys electroconductive lithotripter (EDAP). C: 120 patients from 03/2018 to 07/2021 on the STORZ SLK electromagnetic lithotripter. By comparing the US and x-ray guidance using the STORZ SLK lithotripter, the effect of targeting when using an identical device (electromagnetic generator) was evaluated. By comparing the arms A, B, and C, the efficacy in different types of generators – electromagnetic, electroconductive, electrohydraulic – was assessed when the same type of targeting (fluoroscopy) was used. The secondary parameters that were monitored included: the rate of use of auxiliary techniques in stone management; radiation exposure for the patient and/or operator; analgesic consumption; and the time required to perform the procedure.

RESULTS: When US versus x-ray guidance was compared in an electromagnetic lithotripter, SFRs of 90% vs. 85% (P=0.329), i.e. statistically comparable results, were obtained. By comparing electromagnetic, electroconductive, and electrohydraulic generators with fluoroscopy, SFRs of 85%, 88.9%, and 88.2% were obtained, respectively (P=0.727). When the degree of need for intraoperative analgesic administration was assessed, the electromagnetic generator was found to have a significantly lower consumption (20.8% vs. 30.6% vs. 48.5%) (P=0.0005). Values less than 1095 HU and 108.5 mm were shown to be optimal cut-off values for stone density and skin-to-stone distance, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Based on our comparative analysis, the noninferiority of US stone targeting was demonstrated compared to fluoroscopic targeting. No significant differences in ESWL efficacy were found using electrohydraulic, electroconductive or electromagnetic shock wave generators. With the electromagnetic lithotripter, there was a significantly lower analgesic consumption than with the electrohydraulic type.

PMID:35801399 | DOI:10.5507/bp.2022.029

Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2022 Jul 8. doi: 10.1111/sms.14206. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Over the last few years there has been considerable increase in scientific knowledge about women’s football. However, the tactical and tactical-strategic aspects have not yet been sufficiently covered in scientific literature. Therefore, this work proposed the following aims: to describe how the offensive phase is produced in women’s football, to identify the significant statistical criteria that may be modulating success in attack, and finally to propose different predictive success models, with the ultimate aim of passing this knowledge on to the applied field. The observational methodology was used, one of the most appropriate methodologies for the analysis of motor behaviors in sport. The units of analysis collected and analysed were 6,063 attacks carried out during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 and France 2019. The available results demonstrate that, on the one hand, offensive team actions are ineffective (almost 70% finish unsuccessfully), but criteria such as the start form of the attack, zone of ball possession, partial match result or ball possession time are statistically significant criteria that modulate attack success (goal, shot or pass into the area). Lastly, the multivariate results allow us to propose a theoretical model, passing the probability of success from 31% in the absence of a model, to a theoretical auction probability of 52.6%, based on fast attacks with the intervention of few players, and with possession zone in the opposite field. These results could be directly transferred to the practical field where trainers and technical bodies can put this information into practice in training sessions or matches.

PMID:35801395 | DOI:10.1111/sms.14206

Exp Dermatol. 2022 Jul 8. doi: 10.1111/exd.14641. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a subtype of cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL). Topical or systemic treatment with psoralen, such as 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), followed by ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation (PUVA therapy) is an effective phototherapy for early-stage MF. However, the efficacy of PUVA therapy for advanced-stage MF is not satisfactory, and the ideal combination partner for PUVA therapy has not yet been found. In this study, we developed a new mouse model of CTCL in which efficacy of PUVA was detected and further evaluated the efficacy of combination treatment of PUVA and mogamulizumab, an anti-CCR4 monoclonal antibody. Cytotoxicity of PUVA therapy against HH cells, a CTCL cell line, was observed in vitro. The cytotoxicity was dependent on both 8-MOP and UVA. Using HH cells, we developed a mouse model in which HH cells were subcutaneously inoculated in the ear. In this model, PUVA therapy suppressed tumor growth with statistical significance, while 8-MOP or UVA alone did not. Combination therapy of PUVA and mogamulizumab showed greater antitumor activity than either monotherapy with statistical significance. In the histological analysis of the tumor tissue, PUVA accelerated tumor necrosis and then induced the infiltration inflammatory cells in the necrotic area, suggesting that these cells served as effector cells for mogamulizumab. This combination therapy is expected to be a beneficial option for CTCL therapy.

PMID:35801380 | DOI:10.1111/exd.14641

Aust Endod J. 2022 Jul 8. doi: 10.1111/aej.12656. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to determine whether inhibitory effects of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) on mineralisation in dental pulp (DP) cultures were associated with changes in the expression of genes regulating phosphate balance (Enpp1, Ank, Slc20a2, Alpl, Phospho1, and Xpr1). DP cultures growing under mineralisation-inducing conditions were exposed to FGF2 and inhibitors of the FGFR and MEK/ERK1/2 signaling pathways. Mineralisation, culture cellularity, and gene expression were examined at various time points. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance followed by the Holm-Šídák test. Control cultures exhibited transient increases in Enpp1 and Ank, continuous increases in Alpl, Phospho1, and Xpr1, and continuous decreases in Slc20a2. FGF2 increased Enpp1, Ank, and Slc20a2 and decreased Alpl, Phospho1, and Xpr1, whereas the FGF2 withdrawal and inhibition of FGFR and MEK/ERK1/2 exerted opposite effects. These changes suggest that FGF2-mediated decreases in mineralisation could be functionally coupled to the altered regulation of phosphate formation and transport.

PMID:35801357 | DOI:10.1111/aej.12656

Turk J Anaesthesiol Reanim. 2022 Jun;50(3):219-224. doi: 10.5152/TJAR.2022.21108.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Local anaesthetics administered into the peritoneal cavity have been successfully used for post-operative pain relief in minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures. We intended to study and compare nebulized intraperitoneal ropivacaine with and without nalbuphine, with a placebo for post-operative pain relief in these surgeries.

METHODS: A prospective, randomized double-blinded study was conducted over a period of 1 year after institutional ethical clearance, in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Subjects were randomized into 3 groups (S: saline, R: ropivacaine, RN: ropiva- caine plus nalbuphine). The pain was assessed in the post-operative period using NRS scores (up to 24 hours). Kruskal-Wallis test was used for comparison, P < .05 was considered significant. Time to first rescue analgesia, total opioid requirement, and side effects were also recorded.

RESULTS: Groups were similar in terms of demographic data. Patients in the placebo group reported higher NRS scores than the other 2 study groups till 4 hours post-operative (earlier rescue analgesia). The addition of nalbuphine did not cause any statistically significant improvement in post-operative pain relief (NRS) as compared to ropivacaine administered alone. Intraperitoneal ropivacaine nebulization had no significant adverse effect as compared to placebo.

CONCLUSIONS: Ropivacaine nebulization with or without nalbuphine is more effective than placebo for post-operative pain relief after lapa- roscopic cholecystectomy without significant side effects. Addition of nalbuphine to ropivacaine nebulization does not significantly improve pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

PMID:35801329 | DOI:10.5152/TJAR.2022.21108