Category: Statistics

Behav Brain Sci. 2022 Jul 25;45:e129. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X22000577.

ABSTRACT

Extended staying alive theory (SAT) raises the issue of the extent to which its various attributes are linked or whether they provide alternative means to the same adaptive ends. Theories such as SAT that consider an array of sex differences may benefit from the application of the multivariate D statistic, rather than using a series of d values, as is common at present.

PMID:35875974 | DOI:10.1017/S0140525X22000577

Head Neck. 2022 Jul 25. doi: 10.1002/hed.27153. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To analyze outcomes of patients treated with curative reirradiation (reRT), with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or proton therapy (PT) for recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

MATERIALS: Among the 55 patients reirradiated for head and neck cancer from 30/08/2012 to 08/04/2019, 23 had HNSCC and received IMRT (52.2%) or PT (47.8%) at a median maximum dose to the CTV of 66 Gy.

RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 41.3 months, 18 patients developed a locoregional recurrence (LR), of which eight (44.4%) occurred within the previously reirradiated volume. Two-year locoregional failure-free survival and overall survival were 18.3%[95%CI:7.1%-47.1%] and 42.5%[95%CI:26.2%-69.1%], respectively. Disease-free survival was significantly longer in the PT group (p = 0.031). Main late grade ≥2 toxicities were dysphagia and trismus.

CONCLUSION: Curative reRT in HNSCC is possible for selected cases, but the LR rate in the irradiated field and the risk of toxicity grade ≥2 remain high.

PMID:35875934 | DOI:10.1002/hed.27153

Clin Exp Dermatol. 2022 Jul 25. doi: 10.1111/ced.15342. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune chronic rheumatic disease with notable mortality that continues to be a challenge for clinicians today.

OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in mortality trends in the Spanish SSc population between 1980 and 2019, considering the independent effect of sex, age, period and birth cohort.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: SSc death records and mid-year population data were collected from the National Statistics Institute. Age-standardized mortality rates were calculated for the overall population and for each sex and age group. Significant changes in mortality trends were identified by Joinpoint regressions. Similarly, an age-period-cohort (APC) and potential years of life lost (PYLL) analysis were performed to know the burden of SSc.

RESULTS: Age-standardized mortality rates due to SSc increased from 1.87 (95% CI: 1.00; 3.02) per 1,000,000 inhabitants between 1980 and 1984, to 2.47 (95% CI: 1.74; 3.02) per 1,000,000 inhabitants between 2015 and 2019. The relative risk of mortality fell in cohorts born after 1990 in all groups. The PYLL rates registered a gradual rise in both sexes.

CONCLUSIONS: Mortality due to SSc in Spain Spain experienced a rise in overall mortality trend during the 39 years of study evaluated, although the male group showed a progressive drop.

PMID:35875897 | DOI:10.1111/ced.15342

Anim Biotechnol. 2022 Jul 23:1-9. doi: 10.1080/10495398.2022.2101117. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Selection of Murrah buffaloes based on production, reproduction, and health traits play an important role in sustainable genetic improvement. With the aim to construct an index comprising of production, reproduction and health traits of Murrah buffaloes, the production and reproduction data during a 50-year span (1971-2020) and for health traits data of 27 years (1994-2020) were analyzed. Various three, four, five, and six trait combinations of production, reproduction, and health traits were explored for construction of performance indices. The income and expenditure method was used to calculate relative economic values (REV) for traits under consideration. A total of 37 performance indices were constructed using a multi-trait combination of production, reproduction, and health traits. Out of 37 indices, the (ADMY-PY-DO-AFC-FF) based index was identified as the best, with 78%, 2%, and 20% weightage given to production, reproduction, and female fertility, respectively. Furthermore, when REVs of traits were increased by 25% and 50%, there was no change observed in the relative importance of traits in the best index, indicating that the index was robust to substantial increases in economic values. Therefore, it is recommended that the above constructed composite selection index can be employed in selection of female buffaloes to achieve sustainable genetic gain.

PMID:35875885 | DOI:10.1080/10495398.2022.2101117

Respirology. 2022 Jul 25. doi: 10.1111/resp.14333. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Prediction of disease course in patients with progressive pulmonary fibrosis remains challenging. The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic value of lung fibrosis extent quantified at computed tomography (CT) using data-driven texture analysis (DTA) in a large cohort of well-characterized patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) enrolled in a national registry.

METHODS: This retrospective analysis included participants in the Australian IPF Registry with available CT between 2007 and 2016. CT scans were analysed using the DTA method to quantify the extent of lung fibrosis. Demographics, longitudinal pulmonary function and quantitative CT metrics were compared using descriptive statistics. Linear mixed models, and Cox analyses adjusted for age, gender, BMI, smoking history and treatment with anti-fibrotics were performed to assess the relationships between baseline DTA, pulmonary function metrics and outcomes.

RESULTS: CT scans of 393 participants were analysed, 221 of which had available pulmonary function testing obtained within 90 days of CT. Linear mixed-effect modelling showed that baseline DTA score was significantly associated with annual rate of decline in forced vital capacity and diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide. In multivariable Cox proportional hazard models, greater extent of lung fibrosis was associated with poorer transplant-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] 1.20, p < 0.0001) and progression-free survival (HR 1.14, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: In a multi-centre observational registry of patients with IPF, the extent of fibrotic abnormality on baseline CT quantified using DTA is associated with outcomes independent of pulmonary function.

PMID:35875881 | DOI:10.1111/resp.14333

Cardiovasc Res. 2022 Jul 25:cvac116. doi: 10.1093/cvr/cvac116. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Elevated blood pressure (BP) is a prevalent modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and contributes to cognitive decline in late life. Despite the fact that functional changes may precede irreversible structural damage and emerge in an ongoing manner, studies have been predominantly informed by brain structure and group-level inferences. Here, we aim to delineate neurobiological correlates of BP at an individual level using machine learning and functional connectivity.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Based on whole-brain functional connectivity from the UK Biobank, we built a machine learning model to identify neural representations for individuals’ past (∼8.9 years before scanning, N = 35,882), current (N = 31,367), and future (∼2.4 years follow-up, N = 3,138) BP levels within a repeated cross-validation framework. We examined the impact of multiple potential covariates, as well as assessed these models’ generalizability across various contexts.The predictive models achieved significant correlations between predicted and actual systolic/diastolic BP and pulse pressure while controlling for multiple confounders. Predictions for participants not on antihypertensive medication were more accurate than for currently medicated patients. Moreover, the models demonstrated robust generalizability across contexts in terms of ethnicities, imaging centers, medication status, participant visits, gender, age, and BMI. The identified connectivity patterns primarily involved the cerebellum, prefrontal, anterior insula, anterior cingulate cortex, supramarginal gyrus, and precuneus, which are key regions of the central autonomic network, and involved in cognition processing and susceptible to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease. Results also showed more involvement of default mode and frontoparietal networks in predicting future BP levels and in medicated participants.

CONCLUSION: This study, based on the largest neuroimaging sample currently available and using machine learning, identifies brain signatures underlying BP, providing evidence for meaningful BP-associated neural representations in connectivity profiles.

PMID:35875865 | DOI:10.1093/cvr/cvac116

Clin Respir J. 2022 Jul 24. doi: 10.1111/crj.13526. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the major cause of infection-related mortality worldwide. Patients with CAP frequently present with admission hyperglycemia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between admission blood glucose (ABG) level and clinical outcomes in elderly CAP patients (≥80 years of age) with or without diabetes.

METHODS: In this single center retrospective study, 290 elderly patients diagnosed with CAP were included. Demographic and clinical information were collected and compared. The associations between admission blood glucose level and the 30-day mortality as well as intensive care unit (ICU) admission and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in elderly CAP patients with or without diabetes were assessed.

RESULTS: Of the 290 eligible patients with CAP, 159 (66.5%) patients were male, and 64 (22.1%) had a known history of diabetes at hospital admission. After adjusting for age and sex, the logistic regression analysis had identified several risk factors that might be associated with clinical outcomes in elderly patients with CAP. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that admission glucose level > 11.1 mmol/L was significant associated with ICU admission, IMV, and 30-day mortality both in non-diabetic and diabetic patients. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients with higher admission glucose level were correlated statistically significantly with 30-day mortality in patients with CAP (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Admission blood glucose is correlated with 30-day hospital mortality, ICU admission, and IMV of CAP in elderly patients with and without diabetes. Specially, admission glucose > 11.1 mmol/L was a significant risk factor for 30-day hospital mortality.

PMID:35871756 | DOI:10.1111/crj.13526

Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2022 Jul;53(4):676-681. doi: 10.12182/20220760105.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application value of the “three-low” technique (low radiation dose, low contrast agent dosage and low contrast agent flow rate) combined with artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction (AIIR) in aortic CT angiography (CTA).

METHODS: A total of 33 patients who underwent aortic CTA were prospectively enrolled. Based on the time of their follow-up examinations, the imaging data were divided into Group A and Group B, with Group A being the control group (100 kV, 0.8 mL/kg, 5 mL/s) and Group B being the “three-low” technique group (70 kV, 0.5 mL/kg, 3 mL/s). In group A, the images were reconstructed by Karl iterative algorithm. Group B was divided into B1 and B2 subgroups, with their images being reconstructed by Karl iterative algorithm and AIIR, respectively. The CT and SD values of the ascending aorta, descending aorta, abdominal aorta, left common iliac artery and right common iliac artery were measured, and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated. The subjective scoring of image quality was performed. The radiation dose parameters were documented.

RESULTS: Differences in the CT value, SD value, SNR and CNR of the three groups were statistically significant ( P<0.001). The CT value, SNR and CNR of group B2 were significantly higher than those of group B1, while the SD value of group B2 was significantly lower than that of group B1 ( P<0.017). There was no significant difference between the CT values of group A and those of group B2 ( P>0.017). The SD values, SNR and CNR in group B2 were better than those in group A ( P>0.017). There was significant difference in the subjective evaluation of image quality among the three groups ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between group A and group B2 ( P>0.017). The radiation dose and contrast medium dosage in group B decreased 84.14% and 37.08%, respectively, compared with those of group A.

CONCLUSION: With the “three-low” technique combined with AIIR algorithm, the image quality of aortic CTA obtained is comparable to that of conventional dose scanning, while the radiation dose, contrast agent dosage and contrast agent flow rate of patients are significantly reduced.

PMID:35871740 | DOI:10.12182/20220760105

Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2022 Jul;53(4):688-695. doi: 10.12182/20220760506.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of pathogenic bacteria in blood samples and changes in their drug resistance in our hospital from 2016 to 2020, and to provide evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical bloodstream infections.

METHODS: Bruker Corporation’s matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was used for bacterial identification, VITEK 2 Compact was used for antimicrobial susceptibility test, some of which was done with the Kirby-Bauer method, and the data was statistically analyzed with WHONET 5.6 software.

RESULTS: A total of 8931 bacterial strains, including 4502 (50.4%) Gram-positive bacteria and 4429 (49.6%) Gram-negative bacteria, were isolated from the blood samples between 2016 and 2020. Among the isolated bacteria of the order Enterobacterales, Escherichia coli (1773, 19.9%) ranked first, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (1067, 11.9%). The non-fermenting bacteria identified were predominantly Acinetobacter baumannii (293, 3.3%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (238, 2.7%). The top three Staphylococcus species were Staphylococcus epidermidis (970 strains, 10.9%), Staphylococcus hominis (713, 8.0%) and Staphylococcus aureus (541, 6.1%). Escherichia coli showed high in vitro susceptibility to cefoperazone/sulbactam, amikacin, polymyxin B, tigecycline, and carbapenems, and the sensitivity rate was consistently over 90%. The resistance rate to imipenem showed a trend of slow growth, and the resistance rate of meropenem was 2.2% to 3.4%. Klebsiella pneumoniae showed higher in vitro resistance rate to common antibiotics than that of Escherichia coli, with only the sensitivity rates to tigecycline and polymyxin B being higher than 90%, and the resistance rate to imipenem and meropenem increasing year by year. The resistance rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to imipenem decreased since 2017 (from 25.6% to18.6%), and the resistance rate of Acinetobacter baumanniito imipenem and meropenem were 73.7%-91.3% and 73.0%-91.3%. Staphylococcus resistant to vancomycin or linezolid was not found. Enterococci showed rather low resistance to vancomycin and linezolid.

CONCLUSION: The distribution of common species of pathogenic bacteria in clinical blood samples in our hospital did not show significant changes, but the problem of multi-drug resistant bacteria is becoming increasingly more serious, especially so for carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae.

PMID:35871742 | DOI:10.12182/20220760506

Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2022 Jul;53(4):663-669. doi: 10.12182/20220760104.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the supply and demand adaptation of nursery care services for children under 3 in Sichuan Province and to provide strategic suggestions for optimizing nursery care services in Sichuan Province.

METHODS: Data on the supply and demand of nursery school services in all 21 cities (prefectures) of Sichuan Province were collected with questionnaires for nursery care institutions and family needs questionnaires. Applying the theory of supply and demand adaptability, we analyzed the adaptability of nursery care services in Sichuan Province in four dimensions, including relevance, adaptability, accessibility and quality.

RESULTS: A total of 6883 valid institutional questionnaires and 41081 valid family questionnaires were collected. The analysis of the adaptability of supply and demand showed that there was insufficient adaptability in all four dimensions of relevance, adaptability, accessibility, and quality of nursery care services for children under 3 in Sichuan Province, which was characterized by the coexistence of insufficient supply and underutilization of services, the mismatch between the structure of services provided and the needs of families with children under 3, low economic accessibility for the general population, and low quality of services.

CONCLUSION: There is insufficient adaptability in the supply and demand of nursery care services for children under 3 in Sichuan Province. Demand-oriented supply-side reforms should be implemented to promote the construction of a system of government-subsidized affordable nursery care services, reinforced support for the care of infants and toddlers for families, standardized management of infant and toddler care institutions, and the implementation of various supportive policies so as to comprehensively meet the diversified needs of infant and toddler care and promote their healthy growth.

PMID:35871738 | DOI:10.12182/20220760104