Category: Statistics

Neurotrauma Rep. 2022 Mar 15;3(1):129-138. doi: 10.1089/neur.2021.0026. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

Football exposes its players to traumatic brain, neck, and spinal injury. It is unknown whether the adolescent football player develops imaging abnormalities of the brain and spine that are detectable on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The objective of this observational study was to identify potential MRI signatures of early brain and cervical spine (c-spine) injury in high school football players. Eighteen football players (mean age, 17.0 ± 1.5 years; mean career length, 6.3 ± 4.0 years) had a baseline brain MRI, and 7 had a follow-up scan 9-42 months later. C-spine MRIs were performed on 11 of the 18 subjects, and 5 had a follow-up scan. C-spine MRIs from 12 age-matched hospital controls were also retrospectively retrieved. Brain MRIs were reviewed by a neuroradiologist, and no cerebral microbleeds were detected. Three readers (a neuroradiologist, a neurosurgeon, and an orthopedic spine surgeon) studied the cervical intervertebral discs at six different cervical levels and graded degeneration using an established five-grade scoring system. We observed no statistically significant difference in disc degeneration or any trend toward increased disc degeneration in the c-spine of football players as compared with age-matched controls. Further research is needed to validate our findings and better understand the true impact of contact sports on young athletes.

PMID:35403100 | PMC:PMC8985528 | DOI:10.1089/neur.2021.0026

Cancer Diagn Progn. 2021 Nov 3;1(5):393-398. doi: 10.21873/cdp.10052. eCollection 2021 Nov-Dec.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIM: Advanced understanding of screening and therapeutic modalities acts as provision for increased survival in patients diagnosed with optic nerve gliomas. Secondary primary malignancies (SPMs) in patients diagnosed with primary optic nerve glioma (OPG) are currently an uncharacterized frontier. This US national database analysis highlights the incidences of SPMs in patients diagnosed with primary OPG.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and excess absolute risk (EAR) for SPMs were calculated using the SEER-specific multiple outcome analysis. 95% SIR confidence intervals were calculated with statistical significance achieved at p<0.05.

RESULTS: SPMs originating from soft tissues (including the heart) (SIR=33.23, CI=6.85-97.11; EAR=5.07), breast (SIR=4.99, CI=1.36-12.77; EAR=5.57), female breast (SIR=5.03, CI=1.37-12.89; EAR=5.58), brain (SIR=105.38, CI=65.23-161.08; EAR=36.23), cranial nerves (SIR=103.29, CI=12.51-373.12; EAR=3.45), non-lymphocytic leukemia (SIR=15.05, CI=1.82-54.37; EAR=3.25), myeloid and monocytic leukemia (SIR=16.26, CI=1.97-58.75; EAR=3.27), and Kaposi’s sarcoma (SIR=79.88, CI=2.02-445.08; EAR=1.72) demonstrated significantly increased SIR. Overall, the values for cumulative SPM (SIR=6.04, CI=4.33-8.19; EAR=59.60) highlight the overall significance in incidence of SPM in patients diagnosed with OPG.

CONCLUSION: Clinical decision-making should reconcile enhanced propensities for development of SPM.

PMID:35403153 | PMC:PMC8962871 | DOI:10.21873/cdp.10052

Biophys Rep (N Y). 2022 Apr 4:100056. doi: 10.1016/j.bpr.2022.100056. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The identification of viral mutations that confer escape from antibodies is crucial for understanding the interplay between immunity and viral evolution. We describe a molecular dynamics (MD) based approach that goes beyond contact mapping, scales well to a desktop computer with a modern graphics processor, and enables the user to identify functional protein sites that are prone to vaccine escape in a viral antigen. We first implement our MD pipeline to employ site-wise calculation of Kullback-Leibler divergence in atom fluctuation over replicate sets of short-term MD production runs thus enabling a statistical comparison of the rapid motion of influenza hemagglutinin (HA) in both the presence and absence of three well-known neutralizing antibodies. Using this simple comparative method applied to motions of viral proteins, we successfully identified in silico all previously empirically confirmed sites of escape in influenza HA, predetermined via selection experiments and neutralization assays. Upon the validation of our computational approach, we then surveyed potential hot spot residues in the receptor binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the presence of COVOX-222 and S2H97 antibodies. We identified many single sites in the antigen-antibody interface that are similarly prone to potential antibody escape and that match many of the known sites of mutations arising in the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. In the omicron variant, we find only minimal adaptive evolutionary shifts in the functional binding profiles of both antibodies. In summary, we provide an inexpensive and accurate computational method to monitor hot spots of functional evolution in antibody binding footprints.

PMID:35403093 | PMC:PMC8978532 | DOI:10.1016/j.bpr.2022.100056

Phytomed Plus. 2022 May;2(2):100233. doi: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2022.100233. Epub 2022 Jan 31.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In the absence of a specific drug for COVID 19, treatment with plant extracts could be an option worthy of further investigation and has motivated to evaluate the safety and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of plant extracts.

PURPOSE: To screen the phytochemicals for anti-SARS-CoV-2 in silico and evaluate their safety and efficacy in vitro and in vivo.

METHOD: The phytochemicals for anti-SARS-CoV-2 were screened in silico using molecular docking. The hits generated from in silico screening were subjected for extraction, isolation and purification. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of Zanthoxylum piperitum (E1), Withania somnifera (E2), Calophyllum inophyllum (E3), Andrographis paniculata (E4), Centella asiatica (E5) ethanol extracts. The aerial parts were used for E1, E3, E4, E5 and root was used for E2. The in vitro safety and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of plant methanol extracts were performed in VeroE6 cells using Remdesivir as positive control. The acute and sub-acute toxicity study was performed in Wistar male and female rats.

RESULTS: The percentage of cell viability for E4, E5 and E2 treated VeroE6 cells were remarkably good on the 24th and 48th hour of treatment. The in vitro anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of E4, E5 and E2 were significant for both E gene and N gene. The percentage of SARS-CoV-2 inhibition for E4 was better than Remdesivir. For E gene and N gene, Remdesivir showed IC₅₀ of 0.15 µM and 0.11 µM respectively, For E gene and N gene, E4 showed IC₅₀ of 1.18 µg and 1.16 µg respectively. Taking the clue from in vitro findings, the E4, E5 and E2 were combined (E 4.5.2) and evaluated for acute and sub-acute toxicity in Wistar male and female rats. No statistically significant difference in haematological, biochemical and histopathological parameters were noticed.

CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in vitro and safety of plant extracts in both in vitro and in vivo experimental conditions.

PMID:35403091 | PMC:PMC8801592 | DOI:10.1016/j.phyplu.2022.100233

J Migr Health. 2022;5:100098. doi: 10.1016/j.jmh.2022.100098. Epub 2022 Apr 4.

ABSTRACT

The rapid spread of COVID-19 has overwhelmed the existing health care systems, finding it challenging to provide essential health services besides the COVID-19 response interventions. Refugees are disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic because of the barriers they face to access health care. However, there is limited research that investigates how access to HIV/AIDS or TB care services by urban refugees is affected during pandemics such as the COVID-19. This study adopted a cross-sectional survey utilizing quantitative (N=229) and qualitative data (26 in-depth interviews and 8 key informant interviews) held among urban refugees living in Kampala, Uganda. Results revealed that more females (75%) than males (25%) were able to access TB or HIV/AIDS services during COVID-19 related lockdowns. A decrease in queues, delivery of drugs through Village Health Teams (VHTs), proximity to health facilities, supply of necessities like food and the reception at the health facilities facilitated access to TB or HIV/AIDS services. On the other hand, restrictions on public transport, high transport costs, unemployment and subsequent poverty were barriers to access to TB or HIV/AIDS services. Results offer major insights into the effect of COVID-19 control measures on disruption of access to services particularly in relation to being able to access service points. The findings suggest that recognizing structural barriers to uninterrupted or continued access to HIV/AIDS or TB services during pandemics such as COVID-19 can go a long way in helping stakeholders to design measures that make it possible for more urban refugees to access HIV/AIDS or TB services.

PMID:35403075 | PMC:PMC8979625 | DOI:10.1016/j.jmh.2022.100098

Brain Behav. 2022 Apr 10:e2565. doi: 10.1002/brb3.2565. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of First-Person Perspective Action Observation training and Third-Person Perspective Action Observation training on upper extremity function and activities of daily living of patients with stroke-induced hemiplegia. This was a single-blind randomized study of 20 stroke patients (more than 6 months after the incident stroke) with upper extremity disabilities. The subjects who satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups: First-Person Perspective Action Observation training group and Third-Person Perspective Action Observation training group. The measurements were performed using Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and Korean Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI) and Motor Activity Log (MAL). The results of this study showed statistically significant differences (p < .05) in the upper extremity function and activity of daily living after the intervention in all two groups. Upon comparison of the amount of change between the experimental group and the control group, there was significant difference in upper extremity function and activity of daily living (p < .05). Action Observation training was found to have an effect on the upper extremity function and activity of daily living on chronic stroke patients. First-Person Perspective Action Observation training was more effective in improving upper limb function and activity of daily living than the Third-Person Perspective Action Observation training.

PMID:35398981 | DOI:10.1002/brb3.2565

Int J Med Robot. 2022 Apr 5:e2400. doi: 10.1002/rcs.2400. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Long operation time remains a disadvantage of robotic-assisted gynaecological procedures. A score that predicts the duration of such surgeries could be useful.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of robotic-assisted gynaecological surgeries in our institution were conducted. We assessed preoperative values such as body mass index, uterine size, previous abdominal surgeries, way of previous deliveries and pathology that led patients to the theatre and we created a preoperative predictive score, the ‘Iavazzo score’. Thereafter, we correlated this score with duration of surgery.

RESULTS: 57 patients were included. Mean ‘Iavazzo’ score was 7.96, while mean surgery and overall time were 140 and 208.8 min, respectively. Correlation between Iavazzo score and operation time was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Using median operation time, we found an area under curve of 0.86 and a cut-off value of 7.5 for Iavazzo score.

CONCLUSIONS: ‘Iavazzo’ score can be a useful predictive score that evaluates duration of robotic-assisted gynaecological surgeries.

PMID:35398969 | DOI:10.1002/rcs.2400

Top Cogn Sci. 2022 Apr 10. doi: 10.1111/tops.12612. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

During the early postnatal years, most infants rapidly learn to understand two naturally evolved communication systems: language and emotion. While these two domains include different types of content knowledge, it is possible that similar learning processes subserve their acquisition. In this review, we compare the learnable statistical regularities in language and emotion input. We then consider how domain-general learning abilities may underly the acquisition of language and emotion, and how this process may be constrained in each domain. This comparative developmental approach can advance our understanding of how humans learn to communicate with others.

PMID:35398974 | DOI:10.1111/tops.12612

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022 Apr 9. doi: 10.1111/jocd.14980. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The nose is a central visual feature of the face leading many patients wishing to improve their facial aesthetic appearance to undergo rhinoplasty. Increasingly more patients are seeking non-surgical alternatives such as hyaluronic acid filler injections. These treatments have the ability to profoundly impact patients’ aesthetic appearance and first impressions.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of hyaluronic acid filler injection in non-surgical nasal augmentation on first impressions, quality of life, and to evaluate treatment efficacy in reducing the height of the nasal dorsal convexity.

METHODS: Ten female subjects underwent small-particle hyaluronic acid filler injection into the nasal soft tissues. Photographs of the subjects were taken at baseline and post-treatment after achieving an optimal correction result. Patients reported satisfaction with outcomes using a validated patient-reported outcome measurement tool. Blinded evaluators were used to assess first impressions across specifically defined categories using the baseline and post-treatment photographs. The height of the pre and post-injection nasal dorsal convexity was compared.

RESULTS: All patients experienced a statistically significant reduction in the height of their dorsal nasal convexity. There was significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes based on all measures of the FACE-Q scale. A total of 224 evaluators completed blinded assessments of first impressions. Mean first impressions in all eight categories, along with overall first impression score showed statistically significant improvement following treatment.

CONCLUSION: Hyaluronic acid filler injections for non-surgical nasal reshaping are a safe and effective method to improve perceived first impressions and to improve patient-reported self-esteem and aesthetic satisfaction with their nose.

PMID:35398952 | DOI:10.1111/jocd.14980

J Intern Med. 2022 Apr 5. doi: 10.1111/joim.13492. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported regional differences in end-of-life care (EoLC) for critically ill patients in Europe.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this post-hoc analysis of the prospective multi-centre COVIP study was to investigate variations in EoLC practices among older patients in intensive care units during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

METHODS: A total of 3105 critically ill patients aged 70 years and older were enrolled in this study (Central Europe: n = 1573; Northern Europe: n = 821; Southern Europe: n = 711). Generalised estimation equations were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) to population averages. Data were adjusted for patient-specific variables (demographic, disease-specific) and health economic data (GDP, health expenditure per capita). The primary outcome was any treatment limitation, and 90-day-mortality was a secondary outcome.

RESULTS: The frequency of the primary endpoint (treatment limitation) was highest in Northern Europe (48%), intermediate in Central Europe (39%), and lowest in Southern Europe (24%). The likelihood for treatment limitations was lower in Southern than in Central Europe (aOR 0.39; 95%CI 0.21-0.73; p = 0.004), even after multivariable adjustment, whereas no statistically significant differences were observed between Northern and Central Europe (aOR 0.57; 95%CI 0.27-1.22; p = 0.15). After multivariable adjustment, no statistically relevant mortality differences were found between Northern and Central Europe (aOR 1.29; 95%CI 0.80-2.09; p = 0.30) or between Southern and Central Europe (aOR 1.07; 95%CI 0.66-1.73; p = 0.78).

CONCLUSION: This study shows a north-to-south gradient in rates of treatment limitation in Europe, highlighting the heterogeneity of EoLC practices across countries. However, mortality rates were not affected by these results. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35398948 | DOI:10.1111/joim.13492