Category: Statistics

Phys Med Biol. 2022 Jan 10. doi: 10.1088/1361-6560/ac499b. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Positronium (Ps) lifetime imaging is gaining attention to bring out additional biomedical information from positron emission tomography (PET). The lifetime of Ps in vivo can change depending on the physical and chemical environments related to some diseases. Due to the limited sensitivity, Ps lifetime imaging may require merging some voxels for statistical accuracy. This paper presents a method for separating the lifetime components in the voxel to avoid information loss due to averaging. The mathematics for this separation is the inverse Laplace transform (ILT), and the authors examined an iterative numerical ILT algorithm using Tikhonov regularization, namely CONTIN, to discriminate a small lifetime difference due to oxygen saturation. The separability makes it possible to merge voxels without missing critical information on whether they contain abnormally long or short lifetime components. The authors conclude that ILT can compensate for the weaknesses of Ps lifetime imaging and extract the maximum amount of information.

PMID:35008076 | DOI:10.1088/1361-6560/ac499b

Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2022 Jan 10. doi: 10.1055/a-1719-4441. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) of solid and complex benign thyroid nodules.

METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with benign thyroid nodules were treated with HIFU at two centers from 2014-2019. The device, EchoPulse (Teraclion, Malakoff, France), heats the nodes to 80-90 °C. Nodal volumes were measured by ultrasound at regular intervals before and up to 12 months after therapy. In a retrospective long-term two-center study, average volume reductions in relation to baseline volume were statistically analyzed by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Side effects were documented.

RESULTS: In solid nodules, the average percent volume reductions at the 3, 6, 9, and 12-months follow-up were 49.98%, 46.40%, 65.77%, and 63.88%, respectively. The results were significant with p<0.05 in the Wilcoxon signed-rank test at the 3, 6, and 9-months follow-up. In complex nodules, the average percent volume reduction was 35.2% at 3 months, 36.89% at 6 months, and 63.64% at twelve months follow up. The results were significant with p<0.05 in the Wilcoxon signed-rank test at the 3- and 6-months follow-up. The complication rate was 5.2%. All complications occurred in patients with solid nodules.

CONCLUSION: The study showed that HIFU is an effective treatment method for both solid and complex nodules. The complication rate is relatively high at 5.2%. No long-term complications occurred. The solid nodules responded better to HIFU than complex nodules.

PMID:35008118 | DOI:10.1055/a-1719-4441

J Phys Condens Matter. 2022 Jan 10. doi: 10.1088/1361-648X/ac49c9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Machine learning techniques are used to explore the intrinsic origins of the hydrodynamic thermal transport and to find new materials interesting for science and engineering. The hydrodynamic thermal transport is governed intrinsically by the hydrodynamic scale and the thermal conductivity. The correlations between these intrinsic properties and harmonic and anharmonic properties, and a large number of compositional (290) and structural (1224) descriptors of 131 crystal compound materials are obtained, revealing some of the key descriptors that determines the magnitude of the intrinsic hydrodynamic effects, most of them related with the phonon relaxation times. Then, a trained black-box model is applied to screen more than 5000 materials. The results identify materials with potential technological applications. Understanding the properties correlated to hydrodynamic thermal transport can help to find new thermoelectric materials and on the design of new materials to ease the heat dissipation in electronic devices.to ease the heat dissipation in electronic devices.

PMID:35008073 | DOI:10.1088/1361-648X/ac49c9

Ortop Traumatol Rehabil. 2021 Dec 31;23(6):417-426. doi: 10.5604/01.3001.0015.6368.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Lateral compression (LC) accounts for a wide spectrum of pelvic ring injuries (PRIs). The primary aim of this study was to assess the health-related quality of life outcomes of surgically fixed LC crescent versus sacral fractures in patients less than 50 years old after high energy trauma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the database for PRIs treated surgically from Decem-ber 2011 to January 2019 at our tertiary level trauma centre. The EuroQoL-5D (EQ5D5L) questionnaire was elec-tronically sent to all patients. Multiple linear regression was conducted to determine the predictors of quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs).

RESULTS: The study included 37 patients. The mean age was 26 SD 9.46 years. The mean duration of follow-up was 3.78 (r:1-9) years. Twenty-one (56.8%) and 16 (43.2%) patients sustained sacral fractures and crescent fractures, respectively. Multi-regression analysis showed that any patient with LC injury without a sacral fracture is expected to have a utility value of QALY= 0.876. A reduction of 0.072 units in QALYs is expected in the presence of sacral fracture. About 71% of patients with sacral fractures were able to return to work and this probability increased by 40% among patients with crescent fractures (RR=1.4, p=.015).

CONCLUSIONS: 1. Younger patients with crescent fractures tend to have better quality of life (higher EQ5D and QALYs) compared to those with LC sacral fractures. 2. Moreover, patients with LC sacral fractures have less chan-ce to return to their pre-injury level of work compared to those with crescent fractures.

PMID:35008031 | DOI:10.5604/01.3001.0015.6368

Vasc Specialist Int. 2021 Dec 31;37:46. doi: 10.5758/vsi.210041.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the clinical outcomes of venous thromboembolism (VTE) patients and identify the risk factors for VTE-related unfavorable outcomes, major bleeding, and 30-day all-cause mortality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2016 to December 2020, 198 patients with confirmed VTE were enrolled. Potential risk factors for unfavorable outcomes, major bleeding, and all-cause mortality were analyzed.

RESULTS: VTE-related unfavorable outcomes developed in 13.1%, while 30-day all-cause mortality was 8.6%. In the multivariate analysis, a pulse ≥110/min and respiratory rate ≥30/min were statistically significant predictors for VTE-related unfavorable outcomes. Diabetes was a significant risk factor for major bleeding. In addition, a history of malignancy, no anticoagulation treatment, and need for mechanical ventilation were significant predictors of all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSION: VTE-related mortality and morbidity rates remained high. In cases of tachycardia and tachypnea, early aggressive treatment is needed to prevent unfavorable outcomes. Patients with risk factors should be closely monitored.

PMID:35008065 | DOI:10.5758/vsi.210041

Ortop Traumatol Rehabil. 2021 Dec 31;23(6):401-410. doi: 10.5604/01.3001.0015.6355.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Unstable and comminuted distal radial fractures require surgical treatment by percutaneous insertion of Kir-schner wires, open reduction and fixation with a non-locking or locking plate or with an external device. The aim of this paper was to try to answer the following question: are there differences in functional treatment outcomes in patients after surgery with the use of Kirschner wires vs LCP plate fixation?

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group included 100 patients after surgical treatment by closed reduction and simple fixation with Kirschner wires (50 patients) and by open reduction and LCP locking plate fixation (50 patients). The study assessed the following parameters: global grip strength, pain severity in a VAS scale, range of motion, functional status of the wrist based on the Fernandez classification, quality of life according to the QuickDASH score, and the frequency of complications. These parameters were assessed at 6 and 12 months after surgery.

RESULTS: An assessment of the treatment outcomes at 6 and 12 months after surgery showed statistically significant differences between the treatment methods in the following parameters: pain severity, global grip strength and range of motion in the sagittal plane. A comparison of the functional status of the wrist at 6 and 12 months between the groups showed considerably worse results in the Kirschner wire fixation group. The frequency of postoperative complications at 12 months was 6% in the Kirschner wire fixation group and 2% in the LCP plate fixation group.

CONCLUSIONS: 1. Treatment outcomes were better in patients with distal radial fractures managed with LCP plate fixation. 2. The use of LCP plate fixation predisposes pa-tients to better ranges of mobility in the sagittal plane in the radiocarpal joint. 3.The values of global grip strength were higher in the group treated with LCP plate fixation. 4. Patients treated with LCP plates have better limb function and quality of life and lower pain intensity after treatment completion. 5. The number of complications was higher in pa-tients treated with Kirschner wire fixation.

PMID:35008030 | DOI:10.5604/01.3001.0015.6355

Leg Med (Tokyo). 2021 Dec 27;55:102006. doi: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2021.102006. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD), including coronary atherosclerosis (CAS), is one of the most common causes of death. The FURIN SNP rs17514846 is assumed to be a risk factor for CAD. We evaluated this relationship using autopsy specimens and autopsy data, such as the histopathological degree of CAS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 106 samples were genotyped from obtained blood samples. Myocardial and coronary arterial FURIN levels were quantified by ELISA. The degree of CAS was classified histopathologically according to the Stary classification, and the localization of FURIN was examined by immunostaining. The obtained data were analyzed statistically.

RESULTS: FURIN expression was widely observed in the myocardium, vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, adipocytes, and macrophages. FURIN level in the myocardium of cases with the AA genotype at the FURIN SNP rs17514846 was higher than that in CC cases. Additionally, FURIN levels in both coronary arteries and myocardium were higher at the early stage of CAS than at the late stage microscopically.

CONCLUSION: Our study suggested that the A allele of rs17514846 is associated with higher FURIN level in the heart and that FURIN exhibits a higher level in the early stage of CAS. These findings deepen our understanding of the mechanism of CAS.

PMID:35008003 | DOI:10.1016/j.legalmed.2021.102006

Food Chem. 2022 Jan 5;377:132047. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132047. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

As the most important marine edible shellfish, the nutritional quality of abalone has been paid attention. In this study, the chemical and nutritional compositions of abalones were obtained, and three cooking methods, steaming, boiling and frying, were evaluated by in vitro gastric digestion simulation to understand their nutritional changes by ¹H NMR spectroscopy combined with multivariate statistical analyses. The nutritional losses were also monitored under different cold storage conditions. The results indicated that boiling can keep more amino acids and fatty acids than steaming and frying, thus being recommended as the best cooking method of abalone. The abalone could maintain fresh within one day under 4 °C, and the deterioration process occurred subsequently. These results help to understand the digestion of cooked abalone and the changes of nutrients through storage and cooking process, leading to a scientific recommendation of cooking method and storage condition for healthy eating.

PMID:35008016 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132047

ESMO Open. 2021 Dec 17;7(1):100374. doi: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100374. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the well-being and job performance of oncology professionals globally. The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Resilience Task Force collaboration set out to investigate and monitor well-being since COVID-19 in relation to work, lifestyle and support factors in oncology professionals 1 year on since the start of the pandemic.

METHODS: An online, anonymous survey was conducted in February/March 2021 (Survey III). Key outcome variables included risk of poor well-being or distress (expanded Well-Being Index), feeling burnout (single item from expanded Well-Being Index), and job performance since COVID-19. Longitudinal analysis of responses to the series of three surveys since COVID-19 was carried out, and responses to job demands and resources questions were interrogated. SPSS V.26.0/V.27.0 and GraphPad Prism V9.0 were used for statistical analyses.

RESULTS: Responses from 1269 participants from 104 countries were analysed in Survey III: 55% (n = 699/1269) female, 54% (n = 686/1269) >40 years, and 69% (n = 852/1230) of white ethnicity. There continues to be an increased risk of poor well-being or distress (n = 464/1169, 40%) and feeling burnout (n = 660/1169, 57%) compared with Survey I (25% and 38% respectively, P < 0.0001), despite improved job performance. Compared with the initial period of the pandemic, more participants report feeling overwhelmed with workload (45% versus 29%, P < 0.0001). There remain concerns about the negative impact of the pandemic on career development/training (43%), job security (37%). and international fellowship opportunities (76%). Alarmingly, 25% (n = 266/1086) are considering changing their future career with 38% (n = 100/266) contemplating leaving the profession.

CONCLUSION: Oncology professionals continue to face increased job demands. There is now significant concern regarding potential attrition in the oncology workforce. National and international stakeholders must act immediately and work closely with oncology professionals to draw up future-proof recovery plans.

PMID:35007996 | DOI:10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100374

Eur J Radiol. 2022 Jan 4;147:110149. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2021.110149. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic performance of shear wave elastography (SWE) and pulsed Doppler ultrasound in breast lesions, and to explore whether the quantitative SWE parameters correlated with pulsed Doppler ultrasound parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with 79 breast lesions who had undergone conventional ultrasound, pulsed Doppler ultrasound and SWE examination were included. All of them underwent core needle biopsy or surgery within one week. Parameters including Emax (the maximum elastic modulus), Emean (mean elastic modulus), Emin (minimum elastic modulus), Esd (elastic modulus standard deviation), and RI (resistive index), PI (pulsatility index), PSV (peak systolic velocity) and EDV (end diastolic velocity) were obtained for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Almost all SWE parameters were significantly different between benign and malignant breast lesions (P＜0.05). There was no significant difference between Esd and PI (P＞0.05), which had the best AUC among SWE and vascular parameters respectively (0.877 vs. 0.871). Emax showed a moderate correlation with PI (P = 0.000, r = 0.552) and RI (P = 0.000, r = 0.544), and Esd moderately correlated with PI (P = 0.000, r = 0.567) and RI (P = 0.000, r = 0.546). For the benign group, no parameters showed any significant correlation (P＞0.05), while for the malignant group, Emax and Esd also significantly correlated with PI or RI.

CONCLUSIONS: SWE and pulsed Doppler ultrasound had similar diagnostic efficacy for breast lesions. SWE and pulsed Doppler parameters were significantly correlated in breast lesions, especially in malignant ones, indicating the potential association between elastographic and vascular characteristics of breast tumors.

PMID:35007981 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejrad.2021.110149