Category: Statistics

Educ Inf Technol (Dordr). 2022 Feb 26:1-20. doi: 10.1007/s10639-022-10963-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Student participation, as a significant indicator of class learning, has been investigated from various perspectives. The present research seeks to explore student participation by drawing on text data from the chat box of an online learning platform. The two main research questions concern the main types of student participation indicated by the online chat data as well as how extensively and frequently students had participated online in class. The written text messages of 84 university students in the chat box were recorded in an online English course for three months in consecutives. The findings revealed that students’ online chat data generally fell into five major types: students’ responses of factual information (62.77%) social interaction (15.74%), phatic communication (9.95%), tech-related messages (7.5%) and class schedule (4.5%). With 89% of participation concerning meaningful interactions and 11% of participation dealing with simple clarification of tech problems and class schedules, the findings suggest a highly active and meaningful online in-class participation. In addition, further descriptive statistics depicted the level of participation in terms of its frequency and breadth. Results showed that the active and meaningful online participation had been persistent over three months with an average of 74.52% regular participating students and average 410 chat messages sent one day. Implications were discussed in relation to the features of student participation.

PMID:35250350 | PMC:PMC8881551 | DOI:10.1007/s10639-022-10963-3

Educ Inf Technol (Dordr). 2022 Feb 28:1-26. doi: 10.1007/s10639-022-10931-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Given the increasing prevalence of web technology, web-based mathematics environments have been increasingly widely used in mathematics education for the past two decades. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an urgent transition from traditional mathematics instruction (TMI) to web-based mathematics instruction (WBMI) at all levels of mathematics education. At this point, it is crucial to scrutinize the effects of WBMI on K-16 students’ mathematics learning comprehensively. This meta-analysis research contained a total of 63 studies with 115 effect sizes, which aimed to investigate the effectiveness of WBMI on K-16 students’ mathematics learning by incorporating potential moderators, namely mathematics topics, mathematical content standards, feedback status, type of instructional features, age (i.e., grade level), and assessment methods. Based on findings, WBMI has a significantly strong effect on K-16 students’ mathematics learning (g = 1.10, p = 0.01, 95% CI [0.95, 1.27]). Moderator analyses reveal that the effect sizes of WBMI on K-16 students’ mathematics learning varied significantly depending on all these potential moderators. Additionally, higher-level mathematical concepts, statistics and probability, WBMI with providing feedback, tutorial systems, undergraduate students, and traditional paper-pencil assessment are the strongest moderators in their context. The most notable results of this research are that WBMI is significantly more effective on students’ mathematics learning than TMI, while even in the context of WBMI, traditional paper-pencil assessment is significantly more effective than online assessment. This meta-analytic research provides a comprehensive and up-to-date perspective on the effectiveness of WBMI on K-16 students’ mathematics learning.

PMID:35250352 | PMC:PMC8882714 | DOI:10.1007/s10639-022-10931-x

Adv Med Educ Pract. 2022 Feb 28;13:189-197. doi: 10.2147/AMEP.S350562. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Academic stress is a common problem among medical students, and the COVID-19 health crisis lockdown further worsened it. High academic stress has a negative impact on students learning and overall performance.

OBJECTIVE: To assess perceived academic stress, causes, and coping strategies among undergraduate pharmacy students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate pharmacy students at the University of Khartoum. Data were collected from randomly selected participants using three validated self-administered questionnaires; perceived stress scale, study habits inventory, and mental health inventory. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, and descriptive statistics and chi-square were employed.

RESULTS: The response rate in our study was 99.6% (251/252). About 87% of the participants were females. The majority of participants (92%) experience academic stress, with a mean score (24.99 ± 5.159), the level of academic stress ranging from low (4.3%), moderate (73.2%), to high (22.5%). Approximately 80% of the percipients reported academic stress during all exam times with a mean score (25.33 ± 4.976). The level of academic stress was significantly associated with participants’ gender (P-value: 0.042), and living conditions (P-value: 0.001). The most common factors that were significantly associated with academic stress were difficulty in remembering all that is studied (66.7%, P=0.006) and worrying about the exams (54.1%, P=0.011). Moreover, the most frequent strategies used to cope with academic stress were praying (84.4%) and maintaining some control over the situation (61.9%).

CONCLUSION: The study revealed a high prevalence of academic stress among percipients. Academic counseling, monitoring of mental status, and implementation of stress reduction programs are highly recommended.

PMID:35250327 | PMC:PMC8896373 | DOI:10.2147/AMEP.S350562

J Pain Res. 2022 Feb 28;15:633-641. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S355227. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) has become increasingly popular for postoperative analgesia after thoracic surgery. We designed this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the effect of TPVB on blood coagulation in patients after thoracoscopic lobectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty patients scheduled for thoracoscopic lobectomy were randomly allocated to two groups. Patients underwent ultrasound-guided TPVB with 0.33% ropivacaine (T group) or 0.9% saline (C group) at the end of the surgery under general anesthesia. Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) was administered for both group after the surgery. The primary outcome was the thromboelastogram (TEG) parameters before anesthesia (T0), at the end of operation (T1) and in 1 day (T2) and 2 days (T3) after the operation, the second outcomes were the analgesic effect and the amount of intraoperative opioid consumption, operation time, infusion volume, blood loss and urine volume.

RESULTS: The visual analog scale (VAS) scores in group T were lower than group C (P < 0.05). In group T, compared with T0, the R value at T1 and T2 is significantly reduced, and the K value at T1 were significantly shortened, the α-angle and MA value at T1 were significantly increased (P < 0.05). In group C, compared with T0, the R value and K value were significantly shortened, the α-angle and MA value were significantly increased at all postoperative time points (P < 0.05). Compared with group C at the same time point, the R and K values of group T were significantly longer, and the α-angle and MA values were significantly reduced at T2 and T3 points, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: TPVB is beneficial to improve postoperative hypercoagulability and promote postoperative rehabilitation of patients after thoracoscopic lobectomy.

PMID:35250307 | PMC:PMC8896523 | DOI:10.2147/JPR.S355227

HIV AIDS (Auckl). 2022 Feb 26;14:73-85. doi: 10.2147/HIV.S354716. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen failure is linked to an increased risk of disease progression and death, while early detection of ART failure can help to prevent the development of resistance. This study aimed to evaluate virological and immunological ART failure and predictors among HIV-positive adult and adolescent clients in southeast Ethiopia.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was implemented from January 2016 to November 30, 2020; all HIV-positive nave patients on follow-up during the study period from four hospitals were included. Virological and immunological treatment failure was the primary outcome of the study. Cox proportional hazards regression models were employed for analysis. Hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were reported and variables with p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant predictors of treatment failure.

RESULTS: A total of 641 HIV patients’ charts were reviewed, 62.6% of the study participants were females. Of the total study participants, 18.4% and 15% developed virological and immunological ART regimen treatment failure respectively. The median time to virological failure was 40 months. WHO stage IV [AHR = 4.616; 95% CI: (2.136-9.974)], WHO stage III [AHR = 2.323; 95% CI: (1.317-4.098)], poor adherence to HAART regimen [AHR = 3.097; 95% CI: (1.349-7.108)], and fair adherence [AHR = 2.058; 95% CI: (1.234-3.432)] were significantly associated with virological treatment failure among adolescent and adult study participants in southeast Ethiopia.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of virological treatment failure was 18.4% (95% CI: 15.4 -21.4) and the prevalence of immunological treatment failure was 15% (95% CI: 11.8-18.4). WHO clinical stage III/IV and non-adherence were independent predictors of virological ART treatment failure. Early management of clinical WHO stages and improving patients’ ART regimen adherence are important to decrease the prevalence of ART regimen treatment failure.

PMID:35250314 | PMC:PMC8892571 | DOI:10.2147/HIV.S354716

Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2022 Feb 27;15:331-337. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S355329. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a sequela of laser procedures observed commonly in darker-skin individuals. In general, regular UV filters are beneficial in preventing PIH, but the comparison with sunscreen containing anti-inflammatory ingredients remains unexplored.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of a sunscreen with anti-inflammatory agent (sunscreen A) in the reduction of PIH after a picosecond laser with that of regular sunscreen (sunscreen B).

METHODS: Fifty-nine acne vulgaris and acne scar patients with skin phototypes III and IV were treated with 1 session of picosecond laser with the microlens array to the whole face. Sunscreens A and B were randomized to be applied on either side of the face. Hyperpigmentation assessed by brown score mode on Visia^®, acne quantity, porphyrins and patient satisfaction were evaluated at baseline, weeks 1, 2, 4 and 6.

RESULTS: Sunscreen A caused a higher reduction of the brown score compared to the other side but there was no statistically significant difference. Interestingly, a significant decrease of inflammatory acne lesions compared with baseline was observed as early as week 2 on the sunscreen A side (weeks 2, 4 and 6; P = 0.017, P = <0.001, and P = <0.001, respectively). Compared with sunscreen B, levels of porphyrins on sunscreen A side were significantly less at weeks 1 and 6 (weeks 1 and 6; P = 0.022 and P = 0.029, respectively).

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a tendency towards lower post-laser pigmentation when the sunscreen with anti-inflammatory agents was applied. This product also had an effective outcome as an adjunctive treatment option of acne vulgaris.

THAI CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY ID: TCTR20210305004 (URL: http://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/TCTR20210305004).

PMID:35250287 | PMC:PMC8894080 | DOI:10.2147/CCID.S355329

Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2022 Feb 27;15:633-646. doi: 10.2147/DMSO.S347765. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine statin prescription patterns and associated factors among type 2 diabetes patients attending the diabetic clinic at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study involving outpatients was conducted from September 2020 to November 2020. Statin prescription history (both type and dosage) was obtained from patients as well as from the electronic medical records for determination of patterns. Participants were categorized as moderate or high risk for cardiovascular disease whereas prescription patterns were categorized as moderate and high intensity statins. Logistic regression was used to examine association, control confounders and effect modifier whereby p <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Of 400 patients who were approached for the study, 395 (98.8%) were eligible for statin prescriptions. The mean (±SD) age of the study participants was 58.1±10.3 years, out of which 371 (93.9%) belonged to the age group ≥40 years. Two-thirds(241 61.0%) of the patients were female. About two-thirds(257; 69.4%) of patients had health insurance coverage. Statins were prescribed in 47.3% of the participants. Moderate intensity statin was the only pattern prescribed. In the adjusted model, insurance coverage (OR: 0.056; 95% CI: 0.03-0.12), and hypertension (OR: 0.259; 95% CI: 0.12-0.54) were associated with an increased likelihood of being prescribed a moderate intensity statin.

CONCLUSION: A significant number of patients at MNH diabetic clinic were not on statins despite qualifying for the prescription. The findings call for further studies on reasons for low statin prescription practices in this tertiary facility.

PMID:35250285 | PMC:PMC8894101 | DOI:10.2147/DMSO.S347765

Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2022 Feb 28;15:647-657. doi: 10.2147/DMSO.S350626. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The link between the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and vitamin D deficiency has perplexed the medical society due to the controversy in the data available. Saudi Arabia (SA) is a sunny region; however, ample amount of data reported the increased prevalence of vitamin D deficiency along with T2DM. Thus, this study aimed to compare vitamin D deficiency between healthy and T2DM patients in SA, alongside with the risk factors associated with that.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Medical Unit, Taibah University in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, SA, from November 2017 to May 2018. The involved participants were non-diabetics and T2DM men. Measuring vitamin D for T2DM and non-diabetics group was done by trained technicians. Data analysis was done via SPSS.

RESULTS: Sixty-four participants (T2DM group = 32; non-diabetics group = 32) were recruited, and the mean age of T2DM patients was 48.6 ± 10.4, while that of the non-diabetics was 42.4 ± 6.5. The mean of vitamin D level was found higher in the non-diabetic participants than in diabetic patients. There was statistically significant association between vitamin D deficiency and T2DM (P = 0.001). Besides, duration of diabetes was the only factor, found to be positively correlated with vitamin D deficiency in T2DM patients.

CONCLUSION: Early screening for vitamin D serum-level is recommended for T2DM patients in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, early correction of vitamin D levels should be considered, and medical and scientific societies, along with other sectors such as the media, should highlight and increase the awareness of the importance of vitamin D and the seriousness of its deficiency.

PMID:35250286 | PMC:PMC8896538 | DOI:10.2147/DMSO.S350626

J Orthop Res. 2022 Mar 6. doi: 10.1002/jor.25318. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Forced external rotation is hypothesized as the key mechanism of syndesmotic ankle injuries, inducing a three-dimensional deviation from the normal distal tibiofibular joint alignment. However, current diagnostic imaging modalities are impeded by a two-dimensional assessment, without considering ligamentous stabilizers. Therefore, our aim is three-fold: (1) to construct an articulated statistical shape model of the normal distal tibiofibular joint with inclusion of ligamentous morphometry, (2) to investigate the effect of weightbearing on the distal tibiofibular joint alignment and (3) to detect differences in predicted syndesmotic ligament length of patients with syndesmotic lesions with respect to normative data. Training data comprised non-weightbearing CT scans from asymptomatic controls (N= 76), weightbearing CT scans from patients with syndesmotic ankle injury (N = 13) and their weightbearing healthy contralateral side (N = 13). Path and length of the syndesmotic ligaments were predicted using a discrete element model, wrapped around bony contours. Statistical shape model evaluation was based on accuracy, generalization and compactness. The predicted ligament length in patients with syndesmotic lesions was compared to healthy controls. With respect to the first aim, our presented skeletal shape model described the training data with an accuracy of 0.23 +/- 0.028 mm. Mean prediction accuracy of ligament insertions was 0.53 +/- 0.12 mm. In accordance to the second aim, our results showed an increased tibiofibular diastasis in healthy ankles after weight-bearing. Corcerning our third aim, a statistically significant difference in anterior syndesmotic ligament length was found between ankles with syndesmotic lesions and healthy controls (p = 0.017). There was a significant correlation between presence of syndesmotic injury and the positional alignment beween the distal tibia and fibula (r = 0.873, p < 0,001). Clinical Significance: Statistical shape modelling combined with patient-specific ligament wrapping techniques can facilitate the diagnostic workup of syndesmosic ankle lesions under weightbearing conditions. In doing so, an increased anterior tibiofibular distance was detected, corresponding to an ‘anterior open-book injury’ of the ankle syndesmosis as a result of anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament elongation/rupture. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35249244 | DOI:10.1002/jor.25318

J Clin Pharm Ther. 2022 Mar 6. doi: 10.1111/jcpt.13629. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Reports said immunotherapy is effective for the treatment of idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (RM). Immunotherapy is invasive, and lymphocyte therapy carries some risk of infection. Oral immunosuppressants have the advantages of simple administration and convenience; however, there is no statistical analysis of whether they can improve pregnancy outcomes in patients with idiopathic RM.

METHODS: Six databases were searched for studies on oral immunosuppressants and RM; 374 articles were identified. There were two oral immunosuppressants, cyclosporine A and prednisone; two studies were on cyclosporine A and three studies were on prednisone for RM.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In total, 554 RM patients were included in this analysis, including 357 patients who received oral immunosuppressive agents and 197 patients who received basic treatment, placebo, or no treatment. Oral administration of cyclosporine A or prednisolone increases live birth rate (OR = 3.6, 95% CI: 2.1-6.15, p < 0.00001) and ongoing pregnancy rate (OR = 8.82, 95% CI: 2.91-26.75, p = 0.0001) in patients with idiopathic RM. Drug use reduced miscarriage rate (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.08-0.52, p = 0.0007); however, there was significant heterogeneity (I² = 73%) and a moderate-to-severe risk of bias. There was no effect on premature birth rate (OR = 2.26, 95% CI: 0.96-5.31, p = 0.06). This meta-analysis cannot provide a reference for the duration of medication treatment because the selected studies had inconsistent durations.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: We did a statistical analysis and found that oral immunosuppressants (including cyclosporine A or prednisolone) can improve pregnancy outcomes in patients with idiopathic RM, increase live birth rate and ongoing pregnancy rate, and reduce miscarriage rate.

PMID:35249235 | DOI:10.1111/jcpt.13629