Category: Statistics

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Jan 29. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-18341-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In the present study, the air pollution dynamics of the metropolitan cities of Balıkesir, Bursa, Istanbul, Kocaeli, Sakarya and Tekirdağ in the Marmara Region, which is the geographical region with the highest urban and industrial activity in Turkey, were examined for the time period between 2016 and 2019. Annual changes in the cities in terms of air pollution, which was examined with a focus on the PM_2.5 parameter as indicated by United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); differences in the cities by years; and the seasonal changes in air pollution in the cities were investigated. Additionally, mortality rates attributed to air pollution were calculated with the AirQ + software based on integrated exposure-response function recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN using city-scale statistics of fatal disease cases that can be attributed to air pollution. It was determined that all cities in the Marmara Region study area exceeded the limit PM_2.5 values specified by the European Union (EU) in the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 while only Kocaeli and Tekirdağ were below the limit values in 2019. The limit values specified by the WHO were exceeded in all cities in each year. A total of 46,920 premature deaths attributed to the exceedance of WHO limit values were calculated for the years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 with 11,895, 13,853, 11,748 and 9,429, respectively. Determining national limit values for the PM_2.5 parameter, which is among the most important factors of air pollution, and monitoring it in a sustainable manner using a sufficient number of well-equipped stations is of great importance. This way, national, regional and urban action plans regarding the impact of air pollution on human health, as indicated by UN SDGs, can be prepared.

PMID:35091944 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-021-18341-1

Arch Osteoporos. 2022 Jan 29;17(1):26. doi: 10.1007/s11657-022-01067-z.

ABSTRACT

Our aim was to analyze trends in hip fracture rates in people aged ≥ 65 years, from 2001 to 2019 in Chile. Age-standardized incidence rates decreased significantly in both genders over the study period.

PURPOSE: To describe and analyze the characteristics and trends of osteoporotic hip fractures in Chile from 2001 to 2019, by age and sex.

METHODS: We assessed hip fractures in people aged ≥ 65 years using data from the hospital discharge register of Chile’s Department of Statistics and Health. The Joinpoint regression analysis software was used to perform a trend analysis.

RESULTS: From 2001 to 2019, a total of 107.972 patients aged ≥ 65 years were hospitalized in Chile with a diagnosis of hip fracture (S72.0, S72.1, and S72.2). 77.4% of the patients were females, and 63.7% were adults aged ≥ 80 years. The average annual incidence rate over this period was 358.3/100.000 in the whole population (95% CI: ± 12.8), 195.2/100.000 in men (95% CI: ± 9), and 482/100.000 in women (95% CI: ± 15.5). After an adjustment for age, hip fracture rates decreased annually on average by 1.0% (p < 0.001, 95% CI: – 1.4%, – 0.7%), from 358.5/100.000 in 2001 to 331.7/100.000 in 2019. Hip fracture rates decreased annually in both men (- 1.4%, p < 0.001) and women (- 0.9%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: The incidence of osteoporotic hip fractures has been decreasing annually and significantly in Chile since 2001, both in men and women. This may be caused by increased levels of obesity and a lower risk of falling among older adults. We recommend further studies to assess all factors contributing to this change in hip fracture rates.

PMID:35091883 | DOI:10.1007/s11657-022-01067-z

Eur Geriatr Med. 2022 Jan 29. doi: 10.1007/s41999-021-00604-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The characteristic changes in the swallowing mechanism with aging are collectively termed presbyphagia. Although several studies have investigated presbyphagia in older adults, few have assessed oldest-old adults. We aimed to characterize the latent changes of swallowing function in oldest-old adults and to consider risk ages for presbyphagia.

METHODS: We analyzed the records of 85 individuals (44 males and 41 females, aged 25-101 years) who underwent videofluoroscopic swallowing studies. The included participants had penetration and aspiration scores of ≤ 2 and no history of aspiration, pneumonia, or diseases that affect swallowing. They were divided into four age groups: 25-64 years (non-older), 65-74 years (young-old), 75-84 years (middle-old), and ≥ 85 years (oldest-old). We analyzed and compared the pharyngeal delay time (PDT), duration of tongue base and posterior pharyngeal wall contact, duration and dimension of upper esophageal sphincter opening (UES-O), and maximal hyoid bone displacement between the age groups.

RESULTS: Among the older groups, the oldest-old showed significantly longer PDT than younger-old adults, and the UES-O tended to be wider in the former. However, no other remarkable differences were found between the oldest-old and other old groups. Statistical comparisons between the < 75 and ≥ 75-year age groups revealed significant age-related changes in the PDT and duration and dimension of UES-O.

CONCLUSION: On videofluoroscopic evaluation, physiological changes with aging affected few parameters of swallowing in our cohort. These findings indicate that in non-aspirating oldest-old adults, any deterioration may be adjusted for by compensatory changes to maintain swallowing function.

PMID:35091892 | DOI:10.1007/s41999-021-00604-2

Oral Radiol. 2022 Jan 29. doi: 10.1007/s11282-021-00584-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the impact of a deep learning-based reconstruction (DLR) technique on image quality and reduction of radiation exposure, and to propose a low-dose multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) scan protocol for preoperative imaging for dental implant surgery.

METHODS: The PB-1 phantom and a Catphan phantom 600 were scanned using volumetric scanning with a 320-row MDCT scanner. All scans were performed with a tube voltage of 120 kV, and the tube current varied from 120 to 60 to 40 to 30 mA. Images of the mandible were reconstructed using DLR. Additionally, images acquired with the 120-mA protocol were reconstructed using filtered back projection as a reference. Two observers independently graded the image quality of the mandible images using a 4-point scale (4, superior to reference; 1, unacceptable). The system performance function (SPF) was calculated to comprehensively evaluate image quality. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was employed for statistical analysis, with statistical significance set at p value < 0.05.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the image quality acquired with the 40-mA tube current and reconstructed with the DLR technique (40DLR), and that acquired with the reference protocol (3.00, 3.00, p = 1.00). The SPF at 1.0 cycles/mm acquired with 40DLR was improved by 156.7% compared to that acquired with the reference protocol.

CONCLUSIONS: Our proposed protocol, which achieves a two-thirds reduction in radiation dose, can provide a minimally invasive MDCT scan of acceptable image quality for dental implant surgery.

PMID:35091858 | DOI:10.1007/s11282-021-00584-w

Cancer Causes Control. 2022 Jan 29. doi: 10.1007/s10552-021-01544-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Current screening guidelines for prostate cancer (PCa) encourage men to make individual screening decisions after consulting with their primary care provider to weigh the risks and benefits of undergoing prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing, but many men at high risk of PCa diagnosis (notably African American men) are more likely to be uninsured and lack a primary care provider. An academic-community partnership redesigned its community-based screening program to ensure access to services for African American men, incorporating a session with a trained clinical educator in community settings, designed to increase knowledge and promote informed decision-making regarding PSA testing. This study evaluated effects of the intervention on decision-making outcomes.

METHODS: To evaluate program efficacy, 88 men completed pre- and post-test surveys assessing outcomes of interest.

RESULTS: Participants’ knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, anxiety levels, and self-efficacy all improved from pre- to post-test at a statistically significant level. Most notably participants’ awareness that PCa is often not life-threatening, and watchful waiting is a reasonable treatment option increased after the encounter. More than half of the study sample felt they had received enough knowledge to make an informed decision about whether the PSA test was right for them.

CONCLUSION: Our findings show the program had positive effects on men’s ability to make informed decisions about PCa screening and demonstrate that educational outreach programs with an emphasis on informed decision-making can effectively balance screening guidelines with the needs of underserved populations in community settings to improve outcomes.

PMID:35091864 | DOI:10.1007/s10552-021-01544-9

Zhonghua Fu Chan Ke Za Zhi. 2022 Jan 25;57(1):46-56. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112141-20210925-00553.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study the expression of methyltransferase-like protein 14 (METTL14) in epithelial ovarian cancer and its clinical significance, and to explore the effect of METTL14 expression on the proliferation, invasion and migration of ovarian cancer cells. Methods: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect METTL14 expression in tumor tissue samples, and analyze the relationships among METTL14 expression, clinicopathological factors, and prognosis in ovarian cancer. Lentiviral vectors and small interfering RNA (siRNA) were used to up-regulate and down-regulate the METTL14 expression in ovarian cancer cell lines A2780 and SKOV3, respectively. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was used to detect the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) content in ovarian cancer cells. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing assay, and transwell assay were used to examine the function of METTL14 expression in the cells. Results: (1) The IHC score of METTL14 protein was 6.2±3.7 in 20 samples of ovarian cancer tissues and 3.3±2.5 in 15 samples of normal ovarian tissues, and the difference was statistically significant (t=-2.64, P=0.012). Among the patients who suffered from ovarian cancer, there were 69 cases with high expression of METTL14 protein (IHC score≥6), accounting for 57.0% (69/121), and the cases with low expression of METTL14 protein (IHC score<6) accounting for 43.0% (52/121). Compared with the patients with low expression of METTL14, the patients with high expression of METTL14 had later stages, higher rates of lymph node metastasis, abdominal metastasis, and more ascite amount. The differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The overall survival rate was significantly lower in patients with high METTL14 expression than the low expression (P=0.009). (2) LC-MS/MS data showed that the relative expression of m6A in A2780 and SKOV3 cells in the lentivirus (LV)-METTL14 group were 0.213±0.024 and 0.181±0.018, which were significantly higher than those in the LV-normal control (NC) group (0.109±0.022 and 0.128±0.020; all P<0.05). While the relative expression of m6A in A2780 and SKOV3 cells in the si-METTL14 group were 0.063±0.012 and 0.069±0.015, which were significantly lower than the expression in si-NC group of 0.108±0.014 and 0.121±0.014 (all P<0.05). CCK-8 assay showed that the absorbance values were significantly lower in the si-METTL14 group compared with the si-NC group at 36, 48, 60 hours (all P<0.05); while were significantly increased in the LV-METTL14 group compared with the LV-NC group at 48, 60 hours (all P<0.01). Scratch wound assays showed that the migration rate of the si-METTL14 group was lower than those of the si-NC group, while the LV-METTL14 group were higher than the LV-NC group by 24 hours, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.01). Cell migration and invasion were detected by transwell migration and invasion assays. After cultivated for 24 hours, the invasion cell number and the migration cell number in the si-METTL14 group were less than those in the si-NC group. While the invasion cell number and the migration cell number in the LV-METTL14 group were more than those in the LV-NC group, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (all P<0.01). Conclusion: Patients with high METTL14 expression have a worse prognosis in ovarian cancer, which may increase the m6A modification of ovarian cancer cells and promote cells proliferation, invasion and migration.

PMID:35090245 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn112141-20210925-00553

Zhonghua Er Ke Za Zhi. 2022 Feb 2;60(2):101-107. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112140-20211104-00928.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the composition of intestinal microflora prior to onset of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in very low birth weight preterm infants. Methods: This was a multicenter prospective nested case-control study. A total of 46 very low birth weight preterm infants (birth weight <1 500 g and gestional age <35 weeks) within 24 h of life admitted into Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Children’s Hospital of Soochow University and Suzhou Municipal Hospital from April 20 to November 20, 2018 were enrolled. Baseline clinical data and fecal samples of these infants were collected. The subsequent sampling time points were 1st, 4th and 7th day in the first week of life then once per week consecutively. The endpoint of sampling was NEC occurrence, patient discharge or the 8th week post-discharge, whichever came first. Fecal samples were analyzed by 16 S rDNA high-throughput nucleotide sequencing. The control cases were infants without NEC who were matched to the NEC cases with a ratio of 1∶1. The operational taxonomic units (OTU), sequence number and shannon diversity index of the fecal samples were analyzed. Continuous variables were compared with t-test or non-parametric test, and χ² test or Fisher’s exact test was used for categorical variables. Results: There were 23 patients in each group. The gestational age was (29.4±1.8) weeks in NEC group and (29.9±1.6) weeks in control group, including 13 males (57%) and 11 males (48%) in each group, respectively. Species abundance showed that the Firmicutes in both groups decreased temporarily at 7 days of age and then increased with age in control group, but not in NEC group, the Proteobacteria in both groups increased at 7 days of age and then decreased in control group, but kept increasing in NEC group. Regarding the other levels of taxonomy, compared with that of the control group, the NEC group had lower abundance of Proteobacteria, γ-proteobacteria and Enterobacteriaceae at 7 days of age, while higer abundance of Faecalibacterium at 14 days of age, meanwhile, lower Clostridium and Streptococcus at 21 days of age, lower Firmicutes, Clostridia and Clostridium perfringens and higher Proteobacteria and γ-proteobacteria at 28 days of age, these differences were all statistically significant (U=43.00, 43.00, 45.00, 80.00, 74.00, 76.00, 19.00, 8.00, 36.00, 25.00, 25.00,all P<0.05). The shannon index of NEC group was both lower than that of the controls at 21 days of age (2.4 (1.4, 3.0) vs. 3.1 (2.6, 4.0), U=67.00, P=0.027) and 28 days of age (2.4 (1.4, 2.8) vs. 3.9 (3.3, 4.2), U=12.00, P=0.001). Conclusions: The intestinal microflora profile of very low birth weight preterm infants has already changed prior to NEC development. The emergence of differential flora and the reduction of microflora diversity may facilitate early identification and prevention of NEC.

PMID:35090225 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn112140-20211104-00928

Zhonghua Er Ke Za Zhi. 2022 Feb 2;60(2):129-133. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112140-20210603-00481.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To clarify the molecular basis of patients with Bartter syndrome type I and explore the therapeutic effect of trafficking-defective variations by chemical chaperone 4-Phenylbutyric acid(4-PBA). Methods: The clinical characteristics, laboratory findings and genetic data of 3 patients diagnosed with Bartter syndrome type I who were admitted to Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from 2017 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Wild type and variant SLC12A1 gene constructs were transiently overexpressed in HEK293 cells. Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl^–cotransporter(NKCC2) protein. Immunofluorescent staining was applied to investigate the subcellular localization of NKCC2 protein. In addition, the effect of the chemical chaperone 4-PBA on the expression and localization of the SLC12A1 gene variants was investigated. Unpaired t test was used for statistical analysis of 4-PBA treatment. Results: All the 3 patients (2 males and 1 female), aged 3.0, 4.0 and 1.2 years, respectively. All patients had antenatal onset with polyhydramnios and were born prematurely. After birth, all patients presented with hypochlorine alkalosis accompanied by hypokalemia and hyponatremia. Sequencing analysis revealed that the 3 patients were homozygotes or compound heterozygotes for variants in the SLC12A1 gene. In HEK293 cells, the surface expression of NKCC2 in 3 variants (p.L463S, p.L479V, p.507-510del) are all lower than in wild type (0.718±0.039, 0.287±0.081, 0.025±0.156 vs. 1.001±0.028, t=5.92, 8.35, 30.49, all P<0.01). Moreover, the total protein expression of p.L479V and p.507-510del group were all lower than that in wild type group (0.630±0.032, 0.043±0.003 vs. 1.000±0.111, t=3.21, 8.65, all P<0.05). 4-PBA treatment increased the mature protein expression level of the p.L463S and p. L479V group in 4-PBA treatment group are all higher than the untreated group (0.459±0.018 vs. 1.123±0.024, 0.053±0.012 vs. 1.256±0.037, t=2.75, 18.35, all P<0.05). Cytoplasmic retention of the L479V and 507-510del variants were observed by immunofluorescent staining. 4-PBA treatment could rescue a number of NKCC2 L479V variants to the membrane. Conclusions: The 3 SLC12A1 variants cause expression or subcellular localization defects of the protein. The findings that plasma membrane expression and activity can be rescued by 4PBA might help to develop novel therapeutic strategy for Bartter syndrome type Ⅰ.

PMID:35090230 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn112140-20210603-00481

Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2022 Jan 7;57(1):29-35. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn115330-20210331-00163.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To observe the changes of olfactory function, intranasal trigeminal nerve function and taste function in patients with upper respiratory tract post-viral olfactory dysfunction (PVOD), and to explore the correlation of chemosensory function. Methods: The clinical data of 42 patients with PVOD who visited to the Olfactory and Taste Center of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department of Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January to December of 2019 were analyzed retrospectively, including 20 males and 22 females, aging (48.86±11.47) years (x¯). Twenty subjects in normal control group were selected according to the sex ratio of PVOD patients. Sniffin’ Sticks olfactory tests were performed on the subjects, including threshold test (T), discrimination test (D) and identification test (I), and the sum of the above three test scores was the TDI value. At the same time, olfactory event-related potentials (oERPs), trigeminal event-related potentials (tERPs) and taste function test were performed. According to the taste function test, the patients were divided into normal gustation (NG) group and gustatory dysfunction (GD) group. The results of olfaction, taste and intranasal trigeminal nerve function tests were compared among different groups, and the correlation analysis was carried out. SPSS statistical software was used for statistical analysis. Results: GD was present in 14 (33.3%) of 42 PVOD patients with a course of PVOD of 5 (3, 6) months (M (Q₁, Q₃)). The gustatory function of patients with PVOD was related to gender (r=0.565, P<0.001), smoking status (r=-0.512, P=0.001), duration (r=-0.357, P=0.020) and olfactory function (all P<0.05). The olfactory function of GD group was worse than that of NG group, and the differences of TDI value and T value between the two groups were statistically significant (10.25±4.58 vs 13.35±3.61, 1.54±0.66 vs 2.10±0.88, t value was 2.40 and 2.10 respectively, both P<0.05). The amplitudes of oERPs and tERPs were significantly lower in GD group than those in NG group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: In patients with PVOD, the subjective and objective olfactory function, intranasal trigeminal nerve function and taste function were decreased, and there was a correlation, suggesting that there was a synergistic effect between the chemosensory functions of PVOD patients.

PMID:35090206 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn115330-20210331-00163

Int J Dent Hyg. 2022 Jan 28. doi: 10.1111/idh.12588. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The proportion of older people in the population is increasing rapidly. Along with this comes an increase in the number of people requiring assistance in daily living, including oral care. Swedish law stipulates that care personnel who work with older people should be offered oral health education every year. The aim of this study was to investigate oral health care beliefs among such personnel.

METHODS: A questionnaire study was conducted among 2167 personnel providing care to older people at special accommodation sites and in home care. Data were collected using the Nursing Dental Coping Beliefs Scale. Descriptive statistics were calculated and logistic regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS: Personnel working in home care had lower odds of having an internal locus of control than those working in special accommodation, and personnel with less than 10 years of working experience had lower odds than their more experienced counterparts. Men had higher odds of having an external locus of control than women.

CONCLUSIONS: It seems important to ensure that home care personnel and less experienced personnel attend oral care educational sessions, and to encourage male staff to focus on oral care work.

PMID:35090198 | DOI:10.1111/idh.12588