Category: Statistics

J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod. 2022 Feb 19:102336. doi: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2022.102336. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: – To evaluate whether ultrasound assessment of fetal head position and station though head perineum distance (HPD), is more predictive of a difficult operative vaginal delivery (OVD) than digital examination.

METHODS: – Retrospective, monocentric case control study including all singleton OVD at ≥34 weeks gestation. The principal criteria for a difficult OVD were based on a composite criterion of: an OVD considered “difficult” by the birth attendant, and/or two vacuum device detachments if a vacuum was used, and/or change of instrument, and/or a cesarean delivery for OVD failure.

RESULTS: – Two hundred eighty-six OVDs were included, among which 65 (22.7%) were difficult. The area under the curve (AUC) for predicting difficult OVD according to fetal position from digital examination or ultrasound was 0.62 (95% CI: 0.54-0.70) and 0.66 (95% CI: 0.58-0.73), respectively. Regarding fetal station, the AUCs of HPD without and with pressure were 0.59 (95% CI: 0.51-0.66) and 0.60 (95% CI: 0.51-0.68), respectively. Factors associated with difficult OVD were posterior and transverse positions (OR: 2.931, 95% CI: 1.640-5.239; p = 0.0003), HPD without pressure (threshold of 37 mm, OR: 2.327, 95% CI: 1.247-4.245; p = 0.0080), and HPD with pressure (threshold of 17 mm, OR: 2.594, 95% CI: 1.230-5.429; p = 0.0114).

CONCLUSION: – Ultrasound assessment of fetal head position and station before OVD moderately predicts difficult OVD. Ultrasound assessment of posterior or transverse positions and HPD with a threshold of 37 mm (without compression of soft tissue) and 17 mm (with compression) were factors associated with difficult OVD.

PMID:35192950 | DOI:10.1016/j.jogoh.2022.102336

Neuroimage. 2022 Feb 19:118993. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.118993. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Resting-state functional connectivity is typically modeled as the correlation structure of whole-brain regional activity. It is studied widely, both to gain insight into the brain’s intrinsic organization but also to develop markers sensitive to changes in an individual’s cognitive, clinical, and developmental state. Despite this, the origins and drivers of functional connectivity, especially at the level of densely sampled individuals, remain elusive. Here, we leverage novel methodology to decompose functional connectivity into its precise framewise contributions. Using two dense sampling datasets, we investigate the origins of individualized functional connectivity, focusing specifically on the role of brain network “events” – short-lived and peaked patterns of high-amplitude cofluctuations. Here, we develop a statistical test to identify events in empirical recordings. We show that the patterns of cofluctuation expressed during events are repeated across multiple scans of the same individual and represent idiosyncratic variants of template patterns that are expressed at the group level. Lastly, we propose a simple model of functional connectivity based on event cofluctuations, demonstrating that group-averaged cofluctuations are suboptimal for explaining participant-specific connectivity. Our work complements recent studies implicating brief instants of high-amplitude cofluctuations as the primary drivers of static, whole-brain functional connectivity. Our work also extends those studies, demonstrating that cofluctuations during events are individualized, positing a dynamic basis for functional connectivity.

PMID:35192942 | DOI:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.118993

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2022 Feb 19:102764. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2022.102764. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) represent a group of lesions with increased risk for malignant transformation. The management of such injuries is based on surgical treatment or detailed follow-up throughout the patient’s lifetime. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated and critically evaluated the use of autofluorescence and fluorescent probes as potential techniques for the early detection of OPMD. A comprehensive search was performed on Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and LIVIVO databases. The gray literature was also consulted and included Google Scholar, Proquest and Open Grey databases. 2715 articles were retrieved, and after the different stages of critical evaluation, were reduced to 25 articles that fully met the inclusion criteria. VELscope® was the most used equipment for autofluorescence, while aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) was the main representative of the probes. The meta-analysis performed included 10 articles that used VELscope® as a method to detect oral disorders. A 95% confidence interval (CI) with a p value significance <0.05 was considered as a criterion for the statistical analysis. The combined sensitivity was 74% (CI95 60-76%, p = 0.0001) and the specificity was 57% (CI95 52-60%, p = 0.0000). The inclusion of these adjunct methods in clinical practice is very promising, since they are able to help both the clinician and the specialist in the early detection of potentially malignant oral disorders, favoring a better prognosis. However, it is still necessary to carry out further studies, with the aim of establishing a protocol for use and qualification of results.

PMID:35192945 | DOI:10.1016/j.pdpdt.2022.102764

Hand Surg Rehabil. 2022 Feb 19:S2468-1229(22)00070-6. doi: 10.1016/j.hansur.2022.01.013. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to assess the influence of the surgeon’s position on procedure time in MIPO (Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis) for distal radius fracture. The hypothesis was that there was a correlation between procedure time and the surgeon’s position in relation to the operated side. Thirteen surgeons (12 right-handed, 1 left-handed) operated on 421 distal radius fractures: 208 right-sided (R) and 213 left-sided (L). Surgeons stood either at the patient’s head (H) or the feet (F). Procedure time and scar size were measured. Regardless of operated side (right or left), mean surgery time was 35.5 min (range, 14-71) with the surgeon at the head and 40.5 min (range, 11-119) with the surgeon at the feet. The difference (5 min) was statistically significant. When the right side was operated on, surgery time was 34.2 min (range, 14-66) with surgeon at the head and 41.1 min (range, 11-86) at the feet. The difference (6 min) was statistically significant. No other comparisons were significant. There was no correlation with surgeon’s experience. Given that 1 min of operating room time costs between €10.80 and €29, savings of €54 to €145 per procedure can be achieved. The study hypothesis was confirmed, with a correlation between the surgeon’s position in relation to the operated side and the duration of the operation. In conclusion, we recommend that surgeons position themselves at the patient’s head for of distal radius fracture MIPO.

PMID:35192940 | DOI:10.1016/j.hansur.2022.01.013

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2022 Feb 19:104591. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104591. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to identify and quantify the current available evidence of hypnosis efficacy to manage pain in patients with chronic musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain. Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) with hypnosis and/or self-hypnosis treatment used to manage musculoskeletal and/or neuropathic chronic pain in adults and assessing pain intensity were included. Reviews, meta-analyses, non-randomized clinical trials, case reports and meeting abstracts were excluded. Five databases, up until May 13^th 2021, were used to search for RCTs using hypnosis to manage chronic musculoskeletal and/or neuropathic pain. The protocol is registered on PROSPERO register (CRD42020180298) and no specific funding was received for this review. The risk of bias asessement was conducted according to the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized control trials (RoB 2.0). Nine eligible RCTs including a total of 530 participants were considered. The main analyses showed a moderate decrease in pain intensity (Hedge’s g: -0.42; p=0.025 after intervention, Hedge’s g: -0.37; p=0.027 after short-term follow-up) and pain interference (Hedge’s g: -0.39; p=0.029) following hypnosis compared to control interventions. A significant moderate to large effect size of hypnosis compared to controls was found for at 8 sessions or more (Hedge’s g: -0.555; p=0.034), compared to a small and not statistically significant effect for fewer than 8 sessions (Hedge’s g: -0.299; p=0.19). These findings suggest that a hypnosis treatment lasting a minimum of 8 sessions could offer an effective complementary approach to manage chronic musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain. Future research is needed to delineate the relevance of hypnosis in practice and its most efficient prescription.

PMID:35192910 | DOI:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104591

Am J Infect Control. 2022 Feb 19:S0196-6553(22)00095-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2022.02.015. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have established that vaccination plays a significant role in reducing COVID-19-related deaths. Here, we investigated differences in COVID-19 case fatality rates (CFRs) among vaccinated and unvaccinated populations, and analyzed whether the age composition of confirmed cases has a significant effect on the variations in the observed CFRs across these groups.

METHODS: The study considered 59,853 confirmed cases and 1,687 deaths from COVID-19, reported between January 1^st to October 20^th, 2021, by the Health Department of Londrina, a city in Southern Brazil. We used Negative Binomial regression models to estimate CFRs according to vaccination status and age range.

RESULTS: There are significant differences between the CFR for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated populations (IRR=0.596, 95% CI [0.460 – 0.772], p<0.001). Vaccinated populations experience fatality rates 40.4% lower than non-vaccinated. In addition, the age composition of confirmed cases explains more than two-thirds of the variation in the CFR between these two groups.

CONCLUSION: Our novel findings reinforce the importance of vaccination as an essential public health measure for reducing COVID-19 fatality rates in all age groups. The results also provide means for accurately assessing differences in CFRs across vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. Such assessment is essential to inform and determine appropriate containment and mitigation interventions in Brazil and elsewhere.

PMID:35192917 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajic.2022.02.015

J Dent. 2022 Feb 19:104068. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104068. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a universal adhesive clinically using FDI criteria and by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

METHODS: In 50 patients, three or four non-carious cervical lesions (NCCL) were restored with composite (Venus® Diamond Flow, Kulzer) using iBond® Universal (iBU, Kulzer) applied in self-etch (iBU-SE, n=50), selective-enamel-etch (iBU-SEE, n=29) or etch-and-rinse mode (iBU-ER, n=50) and the reference OptiBond™ FL (OFL, Kerr, n=50). Restorations were imaged by SD-OCT. The weighted mean length of interfacial adhesive defects (AD, %) was quantified per restoration immediately after placement (t₀), simultaneously with clinical assessment (FDI criteria) after 14 days (t₁), 6 (t₂) and 12 months (t₃). Data were statistically analyzed (McNemar-/Wilcoxon-/Mann-Whitney-U-test (α=0.05), Kaplan-Meier survival curves).

RESULTS: After 12 months, cumulative failure rates were lower with iBU-SE (0.0%; p=0.016), iBU-SEE (0.0%; p=0.125), and iBU-ER (2.1%; p=0.070; loss t₃) compared to OFL (16.7%; losses t₂, t₃). Generally, marginal adaptation decreased (p_i<0.001) and marginal staining increased (p_i≤0.031), without significant group differences (p_i>0.064). AD increased in all groups (p_i<0.001). At enamel, AD appeared more extended with iBU-SE vs. iBU-SEE (t₂-t₃; p_i≤0.005), iBU-ER (t₁-t₃; p_i≤0.051) and OFL (t₀-t₃; p_i≤0.018). At dentin/cement iBU generally caused fewer defects than OFL (t₁-t₃; p_i≤0.010) and with SE vs. ER (t₂-t₃; p_i=0.010).

CONCLUSIONS: In NCCLs, iBU generally provides a more durable bond than OFL. Recommended mode is SEE. Clinic and OCT provided comparable results. OCT has higher statistical power, shows group differences earlier and specifically for the different hard tooth tissues.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The universal adhesive iBU was superior against the reference OFL in NCCLs. It can be recommended with SEE. Evaluation of interfacial adhesive defects by OCT seems to allow early prediction of adhesives’ clinical performance.

PMID:35192908 | DOI:10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104068

Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer. 2022 Feb 19:188699. doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188699. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a malignancy in the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract which has very limited treatment options still, despite the vast amount of research undertaken. CRC was first discovered a century ago and is the third-highest cause of global cancer-related deaths. Once diagnosed as a T4 -stage carcinoma, the prognosis extends only up to two years at the best. Although resectable surgery remains the primary safeguard in combatting metastatic CRC, research had focussed on to various therapeutic and disease management strategies, such as stem cell – based therapies, CT, MRI, PET-CT scans, colonography, endoscopy and biologics. The struggle in developing an anti-cancer therapy may be due to its unresolved aetiology comprising of genetic abnormalities, and multiple risk factors in lifestyle, culture, and environment in the globally diverse, human populations. This review aims to summarize the prominent features of CRC which could encourage lifestyle changes and introduce novel clinically – relevant therapeutic strategies to improve its overall management.

PMID:35192881 | DOI:10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188699

Biol Psychol. 2022 Feb 19:108290. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108290. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The measurable aspects of brain function (polysomnography, PSG) that are correlated with sleep satisfaction are poorly understood. Using recent developments in automated sleep scoring, which remove the within- and between-rater error associated with human scoring, we examine whether PSG measures are associated with sleep satisfaction.

DESIGN AND SETTING: A single night of PSG data was compared to contemporaneously collected measures of sleep satisfaction with Random Forest regressions. Whole and partial night PSG data were scored using a novel machine learning algorithm.

PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling adults (N=3,165) who participated in the Sleep Heart Health Study.

INTERVENTIONS: None MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Models explained 30% of sleep depth and 27% of sleep restfulness, with a similar top four predictors: minutes of N2 sleep, sleep efficiency, age, and minutes of wake after sleep onset (WASO). With increasing self-reported sleep quality, there was a progressive increase in N2 and decrease in WASO of similar magnitude, without systematic changes in N1, N3 or REM sleep. In comparing those with the best and worst self-reported sleep satisfaction, there was a range of approximately 30minutes more N2, 30minutes less WASO, an improvement of sleep efficiency of 7-8%, and an age span of 3-5 years. Examination of sleep most proximal to morning awakening revealed no greater explanatory power than the whole-night data set.

CONCLUSIONS: Higher N2 and concomitant lower wake is associated with improved sleep satisfaction. Interventions that specifically target these may be suitable for improving the self-reported sleep experience.

PMID:35192907 | DOI:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108290

Klin Lab Diagn. 2022 Feb 23;67(2):76-80. doi: 10.51620/0869-2084-2022-67-2-76-80.

ABSTRACT

Results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the soluble forms of PD-1/PD-L immune checkpoint receptor and ligand (sPD-1 and sPD-L1) in pretreatment blood serum of 88 breast cancer patients at various disease stages aged 30-83 years are presented. The control group included 55 practically healthy women aged 19-82 years. Serum sPD-1 and sPD-L1 levels in breast cancer patients highly significantly (p<0.0001) differ from control and these changes are opposite: soluble receptor level is more than 6-fold decreased, while soluble ligand concentration – 5.5 fold increased. Both markers separately, as well as their ratio demonstrate very high sensitivity (94-100%) and specificity (95-100%) in relation to healthy control. No statistically significant associations of sPD-1 and sPD-L1 levels with clinical stage, individual TNM system criteria, tumor histological structure, grade, receptor status, and molecular type were established. In particular, no significant peculiarities of the markers’ levels in triple negative breast cancer successfully treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 preparations were revealed. Long-term follow-up and dynamic studies of sPD-1 and sPD-L1serum levels in the course of treatment are required for evaluation of their independent from clinical and morphological factors prognostic significance and the possibility of application as low invasive tests for prediction and monitoring of corresponding targeted therapy efficiency.

PMID:35192751 | DOI:10.51620/0869-2084-2022-67-2-76-80