Category: Statistics

Am J Perinatol. 2021 Sep 30. doi: 10.1055/a-1659-0422. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess if a color scale in the endotracheal tube (ETT) helps operators to correctly select the size and depth of placement of the ETT and decrease the time required, compared with the usual numeric ETT scale, in a mannequin model.

DESIGN/METHODS: The study was conducted in 8 centers. Each size of the ETT was identified with different color by size. All experimental ETT had two painted zones: the mouthpiece and an area of 1 cm marked with the same color (to identify where the ETT should be taped above the lip). The operators were trained as part of the protocol using a video. Four clinical scenarios requiring endotracheal intubation were designed and randomly assigned. Each operator had to select the size and depth of ETT based on the BW, and then had to perform 4 intubation procedures.

RESULTS: 108 operators performed 432 intubations. No difference were found in the correct placement and selection of the ETT. Median time (in seconds) required for intubation using numeric vs. experimental tube was: for ETT Ø 2.5, 11.5 vs. 8 (p<0.001), ETTØ3,12 vs. 10 (p<0.001), ETT Ø 3.5, 15.5 vs.12 (p 0.003), ETT Ø4 12 vs.11 (p 0.019).

CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference was observed in the selection and correct placement of the ETT. However, the intubation time was significantly shorter using the experimental ETT. This device could improve the effectiveness of intubation by reducing the time needed to properly place the ETT at mid trachea.

PMID:34592768 | DOI:10.1055/a-1659-0422

Curr Opin Struct Biol. 2021 Sep 27;72:88-94. doi: 10.1016/j.sbi.2021.08.008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Recent advances in atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of biomolecules allow us to explore their conformational spaces widely, observing large-scale conformational fluctuations or transitions between distinct structures. To reproduce or refine experimental data using MD simulations, structure ensembles, which are characterized by multiple structures and their statistical weights on the rugged free-energy landscapes, are often used. Here, we summarize weight average approaches for various experimental measurements. Weight average approaches are now applied to hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics MD simulations to predict fast vibrational motions in a protein with a high accuracy for better understanding of molecular functions from atomic structures.

PMID:34592697 | DOI:10.1016/j.sbi.2021.08.008

Leuk Res. 2021 Sep 15;110:106689. doi: 10.1016/j.leukres.2021.106689. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Hodgkin’s (HL) and non-Hodgkin’s (NHL) lymphomas have usually high cure rates. The standard of care for chemosensitive relapsed/refractory lymphoma patients is salvage chemotherapy followed by AHSCT. Due to carmustine and melphalan shortages, alternative pre-AHSCT conditioning regimens with similar tolerance and response were needed.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy and toxicity profile between relapsed/refractory HL and NHL lymphomas given BEAM or BuCyE.

METHODS: A retrospective analyses of 122 patients in a Brazilian center was made. OS and PFS were calculated by Kaplan-Meier and compared by log rank. Toxicity and engraftment data were also compared.

RESULTS: Most clinical characteristics were similar between groups, although a higher frequency of grade ≥ 2 mucositis (p = .01) was seen in the BuCyE group. No significant difference in OS or PFS were observed between the groups.

CONCLUSION: BEAM and BuCyE are well tolerated with similar toxicity profiles and survival outcomes. Therefore, BuCyE conditioning regimen can be considered an alternative to BEAM.

PMID:34592699 | DOI:10.1016/j.leukres.2021.106689

Appl Radiat Isot. 2021 Sep 21;178:109957. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109957. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Ceramic fragments can provide an insight into the ancient culture and practices of groups of humans and their way of life (technology, cultural identity, social organization, habitation and economy). Scientific analysis can be used to obtain information on the ceramic production process, as well as the specificities of the material employed. In this research, all samples of archaeological potsherd from the Tupi-Guarani tradition were analyzed in order to identify and to characterize the structures, morphologies and the elemental composition by using by scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS) and multivariate statistical methods (PCA and HCA). FTIR spectroscopy revealed the presence of an organic residue in three samples along with carbonates, clay minerals, quartz and hematite. In addition, the presence of the stretching attributed to water molecules in crystalline systems was observed. Also, the presence of TiO2 in the anatase polymorphic form was detected using μ-Raman spectroscopy. These results indicate a firing temperature of between 800 and 1000 °C. In relation to the morphology, all samples revealed amorphous structures presenting isolated and heterogenic particles of different forms and sizes, and the EDS spectrum confirmed the elements present in the molecular structures elucidated by vibrational spectroscopy. The multivariate analysis has confirmed the correlation between the elemental compositions of ceramics collected from two different sites: a mountain region and a coastal area in Santa Catarina State, Brazil.

PMID:34592693 | DOI:10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109957

Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2021 Sep 23;210:106959. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.106959. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between meningioma and progestins has not been elucidated. Meningioma regression after acetate cyproterone (CA) withdrawal has been reported. Our purpose was to evaluate the meningioma evolution after withdrawal of progestins in patients who underwent long-term exposure to CA, nomegestrol acetate (NA), chlormadinone acetate (ChlA).

METHODS: Our study retrospectively included 69 patients with intracranial meningioma and exposed to one of these 3 progestins between December 2006 and March 2019. In each patient, clinico-radiological (MRI) follow-up was performed every 6 months after diagnosis and treatment withdrawal recommendation. Statistical analyses were applied to compare tumor location and respect of prescription rules between the 3 groups.

RESULTS: The mean hormonal exposure was 16 years in CA group (n = 46), 16 years in NA group (n = 12) and 9.7 years in ChlA group (n = 11). A higher rate of “out of label” use was observed in the CA group (p = 0.003). Multiple meningiomas were demonstrated in more than 60% of cases in each group. Anterior skull base location was noted in 60.5% of cases in CA group, 25% of cases in NA group and 36.7% of cases in ChlA group (p = 0.05). Incomplete tumor regression was recorded in 11 cases of CA group and in 2 cases of ChlA group.

CONCLUSION: In CA group, our results suggest a strong relationship between this treatment and development of intracranial meningioma. In presence of voluminous asymptomatic meningioma, treatment can be delayed due to the potential regression after withdrawal. On the contrary in NA and ChlA groups, further studies are needed.

PMID:34592677 | DOI:10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.106959

J Environ Manage. 2021 Sep 27;301:113783. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113783. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microalgae-based wastewater treatment (and biomass production) is an environmentally benign and energetically efficient technique as compared to traditional practices. The present study is focused on optimization of the major treatment variables such as temperature, light-dark cycle (LD), and nitrogen (N)-to-phosphate (P) ratio (N/P) for the elimination of N and P from tertiary municipal wastewater utilizing Chlorella kessleri microalgae species. In this regard, a hybrid support vector regression (SVR) technique integrated with the crow search algorithm has been applied as a novel modeling/optimization tool. The SVR models were formulated using the experimental data, which were furnished according to the response surface methodology with Box-Behnken Design. Various statistical indicators, including mean absolute percentage error, Taylor diagram, and fractional bias, confirmed the superior performance of SVR models as compared to the response surface methodology (RSM) and generalized linear model (GLM). Finally, the best SVR model was hybridized with the crow search algorithm for single/multi-objective optimizations to acquire the global optimal treatment conditions for maximum N and P removal efficiencies. The best-operating conditions were found to be 29.3°C, 24/0 h/h of LD, and 6:1 of N/P, with N and P elimination efficiencies of 99.97 and 93.48%, respectively. The optimized values were further confirmed by new experimental data.

PMID:34592662 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113783

J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2021 Sep 23;68:126867. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2021.126867. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the association between iron status and a set of breast cancer risk factors among U.S. adult women aged 20-80 years.

METHODS: Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2017-2018) were used to examine the relation between serum ferritin, serum iron and transferrin saturation with a set of breast cancer risk factors [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR]. The multivariable linear regressions were used controlling for age, race/ethnicity, menopause status, education level, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and total energy intake.

RESULTS: HbA1c, BMI and waist circumference data were available for 1902 women with a fasting sample (n = 913) for fasting plasma glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR. Transferrin saturation had significant, inverse associations with BMI, waist circumference and HbA1c. The size of difference observed were that participants in the fourth quartile of transferrin saturation had a 4.50 kg/m² smaller BMI, a 9.36 cm smaller waist circumference and a 0.1 % lower HbA1c level than participants in the first quartile. Similarly, serum iron concentrations were inversely associated with BMI and waist circumference. In addition, serum iron had significant, inverse associations with insulin and HOMA-IR. Sensitivity analyses among men gave similar results. For serum ferritin, there was a trend towards a positive association between waist circumference, HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose with serum ferritin. However, the associations did not reach statistical significance among women.

CONCLUSIONS: Iron status may impact breast cancer risk via effects on adiposity or glucose metabolism. The findings should be confirmed with further prospective data.

PMID:34592676 | DOI:10.1016/j.jtemb.2021.126867

Asian J Psychiatr. 2021 Sep 20;65:102866. doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2021.102866. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Agomelatine is a novel antidepressant that was developed to counter the adverse effects associated with the standard SSRIs and SNRIs that limited their usage. Publication bias was identified in antidepressant trials which can potentially overestimate the treatment efficacy. This meta-analysis was designed to assess the overall antidepressant effect of Agomelatine by pooling all the published and unpublished studies available till date. Studies conducted on adult patients who met with the criteria for MDD that evaluated efficacy of Agomelatine at acute phase (6-12weeks) and at long term phase (24weeks) were included. The primary efficacy measured with SMD of final mean scores of HAM-D and MADRS. Secondary efficacy measures of Response, remission and safety parameters were evaluated with relative risks. RevMan version 5.4 was used for analysis of both continuous (Standardized mean difference) and dichotomous outcomes (response, remission and all cause of discontinuation). Efficacy parameters were presented with 99% confidence intervals while safety parameters were presented with 95% CI. A total of 9233 patients were included from 27 studies. In acute phase placebo controlled studies, Agomelatine had a statistically significant SMD of – 0.24 (-0.39 to -0.09) and response rate of (1.25, 1.07-1.47). In comparison (RR 0.99, 0.92-1.07) Agomelatine is an effective antidepressant having similar efficacy with the currently used antidepressants.

PMID:34592623 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajp.2021.102866

Cancer Genet. 2021 Sep 23;258-259:80-84. doi: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2021.09.003. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Escape from nonsense mediated mRNA decay (NMD-) can produce activated or inactivated gene products, and bias in rates of escape can identify functionally important genes in germline disease. We hypothesized that the same would be true of cancer genes, and tested for NMD- bias within The Cancer Genome Atlas pan-cancer somatic mutation dataset. We identify 29 genes that show significantly elevated or suppressed rates of NMD-. This novel approach to cancer gene discovery reveals genes not previously cataloged as potentially tumorigenic, and identifies many potential driver mutations in known cancer genes for functional characterization.

PMID:34592632 | DOI:10.1016/j.cancergen.2021.09.003

Respir Med. 2021 Sep 21;188:106610. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106610. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study identifies participants ineligible for lung cancer screening with the greatest likelihood of future eligibility. Lung cancer risk in participants enrolled in longitudinal lung screening was assessed using the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian lung cancer risk calculator (PLCO_m2012) at two timepoints: baseline (T₁) and follow-up (T₂). Separate analyses were performed on four PLCO_m2012 eligibility thresholds (3.25%, 2.00%, 1.50%, and 1.00%); only participants with a T₁ risk less than the threshold were included in that analysis. Cox-models identified T₁ risk factors associated with screen-eligibility at T₂. Three models, applying differing assumptions of participant behavior, predicted future eligibility and were benchmarked against the observed cohort. Nine hundred and fifty-six participants had a T₁ risk <3.25%; at 2.00% n= 755; at 1.50% n= 652; at 1.00% n= 484. Lung cancer risk increased over time in most screen-ineligible participants. However, risk increased much faster in participants who became screen-eligible at T₂ compared to those who remained screen-ineligible (median per-year increase of 0.35% versus 0.02%, when using a 3.25% threshold). Participants smoking for >30 years, current smokers, less educated participants, and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at T₁ were significantly more likely to become screen-eligible. New diagnoses of COPD and/or non-lung cancers between T₁ and T₂ precipitated eligibility in a subset of participants. The prediction model that assumed health behaviors observed at T₁ continued to T₂ reasonably predicted changes in lung cancer risk. This prediction model and the identified baseline risk factors can identify screen-ineligible participants who should be closely followed for future eligibility.

PMID:34592536 | DOI:10.1016/j.rmed.2021.106610