Category: Statistics

PLoS One. 2021 Sep 27;16(9):e0257267. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257267. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of BMI1008 (a new drug containing lidocaine, methylene blue, dexamethasone and vitamin B complex) and to investigate the analgesic effect of lidocaine and BMI-L (other components of BMI1008 except lidocaine) at different concentrations in a rat model of incisional pain.

METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g) were used for the incisional pain model simulating postoperative pain. After the operation, normal saline, various concentrations of BMI1008, lidocaine with a fixed concentration of BMI-L, and BMI-L with a fixed concentration of lidocaine were injected at the incision site. The preventive analgesic effect was evaluated using BMI1008 administered 30 min before and immediately after the operation. In addition, BMI1008 was compared with positive controls using intraperitoneal ketorolac 30 mg/kg and fentanyl 0.5 μg/kg. The mechanical withdrawal threshold was measured with a von Frey filament.

RESULTS: The analgesic effect according to the concentration of BMI1008, lidocaine with a fixed concentration of BMI-L, and BMI-L with a fixed concentration of lidocaine showed a concentration-dependent response and statistically significant difference among the groups (P <0.001, P <0.001, and P <0.001, respectively). The analgesic effect according to the time point of administration (before and after the operation) showed no evidence of a statistically significant difference between the groups (P = 0.170). Compared with the positive control groups, the results showed a statistically significant difference between the groups (P = 0.024).

CONCLUSION: BMI1008 showed its analgesic effect in a rat model of incisional pain in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, BMI-L showed an additive effect on the analgesic effect of lidocaine.

PMID:34570780 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0257267

PLoS One. 2021 Sep 27;16(9):e0254141. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254141. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In Mongolia, where there is a large regional gap in the quality of healthcare services, metabolic syndrome (MetS) is steadily increasing. However, there are few studies on the risk level of MetS and affecting factors among adults living in rural Mongolia. This study aims to explore the relationship between socio-demographics, clinical characteristics, emotional state, and social support on the risk level of MetS prevalence among adults living in rural Mongolia.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 143 adults living in the soum area of Dondgovi aimag in Mongolia were recruited. Data collection was conducted from July 2 to 3, 2019. The self-reported questionnaires including socio-demographic, clinical characteristics and emotional status, anthropometric tests using the InBody, and blood sampling tests were conducted. The number of individual diagnostic criteria met was scored as a MetS risk score and classified into 6 groups, from the lowest score of 0 to the highest score of 5. The ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors affecting the risk of MetS.

RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS among adults living in rural Mongolia was 58.0%, and the mean MetS risk score was 2.70±1.34 points. In the ordinal logistic regression analysis, age, regular exercise of moderate intensity or higher, InBody score reflecting obesity or sarcopenia, and depression level were statistically significantly associated with the risk score for MetS.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that MetS risk levels among adults living in rural Mongolia with limited medical resources were strongly associated with demographic characteristics, body composition and emotional health condition, particularly depression.

PMID:34570786 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0254141

PLoS One. 2021 Sep 27;16(9):e0257833. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257833. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Compassion fatigue is associated with negative consequences that undermine workplace performance. However, literature is scarce on compassion fatigue among nurses in the context of Uganda who are at higher risk of compassion fatigue owed to the nature of their occupation and the unfavorable work environment. We aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of compassion fatigue among nurses in Northern Uganda.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 395 randomly selected nurses from two referral and four general hospitals in Northern Uganda. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, and logistic regression at a 95% level of significance in SPSS version 25.

RESULTS: Of 395 nurses who took part in the study, 58.2% were female, 39.8% had a diploma, 47.1% were single, and 32.4% had worked for between 11-15 years. Close to 50% of the nurses experienced compassion fatigue. The predictors of compassion fatigue among the participants were; workplace bullying (AOR: 3.83; 95% CI: 1.99-7.36; p = <0.001) career enhancement opportunities (AOR: 9.16; 95% CI: 2.32-36.22; p = 0.002; and remuneration (AOR: 7.30; 95% CI: 2.73-19.49; p = <0.001).

CONCLUSION: More than 3 in 4 nurses in Northern Uganda experience compassion fatigue. The Ministry of Health together with other stakeholders should strive to increase career enhancement opportunities for nurses, improve nurses’ remuneration and improve the overall workplace environment to prevent compassion fatigue among nurses in the country.

PMID:34570787 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0257833

Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex. 2021;78(5):385-394. doi: 10.24875/BMHIM.20000301.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary involvement in juvenile systemic sclerosis (JSSc) is rare in children and contributes to morbimortality. This study aimed to describe the pulmonary function and clinical, radiologic, and tomographic findings in JSSc.

METHODS: Patients with JSSc between 5-14 years of age were included. Clinical, functional, and imaging characteristics were assessed. Patients were excluded if they showed lung disease not associated with JSSc: mixed connective tissue disease, overlap syndrome, or acute cardiopulmonary failure at the time of the study. All patients underwent physical examination, electrocardiogram, spirometry, chest X-ray, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest, echocardiography, lung function tests, and the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT). Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis.

RESULTS: We studied 15 patients with the following characteristics: median age, 11 years; median since symptoms onset, 6 years; median since JSSc diagnosis and the finding of pulmonary involvement, 2 years. Lung disease was detected in 73%, interstitial lung disease (ILD) the most common affection (67%); pulmonary hypertension was found in 6.6%. 6-MWT was positive in 26.6%, forced vital capacity (FVC) was abnormal in 26.6%. No pulmonary involvement was found in four patients.

CONCLUSIONS: The most frequent pulmonary affection in JSSc was ILD. Thus, early JSSc detection and periodic lung monitoring are mandatory to avoid further complications once JSSc is diagnosed.

PMID:34570747 | DOI:10.24875/BMHIM.20000301

PLoS Comput Biol. 2021 Sep 27;17(9):e1009413. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009413. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Persistent destruction of pancreatic β-cells in type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from multifaceted pancreatic cellular interactions in various phase progressions. Owing to the inherent heterogeneity of coupled nonlinear systems, computational modeling based on T1D etiology help achieve a systematic understanding of biological processes and T1D health outcomes. The main challenge is to design such a reliable framework to analyze the highly orchestrated biology of T1D based on the knowledge of cellular networks and biological parameters. We constructed a novel hybrid in-silico computational model to unravel T1D onset, progression, and prevention in a non-obese-diabetic mouse model. The computational approach that integrates mathematical modeling, agent-based modeling, and advanced statistical methods allows for modeling key biological parameters and time-dependent spatial networks of cell behaviors. By integrating interactions between multiple cell types, model results captured the individual-specific dynamics of T1D progression and were validated against experimental data for the number of infiltrating CD8+T-cells. Our simulation results uncovered the correlation between five auto-destructive mechanisms identifying a combination of potential therapeutic strategies: the average lifespan of cytotoxic CD8+T-cells in islets; the initial number of apoptotic β-cells; recruitment rate of dendritic-cells (DCs); binding sites on DCs for naïve CD8+T-cells; and time required for DCs movement. Results from therapy-directed simulations further suggest the efficacy of proposed therapeutic strategies depends upon the type and time of administering therapy interventions and the administered amount of therapeutic dose. Our findings show modeling immunogenicity that underlies autoimmune T1D and identifying autoantigens that serve as potential biomarkers are two pressing parameters to predict disease onset and progression.

PMID:34570760 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009413

Dermatitis. 2021 Sep 27. doi: 10.1097/DER.0000000000000787. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recently, aluminum chloride hexahydrate (ACH) 10.0% petrolatum (pet) was recommended for patch testing to detect aluminum contact allergy. Aluminum lactate (AL) may be as reliable a test substance as ACH.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the frequencies of aluminum allergy when ACH and AL were used in patch testing consecutive patients.

METHODS: Petrolatum preparations of ACH 10.0% and AL 12.0% were added to the baseline series in 2010-2017. Aluminum chloride hexahydrate 10.0% pet was added to the children baseline series from July 1, 2012, to December 31, 2017.

RESULTS: A total of 5448 patients were patch tested with the extended baseline series and 196 children with the extended children baseline series. Forty-eight of the 5448 adults (0.9%) and 10 of the 196 children (5.1%) were diagnosed with aluminum contact allergy. A significant difference was found between the aluminum allergy frequencies in children and adults patch tested with ACH in 2013-2017 (P < 0.001). The difference between the frequencies of contact allergies for the 2 aluminum salts is not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS: Patch testing with ACH and AL demonstrated similar contact allergy frequencies. To detect aluminum allergy, patch testing with ACH 10.0% pet is recommended. Aluminum chloride hexahydrate 10.0% pet should be considered for inclusion in baseline series for patch testing adults and children.

PMID:34570735 | DOI:10.1097/DER.0000000000000787

Dermatitis. 2021 Sep 27. doi: 10.1097/DER.0000000000000709. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Ethylhexylglycerin (EHG) is a recently recognized contact allergen.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the study were to characterize individuals with positive patch test reactions to EHG and to analyze reaction strength, clinical relevance, and allergen sources.

METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of the patients patch tested to EHG (5% petrolatum) by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (2013-2018).

RESULTS: Of 15,560 patients tested to EHG, 39 (0.25%) had positive (final interpretation of “allergic”) reactions. Most were female (71.8%) and/or older than 40 years (76.9%). There were no statistically significant differences between age, sex, or atopic history when compared with EHG-negative patients. The most common anatomic sites of dermatitis were the face (28.2%) and scattered generalized distribution (25.6%). Most EHG-positive reactions were + (35.9%) or ++ (33.3%). Current clinical relevance was high (79.5%); none, however, were related to occupation. Personal care products were the most common source of exposure to EHG (59.0%).

CONCLUSIONS: Ethylhexylglycerin is a rare contact allergen; the positive frequency of 0.25% is similar to other low allergenic preservatives including parabens, benzyl alcohol, and phenoxyethanol. The patch test concentration of 5.0% seems to be nonirritating. Although relatively uncommon, EHG reactions were usually clinically relevant (79.5%), often because of moisturizers/lotions/creams.

PMID:34570737 | DOI:10.1097/DER.0000000000000709

Elife. 2021 Sep 27;10:e71969. doi: 10.7554/eLife.71969. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Neurophysiological studies depend on a reliable quantification of whether and when a neuron responds to stimulation. Simple methods to determine responsiveness require arbitrary parameter choices, such as binning size, while more advanced model-based methods require fitting and hyperparameter tuning. These parameter choices can change the results, which invites bad statistical practice and reduces the replicability. New recording techniques that yield increasingly large numbers of cells would benefit from a test for cell-inclusion that requires no manual curation. Here, we present the parameter-free ZETA-test, which outperforms t-tests, ANOVAs, and renewal-process-based methods by including more cells at a similar false-positive rate. We show that our procedure works across brain regions and recording techniques, including calcium imaging and Neuropixels data. Furthermore, in illustration of the method, we show in mouse visual cortex that 1) visuomotor-mismatch and spatial location are encoded by different neuronal subpopulations; and 2) optogenetic stimulation of VIP cells leads to early inhibition and subsequent disinhibition.

PMID:34570697 | DOI:10.7554/eLife.71969

Elife. 2021 Sep 27;10:e64505. doi: 10.7554/eLife.64505.

ABSTRACT

Representations related to past experiences play a critical role in memory and decision-making processes. The rat hippocampus expresses these types of representations during sharp-wave ripple (SWR) events, and previous work identified a minority of SWRs that contain ‘replay’ of spatial trajectories at ∼20x the movement speed of the animal. Efforts to understand replay typically make multiple assumptions about which events to examine and what sorts of representations constitute replay. We therefore lack a clear understanding of both the prevalence and the range of representational dynamics associated with replay. Here, we develop a state space model that uses a combination of movement dynamics of different speeds to capture the spatial content and time evolution of replay during SWRs. Using this model, we find that the large majority of replay events contain spatially coherent, interpretable content. Furthermore, many events progress at real-world, rather than accelerated, movement speeds, consistent with actual experiences.

PMID:34570699 | DOI:10.7554/eLife.64505