Category: Statistics

PLoS One. 2023 Oct 24;18(10):e0288543. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288543. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) have been theorised to contribute to reoccurring interpersonal problems. This study developed a novel experimental paradigm that aimed to assess if EMSs moderate the impact of interpersonal situations on interpersonal responses by manipulating the degree of rejection in a series of interpersonal vignettes depicting acceptance, ambiguous rejection and rejection.

METHOD: In a sample of 158 first-year psychology students (27.2% male; 72.2% female; 0.6% other) participant responses to interpersonal scenarios were measured including degree of perceived rejection, emotional distress, conviction in varying cognitive appraisals consistent with attribution theory and behavioural responses to scenarios. Qualitative data was analysed using inductive content analysis and statistical analyses were conducted using multi-level mixed effect linear and logistic regression models using the software Jamovi.

RESULTS: People reporting higher EMSs reported increased emotional distress (F(1, 156) = 24.85, p < .001), perceptions of rejection (F(1, 156) = 34.33, p < .001), self-blame (F(1, 156) = 53.25, p < .001), other-blame (F(1, 156) = 13.16, p < .001) and more intentional (F(1, 156) = 9.24, p = .003), stable (F(1, 156) = 25.22, p < .001) and global (F(1, 156) = 19.55, p < .001) attributions but no differences in reported behavioural responses. The results also supported that EMSs moderate the relationship between interpersonal rejection and perceptions of rejection (F(2, 1252) = 18.43, p < .001), emotional distress (F(2, 1252) = 12.64, p < .001) and self-blame (F(2, 1252) = 14.00, p < .001).

CONCLUSION: Together these findings suggest that people with EMSs experience increased distress and select negative cognitions in situations where there are higher levels of rejection but that distress and negative cognitions are generally higher in people with EMSs irrespective of the situation.

PMID:37874818 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0288543

PLoS One. 2023 Oct 24;18(10):e0288630. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288630. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

This study examines the relationship between globalization, ecological footprint, innovation, and subjective wellbeing in the form of happiness, using a comprehensive assessment of OECD countries from 2008 to 2020. The study employs FGLS, Quantile, and Bootstrap Quantile regression estimation to investigate the quadratic effects of globalization, ecological footprint, and the moderating effect of innovation while controlling for renewable energy and population density. Happiness is a multidisciplinary subject, and this study focuses on the economic dimensions of happiness. The findings reveal a nonlinear relationship between ecological footprint and globalization, with negative effects on subjective wellbeing at high levels of ecological footprint and globalization. However, the moderating effect of innovation mitigates these adverse effects, indicating that innovation can help to offset the detrimental impacts of ecological footprint and globalization on subjective wellbeing. The study’s implications are significant for policymakers promoting sustainable economic growth while enhancing subjective wellbeing. The findings highlight the importance of investing in innovation and sustainable development to promote subjective wellbeing in the face of increasing ecological footprint and globalization. Additionally, this research contributes to the multidisciplinary understanding of happiness and provides valuable insights for future research in this area.

PMID:37874811 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0288630

Bratisl Lek Listy. 2023;124(11):842-847. doi: 10.4149/BLL_2023_129.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of Protocatechuic Acid (PCA), which is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic agent, on ovarian tissue and ovarian reserve against ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in a rat ovarian torsion model.

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen radicals cause histopathological changes in the ovarian tissue during the reperfusion phase. PCA may have protective effects on ovarian tissue and reserve due to its antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties.

METHODS: A total of 24 Wistar adult female rats were divided into 3 groups as the control (sham operation, n = 8), IR (Ischemia-Reperfusion, n = 8), and IR+PCA (Ischemia-Reperfusion + 80 mg/kg protocatechuic acid, n = 8). The IR and IR + PCA groups underwent 3 hours of ischemia followed by 3 hours of ovarian reperfusion. Protocatechuic acid (80 mg/kg) was administered to the IR+PCA group 30 minutes before reperfusion. After reperfusion, the ovaries were removed for histopathological and biochemical examination.

RESULTS: Histopathological score and TUNEL+ cell count were significantly lower and AMH expression level was significantly higher in the IR+PCA group when compared to the IR group (p <0.05). However, in the comparison of the follicle counts, there was no statistically significant difference between all groups. Due to the increase in antioxidant activity, the MDA levels were found to be significantly lower in the IR+PCA group compared to the IR group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Protocatechuic acid may be an effective antioxidant in protecting ovarian tissue and follicle reserve against IR injury of the ovary (Tab. 1, Fig. 4, Ref. 36).

PMID:37874807 | DOI:10.4149/BLL_2023_129

Bratisl Lek Listy. 2023;124(11):827-832. doi: 10.4149/BLL_2023_127.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to determine whether mapping the lymphatic drainage and diagnostic excision of lymph nodes from lateral neck compartment is able to detect ultrasound unknown metastases in this compartment early and thus favorably affect the prognosis of patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).

BACKGROUND: Lymph node involvement in the lateral neck compartment is seen in 30-60 % of patients with PTC at the time of diagnosis and affects the prognosis of patients in terms of disease recurrence.

METHODS: From June 2012 to December 2016, 154 patients with no evidence of lateral nodal involvement on imaging studies were treated with total thyroidectomy and central comparment neck dissection. A volume of 0.2 ml of Patent Blue dye was applied in the upper half of the thyroid gland with subsequent exposure of lymphatic drainage in the lateral compartment and 2-3 sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) were removed for frozen section (Group 1). In case of metastatic involvement, a lateral comparment neck dissection was performed. The reference groups were composed of a set of patients without detected lymphatic drainage (Group 2) and a set of patients who underwent lateral compartment neck dissection for preoperatively detected metastases in the lymph nodes (Group 3). The biochemical, structural and overall persistence of the disease at the time of administration of adjuvant radioiodine ablation was evaluated.

RESULTS: The SLN identification rate was 95.45 %. In Group 1, a total of 32 patients had a positive SLN. Out of these, 24 patients had positive SLNs based on the analysis of frozen section, while in 8 patients, the positive diagnosis was confirmed through definitive histology. The comparison of data from the entire follow-up period in all three groups of patients revealed statistically significant differences in persistence of disease, namely in favor of Group 1. The percentage of reoperations for persistence and recurrence of disease was significantly lowest in Group 1 (2.04 %) compared to Groups 2 and 3 (6.94 % and 45.45 % respectively).

CONCLUSION: The method is safe and sensitive for detecting unknown lymph node metastases in the lateral neck compartment, and may facilitate a decision to perform accurate surgical treatment of patients with PTC (Tab. 4, Fig. 2, Ref. 38).

PMID:37874805 | DOI:10.4149/BLL_2023_127

Bratisl Lek Listy. 2023;124(11):821-826. doi: 10.4149/BLL_2023_126.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Some symptoms such as fatigue and dyspnea decrease the quality of life in patients with heart failure. The effectiveness of self-management programs on management of chronic conditions was discussed. So, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of self-management program based on 5A model on fatigue and dyspnea in patients with heart failure.

METHODS: In this clinical trial study, 60 patients with heart failure were included. The intervention group underwent self-management program based on 5A model and the control group received routine care. All the enrolled patients were evaluated once at baseline and once after 3 months using fatigue severity and Borg dyspnea scales. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16 by descriptive statistics and independent t-test, covariance test, and paired sample t- test. The significance level was set at 0.05.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the mean scores of fatigue and dyspnea at the beginning of the study between control and intervention groups (p > 0.05), but 3 months after intervention a significant difference was found in mean scores of fatigue and dyspnea between two groups, (p < 0.05). The difference between pre- and post-intervention scores in terms of the dyspnea and fatigue variables was significant based on the result of paired sample t-test (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, self-management program based on 5A Model can be used to reduce the severity of fatigue and dyspnea as well as improve the quality of life in patients with heart failure (Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 33).

PMID:37874804 | DOI:10.4149/BLL_2023_126

Bratisl Lek Listy. 2023;124(11):802-809. doi: 10.4149/BLL_2023_123.

ABSTRACT

RATIONALE: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a serious acute abdominal disease. AP is often referred to as an unpredictable illness, which can take a mild to severe (fatal) course.

AIMS OF THE STUDY: 1) To identify clinical parameters that are significantly related to the clinical course of acute pancreatitis. 2) To compile a scoring system enabling the severity of AP to be predicted when the patient is first admitted to hospital.

METHODS: Analysis of available publications and clinical guidance, and retrospective analysis of data on patients hospitalised with AP at our clinic enable us to identify clinical details and laboratory results recorded at the time of patients’ admission to hospital that are related to the subsequent severity of the disease. For the purposes of statistical analysis, the sample of patients was divided into two groups: group A (mild AP, without local or organ complications), group B (moderately severe and severe AP with local and/or organ complications).

PATIENT GROUPS AND RESULTS: In total, between 01.01.2013 and 30.06.2022, 312 patients with acute pancreatitis were allocated to the retrospective-prospective study sample. 74 % (231/312) of these patients were allocated to group A and 26 % (81/312) were allocated to group B. Univariate analysis of the data collected on the patient sample identified 5 parameters that are statistically significantly associated with the severity of the clinical course of the disease. Presence of SIRS on admission (A vs B, Odds ratio 10.787, 95% CI 5.09-22.85, p < 0.0001), diabetes mellitus type 2 in case history (A vs B, Odds ratio 7.703, 95% CI 3.04-19.51, p 2 mmol/l (A vs B, Odds ratio 3.293, 95% CI 1.59-6.82, p = 0.0013).In order to develop a scoring system, each of these parameters was allocated a points value based on its Odds ratio (OR): presence of SIRS 3 points, hypocalcaemia 3 points, diabetes mellitus type 2 in case history 2 points, urea concentration > 8 mmol/l 1 point and lactate concentration > 2 mmol/l 1 point. The authors refer to their scoring system as The Acute Pancreatitis Admission Score (APAS). The accuracy of APAS was modelled for various cut off values. Across the whole sample, we ascertained that an APAS ≥ 4 points predicts moderately severe or severe AP with a sensitivity of 81 % (95% CI: 71 – 89 %) and specificity of 87 % (95 CI: 81 – 91 %). The positive predictive value (PPV) of APAS ≥ 4 is 0.68, while its negative predictive value (NPV) is 0.93 and accuracy 0.85 (95% CI 0.81 – 0.89).

CONCLUSION: In this study we identify significant simple clinical and laboratory parameters that are commonly tested as part of an initial examination when admitting a patient with AP to hospital. Having identified these parameters we are able to establish a simple scoring system that is able to predict the severity of the course of AP at the moment of hospitalisation (Tab. 5, Fig. 2, Ref. 27).

PMID:37874801 | DOI:10.4149/BLL_2023_123

PLoS One. 2023 Oct 24;18(10):e0286476. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286476. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: HIV continues to be a global challenge. Key recommendations for HIV prevention and treatment are presented on rapid antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. However, several studies showed a high prevalence of delayed ART initiation. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the prevalence of delayed ART initiation among HIV-infected patients globally.

METHODS: This review summarised eligible studies conducted between January 2015 and August 2022 on the prevalence of delayed ART initiation in HIV-infected adults (age ≥ 15). Relevant studies were systematic searched through PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and Chongqing VIP databases. Random-effects models were used to calculate pooled prevalence estimates. The heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran’s Q test and I2 statistics. Moreover, potential sources of heterogeneity were explored using univariate subgroup analysis.

RESULTS: Data on the prevalence of delayed ART initiation was pooled across 29 studies involving 34,937 participants from 15 countries. The overall pooled prevalence of delayed ART initiation was 36.1% [95% confidence interval (CI), 29.7-42.5%]. In subgroup analysis, the estimated pooled prevalence decreased with age. By sex, the prevalence was higher among male patients (39.3%, 95% CI: 32.2-46.4%) than female (36.5%, 95% CI: 26.9-50.7%). Patients with high CD4 cell count were more likely to delay ART initiation than those with low CD4 cell count (>500cells/mm3: 40.3%; 201-500cells/mm3: 33.4%; and ≤200cells/mm3: 25.3%).

CONCLUSIONS: Our systematic review and meta-analysis identified a high prevalence of delayed ART initiation. The prolonged time interval between diagnosis and treatment is a prevalent and unaddressed problem that should spur initiatives from countries globally. Further research is urgently needed to identify effective strategies for promoting the early ART initiation.

PMID:37874794 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0286476

Br J Dermatol. 2023 Oct 24:ljad410. doi: 10.1093/bjd/ljad410. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Co-existing long-term conditions (LTC) in psoriasis and their potential causal associations with the disease are not well-established.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine distinct clusters of LTC in people with psoriasis and the potential bi-directional causal association between these LTC and psoriasis.

METHODS: Using latent class analysis, cross-sectional data of people with psoriasis from the UK Biobank were analysed to identify distinct psoriasis-related co-morbidity profiles. Linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSR) was applied to compute the genetic correlation between psoriasis and LTC. Two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomisation (MR) analysis assessed potential causal direction using independent genetic variants that reached genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10-8).

RESULTS: Five co-morbidity clusters were identified in a population of 10,873 people with psoriasis. LDSR revealed that psoriasis was positively genetically correlated with heart failure (rg = 0.23, p = 8.8 × 10-8), depression (rg = 0.12, p = 2.7 × 10-5), coronary artery disease (CAD) (rg = 0.15, p = 2 × 10-4), and type 2 diabetes (rg = 0.19, p = 3 × 10-3). Genetic liability to CAD was associated with an increased risk of psoriasis (ORIVW = 1.159; 95%CI 1.055-1.274; p = 2 × 10-3). The MR-PRESSO (ORMR-PRESSO = 1.13; 95%CI 1.042-1.228; p = 6 × 10-3) and the MR-RAPS (ORMR-RAPS = 1.149; 95%CI 1.062-1.242; p = 5 × 10-4) approaches corroborate the IVW findings. The weighted median generated similar and consistent effect estimates but was not statistically significant (ORWM = 1.076; 95%CI 0.949-1.221; p = 0.251). Evidence for a suggestive increased risk was detected for CAD (ORIVW = 1.031; 95%CI 1.003-1.059; p = 0.032) and heart failure (ORIVW = 1.019; 95%CI 1.005-1.033; p = 9 × 10-3) in those with genetic liability to psoriasis; however, MR sensitivity analyses did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS: Five distinct clusters of psoriasis co-morbidities were observed with these findings to offer opportunities for an integrated approach to comorbidity prevention and treatment. Co-existing LTC share with psoriasis common genetic and non-genetic risk factors, and aggressive lifestyle modification in these people is anticipated to have an impact beyond psoriasis risk. Genetically predicted coronary artery disease is possibly associated with an increased risk of psoriasis, altering our prior knowledge.

PMID:37874776 | DOI:10.1093/bjd/ljad410

Anal Chem. 2023 Oct 24. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04316. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) with the ability of bacterial identification is urgently needed for evidence-based antibiotic prescription. Herein, we propose an enzymatic AST (enzyAST) that employs β-d-glucuronidase as a biomarker to identify pathogens and profile phenotypic susceptibilities simultaneously. EnzyAST enables to offer binary AST results within 30 min, much faster than standard methods (>16 h). The general applicability of enzyAST was verified by testing the susceptibility of two Escherichia coli strains to three antibiotics with different action mechanisms. The pilot study also shows that the minimal inhibitory concentrations can be determined by enzyAST with the statistical analysis of enzymatic activity of the bacteria population exposed to varying antibiotic concentrations. With further development of multiple bacteria and sample treatment, enzyAST could be able to evaluate the susceptibility of pathogens in clinical samples directly to facilitate the evidence-based therapy.

PMID:37874622 | DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04316

JMIR Res Protoc. 2023 Oct 24;12:e51861. doi: 10.2196/51861.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis A outbreaks in the United Kingdom are uncommon. Most people develop mild to moderate symptoms that resolve, without sequelae, within months. However, in high-risk groups, including those with underlying chronic liver disease (CLD), hepatitis A infection can be severe, with a higher risk of mortality and morbidity. The Health Security Agency and the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence recommend preexposure hepatitis A vaccination given in 2 doses to people with CLD, regardless of its cause. There are currently no published reports of vaccination coverage for people with CLD in England or internationally.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe hepatitis A vaccination coverage in adults with CLD in a UK primary care setting and compare liver disease etiology, sociodemographic characteristics, and comorbidities in people who are and are not exposed to the hepatitis A vaccine.

METHODS: We will conduct a retrospective cohort study with data from the Primary Care Sentinel Cohort of the Oxford-Royal College of General Practitioners Clinical Informatics Digital Hub database, which is nationally representative of the English population. We will include people aged 18 years and older who have been registered in general practices in the Research and Surveillance Centre network and have a record of CLD between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2022, including those with alcohol-related liver disease, chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C, nonalcohol fatty liver disease, Wilson disease, hemochromatosis, and autoimmune hepatitis. We will carefully curate variables using the Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms. We will report the sociodemographic characteristics of those who are vaccinated. These include age, gender, ethnicity, population density, region, socioeconomic status (measured using the index of multiple deprivation), obesity, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Hepatitis A vaccination coverage for 1 and 2 doses will be calculated using an estimate of the CLD population as the denominator. We will analyze the baseline characteristics using descriptive statistics, including measures of dispersion. Pairwise comparisons of case-mix characteristics, comorbidities, and complications will be reported according to vaccination status. A multistate survival model will be fitted to estimate the transition probabilities among four states: (1) diagnosed with CLD, (2) first dose of hepatitis A vaccination, (3) second dose of hepatitis A vaccination, and (4) death. This will identify any potential disparities in how people with CLD get vaccinated.

RESULTS: The Research and Surveillance Centre population comprises over 8 million people. The reported incidence of CLD is 20.7 cases per 100,000. International estimates of hepatitis A vaccine coverage vary between 10% and 50% in this group.

CONCLUSIONS: This study will describe the uptake of the hepatitis A vaccine in people with CLD and report any disparities or differences in the characteristics of the vaccinated population.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/51861.

PMID:37874614 | DOI:10.2196/51861