Nevin Manimala

Stat Med. 2022 May 6. doi: 10.1002/sim.9423. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the orthogonal array composite design (OACD) methodology, illustrate the various advantages, and provide a real-world application. An OACD combines a two-level factorial design with a three-level orthogonal array and it can be used as an alternative to existing composite designs for building response surface models. We compare the D$$ D $$ -efficiencies of OACDs relative to the commonly used central composite design (CCD) when there are a few missing observations and demonstrate that OACDs are more robust to missing observations for two scenarios. The first scenario assumes one missing observation either from one factorial point or one additional point. The second scenario assumes two missing observations either from two factorial points or from two additional points, or from one factorial point and one additional point. Furthermore, we compare OACDs and CCDs in terms of I$$ I $$ -optimality for precise predictions. Lastly, a real-world application of an OACD for a tuberculosis drug combination study is provided.

PMID:35524290 | DOI:10.1002/sim.9423

Syst Rev. 2022 May 6;11(1):87. doi: 10.1186/s13643-022-01970-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Combination prevention is currently considered the best approach to combat HIV epidemic. It is based upon the combination of structural, behavioral, and biomedical interventions. Such interventions are frequently implemented in a health-promoting manner due to their aims, the approach that was adopted, and their complexity. The impact evaluation of these interventions often relies on methods inherited from the biomedical field. However, these methods have limitations and should be adapted to be relevant for these complex interventions. This systematic review aims to map the evidence-based methods used to quantify the impact of these interventions and analyze how these methods are implemented.

METHODS: Three databases (Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed) will be used to identify impact evaluation studies of health promotion interventions that aimed at reducing the incidence or prevalence of HIV infection. Only studies based on quantitative design assessing intervention impact on HIV prevalence or incidence will be included. Two reviewers will independently screen studies based on titles and abstracts and then on the full text. The information about study characteristics will be extracted to understand the context in which the interventions are implemented. The information specific to quantitative methods of impact evaluation will be extracted using items from the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), the guidelines for reporting Statistical Analyses and Methods in the Published Literature (SAMPL), and the guidelines for Strengthening The Reporting of Empirical Simulation Studies (STRESS). This review will be conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.

DISCUSSION: The impact evaluation of HIV prevention interventions is a matter of substantial importance given the growing need for evidence of the effectiveness of these interventions, whereas they are increasingly complex. These evaluations allow to identify the most effective strategies to be implemented to fight the epidemic. It is therefore relevant to map the methods to better implement them and adapt them according to the type of intervention to be evaluated.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020210825.

PMID:35524284 | DOI:10.1186/s13643-022-01970-z

Head Face Med. 2022 May 6;18(1):15. doi: 10.1186/s13005-022-00318-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is one of the most common malignant salivary gland tumors. Moreover, the unique biological characteristics and complex structures of ACC contribute to its poor survival rates. Recently, proteasome inhibitors have been shown to elicit satisfactory therapeutic effects in the treatment of certain solid tumors, but few studies have been implemented to investigate the effects of proteasome inhibitor therapy for ACC.

METHODS: In this present study, cell counting kit-8 assay and flow cytometry assay were performed to examine the effects of proteasome inhibitor (MG132) on cell viability and apoptosis. We applied western blot and immunofluorescence staining to explore the expression of the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway and P62, additionally Nrf2 inhibitor (ML385) was utilized to evaluate the role of Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway in MG132-induced cell apoptosis.

RESULTS: Our data indicated that MG132 significantly suppressed the growth of ACC-83 cells(MG132 10µM P = 0.0046; 40µM P = 0.0033; 70µM P = 0.0007 versus control) and induced apoptosis (MG132 10µM P = 0.0458; 40µM P = 0.0018; 70µM P = 0.0087 versus control). The application of MG132 induced the up-regulation of Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, inhibition of Nrf2 attenuated the therapeutic effects of MG132 for ACC (both ML385 + MG132 10µM P = 0.0013; 40µM P = 0.0057; 70µM P = 0.0003 versus MG132). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that proteasome inhibitors MG132 could inhibit the cell viability and induce the apoptosis of ACC through Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway.

PMID:35524269 | DOI:10.1186/s13005-022-00318-1

Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2022 May 6;21(1):68. doi: 10.1186/s12933-022-01511-x.

ABSTRACT

The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index has been identified as a reliable alternative biomarker of insulin resistance (IR). Recently, a considerable number of studies have provided robust statistical evidence suggesting that the TyG index is associated with the development and prognosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Nevertheless, the application of the TyG index as a marker of CVD has not systemically been evaluated, and even less information exists regarding the underlying mechanisms associated with CVD. To this end, in this review, we summarize the history of the use of the TyG index as a surrogate marker for IR. We aimed to highlight the application value of the TyG index for a variety of CVD types and to explore the potential limitations of using this index as a predictor for cardiovascular events to improve its application value for CVD and provide more extensive and precise supporting evidence.

PMID:35524263 | DOI:10.1186/s12933-022-01511-x

BMC Palliat Care. 2022 May 6;21(1):67. doi: 10.1186/s12904-022-00960-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hospitals are globally an important place of care for dying people and the most frequent place of death in Germany (47%), but at the same time, the least preferred one – for both patients and their relatives. Important indicators and outcome variables indexing quality of care in the dying phase are available, and various proposals to achieve corresponding quality objectives exist. However, they are not yet sufficiently adapted to the heterogeneous needs of individual hospital wards.

METHODS: This multi-centre single-arm pre-post study aims at the development and implementation of context-specific measures in everyday clinical practice, followed by evaluating this approach. Therefore, (1) already existing measures regarding optimal care in the dying phase are identified applying a systematic literature review as well as an online survey and a symposium with experts. Supported by the thereby generated collection of measures, (2) a stratified sample of ten teams of different wards from two university hospitals select suitable measures and implement them in their everyday clinical practice. Circumstances of patients’ deaths on the selected wards are recorded twice, at baseline before application of the self-chosen measures and afterwards in a follow-up survey. Retrospective file analysis of deceased persons, quantitative staff surveys as well as qualitative multi-professional focus groups and interviews with relatives form the data basis of the pre-post evaluation. (3) Results are reviewed regarding their transferability to other hospitals and disseminated (inter-)nationally.

DISCUSSION: Measures that are easy to implement and appropriate to the specific situation are supposed to significantly improve the quality of care during the dying phase in hospitals and contribute to the well-being of dying patients and their relatives. Successful implementation of those measures requires consideration of the individual conditions and needs of patients and their relatives-but also of the health professionals-on the different hospital wards. Therefore, a bottom-up approach, in which the ward-specific situation is first analysed in detail and then the staff itself selects and implements measures to improve care, appears most promising for optimising care in the dying phase in hospitals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered in the German Clinical Trials Register ( DRKS00025405 ).

PMID:35524257 | DOI:10.1186/s12904-022-00960-1

BMC Med Educ. 2022 May 6;22(1):346. doi: 10.1186/s12909-022-03422-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Academic burnout has a negative effect on learning outcomes of nursing students. Factors affecting academic burnout may differ depending on whether or not they have experience in clinical practice and identifying these differences would be necessary to seek for strategies to lower academic burnout of nursing students. This study aimed to determine the effects of stress, depression, and anxiety on academic burnout according to the clinical practice experience of nursing students.

METHODS: Data were collected from 171 female nursing students in South Korea. Self-report questionnaires from 83 participants without clinical practice experience and 88 with clinical practice experience were analyzed using descriptive statistics, χ2-tests, analysis of variance, t-test, Spearman correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression.

RESULTS: Academic burnout was positively correlated to stress (r = .52, p < .001), anxiety (r = .50, p < .001) and depression (r = .44, p < .001). In those students with no clinical practice experience, anxiety and depression explained for academic burnout by 44%, and those students with clinical practice experience, stress and major satisfaction explained for 33% of academic burnout.

CONCLUSIONS: Universities and clinical institutions should establish a cooperative system to reduce stress, depression and anxiety and increase major satisfaction.

PMID:35524256 | DOI:10.1186/s12909-022-03422-7

BMC Public Health. 2022 May 6;22(1):903. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13341-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Educational disparities in health and health behaviours have always been relevant in public health research and are particularly challenging in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. First studies suggest that factors important for the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as prevention behaviour, risk perception, perceived effectiveness of containment measures, and trust in authorities handling the pandemic, vary by educational status. This study builds on recent debate by examining trends in absolute and relative educational disparities in these factors in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany.

METHODS: Data stem from four waves of the GESIS Panel surveyed between March and October 2020 in Germany (15,902 observations from 4,690 individuals). Trends in absolute and relative disparities were examined for preventive behaviour, risk perception, perceived effectiveness of COVID-19 containment measures, and trust in individuals and institutions handling the COVID-19 pandemic by educational status using sex, age, residence, nationality, children under 16 living in household, family status, household size, the Big Five Inventory, and income class as control factors. Descriptive statistics as well as unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models and random effects models were performed.

RESULTS: We observed an initially rising and then falling trend in preventive behaviour with consistent and significant absolute and relative disparities with a lower preventive behaviour among low educated individuals. Indication of a U-shaped trend with consistent significantly lower values among lower educated individuals was found for risk perception, whereas perceived effectiveness and trust decreased significantly over time but did not significantly vary by educational status.

CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate persistent educational disparities in preventive behaviour and risk perception and a general decline in perceived effectiveness and trust in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. To address this overall downward trend and existing disparities, comprehensive and strategic management is needed to communicate the risks of the pandemic and the benefits of COVID-19 containment measures. Both must be adapted to the different needs of educational groups in particular in order to overcome gaps in preventive behaviour and risk perception by educational status.

PMID:35524252 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-022-13341-3

BMC Oral Health. 2022 May 6;22(1):166. doi: 10.1186/s12903-022-02198-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A thorough understanding of the original root and canal anatomy is a critical technical prerequisite for performing cleaning and shaping treatments. Therefore, this research aimed to characterize maxillary first premolar teeth’ root morphology and canal architecture.

METHODS: One hundred forty-two extracted human adult maxillary first premolar teeth have been retrieved. The extracted teeth were thoroughly cleaned and irrigated to eliminate any remaining debris or blood. They were then preserved in formalin solution until they were eligible for screening. To begin, a visual examination was employed to ascertain the number of roots and their geometry in each sample. Then, utilizing digital radiography in two plains, mesiodistal and distomesial, to further determine those parameters. Finally, a sectioning technique had been used to have the samples cut mesiodistally into slices to validate the internal root canal architecture and identify the number of root canals and their varieties in accordance with Vertucci’s categorization system. The canal layout, the pulp chamber, and the root canals were all highlighted (marked) using a fine tip marker in a permanent orange hue to make the canal features more accessible and accurate to visualize. All of the processes were conducted by two highly qualified dentists. The sample size was estimated statistically using the Sealed Envelope program, and the percentage of each configuration was derived in proportion to the overall sample size in order to establish the percentage of each type in each configuration.

RESULTS: From the 142 teeth examined, 42 (29.57%) had one root, 97 (68.31%) had two roots, and only three premolars (2.12%) had three roots. Concerning canal configurations, 100 teeth (70.43%) had type (IV) canal configuration, followed by 37 teeth (26.05%) had types (V), three teeth (2.12%) had type (VIII), and one tooth (0.70%) for each of type (I) and type (II).

CONCLUSIONS: The anatomical pattern of inspected maxillary first premolars are mainly two rooted and predominantly have a type (IV) canal morphology.

PMID:35524244 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-022-02198-y

BMC Public Health. 2022 May 6;22(1):908. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13233-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Advertising alcoholic drinks and food high in fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) is a driver of alcohol use and HFSS consumption, among children and young people. Whilst advertising legislation and broadcasting regulation protect children from alcohol and HFSS imagery, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which attracted a global audience, was sponsored and partnered by alcohol and HFSS brands. This study investigated the exposure of viewers to HFSS and alcohol imagery in a selection of group matches, and the final match, of the FIFA 2018 World Cup.

METHODS: The frequency and duration of appearances (to the nearest second) of branding from two sponsors (McDonald’s and Budweiser), one official partner (Coca-Cola) and the official sports drink (Powerade) were recorded during all active play in live coverage of a sample of 13 matches (Six in Group A, which included the host nation, Russia, which has stringent alcohol promotion regulations in place; six in Group G, which featured England; and the final) broadcast in the UK. We used census and viewing data to calculate gross and per capita impressions generated by this imagery in the UK population.

RESULTS: The 13 matches included 1262 min of active play and a total of 1806 appearances of alcohol and HFSS food advertisements, delivering approximately 7.5 billion branded HFSS impressions, including 759 million to children (age < 16 years), and 3.3 billion alcohol impressions, including 385 million to children, in the UK. Appearances of HFSS and alcohol brands were not statistically different between the games in either group.

CONCLUSION: UK advertising legislation and broadcasting regulations intended to prevent exposure to alcohol and HFSS imagery and advertising in UK television was circumvented completely by sponsorship arrangements in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Preventing this exposure therefore requires revision of existing advertising and broadcasting controls to include sponsorship.

PMID:35524237 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-022-13233-6

BMC Public Health. 2022 May 6;22(1):902. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-13304-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: National mortality statistics are only based on the underlying cause of death, which may considerably underestimate the effects of some chronic conditions.

METHODS: The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for diabetes (a common precursor to multimorbidity), dementia (a potential accelerant of death) and cancer (expected to be well-recorded) were calculated from death certificates for 9 056 women from the 1921-26 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. Log binomial regression models were fitted to examine factors associated with the sensitivity of death certificates with these conditions as underlying or contributing causes of death.

RESULTS: Among women who had a record of each of these conditions in their lifetime, the sensitivity was 12.3% (95% confidence interval, 11.0%, 13.7%), 25.2% (23.7%, 26.7%) and 57.7% (55.9%, 59.5%) for diabetes, dementia and cancer, respectively, as the underlying cause of death, and 40.9% (38.8%, 42.9%), 52.3% (50.6%, 54.0%) and 67.1% (65.4%, 68.7%), respectively, if contributing causes of death were also taken into account. In all cases specificity (> 97%) and positive predictive value (> 91%) were high, and negative predictive value ranged from 69.6% to 84.6%. Sensitivity varied with age (in different directions for different conditions) but not consistently with the other sociodemographic factors.

CONCLUSIONS: Death rates associated with common conditions that occur in multimorbidity clusters in the elderly are underestimated in national mortality statistics, but would be improved if the multiple causes of death listed on a death certificate were taken into account in the statistics.

PMID:35524227 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-022-13304-8