Nevin Manimala

Patterns (N Y). 2022 Feb 9:100453. doi: 10.1016/j.patter.2022.100453. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

One of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a push for researchers to better exploit synthetic data and accelerate the design, analysis, and modelling of clinical trials. The unprecedented clinical efforts caused by COVID-19 will certainly boost future robust and innovative approaches of statistical sciences applied to clinical fields. Here, we report the development of SASC, a simple but efficient approach to generate COVID-19 related synthetic clinical data through a web application. SASC takes basic summary statistics for each group of patients and attempts to generate single variables according to internal correlations. To assess the “reliability” of the results, statistical comparisons with Synthea, a known synthetic patient generator tool and, more importantly, with clinical data of real COVID-19 patients are provided. The source code and web application are available on GitHub at https://zenodo.org/record/5896935#.Ye6cpnrMJgC.

PMID:35156066 | PMC:PMC8825316 | DOI:10.1016/j.patter.2022.100453

Crit Care Explor. 2022 Feb 8;4(2):e0632. doi: 10.1097/CCE.0000000000000632. eCollection 2022 Feb.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Lung protective ventilation (LPV) is a key component in the management of acute respiratory distress syndrome and other acute respiratory pathology. Initiation of LPV in the emergency department (ED) is associated with improved patient-centered and system outcomes, but adherence to LPV among ED patients is low. The impact of an ED-based ICU (ED-ICU) on LPV adherence is not known.

METHODS: This single-center, retrospective, cohort study analyzed rates of adherence to a multifaceted LPV strategy pre- and post-implementation of an ED-ICU. LPV strategy components included low tidal volume ventilation, avoidance of severe hyperoxia and high plateau pressures, and positive end-expiratory pressure settings in alignment with best-evidence recommendations. The primary outcome was adherence to the LPV strategy at time of ED departure.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A total of 561 ED visits were included in the analysis, of which 60.0% received some portion of their emergency care in the ED-ICU. Adherence to the LPV strategy was statistically significantly higher in the ED-ICU cohort compared with the pre-ED-ICU cohort (65.8% vs 41.4%; p < 0.001) and non-ED-ICU cohort (65.8% vs 43.1%; p < 0.001). Among the ED-ICU cohort, 92.8% of patients received low tidal volume ventilation. Care in the ED-ICU was also associated with shorter ICU and hospital length of stay. These findings suggest improved patient and resource utilization outcomes for mechanically ventilated ED patients receiving care in an ED-ICU.

PMID:35156050 | PMC:PMC8826963 | DOI:10.1097/CCE.0000000000000632

Schizophr Bull Open. 2022 Jan 11;3(1):sgac001. doi: 10.1093/schizbullopen/sgac001. eCollection 2022 Jan.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia commonly co-occurs with cardiometabolic and inflammation-related traits. It is unclear to what extent the comorbidity could be explained by shared genetic aetiology.

METHODS: We used GWAS data to estimate shared genetic aetiology between schizophrenia, cardiometabolic, and inflammation-related traits: fasting insulin (FI), fasting glucose, glycated haemoglobin, glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes (T2D), lipids, body mass index (BMI), coronary artery disease (CAD), and C-reactive protein (CRP). We examined genome-wide correlation using linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC); stratified by minor-allele frequency using genetic covariance analyzer (GNOVA); then refined to locus-level using heritability estimation from summary statistics (ρ-HESS). Regions with local correlation were used in hypothesis prioritization multi-trait colocalization to examine for colocalisation, implying common genetic aetiology.

RESULTS: We found evidence for weak genome-wide negative correlation of schizophrenia with T2D (r_g = -0.07; 95% C.I., -0.03,0.12; P = .002) and BMI (r_g = -0.09; 95% C.I., -0.06, -0.12; P = 1.83 × 10^-5). We found a trend of evidence for positive genetic correlation between schizophrenia and cardiometabolic traits confined to lower-frequency variants. This was underpinned by 85 regions of locus-level correlation with evidence of opposing mechanisms. Ten loci showed strong evidence of colocalization. Four of those (rs6265 (BDNF); rs8192675 (SLC2A2); rs3800229 (FOXO3); rs17514846 (FURIN)) are implicated in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-related pathways.

CONCLUSIONS: LDSC may lead to downwardly-biased genetic correlation estimates between schizophrenia, cardiometabolic, and inflammation-related traits. Common genetic aetiology for these traits could be confined to lower-frequency common variants and involve opposing mechanisms. Genes related to BDNF and glucose transport amongst others may partly explain the comorbidity between schizophrenia and cardiometabolic disorders.

PMID:35156041 | PMC:PMC8827407 | DOI:10.1093/schizbullopen/sgac001

Adv Gerontol. 2021;34(6):953-960.

ABSTRACT

The work carried out an empirical analysis of the impact on the level of vitality of the parameters of the socio-economic situation of elderly people based on the data of a sociological survey. The modeling of the study of the influence included the choice of variables taking into account the criterion of the complexity of the measured parameters. The empirical basis for the study was the results of a survey (n=400) of elderly people living in cities and rural areas of the Tomsk region. Modeling and correlation analysis are used to test hypotheses. To identify the dependence, a formal model of the relationship of resilience with the selected parameters of the socio-economic situation is used as a system of indicators, to which the methods of mathematical statistics are applied to identify their impact on strengthening the resilience of older people. The results of the study confirm the influence of satisfaction with material prosperity on the resilience of elderly people. Correlations of resilience with different parameters, including gender, place of residence and higher education, were revealed.

PMID:35152614

Adv Gerontol. 2021;34(6):928-933.

ABSTRACT

The article presents pioneer results of assessing the impact of the pandemic on the resilience of the older adults of the Tomsk region. We assessed the resilience of older adults and its predictors basing upon the survey of 400 respondents aged 55-92 using the Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC-25). The results reveal statistically significant relationship between the resilience, material well-being and emotional state of elderly respondents in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The results of the study complement the existing approaches to assessing and measuring the parameters of the quality of life of the older adults, and can be used to design tools for strengthening the resilience in line with the concept of active ageing.

PMID:35152610

Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2022 Feb 12;42(2):157-61. doi: 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20210719-0005.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical therapeutic effect and the impacts on recurrence rate on chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) between the combined treatment of bloodletting therapy and auricular point sticking on the base of xuanfu theory and the oral solution of levocetirizine hydrochloride.

METHODS: A total of 86 patients with CSU were randomized into an observation group (43 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a control group (43 cases, 3 cases dropped off). In the observation group, bloodletting therapy at Dazhui (GV 14), Feishu (BL 13), Geshu (BL 17) and Pishu (BL 20) was combined with auricular point sticking at lung (CO₁₄), kidney (CO₁₀), shenmen (TF₄) and heart (CO₁₅), etc. This combined treatment was given once every two days. In the control group, the oral solution of levocetirizine hydrochloride was prescribed, 10 mL each time, once daily. The treatment lasted for 4 weeks in the two groups. Before and after treatment, urticaria activity score 7 (UAS7), the score of dermatology life quality index (DLQI) and the levels of serum immune globulin E (IgE), interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interferon γ (IFN-γ) were compared in the patients between the two groups. The clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated in patients of the two groups and the recurrence rate was followed up 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment separately.

RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of UAS7 and DLQI, as well as the levels of serum IgE and IL-4 were all reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and the level of serum IFN-γ was increased (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 83.3% (35/42) in the observation group and was 85.0% (34/40) in the control group. There was no statistical significance for the difference in the clinical therapeutic effect between the two groups (P>0.05). Eight and 12 weeks after treatment, the recurrence rates were 21.1% (4/19) and 26.3% (5/19) in the observation group, lower than 55.0% (11/20) and 65.0% (13/20) in the control group, respectively (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The combined therapy of bloodletting and auricular point sticking on the base of xuanfu theory relieves the clinical symptoms, regulates the levels of serum IgE, IL-4 and IFN-γ and improves the quality of life in the patients with CSU. The clinical therapeutic effect of this combined treatment is similar to the oral solution of levocetirizine hydrochloride. But, the recurrence rate of the combined treatment of bloodletting and auricular point sticking is lower and its long-term curative effect is better.

PMID:35152579 | DOI:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20210719-0005

Brain Behav. 2022 Feb 13:e2524. doi: 10.1002/brb3.2524. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Some acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients still suffer from early neurological deterioration (END) after receiving intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), and these patients often have a poor prognosis. The purpose of our study is to observe the efficacy and safety of human urinary kallidinogenase (HUK) treatment in patients with END.

METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis and 49 patients with END who met the inclusion criteria were divided into the observation group and the control group. All patients received routine treatment of AIS, while patients in the observation group were treated with HUK within 24 h after IVT and the other group without HUK.

RESULTS: There were 24 patients in the observation group and 25 patients in the control group. After treatment, favorable prognosis (mRS scores ≤2) at 3 months in the observation group with 13 cases (54.17%) was significantly better than that in the control group with four cases (16%) (p = .001), and there was no statistical difference between the two groups in any hemorrhagic complication.

CONCLUSION: HUK is considered to be safe and may improve the prognosis of AIS patients with END after IVT. More clinical trials are needed to validate these results in the future.

PMID:35152571 | DOI:10.1002/brb3.2524

Early Interv Psychiatry. 2022 Feb 13. doi: 10.1111/eip.13270. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis have been shown to experience more trauma than the general population. However, although the effects of trauma appear to impact some symptoms it does not seem to increase the risk of transition to psychosis. The aim of this article was to examine the prevalence of trauma, and its association with longitudinal clinical and functional outcomes in a large sample of CHR individuals.

METHODS: From the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study-3 (NAPLS-3) 690 CHR individuals and 91 healthy controls from nine study sites between 2015 and 2018 were assessed. Historical trauma experiences were captured at baseline. Participants completed longitudinal assessments measuring clinical outcomes including positive and negative symptoms, depression, social and role functioning and assessing transition to psychosis.

RESULTS: From the 690 CHR participants and 96 healthy controls, 343 (49.6%) and 15 (15.6%), respectively, reported a history of trauma (p < .001). Emotional neglect (70.3%) was the most commonly reported type of trauma, followed by psychological abuse (57.4%). Among CHR participants, time to transition to psychosis was not associated with trauma. Baseline depression and suspiciousness/persecutory ideas were statistically significantly different between CHR individuals who did or did not experience trauma. However, when examining clinical and functional outcomes over 12-months of follow-up, there were no differences between those who experienced trauma and those who did not.

CONCLUSION: Overall, trauma is a significantly prevalent among CHR individuals. The effects of trauma on transition and longitudinal clinical and functional outcomes were not significant.

PMID:35152553 | DOI:10.1111/eip.13270

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022 Feb 13. doi: 10.1111/jocd.14844. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common non-scarring, inflammatory type of hair loss that affects people of all ages and genders.

AIMS: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Intralesional vitamin D3 injection in the treatment of alopecia areata.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized- control clinical trial included a total of 60 adult patients with localized alopecia areata were randomly assigned into two groups . Group I consisted of thirty patients who received 1ml of intralesional injection of vitamin D3 every 4 weeks for a maximum of 3 sessions. Group II consisted of thirty patients who received intralesional injection of normal saline 0.9% every 4 weeks for 3 sessions as a control group. All patients had their serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D, TSH, antithyroglobulin, and thyroid peroxidase antibodies estimated before starting treatment. The 5-point semiquantitative regrowth score (RGS) and dermoscopy were used to evaluate the therapeutic response.

RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference with p-value < 0.001 between two study groups regarding to degree of improvement. Dermoscopic findings that explain signs of activity were decreased, and signs of improvement were appeared after the 3rd months of treatment being better in intralesional vitamin D group.The adverse effects were negligible and transient, and there were no recurrence of lesions.

CONCLUSION: Intralesional vitamin D3 is an effective treatment option for localized patchy (not more than 40% of scalp distribution) alopecia areata .There is no relation between serum vitamin D3 and efficacy of treatment, so measuring vitamin D3 before starting treatment is not advised.

PMID:35152536 | DOI:10.1111/jocd.14844

Glob Chang Biol. 2022 Feb 13. doi: 10.1111/gcb.16127. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Soils are important carbon (C) reservoirs and play a critical role in regulating the global C cycle. Soil water potential (SWP) measures the energy with which water is retained in the soil and is one of the most vital factors that constrain the decomposition of soil organic C (SOC). The measurements for soil water retention curve (SWRC), on which the estimation of SWP depends, are usually carried out above -1.5 MPa (i.e., the wilting point for many plants). However, the average moisture threshold at which soil microbial activity ceases is usually below -10 MPa in mineral soils. Beyond the measurement range, the SWP estimation has to be derived from extrapolating the SWRC, which violates the statistical principle, resulting in possibly inaccurate SWP estimations. To date, it is unclear to what extent the extrapolated SWP estimation deviates from the “true value” and how it impacts the modeling of SOC decomposition. This study combined SWRC measurements down to -43.7 MPa, a 72-day soil incubation experiment with four moisture levels, and a SOC decomposition model. In addition to the complete SWRC (SWRC_all ), we fitted two more SWRCs by using measurements above -0.5 MPa (SWRC_0.5 ) and -1.7 MPa (SWRC_1.7 ), respectively, to quantify the deviations of extrapolated SWPs from the complete SWRC. Results showed that extrapolating the SWRC beyond its measurement range significantly underestimated the SWP. Incorporating the extrapolated SWP in the model significantly underestimated the SOC decomposition under relatively dry conditions. With the extrapolated SWP, the model predicted no SOC decomposition in the driest treatment, while the experiment observed a significant CO₂ emission. The results emphasize that accurate SWP estimations beyond the wilting point are critically needed to improve the modeling of SOC decomposition.

PMID:35152535 | DOI:10.1111/gcb.16127