Tag: nevin manimala

Biom J. 2022 Mar;64(3):481-505. doi: 10.1002/bimj.202000249. Epub 2021 Nov 10.

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we present the Type I multivariate zero-inflated Conway-Maxwell-Poisson distribution, whose development is based on the extension of the Type I multivariate zero-inflated Poisson distribution. We developed important properties of the distribution and present a regression model. The AIC and BIC criteria are used to select the best fitted model. Two real data sets have been used to illustrate the proposed model. Moreover, we conclude by stating that the Type I multivariate zero-inflated Conway-Maxwell-Poisson distribution produces a better fitted model for multivariate count data with excess of zeros.

PMID:35285065 | DOI:10.1002/bimj.202000249

Biom J. 2022 Mar;64(3):598-616. doi: 10.1002/bimj.202000222. Epub 2021 Dec 11.

ABSTRACT

The between-study variance or heterogeneity variance is an important parameter in random effects meta-analysis. This paper uses an M-estimation framework to introduce and discuss variance estimators for quantifying the uncertainty in estimates of the heterogeneity variance using the noniterative generalized method of moments estimator and some related method of moments estimators. An example is used to further illustrate the variance estimators, and simulation results are presented for assessing the empirical properties of the proposed variance estimators.

PMID:35285063 | DOI:10.1002/bimj.202000222

JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2022 Mar 13. doi: 10.1002/jpen.2374. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Parenteral nutrition associated cholestasis (PNAC) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) causes significant morbidity and associated healthcare costs. Laboratory detection of PNAC currently relies on elevated serum conjugated bilirubin levels in the aftermath of impaired bile flow. Here, we sought to identify fecal biomarkers, which when integrated with clinical data would better predict risk for developing PNAC.

METHODS: Using untargeted metabolomics in 200 serial stool samples from 60 infants, we applied statistical and machine learning approaches to identify clinical features and metabolic biomarkers with the greatest associative potential for risk of developing PNAC. Stools were collected prospectively from infants receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) with soybean oil-based lipid emulsion at a level IV NICU.

RESULTS: Low birthweight, extreme prematurity, longer duration of PN, and greater number of antibiotic courses were all risk factors for PNAC (p < 0.05). We identified 78 stool biomarkers with early predictive potential (p < 0.05). From these 78 biomarkers, we further identified 12 sphingomyelin lipids with high association for the development of PNAC in pre-cholestasis stool samples when combined with birth anthropometry.

CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate the potential for stool metabolomics to enhance early identification of PNAC risk. Earlier detection of high-risk infants would empower proactive mitigation with alterations to PN for at-risk infants and optimization of caloric nutrition with PN for infants at lower risk. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35285019 | DOI:10.1002/jpen.2374

J Med Virol. 2022 Mar 13. doi: 10.1002/jmv.27721. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an acute viral infection that can cause death. The detection of host transcriptome is important for understanding differences in pathogenesis of the disease. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate gene expression in different biological processes. They have also emerged as a key molecules for therapeutic target. We investigated the lncRNA gene expression profiles by utilizing the microarray for the first time in CCHF. LncRNAs were determined by the comparisons between case-control, fatal case-control, and fatal case-nonfatal case. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was applied to validate the microarray results of some lncRNAs. In our study, 39 lncRNAs (5 downregulated, 34 upregulated) were found to be significantly regulated in the cases when compared to the controls (p<0,05; FC≥2). One hundred ten lncRNAs exhibited a statistically significant difference between fatal cases and controls. FER1L4, ECRP and LOC100133669 are important lncRNAs in both case and fatal case groups compared with controls. These lncRNAs may be considered as important therapeutic targets for the CCHF in further studies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35285033 | DOI:10.1002/jmv.27721

J Clin Immunol. 2022 Mar 14. doi: 10.1007/s10875-022-01222-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is a primary immunodeficiency (PID) caused by a defect in the gene encoding for Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK). In the absence of a functional BTK, patients have low or absent circulating B cells and low or absent serum immunoglobulin. Despite gammaglobulin replacement and prompt use of antimicrobial agents, patients with XLA continue to experience infectious and non-infectious complications throughout their lifetime. The purpose of this study was to understand self-perceived health status of US-based patients with XLA, and examine the associations amongst clinical characteristics, treatment experience, and quality of life (QoL).

METHODS: A 46 and 68 question survey, developed by the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) and a Short Form-12item v2® (SF-12v2®) for adults and SF-10™ for children to assess QoL, were mailed by IDF to patients in 2017 and 2018. Those that self-identified as having XLA or males with agammaglobulinemia were selected for analysis. Mean physical and mental composite scores (PCS and MCS) from SF-12v2® and mean physical health component (PHS) and psychological health summary (PSS) from SF-10™ scores were compared to the US normative data.

RESULTS: Ninety-one patients completed the surveys: 58 (63.7%) adults and 33 (36.3%) children. For the combined surveys, the overall median age at time of the survey was 28.5 years (yrs); Inter-Quartile-Range (IQR) 13-49.5 yrs; the median age at diagnosis was 2 yrs (IQR = 0-4 yrs) and the median number of years with XLA diagnosis was 23 (IQR 10.75-40yrs). Amongst adult patients, physical scores were noted to be below the general adult population but did not reach statistical significance. In contrast, 2 or more chronic conditions impacted both physical and mental QoL (p < .001) and hospitalization was associated with significantly decreased physical health QoL (p < .001); three or more infections in the past 12 months exhibited impact on physical health although was not found to be statistically significant. Adult patients with public insurance fared worse in mental health domains compared to those with combined public and private or those with private alone (p = 0.001). Employment status did not impact QoL. None of these variables met statistical significance nor demonstrated impact within the pediatric population in either physical or mental domains of health.

CONCLUSION: Our study provides further insight into what factors impact both physical and mental domains of health amongst patients with XLA. Early detection to prevent the development of associated morbidity, as well as vigilant care to prevent hospitalizations and infections, can limit the impact this disease may have on the overall well-being of XLA patients.

PMID:35284987 | DOI:10.1007/s10875-022-01222-8

Strahlenther Onkol. 2022 Mar 13. doi: 10.1007/s00066-022-01909-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Hypofractionated radiotherapy for prostate cancer is well established for definitive treatment, but not well defined in the postoperative setting. The purpose of this analysis was to assess oncologic outcomes and toxicity in a large cohort of patients treated with conventionally fractionated three-dimensional (3D) conformal radiotherapy (CF) and hypofractionated volumetric modulated arc therapy (HF) after radical prostatectomy.

METHODS: Between 1994 and 2019, a total of 855 patients with prostate carcinoma were treated by postoperative radiotherapy using CF (total dose 65-72 Gy, single fraction 1.8-2 Gy) in 572 patients and HF (total dose 62.5-63.75 Gy, single fraction 2.5-2.55 Gy) in 283 patients. The association of treatment modality with biochemical control, overall survival (OS), and gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicity was assessed using logistic and Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS: There was no difference between the two modalities regarding biochemical control rates (77% versus 81%, respectively, for HF and CF at 24 months and 58% and 64% at 60 months; p = 0.20). OS estimates after 5 years: 95% versus 93% (p = 0.72). Patients undergoing HF had less frequent grade 2 or higher acute GI or GU side effects (p = 0.03 and p = 0.005, respectively). There were no differences in late GI side effects between modalities (hazard ratio 0.99). Median follow-up was 23 months for HF and 72 months for CF (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: For radiation therapy of resected prostate cancer, our analysis of this largest single-centre cohort (n = 283) treated with hypofractionation with advanced treatment techniques compared with conventional fractionation did not yield different outcomes in terms of biochemical control and toxicities. Prospective investigating of HF is merited.

PMID:35284951 | DOI:10.1007/s00066-022-01909-2

Alcohol Alcohol. 2022 Mar 12:agac009. doi: 10.1093/alcalc/agac009. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with poor diet. Mixed reports in literature, so far, emphasize on the detailed understanding of relationships between diet composition and binge drinking at different drinking thresholds.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the association of alcohol consumption thresholds with macronutrient composition, caloric intake and anthropometric measures from the NHANES 2017-2018 dataset.

METHODS: A total of 2320 participants’ data were analyzed. Energy and nutrient content from daily food and beverage intake were assessed via two dietary recall interviews. Physical examination and Alcohol Use Questionnaire including details about lifetime and current usage patterns were obtained. Correlations were evaluated using the Rao-Scott F Adjusted Chi-square statistic and Wald F-test. Sample-weighted multiple linear regression models were built to analyze the associations among volume of alcohol consumed, weight history and macronutrient intake.

RESULTS: Waist circumference was significantly higher in 0- < 4 drinks/episode (low-quantity) drinkers than 4-7 drinks/episode (medium-quantity) and 8-11 drinks/episode (high-quantity) drinkers. High-quantity drinkers consumed significantly more kilocalories (2569.91) compared with low-quantity drinkers (2106.73). Low-quantity drinkers consumed more energy from carbohydrate and fat than medium and high-quantity drinkers. Very high-quantity drinkers (12+ drinks/episode) consumed less fiber (12.81 g) than low-quantity drinkers (16.67 g).

CONCLUSIONS: We observed an association between high alcohol intake and differences in eating habits and body composition. The findings suggest a need to compare more specific drinking patterns and their impact on nutrient intake. Although some results conflicted with previous studies, the mechanisms underlying alcohol’s effect on ingestive and digestive metabolic pathways are still unclear and require further investigation.

PMID:35284941 | DOI:10.1093/alcalc/agac009

Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2022 Mar 14. doi: 10.1007/s00406-022-01398-5. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:35284949 | DOI:10.1007/s00406-022-01398-5

Mil Med. 2022 Mar 10:usac051. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usac051. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant concern to the military health system (MHS) and a signature wound of America’s current conflict. To address the influx of patients with military-related TBI, the Department of Defense has partnered with the Fisher Foundation and the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund to establish the National Intrepid Center of Excellence and satellite network of Intrepid Spirit Centers. The purpose of this study is to review the prevalence of disease and geographic density of TBI among active duty, National Guard, reservist, and retired military populations in order to inform decision-making around the development of additional Intrepid Spirit Centers.

METHODS: We used the MHS Data Repository to perform a cross-sectional examination to assess the prevalence of TBI among active duty, National Guard, reservist, and retired military personnel from fiscal years (FY) 2016 to 2019. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics on patient demographics and the prevalence of TBI.

RESULTS: We identified a total of 3,221,682 active duty, National Guard, reservists, and retired military personnel in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps during FY 2016 to 2019; 59.5% were active duty personnel, 23.1% were Retirees, and 17.4% were National Guard and reservists. A total of 72,002 were found to have a TBI-related diagnosis. Texas, North Carolina, and California had the highest case counts for TBI. High prevalence of TBI was found in Bexar County, TX, Muscogee County, GA, Okaloosa County, FL, San Diego County, CA, and Virginia Beach City, VA.

CONCLUSIONS: Additional Intrepid Spirit Centers are warranted to better meet the needs of active duty, active and inactive National Guard and reservists, and retired military personnel in locations including San Antonio, TX, and Columbus, GA. These locations currently have the medical infrastructure necessary to facilitate the care of wounded warriors and return to duty ensuring the health of the Nation’s fighting force and veterans.

PMID:35284918 | DOI:10.1093/milmed/usac051

Lancet Reg Health Am. 2022 Jun;10:100218. doi: 10.1016/j.lana.2022.100218. Epub 2022 Mar 6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The emergence of SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) had wide impacts to health and mortality and prompted unprecedented containment efforts. The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting responses on mental health and substance abuse related mortality are unknown.

METHODS: We obtained records for deaths from suicide, alcohol related liver failure, and overdose from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for 2006 to 2020. We compared mortality within sex, age, marital, racial and urban/rural groups using basic statistical methods. We compared standardized mean daily mortality incidence before and after the onset of the pandemic using t-tests. We used an interrupted time series approach, using generalized additive Poisson regression models with smoothed components for time to assess differences in mortality trends before and after the onset of the pandemic within demographic groups.

FINDINGS: There were 19,365 suicides, 8,790 deaths from alcohol related liver failure, and 21,778 fatal drug overdoses. Compared with 2019, suicides in 2020 declined by 17.6%, overdose mortality declined by 22.5%-while alcohol deaths increased by 12.4%. Crude comparisons suggested that there were significant declines in suicides for white people, people 18 to 65 and increases for rural decedents, overdoses increased for Black people, females and married/widowed people, and alcohol mortality increased for nearly all groups. ITS models, however, suggested increased suicide mortality for rural residents, significantly increased alcohol related mortality for people ≥65 and increased overdose mortality in men.

INTERPRETATION: The onset of the pandemic was associated with mixed patterns of mortality between suicide, alcohol and overdose deaths. Patterns varied within demographic groups, suggesting that impacts varied among different groups, particularly racial and marital groups.

FUNDING: This work was supported by the United States National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences [K99/R00ES026198] and their Michigan Center on Lifestage Environmental Exposures and Disease [grant number P30ES017885]; and the Institute for Global Biological Change at the University of Michigan.

PMID:35284903 | PMC:PMC8898171 | DOI:10.1016/j.lana.2022.100218