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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Factor XIII: More than just a fibrin stabilizer for the burn patient? A matched-pair analysis

JPRAS Open. 2023 Apr 22;37:1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jpra.2023.04.002. eCollection 2023 Sep.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Acquired factor XIII deficiency is an underestimated risk in patients with large surface burns, which potentially exposes these patients to prolonged bleeding and delayed wound healing if undetected.

METHODS: A retrospective matched-pair analysis of the burn registry of the Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery of Hannover Medical School was performed from 2018 to 2023.

RESULTS: A total of 18 patients were included. Acquired factor XIII deficiency was not statistically significant correlated with age, sex, or body mass index. Patients who developed acquired factor XIII deficiency had a significantly longer hospital stay (72.8 days) compared with those in the matched group (46.4 days), although burn depths, total body surface area, and Abbreviated Burn Severity Index were not statistically correlated with factor XIII deficiency.

CONCLUSIONS: Little is known about acquired factor XIII deficiency in patients with burns. Factor XIII supplementation may improve hemostasis, wound healing, and general outcome while reducing the patient’s exposure to blood products.

PMID:37288428 | PMC:PMC10242619 | DOI:10.1016/j.jpra.2023.04.002

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Effectiveness of anger management program on anger level, problem solving skills, communication skills, and adjustment among school-going adolescents

J Educ Health Promot. 2023 Mar 31;12:90. doi: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_1216_22. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Anger is a natural feeling which is essential for survival, however, which can impair functioning if it is excessive. Adolescents need to be equipped with skills to cope with their anger for the promotion of their health and safety. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of anger management program on anger level, problem solving skills, communication skills, and adjustment among school-going adolescents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: An experimental, pre-test-post-test control group design with a multistage random sampling was adopted to select 128 school-going adolescents aged between 13 and 16 years. Experimental group received six sessions of anger management program, while control group received one session on anger management skill after the completion of post-assessment for both the groups. Sessions included education on anger, ABC analysis of behavior and relaxation training, modifying anger inducing thoughts, problem solving, and communication skills training. Assessment done after the 2 months of anger management program. Data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS: Study reveals the improvement in the problem solving skills (81.66 ± 4.81), communication skills (82.40 ± 3.82), adjustment (28.35 ± 3.76), and decreased anger level (56.48 ± 4.97). Within the experimental and between the experimental and control group, post-test mean scores differed significantly (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The results revealed that the anger management program was effective in decreasing anger level and increasing problem solving skills, communication skills, and adjustment among school-going adolescents.

PMID:37288422 | PMC:PMC10243415 | DOI:10.4103/jehp.jehp_1216_22

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

The mediation role of self-esteem and hope on the relationship of quality of life and unmet needs of elderly with psychiatric disorders

J Educ Health Promot. 2023 Mar 31;12:89. doi: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_163_22. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Self-esteem is one of the factors affecting the quality of life. On the other hand, quality of life decreases in people with psychiatric disorders. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the mediating role of self-esteem and hope on the relationship between unmet needs and quality of life of the elderly with psychiatric disorders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 112 chronic psychiatric patients hospitalized in the geriatric ward of (blinded) 2020. Based on the inclusion criteria, a total of 100 samples were entered into the study by census. The World Health Organization (WHO) quality of life questionnaire, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Snyder Hope Scale, and Camberwell Assessment of Need Short Appraisal Schedule (CANSAS) were used to collect data. The research model was tested using the path analysis technique. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Ver. 26 and LISREL Ver. 2/9.

RESULTS: Unmet needs were negatively related to the other three variables of the study, namely, self-esteem, hope, and quality of life. There was a significant relationship between unmet needs and quality of life with a mediating role of self-esteem and hope (P < 0.05). Quality of life was also negatively related to unmet needs and directly related to self-esteem and hope.

CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, it is essential that health-care providers consider planning to provide programs to improve self-esteem and hope in order to reduce unmet needs and increase the quality of life.

PMID:37288421 | PMC:PMC10243421 | DOI:10.4103/jehp.jehp_163_22

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Designing an acceptance model and using public health apps by Iranian users

J Educ Health Promot. 2023 Mar 31;12:102. doi: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_361_22. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, there are hundreds of mobile applications related to sports, health and fitness. The benefits of using mobile phones in physical activity can be seen in the increasing use of mobile health applications. The purpose of this study was to design a behavioral model of acceptance and use of public health apps by Iranian users.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was a qualitative and exploratory approach that was conducted based on the theme analysis method (team). The statistical population included programmers and designers of sports programs and academic specialists in the field of sports and computers. Data collection was performed through review of documents, backgrounds and semi-structured interviews. The interviews were conducted in person or by telephone and each interview lasted about 20 to 40 minutes.

RESULTS: In total, 249 key points with marker codes were extracted from 14 interviews which were classified into 21 sub-themes and 6 main themes (app quality, digital literacy, social influences, facilitating conditions, intention to use, trust and accept the app. Finally, the pattern of acceptance and use of health apps by Iranian users were presented in accordance with UTAUT theory.

CONCLUSION: The results of this study can help the officials of the federation, public sports boards and clubs to use information and communication technology as a media in their strategies and programs to develop sports and health at the community level. It also contributes to social vitality and improves the quality of life of individuals.

PMID:37288418 | PMC:PMC10243436 | DOI:10.4103/jehp.jehp_361_22

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Not every estimate counts – evaluation of cell composition estimation approaches in brain bulk tissue data

Genome Med. 2023 Jun 7;15(1):41. doi: 10.1186/s13073-023-01195-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Variation in cell composition can dramatically impact analyses in bulk tissue samples. A commonly employed approach to mitigate this issue is to adjust statistical models using estimates of cell abundance derived directly from omics data. While an arsenal of estimation methods exists, the applicability of these methods to brain tissue data and whether or not cell estimates can sufficiently account for confounding cellular composition has not been adequately assessed.

METHODS: We assessed the correspondence between different estimation methods based on transcriptomic (RNA sequencing, RNA-seq) and epigenomic (DNA methylation and histone acetylation) data from brain tissue samples of 49 individuals. We further evaluated the impact of different estimation approaches on the analysis of H3K27 acetylation chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) data from entorhinal cortex of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and controls.

RESULTS: We show that even closely adjacent tissue samples from the same Brodmann area vary greatly in their cell composition. Comparison across different estimation methods indicates that while different estimation methods applied to the same data produce highly similar outcomes, there is a surprisingly low concordance between estimates based on different omics data modalities. Alarmingly, we show that cell type estimates may not always sufficiently account for confounding variation in cell composition.

CONCLUSIONS: Our work indicates that cell composition estimation or direct quantification in one tissue sample should not be used as a proxy to the cellular composition of another tissue sample from the same brain region of an individual-even if the samples are directly adjacent. The highly similar outcomes observed among vastly different estimation methods, highlight the need for brain benchmark datasets and better validation approaches. Finally, unless validated through complementary experiments, the interpretation of analyses outcomes based on data confounded by cell composition should be done with great caution, and ideally avoided all together.

PMID:37287013 | DOI:10.1186/s13073-023-01195-2

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Pediatric basic course goes virtual: transition from face to face to hybrid learning in pediatric critical care

Ital J Pediatr. 2023 Jun 7;49(1):67. doi: 10.1186/s13052-023-01461-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To explore the impact of the transition from a traditional face-to-face course delivering essential contents in pediatric critical care to a hybrid format consisting of an online pre-course self-directed learning, an online facilitated discussion, and a face-to-face edition.

METHODS: Attendees and faculty were surveyed after the face-to-face course and the hybrid version to evaluate the effectiveness and satisfaction of participants with the course.

RESULTS: Fifty-seven students attended multiple formats of the Pediatric Basic Course between January 2020 and October 2021 in Udine, Italy. We compared course evaluation data from the 29 attendees of the face-to-face course with the 28 of the hybrid edition. Data collected included participant demographics, participant self-assessed pre and post-course ”confidence” with a range of pediatric intensive care-related activities, and their satisfaction with elements of the course. There were no statistical differences in participant demographics or pre and post-course confidence scores. Overall satisfaction with the face-to-face course was marginally higher, 4.59 vs. 4.25/5, but did not reach significance. Pre-recorded lectures which could be viewed several times, were highlighted as a positive for the hybrid course. Residents found no significant differences comparing the two courses in rating the lectures and the technical skills stations. Hybrid course facilities (online platform and uploaded material) were reported to be clear, accessible, and valuable by 87% of attendees. After six months, they still find the course relevant to their clinical practice (75%). Candidates considered the respiratory failure and mechanical ventilation modules the most relevant modules.

CONCLUSIONS: The Pediatric Basic Course helps residents strengthen their learning and identify areas to improve their knowledge. Both face-to-face and hybrid model versions of the course improved attendees’ knowledge and perceived confidence in managing the critically ill child.

PMID:37287003 | DOI:10.1186/s13052-023-01461-4

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Sociodemographic inequalities in mortality from drowning in the Baltic countries and Finland in 2000-2015: a register-based study

BMC Public Health. 2023 Jun 7;23(1):1103. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-15999-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Drowning is an important public health problem. Some evidence suggests that the risk of drowning is not distributed evenly across the general population. However, there has been comparatively little research on inequalities in drowning mortality. To address this deficit, this study examined trends and sociodemographic inequalities in mortality from unintentional drowning in the Baltic countries and Finland in 2000-2015.

METHODS: Data for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania came from longitudinal mortality follow-up studies of population censuses in 2000/2001 and 2011, while corresponding data for Finland were obtained from the longitudinal register-based population data file of Statistics Finland. Deaths from drowning (ICD-10 codes W65-W74) were obtained from national mortality registries. Information was also obtained on socioeconomic status (educational level) and urban-rural residence. Age-standardised mortality rates (ASMRs) per 100 000 person years and mortality rate ratios were calculated for adults aged 30-74 years old. Poisson regression analysis was performed to assess the independent effects of sex, urban-rural residence and education on drowning mortality.

RESULTS: Drowning ASMRs were significantly higher in the Baltic countries than in Finland but declined by nearly 30% in all countries across the study period. There were large inequalities by sex, urban-rural residence and educational level in all countries during 2000-2015. Men, rural residents and low educated individuals had substantially higher drowning ASMRs compared to their counterparts. Absolute and relative inequalities were significantly larger in the Baltic countries than in Finland. Absolute inequalities in drowning mortality declined in all countries across the study period except between urban and rural residents in Finland. Changes in relative inequalities were more variable during 2000-2015.

CONCLUSION: Despite a sharp reduction in deaths from drowning in the Baltic countries and Finland in 2000-2015, drowning mortality was still high in these countries at the end of the study period with a substantially larger risk of death seen among men, rural residents and low educated individuals. A concerted effort to prevent drowning mortality among those most at risk may reduce drownings considerably in the general population.

PMID:37286978 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-023-15999-9

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Twine virtual patient games as an online resource for undergraduate diabetes acute care education

BMC Med Educ. 2023 Jun 7;23(1):417. doi: 10.1186/s12909-023-04231-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Virtual patients provide a safe way to simulate authentic clinical practice. Twine is an open-source software that can be used to create intricate virtual patient games, including elements like non-linear free text history taking and time-related changes to the game’s narrative. We evaluated the incorporation of Twine virtual patient games into a diabetes acute care online learning package for undergraduate medical students at the University of Glassgow, Scotland.

METHODS: Three games were developed using Twine, Wacom Intuous Pro, Autodesk SketchBook, Camtasia Studio, and simulated patients. Online material included three VP games, eight microlectures, and a single best answer multiple choice question quiz. The games were evaluated at Kirkpatrick Level 1 with an acceptability and usability questionnaire. The entire online package was evaluated at Kirkpatrick Level 2 with pre- and post-course multiple choice and confidence questions, with statistical analysis performed using paired t-tests.

RESULTS: 122 of approximately 270 eligible students provided information on resource utilisation, with 96% of these students using at least one online resource. 68% of students who returned surveys used at least one VP game. 73 students provided feedback on the VP games they had played, with the majority of median responses being “agree” on positive usability and acceptability statements. The online resources were associated with a mean multiple choice score increase from 4.37 out of 10 to 7.96 out of 10 (p < 0.0001, 95% CI + 2.99 to + 4.20, n = 52) and a mean total confidence score increase from 4.86 out of 10 to 6.70 out of 10 (p < 0.0001, 95% CI + 1.37 to + 2.30, n = 48).

CONCLUSIONS: Our VP games were well-received by students and promoted engagement with online material. The package of online material led to statistically significant increases in confidence and knowledge in diabetes acute care outcomes. A blueprint with supporting instructions has now been created to facilitate rapid creation of further games using Twine software.

PMID:37286971 | DOI:10.1186/s12909-023-04231-2

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Pneumococcal vaccination coverage and adherence to recommended dosing schedules in adults: a repeated cross-sectional study of the INTEGO morbidity registry

BMC Public Health. 2023 Jun 7;23(1):1104. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-15939-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Since 2014, Belgium’s Superior Health Council has recommended pneumococcal vaccination for adults aged 19-85 years at increased risk for pneumococcal diseases with a specific vaccine administration sequence and timing. Currently, Belgium has no publicly funded adult pneumococcal vaccination program. This study investigated the seasonal pneumococcal vaccination trends, evolution of vaccination coverage and adherence to the 2014 recommendations.

METHODS: INTEGO is a general practice morbidity registry in Flanders (Belgium) that represents 102 general practice centres and comprised over 300.000 patients in 2021. A repeated cross-sectional study was performed for the period between 2017 and 2021. Using adjusted odds ratios computed via multiple logistic regression, the association between an individual’s characteristics (gender, age, comorbidities, influenza vaccination status and socioeconomic status) and schedule-adherent pneumococcal vaccination status was assessed.

RESULTS: Pneumococcal vaccination coincided with seasonal flu vaccination. The vaccination coverage in the population at risk decreased from 21% in 2017 to 18.2% in 2018 and then started to increase to 23.6% in 2021. Coverage in 2021 was highest for high-risk adults (33.8%) followed by 50- to 85-year-olds with comorbidities (25.5%) and healthy 65- to 85-year-olds (18.7%). In 2021, 56.3% of the high-risk adults, 74.6% of the 50+ with comorbidities persons, and 74% of the 65+ healthy persons had an adherent vaccination schedule. Persons with a lower socioeconomic status had an adjusted odds ratio of 0.92 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.87-0.97) for primary vaccination, 0.67 (95% CI 0.60-0.75) for adherence to the recommended second vaccination if the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was administered first and 0.86 (95% CI 0.76-0.97) if the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine was administered first.

CONCLUSION: Pneumococcal vaccine coverage is slowly increasing in Flanders, displaying seasonal peaks in sync with influenza vaccination campaigns. However, with less than one-fourth of the target population vaccinated, less than 60% high-risk and approximately 74% of 50 + with comorbidities and 65+ healthy persons with an adherent schedule, there is still much room for improvement. Furthermore, adults with poor socioeconomic status had lower odds of primary vaccination and schedule adherence, demonstrating the need for a publicly funded program in Belgium to ensure equitable access.

PMID:37286969 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-023-15939-7

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Effect of problem-based learning tutor seniority on medical students’ emotions: an equivalence study

BMC Med Educ. 2023 Jun 7;23(1):419. doi: 10.1186/s12909-023-04416-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of peer learning has been recognized and discussed by many scholars, and implemented in the formal curriculums of medical schools internationally. However, there is a general dearth of studies in measuring the objective outcomes in learning.

METHODS: We investigated the objective effect of near-peer learning on tutee’s emotions and its equivalence within the formal curriculum of a clinical reasoning Problem Based Learning session in a Japanese medical school. Fourth-year medical students were assigned to the group tutored by 6th-year students or by faculties. The positive activating emotion, positive deactivating emotion, negative activating emotion, negative deactivating emotion, Neutral emotion were measured using the Japanese version of the Medical Emotion Scale (J-MES), and self-efficacy scores were also assessed. We calculated the mean differences of these variables between the faculty and the peer tutor groups and were statistically analyzed the equivalence of these scores. The equivalence margin was defined as a score of 0.4 for J-MES and 10.0 for the self-efficacy score, respectively.

RESULTS: Of the 143 eligible participant students, 90 were allocated to the peer tutor group and 53 were allocated to the faculty group. There was no significant difference between the groups. The 95% confidence interval of the mean score difference for positive activating emotions (-0.22 to 0.15), positive deactivating emotions (-0.35 to 0.18), negative activating emotions (-0.20 to 0.22), negative deactivating emotions (-0.20 to 0.23), and self-efficacy (-6.83 to 5.04) were withing the predetermined equivalence margins for emotion scores, meaning that equivalence was confirmed for these variables.

CONCLUSIONS: Emotional outcomes were equivalent between near-peer PBL sessions and faculty-led sessions. This comparative measurement of the emotional outcomes in near-peer learning contributes to understanding PBL in the field of medical education.

PMID:37286967 | DOI:10.1186/s12909-023-04416-9