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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Examining the Association Between Digital Stress Components and Psychological Wellbeing: A Meta-Analysis

Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev. 2023 Jul 11. doi: 10.1007/s10567-023-00440-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Extant research suggests that digital stress (DS) and its various components (Hall et al. in Psychol Assess 33(3):230-242, 2021) may mediate the association between social media use and psychosocial distress among adolescents and young adults. Yet no systematic review and meta-analysis has been conducted to examine the direct associations among DS components (i.e., approval anxiety, availability stress, fear of missing out [FOMO], connection overload, and online vigilance) and psychological outcomes. Thus, we aimed to comprehensively synthesize and quantify the association between these five DS components and psychosocial distress, and to examine whether these associations were statistically different from one another. Our search of PubMed, PsycINFO, and Communication and Mass Media Complete yielded a wide range of article abstracts across the five DS components. After reviewing inclusion and exclusion criteria, 7, 73, 60, 19, and 16 studies were included for availability stress, approval anxiety, FOMO, connection overload, and online vigilance, respectively. The results suggested that all five digital stress components had significant medium association with psychosocial distress (r = .26 to .34; p < .001). Age and sex did not significantly moderate the association between most digital stress components and psychosocial distress. However, age moderated the association between connection overload and psychosocial distress. Our findings further suggested no statistical differences among the associations between the five digital stress components and psychosocial distress. Notwithstanding its limitations, our outcomes help integrate the disparate effect sizes in the literature, indicate the strength of associations, and suggest directions for clinical intervention and future research.

PMID:37432506 | DOI:10.1007/s10567-023-00440-9

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Outcome comparison of femoral nerve block and adductor canal block during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: adductor canal block may cause an unexpected decrease in knee flexor strength at 6 months postoperatively

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2023 Jul 11. doi: 10.1007/s00402-023-04980-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral nerve blocks are frequently used in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. While femoral nerve block (FNB) has been associated with knee extensor strength reduction in the early postoperative period, no consistent view of knee extensor strength several months after ACL reconstruction exists. This study aimed to compare the impact of intraoperative FNB and adductor canal block (ACB) during ACL reconstruction on knee extensor strength at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 108 patients divided into FNB (70 patients) and ACB (38 patients) groups based on their postoperative pain management methods. Knee joint extensor and flexor strength were measured at 3 and 6 months postoperatively, using BIODEX at angular velocities of 60°/s and 180°/s. From these results, peak torque, limb symmetry index (LSI), peak knee extensor torque (time to peak torque and angle of peak torque), hamstrings-to-quadriceps (HQ) ratio, and amount of work were computed for two-group comparison.

RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in peak torque, LSI of knee extensor strength, HQ ratio, and amount of work between the two groups. However, maximum knee extension torque at 60°/s occurred significantly later in the FNB than in the ACB group at 3 months postoperatively. Additionally, the LSI of the knee flexor at 6 months postoperatively was significantly lower in the ACB group.

CONCLUSIONS: In ACL reconstruction, FNB may delay the time to peak torque for knee extension at 3 months postoperatively, which is likely to improve over the treatment course. In contrast, ACB may result in unexpected loss of knee flexor strength at 6 months postoperatively and should be considered with caution.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

PMID:37432497 | DOI:10.1007/s00402-023-04980-1

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Wilcoxon rank-sum tests to detect one-sided mixture alternatives in group sequential clinical trials

Stat Methods Med Res. 2023 Jul 11:9622802231184634. doi: 10.1177/09622802231184634. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Traditional methods based on the assumption that the treatment distribution is a pure shift of the control distribution may not always hold. The possibility that an individual from the treatment group may not respond to the treatment motivates the use of a mixture distribution for the treatment group. This paper considers two test procedures based on the Wilcoxon rank-sum statistic for a group sequential design to detect the one-sided mixture alternative. Error spending functions are used for the allocation of error rates at each stage. The two tests are evaluated individually in determination of critical values and arm sizes and asymptotic multivariate normality is shown to hold for both. Upon comparison, the tests are presented to be asymptotically equivalent. Both test statistics maintain the Type I error rate even if F is misspecified in the design alternative. A more general definition of the treatment effect is used with the mixture distribution. Method of moments estimators and constrained k-means estimators for the treatment effect are evaluated.

PMID:37431736 | DOI:10.1177/09622802231184634

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Comparison of dynamic tumor tracking error measurement methods for robotic radiosurgery

J Appl Clin Med Phys. 2023 Jul 11:e14093. doi: 10.1002/acm2.14093. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dynamic tumor motion tracking is used in robotic radiosurgery for targets subject to respiratory motion, such as lung and liver cancers. Different methods of measuring tracking error have been reported, but the differences among these methods have not been studied, and the optimal method is unknown.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare tracking errors encountered with individual patients using different evaluation methods for method optimization.

METHODS: We compared the beam’s eye view (BEV), machine learning (ML), log (addition error: AE), and log (root sum square: RSS) methods. Log (AE) and log (RSS) were calculated from log files. These tracking errors were compared, and the optimal evaluation method was ascertained. A t-test was performed to evaluate statistically significant differences. Here, the significance level was set at 5%.

RESULTS: The mean values of BEV, log (AE), log (RSS), and ML were 2.87, 3.91, 2.91, and 3.74 mm, respectively. The log (AE) and ML were higher than BEV (p < 0.001), and log (RSS) was equivalent to the BEV, suggesting that the log (RSS) calculated with the log file method can substitute for the BEV calculated with the BEV method. As RSS error calculation is simpler than BEV calculation, using it may improve clinical practice throughput.

CONCLUSION: This study clarified differences among three tracking error evaluation methods for dynamic tumor tracking radiotherapy using a robotic radiosurgery system. The log (RSS) calculated by the log file method was found to be the best alternative to BEV method, as it can calculate tracking errors more easily than the BEV method.

PMID:37431706 | DOI:10.1002/acm2.14093

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Leading beyond regulatory approval: Opportunities for statisticians to optimize evidence generation and impact clinical practice

Pharm Stat. 2023 Jul 11. doi: 10.1002/pst.2325. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The role and value of statistical contributions in drug development up to the point of health authority approval are well understood. But health authority approval is only a true ‘win’ if the evidence enables access and adoption into clinical practice. In today’s complex and evolving healthcare environment, there is additional strategic evidence generation, communication, and decision support that can benefit from statistical contributions. In this article, we describe the history of medical affairs in the context of drug development, the factors driving post-approval evidence generation needs, and the opportunities for statisticians to optimize evidence generation for stakeholders beyond health authorities in order to ensure that new medicines reach appropriate patients.

PMID:37431704 | DOI:10.1002/pst.2325

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

PREPARE: A Stepped-Wedge Cluster-Randomized Trial to Evaluate Whether Risk Stratification Can Reduce Preterm Deliveries Among Patients With Suspected or Confirmed Preterm Preeclampsia

Hypertension. 2023 Jul 11. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.122.20361. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Early delivery in preterm preeclampsia may reduce the risks for the patient, but consequences of prematurity may be substantial for the baby. This trial evaluated whether the implementation of a risk stratification model could safely reduce prematurity.

METHODS: This was a stepped-wedge cluster-randomized trial in seven clusters. Patients presenting with suspected or confirmed preeclampsia between 20+0 and 36+6 gestational weeks were considered eligible. At the start of the trial, all centers were allocated in the preintervention phase, and patients enrolled in this phase were managed according to local treatment guidance. Subsequently, every 4 months, 1 randomly allocated cluster transitioned to the intervention. Patients enrolled in the intervention phase had sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1)/PlGF (placental growth factor) ratio and preeclampsia integrated estimate of risk assessments performed. If sFlt-1/PlGF ≤38 and preeclampsia integrated estimate of risk <10%, patients were considered low risk and clinicians received recommendations to defer delivery. If sFlt-1/PlGF >38 and preeclampsia integrated estimate of risk ≥10%, patients were considered not low risk, and clinicians received recommendations to increase surveillance. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with preterm preeclampsia delivered prematurely out of total deliveries.

RESULTS: Between March 25, 2017 and December 24, 2019, 586 and 563 patients were analyzed in the intervention and usual care groups, respectively. The event rate was 1.09% in the intervention group, and 1.37% in the usual care group. After prespecified adjustments for variation between and within clusters over time, the adjusted risk ratio was 1.45 ([95% CI, 1.04-2.02]; P=0.029), indicating a higher risk of preterm deliveries in the intervention group. Post hoc analysis including calculation of risk differences did not show evidence of statistical differences. Abnormal sFlt-1/PlGF was associated with a higher rate of identifying preeclampsia with severe features.

CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of an intervention based on biomarkers and clinical factors for risk stratification did not lead to reductions in preterm deliveries. Further training on the interpretation of disease severity in preeclampsia and the development of additional risk stratification is needed before adoption into clinical practice.

REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.

CLINICALTRIALS: gov; Unique identifier: NCT03073317.

PMID:37431663 | DOI:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.122.20361

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Comparative analysis of different nuclear medicine techniques in evaluation of renal function

Nucl Med Rev Cent East Eur. 2023;26(0):85-95. doi: 10.5603/NMR.2023.0011.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Nuclear medicine (NM) methods play an important role in the evaluation of renal function in a wide range of clinical indications. The aim of our study was to evaluate the correlation between measured GFR (mGFR) obtained by the three-plasma sample slope-intercept NM method (TPSM) – reference method vs. estimated GFR (eGFR) using Fleming’s single plasma sample method (SPSM) at 120 min, 180 min, and 240 min and correlation of reference method with eGFR with camera-based Gates’ protocol.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 82 subjects (33 male/49 female) with a mean age of 54.87 ± 15.65 years were included and mGFR value was obtained by the three-plasma sample slope-intercept NM method and eGFR was obtained with Fleming’s single sample method. eGFR was also quantified with the camera-based Gates’ protocol after i.v. application of [99mTc]Tc-DTPA.

RESULTS: Our study revealed a very strong positive significant correlation between all three SPSMs with the TPSM as the reference method. Between the Gates’ method and the TPSM in the group of patients with mGFR ≥ 61-84 mL/min/1.73 m2 and mGFR ≥ 84 mL/min/1.73 m2, a moderate positive statistically significant correlation was obtained.

CONCLUSIONS: The SPSM method shows a very strong correlation with the reference and low bias in all three groups of patients and can be routinely used for GFR estimation.

PMID:37431648 | DOI:10.5603/NMR.2023.0011

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Mitral valve surgery in octogenarians: Identifying factors that can guide clinical decision-making

Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann. 2023 Jul 11:2184923231187681. doi: 10.1177/02184923231187681. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve surgery in octogenarians is a clinical challenge due to the impact of inherent, age-related comorbidities. Within the context of an aging population, the number of mitral surgery candidates over 80 has been gradually increasing. We sought to evaluate our institutional experience with mitral valve surgery in octogenarians to identify factors that may prove useful during the process of clinical decision-making.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our institutional database for all patients over 80 years of age who underwent mitral valve surgery in our department from October 2002 up to February 2021. The primary endpoints of our study were 30-day all-cause mortality and long-term survival after the first postoperative month.

RESULTS: In total, 99 octogenarians underwent mitral valve surgery for various types of mitral pathology. In particular, 70 patients underwent mitral valve replacement with or without concomitant procedures and 29 underwent mitral valve repair with or without concomitant procedures. There was no difference between the two approaches in terms of 30-day mortality and long-term survival. Chronic kidney disease and total operative time were independent predicting factors for 30-day mortality. Etiology of mitral valve pathology and EuroSCORE II was independent predicting factors for long-term survival.

CONCLUSIONS: The type of mitral valve surgery did not affect 30-day and long-term mortality rates in our study. Renal impairment and EuroSCORE II were independent predictors of 30-day mortality and long-term prognosis, respectively. Rheumatic valve disease was also associated with a poorer prognosis.

PMID:37431635 | DOI:10.1177/02184923231187681

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Utility of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in parotid pleomorphic adenoma diagnosis and management

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2023 Jul 10. doi: 10.5507/bp.2023.027. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Pleomorphic adenoma (PA), the most common benign tumour of the parotid gland, requires accurate preoperative diagnosis owing to its capacity for malignant transformation. The aim of this study was to evaluate our experience with ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in the diagnostic algorithm for patients with PA and to assess clinical outcomes for those with different surgical approaches.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective analysis of patients treated for parotid gland mass between 2010 and 2016. These had had preoperative FNAB and had undergone subsequent surgery.

RESULTS: 165 patients had FNAB with the result of PA and the definitive histology confirmed PA in 159 cases (96.4%). On the other hand, in 179 patients, the definitive histology showed PA and the preoperative FNAB result corresponded in 159 cases (88.9%). The measured sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of ultrasound-guided FNAB in the diagnosis of PA were, respectively, 88.83%, 96.23% and 92.31%. Most of the patients underwent superficial or partial superficial parotidectomy, followed by extracapsular dissection which was associated with statistically lower risk of facial nerve injury (P=0.04).

CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided FNAB is simple, accurate and valuable in the diagnosis of PA and provides results that can lead to the choice of less invasive operative treatment.

PMID:37431621 | DOI:10.5507/bp.2023.027

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

S100B protein as a biomarker and predictor in traumatic brain injury

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2023 Jul 10. doi: 10.5507/bp.2023.025. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prognostic potential of S100B protein in patients with craniocerebral injury, correlation between S100B protein and time, selected internal diseases, body habitus, polytrauma, and season.

METHODS: We examined the levels of S100B protein in 124 patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

RESULTS: The S100B protein level 72 h after injury and changes over 72 h afterwards are statistically significant for prediction of a good clinical condition 1 month after injury. The highest sensitivity (81.4%) and specificity (83.3%) for the S100B protein value after 72 h was obtained for a cut-off value of 0.114. For the change after 72 h, that is a decrease in S100B value, the optimal cut-off is 0.730, where the sum of specificity (76.3%) and sensitivity (54.2%) is the highest, or a decrease by 0.526 at the cut-off value, where sensitivity (62.5%) and specificity (62.9%) are more balanced. The S100B values were the highest at baseline; S100B value taken 72 h after trauma negatively correlated with GCS upon discharge or transfer (r=-0.517, P<0.0001). We found no relationship between S100B protein and hypertension, diabetes mellitus, BMI, or season when the trauma occurred. Changes in values and a higher level of S100B protein were demonstrated in polytraumas with a median of 1.070 (0.042; 8.780) μg/L compared to isolated TBI with a median of 0.421 (0.042; 11.230) μg/L.

CONCLUSION: S100B protein level with specimen collection 72 h after trauma can be used as a complementary marker of patient prognosis.

PMID:37431619 | DOI:10.5507/bp.2023.025