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Effectiveness of 7-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Against Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Medically At-Risk Children in Australia: A Record Linkage Study

J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2022 May 30:piac038. doi: 10.1093/jpids/piac038. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Children with chronic medical conditions are at higher risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), but little is known about the effectiveness of the primary course of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in these children.

METHODS: A cohort born in 2001-2004 from two Australian states and identified as medically at-risk (MAR) of IPD either using ICD-coded hospitalizations (with conditions of interest identified by 6 months of age) or linked perinatal data (for prematurity) were followed to age 5 years for notified IPD by serotype. We categorized fully vaccinated children as either receiving PCV dose 3 by <12 months of age or ≥1 PCV dose at ≥12 months of age. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs), adjusted for confounders, and vaccine effectiveness (VE) was estimated as (1-HR) × 100.

RESULTS: A total of 9220 children with MAR conditions had 53 episodes of IPD (43 vaccine-type); 4457 (48.3%) were unvaccinated and 4246 (46.1%) were fully vaccinated, with 1371 (32.3%) receiving dose 3 by 12 months and 2875 (67.7%) having ≥1 dose at ≥12 months. Estimated VE in fully vaccinated children was 85.9% (95% CI: 33.9-97.0) against vaccine-type IPD and 71.5% (95% CI: 26.6-88.9) against all-cause IPD.

CONCLUSION: This is the first population-based study evaluating the effectiveness of PCV in children with MAR conditions using record linkage. Our study provides evidence that the VE for vaccine-type and all-cause IPD in MAR children in Australia is high and not statistically different from previously reported estimates for the general population. This method can be replicated in other countries to evaluate VE in MAR children.

PMID:35640283 | DOI:10.1093/jpids/piac038

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Bidirectional associations between adiposity and cognitive function: A prospective analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2022 May 29:glac115. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glac115. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Theoretical perspectives suggest that adiposity and cognitive function may be bidirectionally associated, but this has not been examined in a large-scale dataset. The current investigation aims to fill this gap using a large, representative sample of middle-aged and older adults.

METHODS: Using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA; n = 25,854), the bidirectional hypothesis was examined with three indicators of cognitive function (i.e., executive function, processing speed and verbal fluency) and adiposity (i.e., waist circumference [WC], body mass index [BMI] and total fat mass). We used multivariate multivariable regression and structural equation modeling to assess the prospective associations between adiposity and cognitive indicators.

RESULTS: Analyses revealed that higher baseline WC was associated with higher Stroop interference at follow-up for both middle-aged (standardized estimate, β = 0.08, 95% CI 0.06, 0.10) and older adults (β = 0.07, 95% CI 0.04, 0.09). Similarly, higher baseline Stroop interference was also associated with higher follow-up WC in middle-aged (β = 0.08, 95% CI 0.06, 0.10) and older adults (β = 0.03, 95% CI 0.01, 0.06). Effects involving semantic fluency and processing speed were less consistent. The above effects were similar to those observed using other adiposity indicators (e.g., BMI, total fat mass) and were robust to adjustment for demographics and other cofounders, and when using latent variable modeling of the adiposity variable.

CONCLUSION: Evidence for a bidirectional relationship between adiposity and cognitive function exists, though the associations are most reliable for executive function and primarily evident at mid-life.

PMID:35640256 | DOI:10.1093/gerona/glac115

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Natural orifice versus transabdominal specimen extraction in laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer: meta-analysis

BJS Open. 2022 May 2;6(3):zrac074. doi: 10.1093/bjsopen/zrac074.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) is a technique that involves collecting a specimen for extraction through a natural opening avoiding a mini-laparotomy incision. The aim of this study was to compare NOSE and transabdominal specimen extraction in laparoscopic (LAP) colorectal cancer surgery for postoperative outcomes and oncological safety.

METHOD: A systematic search was conducted in five electronic databases from inception till October 2020. Articles were selected based on the inclusion criteria (studies comparing LAP and NOSE colorectal surgeries reporting at least one of the outcomes) and analysed. Primary outcomes included postoperative complications, pathological results (resection margins and lymph node collection), and oncological outcomes. Secondary outcomes included operating time, blood losses, use of analgesics, functional recovery, duration of hospital stay, and cosmetic results. Fixed and random-effect models were used to measure the pooled estimates.

RESULTS: Nineteen studies involving a total of 3432 participants were analysed (3 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and 16 retrospective non-randomized studies). Pooled results showed significantly reduced postoperative complications (OR 0.54; 95 per cent c.i. 0.44 to 0.67; P < 0.00001). Pathological outcomes of NOSE were comparable to LAP with no significant difference noted in terms of resection margins (P > 0.05) and lymph node collection (weighted mean difference (WMD) -0.47; 95 per cent c.i. -0.94 to 0; P = 0.05). Pooled analysis demonstrated comparable long-term outcomes in terms of cancer recurrence (OR 0.94; 95 per cent c.i. 0.63 to 1.39; P = 0.75), 5-year disease-free survival (HR 0.97; 95 per cent c.i. 0.73 to 1.29; P = 0.83), and overall survival (HR 0.93, 95 per cent c.i. 0.58 to -1.51; P = 0.78). Finally, the NOSE group had decreased use of additional analgesia after surgery and earlier resumption of oral intake when compared with LAP (respectively OR 0.28; 95 per cent c.i. 0.20 to 0.37; P < 0.00001 and WMD -0.35; 95 per cent c.i. -0.54 to -0.15; P = 0.0005).

CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis showed that in comparison with LAP, NOSE decreases severe postoperative morbidity while improving postoperative recovery without compromising oncological safety, but it is limited by the small number of RCTs performed in this field.

PMID:35640267 | DOI:10.1093/bjsopen/zrac074

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Socio-economic inequalities in intimate partner violence justification among women in Ghana: analysis of the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey data

Int Health. 2022 May 28:ihac032. doi: 10.1093/inthealth/ihac032. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: One of the key reasons for the high prevalence of intimate partner violence among women is the justification of intimate partner violence. Socio-economic status of women plays a key role in intimate partner violence justification. This study investigated the socio-economic inequalities in the justification of intimate partner violence among Ghanaian women.

METHODS: Data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey were used in this study. The study involved a total of 9267 women. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the socio-economic disparities in intimate partner violence justification. The findings were presented as adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) demonstrating precision. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.

RESULTS: The prevalence of intimate partner violence justification among women in Ghana was 28.2%. Compared with women with no formal of education, those with a higher level of education (aOR 0.17 [95% CI 0.10 to 0.30]) were less likely to justify intimate partner violence. In terms of wealth status, women in the richest quintile had lower odds of justifying intimate partner violence compared with women in the poorest wealth quintile (aOR 0.44 [95% CI 0.28 to 0.67]).

CONCLUSIONS: Interventions, policies, strategies and programs such as women’s equitable access to formal education, formation of stronger social networks to improve women’s socio-economic status, advocacy to stop intimate partner violence and empowerment interventions among women should be focused toward contextualizing intimate partner violence in terms of the acceptance of this behaviour, since this can play a significant role in victimization and perpetration.

PMID:35640232 | DOI:10.1093/inthealth/ihac032

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Effectiveness of Quality Incentive Payments in General Practice (EQuIP-GP) cluster randomized trial: impact on patient-reported experience

Fam Pract. 2022 May 28;39(3):373-380. doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmab157.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Relational continuity, ‘a therapeutic relationship between a patient and provider/s that spans health care events’, has been associated with improved patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether an intervention incorporating patient enrolment and a funding model for higher-risk patients influenced patient-reported experience measures, particularly relational continuity.

METHODS: Cluster-randomized controlled trial over 12 months (1 August 2018-31 July 2019). Participating patients within intervention practices were offered enrolment with a preferred general practitioner, a minimum of 3 longer appointments, and review within 7 days of hospital admission or emergency department attendance. Intervention practices received incentives for longer consultations (dependent on reducing unnecessary prescriptions and tests), early post-hospital follow-up, and hospitalization reductions. The primary outcome was patient-reported relational continuity, measured by the Primary Care Assessment Tool Short Form.

RESULTS: A total of 774 patients, aged 18-65 years with a chronic illness or aged over 65 years, from 34 general practices in metropolitan, regional, and rural Australia across 3 states participated. Response rates for questionnaires were >90%. From a maximum of 4.0, mean baseline scores for relational continuity were 3.38 (SE 0.05) and 3.42 (SE 0.05) in control and intervention arms, respectively, with no significant between-group differences in changes pre-post trial. There were no significant changes in other patient-focussed measures.

CONCLUSION: Patient-reported relational continuity was high at baseline and not influenced by the intervention, signalling the need for caution with policies incorporating patient enrolment and financial incentives. Further research is required targeting at-risk patient groups with low baseline engagement with primary care.

PMID:35640205 | DOI:10.1093/fampra/cmab157

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Measuring Plant Attractiveness to Pollinators: Methods and Considerations

J Econ Entomol. 2022 May 29:toac066. doi: 10.1093/jee/toac066. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Global pollinator declines have fostered increased public interest in creating pollinator-friendly gardens in human-managed landscapes. Indeed, studies on urban pollinator communities suggest that flower-rich greenspaces can serve as promising sites for conservation. Ornamental flowers, which are readily available at most commercial garden centers, are ubiquitous in these landscapes. These varieties are often non-native and highly bred, and their utility to pollinators is complex. In this study, we used observational data and citizen science to develop a methods framework that will assist stakeholders in the floriculture industry to incorporate metrics of pollinator health into existing breeding and evaluation protocols. The results of this study support how plant attractiveness to pollinators is often dependent on variables such as climate and plant phenology, which should be considered when developing an assessment tool. Furthermore, we found that some cultivars were consistently attractive across all observations while for other cultivars, pollinator visitation was apparently conditional. We determine using multiple statistical tests that 10 min is a sufficient length of time for observation of most plant types to broadly estimate three measures of plant attractiveness: visitor abundance, primary visitors attracted, and cultivar rank attractiveness, without sacrificing efficiency or accuracy. Additionally, we demonstrate that properly trained non-expert observers can collect accurate observational data, and our results suggest that protocols may be designed to maximize consistency across diverse data collectors.

PMID:35640204 | DOI:10.1093/jee/toac066

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Automated digital superimposition of the 3D model and archival photographs of full removable dentures in forensic dentistry

Stomatologiia (Mosk). 2022;101(3):61-69. doi: 10.17116/stomat202210103161.

ABSTRACT

THE AIM THE STUDY: The purpose of the work is to perform automated alignment of two-dimensional archival photographs of the first prosthesis and a digital model of the complete removable prosthesis by superposition in order to determine or deny their possible belonging to one user.

MATERIALS END METHODS: The superposition was carried out in the Exocad program (DentalCAD 3.0 Galway) using the standard 2D-3D alignment algorithm of the «SmileDesign» module; in the same program. In addition, Keynote and Fusion 360, and Autodesk programs were used. Statistical measurements were carried out at the statistically significant level of p<0.05.

RESULTS: A comparison of four different-angle and different-scale photographic images of a removable denture of the upper jaw teeth with a three-dimensional copy of the same version of the prosthesis of the life physician of the royal family E.S. Botkin was made. When superimposing a digital three-dimensional model and a two-dimensional photograph of the original prosthesis with marked anthropometric points (n=51), 21 of them coincided or touched each other (41.2%). Another 26 points were located side by side (distance up to 1.5 mm) (50.9%) and 4 did not coincide (distance >1.5 mm, but no more than 3.5-4 mm) (7.8%). When the reference points were combined, the contours, the configuration of the relief and the peripheral boundaries of all three objects mostly coincided. The linear longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the bases of the prostheses also mostly coincided. The exception was the distal border of the bases, and the level of the cutting edges of the anterior artificial teeth, where complete coincidence was not observed, due to differences in the degree of erasability.

CONCLUSION: Comparison of the original prosthesis from Ipatiev’s house and its stereolithographic model was a test for the accuracy of the matching method used. The stereotype of the compared images is proved and the consistency of the possibility of computer combination of three-dimensional and two-dimensional objects is confirmed. The use of traditional methods of forensic identification and evaluation of the results by methods of mathematical statistics allowed us to conclude that the two different complete removable dentures of the upper jaw depicted in the photographs belong to one user.

PMID:35640181 | DOI:10.17116/stomat202210103161

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Prevention of inflammatory complications after surgical extraction of mandibular third molars

Stomatologiia (Mosk). 2022;101(3):38-43. doi: 10.17116/stomat202210103138.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory complications are the most prevalent problems after surgical extraction of mandibular third molars. The main options for prevention are prophylactic antibiotics usage before surgery or in the postoperative period; a method of postoperative management of a tooth socket, implying healing by primary or secondary closure. Each of the postoperative management types has advantages and disadvantages.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare complete suturing versus iodoform gauze packing of tooth socket for prevention of inflammatory complications after mandibular third molar removal.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed. The medical records of 273 patients who underwent mandibular third molar extraction for orthodontic indications were analyzed. Data of 100 patients were included, in 50 cases the postoperative management was carried out using iodoform packing, in other 50 cases complete suturing was performed. Depending on the type of data and distribution, we used the chi-squared test, Fisher’s exact test, Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney U test. A p<0.05 was needed to achieve statistical significance.

RESULTS: Alveolitis developed in 8 % cases of iodoform gauze packing and 34% cases of suturing. The differences are statistically significant (p=0.003). The total rehabilitation period (days) in patients with no alveolitis using iodoform gauze packing was 8 (7; 31) (Me (Q1; Q3)), using complete socket suturing was 7 (7; 8) (Me (Q1; Q3)), the differences are statistically significant (p=0.003).

CONCLUSION: The best option for the prophylaxis of alveolitis after surgical extraction of mandibular third molar is secondary closure using iodoform gauze packing. However, in the cases with no alveolitis when complete suturing was performed, healing occurred much faster, which justifies the development of an alternative method for third molar socket healing.

PMID:35640178 | DOI:10.17116/stomat202210103138

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Oral hygiene and microcirculation of the mucous membrane of the tongue and gums dynamics in patients with burning mouth syndrome as a result of the use of a toothbrush with a gold-zinc electroplating

Stomatologiia (Mosk). 2022;101(3):27-30. doi: 10.17116/stomat202210103127.

ABSTRACT

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: Was to assess the level of oral hygiene and microcirculation of the mucous membrane of the tongue and gums in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) as a result of using a toothbrush with a gold-zinc electroplating.

MATERIALS AND METHOS: The study included 50 patients of both sexes aged 45-64 years with the diagnosis of BMS divided into two groups. In the main group, the complex of hygienic measures included the use of a toothbrush with a gold-zinc electroplating and a paste with the fluorine content of 1350 ppm. In the comparison group, a regular manual toothbrush and a paste with a fluoride content of 1350 ppm were used for oral hygiene. A control group consisted of 25 healthy people with the mean age of 44±4.5 years without clinical signs of BMS in the oral cavity and concomitant acute somatic pathologies.

RESULTS: Tongue mucosa microcirculation level in patients using the toothbrush with a gold-zinc electroplating was significantly higher than in the comparison group using conventional manual toothbrush. Oral hygiene level assessment showed statistically significant better brushing efficacy in patients using the toothbrush with a gold-zinc electroplating.

CONCLUSION: The use of a toothbrush with a gold-zinc electroplating contributes to the normalization of microcirculation in the mucous membrane of the tongue and gums and is recommended for inclusion in the complex of therapeutic measures in patients with BMS.

PMID:35640176 | DOI:10.17116/stomat202210103127

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Comparative evaluation of the shear bond strength of a universal adhesive system in different etching modes and a total etch adhesive system

Stomatologiia (Mosk). 2022;101(3):7-11. doi: 10.17116/stomat20221010317.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine a comparative evaluation between the shear bond strength (SBS) of total etch adhesive system and the SBS of universal adhesive system in various etching techniques.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were made 60 sections of teeth for the laboratory research. The studied samples had been divided into 4 groups (15 samples in each group). The control group of the study was the Adper SingleBond 2 total etch adhesive system. The SingleBondUniversal adhesive system had been used in three comparison groups: the first group was the total etch technique; the second group was selective etch technique; the third group was self-etching techinque. The Zwick Roell Z010 testing machine had been used for the study. The received results were fixed. The statistical data were processed. Comparison of researched groups were performed in pairs using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS: In the control group the average value of the shear bond strength (SBS) was 15.01±5.2 MPa, in the first comparison group – 15.6±4.8 MPa, in the second comparison group – 19.7±6.04 MPa, in the third comparison group – 17.9±5.85 MPa. The groups with SingleBondUniversal adhesive system in selective etch technique (19.74 MPa) and self-etching (17.9 MPa) technique had the highest average values of the shear bond strength. The universal adhesive system with total etch technique and the total etch adhesive system had statistically similar data (p≥0.05). The control group with Adper SingleBond 2 total etch adhesive system had the lowest shear bond strength (15.01 MPa).

CONCLUSIONS: The universal adhesive system had high average values of SBS in all etching techniques. During the comparative evaluation there were established correspondence between average values of SBS of universal adhesive system and SBS of total etch adhesive system. The universal adhesive system in selective etch technique had the highest shear bond strength (SBS) with enamel and dentin.

PMID:35640172 | DOI:10.17116/stomat20221010317