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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Pre-diagnostic C-reactive protein concentrations, CRP genetic variation and mortality among individuals with colorectal cancer in Western European populations

BMC Cancer. 2022 Jun 24;22(1):695. doi: 10.1186/s12885-022-09778-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The role of elevated pre-diagnostic C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations on mortality in individuals with colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear.

METHODS: We investigated the association between pre-diagnostic high-sensitivity CRP concentrations and CRP genetic variation associated with circulating CRP and CRC-specific and all-cause mortality based on data from 1,235 individuals with CRC within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 9.3 years, 455 CRC-specific deaths were recorded, out of 590 deaths from all causes. Pre-diagnostic CRP concentrations were not associated with CRC-specific (hazard ratio, HR highest versus lowest quintile 0.92, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.66, 1.28) or all-cause mortality (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.68, 1.21). Genetic predisposition to higher CRP (weighted score based on alleles of four CRP SNPs associated with higher circulating CRP) was not significantly associated with CRC-specific mortality (HR per CRP-score unit 0.95, 95% CI 0.86, 1.05) or all-cause mortality (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.90, 1.07). Among four investigated CRP genetic variants, only SNP rs1205 was significantly associated with CRC-specific (comparing the CT and CC genotypes with TT genotype, HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.35, 0.83 and HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.38, 0.88, respectively) and all-cause mortality (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.40, 0.85 and 0.64, 95% CI 0.44, 0.92, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this prospective cohort study do not support a role of pre-diagnostic CRP concentrations on mortality in individuals with CRC. The observed associations with rs1205 deserve further scientific attention.

PMID:35739525 | DOI:10.1186/s12885-022-09778-9

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Accuracy of two orthodontic mini-implant templates in the infrazygomatic crest zone: a prospective cohort study

BMC Oral Health. 2022 Jun 24;22(1):252. doi: 10.1186/s12903-022-02285-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In the clinic, most computer-aided design and manufacturing orthodontic mini-implant guides are suitable for the position between the tooth roots, and few templates are designed and used for the infrazygomatic crest zone. In this study, we took into account the structure of the infrazygomatic crest and 3D printing technology, developed two kinds of templates, and evaluated their clinical effects.

METHODS: Seventeen patients who accepted 30 mini-implant insertions in the infrazygomatic crest were selected. According to different implantation methods, three groups were divided. In Groups A and B, the mini-implants were positioned with an A-type or B-type template designed by EXOCAD software. In Group C, the mini-implants were inserted by an experienced orthodontist without any guides. We simulate the bucco-palatal, mesio-distal, and vertical head positions in the Segma implant guide software and measure the deviation from the virtual design position of the mini-implant. The linear deviation of the mini-implant tip and cap and the angular deviation of the long axis of the mini-implant in the bucco-palatal direction, mesio-distal direction, and vertical direction were also measured. The results were statistically analysed by SPSS software.

RESULTS: The deviations of Group A and Group C’s miniscrew cap in the bucco-palatal direction, Group A and Group B, Group A and Group C’s miniscrew tip in the mesio-distal direction, and Group B and Group C’s miniscrew tip and cap in the vertical direction were statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in the deviations of Group A and Group C’s miniscrew tip and cap in the vertical direction (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: In the vertical direction, the accuracy of implantation with the template is higher than that of the traditional method without the template to avoid piercing the maxillary sinus mucosa in the infrazygomatic crest zone.

PMID:35739518 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-022-02285-0

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Assessed and discharged – diagnosis, mortality and revisits in short-term emergency department contacts

BMC Health Serv Res. 2022 Jun 23;22(1):816. doi: 10.1186/s12913-022-08203-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Emergency departments (EDs) experience an increasing number of patients. High patient flow are incentives for short duration of ED stay which may pose a challenge for patient diagnostics and care implying risk of ED revisits or increased mortality. Four hours are often used as a target time to decide whether to admit or discharge a patient.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and compare the diagnostic pattern, risk of revisits and short-term mortality for ED patients with a length of stay of less than 4 h (visits) with 4-24 h stay (short stay visits).

METHODS: Population-based cohort study of patients contacting three EDs in the North Denmark Region during 2014-2016, excluding injured patients. Main diagnoses, number of revisits within 72 h of the initial contact and mortality were outcomes. Data on age, sex, mortality, time of admission and ICD-10 diagnostic chapter were obtained from the Danish Civil Registration System and the regional patient administrative system. Descriptive statistics were applied and Kaplan Meier mortality estimates with 95% CI were calculated.

RESULTS: Seventy-nine thousand three hundred forty-one short-term ED contacts were included, visits constituted 60%. Non-specific diagnoses (i.e. symptoms and signs and other factors) were the most frequent diagnoses among both visits and short stay visits groups (67% vs 49%). Revisits were more frequent for visits compared to short stay visits (5.8% vs 4.2%). Circulatory diseases displayed the highest 0-48-h mortality within the visits and infections in the short stay visits (11.8% (95%CI: 10.4-13.5) and (3.5% (95%CI: 2.6-4.7)). 30-day mortality were 1.3% (95%CI: 1.2-1.5) for visits and 1.8% (95%CI: 1.7-2.0) for short stay visits. The 30-day mortality of the ED revisits with an initial visit was 1.0% (0.8-1.3), vs 0.7% (0.7-0.8) for no revisits, while 30-day mortality nearly doubled for ED revisits with an initial short stay visit (2.5% (1.9-3.2)).

CONCLUSIONS: Most patients were within the visit group. Non-specific diagnoses constituted the majority of diagnoses given. Mortality was higher among patients with short stay visits but increased for both groups with ED revisits. This suggest that diagnostics are challenged by short time targets.

PMID:35739517 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-022-08203-y

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Characteristics and interplay of esophageal microbiota in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BMC Cancer. 2022 Jun 24;22(1):696. doi: 10.1186/s12885-022-09771-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Esophageal microbiota may influence esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) pathobiology. Therefore, we investigated the characteristics and interplay of the esophageal microbiota in ESCC.

METHODS: We performed 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing on paired esophageal tumor and tumor-adjacent samples obtained from 120 primarily ESCC patients. Analyses were performed using quantitative insights into microbial 2 (QIIME2) and phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states 2 (PICRUSt2). Species found to be associated with ESCC were validated using quantitative PCR.

RESULTS: The microbial diversity and composition of ESCC tumor tissues significantly differed from tumor-adjacent tissues; this variation between subjects beta diversity is mainly explained by regions and sampling seasons. A total of 56 taxa were detected with differential abundance between the two groups, such as R. mucilaginosa, P. endodontalis, N. subflava, H. Pylori, A. Parahaemolyticus, and A. Rhizosphaerae. Quantitative PCR confirmed the enrichment of the species P. endodontalis and the reduction of H. Pylori in tumor-adjacent tissues. Compared with tumor tissue, a denser and more complex association network was formed in tumor-adjacent tissue. The above differential taxa, such as H. Pylori, an unclassified species in the genera Sphingomonas, Haemophilus, Phyllobacterium, and Campylobacter, also participated in both co-occurrence networks but played quite different roles. Most of the differentially abundant taxa in tumor-adjacent tissues were negatively associated with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2), erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 4 (ERBB4), and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) signaling pathways, and positively associated with the MET proto-oncogene, receptor tyrosine kinase (MET) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) signaling pathways in tumors.

CONCLUSION: Alterations in the microbial co-occurrence network and functional pathways in ESCC tissues may be involved in carcinogenesis and the maintenance of the local microenvironment for ESCC.

PMID:35739509 | DOI:10.1186/s12885-022-09771-2

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Ultrasonographic assessment of entheseal sites of upper and lower extremities in hemodialysis patients using Madrid Sonography Enthesitis Index

BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022 Jun 23;23(1):606. doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-05512-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is no much information about the entheseal involvement among hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and distribution of ultrasonographic (US) entheseal alterations in HD patients and to evaluate the association between US abnormalities and both clinical and laboratory data.

METHODS: This study was conducted on 41 HD patients and 23 sex- and age- matched controls. All participants were evaluated clinically for any signs of enthesopathy. Six entheses sites were scanned bilaterally using grey scale (GS) and power Doppler (PD) US and were scored using Madrid Sonography Enthesitis Index (MASEI) scoring system.

RESULTS: In HD patients, at least one clinical sign suggestive of enthesopathy was found in 69 (14%) of 492 entheses. HD patients had statistically significant higher scores of structural tendon abnormalities (p < 0.001), enthesis thickening (p < 0.001), bone erosions (p < 0.001) and calcification (p = 0.037) than the healthy controls. Total MASEI score was higher in HD patients than healthy controls (median;18 vs 8, p < 0.001), also, MASEI-inflammatory (median;11 vs 3, p < 0.001) and damage scores (median;6 vs 0, p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant positive association between total MASEI score and both age (p = 0.032) and duration of HD (p = 0.037). Duration of HD was predictive for both MASEI-damage component (p = 0.004) and total MASEI score (p = 0.014).

CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of subclinical enthesopathy in HD patients. The entheseal US alterations is much higher in HD patients than in healthy subjects. The duration of HD is the significant predictor of enthesopathy in HD patients.

PMID:35739500 | DOI:10.1186/s12891-022-05512-5

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Factors associated with older persons’ perceptions of dignity and well-being over a three-year period. A retrospective national study in residential care facilities

BMC Geriatr. 2022 Jun 23;22(1):515. doi: 10.1186/s12877-022-03205-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dignity and well-being are central concepts in the care of older people, 65 years and older, worldwide. The person-centred practice framework identifies dignity and well-being as person-centred outcomes. Older persons living in residential care facilities, residents, have described that they sometimes lack a sense of dignity and well-being, and there is a need to understand which modifiable factors to target to improve this. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between perceptions of dignity and well-being and the independent variables of the attitudes of staff, the indoor-outdoor-mealtime environments, and individual factors for residents over a three-year period.

METHODS: A national retrospective longitudinal mixed cohort study was conducted in all residential care facilities within 290 municipalities in Sweden. All residents aged 65 years and older in 2016, 2017 and 2018 were invited to responded to a survey; including questions regarding self-rated health and mobility, the attitudes of staff, the indoor-outdoor-mealtime environments, safety, and social activities. Data regarding age, sex and diagnosed dementia/prescribed medication for dementia were collected from two national databases. Descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic regression models were used to analyse the data.

RESULTS: A total of 13 763 (2016), 13 251 (2017) and 12 620 (2018) residents answered the survey. Most of them (69%) were women and the median age was 88 years. The odds for satisfaction with dignity did not differ over the three-year period, but the odds for satisfaction with well-being decreased over time. Residents who rated their health as good, who were not diagnosed with dementia/had no prescribed medication for dementia, who had not experienced disrespectful attitudes of staff and who found the indoor-outdoor-mealtime environments to be pleasant had higher odds of being satisfied with aspects of dignity and well-being over the three-year period.

CONCLUSIONS: The person-centred practice framework, which targets the attitudes of staff and the care environment, can be used as a theoretical framework when designing improvement strategies to promote dignity and well-being. Registered nurses, due to their core competencies, focusing on person-centred care and quality improvement work, should be given an active role as facilitators in such improvement strategies.

PMID:35739497 | DOI:10.1186/s12877-022-03205-1

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Prevalence and factors associated with vitamin K prophylaxis utilization among neonates in rural Ethiopia in 2016

BMC Pediatr. 2022 Jun 24;22(1):361. doi: 10.1186/s12887-022-03428-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Neonatal Mortality Ratio (NMR) could not be reversed sufficiently in Ethiopia in the last couple of years. Neonatal bleeding is one of the major causes of neonatal deaths. Administration of vitamin K prophylaxis at birth is the proven strategy to reduce neonatal death which can be caused by vitamin K deficiency bleeding. Although World Health Organization (WHO) recommends universal supplementation of vitamin K prophylaxis for all neonates at birth, many neonates could not get it in many resource poor countries. Despite its importance, information is scarce about uptake of vitamin K prophylaxis in Ethiopia in 2016. Therefore, this study aimed to identify prevalence and factors associated with vitamin K prophylaxis utilization among neonates in Ethiopia in 2016.

METHODS: Secondary data analysis of EDHS 2016 was done to assess prevalence and predictors of vitamin K prophylaxis among neonates in Ethiopia five years before EDHS 2016. Multi-stage cluster sampling was used in EDHS 2016. Sample weight and complex analysis were used to minimize bias. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify factors associated with vitamin K prophylaxis. Finally, adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was calculated and P-value less than 0.05 taken as the cuff of point for declaration of the statistical significant association.

RESULTS: Prevalence of vitamin K prophylaxis among neonates in Ethiopia in 2016 was found to be 4710(65.5%) in this study. Factors like: Institutional delivery (AOR = 2.2, 95%CI: 1.8, 2.7), neonates from richest family (AOR = 2.1, 95%CI: 1.6, 2.7), neonates from richer household (AOR = 1.4, 95%CI: 1.1, 1.8), starting of antenatal care from 3-6 months of gestational age (AOR = 2.9, 95%CI: 2.3, 3.6) were factors positively associated with vitamin K prophylaxis in Ethiopia.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Compared with expected world health organization recommendation of universal supplementation vitamin K prophylaxis, vitamin K utilization is lower among neonates in this study. Hence, it is recommended that strengthen early antenatal care initiation and improving community awareness about vitamin K prophylaxis are the key interventions to improve its uptake. Furthermore, improving institutional delivery might increase uptake of vitamin K prophylaxis.

PMID:35739491 | DOI:10.1186/s12887-022-03428-6

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Predicting and validating 30-day hospital readmission in adults with diabetes whose index admission is diabetes-related

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2022 Jun 23:dgac380. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgac380. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective is to develop a prediction model of 30-day hospital readmission amongst adults with diabetes mellitus (DM) whose index admission was DM-related. The secondary aims are to: internally and externally validate the prediction model; and compare its performance with two existing models.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND SETTING: Data of inpatients aged ≥18 years from 2008-2015 were extracted from the electronic medical record system of the National University Hospital, Singapore. Unplanned readmission within 30 days was calculated from the discharge date of the index hospitalisation. Multivariable logistic regression and 10-fold cross-validation were performed. For external validation, simulations based on prevalence of 30-day readmission and the regression coefficients provided by referenced papers were conducted.

RESULTS: 11.0% of 2355 patients reported 30-day readmission. The prediction model included four predictors: length of stay, ischaemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and number of drugs. C-statistics for the prediction model and 10-fold cross-validation were 0.68 (95% CI: 0.66, 0.70) and 0.67 (95% CI: 0.63 to 0.70) respectively. Those for the three simulated external validation datasets ranged from 0.64 to 0.68.

CONCLUSION: The prediction model performs well with good internal and external validity for identifying patients with DM at risk of unplanned 30-day readmission.

PMID:35738016 | DOI:10.1210/clinem/dgac380

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Short Training Significantly Improves Ganglion Cell Detection Using an Algorithm-Assisted Approach

Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2022 Jun 23. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2021-0481-OA. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT.—: Medical education in pathology relies on the accumulation of experience gained through inspection of numerous samples from each entity. Acquiring sufficient teaching material for rare diseases, such as Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), may be difficult, especially in smaller institutes. The current study makes use of a previously developed decision support system using a decision support algorithm meant to aid pathologists in the diagnosis of HSCR.

OBJECTIVE.—: To assess the effect of a short training session on algorithm-assisted HSCR diagnosis.

DESIGN.—: Five pathologists reviewed a data set of 568 image sets (1704 images in total) selected from 50 cases by the decision support algorithm and were tasked with scoring the images for the presence or absence of ganglion cells. The task was repeated a total of 3 times. Each pathologist had to complete a short educational presentation between the second and third iterations.

RESULTS.—: The training resulted in a significantly increased rate of correct diagnoses (true positive/negative) and a decreased need for referrals for expert consultation. No statistically significant changes in the rate of false positives/negatives were detected.

CONCLUSIONS.—: A very short (<10 minutes) training session can greatly improve the pathologist’s performance in the algorithm-assisted diagnosis of HSCR. The same approach may be feasible in training for the diagnosis of other rare diseases.

PMID:35738006 | DOI:10.5858/arpa.2021-0481-OA

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Is Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Beneficial for Patients With Pancreatic Cancer?

J Clin Oncol. 2022 Jun 23:JCO2200454. doi: 10.1200/JCO.22.00454. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:35737925 | DOI:10.1200/JCO.22.00454