Tag: nevin manimala

Stat Med. 2021 Apr 5. doi: 10.1002/sim.8966. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Nonlinear mixed-effects (NLME) models are commonly used in longitudinal studies such as pharmacokinetics and HIV viral dynamics studies. NLME models are often derived based on underlying data-generating mechanisms, therefore the parameters in these models often have natural physical interpretations that may suggest reasonable constraints on certain parameters. For example, the HIV viral decay rates for populations receiving anti-HIV treatments may be reasonably expected to be nonnegative. Hypothesis testing for these parameters should incorporate practically reasonable constraints to increase statistical power. Motivated from HIV viral dynamic models, in this article we propose multiparameter one-sided or constrained tests for NLME models with censored responses, for example, viral dynamic models with viral loads subject to lower detection limits. We propose approximate likelihood-based tests that are computationally efficient. We evaluate the tests via simulations and show that the proposed tests are more powerful than the corresponding two-sided or unrestricted tests. We apply the proposed tests to two AIDS datasets with new findings.

PMID:33821528 | DOI:10.1002/sim.8966

Dent Traumatol. 2021 Apr 6. doi: 10.1111/edt.12678. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIM: Prevalence and demographic characteristics of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) differ in different countries. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess TDI in primary and permanent teeth among children and adolescents who presented to the Department of Paediatric Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, during the last 5 years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Dental records of 236 new patients who presented with dento-alveolar trauma to the Postgraduate Dental Clinic from 1/1/2014 to 31/12/2019 were reviewed. Data recorded were gender, age, month of the year the injury occurred, type of trauma, and number of traumatized teeth. Injuries were classified as fracture, luxation, or combination injuries. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared (x² ), and Fisher’s exact tests were used to evaluate the results. Level of significance was set at 5%.

RESULTS: The age of the patients ranged from 1 to 18 years old, with a mean of 8.63 years (SD: 3.52). There were 395 anterior traumatized teeth and 2 cases with traumatized posterior teeth. Children suffered trauma more often at the ages of 5 years, 7 years, and 11 years. In this cohort, 60% were boys who had a higher chance of having trauma than girls (odds ratio = 1.418 95% CI = 0.724, 2.777). Most TDI occurred in March and May, followed by June and February, and most traumatized teeth were permanent (80%). Maxillary central incisors in both dentitions were injured most often and significantly more compared to lateral incisors (p < 0 .01). The most common type of injury was a fracture in the permanent dentition (60%) and luxation injuries (69%) in the primary dentition.

CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic dental injuries in this cohort occurred mostly in spring, affected boys more than girls, permanent teeth more than primary teeth, maxillary incisors more than mandibular incisors, and central incisors more than lateral incisors, while children aged 5, 7, and 11 years old had the most injuries.

PMID:33821535 | DOI:10.1111/edt.12678

Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2021 Apr 6. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12790. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the status of spiritual caregiving education in nursing students belonging to two different state universities in Turkey.

DESIGN AND METHODS: The descriptive, cross-sectional study was completed with 326 students.

FINDINGS: Turkey’s western regions in mean scale scores of students (147.27 ± 19.40) in central Anatolia (140.83 ± 18.82) was higher than the students and the difference was statistically significant. A statistically significant difference was found between the total score averages of the Spiritual Caregiving Scale and their year of study, self-perception of spirituality, and relating their profession to spirituality (p < 0.05).

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is recommended to include spiritual care issues and principles in the nursing education curriculum.

PMID:33821478 | DOI:10.1111/ppc.12790

Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2021 Apr 6. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12788. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The current study is a descriptive-comparative study and aims to determine intercultural sensitivity and ethnocentrism levels among nurses and nursing students.

METHOD: The study was conducted with 207 nurses working at a State Hospital and 211 nursing students studying at a University between November 30, 2019, and January 20, 2020. The data were collected using a descriptive characteristics form, the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale, and the Ethnocentrism Scale.

FINDINGS: It was found that both nurses and nursing students (73.4% and 60.7%, respectively) struggled to communicate with foreign patients and experienced problems with cultural differences (49.8% and 22.7%, respectively). A statistically significant negative correlation was found for the nurses and nursing students in terms of their intercultural sensitivity and ethnocentrism scores (p < .05).

PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: Nurses and student nurses should interact with people from different cultures to improve refugee health care.

PMID:33821483 | DOI:10.1111/ppc.12788

Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2021 Apr 6. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12792. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This descriptive study was conducted to determine the relationship between nomophobia level and anxiety severity among university students.

DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was completed with a total of 745 students. A descriptive questionnaire and the nomophobia questionnaire and measure of worry severity. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses were used.

FINDING: It was found positive correlation was determined between the nomophobia level and severity of anxiety.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: İndividuals with nomophobia should be given the necessary assistance before the current situation worsens. Information about the correct use of the smartphone should be provided.

PMID:33821485 | DOI:10.1111/ppc.12792

J Fluoresc. 2021 Apr 5. doi: 10.1007/s10895-021-02708-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

To utilize the nanomaterials as an effective carrier for the drug delivery applications, it is important to study the interaction between nanomaterials and drug or biomolecules. In this study GSH functionalized Mn²⁺-doped CdTe/ZnS QDs has been utilized as a model nanomaterial due to its high luminescence property. Folic acid (FA) gradually quenches the FL of GSH functionalized Mn²⁺ – doped CdTe/ZnS QDs. The Stern-Volmer quenching constant (K_sv), binding constant (K_s) and effective quenching constant (Ka) for the FA-QDs system is calculated to be 1.32 × 10⁵ M^-1, 1.92 × 10⁵ and 0.27 × 10⁵ M^-1, respectively under optimized condition (Temp. 300 K, pH 8.0, incubation time 40 min.). The effects of temperature, pH, and incubation time on FA-QDs system have also been studied. Statistical analysis of the quenched FL intensity versus FA concentration revealed a linear range from 1 × 10^-7 to 5.0 × 10^-5 for FA detection. The LOD of the current nano-sensor for FA was calculated to be 0.2 μM. The effect of common interfering metal ions and other relevant biomolecules on the detection of FA (12.0 μM) have also been investigated. L-cysteine and glutathione displayed moderate effect on FA detection. Similarly, the common metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) produced minute interference while Zn²⁺ Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ exert moderate interference. Toxic metal ions (Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺) produced severe interferences in FA detection.Graphical abstract GSH-Mn²⁺ CdTe/ZnS QDs based Fluorescence Nanosensor for Folic acid.

PMID:33821436 | DOI:10.1007/s10895-021-02708-1

Hastings Cent Rep. 2021 Apr 6. doi: 10.1002/hast.1248. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The use of opaque, uninterpretable artificial intelligence systems in health care can be medically beneficial, but it is often viewed as potentially morally problematic on account of this opacity-because the systems are black boxes. Alex John London has recently argued that opacity is not generally problematic, given that many standard therapies are explanatorily opaque and that we can rely on statistical validation of the systems in deciding whether to implement them. But is statistical validation sufficient to justify implementation of these AI systems in health care, or is it merely one of the necessary criteria? I argue that accountability, which holds an important role in preserving the patient-physician trust that allows the institution of medicine to function, contributes further to an account of AI system justification. Hence, I endorse the vanishing accountability principle: accountability in medicine, in addition to statistical validation, must be preserved. AI systems that introduce problematic gaps in accountability should not be implemented.

PMID:33821471 | DOI:10.1002/hast.1248

Trop Anim Health Prod. 2021 Apr 6;53(2):248. doi: 10.1007/s11250-021-02700-8.

ABSTRACT

Five non-linear functions, i.e. Gompertz, Logistic, Negative exponential, Brody and Bertalanffy, and multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) data mining algorithm were implemented with the objective to describe the body weight-age relationship of Harnai sheep of Balochistan, Pakistan. The data comprised of 1317 records of body weight from birth to 1 year were provided from Multi-Purpose Sheep Research Station Loralai, Balochistan. Each non-linear function and MARS algorithm were fitted to the data of male and female, single and twin and all lambs. Comparison among different non-linear models was based using the adjusted coefficient of determination ([Formula: see text]), Durbin-Watson statistic (DW), root mean square error (RMSE), Akaike’s and Bayesian information criteria (AIC and BIC) and the coefficient of correlation (r) between observed and fitted live body weight. The best fit was provided by the Brody model in terms of the highest [Formula: see text] and r values and lowest RMSE, AIC and BIC values in male and female, single and twin and all lambs followed by Bertalanffy, Gompertz, Negative exponential and Logistic model in order of their goodness. The negative correlation between asymptotic weight and maturing rate inferred that animals with smaller mature weight mature fast. Though males and singles were found heavier at mature weight than females and twins, respectively, they mature more slowly. The results of the study suggested the use of the Brody model to accurately describe the weight-age relationship of Harnai sheep. The present study also showed a very high predictive performance of the MARS data mining algorithm for describing the growth of sheep. In conclusion, MARS algorithm may be a good alternative for breeders aiming at describing the weight-age relationship of Harnai sheep.

PMID:33821400 | DOI:10.1007/s11250-021-02700-8

Qual Life Res. 2021 Apr 5. doi: 10.1007/s11136-021-02786-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the measurement properties of two versions of EQ-5D (i.e.EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L) in hypertensive patients in rural China.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in hypertensive patients in rural China. We compared the ceiling effects, redistribution properties, informativity, known-groups validity, and relative efficiency of the 3L and 5L and examined their agreement.

RESULTS: A total of 11,412 patients were enrolled in our study. The mean EQ-5D index score was 0.84 (SD 0.21) according to the 5L and 0.86 (SD 0.17) according to the 3L. A good agreement was observed between the 3L and 5L. The overall ceiling effect decreased from 46.4% (3L) to 29.4% (5L). The Shannon index, H’ improved in all dimensions when used 5L. When used 3L, the median responses of all groups were consistent with 5L across the three dimensions of ‘mobility’, ‘self-care’, ‘usual activities’, while the median responses were inconsistent for the ‘pain/discomfort’ and ‘anxiety/depression’ dimensions. The 3L performed better in eight comorbidities in terms of F-statistics and six comorbidities in terms of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs). The 5L performed better both in terms of the F-statistics and AUROCs in age, education level, anti-hypertensive medication use.

CONCLUSION: Taking all comparisons into account, we recommend the EQ-5D-5L for use in patients with hypertension in rural China.

PMID:33821418 | DOI:10.1007/s11136-021-02786-5

J Assist Reprod Genet. 2021 Apr 5. doi: 10.1007/s10815-021-02162-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To study embryo morphokinetics in relation to release in spent media of molecules with possible roles in development and implantation (miR-20a, miR-30c, and sHLA-G).

METHODS: Data were obtained from embryos generated in standard IVF and ICSI cycles. The Eeva system was used for embryo assessment, based on early morphokinetic parameters and producing a score (1-5, best-worst) corresponding to higher/medium/lower chances of development to blastocyst. miRNAs – mm miR-20a-5p and miR-30c-5p – and sHLA-G were quantified in 25 μl of spent blastocyst media (SBM) collected before vitrification or transfer. Statistical analyses were performed applying Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Shapiro-Wilk, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient tests, where appropriate.

RESULTS: SBM were collected from a total of 172 viable blastocysts. Their analysis showed that concentration of miR-20a was progressively lower as Eeva score increased and probability of development to blastocyst decreased (P = 0.016). The opposite trend was observed in the case of miR-30c, i.e., concentration was higher as score increased and chances of development to blastocyst decreased (P = 0.004). Analysis of sHLA-G revealed a negative correlation with Eeva score, i.e., levels were progressively lower as Eeva score increased and probability of development to blastocyst decreased (R = – 0.388, N = 141, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that morphokinetic algorithms that predict development to blastocyst stage, in fact, also identify embryos with molecular and cellular profiles more consistent with developmental functions.

PMID:33821429 | DOI:10.1007/s10815-021-02162-9