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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Interest in dentistry in early months of the COVID-19 global pandemic: A Google Trends approach

Health Info Libr J. 2022 Feb 14. doi: 10.1111/hir.12421. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In early the COVID-19 pandemic, routine dental treatments have been delayed due to the risk of disease transmission. This delay may lead public to search for information on the Internet for a solution.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the public interest in dentistry in the early months of the COVID-19 global pandemic in the selected countries.

METHODS: The daily numbers of new COVID-19 cases were recorded for China, South Korea, Italy, Germany, Russia, Ukraine and Turkey. For these countries, Internet search interest of the keyword ‘dentistry’, ‘coronavirus’, ‘COVID-19’, ‘SARS-CoV-2’ and ‘pandemic’ in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic was evaluated by using Google Trends data.

RESULTS: In most countries included the public Internet search interest in ‘dentistry+coronavirus+COVID-19+SARS-CoV-2+pandemic’ peaked prior to the peak of new COVID-19 cases. While a statistically significant positive correlation was observed between the number of new cases and Google Trends data in China, South Korea, Italy and Germany, a statistically significant negative correlation was observed in Turkey.

CONCLUSION: The peak public interest in dentistry has been prior to the peak of COVID-19 new cases in most countries. The use of Internet data can provide useful information about pandemics and many other diseases.

PMID:35166022 | DOI:10.1111/hir.12421

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Multiple psychological characteristics predict housing mortgage loan behavior: A holistic model based on machine learning

Psych J. 2022 Feb 14. doi: 10.1002/pchj.521. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The factors that influence consumers’ house choice are debatable. Previous studies have examined the effects of demographic and socioeconomic attributes, physical and environmental features of the house, and isolated single psychological characteristics on housing behavior. However, these factors are still not sufficient to predict consumer housing behavior, particularly when they are measured separately. We construct a holistic model that integrates psychological characteristics including values, personality traits, motivation, decision-making style, and risk-seeking together with demographic and socioeconomic factors to jointly predict housing mortgage loan behavior. This study aims to use a newly developed statistical method, “machine learning,” to examine the relationship between multiple psychological characteristics and consumer housing mortgage loan behavior. Data were collected through an online survey (N = 2,270). The results show that the holistic psychological model is effective for predicting consumer housing mortgage loan behavior in the life context. Moreover, by analyzing and comparing the relative impact of all predictors, we find that psychological characteristics made a more important contribution to predicting housing mortgage loan behavior than did traditional factors (demographic and socioeconomic factors). The results provide a new perspective for understanding the effects of how multiple psychological characteristics integrally predict consumers’ housing mortgage loan behavior in the real estate market. Theoretical and practical implications for marketing and sales are discussed.

PMID:35166045 | DOI:10.1002/pchj.521

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

An exploration of New Zealand mental health nurses’ personal physical activities

Int J Ment Health Nurs. 2022 Feb 14. doi: 10.1111/inm.12981. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the physical activities of Mental Health Nurses (MHN) in New Zealand against the 2018 World Health Organization recommended minimum levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The research design was exploratory and descriptive as there were no previous studies about physical activity levels of MHNs in New Zealand. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ, Long Version) which included options for free-text responses. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 266 participants returned the survey, a response rate of 4%, and a limitation of the study. More than 50% of MHNs reported <150 min of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per week for each of the four physical activity domains. When individual physical activity domains were combined, only 10% spent <150 min on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Work-related physical activities were higher for those working in the inpatient area than in community settings. Transport-related physical activities were higher for those working in community settings. Participants registered from 6 to 20 years had more time sitting than other groups. Nurses aged 55 years and above showed the highest total physical activity levels. Moreover, healthcare organizations and nurse leaders need to promote physical activity and provide wellness intervention for their staff. Nurses who are physically active may be more effective in supporting their patients to increase their physical activity.

PMID:35166003 | DOI:10.1111/inm.12981

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Tracer-specific reference tissues selection improves detection of (18) F-FDG, (18) F-florbetapir, and (18) F-flortaucipir PET SUVR changes in Alzheimer’s disease

Hum Brain Mapp. 2022 Feb 15. doi: 10.1002/hbm.25774. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study sought to identify a reference tissue-based quantification approach for improving the statistical power in detecting changes in brain glucose metabolism, amyloid, and tau deposition in Alzheimer’s disease studies. A total of 794, 906, and 903 scans were included for 18 F-FDG, 18 F-florbetapir, and 18 F-flortaucipir, respectively. Positron emission tomography (PET) and T1-weighted images of participants were collected from the Alzheimer’s disease Neuroimaging Initiative database, followed by partial volume correction. The standardized uptake value ratios (SUVRs) calculated from the cerebellum gray matter, centrum semiovale, and pons were evaluated at both region of interest (ROI) and voxelwise levels. The statistical power of reference tissues in detecting longitudinal SUVR changes was assessed via paired t-test. In cross-sectional analysis, the impact of reference tissue-based SUVR differences between cognitively normal and cognitively impaired groups was evaluated by effect sizes Cohen’s d and two sample t-test adjusted by age, sex, and education levels. The average ROI t values of pons were 86.62 and 38.40% higher than that of centrum semiovale and cerebellum gray matter in detecting glucose metabolism decreases, while the centrum semiovale reference tissue-based SUVR provided higher t values for the detection of amyloid and tau deposition increases. The three reference tissues generated comparable d images for 18 F-FDG, 18 F-florbetapir, and 18 F-flortaucipir and comparable t maps for 18 F-florbetapir and 18 F-flortaucipir, but pons-based t map showed superior performance in 18 F-FDG. In conclusion, the tracer-specific reference tissue improved the detection of 18 F-FDG, 18 F-florbetapir, and 18 F-flortaucipir PET SUVR changes, which helps the early diagnosis, monitoring of disease progression, and therapeutic response in Alzheimer’s disease.

PMID:35165964 | DOI:10.1002/hbm.25774

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Reliability of task-evoked neural activation during face-emotion paradigms: Effects of scanner and psychological processes

Hum Brain Mapp. 2022 Feb 15. doi: 10.1002/hbm.25723. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Assessing and improving test-retest reliability is critical to efforts to address concerns about replicability of task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging. The current study uses two statistical approaches to examine how scanner and task-related factors influence reliability of neural response to face-emotion viewing. Forty healthy adult participants completed two face-emotion paradigms at up to three scanning sessions across two scanners of the same build over approximately 2 months. We examined reliability across the main task contrasts using Bayesian linear mixed-effects models performed voxel-wise across the brain. We also used a novel Bayesian hierarchical model across a predefined whole-brain parcellation scheme and subcortical anatomical regions. Scanner differences accounted for minimal variance in temporal signal-to-noise ratio and task contrast maps. Regions activated during task at the group level showed higher reliability relative to regions not activated significantly at the group level. Greater reliability was found for contrasts involving conditions with clearly distinct visual stimuli and associated cognitive demands (e.g., face vs. nonface discrimination) compared to conditions with more similar demands (e.g., angry vs. happy face discrimination). Voxel-wise reliability estimates tended to be higher than those based on predefined anatomical regions. This work informs attempts to improve reliability in the context of task activation patterns and specific task contrasts. Our study provides a new method to estimate reliability across a large number of regions of interest and can inform researchers’ selection of task conditions and analytic contrasts.

PMID:35165974 | DOI:10.1002/hbm.25723

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Thermalization of Fluorescent Protein Exciton-Polaritons at Room Temperature

Adv Mater. 2022 Feb 14:e2109107. doi: 10.1002/adma.202109107. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Fluorescent proteins (FPs) have recently emerged as a serious contender for realizing ultra-low threshold room temperature exciton-polariton condensation and lasing. Our contribution investigates the thermalization of FP microcavity exciton-polaritons upon optical pumping under ambient conditions. We realize polariton cooling using a new FP molecule, called mScarlet, coupled strongly to the optical modes in a Fabry-Pérot cavity. Interestingly, at the threshold excitation energy (fluence) of ∼9 nJ/pulse (15.6 mJ/cm2 ), we observe an effective temperature, Teff ∼350 ± 35 K close to the lattice temperature indicative of strongly thermalized exciton-polaritons at equilibrium. This efficient thermalization results from the interplay of radiative pumping facilitated by the energetics of the lower polariton branch and the cavity Q-factor. Direct evidence for dramatic switching from an equilibrium state into a metastable state is observed for the organic cavity polariton device at room temperature via deviation from the Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics at k = 0 above the threshold. Thermalized polariton gases in organic systems at equilibrium hold substantial promise for designing room temperature polaritonic circuits, switches, and lattices for analog simulation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35165941 | DOI:10.1002/adma.202109107

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Predictor of atrial fibrillation recurrence in patients who underwent a tricuspid valve operation with modified Cox maze procedure

Echocardiography. 2022 Feb 14. doi: 10.1111/echo.15315. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recurrence of any atrial arrhythmia after surgical ablation is known as a negative predictor of cardiovascular events and total mortality. However, there have been no focused studies for atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence prediction in patients with significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR), and the risk-benefit estimation of surgical ablation in tricuspid valve (TV) surgery is not fully established.

METHOD: We screened 385 patients who underwent a TV operation between 2001 and 2017. After excluding patients who did not undergo a maze operation, 158 patients were enrolled. Enrolled patients were divided by recurrence of AF. We analyzed the difference between the AF recurrence group and no AF recurrence group, and AF recurrence factors in terms of clinical risk factors and echocardiographic risk factors. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were presented using a Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTS: Among 158 patients, AF recurred in 65 patients within 10 years. For AF prediction, age was most the important clinical factor and right atrium (RA) diameter was the most important echocardiographic parameters. In patients with a larger RA diameter over 49.2 mm, the prevalence of AF recurrence was higher (HR 4.322, 95% CI [2.185-8.549], log rank p value < .001). In clinical outcome, there was no significant difference between the AF recurrence group and the no recurrence group in terms of death, TR recurrence, heart failure, and stroke. However, the risk of permanent pacemaker (PPM) insertion was higher in the AF recurrence group (HR 10.240, 95% CI [1.257-83.480], log rank p value .007) compared to the no recurrence group.

CONCLUSION: Age and RA enlargement are key predictors of AF recurrence after TV operation with the CM procedure in patients with significant TR.

PMID:35165935 | DOI:10.1111/echo.15315

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Estimating misclassification errors in the reporting of maternal mortality in national civil registration vital statistics systems: A Bayesian hierarchical bivariate random walk model to estimate sensitivity and specificity for multiple countries and years with missing data

Stat Med. 2022 Feb 14. doi: 10.1002/sim.9335. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Civil registration vital statistics (CRVS) systems provide data on maternal mortality that can be used for monitoring trends and to inform policies and programs. However, CRVS maternal mortality data may be subject to substantial reporting errors due to misclassification of maternal deaths. Information on misclassification is available for selected countries and periods only. We developed a Bayesian hierarchical bivariate random walk model to estimate sensitivity and specificity for multiple populations and years and used the model to estimate misclassification errors in the reporting of maternal mortality in CRVS systems. The proposed Bayesian misclassification (BMis) model captures differences in sensitivity and specificity across populations and over time, allows for extrapolations to periods with missing data, and includes an exact likelihood function for data provided in aggregated form. Validation exercises using maternal mortality data suggest that BMis is reasonably well calibrated and improves upon the CRVS-adjustment approach used until 2018 by the UN Maternal Mortality Inter-Agency Group (UN-MMEIG) to account for bias in CRVS data resulting from misclassification error. Since 2019, BMis is used by the UN-MMEIG to account for misclassification errors when estimating maternal mortality using CRVS data.

PMID:35165916 | DOI:10.1002/sim.9335

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

The association between proton pump inhibitors use and systemic anti-tumor therapy on survival outcomes in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2022 Feb 14. doi: 10.1111/bcp.15276. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are often prescribed to prevent or treat gastrointestinal disease. Whether the combination of systemic anti-tumor therapy and PPIs leads to poor outcomes in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is unclear. This systematic review explored the relationship between PPIs and survival outcomes of patients with advanced NSCLC who are receiving systemic anti-tumor therapy.

METHODS: We searched studies reporting the overall survival (OS) and/or progression-free survival (PFS) of advanced NSCLC patients who are receiving systemic anti-tumor therapy with or without PPIs on PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for literature published prior to 31 August 2021. The meta-analysis used a random effects model to estimate the risk ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and I2 to assess statistical heterogeneity. Publication bias and sensitivity analysis were performed.

RESULTS: Fourteen retrospective studies comprising 13,709 advanced NSCLC patients were identified. Subgroup analyses showed that the use of PPI was correlated with the OS or PFS of patients receiving chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy (PPI users’ group versus non-users’ group: HR for OS = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.21-1.51, P < 0.00001; HR for PFS = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.25-1.80, P < 0.0001). Publication bias and sensitivity analyses confirmed that the results were robust.

CONCLUSION: Meta-analysis demonstrated that PPI use in advanced NSCLC patients who were undergoing systemic anti-tumor therapy was correlated with increased mortality risk. Until results are further confirmed, caution should be applied when administering PPIs and systemic anti-tumor therapy to advanced NSCLC patients.

PMID:35165922 | DOI:10.1111/bcp.15276

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Prevalence of traumatic dental injuries in emergency dental services: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2022 Feb 14. doi: 10.1111/cdoe.12733. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis regarding the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in emergency dental services.

METHODS: Seven electronic and two grey literature databases were searched, up to December 2021, for studies that reported the TDI prevalence among dental emergencies. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal checklist for prevalence studies, and The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach were used to assess the risk of bias and quality of evidence respectively. The R software was used to perform a proportion meta-analysis on a random-effects model to estimate the pooled prevalence and respective 95% CI.

RESULTS: From a total of 1476 studies identified after excluding duplicates, 38 met the inclusion criteria, and another five were identified through hand searching, summing 43 included observational studies with a total sample of 209099 individuals searching for emergency dental care. The overall pooled prevalence of TDI was 15.4% (95% CI: 11%-21%, I² = 100%). Paediatric dental emergency services and age group from 0 to 21 years presented the highest prevalence, 29% (95% CI: 22%-38%, I² = 99.5%) and 24% (95% CI: 15%-35%, I² = 98%) respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: The overall pooled prevalence of TDI in emergency dental services was 15.4%, and 24% in the age group under 21 years. Considering the impact of prompt and correct emergency care in the long-term prognosis of TDI, such knowledge is relevant to organize emergency healthcare and support public policies in this area.

PMID:35165912 | DOI:10.1111/cdoe.12733