Tag: nevin manimala

Stat Med. 2022 Jan 4. doi: 10.1002/sim.9296. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Longitudinal cohorts to determine the incidence of HIV infection are logistically challenging, so researchers have sought alternative strategies. Recency test methods use biomarker profiles of HIV-infected subjects in a cross-sectional sample to infer whether they are “recently” infected and to estimate incidence in the population. Two main estimators have been used in practice: one that assumes a recency test is perfectly specific, and another that allows for false-recent results. To date, these commonly used estimators have not been rigorously studied with respect to their assumptions and statistical properties. In this article, we present a theoretical framework with which to understand these estimators and interrogate their assumptions, and perform a simulation study and data analysis to assess the performance of these estimators under realistic HIV epidemiological dynamics. We find that the snapshot estimator and the adjusted estimator perform well when their corresponding assumptions hold. When assumptions on constant incidence and recency test characteristics fail to hold, the adjusted estimator is more robust than the snapshot estimator. We conclude with recommendations for the use of these estimators in practice and a discussion of future methodological developments to improve HIV incidence estimation via recency test.

PMID:34984710 | DOI:10.1002/sim.9296

J Neurochem. 2022 Jan 4. doi: 10.1111/jnc.15571. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Neurochemical biomarkers can support the diagnosis of Alzheimer’ disease and may facilitate clinical trials. In blood plasma, the ratio of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides Aβ-3-40/Aβ1-42 can predict cerebral amyloid-β pathology with high accuracy (Nakamura et al., 2018). Whether or not Aβ-3-40 (aka. amyloid precursor protein (APP) 669-711) is also present in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is not clear. Here, we investigated whether Aβ-3-40 can be detected in CSF and to what extent the CSF Aβ-3-40/Aβ42 ratio is able to differentiate between individuals with or without amyloid-β positron emission tomography (PET) evidence of brain amyloid. The occurrence of Aβ-3-40 in human CSF was assessed by immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry. For quantifying the CSF concentrations of Aβ-3-40 in 23 amyloid PET-negative and 17 amyloid PET-positive subjects, we applied a sandwich-type immunoassay. Our findings provide clear evidence of the presence of Aβ-3-40 and Aβ-3-38 in human CSF. While there was no statistically significant difference in the CSF concentration of Aβ-3-40 between the two diagnostic groups, the CSF Aβ-3-40/Aβ42 ratio was increased in the amyloid PET-positive individuals. We conclude that Aβ-3-40 appears to be a regular constituent of CSF and may potentially serve to accentuate the selective decrease of CSF Aβ42 in Alzheimer’s disease.

PMID:34984682 | DOI:10.1111/jnc.15571

J Clin Ultrasound. 2022 Jan 5. doi: 10.1002/jcu.23134. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of ultrasonographically (US)-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) in the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT).

METHODS: A total of 35 patients who received MWA treatment in our hospital between August, 2019 and January, 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphorus levels, and improvement in clinical symptoms were recorded before and after MWA. All patients were followed up for 6 months. Paired-sample t-tests and paired sample Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to indicate PTH, calcium, and P levels before and after ablation. Postoperative complications were statistically analyzed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of MWA on PHPT patients.

RESULTS: A total of 38 parathyroid nodules in 35 PHPT patients were completely ablated at one time. These results indicated that MWA could effectively destroy parathyroid tissue and decrease the concentrations of PTH, calcium, and phosphorus compared with those before MWA, and the effect was sustained. Moreover, MWA improved clinical symptoms, and improved quality of life of patients. None of patients developed tracheal and esophageal injuries, peripheral hematoma, infection, or other serious complications.

CONCLUSION: US-guided MWA has shown to be an effective and safe approach to treat PHPT patients.

PMID:34984687 | DOI:10.1002/jcu.23134

J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2022 Jan 4. doi: 10.1007/s40615-021-01220-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: A low response to COVID-19 vaccination was observed among the Arab population in Israel. Efforts to improve this achieved moderate results.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the extent to which demographic and cultural factors, the media, trust, perceptions, and government policies influence the willingness of Arabs to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Israeli Arabs (558 respondents). The questionnaire was distributed through social networks between January 16 and 26, 2021. The t-tests, Chi-square tests, Z tests, which were used to evaluate the significance of variables, and Pearson correlations calculated for the study variables were used for statistical analysis. Hierarchical logistic regression was calculated to assess the extent of background influence on the odds for vaccination, and mediation was examined using the Process procedure.

RESULTS: Moderate means were found for attitudes towards vaccination, vulnerability, vaccine effectiveness, and pandemic fatigue. A lower score was found for accessibility to medical services, social norms, and emotional barriers. Trust was highest in health-related authorities, whereas trust in government and the media was the lowest. Higher pandemic fatigue was associated with lower trust and lower odds for vaccination.

DISCUSSION: Lack of awareness of the specific needs of the Arab minority in Israel, lack of vaccination campaigns in Arabic language, long neglect of Arabs in the Israeli health system, mistrust of governmental authorities by the Arabs, and low socioeconomic background of Israeli Arabs might have led to lower trust levels and incompliance with governmental policies among Arabs. Addressing these issues may benefit the entire population. The authors believe that “A chain (in population health) is only as strong as its weakest link.”

PMID:34984653 | DOI:10.1007/s40615-021-01220-3

Br J Psychol. 2022 Jan 4. doi: 10.1111/bjop.12553. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Kruger and Dunning (1999) described a metacognitive bias in which insight into performance is linked to competence: poorer performers are less aware of their mistakes than better performers. Competence-based insight has been argued to apply generally across task domains, including a recent report investigating social cognition using a variety of face-matching tasks. Problematically, serious statistical and methodological criticisms have been directed against the traditional method of analysis used by researchers in this field. Here, we further illustrate these issues and investigate new sources of insight within unfamiliar face matching. Over two experiments (total N = 1077), where Experiment 2 was a preregistered replication of the key findings from Experiment 1, we found that insight into performance was multi-faceted. Participants demonstrated insight which was not based on competence, in the form of accurate updating of estimated performance. We also found evidence of insight which was based on competence: the difference in confidence on correct versus incorrect trials increased with competence. By providing ways that we can move beyond problematic, traditional approaches, we have begun to reveal a more realistic story regarding the nature of insight into face perception.

PMID:34984670 | DOI:10.1111/bjop.12553

World J Pediatr. 2022 Jan 5. doi: 10.1007/s12519-021-00505-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Prediction modelling can greatly assist the health-care professionals in the management of diseases, thus sparking interest in neonatal sepsis diagnosis. The main objective of the study was to provide a complete picture of performance of prediction models for early detection of neonatal sepsis.

METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL databases were searched and articles which used various prediction modelling measures for the early detection of neonatal sepsis were comprehended. Data extraction was carried out based on Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of Prediction Modelling Studies checklist. Extricate data consisted of objective, study design, patient characteristics, type of statistical model, predictors, outcome, sample size and location. Prediction model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool was applied to gauge the risk of bias of the articles.

RESULTS: An aggregate of ten studies were included in the review among which eight studies had applied logistic regression to build a prediction model, while the remaining two had applied artificial intelligence. Potential predictors like neonatal fever, birth weight, foetal morbidity and gender, cervicovaginitis and maternal age were identified for the early detection of neonatal sepsis. Moreover, birth weight, endotracheal intubation, thyroid hypofunction and umbilical venous catheter were promising factors for predicting late-onset sepsis; while gestational age, intrapartum temperature and antibiotics treatment were utilised as budding prognosticators for early-onset sepsis detection.

CONCLUSION: Prediction modelling approaches were able to recognise promising maternal, neonatal and laboratory predictors in the rapid detection of early and late neonatal sepsis and thus, can be considered as a novel way for clinician decision-making towards the disease diagnosis if not used alone, in the years to come.

PMID:34984642 | DOI:10.1007/s12519-021-00505-1

Int Ophthalmol. 2022 Jan 5. doi: 10.1007/s10792-021-02181-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the correlations between lamina cribrosa (LC) and related structures with Bruch’s membrane opening-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) and different stages of pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG).

METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study included 32 PXS eyes of 24 patients and 94 PXG eyes (early-stage (n: 55) and advanced-stage glaucoma (n: 39) of 78 patients. Global and six sectors of RNFL thicknesses and BMO-MRW parameters were measured with enhanced depth imaging (EDI) mode of SD-OCT. Structural parameters; lamina cribrosa thickness (LCT), lamina cribrosa depth (LCD), prelaminar tissue thickness (PLTT), four quadrants of peripapillary choroidal thicknesses (PPCT), and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were measured and statistical relationships between the structural parameters have been laid out. We apply the generalized estimating equations method to take into account dependency of right and left eyes.

RESULTS: From PXS to mild and advanced PXG groups LCT and PLTT decrease from 147.29 ± 33.10, 145.62 ± 30.64, 126.30 ± 29.14 and 260.93 ± 185.07, 247.27 ± 142.58, 159.89 ± 86.84, respectively, and LCD varies as 159.89 ± 86.84, 420.88 ± 117.80, and 505.64 ± 183.25. The correlations between LCD, LCT, and PLTT and the stage of the disease are significant. BMO-MRW shows slightly stronger correlations than the RNFL with LC related parameters. SFCT does not exhibit any significant relationship with the stage of the disease. However, PPCT in only the interior quadrant does. The significant correlations between LCD and all quadrants of PPCT is the sign of important anatomic relationship.

CONCLUSION: These findings show that the BMO-MRW parameter may be more sensitive than RNFL and can safely be used in the diagnosis and follow-up in PXS and PXG, but this result should be supported with longer and larger series.

PMID:34984628 | DOI:10.1007/s10792-021-02181-6

Int Ophthalmol. 2022 Jan 5. doi: 10.1007/s10792-021-02164-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Assessment of anterior chamber angle (ACA) variables is important to screen, diagnose and monitor ocular anomalies. Even though data on ACA variables, such as angle-opening distance taken at 500 µm (AOD500) and trabecular-iris angle (TIA), are available in the literature, limited information is available about these variables in African sub-populations. The purpose of this study is to describe the distribution of ACA measurements (AOD500 and TIA) in a South African young adult population.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 700 young adults were recruited from a university student population using two-stage random sampling. The Optovue iVue 100 optical coherence tomographer was used to measure the ACA variables. The distribution of the AOD500 and TIA measurements was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Data from only the right eyes were analysed because the ACA measurements in the two eyes showed high levels of interocular symmetry.

RESULTS: The measurements for the nasal and temporal ACAs were asymmetrically distributed (p < 0.001). The median AOD500 measurements in the nasal and temporal angles were 539 µm and 542 µm, respectively. The median TIA measurements were similar (~ 36°) in the two horizontal angles. The temporal ACA measurements were slightly higher than the nasal ACA measurements. Females had higher median ACA measurements than males (p ≥ 0.029).

CONCLUSION: The ACA measurements in South African young adults resemble non-Gaussian curves. The ACA measurements are different from that reported in other sub-populations worldwide and most participants had ACA measurements associated with non-occludable ACAs.

PMID:34984629 | DOI:10.1007/s10792-021-02164-7

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Jan 4. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-18240-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Income inequality, poverty, and economic growth are defined as an economy’s exposure to exogenous shocks arising out of poverty. The study used various econometric estimations to measure the effect of inequality and poverty on economic development during 1990 to 2016 in Vietnam. Various econometric estimation tests confirmed the presence of a long-run association between inequality and poverty, and economic growth is the matter of poverty headcount ratio in Vietnam. When we added the investment-to-GDP ratio and the number of years in education, it decreases by -0.144. This is reduced to -0.05 when log population growth rate was added while the employment, the coefficient decreases to -0.04 and becomes statistically insignificant. We found a negative impact of poverty and we reassess the hypothesis’s emphasis on inequality and poverty and their combining effect of inclusive economic growth. Interestingly our results verify the previous findings that inequality and poverty show a negative impact on economic growth. The negative impact of poverty and inequality on economic growth appears to be concentrated at the high poverty level. These findings recommend that poverty reduction policies should be beneficial in encouraging economic growth even if they do not decrease income inequality.

PMID:34984611 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-021-18240-5

AAPS J. 2022 Jan 4;24(1):19. doi: 10.1208/s12248-021-00644-3.

ABSTRACT

Over the past decade, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have become the breakthrough technology most anticipated to have a transformative effect on pharmaceutical research and development (R&D). This is partially driven by revolutionary advances in computational technology and the parallel dissipation of previous constraints to the collection/processing of large volumes of data. Meanwhile, the cost of bringing new drugs to market and to patients has become prohibitively expensive. Recognizing these headwinds, AI/ML techniques are appealing to the pharmaceutical industry due to their automated nature, predictive capabilities, and the consequent expected increase in efficiency. ML approaches have been used in drug discovery over the past 15-20 years with increasing sophistication. The most recent aspect of drug development where positive disruption from AI/ML is starting to occur, is in clinical trial design, conduct, and analysis. The COVID-19 pandemic may further accelerate utilization of AI/ML in clinical trials due to an increased reliance on digital technology in clinical trial conduct. As we move towards a world where there is a growing integration of AI/ML into R&D, it is critical to get past the related buzz-words and noise. It is equally important to recognize that the scientific method is not obsolete when making inferences about data. Doing so will help in separating hope from hype and lead to informed decision-making on the optimal use of AI/ML in drug development. This manuscript aims to demystify key concepts, present use-cases and finally offer insights and a balanced view on the optimal use of AI/ML methods in R&D.

PMID:34984579 | DOI:10.1208/s12248-021-00644-3