Tag: pubmed

Radiol Phys Technol. 2024 Dec 16. doi: 10.1007/s12194-024-00871-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effectiveness of augmenting datasets for super-resolution processing of brain Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) T1-weighted images (T1WIs) using deep learning. By incorporating images with different contrasts from the same subject, this study sought to improve network performance and assess its impact on image quality metrics, such as peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity (SSIM). This retrospective study included 240 patients who underwent brain MRI. Two types of datasets were created: the Pure-Dataset group comprising T1WIs and the Mixed-Dataset group comprising T1WIs, T2-weighted images, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images. A U-Net-based network and an Enhanced Deep Super-Resolution network (EDSR) were trained on these datasets. Objective image quality analysis was performed using PSNR and SSIM. Statistical analyses, including paired t test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient, were conducted to evaluate the results. Augmenting datasets with images of different contrasts significantly improved training accuracy as the dataset size increased. PSNR values ranged 29.84-30.26 dB for U-Net trained on mixed datasets, and SSIM values ranged 0.9858-0.9868. Similarly, PSNR values ranged 32.34-32.64 dB for EDSR trained on mixed datasets, and SSIM values ranged 0.9941-0.9945. Significant differences in PSNR and SSIM were observed between models trained on pure and mixed datasets. Pearson’s correlation coefficient indicated a strong positive correlation between dataset size and image quality metrics. Using diverse image data obtained from the same subject can improve the performance of deep-learning models in medical image super-resolution tasks.

PMID:39680317 | DOI:10.1007/s12194-024-00871-1

Adv Ther. 2024 Dec 16. doi: 10.1007/s12325-024-03043-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has had a profound global impact. The emergence of several variants during the pandemic has presented numerous challenges in preventing and managing this disease. The development of vaccines has played a pivotal role in controlling the pandemic, with a significant portion of the global population being vaccinated. This, along with the emergence of less virulent SARS-CoV-2 variants, has led to a reduction in the severity of COVID-19 outcomes for the overall population. Nevertheless, individuals with immunocompromising conditions continue to face challenges given their suboptimal response to vaccination and vulnerability to severe COVID-19. This expert review synthesizes recent published evidence regarding the economic and human impact of COVID-19 on such individuals. The literature suggests that rates of hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, and mechanical ventilation use were high during the pre-Omicron era, and remained high during Omicron and later, despite vaccination for this population. Moreover, studies indicated that these individuals experienced a negative impact on their mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared to those without immunocompromising conditions, with elevated levels of anxiety, depression, and distress reported. Further, these individuals with immunocompromising conditions experienced substantial costs associated with COVID-19 and loss of income during the pandemic, though the evidence on the economic burden of COVID-19 in such individuals is limited. Generally, COVID-19 has increased healthcare resource use and costs, impaired mental health, and reduced HRQoL in those with varied immunocompromising conditions compared to both those without COVID-19 and the general population-underscoring the importance of continued real-world studies. Ongoing research is crucial to assess the ongoing burden of COVID-19 in vaccinated individuals with immunocompromising conditions who are still at risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes to ensure their needs are not disproportionately worse than the general population.

PMID:39680311 | DOI:10.1007/s12325-024-03043-0

J Relig Health. 2024 Dec 16. doi: 10.1007/s10943-024-02208-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to estimate the proportion of Brazilian nurses, doctors, and psychologists who approach spirituality and religiosity (S/R) issues in professional practice. The study also explored these health professionals’ willingness to interact with patients on issues related to S/R in their clinical practice using item response theory (IRT). From a nationwide cross-sectional web survey, demographic data and the opinions of doctors, nurses, and psychologists were collected regarding aspects related to S/R. For this study, the willingness of physicians to interact with patients regarding the S/R issues scale, developed by the Network for Research Spirituality and Health and translated into Brazilian Portuguese, was used. Information was adjusted according to the IRT. Of the 1095 participants, 335 (30.6%) were nurses, 433 (39.5%), doctors, and 327 (29.9%) were psychologists. The areas of activity with the most significant representation were primary healthcare (n = 292, 26.7%) and mental health (n = 296, 27.0%). A total of 76 (22.7%) nurses, 152 (35.1%) doctors, and 112 (34.3%) psychologists often or always asked about S/R in professional practice. There was a significant difference in the frequency of approach by nurses compared to doctors (p < 0.001) and psychologists (p = 0.001). Doctors were more willing to approach S/R, with a statistically significant difference between nurses (DM – 0.72, 95% CI BCa [- 1.38 to – 0.11]) and psychologists (DM 1.44, 95% CI BCa (0.76-2.11)]. This study should encourage a more comprehensive approach to human beings, contributing to more profound research in Brazil and worldwide.

PMID:39680288 | DOI:10.1007/s10943-024-02208-z

Lifetime Data Anal. 2024 Dec 16. doi: 10.1007/s10985-024-09644-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Recurrent events are common in medical practice or epidemiologic studies when each subject experiences a particular event repeatedly over time. In some long-term observations of recurrent events, a terminal event such as death may exist in recurrent event data. Meanwhile, some inspected subjects will withdraw from a study for some time for various reasons and then resume, which may happen more than once. The period between the subject leaving and returning to the study is called an intermittent gap. One naive method typically ignores gaps and treats the events as usual recurrent events, which could result in misleading estimation results. In this article, we consider a semiparametric proportional rates model for recurrent event data with intermittent gaps and a terminal event. An estimation procedure is developed for the model parameters, and the asymptotic properties of the resulting estimators are established. Simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed estimators perform satisfactorily compared to the naive method that ignores gaps. A diabetes study further shows the utility of the proposed method.

PMID:39680279 | DOI:10.1007/s10985-024-09644-9

Clin Rheumatol. 2024 Dec 16. doi: 10.1007/s10067-024-07269-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study sought to determine if dietary macronutrient consumption and the low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) score were linked to rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS: Participants ≥ 20 years were analyzed from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2016. LCD score was calculated by summing the 11 quantiles values of the percentages of energy derived from carbohydrate, protein, and fat. Weighted logistic regression, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) models were used to explore the relationship between LCD score, dietary macronutrient intake, and RA. Propensity score matching (PSM) were applied for sensitivity analysis.

RESULTS: Ultimately, 8118 participants (RA: 499, without RA: 7619) were analyzed. After fully adjusting for confounders, a negative association was found between the LCD score and the presence of RA [OR (95% CI), 0.97 (0.96, 0.99)]. A higher LCD score was also negatively associated with a lower likelihood of RA based on a categorical model. Among macronutrients, participants in the third and fourth quartiles had significantly increased odds of RA compared with the lowest carbohydrate intake. Regarding protein intake, individuals in the highest quartile of percentage of energy from protein had a 46% lower presence of RA compared with the lowest reference group. The relative importance of the LCD score on RA was determined based on XGBoost and LightGBM models. Moreover, the association between the LCD score, dietary macronutrient intake, and RA presence remained substantial after PSM.

CONCLUSIONS: LCD score was negatively associated with odds of RA in US adults. Moreover, a correlation was found between a lower likelihood of RA and high protein, and low carbohydrate consumption. Key Points • A significant negative association was found between LCD score and RA presence. • Machine learning models revealed the LCD score was a significant predictor of the presence of RA. • Low carbohydrate intake and high protein intake were correlated with a lower odds of RA.

PMID:39680261 | DOI:10.1007/s10067-024-07269-9

Clin Exp Metastasis. 2024 Dec 16;42(1):3. doi: 10.1007/s10585-024-10322-1.

ABSTRACT

Studies conducted in the last few years have suggested a connection between clinical outcomes and the time of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) infusion. However, few data are available regarding the differences between early and late time-of-day (ToD) administration in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients receiving immunotherapy and immune-based combinations. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to fully investigate the influence of timing of administration on the efficacy of mRCC immunotherapy, by comparing early ToD versus late ToD dosing in this setting. The present systematic review and meta-analysis was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA). Overall Survival (OS) was measured as Hazard Ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Our search resulted in the identification of 1429 potentially relevant reports, which were subsequently restricted to four following independent evaluation of three authors. The pooled HR for OS in RCC patients receiving early ToD versus late ToD dosing was 0.62 (95% Confidence Interval, 0.50-0.72; p < 0.001). According to our findings, a statistically significant improvement in terms of OS for mRCC patients receiving early ToD administration compared with late ToD dosing was observed, with a reduction of death by 38%. Well-designed, randomized clinical and translational trials are required to clarify this issue and to establish recommendations for personalized treatments according to ToD.

PMID:39680251 | DOI:10.1007/s10585-024-10322-1

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2024 Dec 16;145(1):48. doi: 10.1007/s00402-024-05682-y.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The effectiveness of the direct anterior approach (DAA) compared to other surgical approaches for total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with lumbar spine stiffness remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare clinical outcomes, including dislocation rates and other complications, between DAA and other surgical approaches for THA in patients with lumbar spine stiffness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the DAA with other surgical approaches (anterolateral, direct lateral, posterolateral and direct superior) in patients with lumbar spine stiffness undergoing THA. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central databases for cohort studies and randomized controlled trials and calculated risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess dislocation rates.

RESULTS: This analysis included 11 non-randomized studies comprising 2505 patients, of whom 738 patients (29.4%) underwent THA via DAA. The results demonstrated that the DAA group had significantly reduced dislocation rates (RR 0.31, 95% CI 0.14-0.67, P = 0.003, I² = 0%) compared to other surgical approaches. Subgroup analysis showed significantly lower dislocation rates in DAA patients versus those undergoing the posterior approach (RR 0.22, 95% CI 0.10-0.52, P = 0.001, I² = 0%). However, there was no statistically significant difference in dislocation rates between DAA and the lateral approach (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.19-1.47, P = 0.22, I² = 0%), although the rate was numerically lower.

CONCLUSION: The DAA was associated with lower dislocation rates compared to other surgical techniques in patients with lumbar spine stiffness undergoing THA.

PMID:39680248 | DOI:10.1007/s00402-024-05682-y

J Neurol. 2024 Dec 16;272(1):80. doi: 10.1007/s00415-024-12754-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Stroke is the second leading cause of disability worldwide. Stroke results in focal neurological deficit and often leads to auditory problems due to its impact on the auditory pathway. Altered connections in the auditory pathway, caused by stroke, can result in hearing difficulties ranging from impaired sound detection to altered auditory perception. A better understanding of how stroke affects these early sound processing mechanisms will provide valuable insights into stroke recovery and rehabilitation options.

METHODS: We recruited forty consecutive adult patients with stroke (30 males, 10 females) due to ischemic or intracerebral hemorrhage > 3 and up to 12 months after stroke (subacute stage). Brain MRIs were performed on all patients, and we calculated a central auditory nervous system stroke severity index (CANS SSI) according to number of CANS areas involved and an extended CANS definition of auditory responsive areas. All patients underwent cognitive screening assessment, basic audiological assessments, and a hierarchical central auditory processing assessment battery with the Queen Square Tests of Auditory Cognition (early perceptual processing, apperceptive processing, semantic Processing) and Gaps in Noise tests.

RESULTS: When comparing patients with auditory responsive cortical lesions and with versus without Heschl’s gyrus involvement (primary auditory cortex), patients with Heschl’s gyrus involvement exhibited worse early perceptual scores. The CANS SSI showed a significant negative correlation with early perceptual test scores.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a correlation between stroke severity, characterized by a higher number of lesions involving auditory areas in patients with subacute stroke, and worse early perceptual scores. Heschl’s gyrus involvement is associated with poorer early perceptual score.

PMID:39680236 | DOI:10.1007/s00415-024-12754-x

Mol Biol Rep. 2024 Dec 16;52(1):54. doi: 10.1007/s11033-024-10126-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is a strong relationship between growth traits and genes. Identifying genotypes associated with superior phenotypic traits allows for targeted selection, facilitating the development of herds with desirable features. The growth hormone (GH) gene plays a crucial role in growth, development, and metabolism, making it a key focus for growth trait studies in livestock.

METHODS AND RESULTS: This study investigated the relationship between polymorphism in the GH gene and growth traits in 33 Akkaraman and 40 Anatolian Merino ewes. Traits such as birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), and 6-month weight (LW6), as well as body measurements (withers height (WH), rump height (RH), body length (BL), chest width (CW), chest circumference (CC)), were collected. Average daily weight gain (ADWG) and Kleiber ratios were calculated. Polymorphisms were detected through PCR-RFLP using the HaeIII enzyme, identifying three genotypes: AA, AB, and BB. Statistically significant differences were found between genotypes for WW, RH, WH, BL, CW, and CC (P < 0.05). Sheep with the AA genotype had higher averages, while AB individuals exhibited lower values for these traits. ADWG1 and KR1 values were higher in homozygous genotypes (AA and BB) than in heterozygous ones (AB), showing statistical significance (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the GH gene may serve as a candidate for Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) in Akkaraman and Anatolian Merino sheep, particularly for growth-related traits.

PMID:39680233 | DOI:10.1007/s11033-024-10126-2

Trials. 2024 Dec 14;25(1):815. doi: 10.1186/s13063-024-08697-3.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:39674869 | DOI:10.1186/s13063-024-08697-3