Tag: pubmed

J Biophotonics. 2022 Aug 27:e202200187. doi: 10.1002/jbio.202200187. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Photoplethysmography (PPG) is a noninvasive optical technology, with applications including vital sign extraction and patient monitoring. The PPG acquisition skin type may be of importance. Skin is either non-glabrous (~90%) or glabrous (~10%). Clinical PPG collection is typically from glabrous (fingerpad), while proliferating wearables collecting PPG, which may perform critical functions like arrythmia detection, often acquire from atypical sites. Glabrous skin has significant differences from non-glabrous, including microcirculation, yet comparisons between their PPG signals have not been well reported. Using a smartphone-based remote/contactless PPG, a pilot dataset was collected from the hands (palmar/dorsal) of 5 healthy volunteers. The data shows statistically significant lead time (52±36ms) of glabrous over non-glabrous. Further, a trend of glabrous amplitude increase over non-glabrous (31%) was found. Although our study has a small number of participants, these results further the characterization of PPG skin differences, and can be used to inform development of PPG-based devices. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36054679 | DOI:10.1002/jbio.202200187

Autism Res. 2022 Sep 2. doi: 10.1002/aur.2801. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) has been widely used for ASD assessment. While prior studies investigated sensitivity and specificity of ADOS-2 Modules 1-3, there has been limited research addressing algorithm cut-off scores to optimize ADOS-2 classification. The goal of this study was to assess algorithm cut-off scores for diagnosing ASD with Modules 1-3, and to evaluate alignment of the ADOS-2 classification with the best estimate clinical diagnosis. Participants included 3144 children aged 31 months or older who received ADOS-2 Modules 1-3, as well as the best estimate clinical diagnosis. Five classification statistics were reported for each module: sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy (i.e., Receiver Operator Classification Statistic), and these statistics were calculated for the optimal cut-off score. Frequency tables were used to compare ADOS-2 classification and the best estimate clinical diagnosis. Half of the sample received Module 3, 21% received Module 2, and 29% received Module 1. The overall prevalence of ASD was 60%; the male-to-female ratio was 4:1, and half of the sample was non-White. Across all modules, the autism spectrum cut-off score from the ADOS-2 manual resulted in high sensitivity (95%+) and low specificity (63%-73%). The autism cut-off score resulted in better specificity (76%-86%) with favorable sensitivity (81%-94%). The optimal cut-off scores for all modules based on the current sample were within the autism spectrum classification range except Module 2 Algorithm 2. In the No ASD group, 29% had false positives (ADOS-2 autism spectrum classification or autism classification). The ADOS-2 autism spectrum classification did not indicate directionality for diagnostic outcome (ASD 56% vs. No ASD 44%). While cut-off scores of ADOS-2 Modules 1-3 in the manual yielded good clinical utility in ASD assessment, false positives and low predictability of the autism spectrum classification remain challenging for clinicians. LAY SUMMARY: ADOS-2 Modules 1-3 have been widely used for ASD assessment, but there has been limited research on algorithm cut-off scores to optimize ADOS-2 clinical performance. Using a large independent sample, we examined alignment of the ADOS-2 classification with clinicians’ best estimate clinical diagnosis, assessing algorithm cut-off scores. Cut-off scores of ADOS-2 Modules 1-3 in the manual yielded good clinical utility in ASD classification. The optimal cut-off scores based on the current sample were generally within the autism spectrum classification range.

PMID:36054678 | DOI:10.1002/aur.2801

J Sleep Res. 2022 Aug 24. doi: 10.1111/jsr.13715. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

There have been studies in the literature regarding the effect of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on hearing function, but studies on the effect of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on the peripheral vestibular system are limited. The aim of the present study was to determine whether obstructive sleep apnea syndrome causes functional neurological changes, particularly in the peripheral vestibular system, using the video head impulse test. Overall, 57 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome were included; the ‘Snorers’ group comprised 20 volunteers diagnosed with simple snoring in the polysomnography test. The severity of apnea was assessed by monitoring cardiac and respiratory functions during sleep in both groups. The video head impulse test and audiological evaluations were performed in both groups. Statistically significant differences were found in the cochlea and semicircular canals of our patients in the video head impulse test and audiological battery tests. It may be assumed that decreased blood oxygen concentrations and chronic hypoxaemia have negative effects on the vestibule, cochlear sensory epithelium, and the auditory pathways. We think that inner ear structures and pathways may be affected due to hypoxia in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Therefore, screening patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with an audiometry battery may help to detect inner ear pathologies early.

PMID:36054674 | DOI:10.1111/jsr.13715

Stat Med. 2022 Aug 26. doi: 10.1002/sim.9562. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Network meta-analysis (NMA) of rare events has attracted little attention in the literature. Until recently, networks of interventions with rare events were analyzed using the inverse-variance NMA approach. However, when events are rare the normal approximations made by this model can be poor and effect estimates are potentially biased. Other methods for the synthesis of such data are the recent extension of the Mantel-Haenszel approach to NMA or the use of the noncentral hypergeometric distribution. In this article, we suggest a new common-effect NMA approach that can be applied even in networks of interventions with extremely low or even zero number of events without requiring study exclusion or arbitrary imputations. Our method is based on the implementation of the penalized likelihood function proposed by Firth for bias reduction of the maximum likelihood estimate to the logistic expression of the NMA model. A limitation of our method is that heterogeneity cannot be taken into account as an additive parameter as in most meta-analytical models. However, we account for heterogeneity by incorporating a multiplicative overdispersion term using a two-stage approach. We show through simulation that our method performs consistently well across all tested scenarios and most often results in smaller bias than other available methods. We also illustrate the use of our method through two clinical examples. We conclude that our “penalized likelihood NMA” approach is promising for the analysis of binary outcomes with rare events especially for networks with very few studies per comparison and very low control group risks.

PMID:36054668 | DOI:10.1002/sim.9562

Am J Hematol. 2022 Aug 28. doi: 10.1002/ajh.26703. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

It is well established that splenic dysfunction occurs in early childhood in sickle cell anemia (SCA), although the determinants and consequences of splenic injury are not fully understood. In this study, we examined spleen size and splenic function in 100 children with SCA aged 0 to 16 years at King’s College Hospital in London. Spleen size was assessed by abdominal ultrasound and splenic function by pitted red blood cells (PIT counts). In our cohort, 5.6% of children aged 6 to 10 years and 19.4% of children aged 11 to 16 years had no visible spleen on ultrasound (autosplenectomy). Splenomegaly was common in all age groups, with 28% of children overall having larger spleens than the average for their age. Only one child had a PIT count suggesting preserved splenic function. We found no correlation between hemoglobin F levels and spleen size, nor was there any difference in spleen size between children treated with or without hydroxyurea. Although there was a trend towards increased spleen length in children with co-inherited α-thalassemia, this did not reach statistical significance. Finally, we found a strong association between erythrocyte deformability measured with oxygen gradient ektacytometry, spleen size, and PIT counts. In conclusion, our results do not agree with the general perception that most children with SCA undergo autosplenectomy within the first decade of life and indicate that loss of erythrocyte deformability contributes to loss of splenic filtration capacity in SCA, as well as phenotypical variations in spleen size. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36054667 | DOI:10.1002/ajh.26703

J Dent Educ. 2022 Sep 2. doi: 10.1002/jdd.13087. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: In 2021, the American Dental Association (ADA) announced the intention to develop a standardized dental hygiene licensure objective structured clinical examination (DHLOSCE). The purpose of this study was to measure the United States (US) dental hygiene (DH) educators’ foundational knowledge of OSCE development and delivery in light of the impending development of the DHLOSCE by the ADA’s Testing Services.

METHODS: The study was determined to be exempt from Institutional Review Board oversight. A 21-question survey was developed, pilot tested, and electronically disseminated through Qualtrics. The survey recruitment was emailed to the directors of all entry-level DH education programs in the US (n = 328), asking them to participate in the survey and to forward it to the clinical faculty in their institutions. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized to analyze the data.

RESULTS: There were 143 study participants, for a completion rate of 45%. Over two-thirds of respondents (64%) were unaware of the plans to develop the DHLOSCE, while 13% reported utilizing OSCEs to meet accreditation standards. Only 3% reported receiving a formal education in OSCE development compared to 29% who learned through a colleague or peer. Nearly half reported a lack of faculty experience as a barrier to OSCE implementation. Over three-quarters, 76% reported a lack of OCSE development committees within their program and only 14% had experience developing an OSCE station.

CONCLUSION: The study results suggest an urgent need for the development of OSCE training resources specific to DH education, as programs across the US prepare for the impending DHLOSCE.

PMID:36052838 | DOI:10.1002/jdd.13087

Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2022 Sep 2:1-19. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2117786. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Various methodologies including genetic analyses, morphometrics, proteomics, lipidomics, metabolomics, etc. are now used or being developed to authenticate fish and seafood. Such techniques usually lead to the generation of enormous amounts of data. The analysis and interpretation of this information can be particularly challenging. Statistical techniques are therefore commonly used to assist in analyzing these data, visualizing trends and differences and extracting conclusions. This review article aims at presenting and discussing statistical methods used in studies on fish and seafood authenticity and adulteration, allowing researchers to consider their options based on previous successes/failures but also offering some recommendations about the future of such techniques. Techniques such as PCA, AMOVA and F_ST statistics, that allow the differentiation of genetic groups, or techniques such as MANOVA that allow large data sets of morphometric characteristics or elemental differences to be analyzed are discussed. Furthermore, methods such as cluster analysis, DFA, CVA, CDA and heatmaps/Circos plots that allow samples to be differentiated based on their geographical origin are also reviewed and their advantages and disadvantages as found in past studies are given. Finally, mathematical simulations and modeling are presented in a detailed review of studies using them, together with their advantages and limitations.

PMID:36052815 | DOI:10.1080/10408398.2022.2117786

Ying Yong Sheng Tai Xue Bao. 2022 Jul;33(7):1937-1947. doi: 10.13287/j.1001-9332.202207.019.

ABSTRACT

In this study, the biomass models for natural Quercus mongolica in Heilongjiang Province were constructed based on the predictors of diameter at breast height (D) and tree height (H) by several methods including multivariate likelihood analysis and seemingly unrelated regression. The results showed that the H could significantly improve the stem biomass model, with the coefficient of determination (R²) being increased from 0.953 to 0.988 and the root mean square error (RMSE) being reduced by 14 kg, but it had no significant improvement for the biomass model of branch, foliage, and root. The error structures of both biomass model systems (only D and D–H) were multiplicative, indicating that the linear models after logarithmic transformation were more appropriate. The R² for the biomass models of stem, branch, foliage and root were 0.953-0.988, 0.982-0.983, 0.916-0.917, and 0.951-0.952, while the RMSE were 13.42-27.03, 6.84-7.00, 1.95-1.97 and 9.71-9.84 kg. Compared with the feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) approach, Bayesian estimation had similar fitting performance and provided parameter estimates with different variations. The standard errors of parameters for FGLS were 0.054-0.211. There were similar variations (standard deviations of 0.055-0.221) for the two Bayesian estimation with no prior information (DMC and Gibbs1). The Gibbs sampler with a multivariate normal distribution with a mean vector of 0, variances of 1000 and covariances of 0 (Gibbs2) or the prior information from the historical researches summary for Quercus trees biomass models (Gibbs3) produced greater variation than those of FGLS, DMC, and Gibbs1 (stan-dard deviations were 0.080-0.278), while Gibbs sampler with the prior information obtained from own data (Gibbs4) provided the lower variations than others (standard deviations were 0.004-0.013). The Gibbs4 approach provided the narrowest 95% prediction interval and produced the smaller prediction biases, with the average absolute error percentage (MAPE) for stem, branch, foliage, root and total of the only-D biomass model being 19.8%, 24.7%, 24.6%, 29.0% and 13.1%, while MAPE for the corresponding components of D-H biomass model kept same except for stem and total decreased to 10.5% and 9.8%, which indicated that Gibbs4 could provide more accurate biomass predictions. Compared with classical statistics, accurate prior information made Bayesian seemingly unrelated regression an advantage in estimation stability and uncertainty reduction.

PMID:36052798 | DOI:10.13287/j.1001-9332.202207.019

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2022 Sep 2. doi: 10.1111/phpp.12832. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Few studies have reported postoperative relapse of condyloma acuminatum (CA) after 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients.

METHODS: The clinical data of HIV-positive CA patients treated with ALA-PDT from October 2018 to December 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression was used to analyze the variables related to postoperative recurrence. Pearson correlation test was employed to analyze the correlation between CD4⁺ T cell count and postoperative recurrence rate. Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the CA recurrence after ALA-PDT in low CD4 group and high CD4 group.

RESULTS: A total of 38 HIV-positive patients with CA were included in the study. Among them, 26 patients experienced CA recurrence within 6 months, and the recurrence rate was 68.4%. CD4⁺ T cell count was 187.0 (79.0-596.0) cells/uL in relapsed patients and 406.0 (89.0-612.0) cells/uL in non-relapsed patients, showing a statistically significant difference (P=0.005). Pearson correlation coefficient analysis revealed a negative correlation between CD4⁺ T cell count and postoperative recurrence rate (P = 0.005, r = -0.443). Univariate regression analysis showed that CD4⁺ T cell count was correlated with postoperative recurrence, hazard ratio (HR) was 0.99 [95% Confidence interval (CI) = 0.99-1.0, P=0.012]. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that with the low CD4⁺ T cell count as the reference, the high CD4⁺ T cell count was negatively correlated with postoperative recurrence (HR=0.09, 95% CI 0.01- 0.87, P =0.038).

CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral blood CD4⁺ T cell count can predict the CA recurrence rate after ALA-PDT in HIV-positive patients.

PMID:36052757 | DOI:10.1111/phpp.12832

Biomark Med. 2022 Sep 2. doi: 10.2217/bmm-2022-0368. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of this study was to measure serum levels of methylarginine derivatives and related metabolites in patients with gout. Materials & methods: This study enrolled 100 patients with gout and 80 patients in the control group. Serum asymmetric dimethylarginine, symmetric dimethylarginine, L-N-monomethylarginine, arginine, homoarginine, citrulline and ornithine levels were measured with tandem mass spectrometry. Results: Serum ornithine, citrulline and total methylated arginine load levels were statistically significantly higher in patients with gout compared with the control group, while serum arginine and homoarginine levels and global arginine bioavailability ratio were statistically significantly lower. Conclusion: There may be an association between gout, methylarginine levels and hyperuricemia and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

PMID:36052727 | DOI:10.2217/bmm-2022-0368