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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Evaluating the accuracy and diagnostic value of CFW and a new fluorescent reagents, fluorescent brightener 85, for the diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis

J Clin Lab Anal. 2021 Jul 12:e23891. doi: 10.1002/jcla.23891. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common vaginitis in females. The commonly used diagnostic method, 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH) smear microscopy, makes it not very easy to recognize fungi.

METHODS: Vaginal secretions were collected from clinically suspected VVC patients and divided into four groups and examined using KOH, CFW (Calcofluor White), FB 85(fluorescent brightener 85), and culture. The data were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS: In total, 110 patients with suspected VVC were recruited. The positive rates of KOH, CFW, FB 85, and the culture method were 68.2%, 64.5%, 61.8%, and 77%, respectively. According to the McNemar test, there was no statistically significant difference between the KOH, CFW, and the FB 85 methods (p > 0.05). However, CFW had a shorter diagnosis time than the KOH method and had a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Moreover, CFW has the highest sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. In morphological recognition, it was easier to recognize fungal structures with CFW and FB 85 than with the KOH.

CONCLUSIONS: The fluorescent method is a good method for the diagnosis of VVC. And the fungi can be found more quickly. Similar to CFW, FB 85 is also a potential good fluorescent reagent for the diagnosis of VVC and has potential value for application in clinical fungal infection diseases.

PMID:34251053 | DOI:10.1002/jcla.23891

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

A novel automated approach to rapid and precise in vivo measurement of hair morphometrics using a smartphone

Skin Res Technol. 2021 Jul 12. doi: 10.1111/srt.13076. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although many hair disorders can be readily diagnosed based on their clinical appearance, their progression and response to treatment are often difficult to monitor, particularly in quantitative terms. We introduce an innovative technique utilizing a smartphone and computerized image analysis to expeditiously and automatically measure and compute hair density and diameter in patients in real time.

METHODS: A smartphone equipped with a dermatoscope lens wirelessly transmits trichoscopy images to a computer for image processing. A black-and-white binary mask image representing hair and skin is produced, and the hairs are thinned into single-pixel-thick fiber skeletons. Further analysis based on these fibers allows morphometric characteristics such as hair shaft number and diameters to be computed rapidly. The hair-bearing scalps of fifty participants were imaged to assess the precision of our automated smartphone-based device in comparison with a specialized trichometry device for hair shaft density and diameter measurement. The precision and operation time of our technique relative to manual trichometry, which is commonly used by hair disorder specialists, is determined.

RESULTS: An equivalence test, based on two 1-sided t tests, demonstrates statistical equivalence in hair density and diameter values between this automated technique and manual trichometry within a 20% margin. On average, this technique actively required 24 seconds of the clinician’s time whereas manual trichometry necessitated 9.2 minutes.

CONCLUSION: Automated smartphone-based trichometry is a rapid, precise, and clinically feasible technique which can significantly facilitate the assessment and monitoring of hair loss. Its use could be easily integrated into clinical practice to improve standard trichoscopy.

PMID:34251055 | DOI:10.1111/srt.13076

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Discussion on “Is group testing ready for prime-time in disease identification”

Stat Med. 2021 Jul 30;40(17):3881-3886. doi: 10.1002/sim.8988.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:34251038 | DOI:10.1002/sim.8988

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

No association between chronic use of ranitidine, compared with omeprazole or famotidine, and gastrointestinal malignancies

Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2021 Jul 12. doi: 10.1111/apt.16464. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In 2019, the United States Food and Drug Administration detected above-regulation levels of the human carcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in ranitidine, resulting in a complete removal of the medication from the market. NDMA is known to cause gastrointestinal malignancies in animal models.

AIM: To determine if patients who were receiving ranitidine have a higher risk of developing cancers of the digestive tract compared to patients taking other anti-reflux medications.

METHODS: Using the nationwide database IBM Explorys, patients taking ranitidine were compared to patients on either famotidine or omeprazole. Incidence data of new malignancies of the oesophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, and colon/rectum were obtained in 1-year intervals for up to 10 years. Two multivariable logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs), one adjusting for common risk factors for each cancer studied, and the other for demographic factors.

RESULTS: Patients on ranitidine who were compared to patients on famotidine had ORs of 0.51(95% CI 0.43-0.60), 0.43(95% CI 0.36-0.51), 0.39(95% CI 0.36-0.41), 0.54(95% CI 0.49-0.62), and 0.46(95% CI 0.43-0.49) of developing oesophageal, gastric, hepatocellular, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers, respectively (P < 0.001). Patients on ranitidine compared to omeprazole had ORs of 0.62(95% CI 0.52-0.72), 0.58(95% CI 0.49-0.68), 0.81 (95% CI 0.76-0.86), 0.68(95% CI 0.60-0.76), and 0.66(95% CI 0.62-0.70) of developing oesophageal, gastric, hepatocellular, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers respectively (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Use of ranitidine was not associated with an increased odds of developing gastrointestinal malignancies compared to omeprazole or famotidine use.

PMID:34251045 | DOI:10.1111/apt.16464

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Comment on “Is Group Testing Ready for Prime Time in Disease Identification?”

Stat Med. 2021 Jul 30;40(17):3889-3891. doi: 10.1002/sim.9078.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:34251035 | DOI:10.1002/sim.9078

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Rejoinder to discussion on Is group testing ready for prime-time in disease identification?

Stat Med. 2021 Jul 30;40(17):3892-3894. doi: 10.1002/sim.9033.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:34251036 | DOI:10.1002/sim.9033

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Discussion of “Is group testing ready for prime-time in disease Identification?” by Haber, Malinovsky, and Albert, Statistics in Medicine, 2021

Stat Med. 2021 Jul 30;40(17):3887-3888. doi: 10.1002/sim.8989.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:34251037 | DOI:10.1002/sim.8989

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Effects of abdominal drawing-in maneuver with or without prior iliopsoas stretching on gluteus maximus activity during prone hip extension

J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2021 Jul 2. doi: 10.3233/BMR-200251. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Prone hip extension (PHE) has been investigated to strengthen the hip joint and back extensor muscles. However, it has not been compared with various PHE exercises in individuals with iliopsoas shortness.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared pelvic compensation and hip and back extensor muscle activities in individuals with iliopsoas shortness during prone hip extension (PHE) using the abdominal drawing-in maneuver alone (PHEA) and after iliopsoas stretching (PHEAS).

METHODS: Twenty-five individuals with iliopsoas shortness were included in the study. Electromyography was used to investigate bilateral erector spinae (ES) and ipsilateral gluteus maximus (GM), biceps femoris (BF), and semitendinosus (ST) muscles during PHE, PHEA, and PHEAS. Pelvic anterior tilting and rotation angles were measured during each PHE exercise via electromagnetic motion tracking. A modified Thomas test was used to examine the hip extension angle before and after iliopsoas stretching. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to investigate differences in pelvic anterior tilting and rotation angle and in hip and back extensor muscle activities among PHE, PHEA, and PHEAS. The level of statistical significance was set at α= 0.01.

RESULTS: GM muscle activity was significantly greater with PHEAS, compared to PHE and PHEA (p< 0.01). Bilateral ES and ipsilateral BF and ST muscle activities were significantly reduced with PHEAS, compared to PHE and PHEA (p< 0.01). Anterior pelvic tilting and rotation angles were significantly reduced with PHEAS, compared to PHE and PHEA (p< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: PHEAS is recommended to selectively strengthen GM muscles with minimal BF and ST muscle activities and pelvic compensation in individuals with iliopsoas shortness. The abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) after iliopsoas stretching is more efficient than ADIM alone during PHE, especially in individuals with iliopsoas shortness.

PMID:34250929 | DOI:10.3233/BMR-200251

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Studying Clinical, Biologic and Echocardiography Criteria to Predict a Resistant Kawasaki Disease in Children

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2021 Aug 1;40(8):710-714. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000003144.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Resistant Kawasaki disease (KD) represents 10%-15% of KD patients and increases risk of coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs). Different scores exist to predict resistant KD but only in Japanese population, although a French team has recently proposed a new scoring system. The principal objective of this study is to establish criteria to predict resistant KD in our representative French population. The second objective is an attempt to develop a predictive score of resistant KD.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective multicenter study including 2 universities and five secondary hospitals in Eastern France. Patients were included over a period from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2019. Diagnosis of KD was recorded to the European Single Hub and Access point for pediatric Rheumatology in Europe (SHARE) initiative criteria.

RESULTS: Two hundred two eligible patients had KD and 194 patients were analyzed: 160 sensitive KD and 34 (17.5%) resistant KD. In univariate model, serum sodium <133 mmol/L (odds ratio [OR] 2.97 [1.40-6.45]), hemoglobin level <110 g/L (OR 3.17 [1.46-7.34]), neutrophils >80% (OR 2.36 [1.03-5.25]), C reactive protein level >150 mg/L (OR 4.47 [2.07-10.19]), CAA (OR 3.85 [1.67-8.79]) or myocarditis (OR 6.98 [1.47-36.95]) at the diagnosis were statistically significant, but only serum sodium was an independent factor of resistant KD.

CONCLUSION: This study shows an association between resistant KD and biologic and echocardiography criteria, but only serum sodium is an independent predictive factor. A score to predict resistant KD could not yet be established.

PMID:34250971 | DOI:10.1097/INF.0000000000003144

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Effect of aging and mechanical brushing on surface roughness of 3D printed denture resins: A profilometer and scanning electron microscopy analysis

Technol Health Care. 2021 Jul 2. doi: 10.3233/THC-212974. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The use of 3D printed material in the dental field is gaining tremendous attention. However, studies related to 3D printed denture resins are scarce and need consideration before their inclusion in routine clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the surface roughness (Ra) of 3D printed denture resins following aging and mechanical brushing.

METHODS: Forty round samples (diameter, 10 mm and thickness, 3 mm) were fabricated from two 3D printed (DentaBASE and Denture 3D+) and one conventional polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) denture materials. The samples were thermo-cycled, subjected to mechanical brushing, and later immersed in either artificial saliva (AS), coffee, cola, or lemon juice (n= 10) to simulate one and two years of oral use. Surface roughness (Ra) was determined using a non-contact profilometer and scanning electron microscope was used for qualitative analysis. The data was analyzed using SPSS v.20 (α= 0.05).

RESULTS: Denture 3D+ demonstrated highest mean Ra (1.15 ± 0.28 μm), followed by PMMA (0.99 ± 0.50 μm) and DentaBASE (0.81 ± 24). The difference in mean Ra between the materials was statistically non-significant (P= 0.08). Amongst the different beverages used, the highest Ra was observed for samples immersed in lemon juice (1.06 ± 0.40 μm) followed by cola (1.04 ± 0.46 μm) and coffee (0.98 ± 0.40 μm), respectively. The lowest Ra was observed for samples immersed in AS (0.85 ± 0.24 μm).

CONCLUSION: The surface roughness of 3D printed denture resins was comparable with that of conventional PMMA resins. Denture 3D+ demonstrated the highest mean roughness, followed by PMMA and DentaBASE.

PMID:34250915 | DOI:10.3233/THC-212974