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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Exploring fish assemblage structure, feeding guild, and water quality in a typical river-reservoir interface of tropical large reservoir environment, Central India

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Aug 5. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-22267-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The present study aims to understand the spatio-temporal dynamics in habitat ecology and fish assemblage and determine the relationship of habitat transition and fish distribution in a large riverine-reservoir cascade system (Sardar Sarovar Reservoir part in Madhya Pradesh). This study was carried out along a 125-km riverine-reservoir interface (RRI) during 2018-2020. The study showed presence of a total of 110 fish species (104 spp. in upstream main Narmada River stretch excluding reservoirs, 56 in RRI, and 39 in Sardar Sarovar reservoir). We recorded 50 species common in upstream riverine stretch of Narmada and the RRI while RRI uniquely harbored 3 native species (Chitala chitala, Labeo boga, Salmostoma phulo) not previously reported from Narmada River stretch upstream. The similarity percentage (SIMPER) analysis showed presence of S. phulo causing 27.91%, Schistura dayi (3.71%), and Rita pavimentata (3.41%) of dissimilarity among Maheshwar (S1), Rajghat (S2), Koteshwar (S3) non-confluence zone, and Kakrana (S4)-confluence zone. The analysis of data indicated disappearance of some species like deccan peninsular carp Labeo fimbriatus, Mahseer Tor khudree which was earlier reported but was absent in recent years. The statistical correlation of environmental variables with observed abundances of fish feeding guilds showed significant positive correlation with specific conductivity and total dissolved solid content of the water. The canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated association among omnivorous fishes of the reservoir with water temperature; total dissolved solids; specific conductivity; total alkalinity; chlorophyll; and NO3-N. The herbivore fishes were found to be more associated with magnesium, dissolved oxygen, and phosphorus content of the water while insectivorous fishes were more associated with the silicate and transparency of the water. The abundance of omnivores species indicated dominance of generalist fish species rather than specialists in the interface region of reservoir showing conservation and ecological importance of the ecosystem. The baseline information generated on fish assemblage and ecological perspectives of the river reservoir interface and science-based management recommendations formulated in the study are critical for sustaining fish diversity, promoting fisheries enhancement, and management planning of tropical large reservoirs.

PMID:35930149 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-022-22267-7

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Application of advanced trend analysis techniques with clustering approach for analysing rainfall trend and identification of homogenous rainfall regions in Delhi metropolitan city

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Aug 5. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-22235-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In the era of global urbanization, the cities across the world are experiencing significant change in the climate pattern. However, analysing the trend and pattern of rainfall over the urban areas has a number of challenges such as availability of long-term data as well as the uneven distribution of rain-gauge stations. In this research, the rainfall regionalization approach has been applied along with the advanced statistical techniques for analysing the trend and pattern of rainfall in the Delhi metropolitan city. Fuzzy C-means and K-means clustering techniques have been applied for the identification of homogeneous rainfall regions while innovative trend analysis (ITA) along with the family of Mann-Kendall (MK) tests has been applied for the trend analysis of rainfall. The result shows that in all rain-gauge stations of Delhi, an increasing trend in rainfall has been recorded during 1991-2018. But the rate of increase was low as the trend slope of ITA and Sen’s slope in MK tests are low, which varies between 0.03 and 0.05 and 0.01 and 0.16, respectively. Furthermore, none of the rain-gauge stations have experienced a monotonic trend in rainfall as the null hypothesis has not been rejected (p value > 0.05) for any stations. Furthermore, the study shows that ITA has a better performance than the family of MK tests. The findings of this study may be utilized for the urban flood mitigation and solving other issues related to water resources in Delhi and other cities.

PMID:35930147 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-022-22235-1

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Frequency and characterization of potential drug interactions in dentistry-a cross-sectional study

Clin Oral Investig. 2022 Aug 5. doi: 10.1007/s00784-022-04644-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: This study aimed to identify medications taken by patients before dental appointments and to simulate and characterize their interactions with medications often prescribed by dental surgeons.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated 320 medical records, 118 from the Emergency Service (ES) archives, and 202 from elective appointments at the Dental Clinic (DC) of a university in southern Brazil. Drug interactions were identified and classified according to severity using the Medscape® application into four grades: (1) Minor, (2) Monitor closely, (3) Serious, or (4) Contraindicated. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were carried out (α = 5%).

RESULTS: Preexisting systemic conditions were noted in 55.9% of the medical records from the ES and 64.35% from the DC. In the ES records, 47.45% contained information on continuous use medication for treatment of systemic conditions and 59.40% of DC records contained such information. A total of 359 potential interactions were found. Drug interactions with analgesics were most frequent, accounting for 50.41% of the sample.

CONCLUSIONS: The most prevalent drug interaction severity was grade 2: monitor or use with caution. Many patients take medications to treat systemic conditions and seek dental care, generating a significant possible source of drug interactions.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Prescribers must carefully analyze the patients’ medical histories and obtain accurate data regarding their use of medications to be able to assess the risk-benefit relationships of possible combinations.

PMID:35930141 | DOI:10.1007/s00784-022-04644-1

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Is EQ-5D-5L Better Than EQ-5D-3L Over Time? A Head-to-Head Comparison of Responsiveness of Descriptive Systems and Value Sets from Nine Countries

Pharmacoeconomics. 2022 Aug 5. doi: 10.1007/s40273-022-01172-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the responsiveness of EQ-5D-3L (3L) with EQ-5D-5L (5L) descriptive systems and value sets in two independent samples (rehabilitation and stroke patients).

METHODS: Descriptive system results were compared cross-sectionally, and descriptive responsiveness was tested by calculating changed level responses (‘moves’) from baseline to follow-up, proportion of improved patients, Paretian Classification of Health Change (PCHC), and probability of superiority (PS). Responsiveness of values based on nine country-specific value sets was assessed by standardized response mean (SRM) and standardized effect size (SES). Relative efficiency of 5L over 3L was assessed by calculating ratios of the SRM and SES statistics.

RESULTS: Descriptive comparisons confirmed earlier evidence and showed a consistent overestimation of health problems in 3L. Descriptive responsiveness improved with 5L in terms of moves per respondent, proportions of improved patients and PS, whereas PCHC showed mixed results. Better value responsiveness statistics were observed for 5L in rehabilitation patients for all value sets. In stroke patients, 3L showed better responsiveness statistics compared with 5L. Relative efficiency results were moderately to strongly better with 5L for rehabilitation, and slightly to moderately better with 3L for stroke.

CONCLUSIONS: Descriptive results were the main driver of 3L-5L responsiveness differences. Responsiveness of 3L was influenced by the ‘confined to bed’ label and the overestimation bias of 3L, which affected all responsiveness results. This may impact quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) estimations, leading to over- or underestimations of QALYs gained, depending on the condition and condition severity. QALY calculations based on 5L data will result in more accurate estimates.

PMID:35930137 | DOI:10.1007/s40273-022-01172-4

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Efficacy and safety of acellular dermal matrix versus connective tissue graft for root coverage of Miller’s Class I and II gingival recession: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ann Palliat Med. 2022 Jul;11(7):2478-2491. doi: 10.21037/apm-22-656.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety between connective tissue graft (CTG) and acellular dermal matrix (ADM) remain inconsistent. Meta-analysis is a valuable approach to resolve inconsistencies across studies and provide a high level of evidence to comprehensively evaluate the effect and safety of ADM versus CTG for root coverage of Miller’s Class I and II gingival recession. Our study was conducted to comprehensively analyze the efficacy and safety of ADM versus CTG for root coverage in patients with gingival recession.

METHODS: Articles on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the ADM with CTG for adult patients with the gingival recession in terms of percent root coverage (PRC), clinical attachment level (CAL), keratinized tissue (KT), probing depth (PD), recession width (RW), and recession depth (RD) were identified in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases until 15 May 2020. Weighted mean difference (WMD) was used as the statistic for measurement data and the effect sizes were expressed as 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS: A total of 24 RCTs were eligible for the final analysis. A total of 587 patients with 1,315 gingival recession sites were involved in the study. There were 724 loci in the ADM group and 591 loci in the CTG group. The patients who underwent ADM had a higher gain in CAL (WMD: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.47, P=0.026) but a smaller gain in KT width (WMD: -0.44, 95% CI: -0.63 to -0.25, P<0.001) than those who underwent CTG. No significant differences were found between the patients who underwent ADM and those who received CTG in PRC (WMD: -1.61, 95% CI: -3.49 to 0.28, P=0.094), PD (WMD: 0.07, 95% CI: -0.01 to 0.14, P=0.067), RW (WMD: 0.07, 95% CI: -0.10 to 0.23, P=0.437), and RD (WMD: 0.11, 95% CI: -0.10 to 0.31, P=0.294).

DISCUSSION: The ADM treatment for patients with gingival recession may be superior to CTG in gaining CAL, but CTG has a significant advantage over ADM for gaining KT width. ADM can be considered in the future as a treatment for root coverage in patients with gingival recession.

PMID:35927781 | DOI:10.21037/apm-22-656

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

The efficacy and safety of biliary stenting alone versus stenting combined with iodine-125 seed strand implantation for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma with malignant obstructive jaundice: a prospective, nonrandomized, controlled clinical study

Ann Palliat Med. 2022 Jul;11(7):2422-2431. doi: 10.21037/apm-22-676.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Many patients with cholangiocarcinoma also present with malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ), which requires biliary drainage and stent placement. Recently, clinicians have tried to implant iodine-125 seeds into the biliary tract. However, we know very little about this treatment. This study aimed to compare biliary stenting alone and stenting combined with iodine-125 seed strand implantation to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this technique.

METHODS: Sixty patients of cholangiocarcinoma with MOJ were enrolled into the study. According to voluntary choices, 30 received biliary stenting combined with iodine-125 seed strand implantation (study group), and 30 received biliary stent implantation alone (control group). Various biochemical indicators and the manifestation of computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were compared before and after operation. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of these treatments by observing patients’ symptoms, biochemical indicators and imaging data. Individualized antitumor therapy and regular follow-up were given according to the patients’ condition.

RESULTS: All 60 patients successfully completed operation. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline data between two groups (P>0.05). Before and 4 weeks after operation, the average total bilirubin levels decreased from 268.14±114.97 to 54.00±80.78 µmol/L in study group, and decreased from 228.89±162.04 to 58.80±61.14 µmol/L in control group. The difference between two groups was not statistically significant (P=0.796). Before and 4 weeks after operation, the average Child-Pugh scores decreased from 7.83±0.59 to 6.20±1.03 points in study group, and decreased from 7.93±1.08 to 7.07±1.39 points in control group, with a statistically significant difference between two groups (P=0.008). The median patency time of stents was 41.71±3.46 weeks in study group and 29.00±5.81 weeks in control group, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.037). A statistically significant difference in disease control rate (DCR) was observed between the two groups (P=0.045).

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated biliary stenting combined with iodine-125 seed strand implantation may be consider as a safe treatment option for the patients of cholangiocarcinoma with MOJ, and this treatment may improve liver function, reduce the incidence of in-stent restenosis, and improve DCR.

PMID:35927776 | DOI:10.21037/apm-22-676

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Illness uncertainty and its associated factors in coronary heart disease patients with heart stent implantation: a cross-sectional study

Ann Palliat Med. 2022 Jul;11(7):2410-2421. doi: 10.21037/apm-22-528.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the illness uncertainty and its influencing factors in patients after heart stent implantation, and to explore the relationship between uncertainty of disease, self-management behavior of coronary heart disease and quality of life after stenting.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 168 patients with cardiac stent implantation on illness uncertainty in a tertiary hospital in Shanghai. The General Information Questionnaire and the Mishel’s Uncertainty in Illness Scale (MUIS) was used to measure the uncertainty of disease in patients after coronary stenting, and the Coronary Self-Management Scale (CSMS) and 36-item Short Form Health Survey Scale (SF-36) were collected, using Pearson’s method for correlation analysis. The indicators with significant statistical differences in univariate analysis were included, and the factors affecting patients’ perception of disease uncertainty were analyzed by stepwise regression fitting multiple linear regression equations.

RESULTS: The study showed that the mean score for disease uncertainty was 79.83±14.05 out of 160 points. By the multiple stepwise linear regression analysis, the results showed that subjective symptom improvement, follow-up with nurses after discharge, care and support from family members after discharge, quality of the quantity of stents, guidance and support from nurses during hospitalization, and educational level had a significant impact on the total uncertainty score, and were the most important factor of patient illness uncertainty. In patients with coronary heart disease, uncertainty was moderately negatively correlated with self-management ability (P<0.05, r=-0.636), and highly negatively correlated with overall quality of life scores (P<0.05, r=-0.857).

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, patients with coronary stents had moderate disease uncertainty, suggesting that uncertainty is common among patients after cardiac stenting. In order to improve the uncertainty of disease in patients after with heart stent implantation (especially for patients with a large number of implanted stents), family members should give sufficient care; doctors and nurses should provide patients with adequate health education, assist patients in establishing healthy behaviors, and strengthen its self-management ability, thereby reducing the patient’s sense of uncertainty, thereby improving the long-term prognosis and the patient’s quality of life.

PMID:35927775 | DOI:10.21037/apm-22-528

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the related factors for diabetic retinopathy

Ann Palliat Med. 2022 Jul;11(7):2368-2381. doi: 10.21037/apm-22-437.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The related factors of diabetic retinopathy (DR) had attracted the attention of many scholars, and a large number of articles had been published, but the research results were not consistent. A meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize recent evidence, aiming at exploring the relationship between DR and multiple risk factors.

METHODS: The China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, Wanfang, PubMed, Embase, Medline, and Cochrane databases were searched. The English and Chinese keywords included diabetes mellitus, DM, diabetic retinopathy, DR, and risk factors. In case-control study, the subjects are DR patients and NDR patients. In the cohort study, the subjects were diabetic patients. Measures in the intervention and control groups were described in detail. The methodological quality of the included literature was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Egger’s test is used to identify publication bias. With odds ratio (OR) as the effect index, heterogeneity test was conducted, and fixed effect model or random effect model was selected to calculate the combined OR and 95% CI.

RESULTS: The meta-analysis included 12 literatures and 13 related risk factors, of which 4 (33.33%) were cohort studies and 8 (66.66%) were case-control studies. NOS shows that there are 7 references with 8 points (58.33%), 4 references with 7 points (33.33%) and 1 reference with 6 points (8.33%). The risk factors associated with the occurrence of DR were: course of diabetes (OR =1.03, 95% CI: 1.02-1.03), systolic blood pressure (OR =1.01, 95% CI: 1.01-1.02), body mass index (OR =0.96, 95% CI: 0.94-0.99), HbA1c (OR =1.08, 95% CI: 1.06-1.10), total cholesterol (OR =1.20, 95% CI: 0.98-1.46), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR =1.74, 95% CI: 1.19-2.56), fasting blood glucose (OR =1.19, 95% CI: 1.13-1.26), and hypertension (OR =1.25, 95% CI: 1.07-1.47), and the overall effect test results were statistically significant. Sensitivity analysis results show that the random effect model is used for meta-analysis of all Meta, and the combined OR is 1.10, and the 95% CI is (1.05, 1.15).

DISCUSSION: The occurrence of DR was related to the course of diabetes, SBP, HbA1c, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and hypertension which provided a more intuitive and comprehensive scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of DR.

PMID:35927772 | DOI:10.21037/apm-22-437

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Comparative study of the modified transtibial technique and the transportal technique in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Ann Palliat Med. 2022 Jul;11(7):2360-2367. doi: 10.21037/apm-21-2460.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study sought to compare the efficacy of the modified transtibial (TT) technique and the transportal (TP) technique in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 74 patients (74 knees) who underwent ACL reconstruction using a single bundle of autologous hamstring tendon graft from October 2013 to September 2017. Forty-one knees were reconstructed using the TT technique (the TT group), and 33 were reconstructed using the TP technique (the TP group). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05) in terms of age, sex, follow-up time, time from injury to operation, left and right knees, body mass index, and preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Tegner Activity score (Tegner score), Lysholm score, Lachman test results, and Pivot-Shift test results.

RESULTS: The incisions in both groups were healed by first intention, and no early postoperative complications occurred. All patients attended follow-up appointments. The TT group had a follow-up period of 24-46 months (average follow-up time: 27.3 months). The TT group had a follow-up period of 24-38 months (average follow-up time: 26.3 months). Two years after surgery, the IKDC, Lysholm, and Tegner scores of the two groups were significantly improved compared to those before surgery (P<0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in relation to these scores (P>0.05). There was also no statistically significant difference in the Lachman and Pivot-Shift test results between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Both the TT and TP techniques provide satisfactory efficacy in ACL reconstruction.

PMID:35927771 | DOI:10.21037/apm-21-2460

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Knowledge and practice of essential newborn care and associated factors among women in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis

Reprod Health. 2022 Aug 4;19(1):172. doi: 10.1186/s12978-022-01480-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, including Ethiopia the risk of neonatal death can be easily prevented and avoided by implementing essential newborn care with simple, low cost, and a short period time immediately after delivery. However, the problem is still persisting due to lack of adequate maternal and newborn care practice. Hence, this review aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of women’s knowledge and practice of essential newborn care and its associated factors in Ethiopia using systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHOD: An intensive literature search was performed from PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, HINARI, Scopus, and Web of Sciences from April 1-30, 2021. Data were extracted by using a pre-tested and standardized data extraction format. The data were analyzed by using STATA 14 statistical software. I2 tests assessed heterogeneity across the included studies. A random-effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of knowledge and practice of essential newborn care.

RESULTS: From 1275 identified studies, 25 articles were included. The national pooled prevalence of essential newborn care knowledge and practice among women was 55.05% and 41.49% respectively. Secondary education (AOR = 2.75, 95% CI 1.62, 4.66), multiparity (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI 1.41, 3.26), antenatal care (AOR = 2.94; 95% CI 2.03, 4.26), and postnatal follow-up (AOR = 1.64, 95% CI 1.20, 2.23) were significantly associated with knowledge level whereas; primary education (AOR = 7.08, 95% CI 4.79, 10.47), urban residency (AOR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.65, 3.00), attending monthly meetings (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI 1.64, 2.62), antenatal care (AOR = 2.89, 95% CI 1.97, 4.26), advised during delivery (AOR = 2.54, 95% CI 1.80, 3.59), postnatal follow-up (AOR = 7.08, 95% CI 4.79, 10.47) and knowledge (AOR = 2.93; 95% CI 1.81, 4.75) were statistically significant with essential newborn practice.

CONCLUSIONS: The current systematic review and meta-analysis findings reported that the level of knowledge and practice of essential newborn care among Ethiopian women was low. Therefore, improvement of essential newborn through the provision of community-based awareness creation forum, improving antenatal and postnatal care follow up, education on essential newborn care to all pregnant and postnatal women are very important. Trial registration Prospero registration: CRD 42021251521.

PMID:35927762 | DOI:10.1186/s12978-022-01480-0