Tag: pubmed

Accid Anal Prev. 2022 Mar 21;169:106639. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2022.106639. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Until recently, statistical approaches used for real-time crash prediction modeling were limited to case-control design and “sampling of alternatives” approaches. A recent study has developed a duration-based real-time crash prediction model capable of incorporating dynamic (time-varying) covariates within its framework. The modeling approach discretizes the duration between crashes into equal time intervals which can be modeled as alternatives in a multinomial logit framework. The approach, however, requires a reformulation of the original crash dataset to fit its modeling framework which results in considerably large data making model estimation computationally demanding. Additionally, validation of the model in the original study is based on crash data from just one interstate, I-405, assuming homogenous highway segments each 5 miles in length. This study improves upon the original study by investigating sampling techniques that can be applied to the reformulated data to reduce computational load using 2019 crash data from two interstates, I-40 and I-55, in Memphis, Tennessee. Furthermore, discretization of inter-crash duration is undertaken following non-homogenous segmentation of the interstates that is based on highway geometry, terrain, and posted speed limit. To accomplish the study objectives, a relatively small future window of 1 h with 15-minute time intervals is used to discretize the inter-crash duration and obtain the reformulated data. Sampling of crashes for model estimation is then done at the crash, epoch, and segment levels to answer the question of which sampling technique (by crash, epoch, or segment) would result in reasonable accuracy when compared with the complete (100%) data. Results show that 25% of samples drawn at the epoch level can result in a considerable reduction of computational load while providing reasonably consistent estimates.

PMID:35325676 | DOI:10.1016/j.aap.2022.106639

J Infect Public Health. 2022 Mar 4;15(4):400-405. doi: 10.1016/j.jiph.2022.02.010. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers are considered to be at a higher risk of acquiring tuberculosis (TB) infection than the general population. Clinical medical students are part of the healthcare team and clinical practice are done during their clinical rotation. They could be exposed to similar occupational risks as the healthcare workers. Most students who become infected have latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) and may not exhibit any clinical symptoms. Some students with LTBI can progress to TB disease during clinical rotations in the hospitals. Therefore, screening for LTBI in this population represents hospital aspect of public health strategy and infection control in medical school in high TB burden countries.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the prevalence of LTBI among fourth-year medical students and sixth-year medical students by using QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) and Tuberculin Skin Test (TST).

METHODS: A cross-sectional study of fourth-year medical students (n = 73) and sixth-year medical students (n = 85) was conducted at the School of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. The medical students (n = 158) who met the eligibility criteria were recruited into the study. LTBI was detected by using QFT-Plus and some of the participants had a tuberculin skin test (TST). The TST was interpreted after 48-72 h. The participants who tested positive by QFT-Plus were considered to have LTBI. Demographic information and data on occupational TB exposure were collected via a questionnaire. A multivariate logistic regression was used to test for associations between independent variables and results of the QFT-Plus.

RESULTS: A total of 158 participants were included in this study. The overall prevalence of LTBI was 6.3% (n = 10) as determined by QFT-Plus. The LTBI prevalence was higher in the sixth-year medical students (9.4%) compared to the fourth-year medical students (2.7%). Higher risk of LTBI was associated with sixth-year medical students (odds ratio, 3.69 [95%CI, 0.75-17.96]), but this was not significant. Moreover, history of occupational TB exposure without PPE yielded an odds ratio of 2.98 [95%CI, 0.68-13.12] but it was not statistically significant due to the small sample size. One hundred thirty-nine (88%) participants were BCG vaccinated as per the national vaccination requirements. No abnormal chest X-rays were found for any of the positive participants. Of the 158 participants, 41 (25.9%) of them had TST. Of the 41 participants, 6 (14.6%) tested positive at a cut-off of ≥ 10 mm for TST, which was concordant with QFT-Plus results. The agreement between the two tests was 0.57 using kappa coefficients.

CONCLUSION: The screening of TB infection in new healthcare workers (HCWs), especially medical students, is essential to reduce future nosocomial TB incidences in the hospitals. This study showed that there was a high prevalence of LTBI among sixth-year medical students compared to fourth-year medical students. Our results suggest that tendency of higher LTBI prevalence might be associated with advanced clinical years, thus tailored public health education strategy and infection control in tertiary care hospitals for new healthcare workers in TB endemic countries may prevent nosocomial TB disease from developing in the future. Therefore, active surveillance should be done for all new HCWs, and TB preventive therapy should be administered to recent converters.

PMID:35325687 | DOI:10.1016/j.jiph.2022.02.010

Clin Imaging. 2022 Mar 18;86:31-37. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2022.03.012. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitor-related pneumonia (ICIP) is an independent risk factor for immunotherapy-related death.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ICIP, dynamic observation of computed tomography (CT) images of lung cancer patients with ICIP was conducted to study the relationship between the occurrence of ICIP and clinical information.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: CT images and clinical information of lung cancer patients (n = 76) from two hospitals who received immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment were collected. A total of 49 cases were enrolled after screening according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. We performed statistical analysis on the imaging features and clinical information.

RESULTS: Analysis of imaging characteristics revealed two types of ICIP: the limited-onset type and diffuse-onset type. The median onset time of limited-onset ICIP was significantly earlier than that of diffuse-onset ICIP (1.5 months vs. 2.8 months; p = 0.045). Statistical analysis based on differences within the group showed that the clinical ICIP grade and immunotherapy response rate of limited-onset cases were statistically significant (p = 0.003) and the imaging/clinical ICIP grade and the outcome of ICIP were statistically significant (p = 0.031/0.007). The immunotherapy strategy of diffuse-onset cases and the response rate of immunotherapy were statistically significant (p = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that pre-existing lung lesions can be one of the possible predisposing factors for ICIP and describes the development of ICIP through continuous imaging. Our findings indicate pre-existing lung lesions as a referential monitoring target for the onset and progression of ICIP for clinical practice.

PMID:35325631 | DOI:10.1016/j.clinimag.2022.03.012

Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med. 2022 Mar 21. doi: 10.1089/fpsam.2021.0379. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Our aim was to determine if intraoperative navigation (ION) improved radiographic outcomes in patients undergoing delayed primary/secondary orbital reconstruction for inferomedial defects, as measured by volume restoration, enophthalmos correction, and positional accuracy of implants. Patients and Methods: A prospective quasiexperimental study was performed to compare two groups of patients requiring orbital reconstruction. Use of ION was the exposure evaluated. Outcome measures were (i) intraorbital volume and enophthalmos evaluated radiologically, (ii) implant position accuracy, and (iii) procedural duration. Data were analyzed statistically to compare variance between groups. Results: Forty patients (6 females and 34 males) were recruited into the study with a mean age of 27.3 years. The study group demonstrated a greater reduction of intraorbital volume (0.49 cu.cm; p = 0.02) and enophthalmos (0.72 mm; p = 0.001). Implant positioning was more accurate using ION, with less mediolateral (p = 0.006) and yaw (p = 0.04) deviations. Surgical time for implant positioning was shorter by 17 min, with navigation (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The use of ION demonstrated radiographic improvements in volume restoration, enophthalmos correction, as well as accuracy of implant positioning, in patients requiring delayed primary/secondary orbital reconstruction.

PMID:35325573 | DOI:10.1089/fpsam.2021.0379

J Am Coll Health. 2022 Mar 24:1-9. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2052078. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the influence of grit on physical activity, sleep and diet in undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants: 125 undergraduate students participated in the study. Participants completed an online survey while enrolled in an online class during June, 2020. Methods: The online questionairre featured the following validated survey instruments: International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants Short Form and the grit short form. Effects of grit on lifestyle behaviors were explored using several statistical approaches. Results: We found that individuals with more grit reported better eating and sleeping behaviors compared to those with less grit. However, we did not find an influence of grit on physical activity or sitting time. Conclusion: Our findings support that personality traits encompassed in grit contribute to college students reporting healthier dietary habits and better sleep quality during a global pandemic.

PMID:35325588 | DOI:10.1080/07448481.2022.2052078

Diabetes Technol Ther. 2022 Mar 24. doi: 10.1089/dia.2021.0566. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Artificial intelligence-based decision support systems (DSS) need to provide decisions not inferior to those given by experts in the field. Recommended insulin dose adjustments on the same individual data set were compared among multinational physicians, and to recommendations made by automated Endo.Digital DSS (ED-DSS).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a non-interventional study surveying twenty physicians from multinational academic centers. The survey included 17 data cases of individuals with type 1 diabetes who are treated with multiple daily insulin injections. Participating physicians were asked to recommend insulin dose adjustments based on glucose and insulin data. Insulin dose adjustments recommendations were compared among physicians and to the automated ED-DSS. The primary endpoints were the percentage of comparison points for which there was agreement on the trend of insulin dose adjustments.

RESULTS: The proportion of agreement and disagreement in the direction of insulin dose adjustment among physicians was statistically non-inferior to the proportion of agreement and disagreement observed between ED-DSS and physicians for basal rate, carbohydrate-to insulin ratio, and correction factor (P<0.001 and P≤0.004 for all three parameters for agreement and disagreement, respectively). The ED-DSS magnitude of insulin dose change was consistently lower than that proposed by the physicians.

CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations for insulin dose adjustments made by automatization did not differ significantly from recommendations given by expert physicians regarding the direction of change. These results highlight the potential utilization of ED-DSS as a useful clinical tool to manage insulin titration and dose adjustments.

PMID:35325567 | DOI:10.1089/dia.2021.0566

Evolution. 2022 Mar 24. doi: 10.1111/evo.14473. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In socially monogamous species, extra-pair paternity (EPP) is predicted to increase variance in male reproductive success beyond that resulting from genetic monogamy, thus increasing the ‘opportunity for selection’ (maximum strength of selection that can act on traits). This prediction is challenging to investigate in wild populations because lifetime reproduction data are often incomplete. Moreover, age-specific variances in reproduction have been rarely quantified. We analysed 21 years of near-complete social and genetic reproduction data from an insular population of Seychelles warblers (Acrocephalus sechellensis). We quantified EPP’s contribution to lifetime and age-specific opportunities for selection in males. We compared the variance in male genetic reproductive success (RS) vs. social (‘apparent’) reproductive success (RS_ap ) to assess if EPP increased the opportunity for selection over that resulting from genetic monogamy. Despite not causing a statistically significant excess (19%) of the former over the latter, EPP contributed substantially (27%) to the variance in lifetime RS, similarly to within-pair paternity (WPP, 39%) and to the positive WPP-EPP covariance (34%). Partitioning the opportunity for selection into age-specific (co)variance components, showed that EPP also provided a substantial contribution at most ages, varying with age. Therefore, despite possibly not playing the main role in shaping sexual selection in Seychelles warblers, EPP provided a substantial contribution to the lifetime and age-specific opportunity for selection, which can influence evolutionary processes in age-structured populations. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35325482 | DOI:10.1111/evo.14473

J Biophotonics. 2022 Mar 24:e202200045. doi: 10.1002/jbio.202200045. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Single-pixel imaging (SPI) enables the use of advanced detector technologies to provide a potentially low-cost solution for sensing beyond the visible spectrum and has received increasing attentions recently. However, when it comes to sub-Nyquist sampling, the spectrum truncation and spectrum discretization effects significantly challenge the traditional SPI pipeline due to the lack of sufficient sparsity. In this work, a deep compressive sensing (CS) framework is built to conduct image reconstructions in classical SPIs, where a novel compression network is proposed to enable collaborative sparsity in discretized feature space while remaining excellent coherence with the sensing basis as per CS conditions. To alleviate the underlying limitations in an end-to-end supervised training, e.g., the network typically needs to be re-trained as the basis patterns, sampling ratios, etc. change, the network is trained in an unsupervised fashion with no sensing physics involved. Validation experiments are performed both numerically and physically by comparing with traditional and cutting-edge SPI reconstruction methods. Particularly, fluorescence imaging is pioneered to preliminarily examine the in-vivo biodistributions. Results show that the proposed method maintains comparable image fidelity to a sCMOS camera even at a sampling ratio down to 4%, while remaining the advantages inherent in SPI. The proposed technique maintains the unsupervised and self-contained properties that highly facilitate the downstream applications in the field of compressive imaging. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35325512 | DOI:10.1002/jbio.202200045

Spec Care Dentist. 2022 Mar 24. doi: 10.1111/scd.12715. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To describe oral cavity changes in patients who underwent a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

METHODS AND RESULTS: A group of 32 patients was studied after a mean period of 48.8 months (±11.22) from HSCT; oral, dental, and periodontal status were collected and compared with those of healthy matched controls. Unstimulated whole salivary flow (UWS) and salivary pH were also measured. A validated questionnaire (EORTC QLQH&N-35) was used for reported quality of life. Fifty-nine percent of patients were affected by chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). Dental health and periodontal status were statistically worse than in controls (P = .003 and P = .008, respectively). Regarding the HSCT group, UWS was statistically lower, and EORTC QLQH&N-35 significantly higher than those reported in controls (P = .000 for both). There was no statistical correlation between hypo-salivation and conditioning, presence of cGVHD, type of medication used before and after transplantation, and time of follow-up. A reduction in salivary pH has been noted only for patients with erosive oral lesions.

CONCLUSION: The oral cavity of HSCT patients appeared to undergo substantial modifications and the quality of life was deeply compromised.

PMID:35325475 | DOI:10.1111/scd.12715

CA Cancer J Clin. 2022 Mar 24. doi: 10.3322/caac.21723. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Twenty years after the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks, the association between exposures present at the World Trade Center (WTC) site and the risk of several specific types of cancer has been reported among rescue and recovery workers. The authors’ objective was to conduct an updated review of these data. Most studies have found elevated rates of both prostate and thyroid cancers compared with rates in the general population, and some have reported statistically significant differences for the rates of all cancers as well. Studies including a larger combined cohort of WTC-exposed rescue and recovery workers from 3 main cohorts have since replicated findings for these cancers, with additional years of follow-up. Among this combined cohort, although a lower-than-expected standardized incidence ratio for all cancers was observed, WTC exposure was also related to an increased risk of cutaneous melanoma and tonsil cancer. Importantly, another study found that WTC-exposed rescue and recovery workers who are enrolled in the federally funded medical monitoring and treatment program experienced improved survival post-cancer diagnosis compared with New York state patients with cancer. On the basis of these combined cohort studies, the full effect of WTC exposure on cancer risk is becoming clearer. Consequently, the authors believe that surveillance of those with WTC exposure should be continued, and in-depth analysis of epidemiologic, molecular, and clinical aspects of specific cancers in these workers should be pursued.

PMID:35325473 | DOI:10.3322/caac.21723