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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Clinical correlation between osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral compression fractures and lumbar spondylolisthesis

Int Orthop. 2022 Feb 2. doi: 10.1007/s00264-022-05327-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was to explore the clinical correlation between osteoporosis thoracolumbar vertebral compression fracture (thoracolumbar OVCF) and lumbar spondylolisthesis (LS).

METHODS: In total, 208 patients with thoracolumbar OVCF (fracture group) and 250 elderly patients with osteoporosis (non-fracture group) were retrospectively analyzed. The incidence of LS was compared between the two groups. At the same time, 75 cases of elderly patients with osteoporosis were selected, including 25 patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS group), 25 patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS group), and 25 patients without LS (non-LS group). All patients underwent full-length spine anteroposterior and lateral X-ray, and the spinal pelvic imaging parameters were collected for comparison.

RESULTS: The incidence of LS in the fracture group (10.1%, 21/208) was significantly higher than that in the non-fracture group (4.8%, 12/250); the difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 4.763, P = 0.029). The incidence of trauma in the fracture group (51.0%, 106/208) was significantly higher than that in the non-fracture group (13.6%, 34/250); the difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 74.673, P = 0.000). The LS (OR = 2.273, 95% CI = 1.030-5.017, P = 0.042) and trauma (OR = 6.622, 95% CI = 4.203-10.432, P = 0.000) were independently associated with thoracolumbar OVCF. There were significant differences in pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS), lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK), and thoracic kyphosis (TK) among the IS, DS, and non-LS groups (P < 0.05). Among them, PI, SS, LL, TLK, and TK of the IS group and the DS group were significantly higher than those of the non-LS group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with LS are more likely to suffer from OVCF in the future, and LS is one of the important risk factors for secondary OVCF.

PMID:35106669 | DOI:10.1007/s00264-022-05327-y

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Radiation dose reduction for chest radiography of infants in intensive care units using a high peak kilovoltage-technique

Pediatr Radiol. 2022 Feb 2. doi: 10.1007/s00247-021-05262-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chest radiography is an important tool in the care of infants in intensive care units. Image optimization must be monitored to minimize radiation exposure in this susceptible population.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the use of a high tube peak kilovoltage technique to achieve radiation dose reduction while maintaining adequate image quality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted. Radiation doses of chest radiographs performed in the pediatric intensive care units in our institution were calculated. The radiographs were divided into two groups based on the value of the peak kilovoltage used: above and below 60 kilovolts (kV). Image quality was blindly assessed by two fellowship-trained pediatric radiologists. Air kerma, effective dose and quality score for the high versus the low peak kilovoltage group were compared and analyzed.

RESULTS: The study included 376 radiographs. One hundred and seven radiographs were performed using peak kilovoltage values equal to or above 60 kV and 269 radiographs were performed using values under 60 kV. The average air kerma for the lower peak kilovoltage group was 56.6 microgray (µGy) (30.7-81.9) vs. 22.9 µGy (11.8-34.4) for the higher peak kilovoltage group (P<0.0001). The mean difference in effective dose between the groups was 11.68 (P<0.0001). The mean difference for the quality score was 0.06 (±0.03, P=0.10), not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: A high peak kilovoltage technique may enable a statistically significant radiation dose reduction without compromising the diagnostic value of the image.

PMID:35106646 | DOI:10.1007/s00247-021-05262-x

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Metabolomics analysis of placental tissue obtained from patients with fetal growth restriction

J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2022 Feb 1. doi: 10.1111/jog.15173. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine whether there was a difference in placental metabolite profiles between patients with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and healthy controls.

METHODS: The study included 10 patients with FGR diagnosis with 14 healthy controls with both matched maternal age and body mass index. 1 H HR-MAS NMR spectroscopy data obtained from placental tissue samples of patients with FGR and healthy control group were analyzed with bioinformatics methods. The obtained results of metabolite levels were further validated with the internal standard (IS) quantification method.

RESULTS: Principal component analysis (PCA) and the partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) score plots obtained with the multivariate statistical analysis of preprocessed spectral data shows a separation between the samples from patients with FGR and healthy controls. Bioinformatics analysis results suggest that the placental levels of lactate, glutamine, glycerophosphocholine, phosphocholine, taurine, and myoinositol are increased in patients with FGR compared to the healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS: Placental metabolic dysfunctions are a common occurrence in FGR.

PMID:35104920 | DOI:10.1111/jog.15173

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Comparison of Interwoven Nitinol and Drug-Eluting Stents for Endovascular Treatment of Femoropopliteal Artery Disease

Surg Technol Int. 2022 Feb 2;40:sti40/1532. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Interwoven nitinol stents (INS) and drug-eluting stents (DES) were designed to improve the mid- and long-term results of femoropopliteal (F-P) angioplasty. The aim of this study was to systematically compare these stents.

METHODS: Between 2015 and 2017, 62 patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease of the F-P segment treated by INS or DES were identified from a prospectively maintained institutional database. The primary outcome measure was one-year primary patency; secondary outcomes were in-stent restenosis (ISR), stent occlusion, target lesion revascularization (TLR) and mortality.

RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 26.9 ± 11.2 months. No statistically significant difference in primary patency at one year was observed (88.6% vs. 88.9%). Throughout follow-up, overall rates of ISR (5.7% vs. 11.1%, p = 0.645), stent occlusion (25.7% vs. 7.4%, p = 0.094) and TLR (25.7% vs. 18.5%, p = 0.505) were statistically equivalent between the groups. Mortality reached 14.3% in the INS group and 3.7% in the DES group, but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.196). Multivariable analysis revealed significant correlations between ISR and stent occlusions; popliteal lesion localization (p = 0.016) and poor below the knee vessel outflow (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: In the short- and mid-term, the use of an INS or DES in the F-P arterial segment did not result in a difference in primary patency rate, stent occlusion, restenosis, re-intervention or mortality. The overall data do not provide any evidence to favor one stent over the other.

PMID:35104911

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Sinonasal B-cell lymphomas: A nationwide cohort study, with an emphasis on the prognosisand the recurrence pattern of primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Hematol Oncol. 2022 Feb 1. doi: 10.1002/hon.2968. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Lymphomas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses (NPS) are rare. Knowledge on sinonasal B-cell lymphoma (SNBCL) primarily comes from case series or single-center studies on small cohorts. We sought to determine the subtype distribution, clinical characteristics, disease behavior, and prognosis on a nationwide scale, with an emphasis on prognostic factors for the most common sinonasal lymphoma, primary sinonasal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PSDLBCL). We collated all data from medical records and national databases on patients registered with SNBCL from 1980 through 2018 in the national pathology registry and collected all tissue samples for validation of diagnosis. We included 205 patients and found ten different subtypes of lymphoma. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was the predominant subtype (80%). The incidence of sinonasal B-cell lymphoma was 0.14/100,000 person-years. The five-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates for PSDLBCL were 50% and 56%, respectively. For PSDLBCL, Rituximab showed a statistically significant effect (Hazard Ratio 0.22, P < 0.001), whereas consolidative radiotherapy combined with immunochemotherapy was of limited value (PFS, P = 0.93). When treatment failure occurred, DLBCL showed a distinct pattern of recurrence/dissemination to the NPS, skin, breast, CNS, and/or testis. Collectively, DLBCL comprised a clear majority of SNBCLs, although nine other subtypes were represented. Data showed that immunochemotherapy increased survival for PDLBCL and that the addition of radiotherapy did not benefit patients. Furthermore, treatment failure for sinonasal DLBCL showed a possible common pathogenesis with primary extranodal lymphomas of specific locations (e.g., CNS, skin, breast, and testis). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35104916 | DOI:10.1002/hon.2968

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Risk of Venous Thromboemboli, Readmissions, and Costs in Opioid Use Disorder Patients Following Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty

Surg Technol Int. 2022 Feb 2;40:sti40/1547. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Opioid use disorder (OUD) patients have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), readmissions, and higher costs following primary elective primary total joint arthroplasty, but these risks have not yet been clarified for other arthroplasty surgeries. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether OUD patients undergoing revision total knee arthroplasty (RTKA) have higher rates of: VTEs, readmissions, and costs of care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who had a 90-day history of OUD prior to undergoing RTKA were identified and randomly matched to a comparison cohort in a 1:4 ratio by age, sex, Elixhauser-Comorbidity Index (ECI), diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and tobacco use with a total of 16,851 patients collectively in both groups. The 90-day frequency and odds (OR) of developing VTE, deep vein thrombosis (DVTs), and PEs along with 90-day readmission rates and 90-day costs of care were analyzed. A p-value less than 0.01 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: OUD patients undergoing RTKA were found to have a higher incidence and odds of VTE (2.91 vs. 1.88; OR: 1.58, p<0.0001) 90 days following RTKA. Compared to the matched cohort, patients who have OUD had a higher incidence and increased risk of lower extremity DVT (2.61 vs. 1.73; OR: 1.52, p=0.0008) and PE (0.97 vs. 55%; OR: 1.74, p=0.007). Furthermore, the likelihood (25.7 vs. 21.4%; OR: 1.26, p<0.0001) of being readmitted within 90 days was higher in OUD patients. Additionally, OUD was associated with significantly higher total global 90-day episode-of-care costs ($19,289.31 ± $17,378.71 vs. $17,292.87 vs. $11,690.61; p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION: Patients who have OUD undergoing RTKA have higher rates of thromboembolic complications, readmission rates, and total global 90-day episode-of-care costs. Orthopaedic surgeons should educate OUD patients about these risks and titrate patient opioid consumption through multi-specialty interventions prior to surgery to improve outcomes and reduce costs.

PMID:35104910

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

STORCH Infections Among Very Low Birth Weight and Preterm Infants: 2018-2020

Pediatrics. 2022 Jan 1;149(1):e2021053655. doi: 10.1542/peds.2021-053655.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:35104887 | DOI:10.1542/peds.2021-053655

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SEQUENCE SLIDER: integration of structural and genetic data to characterize isoforms from natural sources

Nucleic Acids Res. 2022 Feb 1:gkac029. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkac029. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Proteins isolated from natural sources can be composed of a mixture of isoforms with similar physicochemical properties that coexist in the final steps of purification. Yet, even where unverified, the assumed sequence is enforced throughout the structural studies. Herein, we propose a novel perspective to address the usually neglected sequence heterogeneity of natural products by integrating biophysical, genetic and structural data in our program SEQUENCE SLIDER. The aim is to assess the evidence supporting chemical composition in structure determination. Locally, we interrogate the experimental map to establish which side chains are supported by the structural data, and the genetic information relating sequence conservation is integrated into this statistic. Hence, we build a constrained peptide database, containing most probable sequences to interpret mass spectrometry data (MS). In parallel, we perform MS de novo sequencing with genomic-based algorithms to detect point mutations. We calibrated SLIDER with Gallus gallus lysozyme, whose sequence is unequivocally established and numerous natural isoforms are reported. We used SLIDER to characterize a metalloproteinase and a phospholipase A2-like protein from the venom of Bothrops moojeni and a crotoxin from Crotalus durissus collilineatus. This integrated approach offers a more realistic structural descriptor to characterize macromolecules isolated from natural sources.

PMID:35104880 | DOI:10.1093/nar/gkac029

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Attenuated fusogenicity and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

Nature. 2022 Feb 1. doi: 10.1038/s41586-022-04462-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The emergence of a new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant, Omicron, is an urgent global health concern (ref.1). Our statistical modelling suggests that Omicron has spread more rapidly than the Delta variant in several countries including South Africa. Cell culture experiments show that Omicron is less fusogenic than Delta and an ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain. Although the spike (S) protein of Delta is efficiently cleaved into two subunits, which facilitates cell-cell fusion2,3, Omicron S is less efficiently cleaved compared to Delta S and ancestral SARS-CoV-2 S. Furthermore, in a hamster model, Omicron shows decreased lung infectivity and is less pathogenic compared to Delta and ancestral SARS-CoV-2.

PMID:35104835 | DOI:10.1038/s41586-022-04462-1

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Balancing statistical power and risk in HIV cure clinical trial design

J Infect Dis. 2022 Feb 1:jiac032. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiac032. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Analytical treatment interruptions (ATI) are pauses of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the context of HIV cure trials. They are the gold standard in determining if interventions being tested can achieve sustained virological control in the absence ART. However, withholding ART comes with risks and discomforts to the trial participant. We used mathematical models to explore how ATI study design can be improved to maximise statistical power, while minimising risks to participants.

METHODS: Using previously observed dynamics of time to viral rebound (TVR) post ATI, we modelled estimates for optimal sample size, frequency and ATI duration required to detect a significant difference in the TVR between control and intervention groups. Groups were compared using a log-rank test, and analytical and stochastic techniques.

RESULTS: In placebo controlled TVR studies, 120 participants are required in each arm to detect 30% difference in the frequency of viral reactivation at 80% power. There was little statistical advantage to measuring viral load more frequently than weekly, or interrupting ART beyond 5 weeks in a TVR study.

CONCLUSIONS: Current TVR HIV cure studies are underpowered to detect statistically significant changes in frequency of viral reactivation. Alternate study designs can improve the statistical power of ATI trials.

PMID:35104873 | DOI:10.1093/infdis/jiac032