Tag: pubmed

Clin Infect Dis. 2022 Feb 11;74(3):467-471. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciab441.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy has been reported to be a risk factor for severe COVID-19. We evaluated the impact of pregnancy on severe COVID-19 and mortality in an electronic medical record (EMR) database that enabled exclusion of labor and delivery (L&D) encounters.

METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, EMRs from 82 healthcare facilities in the Cerner COVID-19 Datamart were analyzed. The study comprised 38 106 individuals aged 18-45 years old with COVID-19 who had emergency department, urgent care, or inpatient encounters from December 2019 to September 2020. Subgroups were balanced through propensity score weights for age, race, smoking status, and number of comorbidities. The primary outcome was COVID-19-related mortality; secondary outcomes were markers of severe COVID-19: intubations, mechanical ventilation, use of vasopressors, diagnosis of sepsis, and diagnosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

RESULTS: In comparing pregnant and nonpregnant women, no statistical differences were found for markers of severe COVID-19, after adjusting for age, smoking, race, and comorbidities. The adjusted odds of an inpatient encounter were higher for pregnant vs nonpregnant women (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 13.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.6-15.3; P < .001), but notably lower after excluding L&D encounters (aOR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.89-2.88; P < .001). In comparison to women without L&D encounters, hospitalization was significantly more likely for men.

CONCLUSIONS: We did not find an increased risk of severe COVID-19 or mortality in pregnancy. Hospitalization does not necessarily indicate severe COVID-19 in pregnancy, as half of pregnant patients with COVID-19 were admitted for L&D encounters in this study.

PMID:35148386 | DOI:10.1093/cid/ciab441

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 11;17(2):e0263810. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263810. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Trajectory analyses are being increasingly used in efforts to increase understanding about the heterogeneity in the development of different longitudinal outcomes such as sickness absence, use of medication, income, or other time varying outcomes. However, several methodological and interpretational challenges are related to using trajectory analyses. This methodological study aimed to compare results using two different types of software to identify trajectories and to discuss methodological aspects related to them and the interpretation of the results.

METHODS: Group-based trajectory models (GBTM) and latent class growth models (LCGM) were fitted, using SAS and Mplus, respectively. The data for the examples were derived from a representative sample of Spanish workers in Catalonia, covered by the social security system (n = 166,192). Repeatedly measured sickness absence spells per trimester (n = 96,453) were from the Catalan Institute of Medical Evaluations. The analyses were stratified by sex and two birth cohorts (1949-1969 and 1970-1990).

RESULTS: Neither of the software were superior to the other. Four groups were the optimal number of groups in both software, however, we detected differences in the starting values and shapes of the trajectories between the two software used, which allow for different conclusions when they are applied. We cover questions related to model fit, selecting the optimal number of trajectory groups, investigating covariates, how to interpret the results, and what are the key pitfalls and strengths of using these person-oriented methods.

CONCLUSIONS: Future studies could address further methodological aspects around these statistical techniques, to facilitate epidemiological and other research dealing with longitudinal study designs.

PMID:35148351 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0263810

Aesthet Surg J. 2022 Feb 11:sjac029. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjac029. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Major branching patterns of the facial nerve have been extensively studied, as damage to branches of the nerve is associated with complications ranging from weakness to paralysis. However, communicating branches of the facial nerve have received far less attention, despite being hypothesized as a means of motor recovery following facial nerve injury.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to characterize the frequency of communicating branches (CommB) of the facial nerve to provide clarity on their anatomy and clinical correlations.

METHODS: Bilateral facial dissections were completed on cadaveric donors (n=20) to characterize the frequency and location of CommB across terminal branches of the facial nerve. Statistical analyses were used to analyze differences between the location of communications by side, and whether the CommB were more likely to occur on the left or right side (p<0.05).

RESULTS: Communicating branches were identified among all terminal branches of the facial nerve, and their frequencies reported. The highest frequencies of CommB were identified between the buccal-to-marginal mandibular and zygomatic-to-buccal branches, at 67.5% (27 comm/40 hemifaces). The second highest frequency of CommB was identified between the temporal-to- zygomatic branches in 62.5% (25/40) of donors. The marginal mandibular-to-cervical branches had CommB at a frequency of 55% (22/40). There was no significant difference in the location or sidedness of CommB.

CONCLUSIONS: Our characterization more accurately defines generalizable areas in which CommB are located. These locations of branches, described in relation to nearby landmarks, is fundamental for clinical and surgical settings to improve procedural awareness.

PMID:35148367 | DOI:10.1093/asj/sjac029

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 11;17(2):e0263939. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263939. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

Reconstruction of network is to infer the relationship among nodes using observation data, which is helpful to reveal properties and functions of complex systems. In view of the low reconstruction accuracy based on small data and the subjectivity of threshold to infer adjacency matrix, the paper proposes two models: the quadratic compressive sensing (QCS) and integer compressive sensing (ICS). Then a combined method (CCS) is given based on QCS and ICS, which can be used on binary-state and multi-state dynamics. It is found that CCS is usually a superior method comparing with compressive sensing, LASSO on several networks with different structures and scales. And it can infer larger node correctly than the other two methods. The paper is conducive to reveal the hidden relationship with small data so that to understand, predicate and control a vast intricate system.

PMID:35148349 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0263939

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 11;17(2):e0263928. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263928. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

Transcriptional regulator PEAPOD (PPD) and its binding partners comprise a complex that is conserved throughout many core eudicot plants with regard to protein domain sequence and the function of controlling organ size and shape. Orthologues of PPD also exist in the basal angiosperm Amborella trichopoda, various gymnosperm species, the lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii and several monocot genera, although until now it was not known if these are functional sequences. Here we report constitutive expression of orthologues from species representing diverse taxa of plant phylogeny in the Arabidopsis Δppd mutant. PPD orthologues from S. moellendorffii, gymnosperm Picea abies, A. trichopoda, monocot Musa acuminata, and dicot Trifolium repens were able to complement the mutant and return it to the wild-type phenotype, demonstrating the conserved functionality of PPD throughout vascular plants. In addition, analysis of bryophyte genomes revealed potential PPD orthologues in model liverwort and moss species, suggesting a more primitive lineage for this conserved regulator. The Poaceae (grasses) lack the genes for the PPD module and the reason for loss of the complex from this economically significant family is unclear, given that grasses were the last of the flowering plants to evolve. Bioinformatic analyses identified putative PPD orthologues in close relatives of the Poaceae, indicating that the explanation for absence of PPD in the grasses may be more complex than previously considered. Understanding the mechanisms which led to loss of PPD from the grasses will provide insight into evolution of the Poaceae.

PMID:35148336 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0263928

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 11;17(2):e0263849. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263849. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

The most advanced D-Wave Advantage quantum annealer has 5000+ qubits, however, every qubit is connected to a small number of neighbors. As such, implementation of a fully-connected graph results in an order of magnitude reduction in qubit count. To compensate for the reduced number of qubits, one has to rely on special heuristic software such as qbsolv, the purpose of which is to decompose a large quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QUBO) problem into smaller pieces that fit onto a quantum annealer. In this work, we compare the performance of the open-source qbsolv which is a part of the D-Wave Ocean tools and a new Mukai QUBO solver from Quantum Computing Inc. (QCI). The comparison is done for solving the electronic structure problem and is implemented in a classical mode (Tabu search techniques). The Quantum Annealer Eigensolver is used to map the electronic structure eigenvalue-eigenvector equation to a QUBO problem, solvable on a D-Wave annealer. We find that the Mukai QUBO solver outperforms the Ocean qbsolv with one to two orders of magnitude more accurate energies for all calculations done in the present work, both the ground and excited state calculations. This work stimulates the further development of software to assist in the utilization of modern quantum annealers.

PMID:35148343 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0263849

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 11;17(2):e0262735. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262735. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the long-term outcome of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) in patients who underwent both procedures on different sides.

METHODS: In this single-center retrospective study (2001-2019), 117 patients (men, N = 78; median age at CEA, 64.4 [interquartile range {IQR}, 57.8-72.2] years; median age at CAS, 68.8 [IQR, 61.0-76.0] years) with ≥50% internal carotid artery stenosis who had CEA on one side and CAS on the other side were included. The risk of restenosis was estimated by treatment adjusted for patient and lesion characteristics.

RESULTS: Neurological symptoms were significantly more common (41.9% vs 16.2%, P<0.001) and patients had a significantly shorter mean duration of smoking (30.2 [standard deviation {SD}, 22.2] years vs 31.8 [SD, 23.4] years, P<0.001), hypertension (10.1 [SD, 9.8] years vs 13.4 [SD, 9.1] years, P<0.001), hyperlipidemia (3.6 [SD, 6.6] years vs 5.0 [SD, 7.3] years, P = 0.001), and diabetes mellitus (3.9 [SD, 6.9] years vs 5.7 [SD, 8.9] years, P<0.001) before CEA compared to those before CAS. While the prevalence of heavily calcified stenoses on the operated side (25.6% vs 6.8%, P<0.001), the incidence of predominantly echogenic/echogenic plaques (53.0% vs 70.1%, P = 0.011) and suprabulbar lesions (1.7% vs 22.2%, P<0.001) on the stented side was significantly higher. Restenosis rates were 10.4% at 1 year, 22.3% at 5 years, and 33.7% at the end of the follow-up (at 11 years) for CEA, while these were 11.4%, 14.7%, and 17.2%, respectively, for CAS. Cox regression analysis revealed a significantly higher risk of restenosis (hazard ratio [HR], 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-3.10; P = 0.030) for CEA compared to that for CAS. After adjusting for relevant confounding factors (smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, calcification severity, plaque echogenicity, and lesion location), the estimate effect size materially did not change, although it did not remain statistically significant (HR, 1.85; 95% CI, 0.95-3.60; P = 0.070).

CONCLUSION: Intra-patient comparison of CEA and CAS in terms of restenosis tilts the balance toward CAS.

PMID:35148323 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0262735

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 11;17(2):e0262828. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262828. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A community-based occupational therapy intervention for people with mild to moderate dementia and their family carers: the Community Occupational Therapy in Dementia-UK version (COTiD-UK); and Treatment as usual (TAU) were randomly assigned to 468 pairs (each comprising a person with dementia and a family carer) in the Valuing Active Life in Dementia (VALID) randomised controlled trial (RCT).

OBJECTIVES: To compare the cost-utility of the COTiD-UK intervention compared to TAU, using data from the VALID RCT.

METHODS: We performed a cost-utility analysis estimating mean costs and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) per person with dementia and carer for both treatments over a 26 weeks’ time horizon based on resource use data and utility values collected in the trial.

RESULTS: Taking the National Health Service and Personal Social Services perspective, including costs and benefits to the person with dementia only, measuring Health Related Quality of Life based on Dementia Quality of Life scale (DEMQOL), accounting for missing data and adjusting for baseline values, there was a significant difference in costs between COTiD-UK and TAU (mean incremental cost for COTiD-UK £784 (95% CI £233 to £1334)), but no significant difference in outcomes (mean QALYs gained 0.00664 (95% CI -0.00404, 0.01732)). The Incremental Net Monetary Benefit (INMB) for COTiD-UK versus TAU was negative at a maximum willingness to pay for a QALY of £20000 (mean -£651, 95% CI -£878 to -£424) or £30000 (mean -£585, 95% CI -£824 to -£345). Extensive sensitivity analyses confirmed the results.

CONCLUSIONS: This community-based occupational therapy intervention has a very low probability of being cost-effective.

PMID:35148329 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0262828

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 11;17(2):e0262305. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262305. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Widespread vaccination coverage is essential for reducing the COVID-19 havoc and regarded as a crucial tool in restoring normal life on university campuses. Therefore, our research aimed to understand the intention to be vaccinated for COVID-19 among Pakistani university students.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in five administrative units of Pakistan, i.e., Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. We obtained data from 2,865 university students between 17th January and 2nd February, 2021, using a semi-structured and self-administered questionnaire. We used Stata (version 16.1, StataCorp LLC) for data management and analysis.

RESULTS: The majority (72.5%) of our respondents were willing to take COVID-19 vaccine. The current level of education had a statistically significant relationship with the intention to be vaccinated (p < 0.05). Respondents answered 11 questions encompassing five different domains of the Health Belief Model (HBM). All the items of HBM were significantly associated with the positive intention towards receiving the vaccine (p < 0.05). We conducted a multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess the relative contribution of different factors towards the intention to receive COVID-19 vaccine. Multiple factors such as belief that vaccination should be mandatory for everyone (AOR: 3.99, 95% CI: 3.20-4.98) and willingness to take vaccine even if it is not free (AOR: 3.91, 95% CI: 3.18-4.81) were observed to be associated with high odds of showing willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

CONCLUSION: Most of our study participants intended to take vaccines based on their belief regarding the high effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine. But as rumor-mongers are generating and spreading conspiracy theories daily, the health department and policymakers need to undertake evidence-based campaigns through electronic and social media to ensure expected countrywide vaccination coverage. In this case, our study findings can serve as a foundation for them to ensure mass vaccination coverage among university students, which is crucial now to reopen the dormitories and restore everyday life on campuses.

PMID:35148317 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0262305

PLoS Comput Biol. 2022 Feb 11;18(2):e1009832. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009832. eCollection 2022 Feb.

ABSTRACT

Applying information theoretic measures to neuronal activity data enables the quantification of neuronal encoding quality. However, when the sample size is limited, a naïve estimation of the information content typically contains a systematic overestimation (upward bias), which may lead to misinterpretation of coding characteristics. This bias is exacerbated in Ca2+ imaging because of the temporal sparsity of elevated Ca2+ signals. Here, we introduce methods to correct for the bias in the naïve estimation of information content from limited sample sizes and temporally sparse neuronal activity. We demonstrate the higher accuracy of our methods over previous ones, when applied to Ca2+ imaging data recorded from the mouse hippocampus and primary visual cortex, as well as to simulated data with matching tuning properties and firing statistics. Our bias-correction methods allowed an accurate estimation of the information place cells carry about the animal’s position (spatial information) and uncovered the spatial resolution of hippocampal coding. Furthermore, using our methods, we found that cells with higher peak firing rates carry higher spatial information per spike and exposed differences between distinct hippocampal subfields in the long-term evolution of the spatial code. These results could be masked by the bias when applying the commonly used naïve calculation of information content. Thus, a bias-free estimation of information content can uncover otherwise overlooked properties of the neural code.

PMID:35148310 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009832