Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Solid fuel use and cardiovascular events: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Indoor Air. 2021 Jun 10. doi: 10.1111/ina.12867. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Although solid fuel use has been increasingly linked to cardiovascular events (CVEs), conclusions have been inconsistent. We systematically searched 3 databases (PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science) up to July 3, 2020, to identify English language reports that assessed the association of solid fuel use with CVEs. Summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated with a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity and to test the stability of the results. We finally included 13 observational studies (8 cohort, 3 cross-sectional, and 2 case-control studies comprising 791,220 participants) in the meta-analysis. The risk of CVEs was increased 21% with the highest versus the lowest solid fuel use (highest/lowest, RRpooled = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.10-1.34). As for the subgroup analyses on study design, the pooled RR for cohort studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional studies were 1.11 (95%CI: 1.03-1.19), 4.80 (95%CI: 2.22-10.39), and 1.46 (95%CI: 0.82-2.62), respectively. The results of this study suggested that high solid fuel use was associated with increased CVE risk, and that reducing the use of solid fuel will be important for improving the health of the populations in developing countries.

PMID:34110043 | DOI:10.1111/ina.12867

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Estimating in vitro ruminal ammonia-N using multiple linear models and artificial neural networks based on the CNCPS nitrogenous fractions of cattle rations with low concentrate/roughage ratios

J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2021 Jun 10. doi: 10.1111/jpn.13588. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The objectives of this study were to investigate the relationship between the in vitro ruminal ammonia nitrogen (NH3 -N) concentration and the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) N-fractions of feeds for cattle and further compare the performance of developing multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural network (ANN) models in estimating the NH3 -N concentration in rumen fermentation. Two data sets were established, of which the training data set containing forty-five rations for cattle with concentrate/roughage ratios of 50:50, 40:60, 30:70, 20:80 and 10:90 used for developing models and the test data set containing ten other rations with the same concentrate/roughage ratios with the training data set were used for validating of models. The NH3 -N concentrations of feed samples were measured using an in vitro incubation technique. The CNCPS N-fractions (g), for example PB1 (rapidly degraded true protein), PB2 (neutral detergent soluble nitrogen), PB3 (acid detergent soluble nitrogen) of rations, were calculated based on chemical analysis. Statistical analysis indicated that the NH3 -N concentration (mg) was significantly correlated with the CNCPS N-fractions (g) PB1 , PB2 and PB3 in a multiple linear pattern: NH3 -N = (130.70±33.80) PB1 + (155.83±17.89) PB2 – (85.44±37.69) PB3 + (42.43±1.05), R2 = 0.77, p < 0.0001, n = 45. The results indicated that both MLR and ANN models were suitable for predicting in vitro NH3 -N concentration of rations using CNCPS N-fractions PB1 , PB2 , and PB3 as independent variables while the neural network model showed better performance in terms of greater r2 , CCC and lower RMSPE between the observed and predicted values.

PMID:34110053 | DOI:10.1111/jpn.13588

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Effect of depression awareness and management training on the attitudes of rural primary health care workers

Aust J Rural Health. 2021 Jun 10. doi: 10.1111/ajr.12685. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To measure the effect of depression awareness and management training on the attitudes of rural primary health care workers.

DESIGN: A repeated measures design in which participants acted as their own controls.

SETTING: The training program occurred in 6 locations across rural South Australia.

PARTICIPANTS: The study enrolled primary care workers in general practitioner surgeries, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, community health centres, public hospitals, regional health services and non-government organisations.

INTERVENTION: A six-session training workshop that was informed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines for the treatment and care of people with depression.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The 22-item Revised Depression Attitude Questionnaire comprised the main outcome measure. Participants were assessed 12 weeks before the training, again on the day of commencement of the training and after the training.

RESULTS: Seventy-two primary health workers completed the training program in depression awareness, building therapeutic relationships, working with ambivalence, and goal setting. Between the 2 pre-training assessments mean scores showed no significant difference. There were statistically significant improvements on the overall attitudes and the subscales therapeutic optimism and professional confidence between pre-training and post-training.

CONCLUSION: Training rural primary health care workers in depression may improve their attitudes to working with people living with depression.

PMID:34110058 | DOI:10.1111/ajr.12685

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Endometrial injury in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF)

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Jun 10;6:CD009517. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD009517.pub4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Implantation of an embryo within the endometrial cavity is a critical step in the process of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Previous research has suggested that endometrial injury (also known as endometrial scratching), defined as intentional damage to the endometrium, can increase the chance of pregnancy in women undergoing IVF.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and safety of endometrial injury performed before embryo transfer in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) including intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and frozen embryo transfer.

SEARCH METHODS: In June 2020 we searched the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, LILACS, DARE and two trial registries. We also checked the reference sections of relevant studies and contacted experts in the field for any additional trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials comparing intentional endometrial injury before embryo transfer in women undergoing IVF, versus no intervention or a sham procedure.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures recommended by Cochrane. Two independent review authors screened studies, evaluated risk of bias and assessed the certainty of the evidence by using GRADE (Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) criteria. We contacted and corresponded with study investigators as required. Due to the high risk of bias associated with many of the studies, the primary analyses of all review outcomes were restricted to studies at a low risk of bias for selection bias and other bias. Sensitivity analysis was then performed including all studies. The primary review outcomes were live birth and miscarriage.

MAIN RESULTS: Endometrial injury versus control (no procedure or a sham procedure) A total of 37 studies (8786 women) were included in this comparison. Most studies performed endometrial injury by pipelle biopsy in the luteal phase of the cycle before the IVF cycle. The primary analysis was restricted to studies at low risk of bias, and included eight studies. The effect of endometrial injury on live birth is unclear as the result is consistent with no effect, or a small reduction, or an improvement (odds ratio (OR) 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.98 to 1.28; participants = 4402; studies = 8; I2 = 15%, moderate-certainty evidence). This suggests that if the chance of live birth with IVF is usually 27%, then the chance when using endometrial injury would be somewhere between < 27% and 32%. Similarly, the effect of endometrial injury on clinical pregnancy is unclear (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.23; participants = 4402; studies = 8; I2 = 0%, moderate-certainty evidence). This suggests that if the chance of clinical pregnancy from IVF is normally 32%, then the chance when using endometrial injury before IVF is between 31% and 37%. When all studies were included in the sensitivity analysis, we were unable to conduct meta-analysis for the outcomes of live birth and clinical pregnancy due to high risk of bias and statistical heterogeneity. Endometrial injury probably results in little to no difference in chance of miscarriage (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.13; participants = 4402; studies = 8; I2 = 0%, moderate-certainty evidence), and this result was similar in the sensitivity analysis that included all studies. The result suggests that if the chance of miscarriage with IVF is usually 6.0%, then when using endometrial injury it would be somewhere between 4.2% and 6.8%. Endometrial injury was associated with mild to moderate pain (approximately 4 out of 10), and was generally associated with some minimal bleeding. The evidence was downgraded for imprecision due to wide confidence intervals and therefore all primary analyses were graded as moderate certainty. Higher versus lower degree of injury Only one small study was included in this comparison (participants = 129), which compared endometrial injury using two different instruments in the cycle prior to the IVF cycle: a pipelle catheter and a Shepard catheter. This trial was excluded from the primary analysis due to risk of bias. In the sensitivity analysis, all outcomes reported for this study were graded as very-low certainty due to risk of bias, and as such we were not able to interpret the study results.

AUTHORS’ CONCLUSIONS: The effect of endometrial injury on live birth and clinical pregnancy among women undergoing IVF is unclear. The results of the meta-analyses are consistent with an increased chance, no effect and a small reduction in these outcomes. We are therefore uncertain whether endometrial injury improves the chance of live birth or clinical pregnancy in women undergoing IVF. Endometrial injury does not appear to affect the chance of miscarriage. It is a somewhat painful procedure associated with a small amount of bleeding. In conclusion, current evidence does not support the routine use of endometrial injury for women undergoing IVF.

PMID:34110001 | DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD009517.pub4

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Development and validation of a stability-indicating UPLC method for the determination of Olmesartan Medoxomil, Amlodipine and Hydrochlorothiazide degradation impurities in their triple-combination dosage form using factorial design of experiments

Biomed Chromatogr. 2021 Jun 10:e5194. doi: 10.1002/bmc.5194. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The current work describes development and validation of a stability-indicating UPLC method for the determination of Olmesaratan Medoxomil (OLM), Amlodipine Besylate (AMB), Hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) and their degradation products in the triple-combination tablet dosage form. The separation was achieved using Zorbax Eclipse plus C8 RRHD (100mm x 3.0 mm), 1.8μm column with gradient elution of mobile phase-A containing 0.02M of sodium phosphate buffer (pH 3.35) and mobile phase B as acetonitrile and water (90:10, v/v). The detector signal was monitored at UV 250 nm. Analytical performance of the optimized UPLC method was validated as per ICH guidelines. The linearity ranges for OLM, AMB and HCT were 0.59-240 μg/mL, 0.30-60 μg/mL and 0.37-150 μg/mL respectively with correlation coefficients >0.999. The dosage form was subjected to forced-degradation conditions of neutral, acidic, and alkaline hydrolysis, oxidation, thermal and photo degradation. The method is proved to be stability-indicating by demonstrating the specificity of the drugs from degradation products. Robustness of the method was evaluated through 2-level, 3-factorial design with multivariate approach. Statistical data analysis with best model fit p-value<0.05 from ANOVA test indicated that the individual factors influence is relatively higher than the interaction effects. The method was for the analysis of drug product.

PMID:34110035 | DOI:10.1002/bmc.5194

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Feasibility of using tissue autolysis to estimate the postmortem interval in horses

J Vet Diagn Invest. 2021 Jun 10:10406387211021865. doi: 10.1177/10406387211021865. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is a poorly studied field in veterinary pathology. The development of field-applicable methods is needed given that animal cruelty investigations are increasing continually. We evaluated various histologic criteria in equine brain, liver, and muscle tissue to aid the estimation of PMI in horses, which is central to forensic investigations of suspicious death. After death, autolysis proceeds predictably, depending on environmental conditions. Currently, no field-applied methods exist that accurately estimate the PMI using histology in animals or humans through quantification of autolysis. Brain, liver, and skeletal muscle from 12 freshly euthanized horses were held at 22°C and 8°C for 72 h. Tissues were sampled at T0h, T1h, T2h, T4h, T6h, T12h, T24h, T36h, T48h, T60h, and T72h. For each tissue, we quantified 5 to 7 criteria associated with autolysis, based on the percentage of microscopic field involved. Each criterion was modeled, with temperature and time as independent variables. Changes were most predictable in liver and muscle over the first 72 h postmortem. The criteria for autolysis that were present most extensively at both temperatures were hepatocyte individualization and the separation of bile duct epithelium from the basement membrane. The changes that were present next most extensively were disruption of myofiber continuity, hypereosinophilia, and loss of striation. Brain changes were highly variable. The high statistical correlation between the parameter “autolysis” and the variables “time/temperature”, indicates that autolysis is progressive and predictable. Further investigation of these criteria is needed to establish histologic algorithms for PMI.

PMID:34109897 | DOI:10.1177/10406387211021865

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Dream content in different sleep disorders: sleep apnoea and hypopnoea syndrome, primary insomnia, idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder and narcolepsy type 1

Rev Neurol. 2021 Jun 16;72(12):411-418. doi: 10.33588/rn.7212.2020595.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The aim of this study is to determine whether there are any differences in the dream content in different sleep disorders and to describe their characteristics.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied four sleep disorders: sleep apnoea and hypopnoea syndrome (SAHS), primary insomnia (PI), idiopathic REM sleep behaviour disorder (IRBD) and narcolepsy type I. Each patient was asked to keep a dream diary for two weeks. The content of the diaries was transcribed and analysed for length, mental content, complexity and threat. The results were compared to establish differences.

RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients were studied: 23 with SAHS without continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) who had the highest number of dreams involving threats (32.5%); 19 with SAHS treated with CPAP who had the highest number of dreams involving objects (64.8%), descriptive elements (38%) and higher complexity (9.5%); 22 with primary insomnia who had the highest number of dreams with threatening events in the social sphere (57.7%); 12 with IRBD who had the highest number of dreams with failures (14%) and lower complexity (71.7%); and 13 with narcolepsy type I who had the highest number of dreams related to activities (84.3%) and threats to life (41.4%) These differences were statistically significant (p <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Different sleep disorders are associated with different dream contents, which would be translating different underlying neurological processes. These findings should be replicated in studies that analyse more patients and add a control group without sleep disorders.

PMID:34109996 | DOI:10.33588/rn.7212.2020595

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Variability of three activated clotting time point-of-care systems in cardiac surgery: reinforcing available evidence

Perfusion. 2021 Jun 10:2676591211023687. doi: 10.1177/02676591211023687. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation (ECC) requires the administration of anticoagulant drugs to maintain ACT ranges 400-600 seconds, which requires exhaustive coagulation monitoring for which various point-of-care devices are available. However, there is variability between them, so we aimed to compare the values in ACT measurement.

METHODS: Simultaneous ACT measurements were performed with the Hemochron Response®, Hemostasis Management System Plus® (HMS Plus®) and Hemochron Signature® systems.

RESULTS: A total of 255 simultaneous measurements were taken, the mean and standard deviation (SD) of each device were: Hemochron Signature® 361.1 seconds (SD: 156.9), HMS Plus® 412.8 seconds (SD: 180.9) and Hemochron Response® 422.8 seconds (SD: 187.9), being these differences statistically significant (Fridman’s test p < 0.01). For comparisons the Bland-Altman method was used, resulting the Hemochron Response® has 61.7 seconds higher mean values than the Hemochron Signature®, the Hemochron Response® 10 seconds higher than the HMS Plus® and the HMS Plus® 51.7 seconds higher than the Hemochron Signature®.

CONCLUSION: The differences found in comparisons are considered to be clinically relevant, which is why it is considered important to make the variability of the different monitoring systems known and to take them into account for optimal control of this parameter and its clinical repercussions.

PMID:34109886 | DOI:10.1177/02676591211023687

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Can probiotic supplements prevent early childhood caries? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Benef Microbes. 2021 Jun 10:1-8. doi: 10.3920/BM2021.0008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to explore the preventive effect of probiotic supplements on the development of early childhood caries (ECC). We searched the PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane databases up to January 15, 2021. The authors screened the hits independently for relevance, extracted outcome data and assessed the risk of bias. We performed a random effects meta-analysis to pool and compare the incidence of ECC in children assigned to test or placebo groups, respectively. The authors included nine randomised controlled trials published between 2001 and 2021, involving 2,363 preschool children. We assessed two publications with a moderate risk of bias and seven with high risk of bias. The median caries incidence in the probiotic test groups was 8.5% compared with 17.5% in the placebo groups and this difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). A pooled random effects meta-analysis on caries incidence on subject level showed a small but statistically significant risk difference in favour of the probiotic intervention (-0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.10, -0.00; P<0.05). The mean difference in caries increment on tooth/surface level was -0.57, (95% CI -0.91, -0.23; P<0.01). In conclusion, we demonstrated a small but statistically significant preventive effect of probiotic supplements on ECC. However, the certainty of this finding was low due to the risk of bias, heterogeneity and inconsistencies across the studies. Further long-term randomised controlled trials with low risk of bias are required in order to answer the research question with a higher certainty.

PMID:34109895 | DOI:10.3920/BM2021.0008

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

How GPs can Recognize Persistent Frequent Attenders at Finnish Primary Health Care Using Electronic Patient Records

J Prim Care Community Health. 2021 Jan-Dec;12:21501327211024417. doi: 10.1177/21501327211024417.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The proportion of patients who are frequent attenders (FAs) varies from few percent to almost 30% of all patients. A small group of patients continued to visit GPs year after year. In previous studies, it has been reported that over 15% of all 1-year FAs were persistent frequent attenders (pFAs).

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify typical features of pFAs from the textual content in their medical entries, which could help GPs to recognize pFAs easily and facilitated treatment.Methods: A retrospective register study was done, using 10 years of electronic patient records. The data were collected from Finnish primary health care centers and used to analyze chronic symptoms and diagnoses of pFAs and to calculate the inverse document frequency weight (IDF) of words used in the patient records. IDF was used to determine which words, if any, are typical for pFAs. The study group consisted of the 5-year pFAs and control group of 1-year FAs. The main background variables were age, gender, occupation, smoking habits, use of alcohol, and BMI.

RESULTS: Out of 4392 frequent attenders, 6.6% were pFAs for 3 years and 1.1% were pFAs for 5 years. Of the pFAs, 65% were female and 35% were male. The study group had significantly more depressive episodes (P = .004), heart failure (P = .019), asthma (P = .032), COPD (P = .036), epilepsy (P = .035), and lumbago (P = .046) compared to the control group. GPs described their 5-year pFAs by words related to lung and breathing issues, but there was no statistical difference to the 1-year FAs’ descriptions.

CONCLUSION: A typical pFA seems to be a woman, aged about 55 years with depressive episodes, asthma or COPD, and lower back pain. Physicians describe pFAs with ordinary words in patient records. It was not possible to differentiate pFAs from 1-year FAs in this way.

PMID:34109878 | DOI:10.1177/21501327211024417