Tag: pubmed

PLoS One. 2021 Jul 23;16(7):e0255141. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255141. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

The natural history of COVID-19 and predictors of mortality in older adults need to be investigated to inform clinical operations and healthcare policy planning. A retrospective study took place in 80 long-term nursing homes in Catalonia, Spain collecting data from March 1st to May 31st, 2020. Demographic and clinical data from 2,092 RT-PCR confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were registered, including structural characteristics of the facilities. Descriptive statistics to describe the demographic, clinical, and molecular characteristics of our sample were prepared, both overall and by their symptomatology was performed and an analysis of statistically significant bivariate differences and constructions of a logistic regression model were carried out to assess the relationship between variables. The incidence of the infection was 28%. 71% of the residents showed symptoms. Five major symptoms included: fever, dyspnea, dry cough, asthenia and diarrhea. Fever and dyspnea were by far the most frequent (50% and 28%, respectively). The presentation was predominantly acute and symptomatology persisted from days to weeks (mean 9.1 days, SD = 10,9). 16% of residents had confirmed pneumonia and 22% required hospitalization. The accumulated mortality rate was 21.75% (86% concentrated during the first 28 days at onset). A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a positive predictive value for mortality for some variables such as age, pneumonia, fever, dyspnea, stupor refusal to oral intake and dementia (p<0.01 for all variables). Results suggest that density in the nursing homes did not account for differences in the incidence of the infection within the facilities. This study provides insights into the natural history of the disease in older adults with high dependency living in long-term nursing homes during the first pandemic wave of March-May 2020 in the region of Catalonia, and suggests that some comorbidities and symptoms have a strong predictive value for mortality.

PMID:34297774 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0255141

PLoS One. 2021 Jul 23;16(7):e0255289. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255289. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

The objectives of this study were to identify the associated factors with cancerous and precancerous lesions of cervix. In Africa, the incidence of uterine cervical neoplasms varies from one region to another, where most women with uterine cervical neoplasms are seen at an advanced stage. For this reason, uterine cervical neoplasms mass screening reduces the incidence and mortality due to this disease, similar to what is being done in Europe. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted. Socio-demographic characteristics, gynaecological-obstetrical history, risk factors, data from visual inspection with acetic acid and visual inspection with Lugol, colposcopy impressions and results of cytological analysis were performed. A simple and multiple regression were performed to establish a statistically significant difference between certain factors and the presence of precancerous or cancerous lesions of uterine cervical. In this study, of 63 women diagnosed histologically, 43 had precancerous lesions and 20 had cancerous lesions. we found that being older than 35, having the first intercourse before 18, having an antecedent of STI, being a widow and using of tobacco were risk factors associated with precancerous lesions (p = 0.013 with OR = 3.44 (1.22-9.73), p = 0.009 with OR = 4.07 (1.69-13.08), p < 0.001 with OR = 3.80 (1.94-7.47), p < 0.001 with OR = 9.77 (3.87-24.70) and p < 0.001 with OR = 5.47 (2.60-11.52)) respectively. Only being older than 45, being a widow and using tobacco were risk factors associated with cancerous lesions (p = 0.021 with OR = 2.01 (1.58-3.56), p = 0.02 with OR = 2.96 (2.10-3.87), p = 0.041 with OR = 1.98 (1.46-2.44)) respectively. Among participants diagnosed with uterine cervical neoplasms, there was a significant association with the STI, marital status and smoking. Despite the integration of the detection of precancerous uterine cervical neoplasms lesions into health facilities in Gabon, uterine cervical neoplasms ranks second among women’s cancers in terms of incidence and first in terms of mortality.

PMID:34297784 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0255289

PLoS One. 2021 Jul 23;16(7):e0254788. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254788. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

Despite the extreme morphological variability of the canine species, data on limb development are limited and the time windows for the appearance of the limb ossification centres (OCs) reported in veterinary textbooks, considered universally valid for all dogs, are based on dated studies. The aim of this study was to acquire up-to-date information regarding the arm, forearm and leg bone development in skeletally-immature large-sized dogs from 6 weeks to 16 weeks of age. Nine litters of 5 large-sized breeds (Boxer, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Saarloos Wolfdog, White Swiss Shepherd Dog) were included, for a total of 54 dogs, which were subject to radiographic examination on a bi-weekly basis. The appearance of 18 limb OCs was recorded and 14 radiographic measurements were performed; their relationship with age and body weight was investigated and any breed differences were analysed using different statistical non-parametric tests. The number of OCs present was significantly different at 6 and 8 weeks of age between the investigated breeds. The appearance of the OCs occurred earlier in the Saarloos Wolfdog, while the Labrador Retriever was the later breed. In Boxers and Labrador Retrievers, various OCs showed a delayed appearance compared to the data reported in the literature. The number of OCs was strongly and positively correlated to body weight. Breed differences were also observed in the relative increase of the measured OCs and were not limited to dogs of different morphotypes. Statistically significant differences were most frequently observed between Saarloos Wolfdogs and the other breeds. The OCs that showed a greater variability in their development were the olecranon tuber, the patella and the tibial tuberosity. Their increase was more strongly correlated with the dog’s age and body weight. Our data strongly suggest that differences in limb development exist in dog breeds of similar size and morphotype.

PMID:34297750 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0254788

PLoS One. 2021 Jul 23;16(7):e0255093. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255093. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Following testing in clinical trials, the use of remdesivir for treatment of COVID-19 has been authorized for use in parts of the world, including the USA and Europe. Early authorizations were largely based on results from two clinical trials. A third study published by Wang et al. was underpowered and deemed inconclusive. Although regulators have shown an interest in interpreting the Wang et al. study, under a frequentist framework it is difficult to determine if the non-significant finding was caused by a lack of power or by the absence of an effect. Bayesian hypothesis testing does allow for quantification of evidence in favor of the absence of an effect.

FINDINGS: Results of our Bayesian reanalysis of the three trials show ambiguous evidence for the primary outcome of clinical improvement and moderate evidence against the secondary outcome of decreased mortality rate. Additional analyses of three studies published after initial marketing approval support these findings.

CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that regulatory bodies take all available evidence into account for endorsement decisions. A Bayesian approach can be beneficial, in particular in case of statistically non-significant results. This is especially pressing when limited clinical efficacy data is available.

PMID:34297766 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0255093

PLoS One. 2021 Jul 23;16(7):e0255064. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255064. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Plantar fasciitis is one of the common foot complaints that is chronic and can induce dysfunction. Total contact insole (TCI) is simple but effective in treating plantar fasciitis. Despite its effect, the cost and long duration for production have been the major flaws. Therefore, we developed a newly designed three-spike insole (TSI) that can be commercially productive and compared its clinical outcomes to TCI.

METHODS: Patients with plantar fasciitis refractory to conservative treatment for more than 6 weeks were candidates. We produced insoles with hardness of 58 ± 5 Shore-A. Twenty-eight patients were randomized with equal allocation to either TSI or TCI. The following assessment tools were used: visual analog scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle score, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score, Karlsson-Peterson (KP) score, Short Form-36 for quality of life, and Foot Function Index. Non-inferiority was declared if VAS was within the statistical variability of minimal important difference. A blinded assessor evaluated the groups at baseline and after 6, 12, and 24 weeks.

RESULTS: The groups were homogenous for majority of variables at baseline. Overall patient-reported satisfaction showed improvement from mean 5.2 (range, 1-12) weeks of wearing and all clinical outcome scores showed significant improvements in both groups over time on Friedman test (p ≤.032). TSI showed non-inferiority to TCI at each time point. Post hoc analysis revealed that many scales showed significant superiority of TSI at 3 month (p ≤.008) and KP score at 6 month (p < .001).

CONCLUSION: We reaffirmed that semi-rigid insole is effective in refractory plantar fasciitis and showed TSI restores pedal function more rapidly than TCI. TSI can be not only effective in deriving better clinical outcomes but also be manufactured for popularization to lower the price and producing time of orthosis.

PMID:34297721 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0255064

PLoS One. 2021 Jul 23;16(7):e0249587. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249587. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

Cryptic and hybridizing species may lack diagnostic taxonomic characters leaving researchers with semi-diagnostic ones. Identification based on such characters is probabilistic, the probability of correct identification depending on the species composition in a mixed population. Here we test the possibilities of applying a semi-diagnostic conchological character for distinguishing two cryptic species of blue mussels, Mytilus edulis and M. trossulus. These ecologically, stratigraphically and economically important molluscs co-occur and hybridize in many areas of the North Atlantic and the neighboring Arctic. Any cues for distinguishing them in sympatry without genotyping would save much research effort. Recently these species have been shown to statistically differ in the White Sea, where a simple character of the shell was used to distinguish two mussel morphotypes. In this paper, we analyzed the associations between morphotypes and species-specific genotypes based on an abundant material from the waters of the Kola Peninsula (White Sea, Barents Sea) and a more limited material from Norway, the Baltic Sea, Scotland and the Gulf of Maine. The performance of the “morphotype test” for species identification was formally evaluated using approaches from evidence-based medicine. Interspecific differences in the morphotype frequencies were ubiquitous and unidirectional, but their scale varied geographically (from 75% in the White Sea to 15% in the Baltic Sea). In addition, salinity-related variation of this character within M. edulis was revealed in the Arctic Barents Sea. For every studied region, we established relationships between the proportions of the morphotypes in the populations as well as between the proportions of the morphotypes in samples and the probabilities of mussels of different morphotypes being M. trossulus and M. edulis. We provide recommendations for the application of the morphotype test to mussels from unstudied contact zones and note that they may apply equally well to other taxa identified by semi-diagnostic traits.

PMID:34297723 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0249587

Healthc Q. 2021 Jul;24(2):1-2. doi: 10.12927/hcq.2021.26554.

ABSTRACT

This issue of Healthcare Quarterly includes instructive research results, statistical analyses and case-study insights within and without the COVID-19 context. It also strikes a highly humanistic tone, a reminder that relationships are at the core of healthcare and that providing and receiving healthcare are profoundly personal and consequential. Organizing, running and resourcing healthcare require strong interpersonal and collective connections, shared accountabilities and agreement on goals that aim for a coherent, continuously improving health system and a safe, fair and caring place to work and heal.

PMID:34297655 | DOI:10.12927/hcq.2021.26554

Psicothema. 2021 Aug;33(3):378-385. doi: 10.7334/psicothema2021.24.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: I review some key developments in the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) model from the 1940s to the present day with Yela as the reference point.

METHOD: The study is organized in three parts. The first part (until 1950) discusses EFA during Yela&rsquo;s formative years. The second part reviews the evolution of the model from Yela&rsquo;s return to Spain to the end of the century: the development of factor analysis (FA) as a statistical method, and the advent, and unstoppable rise, of the confirmatory model. An interlude follows in which some key problems are discussed. The third part discusses the resurgence of the model in the 21st century and the advances made in this period. I end by discussing the current situation in the field.

DISCUSSION: I discuss the validity of Yela&rsquo;s views regarding FA, and criticise how technical and instrumental developments have favoured, in most cases, mindless applications of the technique in which the substantive and design aspects of the research are grossly neglected.

CONCLUSIONS: Although new technical developments are still needed, EFA is finally at par with any structural model. So, its time again to give importance to what is really important: the design and the substantive aspects.

PMID:34297667 | DOI:10.7334/psicothema2021.24

Nanotoxicology. 2021 Jul 23:1-10. doi: 10.1080/17435390.2021.1951387. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Quantitative structure-property/activity relationships (QSPRs/QSARs) are an important component of modern science. Validation of the QSPR/QSAR is the basis for applying. The system of self-consistent models is a new approach to validate QSPR/QSAR. The principle ‘QSAR is a random event’ means that an approach may be recognized as robust only if the statistical characteristics of models obtained by this approach for different splits (training/test) are reproduced. The above principle applies to the case of the nano-QSAR, also. Here, the cellular uptake of nanoparticles in pancreatic cancer cells examines as the endpoint. Groups of models for different splits (training/test) are compared. This comparison gives the possibility to formulate the system of self-consistent models as a way to assess the predictive potential for an arbitrary QSPR/QSAR and/or nano-QSPR/QSAR. The correlation intensity index (CII) has been tested as a tool to improve the quality of models for the cellular uptake of nanoparticles in pancreatic cancer cells (PaCa2). It has shown, that the CII can be useful, but only incorporating with the Index of ideality of correlation (IIC).

PMID:34297644 | DOI:10.1080/17435390.2021.1951387

Scand J Occup Ther. 2021 Jul 23:1-15. doi: 10.1080/11038128.2021.1954997. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The Clinical Assessment of Modes questionnaires (CAMQs) determine clients’ preferential modes for therapy (CAM-C1), clients’ perception of modes used by the occupational therapist (OTs) during therapy (CAM-C2), or modes the OTs believed to have used (CAM-T). Access to valid CAMQs for Danish OTs and clients required a rigorous translation and cultural adaptation process.

OBJECTIVES: To translate and culturally adapt the CAMQs into Danish, examining face validity in a Danish context.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 10-step guideline for the process of translating and culturally adapting questionnaires was followed. Steps 1-6 included translation into Danish, steps 7-8 involved cognitive debriefing interviews and validation based on the Content Validity Index (CVI) analyzed using Kappa statistics. Steps 9-10 finalized the process.

RESULTS: CAMQs were translated into Danish. Based on cognitive debriefing interviews and CVIs involving 15 clients and 7 OTs, modifications regarding titles, layouts, instructions, wording and response categories were performed in all Danish CAMQs. The Item CVI and the modified kappa revealed that most participants had a high level of agreement on the cultural relevance.

CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Translated versions of the CAMQs have been culturally adapted into Danish. The current Danish versions seem culturally relevant and useable in Danish occupational therapy.

PMID:34297636 | DOI:10.1080/11038128.2021.1954997