Tag: statistics

Environ Pollut. 2023 Aug 26:122465. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122465. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The estimated health effects of air pollution vary between studies, and this variation is caused by factors associated with the study location, hereafter termed regional heterogeneity. This heterogeneity raises a methodological question as to which studies should be used to estimate risks in a specific region in a health impact assessment. Should one use all studies across the world, or only those in the region of interest? The current study provides novel insight into this question in two ways. Firstly, it presents an up-to-date analysis examining the magnitude of continent-level regional heterogeneity in the short-term health effects of air pollution, using a database of studies collected by Orellano et al. (2020). Secondly, it provides in-depth simulation analyses examining whether existing meta-analyses are likely to be underpowered to identify statistically significant regional heterogeneity, as well as evaluating which meta-analytic technique is best for estimating region-specific estimates. The techniques considered include global and continent-specific (sub-group) random effects meta-analysis and meta-regression, with omnibus statistical tests used to quantify regional heterogeneity. We find statistically significant regional heterogeneity for 4 of the 8 pollutant-outcome pairs considered, comprising NO₂, O₃ and PM_2.5 with all-cause mortality, and PM_2.5 with cardiovascular mortality. From the simulation analysis statistically significant regional heterogeneity is more likely to be identified as the number of studies increases (between 3 and 30 in each region were considered), between region heterogeneity increases and within region heterogeneity decreases. Finally, while a sub-group analysis using Cochran’s Q test has a higher median power (0.71) than a test based on the moderators’ coefficients from meta-regression (0.59) to identify regional heterogeneity, it also has an inflated type-1 error leading to more false positives (median errors of 0.15 compared to 0.09).

PMID:37640226 | DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122465

Chemosphere. 2023 Aug 26:139956. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139956. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The incorrect disposal of textile dyes, such as Reactive Black 5 (RB5), causes several problems for living beings and the quality of the environment. Nanobiocomposites (NBC) produced from endophytic fungi (potentially remediation dyes-agents) and magnetic nanoparticles have high biotechnological potential due to their superparamagnetic behavior, which would allow their recovery through the magnetic field after the bioremediation process. This work aimed to obtain a new nanobiocomposite from the interaction of magnetite nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) with the endophyte Aspergillus flavus (Af-CL-7) to evaluate its bioremediation capacity and to reduce the toxicity of RB5 and its reuse. Before obtaining the NBC, Af-CL-7 showed discoloration of RB5 and it was tolerant to all tested concentrations of this dye. The discovery of the nanobiocomposite textile dye bioremediator product presents a significant environmental advantage by addressing the issue of water pollution caused by textile dyes. The NBC called Af-Fe₃O₄ was successfully obtained with the magnetized endophyte, and their magnetic properties were verified by VSM analysis and by action of magnetic fields generated by Nd-Fe-B magnets SEM analyzes showed that the nanoparticles did not cause any damage to the hypha morphology, and TEM analyzes confirmed the presence of nanoparticles in the fungus wall and also inside the cell. The NBC Af-Fe₃O₄ and Af-CL-7 showed, respectively, 96.1% and 92.2% of RB5 discoloration in the first use, 91.1% e 86.2% of discoloration in the validation test, and 89.0% in NBC reuse. In the toxicological bioassay with Lactuca sativa seeds, NBC showed a positive reduction in the toxicity of RB5 after treatment, allowing the hypocotyl growth to be statistically similar to the control with water. Thus, we highlight the promising obtaining process of NBC that could be applied in bioremediation of contaminated waters, wherein the industrial economic cost will depend on the fermentation efficiency, biomass production and nanoparticle synthesis.

PMID:37640209 | DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139956

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2023 Aug 27:103766. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103766. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, macular thickness, ganglion cell layer thickness, and inner plexiform layer thickness determined by Optic Coherence Tomography in the patient group diagnosed with a generalized anxiety disorder who did not receive any psychiatric medication with the healthy control group.

METHODS: Forty newly diagnosed, drug-free Generalized Anxiety Disorder patients and 43 healthy age- and gender-matched control subjects were included in the study. Macular thickness, ganglion cell layer thickness, inner plexiform layer thickness, and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were measured using optical coherence tomography. Structured Clinical Interviews and a state-trait anxiety scale were applied to both groups.

RESULTS: Gender distributions (P=0.965) and mean ages were similar between the groups (P=0.340). Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurements were not significantly different between the groups. We observed statistically significant thinning in the inner superior, inner nasal, inner temporal, inner inferior, and outer inferior quadrants of the macula in the patient group compared to the control group (P=0.046, P=0.046, P=0.020, P=0.007, P=0.014) in the patient group. We found thinning at the Ganglion cell layer in the inner inferior and outer temporal quadrants (Respectively P=0.018, P=0.049), inner plexiform layer in the inner nasal, inner temporal, and inner inferior quadrants (Respectively P=0.046, P=0.044, P=0.011) compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to reveal thinning in the macula, ganglion cell layer, and inner plexiform layer in newly diagnosed, drug-free Generalized Anxiety Disorder patients compared to the control group.

PMID:37640207 | DOI:10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103766

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2023 Aug 26:103774. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103774. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term effect of systemic sclerosis on the optic disc and retinal capillary network and to see whether the drugs used in the treatment of SSc affected optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional case-control study included 40 systemic sclerosis patients and 40 healthy individuals. We included only one eye of each patient in the study. Macular layers and angiography scanning were performed with a Zeiss Cirrus 5000 OCTA system. Such values as macular thickness, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) were obtained. For central vessel and perfusion density (VD, PD), central 6 mm were obtained and were evaluated by dividing it into 3 groups as inner, outer, and full. The FAZ was evaluated through 3 parameters: area, perimeter, circularity index.

RESULTS: Statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the mean and foveal macular thickness values (p=0.008, p=0.033). Significant differences were also found between the two groups in terms of the VD and PD parameters in all regions except for 1 mm center (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in RNFL and GC-IPL values between two groups. Also, a positive correlation was observed between parapapillary perfusion density values and RNFL and GC-IPL thicknesses in SSc group. When the subgroups were compared in terms of vasodilator drug use, the subgroup using vasodilators was seen to have higher mean RNFL and inferior RNFL thicknesses (p=0.045 and p=0.035, respectively). In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between parapapillary VD and RNFL values in the SSc subgroup treated with vasodilators.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate microvascular loss in individuals with systemic sclerosis, compared with healthy subjects. Also, it has been determined that OCTA is an important test for screening retinal and optic disc microvascular changes over time in cases of systemic sclerosis and may be used to evaluate the response to vasodilator drugs used in the treatment of SSc disease.

PMID:37640203 | DOI:10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103774

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2023 Aug 26:103771. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103771. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Investigation of the effects of conventional strabismus surgeries on corneal densitometry (CD).

METHODS: Patients who had strabismus surgery between May 2022 and July 2022 were included in the study. CD software with a Pentacam device was used to determine corneal backward light scattering. CD data were analysed preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively. Patients were classified as those who had single muscle and two-muscle surgery.

RESULTS: The study included 33 eyes of 28 patients. The mean age of the patients was 20.51±8.22 (5-35) years. Of the eyes, 19 underwent single muscle recession surgery. Two-muscle surgeries (recession and resection combination) were performed in 14 eyes. In the 1st month postoperative, the mean CD value decreased statistically significantly only in the total cornea apical 0-2 mm zone among the layers examined (p = 0.039). There was no significant change in the other layers (p > 0.05 for all). Single-muscle and two-muscle surgery groups were similar in the amount of CD reduction, except for one layer.

CONCLUSIONS: CD did not change in most of the corneal layers examined in the first month postoperatively. Single muscle and two-muscle horizontal rectus surgeries did not impair corneal clarity in the postoperative 1st month.

PMID:37640202 | DOI:10.1016/j.pdpdt.2023.103771

J Food Prot. 2023 Aug 26:100154. doi: 10.1016/j.jfp.2023.100154. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to determine the persistence of Salmonella Javiana, Listeria monocytogenes, and Listeria innocua in non-sterile, hydroponic nutrient solution (NS) at 15, 25, 30, and 37°C over a 21-day period to mimic time from seedling to mature lettuce. Bacteria were inoculated in modified Hoagland’s NS at 10⁶ CFU/ml and maintained at 15, 25, 30, and 37°C. Samples were collected at various time points, and bacteria were quantified. A mixed model was used to determine the effect of bacteria type, time (day), and temperature on bacteria concentration (log CFU/ml). The least-squares means were calculated to compare the mean log CFU/ml, and mean values were compared with Tukey-Kramer honest significant difference test with a significance level of P=0.05. Statistical analysis indicated that a 3-way interaction effect between temperature, time, and bacteria type had a significant impact on bacterial persistence in NS (P<0.0001). At all temperatures, S. Javiana persisted in NS throughout the 21-day study period, compared to L. innocua and L. monocytogenes where persistence was limited to between 1 and 14 days. Similarly, decimal reduction values (D-values) of S. Javiana indicated longer persistence in NS than L. innocua and L. monocytogenes at most temperatures. For instance, at 15°C and 25°C, D-values for S. Javiana were estimated at 82 and 26 d, respectively, compared to D-values of 3.6 and ∼3 d for L. monocytogenes. Data indicate that temperature of NS has a differential effect on the persistence of S. Javiana and Listeria spp. This study furthers the understanding of potential food safety risks associated with hydroponic systems and will contribute to refinement of further studies to aid in development of operation specific risk profiles.

PMID:37640157 | DOI:10.1016/j.jfp.2023.100154

Theor Popul Biol. 2023 Aug 26:S0040-5809(23)00057-6. doi: 10.1016/j.tpb.2023.08.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Parentage exclusion probability is usually calculated to evaluate the informativeness of a set of markers for, and the statistical power of, a parentage analysis. Equations for parentage exclusion probability have been derived in various scenarios such as paternity exclusion when maternity is known or unknown or when candidate males are unrelated or loosely related (being from the same subpopulation) to the father. All previous work assumes a diploid species. Although marker-based parentage analyses have been conducted in haploidiploid species (such as ants, bees and wasps) for diploid offspring at the individual level or haploid offspring at the class level, rigorously derived formulations of parentage exclusion probability for haploid offspring at the individual level are lacking, which prevents the precise evaluation of the informativeness for and the statistical power of a parentage analysis. In this study we derive equations for the exclusion probability of maternity of a haploid male when multiple mother candidates (workers or queens) are unrelated or fullsibs to the mother. The usefulness of the equations is exemplified by numerical examples, and the results are discussed in the context of the study of worker reproductivity in eusocial haplodiploid species. The results are especially valuable for an optimal experimental design in determining sampling intensities (e.g. number of markers and number of individuals) to achieve satisfactory statistical power of a parentage analysis in investigating workers’ reproductivity in eusocial haplodiploid species.

PMID:37640113 | DOI:10.1016/j.tpb.2023.08.002

Am J Clin Nutr. 2023 Aug 26:S0002-9165(23)66112-X. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.08.014. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In Greece, nearly a third of savoury baked goods (SBGs) exceeded the limit of 2g of non-ruminant or industrial trans fatty acids (i-TFA) per 100g fat in 2015. The impact of the Commission Regulation (European Union (EU)) 2019/649 on exposure to trans fatty acids (TFA), i-TFA and saturated fatty acid (SFA) from SBGs has not been previously evaluated.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to explore fatty acid reformulation of SBG products and assess differences in TFA, i-TFA and SFA intakes using a sample of Greek SBG consumers from a nationally representative survey.

METHODS: In 2021, 140 samples of SBGs were collected in the greater metropolitan area of Athens, and their fat profile and content was compared to those from 2015. Based on these measurements, food consumption substitution models were employed to examine TFA and SFA intake differences, and the percent contribution from SBG among consumers was calculated (N=1008). Nutrient densities were calculated by adjusting all fat intakes by individual mean energy intake (% of daily total energy intake).

RESULTS: The 2% i-TFA legislative limit per 100 gr of fat in measured SBG’s was exceeded by 11.4% in 2021 compared to 31.1% in 2015 (19.7% increase in compliance). Median i-TFA and TFA intakes from SBGs were reduced from 0.05 (0.01, 0.12) % and 0.13 (0.03, 0.27) % in 2015 to 0.03 (0.01, 0.09) and 0.06 (0.03, 0.13) % in 2021, respectively. In terms of SFA, a mean increase per 100 gr was calculated, resulting to an increased intake in 2021 compared to 2015 [5.18% (2.78, 8.37) and 3.55 (1.99, 5.73), respectively].

CONCLUSIONS: Despite the reductions seen in i-TFA content of SBGs, food product reformulation efforts in Greece should focus not only on TFA content but also on SFA reduction to improve public health.

PMID:37640108 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.08.014

Am J Clin Nutr. 2023 Aug 26:S0002-9165(23)66108-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.08.010. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests that higher folate intake is associated with a decreased colorectal cancer (CRC) risk; however, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are not fully understood. Genetic variation that may have a direct or indirect impact on folate metabolism can provide insights into folate’s role in CRC.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to perform a genome-wide interaction analysis to identify genetic variants that may modify the association of folate on CRC risk.

METHODS: We applied traditional case-control logistic regression, joint 3-degree of freedom (3DF), and a two-step weighted hypothesis approach to test the interactions of common variants (allele frequency >1%) across the genome and dietary folate, folic acid supplement use, and total folate in relation to risk of CRC, in 30,550 cases and 42,336 controls from 51 studies from 3 genetic consortia (CCFR, CORECT, GECCO).

RESULTS: Inverse associations of dietary, total folate, and folic acid supplement with CRC were found [odds ratio: 0.93 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.90-0.96), and 0.91 (0.89-0.94) per quartile higher intake, and 0.82 (0.78-0.88) for users vs. non-users, respectively]. Interactions (P-interaction <5×10^-8) of folic acid supplement and variants in the 3p25.2 locus [in the region of Synapsin II (SYN2)/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 4 (TIMP4)] were found using the traditional interaction analysis, with variant rs150924902 (located upstream to SYN2) showing the strongest interaction. In stratified analyses by rs150924902 genotypes, folate supplement was associated with decreased CRC risk among those carrying the TT genotype (OR = 0.82; 95%CI: 0.79-0.86) but increased CRC risk among those carrying the TA genotype (OR = 1.63; 95%CI: 1.29-2.05), suggesting a qualitative interaction (P-interaction = 1.4×10^-8). No interactions were observed for dietary and total folate.

CONCLUSIONS: Variation in 3p25.2 locus may modify the association of folate supplement with CRC risk. Experimental studies and studies incorporating other relevant -omics data are warranted to validate this finding.

PMID:37640106 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.08.010

J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2023 Aug 26:S1051-0443(23)00641-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2023.08.029. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To characterize the safety, efficacy, and potential role of genicular artery embolization (GAE) as a disease-modifying treatment for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an interim analysis of a prospective, single-arm clinical trial of patients with symptomatic knee OA who failed conservative therapy for greater than 3 months. Sixteen patients who underwent GAE using 250 μg microspheres and had at least 1 month of follow-up were included. Six subjects completed the 12-month follow-up, and ten subjects remain enrolled. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) was evaluated at baseline, 1, 3, and 12 months. Serum and plasma samples were collected for biomarker analysis. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients who achieved the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for WOMAC pain score at 12 months. Baseline and follow-up outcomes were analyzed using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test.

RESULTS: Technical success of the procedure was 100%, with no major adverse events. The MCID was achieved in 5/6 (83%) patients at 12 months. The mean WOMAC pain score decreased from 8.6 ± 2.7 at baseline to 4.9 ± 2.7 (P=0.001), 4.4 ± 2.8 (P<0.001), and 4.7 ± 2.7 (P=0.094) at 1, 3, and 12 months, respectively. There was a statistically significant decrease in nerve growth factor (NGF) levels at 12 months. The remaining 8 biomarkers showed no significant change at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS: GAE is a safe and efficacious treatment for symptomatic knee OA. Decreased NGF levels following GAE may contribute to pain reduction and slowing of cartilage degeneration.

PMID:37640104 | DOI:10.1016/j.jvir.2023.08.029