Tag: statistics

Tunis Med. 2025 Feb 5;103(2):217-224. doi: 10.62438/tunismed.v103i2.5318.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: There are no clear data on the incidence and predictors of arterial and venous thromboembolic (TE) events in COVID-19 ambulatory patients.

AIM: We conducted this study to analyze thromboembolic complications in this setting and to compare the efficacy and safety of Rivaroxaban to LMWHs as a thromboprophylaxis treatment.

METHODS: This is an observational study including COVID-19 patients treated on an outpatient basis. We analysed the predictors of thromboembolic events.

RESULTS: We included 2089 patients with COVID19 managed on an outpatient basis during the period from October 01, 2020 to December 31, 2021. The mean age of our patients was 43±16 years. The incidence of venous and arterial TE complications was 0.9%. Predictive factors for arteriovenous thromboembolic complications were hormonal contraception (OR=23), moderate clinical form (OR=3.5), recent surgery or miscarriage in the month preceding COVID-19 (OR=9.2) and CT signs of COVID-19 (OR=4.9). In contrast, physical activity proved to be a protective factor. Thromboprophylaxis was prescribed in 22.5% of cases: LMWH in 18.1%, Rivaroxaban in 3.7% and a combination of the two molecules successively in 0.6% of patients. There was no statistical difference in thromboembolic or major bleeding complications between the Rivaroxaban and LMWH groups.

CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the incidence of thromboembolic complications is very low in Covid-19 ambulatory patients.

PMID:40096722 | DOI:10.62438/tunismed.v103i2.5318

J Pediatr Psychol. 2025 Mar 17:jsaf010. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsaf010. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To inform and improve future program development, particularly with economically marginalized families, this study aimed to examine the acceptance and satisfaction of a mindfulness-based healthy eating and stress management program among participating parents and daycare teachers in a pilot trial.

METHODS: A mixed-methods study was conducted to evaluate a 14-week mindfulness-based program implemented with 107 English-speaking Head Start children (ages 3-5 years) and their parents. The program included a school-based mindful eating curriculum, a home-based parent component to promote mindful eating and reduce parental stress, and a bridging activity connecting home practice with school learning. Quantitative evaluation data were collected from 84 parents (Mage = 30.12 years) and 12 teachers (Mage = 43.92 years) via Qualtrics. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 parents (Mage = 31.55 years). Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyze data.

RESULTS: Both quantitative (95.2%) and qualitative data demonstrated overall satisfaction with the entire program. About 83%-92% of teachers and 85% of parents considered the school-based curriculum to be satisfactory and acceptable. About 88%-100% of parents were satisfied with the Facebook private group and parent meetings. Approximately 91% of parents found the child letters helpful in connecting and translating school learning into mindful practices at home.

CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate high levels of acceptance and satisfaction with the mindfulness-based program among economically marginalized families and daycare teachers. Findings provide several key implications for future interventions to incorporate a mindful eating curriculum into daycare routines, proactively connect home practices with school learning to enhance the interactive influence between children and parents, and form a virtual peer support community through social media platforms and group meetings.

PMID:40096702 | DOI:10.1093/jpepsy/jsaf010

PLoS Comput Biol. 2025 Mar 17;21(3):e1012830. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012830. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

The ability to process visual stimuli rich with motion represents an essential skill for animal survival and is largely already present at the onset of vision. Although the exact mechanisms underlying its maturation remain elusive, spontaneous activity patterns in the retina, known as retinal waves, have been shown to contribute to this developmental process. Retinal waves exhibit complex spatio-temporal statistics and contribute to the establishment of circuit connectivity and function in the visual system, including the formation of retinotopic maps and the refinement of receptive fields in downstream areas such as the thalamus and visual cortex. Recent work in mice has shown that retinal waves have statistical features matching those of natural visual stimuli, such as optic flow, suggesting that they could prime the visual system for motion processing upon vision onset. Motivated by these findings, we examined whether artificial neural network (ANN) models trained on natural movies show improved performance if pre-trained with retinal waves. We employed the spatio-temporally complex task of next-frame prediction, in which the ANN was trained to predict the next frame based on preceding input frames of a movie. We found that pre-training ANNs with retinal waves enhances the processing of real-world visual stimuli and accelerates learning. Strikingly, when we merely replaced the initial training epochs on naturalistic stimuli with retinal waves, keeping the total training time the same, we still found that an ANN trained on retinal waves temporarily outperforms one trained solely on natural movies. Similar to observations made in biological systems, we also found that pre-training with spontaneous activity refines the receptive field of ANN neurons. Overall, our work sheds light on the functional role of spatio-temporally patterned spontaneous activity in the processing of motion in natural scenes, suggesting it acts as a training signal to prepare the developing visual system for adult visual processing.

PMID:40096645 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012830

J Craniofac Surg. 2025 Mar 17. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000011247. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In this study, the authors proposed to determine the superiority or inferiority of the 3D fixation method and 2 miniplate fixation methods in mandibular angle fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a 3D curved angle strut plate and 2 miniplates in mandibular angle fracture fixation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 3-dimension curved angle strut plate versus 2 miniplates in mandibular angle fracture fixation. Sixteen patients requiring internal fixation of the mandibular angle fractures divided into 2 groups 8 in each group, group I was treated with using 3D curved angle strut plate. Group II was treated using two 2-mm miniplates. The results of this study suggested that there are statistically significant in time elapsed between plate adaptation and definitive fixation (min) between 2 groups. The 3D curved angle plate has relatively few or no postoperative complications compared with other techniques.

PMID:40096592 | DOI:10.1097/SCS.0000000000011247

J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2025 Mar 14;9(3). doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-25-00028. eCollection 2025 Mar 1.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Asynchronous telemedicine has emerged as a promising tool for increasing access to care and triaging patients for evaluation in clinic. However, the role of asynchronous telemedicine in the delivery of orthopaedic oncologic care has yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate response time for these electronic consults and characterize their triage outcomes.

METHODS: Two hundred sixty-eight patients whose clinical data were reviewed using asynchronous telemedicine by an orthopaedic oncologist at a tertiary academic medical center from May 2020 to August 2023 were retrospectively identified. Demographic and clinical information, response time to consult, and triage outcome were collected and reported with descriptive statistics. Response time to asynchronous consults was compared with wait time for patients referred directly for a synchronous telehealth appointment using the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS: Most patients (71.6%) live more than 100 miles from the clinic. After initial asynchronous review, 131 patients (48.9%) were invited to schedule an in-person appointment, 42 (15.7%) of whom eventually underwent biopsy or surgery. Nonsurgical follow-up with repeat imaging in the future was recommended for 72 patients (26.9%). As-needed follow-up was suggested for 65 patients (24.2%). The average response time to asynchronous consult was 6.9 days (median 4.0, SD 7.9 days) compared with wait time of 17.0 days (median 13.0, SD 17.9 days) for synchronous telehealth visit (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Asynchronous telemedicine can expedite triage of orthopaedic oncology patients and reduce unnecessary in-person visits, which may be particularly beneficial for those seeking care from far distances. Additional studies are needed to assess clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction with this approach to care delivery.

PMID:40096577 | DOI:10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-25-00028

J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2025 Mar 14;9(3). doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-24-00390. eCollection 2025 Mar 1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Achilles tendon rupture treatment has changed substantially in the past decade, with an evolution toward less-invasive techniques and more convenient patient positioning. This review aims to report on the 1-year clinical outcomes of a medially based, mini-open, supine, Achilles tendon repair technique.

METHODS: In this retrospective review, all patients who underwent surgical management of an Achilles tendon rupture were included and analyzed based on approach, including (1) standard open prone technique, (2) mini-open repair, prone, and (3) medial mini-open repair, supine. Primary outcomes were the Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Information Systems (PROMIS) Physical Function, PROMIS Pain Interference, and PROMIS Depression scores. Secondary outcomes of interest were surgical time and complications.

RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients were included in this study who underwent Achilles tendon repair and were seen in follow-up at least 1-year postoperatively. Demographics are displayed in Table 1. No statistical difference was observed regarding sex, laterality, age, and mechanism between those with 1-year follow-up data and those who were lost to follow-up before the 1-year mark. Primary outcomes were notable for statistically significant difference in the PROMIS Depression score between the mini-open repair, prone group, and the mini-open repair, supine group. The remainder of the primary outcomes of interest were not statistically significant. Secondary outcomes were notable for markedly shorter surgical time for the mini-open repair, supine group compared with both the standard open prone and mini-open repair, prone groups, with times being 89, 72, and 58 minutes, respectively. Surgical time was defined as starting from the time the patient was anesthetized in the room and included positioning and time up until extubation.

CONCLUSION: The medial mini-open repair, supine technique shows promise as a noninferior surgical option for acute Achilles tendon rupture repair with markedly decreased operating room time and 1-year outcomes with comparable results to both open and mini-open prone techniques.

PMID:40096573 | DOI:10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-24-00390

Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2025 Mar 14;29(2):157-164. doi: 10.1188/25.CJON.157-164.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Given the potential positive and negative impacts of cannabis use during cancer care, more information is needed to understand how changes in cannabis legalization and social norms have affected cannabis use and clinical disclosure among cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this research was to explore cannabis behaviors, disclosure, and information needs among cancer survivors.

METHODS: The study team conducted cross- sectional analyses using descriptive statistics to assess data collected via an online survey distributed through online health communities.

FINDINGS: This analysis included 719 participants, and most reported currently undergoing treatment. About one-third reported current cannabis use. Cannabis use varied across the cancer care continuum, and most of those using cannabis discussed their use with a healthcare provider and reported interest in receiving more information about cannabis.

PMID:40096564 | DOI:10.1188/25.CJON.157-164

Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2025 Mar 14;29(2):180-183. doi: 10.1188/25.CJON.180-183.

ABSTRACT

Gender minority groups, comprising individuals whose gender identity and/or expression differ from their sex assigned at birth, experience significant health disparities in the United States and abroad. Members of this popula.

PMID:40096563 | DOI:10.1188/25.CJON.180-183

Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2025 Mar 14;29(2):135-143. doi: 10.1188/25.CJON.135-143.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patient-provider cost-of-care conversations are one method to decrease the burden of financial distress. However, providers have identified a lack of confidence in initiating these conversations and time constraints as barriers.

OBJECTIVES: To improve provider confidence and patient satisfaction in four oncology clinics, a practice improvement initiative was conducted to evaluate a patient-provider cost-of-care conversation protocol.

METHODS: Two physicians and four advanced practice providers implemented the protocol in their clinics. Twenty-three patients participated in cost conversations with their providers during a routine clinic visit. Seventeen patients agreed to complete a follow-up interview.

FINDINGS: Provider confidence with initiating cost-of-care conversations improved post-protocol implementation. Provider feedback reflected support for the protocol and new insight into patients’ struggles with treatment-related financial toxicity. Patients reported being highly satisfied when discussing treatment costs with their providers. Comments from patients reflected their appreciation that providers took the time to discuss their financial concerns.

PMID:40096558 | DOI:10.1188/25.CJON.135-143

Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2025 Mar 14;29(2):E52-E59. doi: 10.1188/25.CJON.E52-E59.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Antineoplastic drug (AD) exposure presents severe risks to healthcare workers. Previous studies have demonstrated that patient bathrooms are highly contaminated and have led to concern for excreta as a source of environmental contamination with ADs.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed AD contamination and current cleaning practices to remove AD surface contamination in patient bathrooms.

METHODS: Three surfaces in the bathrooms of patients who had received etoposide and/or cyclophosphamide were sampled and analyzed for contamination at three time points. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used for analysis. Interviews and observations of daily and discharge cleaning were conducted to understand cleaning practices.

FINDINGS: A significant reduction in etoposide contamination on toilets and floors was observed following discharge cleaning; however, no significant reduction was observed on walls for either AD or on floors for cyclophosphamide.

PMID:40096556 | DOI:10.1188/25.CJON.E52-E59