Tag: statistics

Inj Prev. 2024 May 20:ip-2023-045014. doi: 10.1136/ip-2023-045014. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Practical interventions of fall prevention are challenging for infants and toddlers. This study aimed to explore specific details of falls that occurred at home for kids 0-3 years old using key information from social media platforms, which provided abundant data sources for fall events.

METHODS: We used internet-based search techniques to collect fall events information from 2013 to 2023. The search was restricted and implemented between 1 and 12 April 2023. Online platforms included Baidu, Weibo, WeChat, TikTok, Toutiao and Little Red Book. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to analyse the fall events and major factors, including the fall event time, child age, environmental factors and behavioural characteristics of children and caregivers.

RESULTS: We identified 1005 fall injury cases among infants and toddlers. Fall mechanisms included falls from household furniture (71.2%), falls from height (21.4%) and falls on the same level (7.4%). Environmental risk factors mainly consisted of not using or installing bed rails incorrectly, a gap between beds, unstable furniture, slippery ground and windows without guardrails. Behavioural factors included caregivers leaving a child alone, lapsed attention, turning around to retrieve something, misusing baby products, inadequately holding the child and falling asleep with children. Child behavioural factors included walking or running while holding an object in hand or mouth and underdeveloped walking skills.

CONCLUSION: Interventions for preventing falls should be designed specifically for Chinese families, especially considering family function in the context of Chinese culture. Social media reports could provide rich information for researchers.

PMID:38768979 | DOI:10.1136/ip-2023-045014

Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2024 May 20:a041450. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041450. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

(Adaptive) radiations have attracted evolutionary biologists for a long time as ideal model systems to study patterns and processes of often rapid speciation. However, whereas a wealth of (sometimes already genome-scale) data is available for host radiations, very few studies target the patterns of diversification in their symbionts, even though they would be excellent models to study symbiont speciation. Our review summarizes what little is known about general patterns of symbiont diversification in often iconic adaptive host radiations and to what extent these patterns are dependent on the evolutionary trajectories of their hosts. We identify research gaps that need to be addressed in the future and discuss the potential of approaches not yet typically used in these study systems, such as epidemiological disease modeling and new omics technologies, for significantly advancing our understanding of these complex eco-evolutionary relationships.

PMID:38768969 | DOI:10.1101/cshperspect.a041450

Med Confl Surviv. 2024 May 20:1-14. doi: 10.1080/13623699.2024.2346461. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to vividly describe the direct and severe health impacts of conflict in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD). It also sought to quantify the staggering portion of economic damage attributable to the health burden of conflict and terrorism. From 1990 to 2019, the region endured the devastating effects of conflict and terrorism. These circumstances led to 64%, 50%, and 35% of all causes of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) in Libya, Syria, and Palestine, respectively, in 2011, 2016, and 2008. These figures represent not just statistics but the profound human cost of these conflicts. The health-related economic burden (HEB) due to conflict was estimated at $4.6 billion in Iraq, $3.7 billion in Afghanistan, and $1.7 billion in Libya in current international dollars. However, due to missing data, the HEB could not be calculated for Yemen and Syria despite significant conflict-related DALYs. In 2019, the HEB to Current Health Expenditure (CHE) ratio, which indicates the proportion of the health-related economic burden compared to health expenditure, was 30% in Afghanistan and 25% in Iraq. This high ratio underscores the significant strain that conflict places on the health systems.

PMID:38768959 | DOI:10.1080/13623699.2024.2346461

Methods. 2024 May 18:S1046-2023(24)00124-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2024.05.008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study proposed an intelligent model for predicting abiotic stress-responsive microRNAs in plants. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short RNA molecules regulates the stress in genes. Experimental methods are costly and time-consuming, as compare to in-silico prediction. Addressing this gap, the study seeks to develop an efficient computational model for plant stress response prediction. The two benchmark datasets for MiRNA and Pre-MiRNA dataset have been acquired in this study. Four ensemble approaches such as bagging, boosting, stacking, and blending have been employed. Classifiers such as Random Forest (RF), Extra Trees (ET), Ada Boost (ADB), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM), and Support Vector Machine (SVM). Stacking and Blending employed all stated classifiers as base learners and Logistic Regression (LR) as Meta Classifier. There have been a total of four types of testing used, including independent set, self-consistency, cross-validation with 5 and 10 folds, and jackknife. This study has utilized evaluation metrics such as accuracy score, specificity, sensitivity, Mathew’s correlation coefficient (MCC), and AUC. Our proposed methodology has outperformed existing state of the art study in both datasets based on independent set testing. The SVM-based approach has exhibited accuracy score of 0.659 for the MiRNA dataset, which is better than the previous study. The ET classifier has surpassed the accuracy of Pre-MiRNA dataset as compared to the existing benchmark study, achieving an impressive score of 0.67. The proposed method can be used in future research to predict abiotic stresses in plants.

PMID:38768931 | DOI:10.1016/j.ymeth.2024.05.008

Methods. 2024 May 18:S1046-2023(24)00125-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2024.05.009. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

With the recent advanced direct RNA sequencing technique that proposed by the Oxford Nanopore Technologies, RNA modifications can be detected and profiled in a simple and straightforward manner. Majority nanopore-based modification studies were devoted to those popular types such as m6A and pseudouridine. To address current limitations on studying the crucial regulator, m1A modification, we conceived this study. We have developed an integrated computational workflow designed for the detection of m1A modifications from direct RNA sequencing data. This workflow comprises a feature extractor responsible for capturing signal characteristics (such as mean, standard deviations, and length of electric signals), a single molecule-level m1A predictor trained with features extracted from the IVT dataset using classical machine learning algorithms, a confident m1A site selector employing the binomial test to identify statistically significant m1A sites, and an m1A modification rate estimator. Our model achieved accurate molecule-level prediction (Average AUC = 0.9689) and reliable m1A site detection and quantification. To show the feasibility of our workflow, we conducted a study on in vivo transcribed human HEK293 cell line, and the results were carefully annotated and compared with other techniques (i.e., Illumina sequencing-based techniques). We believed that this tool will enabling a comprehensive understanding of the m1A modification and its functional mechanisms within cells and organisms.

PMID:38768930 | DOI:10.1016/j.ymeth.2024.05.009

Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. 2024 May 18:101385. doi: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2024.101385. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Few recent studies have examined the rate of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) occurring during the antenatal and/or the postpartum period through 42 days postpartum. However, little is known about the rate of SMM occurring beyond 42 days postpartum.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the distribution of SMM and its indicators during antenatal, delivery, and postpartum hospitalizations through 365 days postpartum, and to estimate the increase in SMM rate and its indicators after accounting for antenatal and postpartum SMM through 365 days postpartum.

STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using birth and fetal death certificate data linked to hospital discharge records from Michigan, Oregon, and South Carolina from 2008-2020. We examined the distribution of SMM, non-transfusion SMM, and SMM indicators during antenatal, delivery, and postpartum hospitalizations through 365 days postpartum. We subsequently examined “SMM cases added,” which represent cases among unique individuals that are included by considering the antenatal and postpartum periods but that would be missed if only the delivery hospitalization cases were included.

RESULTS: A total of 64,661 (2.5%) individuals experienced SMM while 37,112 (1.4%) individuals experienced non-transfusion SMM during antenatal, delivery, and/or postpartum hospitalization. A total of 31% of SMM cases were added after accounting for SMM occurring during the antenatal or postpartum hospitalization through 365 days postpartum while 49% of non-transfusion SMM cases were added after accounting for non-transfusion SMM occurring during the antenatal or postpartum periods. SMM occurring between 43 and 365 days postpartum contributed to 12% of all SMM cases while non-transfusion SMM occurring between 43 and 365 days postpartum contributed to 19% of all non-transfusion SMM cases.

CONCLUSION: We showed that a total of 31% of SMM and 49% of non-transfusion SMM cases were added after accounting for SMM occurring during the antenatal or postpartum hospitalization through 365 days postpartum. Our findings highlight the importance of expanding the SMM definition beyond the delivery hospitalization to better capture the full period of increased risk, identify contributing factors, and design strategies to mitigate this risk. Only then, can we improve outcomes for mothers and subsequently the quality of life of their infants.

PMID:38768903 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajogmf.2024.101385

Environ Res. 2024 May 18:119178. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119178. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Reported associations between particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter < 2.5μm (PM_2.5) and cognitive outcomes remain mixed. Differences in exposure estimation method may contribute to this heterogeneity.

OBJECTIVES: To assess agreement between PM_2.5 exposure concentrations across 11 exposure estimation methods and to compare resulting associations between PM_2.5 and cognitive or MRI outcomes.

METHODS: We used Visit 5 (2011-2013) cognitive testing and brain MRI data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. We derived address-linked average 2000-2007 PM_2.5 exposure concentrations in areas immediately surrounding the four ARIC recruitment sites (Forsyth County, NC; Jackson, MS; suburbs of Minneapolis, MN; Washington County, MD) using 11 estimation methods. We assessed agreement between method-specific PM_2.5 concentrations using descriptive statistics and plots, overall and by site. We used adjusted linear regression to estimate associations of method-specific PM_2.5 exposure estimates with cognitive scores (n=4,678) and MRI outcomes (n=1,518) stratified by study site and combined site-specific estimates using meta-analyses to derive overall estimates. We explored the potential impact of unmeasured confounding by spatially patterned factors.

RESULTS: Exposure estimates from most methods had high agreement across sites, but low agreement within sites. Within-site exposure variation was limited for some methods. Consistently null findings for the PM_2.5-cognitive outcome associations regardless of method precluded empirical conclusions about the potential impact of method on study findings in contexts where positive associations are observed. Not accounting for study site led to consistent, adverse associations, regardless of exposure estimation method, suggesting the potential for substantial bias due to residual confounding by spatially patterned factors.

DISCUSSION: PM_2.5 estimation methods agreed across sites but not within sites. Choice of estimation method may impact findings when participants are concentrated in small geographic areas. Understanding unmeasured confounding by factors that are spatially patterned may be particularly important in studies of air pollution and cognitive or brain health.

PMID:38768885 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2024.119178

Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2024 May 18:111709. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2024.111709. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have assessed how supplementing with policosanol affects blood sugar levels. The outcomes, nevertheless, were not constant. Multiple electronic databases were searched including ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus until February 9, 2023. To assess the effects of policosanol on glucose, we employed a random-effects or fixed-effects meta-analysis approach to examine the weighted mean differences (WMDs) and associated 95 % confidence intervals (CI) before and after policosanol and placebo administration. The final analysis comprised a total of 25 trials with 2680 participants. Compared to the control group, policosanol supplementation significantly reduced blood glucose levels (WMD: -2.24 mg/dl; 95 % CI: -4.05, -0.42, P = 0.01). Findings from subgroup analysis revealed a significant reduction of policosanol supplementation on glucose levels in period of less than 24 weeks, and in individuals below 50 years of age. Additionally, the reduction was statistically significant in dosage of 10 mg/day. Our dose-response analysis indicates no evidence of a non-linear relationship between policosanol dose and duration and changes in glucose levels (P-nonlinearity = 0.52, and P-nonlinearity = 0.52, respectively). Policosanol supplementation might improve blood glucose. Further trials with more complex designs are required to confirm the findings.

PMID:38768866 | DOI:10.1016/j.diabres.2024.111709

J Vasc Surg. 2024 May 18:S0741-5214(24)01211-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2024.05.032. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify trends in hospital (HLOS) and ICU (ICULOS) lengths of stay, and the relationship with cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CSFD) protocols in patients undergoing fenestrated-branched endovascular aortic repair (FB-EVAR) of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs).

METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent elective FB-EVAR for extent I-IV TAAAs between 2008-2023 at a single aortic center of excellence was conducted. Patient demographics, cardiovascular comorbidities, surgical risk, technical details, CSFD strategy (prophylactic or therapeutic), procedural success, and perioperative outcomes were collected. Patients were divided into two groups based on CSFD protocol. Group 1 included patients treated before 2020 when prophylactic CSFD was performed widely, and Group 2 consisted of patients treated since 2020 with therapeutic CSFD. Primary endpoints were HLOS, ICULOS, major adverse events (MAE), and perioperative mortality.

RESULTS: FB-EVAR was performed in 702 patients; 412 underwent elective TAAA repair and were included in the analysis. Mean age was 73 years (SD±8) and 68% were males. Patient-specific manufactured devices were used in 252 patients (61%), physician-modified endografts in 110 (27%), and 50 patients (12%) were treated with off-the-shelf devices. Demographics, aneurysm extent, MAE (including spinal cord ischemia), and mortality were similar in both groups. A significant reduction in mean HLOS between the groups (9±9. vs 6±5 days, p = .02) coincided with decreased use of prophylactic CSFD (70% vs 1.2%, p < .001), with similar rates of SCI (7.6% vs 4.9%, p = .627) and ICULOS (3±3 vs 2.5±3, p = .19). Patients in the therapeutic drainage cohort (group 2) had a higher incidence of congestive heart failure (24% vs 11%, p = .003), hypercholesterolemia (91% vs 80%, p = .015), COPD (55% vs 37%, p = .004), and peripheral artery disease (39% vs 19%, p < .001) compared to group 1, suggesting treatment of a more complex patient cohort. On adjusted multivariable analysis accounting for ASA score, comorbidities, and device type, the difference in HLOS remained statistically significant (p = .01).

CONCLUSION: HLOS decreased over time in patients undergoing FB-EVAR for TAAA following transition from prophylactic to therapeutic CSFD protocol. This transition was the only modifiable, independent risk factor for shorter HLOS, without an increase in SCI, albeit with similar ICULOS.

PMID:38768834 | DOI:10.1016/j.jvs.2024.05.032

J Vasc Surg. 2024 May 18:S0741-5214(24)01106-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2024.04.073. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Length of stay (LOS) is a major driver of cost and resource utilization following lower extremity bypass (LEB). However, the variable comorbidity burden and mobility status of LEB patients makes implementing enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways challenging. The aim of this study was to utilize a large national database to identify patient factors associated with ultrashort LOS among patients undergoing LEB for peripheral artery disease (PAD).

METHODS: All patients undergoing LEB for PAD in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database from 2011-2018 were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on the length of postoperative stay: ultrashort (<=2 days) and standard (>2 days). Thirty-day outcomes were compared using descriptive statistics, and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify patient factors associated with ultrashort LOS.

RESULTS: Overall, 17,510 patients were identified who underwent LEB, of which 2,678 (15.3%) patients had an ultrashort postoperative LOS (mean 1.8 days) and 14,832 (84.7%) patients had a standard LOS (mean 7.1 days). When compared to patients with standard LOS, patients with an ultrashort LOS were more likely to be admitted from home (95.9% vs 88.0%, p<0.001), undergo elective surgery (86.1% vs. 59.1%, p<0.001) and to be active smokers (52.1% vs. 40.4%, p<0.001). Ultrashort LOS patients were also more likely to have claudication as the indication for LEB (53.1% vs. 22.5%, p<0.001), have a popliteal revascularization target rather than a tibial/pedal target (76.7% vs 55.3%, p<0.001) and had a prosthetic conduit (40.0% vs. 29.9%, p<0.001). There was no significant difference in mortality between the two groups (1.4% vs 1.8%, p=0.21); however ultrashort LOS patients had a lower frequency of unplanned readmission (10.7% vs. 18.8%, p<0.001) and need for major reintervention (1.9% vs. 5.6%, p<0.001). On multivariable analysis, elective status (OR:2.66, 95%CI:2.33-3.04), active smoking (OR:1.18, 95%CI:1.07-1.30) and lack of vein harvest (OR:1.55, 95%CI:1.41-1.70) were associated with ultrashort LOS. Presence of rest pain (OR:0.57, 95%CI:0.51-0.63), tissue loss (OR:0.30, 95%CI:0.27-0.34) and totally dependent functional status (OR:0.54, 95%CI:0.35-0.84) were negatively associated with ultrashort LOS. When examining the subgroup of patients who underwent vein harvest, totally dependent (OR:0.38 95%CI:0.19-0.75) and partially dependent (OR:0.53, 95%CI:0.32-0.88) functional status were persistently negatively associated with ultrashort LOS.

CONCLUSIONS: Ultrashort LOS (<= 2 days) following LEB is uncommon but feasible in select patients. Preoperative functional status and mobility are important factors to consider when identifying LEB patients who may be candidates for early discharge.

PMID:38768833 | DOI:10.1016/j.jvs.2024.04.073