Tag: statistics

Nicotine Tob Res. 2023 Dec 12:ntad246. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntad246. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Rural American communities are heavily affected by tobacco-related health disparities. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of quit attempts (QA) and factors that promote or impede QA among rural adults who smoke daily.

METHODS: Data from Wave 5 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health study were analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with quit attempt. Backwards selection was used to identify variables included in the final model with statistical significance set at p <0.05.

RESULTS: Among 1,610 rural adults who smoked daily, the prevalence of a quit attempt in the past 12 months was 25.6% (95% CI: 23.2, 28.2). Factors associated with greater QA odds: having greater education (aOR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.77), e-cigarette use (aOR=1.35 95% CI: 1.03, 1.80), disapproval of smoking from friends/family (aOR= 1.46, 95% CI: 1.09-1.94), greater frequency of thinking about the harm of tobacco (aOR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.28, 1.71), fair/poor physical health (aOR=1.31, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.70), and being advised to quit by a doctor (aOR =1.63 , 95% CI:1.25, 2.13). Smokeless tobacco use (aOR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.96) and greater cigarettes per day (aOR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.96) were associated with QA lower odds.

CONCLUSION: Only 1 in 4 rural adults who smoke made a past year quit attempt. Interventions that promote provider advice to quit smoking, tobacco health harms, and normative beliefs may increase quit attempts in rural communities.

IMPLICATIONS: Along with higher smoking rates and lower quitting attempts, rural communities face limited access to programs, medication, and health care professionals as tools to help them quit smoking. Public Health initiatives should focus on developing cultural sensitivity training targeting health care professionals to advise patients to quit smoking and the role of multiple tobacco products use. Furthermore, given the low rates of smoking quitting attempts future mixed methods research is needed to inform policies and interventions targeted at eliminating tobacco-related health disparities.

PMID:38085266 | DOI:10.1093/ntr/ntad246

Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2023 Dec 12. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-23-0799. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), of which Mexico is a large consumer, has been associated with the risk of breast cancer. We assessed the association between SSBs consumption and breast cancer risk in pre- and postmenopausal women.

METHODS: We performed a multicenter population-based case-control study in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Veracruz. We recruited 1,000 cases and 1,074 controls; all participants were pre- or postmenopausal women between 35 and 69 years of age. Diet before symptoms onset was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. We conducted a multivariable-adjusted conditional logistic regression analysis stratified by menopausal status.

RESULTS: For premenopausal women, after adjusting for matching characteristics, total energy intake and all potential confounders, the odds of having breast cancer in women who drank one or more SSBs servings per day showed 1.78 times the odds of those who drank one or fewer SSBs servings per month (OR=1.78, 95% CI 1.06-3.01). For postmenopausal women, the corresponding model was not statistically significant (OR=1.38, 95% CI 0.84-2.25). We also observed higher consumption of SSBs among pre- than in postmenopausal women (23.3% and 17.4%, respectively among controls in the highest consumption category (≥ 1 per day).

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that SSBs consumption increases the risk of developing breast cancer, particularly in premenopausal women.

IMPACT: Given the consumption of SSBs, of which Mexico is a large consumer, these results can support public policies to discourage the consumption of SSBs.

PMID:38085259 | DOI:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-23-0799

Histopathology. 2023 Dec 12. doi: 10.1111/his.15112. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression in cancer may predict clinical response to immunotherapeutic treatment with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Within the vulvar cancer field, PD-L1 expression has only been assessed by a few studies. We conducted a meta-analysis to examine the prevalence of PD-L1 positivity in vulvar cancer. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were searched for articles reporting on PD-L1 expression in vulvar cancer. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by two authors. We extracted data on PD-L1 prevalence in vulvar cancer according to combined positive score (CPS) and tumour proportion score (TPS). Cutoff values for positivity were ≥1 or ≥10 for CPS and ≥1% and ≥5% for TPS. Random-effects models were used to estimate pooled PD-L1 prevalence, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Tests of between-study heterogeneity were evaluated by the I² statistics. Sources of heterogeneity were explored by subgroup analyses and meta-regression. In total, 19 studies were included. Pooled PD-L1 prevalence in vulvar cancer was 83.4% (95% CI: 70.8-91.3; I² = 80.0) and 53.9% (95% CI: 37.4-69.6; I² = 93.0) according to CPS and TPS, respectively. Based on TPS, human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated vulvar squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) showed a lower PD-L1 prevalence (39.9%; 95% CI: 13.3-74.2) compared with HPV-independent SCC (62.6%; 95% CI: 33.7-84.6), but meta-regression showed no significant variation in PD-L1 prevalence by HPV status. PD-L1 prevalence was similar in advanced (44.9%; 95% CI: 29.8-61.1) and localized vulvar cancer (56.7%; 95% CI: 18.9-76.7). In conclusion, PD-L1 expression in vulvar cancer is frequent but between-study heterogeneity was high. Based on a subgroup of heterogenous studies, we found no strong variation in PD-L1 prevalence according to HPV status and stage.

PMID:38084642 | DOI:10.1111/his.15112

Ugeskr Laeger. 2023 Dec 11;185(50):V202310.

ABSTRACT

Introduction Christmas-themed scientific articles are becoming increasingly popular and may represent a shortcut to scientific demise due to their demand for time better spent on “serious” research. We aimed to investigate whether authorship on Christmas-themed medical articles could damage the scientific careers of authors. We hypothesized that Christmas-authorships had a negative impact on core bibliometric outcomes such as publication rates. Methods We extracted demographic and bibliometric data on first- and last authors of medical papers written for the Christmas edition of Journal of The Danish Medical Association through the years 2010-2012. These cases were compared with controls representing authors of original “serious” research papers written in the same years. We performed a negative binomial regression with the number of publications ten years after the index date (defined as the publication year of Christmas/”serious” article) as the outcome and adjusted models for sex and age. Results We found that first authors of Christmas-themed papers had a publication rate ratio (PRR) of 3.8 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4-12.4) in unadjusted analysis and last authors had a PRR of 0.6 (95% CI: 0.2-1.6). The associations weakened and were statistically insignificant in adjusted analyses. Conclusion Our results indicate that first authors publish more in the years following the publication of a Christmas article, although the association may be entirely driven by sex and age. Causality remains uncertain and further studies (such as RCTs) which randomize authors to produce Christmas-themed (preferably in a Santa’s workshop setting) or serious articles are needed. Funding. None. Trial registration. None.

PMID:38084624

Ugeskr Laeger. 2023 Dec 11;185(50):V202311.

ABSTRACT

Introduction Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) has commonly been touted for its potential to extend the aesthetic lifespan (EL) of Christmas trees when added to the water in the tree stand. This study examined the efficacy of ASA in prolonging the aesthetic longevity of spruce branches, in comparison to placebo and sildenafil. Intervention We conducted a triple-blinded, randomised clinical trial, wherein 60 spruce branches were allocated to one of three treatment arms in a 1:1:1 ratio. The primary intervention was ASA, compared against both placebo and sildenafil treatments. The study’s primary endpoint was the EL of the spruce branches. Results All participating branches completed the study. No statistically significant differences were observed in the survival times across the three groups: ASA 17 days (standard deviation (SD): 6), placebo 20 days (SD: 8), and sildenafil 21 days (SD: 7); p = 0.30. Both the log-rank test and adjusted Cox proportional-hazards analyses failed to show any significant variations in aesthetic survival time among the treatment arms (p > 0.05). Conclusion Given our findings, there is no empirical support for the widely held recommendation of adding ASA to the water at the base of a Christmas tree to extend its aesthetic lifespan. Funding none. Trial registration none.

PMID:38084621

Ugeskr Laeger. 2023 Dec 11;185(50):V20239.

ABSTRACT

Introduction While some studies have investigated the cooling properties of warm beverages, no studies have examined thermal well-being in warm environments in relation to beverage temperature. Methods Thirty researchers were randomised in a 1:1 ratio in a double-blinded cross-over study. Participants were randomised to drink 10cl of 10°C and 50°C decaffeinated tea, 15 minutes apart while staying outside in the Turkish summer heat at noon. Well-being was assessed using the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) thermal sensation scale, Bedford thermal comfort scale, Brief Mood Introspection Scale (BMIS), and the last two domains of EuroQol 5-domain, 5-point scale: EQ-5D-5L. Results Neither clinically nor statistically significant differences were found in well-being between warm and cold tea. Moods soured significantly as the trial course passed (using BMIS, µ 1.9; P=0.03), but comfort in the heat bettered (using Bedford, µ -0.37; P less-than 0.001). These changes were not considered to be clinically significant. Conclusion We were unable to show any correlation between beverage temperature and comfort in a hot environment. The mood of participants did, however, deteriorate as time passed-a lesson to any future researchers conducting drawn-out experiments just before lunch. Funding none. Trial registration NCT05900960.

PMID:38084617

Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther. 2023;55(4):291-296. doi: 10.5114/ait.2023.132531.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused huge damage to all medical infrastructure and impairs patient safety. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of implementation of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and Anesthesia Equipment Checklist on patient outcomes and adherence to safety standards in low-resource settings, affected by an ongoing war.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective multicenter study was conducted in 6 large Ukrainian hospitals. The study was conducted in two phases: a control period, lasting five months, followed by a study period, when the two checklists (the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and Anesthetic Equipment Checklist) were introduced in the designated operating rooms. The primary outcomes were any major complications, including death, during 30 days after surgery.

RESULTS: A total of 2237 surgical procedures were recorded – 1178 in the control group and 1059 in the intervention group. Major postoperative complications occurred in 82 (6.9%) patients in the control group and in 25 (2.4%) in the study group (OR = 0.32 [0.19-0.52], P < 0.001). The effect on the incidence of specific postoperative complications was statistically significant for the “surgical infection” (1.5% vs. 0.1%; OR = 0.31 [0.1-0.8], P = 0.01) and “reoperation” (1.7% vs. 0.5%; OR = 0.32 [0.1-0.8], P = 0.01) cate-gories as well as for the 30-day mortality (1.3% vs. 0.3%; OR = 0.35 [0.1-0.9], P = 0.03). Better adherence to basic WHO surgical safety recommendations was observed for every check mentioned in the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist ( P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and the Anesthesia Equipment Checklist improve patient outcomes in war-affected low-resource settings.

PMID:38084574 | DOI:10.5114/ait.2023.132531

Indian J Pathol Microbiol. 2023 Oct-Dec;66(4):804-809. doi: 10.4103/ijpm.ijpm_1146_21.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is an intracellular signal transmitter involved in the regulation of melanocyte growth, proliferation, and melanogenesis. R21 is a monoclonal antibody against the soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) protein. Various nuclear and cytoplasmic R21 expression patterns in melanocytic lesions have been previously reported. Pan-nuclear staining was defined as specific for melanoma and was found supportive in the assessment of surgical margins.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to evaluate the different expression patterns of R21 immunostain and investigate its effectiveness in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous malignant and benign melanocytic lesions.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Fifty invasive cutaneous melanoma and 50 benign melanocytic proliferation were included in the study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paraffin blocks that best reflected tumor morphology were studied via immunohistochemical staining for R21. For all patterns, the cases showing staining in 25% or more tumor cells were considered as positive.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Yates’ Chi-square, Pearson Chi-square exact test, Spearman correlation were used.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Dot-like Golgi staining was characteristic for nevi (12/50) and seen only in one melanoma. Pan-nuclear staining was striking for melanoma (36/50). This pattern was observed in 2 dysplastic and 3 common melanocytic nevi too. None of the Spitz nevi expressed R21 in pan-nuclear pattern. For the diagnosis of melanoma, sensitivity and specificity of the pan-nuclear expression were 72% and 90%, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were found as 87% and 76%. R21, a second-generation immunohistochemical marker, can be used in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant melanocytic lesions.

PMID:38084536 | DOI:10.4103/ijpm.ijpm_1146_21

Indian J Pathol Microbiol. 2023 Oct-Dec;66(4):799-803. doi: 10.4103/ijpm.ijpm_1183_21.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Squalene epoxidase (SQLE) is overexpressed in a variety of tumors, which may play an important role in their tumorigenesis, development, and prognosis.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of SQLE and explore its clinicopathological significance in gastric cancer.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The correlation between its positive expression and the pathological characteristics of patients (such as sex, age, tumor size, survival, tumor differentiation, TNM staging, and lymph node metastasis) was analyzed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical method was used to detect its expression in 107 cases of gastric carcinoma and 34 cases of tumor-adjacent tissues.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Counting data were analyzed by Chi-square test. Its overall survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Its hazard factors were analyzed by Cox multivariate analysis.

RESULTS: The positive rate of SQLE in gastric cancer is 67.3%, which is higher than that in tumor-adjacent tissues (17.6%), <0.001. Expression of SQLE is closely related to tumor differentiation, TNM staging and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.030, P = 0.009, and P = 0.011, respectively). Furthermore, compared with those low expression of SQLE, the patients of overexpression had worse overall survival by Kaplan-Meier analysis (P = 0.025). Cox multivariate analysis shows that lymph node metastasis, tumor differentiation, SQLE, and TNM staging are independent factors for prognosis of gastric cancer (P = 0.003, 0.020, 0.018, and P = 0.001 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: SQLE is overexpressed in gastric cancer. It could be used for the diagnosis and prognosis of the gastric cancer patients.

PMID:38084535 | DOI:10.4103/ijpm.ijpm_1183_21

Indian J Pathol Microbiol. 2023 Oct-Dec;66(4):780-785. doi: 10.4103/ijpm.ijpm_1230_21.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Though the recommended sampled lymph node number in colorectal carcinomas is at least 12, due to shrinkage after preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT), it can be difficult to attain that number.

AIM: Our aim is to increase the lymph node number by applying alcohol fixation on the formalin-fixed resection materials of the patients that received or not received neoadjuvant therapy and to evaluate the changes in staging due to obtained lymph nodes.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Non-randomized controlled trial.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lymph node dissection was performed in the resection materials with rectum tumor which were formalin- and afterwards, alcohol-fixed. The number of lymph nodes obtained by both of the methods and status of metastasis were evaluated statistically.

RESULTS: Of the total 76 rectal tumors, 57 had and 19 had not received NCRT. The number of lymph node was adequate in 89.5% cases with no NCRT and in 63.2% cases with NCRT. While no change was observed after the alcohol fixation in the cases fulfilling adequacy criterion among those with no NCRT (p = 1.000), the adequacy rate increased from 63.2% to 87.7% in those with NCRT (p < 0.001). Although statistically insignificant, there was a change in pN stage in eight cases. In three of them, the stage varied from pN0 to pN1c, and in five cases, from pN1a to pN1b.

CONCLUSION: Using solutions as alcohol during fixation might facilitate the identification of metastatic lymph nodes, might change the stage of the disease and therefore, might affect the patient-based therapy.

PMID:38084532 | DOI:10.4103/ijpm.ijpm_1230_21