Tag: statistics

J Neurosci Methods. 2023 Oct 24:109991. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2023.109991. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mixed-effects models are the current standard for the analysis of behavioral studies in psycholinguistics and related fields, given their ability to simultaneously model crossed random effects for subjects and items. However, they are hardly applied in neuroimaging and psychophysiology, where the use of mass univariate analyses in combination with permutation testing would be too computationally demanding to be practicable with mixed models.

NEW METHOD: Here, we propose and validate an analytical strategy that enables the use of linear mixed models (LMM) with crossed random intercepts in mass univariate analyses of EEG data (lmeEEG). It avoids the unfeasible computational costs that would arise from massive permutation testing with LMM using a simple solution: removing random-effects contributions from EEG data and performing mass univariate linear analysis and permutations on the obtained marginal EEG.

RESULTS: lmeEEG showed excellent performance properties in terms of power and false positive rate.

COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: lmeEEG overcomes the computational costs of standard available approaches (our method was indeed more than 300 times faster).

CONCLUSIONS: lmeEEG allows researchers to use mixed models with EEG mass univariate analyses. Thanks to the possibility offered by the method described here, we anticipate that LMM will become increasingly important in neuroscience. Data and codes are available at osf.io/kw87a. The codes and a tutorial are also available at github.com/antovis86/lmeEEG.

PMID:37884082 | DOI:10.1016/j.jneumeth.2023.109991

Environ Res. 2023 Oct 24:117491. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117491. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Seasonal variations in cardiorespiratory diseases may be influenced by air pollution and meteorological factors. This work aims to highlight the relevance of a complete seasonal characterization of pollutant-meteorological factors and cardio-respiratory mortality in Portugal and the relationships between health outcomes and environmental risk factors. To this end, air pollution and meteorological variables along with health outcomes were analyzed at national level and on a monthly basis for the period 2011-2020. It was found that cardiorespiratory mortality rates during winter were 44% higher than during the summer. Furthermore, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters of 10 and 2.5 μm (μm) or smaller (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) showed a seasonal variability, with the highest concentrations during winter while ozone (O₃) presented higher concentrations during spring and summer. PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and NO₂, showed a positive correlation between seasons, indicating similar patterns of behavior. Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) applied to pollutant-meteorological and cardiorespiratory mortality data indicates a strong linear correlation between pollutant-meteorological factors and health outcomes. The first canonical correlation was 0.889, and the second was 0.545, both statistically significant (p-value < 0.001). The CCA results suggest that there is a strong association between near-surface temperature, relative humidity, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, CO and NO₂ and health outcomes. The results of this study provide important information of the seasonal variability of air pollutants and meteorological factors in Portugal and their associations with cardiorespiratory mortality.

PMID:37884072 | DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2023.117491

Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2023 Oct 24:110972. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2023.110972. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To investigate the association between organic food consumption and the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS: Among 41,286 cohort participants, aged 50-65 years, organic food consumption of vegetables, fruits, dairy products, eggs, meat, and cereal products, was summarized into an organic food score evaluated as never, low, medium and high consumption and as continuous intake. During follow-up, 4,843 cases were identified in the National Diabetes Register. Organic food consumption was associated to the disease incidence in Cox regression models.

RESULTS: Organic food consumption was linearly associated with a lower incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (Women, HR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89-1.00, Men, HR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.90-1.00). Organic food consumption frequency, compared to never consumption, showed HRs below 1.00 for both women (medium intake HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.84-1.10, high intake HR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.74-1.05) and men (low intake, HR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.85-1.05, medium intake, HR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.83-1.03, high intake, HR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.75-1.05) but were not statistically significant. Similar patterns were observed with consumption of the specific organic food groups for women, but not for men.

CONCLUSIONS: Organic food consumption was associated with a suggested lower incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PMID:37884066 | DOI:10.1016/j.diabres.2023.110972

Ann Med. 2023;55(2):2272711. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2272711. Epub 2023 Oct 26.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To realize the changes in pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients’ right ventricular function.Methods: A total number of 74 patients with PH were included, and the parameters of standard echocardiographic were measured as well as the strain of peak longitudinal of each segment during the systole of the right ventricle to calculate the global longitudinal strain (LS) during systole of the right ventricular free wall.Results: ① As pulmonary arterial pressure increased, the right ventricular area gradually increased, and the case group showed the decreased right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and tricuspid annular peak systolic velocity (S’) (p < 0.05). They, RVFAC, and TAPSE depicted significant differences that were statistical (p < 0.05) from the other groups. ② With increasing pulmonary arterial pressure, the right ventricular free wall’s LS gradually reduced (p < 0.05).Conclusion: ① LS right ventricular free wall is useful in detecting changes in right ventricular systolic function early on with greater sensitivity than RVFAC, TAPSE, and S’. In addition, increased right ventricular pressure loading can result in a subsequent impairment of right ventricular myocardial mechanics. ② As right ventricular pressure loading increases, right ventricular strain decreases. ③ In mild PH, the right ventricular free wall’s. LS is more sensitive than standard measures in spotting early alterations in myocardial mechanics.

PMID:37883811 | DOI:10.1080/07853890.2023.2272711

Perspect Psychol Sci. 2023 Oct 26:17456916231201401. doi: 10.1177/17456916231201401. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Much discussion about large language models and language-and-vision models has focused on whether these models are intelligent agents. We present an alternative perspective. First, we argue that these artificial intelligence (AI) models are cultural technologies that enhance cultural transmission and are efficient and powerful imitation engines. Second, we explore what AI models can tell us about imitation and innovation by testing whether they can be used to discover new tools and novel causal structures and contrasting their responses with those of human children. Our work serves as a first step in determining which particular representations and competences, as well as which kinds of knowledge or skills, can be derived from particular learning techniques and data. In particular, we explore which kinds of cognitive capacities can be enabled by statistical analysis of large-scale linguistic data. Critically, our findings suggest that machines may need more than large-scale language and image data to allow the kinds of innovation that a small child can produce.

PMID:37883796 | DOI:10.1177/17456916231201401

Altern Ther Health Med. 2023 Oct 27:AT8958. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of metformin on the survival of patients with diabetes mellitus complicated with renal cell carcinoma by Meta-analysis.

METHODS: To collect the required data, we looked through the databases of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE, as well as the network for querying registration data from clinical trials (https://clinicaltrials.gov). Retrieve relevant ongoing or closed clinical trials. To avoid publication bias, the search process is limited to randomized controlled trials, and the search results are not limited to language, publication time, or other restrictions. All included studies need to be evaluated according to the quality evaluation standard of the Cochran system evaluation manual. The relevant data were statistically analyzed by Revman 5.3 software. In the evaluation of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), the index of hazard risk (HR) was selected in this paper.

RESULTS: Eight cohort studies were included in the analysis. Partial and metastatic subgroup analysis of renal cell carcinoma demonstrated no significant effect of metformin on PFS, CSS, or OS. There was no evidence of publication bias, according to the findings.

CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis found that metformin did not improve survival rates for diabetic patients with renal cell carcinoma.

PMID:37883777

Altern Ther Health Med. 2023 Oct 27:AT9297. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Prone positioning has evolved as a therapeutic intervention for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS remains a critical condition, with a mortality rate of approximately 40%. Prone positioning, which involves placing patients in a face-down position, has the potential to enhance gas exchange and improve lung mechanics, possibly leading to better patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: This comprehensive review aims to evaluate the impact of prone positioning on mortality (primary outcome) and the occurrence of adverse events (secondary outcome) in patients with ARDS compared to conventional supine positioning.

METHODS: We conducted an extensive systematic review, including studies published from 2000 to 2022. We searched databases including PUBMED, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and WEB OF SCIENCE. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the outcomes of patients with ARDS in prone and supine positions were included. We employed the Cochrane risk of bias instrument to assess the methodological quality of the included RCTs.

RESULTS: Our review included a total of twelve RCTs involving 2736 patients, with 1401 patients in the prone position. The meta-analysis demonstrated a lower mortality rate among patients in the prone position compared to those in the supine position (odds ratio [OR], 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52-0.98; P = .04). Notably, there was a higher incidence of pressure sores in patients placed in the prone position (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.09-0.20) compared to those in the supine position. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the occurrence of arrhythmias, unplanned extubation, or pneumothorax between the two positioning strategies.

CONCLUSIONS: Prone positioning offers potential benefits for patients with ARDS by reducing mortality rates. However, it is important to note that there is an associated risk of pressure sores. Further research and clinical consideration are needed to optimize the use of prone positioning in ARDS management.

PMID:37883774

Altern Ther Health Med. 2023 Oct 27:AT9045. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

To investigate the efficacy of precise radiation therapy for lymphatic drainage area prevention (ENI) and invasive field irradiation (IFI) in patients with esophageal cancer undergoing radical radiotherapy. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 96 esophageal cancer patients admitted to our hospital from March 2018 to March 2021 who underwent radical radiotherapy. Among them, 48 patients who received precise radiation therapy to prevent radiation in the lymphatic drainage area were included in the ENI group, and 48 patients who received field irradiation were included in the IFI group. Compare and analyze the total clinical response rate, local control rate within 3 years after treatment, survival rate, and incidence of adverse reactions after radiotherapy between two groups of patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the total clinical response rate between the ENI group and the IFI group after radiotherapy (P > .05). There was no statistically significant difference in local control rate and survival rate between the ENI group and the IFI group within 3 years of treatment (P > .05). The incidence of postoperative complications in the ENI group was significantly higher than that in the IFI group, with a statistically significant difference (P < .05). When giving radical radiotherapy to esophageal cancer patients, the clinical total effective rate, survival rate, and local control rate of involving field irradiation are equivalent to the preventive radiation effect of precise radiotherapy for lymphatic drainage area. Besides, involving field irradiation can reduce the incidence of adverse reactions in patients after radiotherapy, which has high clinical value.

PMID:37883770

Altern Ther Health Med. 2023 Oct 27:AT9503. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Cerebral infarction, a common type of stroke, results from a sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain, leading to a myriad of challenges and complications for patients. Among these complications, decreased muscle strength is a prominent issue that can have profound implications for patients’ overall well-being and functional independence. Decreased muscle strength in cerebral infarction often manifests as weakness, loss of mobility, and impaired ability to perform activities; the psychological impact of these physical limitations can lead to anxiety and depression, further exacerbating the patient’s condition. To investigate the effect of progressive rehabilitation nursing on the physical rehabilitation and quality of life of patients with cerebral infarction, to provide valuable insights and guidance for enhancing the functional recovery of individuals affected by cerebral infarction.

DESIGN: 100 cerebral infarction patients combined with decreased muscle strength admitted to our hospital between October 2019 and October 2020 were randomly selected as the study subjects for prospective analysis.

METHODS: They were divided into a control group (n = 50) and an experimental group (n = 50) using the random number table method. Patients in the control group underwent rehabilitation treatment, while patients in the experimental group underwent progressive rehabilitation nursing intervention guided by quality nursing intervention. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) motor function score, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) neurological function score, Barthel Index (BI), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores, nursing efficiency and the incidence rate of adverse mood after 1, 2 and 3 weeks of nursing were recorded and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: The FMA and BI index scores of patients in the experimental group were notably higher than those in the control group, and the comparison was statistically significant (P < .05); The NIHSS, SAS and SDS scores of patients in the experimental group were notably lower than those of the control group, and the results of the comparison were statistically significant (P < .05); The nursing efficiency and nursing satisfaction of patients in the experimental group was remarkably higher, and the results of the comparison were statistically significant (P < .05); The incidence of bad mood in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group after 1, 2 and 3 weeks of nursing, and the incidence rate of adverse mood in the experimental group was improved with time, that is, 1>2>3 weeks in descending order (P < .05).

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Progressive rehabilitation nursing not only enhances muscle strength and restores their physical functions to a certain extent while reducing the incidence of adverse reactions and physical function but also mitigates the risk of adverse mood states. Ultimately, it contributes to an improved overall quality of life and psychological well-being of patients affected by cerebral infarction.

PMID:37883759

Altern Ther Health Med. 2023 Oct 27:AT9342. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE AND SIGNIFICANCE: Glioblastoma is a highly invasive brain tumor, and its treatment and management have long posed challenges in the fields of neurosurgery and oncology. This study aimed to explore the potential value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in postoperative recurrent brain gliomas using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), with the goal of providing clinicians with more precise decision-making tools. In the context of the therapeutic challenges posed by glioblastomas, this research holds significant importance. The treatment of glioblastomas typically involves surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy; however, its recurrence rate remains relatively high. Early detection of recurrence is crucial for implementing timely interventions, as it can impact patient survival and quality of life. ADC values within DWI may serve as a non-invasive tool to aid in the identification of potential recurrent lesions, thereby facilitating earlier therapeutic actions.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 52 patients diagnosed with brain gliomas. All patients underwent MRI scans, contrast-enhanced imaging, and DWI. Based on the pathology results from the second surgery or radiological follow-up, patients were categorized into two groups: the recurrent group (31 cases) and the non-recurrent group (21 cases). The MRI diagnostic criteria followed the Chinese Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Central Nervous System Gliomas (2015 edition), and gliomas were classified into grades I-IV according to the WHO (2007 edition) pathological grading standards. Inclusion criteria encompassed postoperative pathological diagnosis of brain gliomas, absence of intracranial surgeries, brain parenchymal injuries, or other relevant medical histories, and all patients received postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy with a total dose exceeding 50 Gy, coupled with chemotherapy. Exclusion criteria excluded patients diagnosed with cerebral infarction, those with other intracranial conditions such as intracranial hypertension, and individuals with hepatic or renal dysfunction or known contrast agent allergies. ADC values for both groups were separately calculated, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed. ROC area under the curve (AUC) was employed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the two methods, along with the calculation of sensitivity (Sen) and specificity (Spe).

RESULTS: The ADCmean values (1.05 ± 0.25 mmys) and relative ADC (rADC)mean values (1.17 ± 0.38 mmys) of the recurrent group were lower than those of the non-recurrent group (1.33 ± 0.21 mmys, 1.36 ± 0.24 mmys), while the ADCmin values (1.03 ± 0.18 mmys) and ADCmax values (1.19 ± 0.21 mmys) of the recurrent group were lower than those of the non-recurrent group (1.21 ± 0.12 mmys, 1.35 ± 0.17 mmys), with statistically significant differences (P < .05). The AUC of ADCmean was 0.785, with Sen and Spe of 93.75% and 55%, respectively. The AUC of rADCmean was 0.702, with Sen and Spe of 86.2% and 65.21%, respectively. The AUC of ADCmin was 0.824, with Sen and Spe of 86.66% and 68.18%, respectively. The AUC of ADCmax is 0.715, with Sen and Spe of 77.77% and 60%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated the potential clinical utility of ADC values in the diagnosis of postoperative recurrence in gliomas. ROC analysis revealed that ADC values exhibited a high diagnostic accuracy, with the AUC reflecting their discriminative ability between the recurrence and non-recurrence groups. This finding may assist clinical practitioners in more precisely assessing patients’ risk of recurrence, further optimizing treatment strategies, and enhancing both survival rates and quality of life. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge several limitations in this study. Firstly, the relatively small sample size may limit the generalizability of the results. Additionally, due to the observational nature of this study, larger-scale and multicenter research is still required to validate these findings. Lastly, ADC values are influenced by various factors, including technical parameters and equipment variations, which necessitate further standardization and calibration efforts. Thus, while the results of this study hold promise for improving the management of glioma patients, further research is warranted to fully understand their potential clinical value.

PMID:37883754