Tag: statistics

Clin Obes. 2023 Dec 29:e12636. doi: 10.1111/cob.12636. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The persistent ascension of childhood obesity on a global scale constitutes a significant quandary. The prevalence of childhood obesity in Japan peaked in the early 2000s and has been reported to have declined since then, but recent data and its trend including the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic era are not available. Moreover, there is a dearth of studies examining the correlation between the trend in childhood obesity and exercise habits over the past decade. This study aims to examine the changes in the prevalence of obesity, physical fitness, and exercise habits over the past 10 years in Japanese children. We investigated the prevalence of childhood obesity in Japan, using the School Health Statistics Survey data from 2012 to 2021. The dataset has a sample size representative of children nationwide and includes variables for obesity, such as height, weight, and age. Data were classified into groups by sex and age (6-8, 9-11, and 12-14 years age). Children weighing 20% or more of the standard body weight are classified as obese. The annual percentage changes and average annual percentage changes were estimated using the joinpoint regression model. We also examined the trends in the physical fitness test score and exercise time. Average annual percentage changes of boys increased, especially in the 6- to 8-year age group (3.4%-4.6%). For girls, average annual percentage changes had increased in 6- to 8-year (2.5%-4.0%) and 9- to 11-year (0.9%-2.2%) age groups. Since the late 2010s, significantly increasing annual percentage changes were observed in 12- to 14-year age boys (6.7%-8.9%) and girls of many age groups (2.6%-8.6%). The physical fitness test score and exercise time showed decreasing trends since the late 2010s. Childhood obesity may have generally risen in Japan, in the last decade. Encouraging healthy eating and physical activity through school policies and curricula is necessary.

PMID:38156435 | DOI:10.1111/cob.12636

J Am Geriatr Soc. 2023 Dec 29. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18727. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Staff in long-term care (LTC) homes have long-standing stressors, such as short staffing and high workloads. These stressors increased during the COVID-19 pandemic; better resources are needed to help staff manage stress and well-being. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a simple stress management strategy (coherent breathing).

METHODS: We conducted a pre-post intervention study to evaluate a self-managed coherent breathing intervention from February to September 2022. The intervention included basic (breathing only) and comprehensive (breathing plus a biofeedback device) groups. Six hundred eighty-six participants were initially recruited (359 and 327 in the comprehensive and basic groups respectively) from 31 LTC homes in Alberta, Canada. Two hundred fifty-four participants completed pre-and post-intervention questionnaires (142 [55.9%] in comprehensive and 112 [44.1%] in basic). Participants were asked to use coherent breathing based on a schedule increasing from 2 to 10 min daily, 5-7 times a week over 8 weeks. Participants completed self-administered online questionnaires pre- and post-intervention to assess outcomes-stress, psychological distress, anxiety, depression, resilience, insomnia, compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and burnout. We used a mixed-effects regression model to test the main effect of time (pre- and post-intervention) and group while testing the interaction between time and group and controlling for covariates.

RESULTS: We found statistically significant changes from pre- to post-intervention in stress (b = -2.5, p < 0.001, 95% CI = -3.1, -1.9), anxiety (b = -0.5, p < 0.001, 95% CI = -0.7, -0.3), depression (b = -0.4, p < 0.001, 95% CI = -0.6, -0.2), insomnia (b = -1.5, p < 0.001, 95% CI = -2.1, -0.9), and resilience (b = 0.2, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.1, 0.2). We observed no statistically significant differences between the two intervention groups on any outcome.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that coherent breathing is a promising strategy for improving stress-related outcomes and resilience. This intervention warrants further, more rigorous testing.

PMID:38156430 | DOI:10.1111/jgs.18727

Int Wound J. 2023 Dec 28. doi: 10.1111/iwj.14603. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Surgical site infections (SSIs) pose significant risks to patients undergoing colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. With increasing evidence on the benefits of oral probiotics in various clinical contexts, there is a need to assess their efficacy and safety in reducing SSIs following CRC surgery. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in line with PRISMA guidelines using the PICO framework. On 19 September 2023, four major databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library) were searched without any temporal or language restrictions. Rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria were employed. Data extraction was independently undertaken by two assessors, and any discrepancies were discussed. The Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias instrument was utilized to assess study quality. The meta-analysis incorporated a fixed-effects model or random-effects model based on the I2 statistic to assess heterogeneity. The initial search yielded 1282 articles, of which 10 met the inclusion criteria and were analysed. Probiotic administration not only significantly reduced the incidence of SSIs but also curtailed the duration of hospital stays. Moreover, the subgroup analysis indicated that interventions employing multiple strains of probiotics were more effective in reducing postoperative infections than those utilizing a single strain. Probiotics effectively prevent postoperative infections and shorten hospital stays. Multi-strain probiotics outperform single strain in efficacy. Future studies should focus on their safety and optimal clinical use.

PMID:38155392 | DOI:10.1111/iwj.14603

Malays J Pathol. 2023 Dec;45(3):457-462.

ABSTRACT

Hirschsprung’s Disease (HD) is a congenital disorder causing severe constipation in infants and children. Suction rectal biopsy (SRB) is the preferred technique for obtaining tissue samples for histopathological evaluation. In low-resource settings like Malaysia, cost-effective diagnostic approaches are necessary, making single sample SRB valuable. This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy and sufficiency of a single macroscopically adequate sample in suction rectal biopsies for the histopathological confirmation of HD. We conducted a retrospective study of children who underwent suction rectal biopsies for the diagnosis of HD at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II (HRPZII), Kota Bharu, Kelantan. A total of 68 patients were included in the study. The inadequacy rate for bedside SRB was 14%, comparable to current literature. Our study found no statistically significant association between sample inadequacy and gestational age, gender, birth weight, or weight at biopsy. Complication rates were 0%, consistent with literature reports. Calretinin staining, an additional technique, was performed in 23 biopsy episodes, with a 4.3% inadequacy rate, compared to 20% in specimens not subjected to calretinin staining. The cost of SRB almost doubled with each additional sample taken, significant in low-resource environments. In conclusion, single sample SRBs can be adequately diagnostic and cost-effective in low-resource settings, providing valuable insights for healthcare facilities in Malaysia and other developing countries. The use of adjunctive techniques such as calretinin staining may improve diagnostic accuracy while maintaining cost-effectiveness. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.

PMID:38155386

Malays J Pathol. 2023 Dec;45(3):425-440.

ABSTRACT

The onset of obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) occurs when antiphospholipid antibodies act upon the placenta. During pregnancy, APS exhibits traits such as vascular thrombosis, inflammation, and hindered trophoblast implantation. The involvement of microRNA expression has been proposed as a genetic factor contributing to the syndrome’s development. MicroRNAs play a role in regulating gene expression in various cellular processes, including the formation of placental tissue. Therefore, additional research is needed to explore the control of placental miRNA in APS. In this study, we aimed to profile miRNA expressions from placenta tissue of patients with APS. Differentially expressed miRNAs were determined for its targeted genes and pathways. Agilent microarray platform was used to measure placental microRNA expressions between normal placental tissue and those obtained from patients with APS. Differentially expressed miRNAs were detected using GeneSpring GX software 14.2 and sequences were mapped using TargetScan software to generate the predicted target genes. Pathway analysis for the genes was then performed on PANTHER and REACTOME software. Selected miRNAs and their associated genes of interest were validated using qPCR. Microarray findings revealed, 9 downregulated and 21 upregulated miRNAs expressed in placenta of patients with APS. Quantitative expressions of 3 selected miRNAs were in agreement with the microarray findings, however only miR-525-5p expression was statistically significant. Pathway analysis revealed that the targeted genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were involved in several hypothesised signalling pathways such as the vascular endothelial (VE) growth factor (VEGF) and inflammatory pathways. VE-cadherin, ras homolog member A (RHOA) and tyrosine kinase receptor (KIT) showed significant downregulation while Retinoblastoma gene (RET), Dual specificity protein phosphatase 10 (DUSP10) and B-lymphocyte kinase (BLK) genes were significantly upregulated. These preliminary findings suggest the involvement of miRNAs and identified novel associated genes involvement in the mechanism of obstetric APS, particularly through the alteration of vascular-associated regulators and the inflammatory signalling cascade.

PMID:38155384

J Radiat Res. 2023 Dec 28:rrad101. doi: 10.1093/jrr/rrad101. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by progressive joint inflammation, resulting in cartilage destruction and bone erosion. It was reported that low-dose radiation modulates immune disease. Here, we investigated whether low-dose whole-body irradiation has preventive and therapeutic effects in collagen-induced RA (CIA) mouse models. Fractionated low-dose irradiation (0.05 Gy/fraction, total doses of 0.1, 0.5 or 0.8 Gy) was administered either concurrently with CIA induction by Type II collagen immunization (preventive) or after CIA development (therapeutic). The severity of CIA was monitored using two clinical parameters, paw swelling and redness. We also measured total Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and inflammatory cytokines (interleukine (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)) in the serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and we evaluated histological changes in the ankle joints by immunohistochemistry and hematoxylin and eosin staining. Low-dose irradiation reduced CIA clinical scores by up to 41% in the preventive model and by 28% in the therapeutic model, while irradiation in the preventive model reduced the typical CIA incidence rate from 82 to 56%. In addition, low-dose irradiation in the preventive model decreased total IgG by up to 23% and decreased IL-1β and TNF-α by 69 and 67%, and in the therapeutic model, decreased total IgG by up to 35% and decreased IL-1β and IL-6 by 59 and 42% with statistical significance (P < 0.01, 0.05 and 0.001). Our findings demonstrate that low-dose radiation has preventive and therapeutic anti-inflammatory effects against CIA by controlling the immune response, suggesting that low-dose radiation may represent an alternative therapy for RA, a chronic degenerative immune disease.

PMID:38155365 | DOI:10.1093/jrr/rrad101

Mol Biol Rep. 2023 Dec 28;51(1):32. doi: 10.1007/s11033-023-08932-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Current studies have suggested that miRNA is beneficial in inhibiting myocardial remodeling after myocardial infarction (AMI), however, its underlying mechanism is unclear.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate whether miR-150 can inhibit myocardial remodeling after myocardial infarction and whether this process is regulated by the miR-150/TET3 pathway.

METHODS: On the first day, C57BL/6 AMI mice(n = 15) were administrated with miR-150, and another 15 AMI mice were administrated with the same volume of control Agomir. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF%) and myocardial remodeling were compared after one week; TET3 (ten-eleven translocation 3) and VEGF-α (vascular endothelial growth factor-α) were also determined in the infracted heart simultaneously. The neovascularization in the infarcted area at day 21 was compared through CD31 using fluorescence microscopy; Activated monocytes stimulated with LPS were transfected with miR-150. Laser scanning confocal microscopy was used to detect the intracytoplasmic imaging of miR-150 in Ly6C^high monocytes. Expression of the miR-150 in the monocytes was measured using Q-PCR. After 48 h, the proportion of Ly6C^high/low monocytes was determined using flow cytometry. Expression of TET3 in Ly6C^high/low monocytes was measured using Q-PCR and Western blot. After the downregulation of TET3 specifically, the levels of Ly6C^high/low monocytes were further determined.

RESULTS: We first observed an increased trend of mice survival rate in the miR-150 injection group, but it didn’t reach a statistical difference (66.7% vs. 40.0%, p = 0.272). However, AMI mice administrated with miR-150 displayed better LVEF% (51.78%±2.90% vs. 40.28%±4.20%, p<0.001) and decreased infarct size% (25.47 ± 7.75 vs. 50.39 ± 16.91, p = 0.002). After miR-150 was transfected into monocytes, the percentage of Ly6C^low monocytes increased significantly after 48 h (48.5%±10.1% vs. 42.5%±8.3%, p < 0.001). Finally, Western blot analysis (0.56 ± 0.10/β-actin vs. 0.99 ± 0.12/β-actin, p < 0.001) and real-time PCR (1.09 ± 0.09/GAPDH vs. 2.53 ± 0.15/GAPDH, p < 0.001, p < 0.001) both confirmed decreased expression of TET3 in monocytes after transfection with miR-150. After the downregulation of TET3 specifically, Ly6C^low monocytes showed a significant increase (16.73%±6.45% vs. 6.94%±2.99%, p<0.001, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: miR-150 alleviated myocardial remodeling after AMI. Possible mechanisms are ascribed to the regulating of TET3 and VEGF-α in inflammatory monocytes.

PMID:38155307 | DOI:10.1007/s11033-023-08932-1

Sci China Life Sci. 2023 Dec 19. doi: 10.1007/s11427-023-2445-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

An increasing cancer incidence among adults younger than 50 years has been reported for several types of cancer in multiple countries. We aimed to report cancer profiles and trends among young adults in China. Data from the China Cancer Registry Annual Report were used to estimate incidence and mortality among young adults (ages 20-49 years) in China in 2017, and an age-period-cohort model was employed to estimate the average annual percent change (AAPC) in incidence and mortality from 2000 to 2017. All 25 cancer types were grouped into obesity- or overweight-associated cancers (12 cancer types) and additional cancers (13 cancer types). In 2017, there were 681,178 new cases and 214,591 cancer deaths among young adults in China. Among young adults, the most common cancers were thyroid, breast, cervical, liver, lung, and colorectal cancer, and the leading causes of cancer deaths were liver, lung, cervical, stomach, breast, and colorectal cancer. From 2000 to 2017, the cancer incidence increased for all cancers combined among young adults, with the highest AAPC (1.46%) for adults aged 20-24 years, while cancer mortality decreased, with the highest AAPC (-1.63%) for those aged 35-39 years. In conclusion, the cancer incidence in China has increased among young adults, while cancer mortality has decreased for nearly all ages. Cancer control measures, such as obesity control and appropriate screening, may contribute to reducing the increasing cancer burden among young adults.

PMID:38155276 | DOI:10.1007/s11427-023-2445-1

Sci Rep. 2023 Dec 27;13(1):23065. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-50738-5.

ABSTRACT

Research suggests that fibrinogen was related to diabetic retinopathy (DR). Then, the relationship between functional indices of fibrinogen and detailed staging of DR has not been explored. Type 2 diabetic and healthy control subjects (n = 960) were recruited in a cross-sectional study. Participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus were categorized into five stages according to their fundus lesions, and fibrinogen (Fib) and its functional indices (angle α and k value) were measured. The angle α levels increased in diabetic subjects with retinopathy compared with those without, and it was significantly elevated early in retinopathy. In contrast, the k value levels slightly decreased. Despite observing an increase in angle α levels and a decrease in k value levels during the later stages of retinopathy compared to the earlier stages, there was no statistically significant difference in the later stages. The association of the angle α and k value with DR was independent of the hyperglycaemic state and other potential confounders (OR = 1.672, 95% CI 1.489-1.876, P < 0.01; OR = 0.013, 95% CI 0.004-0.041, P < 0.01). The angle α levels and k value levels were closely correlated with retinopathy (r = 0.593, P < 0.00; r = – 0.646, P < 0.01). The ROC curve indicated that the diagnostic value of angle α and k value were (AUC = 0.897, P < 0.001; AUC = 0.859, P < 0.001). Fibrinogen function indexes, such as angle α and k value, may be valuable for the early diagnosis of DR but do not directly assess the severity of DR.

PMID:38155234 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-023-50738-5

Sci Rep. 2023 Dec 27;13(1):23008. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-50149-6.

ABSTRACT

We found that barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) breeding occurs within close proximity to humans. An evaluation of barn swallow breeding frequency and the breeding success rate of swallows at research sites, which were buildings inhabited by humans and buildings where humans had previously resided, was conducted in order to establish a relationship between the location of barn swallow nests and human habitation and activity frequency. The results demonstrated that barn swallows often breed in human-inhabited buildings. No significant relationship was observed between the wall material and the direction of the wall and the type of building, whereas a much higher proportion of the nests were located near doors with a high level of human movement. In addition, no significant correlation was observed between the location of the nest and the distance from potential resources (food, water etc.), however, a statistically significant relationship was observed between the frequency of human activity measured through the video camera and the number of nests located at a certain distance. The average number of offspring and the reproductive success rate were higher in nests located within close proximity to human activity compared to nests not located within close proximity to human activity, suggesting that the presence of humans had a positive effect on reproduction. This study show that barn swallow nesting occurs in locations where there is a human influence and humans provide implicit protection of swallows from predation, which has a significant impact on breeding.

PMID:38155232 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-023-50149-6