Tag: statistics

Diabetes. 2023 Aug 30:db230365. doi: 10.2337/db23-0365. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Understanding differences in adipose gene expression between individuals with different levels of clinical traits may reveal the genes and mechanisms leading to cardiometabolic diseases. However, adipose is a heterogeneous tissue. To account for cell-type heterogeneity, we estimated cell-type proportions in 859 subcutaneous adipose tissue samples with bulk RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) using a reference single nuclear RNA-seq dataset. Cell-type proportions were associated with cardiometabolic traits; for example, higher macrophage and adipocyte proportions were associated with higher and lower body mass index (BMI), respectively. We evaluated cell-type proportions and BMI as covariates in tests of association between >25,000 gene expression levels and 22 cardiometabolic traits. For >95% of genes, the optimal, or best fit, models included BMI as a covariate, and for 79% of associations, the optimal models also included cell type. After adjusting for the optimal covariates, we identified 2,664 significant associations (P ≤ 2e-6) for 1,252 genes and 14 traits. Among genes proposed to affect cardiometabolic traits based on colocalized genome-wide association study and adipose expression quantitative trait locus signals, 25 showed a corresponding association between trait and gene expression levels. Overall, these results suggest the importance of modeling cell-type proportion when identifying gene expression associations with cardiometabolic traits.

PMID:37647564 | DOI:10.2337/db23-0365

Nurse Educ. 2023 Aug 25. doi: 10.1097/NNE.0000000000001508. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nursing faculty may have concerns about unfair advantages and inflated examination grades when students take an examination late.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to compare make-up examination scores with on-time examination scores to determine whether scores were higher in students who took an examination late.

METHODS: A descriptive, comparative study using retrospective examination scores from a large nursing program was analyzed. Late examination scores were compared with the student’s individual on-time examination average and the class’s average of on-time examination scores.

RESULTS: A total of 156 examinations were taken late. There were no statistically significant differences between students’ late examination scores when compared with the student’s on-time examinations or the class average of the examination.

CONCLUSION: Students do not appear to gain an advantage when taking an examination late. Findings may assist faculty in developing policies for taking make-up examinations.

PMID:37647528 | DOI:10.1097/NNE.0000000000001508

Anal Chem. 2023 Aug 30. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02679. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study reports a simple modification to a commercial resin 3D printer that significantly reduces the amount of prepolymer material needed for the production of extraction sorbents. The modified printing platform is demonstrated in the printing of two imidazolium-based ionic liquid (IL) monomers. Two geometries resembling a blade-type polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) sorbent used in thin-film microextraction and a fiber-type sorbent used in solid-phase microextraction (SPME) were printed. The SPME PIL sorbents were used to extract 10 organic contaminants, including plasticizers, antimicrobial agents, UV filters, and pesticides, from water followed by high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis. To compare the extraction performance of the SPME sorbents, seven fibers printed with the same prepolymer composition from the same printing batch as well as different batches were evaluated. The results revealed highly reproducible extraction efficiencies for all tested sorbents with no statistical difference in their extraction performance. Method validation showed acceptable linearity (R² > 0.92) for all analytes with limits of detection and limits of quantification ranging from 0.13 to 45 μg L^-1 and 0.43 to 150 μg L^-1, respectively.

PMID:37647518 | DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02679

Plast Reconstr Surg. 2023 Aug 29. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000011032. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: In advanced lymphedema, lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) can be a solution based on utilizing the pressure gradient between the high pressure lymphatics and low pressure veins. If the vein pressure in high, the effect affect surgery will be less optimal. This study evaluated the effect of axillary vein perivascular scar release on LVA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 40 upper limb stage 2 and 3 lymphedema patients divided into 2 groups with an average follow-up of 33 months (minimal of at least 12 months); scar-released group (n=25) and control group (n=15). All patients underwent LVA with or without lymph node transfer. Demographic data, outcome (volumetric change and bioimpedence analysis (BIA)), and major veins (axillary, basilic and cephalic) diameter changes were evaluated.

RESULTS: Both groups showed significant reduction in volume and BIA parameters after LVA. The scar-released groups (24/25 with lymph node transfer and 1 without) showed statistically higher reduction of BIA analysis compared to the control group at 1, 6 and 12 months after LVA. The changes in the major veins after axilla scar release showed significant changes in all 3 veins. There was a significant correlation between cephailic vein dimeter reduction and BIA measurement.

CONCLUSION: The release of perivascular scar in the axially vein may result in better outcome after LVA. This is based on the finding that scar release shows correlation between cephailic vein dimeter reduction and BIA measurement suggesting reduction of venous pressure in the peripheral vein increasing the pressure gradient between the lymphatic and venous system allowing better outflow after LVA.

PMID:37647513 | DOI:10.1097/PRS.0000000000011032

J Biol Dyn. 2023 Dec;17(1):2244987. doi: 10.1080/17513758.2023.2244987.

ABSTRACT

We provide a procedure for deriving discrete population models for the size of the adult population at the beginning of each breeding cycle and assume only adult individuals reproduce. This derivation technique includes delay to account for the number of breeding cycles that a newborn individual remains immature and does not contribute to reproduction. These models include a survival probability (during the delay period) for the immature individuals, since these individuals have to survive to reach maturity and become members of, what we consider, the adult population. We discuss properties of this class of discrete delay population models and show that there is a critical delay threshold. The population goes extinct if the delay exceeds this threshold. We apply this derivation procedure to obtain two models, a Beverton-Holt adult model and a Ricker adult model and discuss the global dynamics of both models.

PMID:37647506 | DOI:10.1080/17513758.2023.2244987

Int J Psychiatry Med. 2023 Aug 30:912174231199925. doi: 10.1177/00912174231199925. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Anhedonia is a common symptom of depression, but is also a negative symptom of schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of vortioxetine on anhedonia in patients with schizophrenia.

METHODS: A total of 120 patients with schizophrenia in remission who met inclusion criteria were randomized 1:1 by the envelope method into intervention and control groups. All participants in both groups were divided into three subgroups based on the antipsychotic therapy (olanzapine or risperidone or aripiprazole) that they were receiving. Vortioxetine was administered to those in the intervention group at a fixed dose of 10 mg per day. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), and Chapman Scale for Social and Physical Anhedonia (CSPA) were administered. The study lasted 12 weeks. Participants were assessed twice: At baseline and at the end of the study. Six participants dropped out, with 114 remaining.

FINDINGS: Vortioxetine treatment had a significant effect on the level of physical anhedonia. The treatment interaction was also statistically significant, but with a relatively small effect (F = 3.17, P < .05; η2 = .061). Vortioxetine treatment had a particularly strong effect on the level of social anhedonia. The interaction between the treatment and the type of antipsychotics was also statistically significant with a small effect (F = 5.04, P < 0. 01; η2 = .091).

CONCLUSION: The combination of olanzapine and vortioxetine was found to be the best option to reduce symptoms of social and physical anhedonia in these patients with remitted schizophrenia.

PMID:37647498 | DOI:10.1177/00912174231199925

Health Rep. 2023 Aug 16;34(8):16-30. doi: 10.25318/82-003-x202300800002-eng.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The Public Health Agency of Canada monitors the psychological and social well-being of Canadian youth using the Children’s Intrinsic Needs Satisfaction Scale (CINSS). Validation analyses of the CINSS have been conducted, but not in the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (CHSCY), a more recent and representative national survey with a different sampling frame, collection method and other measured outcomes. This study tested the validity of the CINSS in the 2019 CHSCY.

DATA AND METHODS: Data were collected in all provinces and territories from February 11 to August 2, 2019. The CINSS was administered to respondents aged 12 to 17 years and was designed to assess relatedness, autonomy and competence at home, at school and with friends. Descriptive statistics for CINSS items and subscales were obtained. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to test how well a correlated traits correlated uniqueness (CTCU) model fit the CINSS data. Associations with mental health and other psychosocial variables were examined.

RESULTS: In general, items within the CINSS were correlated in expected ways, and support was found for a CTCU model in the CFA. While response distributions on the CINSS items were skewed, the CINSS subscales had acceptable internal consistency and were associated with self-rated mental health, happiness, life satisfaction, perceived stress, bullying victimization and behaviour problems in line with expectations.

INTERPRETATION: This study supports the validity of the CINSS. Inclusion of the CINSS in future youth health surveys would allow for continued public health surveillance of the psychological and social well-being of youth in Canada.

PMID:37647459 | DOI:10.25318/82-003-x202300800002-eng

Health Rep. 2023 Aug 16;34(8):3-15. doi: 10.25318/82-003-x202300800001-eng.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Accessibility of food retail in communities may play a role in shaping the food choices of local residents. However, previous studies have shown mixed results. This study examined associations between the local restaurant environment and the frequency of eating food from restaurants and intake of sugary drinks among Canadian children and youth.

DATA AND METHODS: The study cohort consisted of 23,776 participants (aged 1 to 17 years) in the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth who resided in large urban population centres across the Canadian provinces. Measures of geographic access to various restaurant types within walking distance of participants’ residential areas came from the 2018 Canadian Food Environment Dataset. Poisson regression models with robust standard errors assessed associations between measures of absolute densities (number per km²) of full-service, fast-food and other restaurants, and the relative density of fast-food restaurants (as a percentage of total restaurants) with the frequency of eating food from fast-food or full-service restaurants and sugary drink intake in the previous seven days.

RESULTS: After adjustment for a range of sociodemographic covariates, there were no consistent associations between absolute and relative measures of restaurant access and the frequency of eating food from restaurants or intake of sugary drinks.

INTERPRETATION: Results reveal no consistent relationships between local restaurant exposures and the frequency of eating food from restaurants or sugary drink intake among Canadian children and youth. Efforts to create environments that foster healthy food choices among young people will remain important but will likely need to target multiple activity spaces beyond the local neighbourhood.

PMID:37647458 | DOI:10.25318/82-003-x202300800001-eng

Immun Inflamm Dis. 2023 Aug;11(8):e981. doi: 10.1002/iid3.981.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Accessibility to the immense collection of studies on noncommunicable diseases related to coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an immediate focus of researchers. However, there is a scarcity of information about chronic obstructed pulmonary disease (COPD), which is associated with a high rate of infection in COVID-19 patients. Moreover, by combining the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 on COPD patients, we may be able to overcome formidable obstacles factors, and diagnosis influencers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 280 patients was conducted at DHQ Hospital Muzaffargarh in Punjab, Pakistan. Negative binomial regression describes the risk of fixed successive variables. The association is described by the Cox proportional hazard model and the model coefficient is determined through log-likelihood observation. Patients with COPD had their survival and mortality plotted on Kaplan-Meier curves.

RESULTS: The increased risk of death in COPD patients was due to the effects of variables such as cough, lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI), tuberculosis (TB), and body-aches being 1.369, 0.693, 0.170, and 0.217 times higher at (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.747-1.992), (95% CI: 0.231-1.156), (95% CI: 0.008-0.332), and (95% CI: -0.07 to 0.440) while it decreased 0.396 in normal condition.

CONCLUSION: We found that the symptoms of COPD (cough, LRTI, TB, and bodyaches) are statistically significant in patients who were most infected by SARS-CoV-2.

PMID:37647450 | DOI:10.1002/iid3.981

Eur J Endocrinol. 2023 Aug 30:lvad120. doi: 10.1093/ejendo/lvad120. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: An increased prevalence of depression has been reported in patients with acromegaly. However, most studies included a relatively small sample size owing to the rarity of acromegaly. We aimed to investigate the risk of depression in patients with acromegaly using the Korean National Health Information Database (NHID).

METHODS: The data of patients with acromegaly in 2006-2016 were collected from the rare incurable disease registry of the NHID. Patients with acromegaly were matched with control participants without acromegaly for age and sex in a 1:5 ratio.

RESULTS: Patients who did not receive treatment for acromegaly had a significantly increased risk of depression [hazard ratio (HR): 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12-1.82]. However, the risk of depression did not increase in patients who received treatment for acromegaly. The multiple Cox regression analysis showed that the risk of depression was significantly higher in the untreated group than in the control group during the first three years of observation (HR: 1.829; 95% CI: 1.305-2.563). However, after a time lag of over 3 years, the risk of depression decreased in the untreated group, which is similar to that in the control group.

CONCLUSION: Our nationwide study suggests that patients who did not receive treatment for acromegaly have a higher risk of depression compared with controls. The untreated acromegaly patients should be monitored for the development of depression, especially in the early years after diagnosis. These results could serve as a basis for developing screening strategies to mitigate depression in acromegaly patients.

PMID:37647116 | DOI:10.1093/ejendo/lvad120