Tag: statistics

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2023 Jan-Mar;64(1):57-63. doi: 10.47162/RJME.64.1.07.

ABSTRACT

Ulcerative colitis (UC), one of the inflammatory bowel diseases, has been reported to increase in recent years. Although the exact cause is unknown, disruptions in the molecular pathways are thought to trigger UC. We aimed to examine the distributions of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (GSK-3β), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and wingless∕int-1 (Wnt-1) in different age groups diagnosed with UC. Patients diagnosed with UC were divided into four groups according to their ages: Group 1, aged 18-30 (n=20); Group 2, aged 31-45 (n=20); Group 3, aged 46-60 (n=20); Group 4, aged 61-75 (n=20). Tissue sections were histochemically stained to examine the parameters of epithelial cell height, length of crypt, thickness of muscularis mucosa and extent of submucosal fibrosis. The immunohistochemistry assay was performed using cell survival and for GSK-3β, NF-κB and Wnt-1 cell growth markers. Immunoreactivities were evaluated using H-score and analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for statistics. It was detected a decrease in the histopathological parameters whereas the immunoreactivities of GSK-3β, NF-κB and Wnt-1 were increased with increasing age. The levels of GSK-3β immunoreactivity were similar in both epithelium and submucosa in all groups. NF-κB immunoreactivity was higher in submucosa of Groups 1, 2 and 3, while Wnt-1 was enhanced in Groups 1 and 3. The results of histopathology showed that the integrity of the epithelial tissue in the colon deteriorated with increasing age. The expressions of GSK-3β, NF-κB and Wnt-1 were detected in all age groups. We thought that there was a synergistic activation between these three markers. Nevertheless, studies are needed to investigate this molecular pathway.

PMID:37128792 | DOI:10.47162/RJME.64.1.07

Aesthet Surg J. 2023 May 2:sjad128. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjad128. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Developed originally as a tool for resident self-evaluation, the Plastic Surgery Inservice Training Examination (PSITE) has become a standardized tool adopted by plastic surgery residency programs. The introduction of large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT (OpenAI, San Francisco, CA), has demonstrated the potential to help propel the field of plastic surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The authors of this study wanted to assess whether or not ChatGPT could be utilized as a tool in resident education by assessing its accuracy on the PSITE.

METHODS: Questions were obtained from the 2022 PSITE, which was present on the American Council of Academic Plastic Surgeons (ACAPS) website. Questions containing images or tables were carefully inspected and flagged before being inputted into ChatGPT. All responses by ChatGPT were qualified utilizing the properties of natural coherence. Responses that were found to be incorrect were divided into the following categories: logical, informational, or explicit fallacy.

RESULTS: ChatGPT answered a total of 242 questions with an accuracy of 54.96%. The software incorporated logical reasoning in 88.8% of questions, internal information in 95.5% of questions, and external information in 92.1% of questions. When stratified by correct and incorrect responses, we determined that there was a statistically significant difference in ChatGPT’s use of external information (p <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: ChatGPT is a versatile tool that has the potential to impact resident education by providing general knowledge, clarifying information, providing case-based learning, and promoting evidence-based medicine. With advancements in LLM and artificial intelligence (AI), it is possible that ChatGPT may be an impactful tool for resident education within plastic surgery.

PMID:37128784 | DOI:10.1093/asj/sjad128

J Biomol Struct Dyn. 2023 May 2:1-20. doi: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2203261. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as heart failure, stroke, and hypertension affect 64.3 million people worldwide and are responsible for 30% of all deaths. Primary inhibition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is significant in the management of CVD. In the present study, the genetic algorithm-multiple linear regressions (GA-MLR) method is used to generate highly predictive and statistically significant (R² = 0.70-0.75, Q²_LOO=0.67-0.73, Q²_LMO=0.66-0.72, CCC_ex=0.70-0.78) quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) models conferring to OECD requirements using a dataset of 255 structurally diverse and experimentally validated ACE inhibitors. The models contain simply illustratable Padel, Estate, and PyDescriptors that correlate structural scaffold requisite for ACE inhibition. Also, constraint-based molecular docking reveals an interaction profile between ligands and enzymes which is then correlated with the essential structural features associated with the QSAR models. The QSAR-based virtual screening was utilized to find novel lead molecules from a designed database of 102 thiadiazole derivatives. The Applicability domain (AD), Molecular Docking, Molecular dynamics, and ADMET analysis suggest two compound D24 and D40 are inflexibly linked to the protein binding site and follows drug-likeness properties.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

PMID:37128759 | DOI:10.1080/07391102.2023.2203261

Anal Chem. 2023 May 2;95(17):6996-7005. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c00495. Epub 2023 Apr 17.

ABSTRACT

Isomeric molecules are important analytes in many biological and chemical arenas, yet their similarity poses challenges for many analytical methods, including mass spectrometry (MS). Tandem-MS provides significantly more information about isomers than intact mass analysis, but highly similar fragmentation patterns are common and include cases where no unique m/z peaks are generated between isomeric pairs. However, even in such situations, differences in peak intensity can exist and potentially contain additional information. Herein, we present a framework for comparing mass spectra that differ only in terms of peak intensity and include calculation of a statistical probability that the spectra derive from different analytes. This framework allows for confident identification of peptide isomers by collision-induced dissociation, higher-energy collisional dissociation, electron-transfer dissociation, and radical-directed dissociation. The method successfully identified many types of isomers including various d/l amino acid substitutions, Leu/Ile, and Asp/IsoAsp. The method can accommodate a wide range of changes in instrumental settings including source voltages, isolation widths, and resolution without influencing the analysis. It is shown that quantification of the composition of isomeric mixtures can be enabled with calibration curves, which were found to be highly linear and reproducible. The analysis can be implemented with data collected by either direct infusion or liquid-chromatography MS. Although this framework is presented in the context of isomer characterization, it should also prove useful in many other contexts where similar mass spectra are generated.

PMID:37128750 | DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.3c00495

J Child Neurol. 2023 May 2:8830738231168973. doi: 10.1177/08830738231168973. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the diagnostic value of the thalamus L-sign on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in distinguishing between periventricular leukomalacia and neurometabolic disorders in pediatric patients.

METHODS: In this retrospective study, clinical and imaging information was collected from 50 children with periventricular leukomalacia and 52 children with neurometabolic disorders. MRI was used to evaluate the L-sign of the thalamus (ie, injury to the posterolateral thalamus) and the lobar distribution of signal intensity changes. Age, sex, gestational age, and level of Gross Motor Function Classification System (only for periventricular leukomalacia) constituted the clinical parameters. Statistical evaluation of group differences for imaging and clinical variables were conducted using univariable statistical methods. The intra- and inter-observer agreement was evaluated using Cohen’s kappa. Univariable or multivariable logistic regression was employed for selection of variables, determining independent predictors, and modeling.

RESULTS: The thalamus L-sign was observed in 70% (35/50) of patients in the periventricular leukomalacia group, but in none of the patients with neurometabolic disorder (P < .001). The gestational age between groups varied significantly (P < .001). Involvement of frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes differed significantly between groups (P < .001). In the logistic regression, the best model included negative thalamus L-sign and gestational age, yielding an area under the curve, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and precision values of 0.995, 96.1%, 96%, 96.2%, and 96%, respectively. Both the lack of thalamus L-sign and gestational age were independent predictors (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS: The thalamus L-sign and gestational age may be useful in distinguishing between periventricular leukomalacia and neurometabolic disorders.

PMID:37128731 | DOI:10.1177/08830738231168973

Aesthet Surg J. 2023 May 1:sjad124. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjad124. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Combining multiple surgical procedures into one operative session is widespread in the field of plastic surgery; however, the implications of this practice are not fully understood.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared 30-day complication rates associated with combined plastic surgery procedures compared to index procedures.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort analysis utilized the Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons database from 2016-2020 to identify the three most frequent combinations with augmentation mammaplasty, reduction mammaplasty, trunk liposuction, mastopexy, and abdominoplasty.

RESULTS: The 30-day overall complication rate was 5.0% (1,400 of 26,771 patients), with a higher complication rate for combined procedures compared to index (7.6% vs 4.2%, aOR 1.91 (95% CI 1.61-2.27), p<0.001). There were no significant differences in complication rates for abdominoplasty or mastopexy combinations compared to index. Complication rates for reduction mammaplasty combinations compared to index were not statistically different after controlling for demographics (aOR 1.02 (95% CI 0.61, 1.64) p=0.93). Higher rates of minor and major complications were observed for combinations of trunk liposuction (aOR 4.84, (95% CI 3.31, 7.21), p<0.001) and augmentation mammaplasty (aOR 1.60, (95% CI 1.13, 2.22), p=0.007) compared to index.

CONCLUSIONS: TOPS data suggests that combinations with trunk liposuction or augmentation mammaplasty present with increased risk of complications compared to index, controlling for demographics. Abdominoplasty and mastopexy may be combined with other plastic surgery procedures without increased risk to patients. The complication risk of reduction mammaplasty combinations is mediated by other variables, suggesting the need for shared surgical decision making when recommending these combinations to patients.

PMID:37128702 | DOI:10.1093/asj/sjad124

J Clin Pharmacol. 2023 May 1. doi: 10.1002/jcph.2259. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

To examine the relationship between lean body mass (LBM) and the incidence and severity of neutropenia in patients with malignant tumors from Northern China who have received nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel. Twenty-six patients with pathologically confirmed malignant tumors were prospectively included in this study. These 26 patients were divided into group A (sarcopenia) and group B (non-sarcopenia). Group A comprised 50% (13/26) of the 26 patients, while group B comprised the other 50% (13/26). There was no statistically significant difference between both groups in terms of body surface area (BSA) (P = 0.052). The incidence of neutropenia in group A was 76.9% compared to 61.5% in group B (P = 0.0673). The incidence of grade 3 and severe neutropenia was 76.9% versus 61.5% in groups A and B, respectively (P = 0.645). These 26 patients were divided into groups 1 and 2 based on the administered nab-paclitaxel dose per kilogram of LBM, with both groups receiving a BSA dose of 260 mg/m² . Group 1 received a nab-paclitaxel dose of 14.19 mg/kg of LBM, while group 2 received 11.37 mg/ kg of LBM. In group 1, the incidence of neutropenia was 71.4% whereas it was 66.7% in group 2. Grade 3 or higher neutropenia incidence was 28.6% in group 1 versus 16.7% in group 2. Patients with sarcopenia in Northern China experienced a higher incidence of severe neutropenia after receiving nab-paclitaxel than non-sarcopenia patients. Higher drug dose intensity per unit LBM may be a contributing factor. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:37128692 | DOI:10.1002/jcph.2259

J Holist Nurs. 2023 May 1:8980101231170482. doi: 10.1177/08980101231170482. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To evaluate effectiveness of chairside yoga therapy on perceptions of fatigue, pain, nausea, anxiety, and distress among oncology patients concurrently receiving outpatient cancer infusion therapy. Design: This prospective pilot study used pre-/post-survey design in convenience sample of cancer patients in outpatient setting. Methods: Researchers developed and administered the Outpatient Cancer Symptom Assessment Scale (OCSAS) comprised of cancer- or treatment-related symptoms commonly reported in the oncology population (nausea, pain, fatigue, anxiety, and distress). Following IRB approval, symptoms were rated using Likert scale of 0 (not present) to 10 (severe) before and after chairside yoga therapy delivered concurrently with outpatient infusions. Qualitative data was collected related to patients’ overall infusion experience. Findings: Participants (n = 82) reported positive patient experiences and statistically less pain (p < 0.001), fatigue (p < 0.001), anxiety (p < 0.001), and distress (p < 0.001) following the yoga intervention compared to baseline. Nausea was not significantly impacted by the yoga intervention. Conclusions: Yoga therapy received concurrently during outpatient cancer infusion is consistent with a holistic and integrative approach to care for the oncology population. Yoga therapy offers promise for reducing symptoms which negatively impact quality of life, including pain, fatigue, anxiety, and distress. Qualitative data suggests patients’ overall infusion experience was enhanced with yoga therapy.

PMID:37128683 | DOI:10.1177/08980101231170482

J Telemed Telecare. 2023 May 1:1357633X231171315. doi: 10.1177/1357633X231171315. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:37128677 | DOI:10.1177/1357633X231171315

Health Expect. 2023 May 1. doi: 10.1111/hex.13771. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic brought rapid and major changes to research, and those wishing to carry out Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) activities faced challenges, such as restrictions on movement and contact, illness, bereavement and risks to potential participants. Some researchers moved PPI to online settings during this time but remote consultations raise, as well as address, a number of challenges. It is important to learn from PPI undertaken in this period as face-to-face consultation may no longer be the dominant method for PPI.

METHODS: UK stay-at-home measures announced in March 2020 necessitated immediate revisions to the intended face-to-face methods of PPI consultation for the ESORT Study, which evaluated emergency surgery for patients with common acute conditions. PPI plans and methods were modified to all components being online. We describe and reflect on: initial plans and adaptation; recruitment; training and preparation; implementation, contextualisation and interpretation. Through first-hand accounts we show how the PPI processes were developed, experienced and viewed by different partners in the process.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: While concerns have been expressed about the possible limiting effects of forgoing face-to-face contact with PPI partners, we found important benefits from the altered dynamic of the online PPI environment. There were increased opportunities for participation which might encourage the involvement of a broader demographic, and unexpected benefits in that the online platform seemed to have a ‘democratising’ effect on the meetings, to the benefit of the PPI processes and outcomes. Other studies may however find that their particular research context raises particular challenges for the use of online methods, especially in relation to representation and inclusion, as new barriers to participation may be raised. It is important that methodological challenges are addressed, and researchers provide detailed examples of novel methods for discussion and empirical study.

PATIENT AND PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: We report a process which involved people with lived experience of emergency conditions and members of the public. A patient member was involved in the design and implementation, and two patients with lived experience contributed to the manuscript.

PMID:37128669 | DOI:10.1111/hex.13771