Tag: statistics

Arch Med Res. 2023 Feb 14:S0188-4409(23)00015-2. doi: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2023.02.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: COVID-19, the 21^st century pandemic disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, has shown a wide clinical spectrum ranging from asymptomatic to deadly serious pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: In our study, the relationship between the pathogenesis and clinical severity of COVID-19 and vitamin D, ACE2, Furin and TMPRSS2 was investigated.

METHODS: Serum 25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)₂D and ACE2 protein were measured in 85 COVID-19 cases, divided into 5 groups, according to disease severity, from asymptomatic to severe and including a healthy control group. Expression levels of ACE2, VDR, TMPRSS2 and Furin mRNAs in PBMC were also measured. The relationship of the parameters within each group, the severity of the disease and the effect on the patients’ fate were investigated.

RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between the severity of COVID-19 and all study parameters, except for serum 25(OH)D. A strong negative correlation was found between serum ACE2 protein, 1,25(OH)₂D, and ACE2 mRNA, and disease severity, length of hospital stay and death/survival rate. Vitamin D deficiency increased the death risk by 5.6-fold (95% CI 0.75-41.47), and the levels of 1,25(OH)₂D lower than 1 ng/mL increased the risk of death by 3.8-fold (95% CI 1.07-13.30).

CONCLUSION: This study suggests that vitamin D supplementation could be beneficial in the treatment and/or prevention of COVID-19.

PMID:36914430 | DOI:10.1016/j.arcmed.2023.02.002

Arch Esp Urol. 2023 Feb;76(1):40-49. doi: 10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20237601.3.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To verify the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in treating stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women in a single treatment cycle lasting at least 6 weeks.

METHODS: A preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) summary was followed correctly. Through the use of EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases, and PubMed (until July 2021), we looked for randomized controlled trials. In addition, the included articles’ original references were looked up as well.

RESULTS: Totally, we analyzed four studies including 690 patients. Compared with the sham acupuncture group, this analysis verified that acupuncture was critically better result in decreasing mean urine leakage (p = 0.04), 1-hour pad test (p = 0.04), 72-hour incontinence episodes (p < 0.00001), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form scores (p = 0.0005) and improving patient self-evaluation (All p < 0.05). However, two groups had no statistical significance in improving pelvic floor muscle strength. In the matter of safety, mainly adverse events, especially with respect to pain, both groups showed no statistical difference.

CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture is more beneficial to patients with stress urinary incontinence in women with no critical difference in the incidence of advent events than sham acupuncture.

PMID:36914418 | DOI:10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20237601.3

Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2022 Dec 25;38(6):739-746. doi: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2021.511102.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the genetic information of 57 autosomal InDel loci (A-InDels) included in AGCU InDel 60 fluorescence detection kit in the Beichuan Qiang population of Sichuan Province and evaluate its application value in forensic medicine.

METHODS: A total of 200 unrelated healthy individuals from Beichuan Qiang population of Sichuan Province were typing detected by AGCU InDel 60 fluorescence detection kit. Allele frequencies and population genetic parameters of the 57 A-InDels were statistically analyzed and compared with the available data of 26 populations.

RESULTS: After Bonferroni correction, there was no linkage disequilibrium between the 57 A-InDels, and all loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Except for rs66595817 and rs72085595, the minor allele frequencies of 55 A-InDels were above 0.3. PIC ranged from 0.298 3 to 0.375 0, CDP was 1-2.974 8×10^-24, CPE_duo was 0.999 062 660, and CPE_trio was 0.999 999 999. The calculation of the genetic distance showed that Beichuan Qiang population had the closest genetic distances with Beijing Han and South China Han populations, but far away from African populations.

CONCLUSIONS: The 57 A-InDels in AGCU InDel 60 fluorescence detection kit have a good genetic polymorphism in Beichuan Qiang population of Sichuan Province, which can be used as effective supplemental for individual identification and paternity identification in forensic medicine.

PMID:36914390 | DOI:10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2021.511102

Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2022 Dec 25;38(6):697-701. doi: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2021.410904.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the interference of postmortem hemolysis on the detection of creatinine and whether ultrafiltration can reduce the interference.

METHODS: A total of 33 non-hemolyzed whole blood samples from the left heart were collected. Hemolyzed samples with 4 hemoglobin mass concentration gradients H1-H4 were artificially prepared. Ultrafiltration was performed on each hemolyzed sample. Creatinine concentrations in non-hemolyzed serum (baseline serum), hemolyzed samples and ultrafiltrate were detected. Bias (B), Pearson correlation and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) of baseline creatinine concentration between before and after ultrafiltration were analyzed.

RESULTS: As the hemoglobin mass concentration increased, B of the hemolyzed samples in the H1-H4 groups gradually increased, the |B| was 2.41(0.82, 8.25)-51.31(41.79, 188.25), reaching a maximum of 589.06%, and there was no statistically significant between the creatinine concentration and the baseline creatinine concentration (P=0.472 7, r=0.129 5). After ultrafiltration of hemolyzed samples, the interference of creatinine concentration in ultrafiltrate was significantly reduced, the |B| was 5.32(2.26, 9.22)-21.74(20.06, 25.58), reaching a maximum of 32.14%, and there was a positive correlation with baseline creatinine concentration (P<0.05, r=0.918 2). In the hemolyzed samples of H3 and H4 groups, there were 7 false-positive samples and 1 false-negative sample; in the ultrafiltrate samples, there were no false-positive sample and 1 false-negative sample. ROC analysis results showed the hemolyzed samples were lack of diagnostic value (P=0.117 5).

CONCLUSIONS: The postmortem hemolysis significantly interferes creatinine detection results of blood samples, ultrafiltration can reduce hemolysis-induced interference in postmortem creatinine detection.

PMID:36914384 | DOI:10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2021.410904

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2023 Mar 14. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000003759. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of double plasma molecular adsorption system (DPMAS) with half-dose plasma exchange (PE) to that of full-dose PE in pediatric acute liver failure (PALF).

METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted in 13 pediatric intensive care units in Shandong Province, China. DPMAS + PE and single PE therapies were performed in 28 and 50 cases, respectively. The patients’ clinical information and biochemical data were obtained from the patients’ medical recordS.

RESULTS: The severity of illness did not differ between the two groups. At 72 h after treatment, comparing with PE group, the rates of decline of Pediatric model for Endstage Liver Disease and Pediatric Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores as well as total bilirubin blood ammonia, and interleukin-6 were significantly higher, while the short-term effective rate (75.0% vs 44.0%, P=0.008) was significantly higher in the DPMAS+PE group. The volume of plasma consumption (26.5 vs 51.0 mL/kg, P=0.000) and the rate of adverse events (3.6% vs 24.0%, P=0.026) were lower in the DPMAS+PE group than in the PE group, respectively. However, there was no statistical difference in the 28-day mortality between the two groups (21.4% vs 40.0%, P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: For PALF patients, both DPMAS+ half-dose PE and full-dose PE could improve the liver function, while DPMAS+ half-dose PE could significantly reduce plasma consumption without obvious adverse effects in contrast with full-dose PE. Thus, DPMAS+ half-dose PE may be a suitable alternative method for PALF in the context of the increasingly tight blood supply situation.

PMID:36913704 | DOI:10.1097/MPG.0000000000003759

Scand J Work Environ Health. 2023 Mar 13:4086. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.4086. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of occupational exposures on the risk of a positive COVID-19 test, and whether this differed across pandemic waves.

METHODS: Data from 207 034 workers from The Netherlands with test data on COVID-19 from June 2020 until August 2021 were available. Occupational exposure was estimated by using the eight dimensions of a COVID-19 job exposure matrix (JEM). Personal characteristics, household composition and residence area were derived from Statistics Netherlands. A test-negative design was applied in which the risk of a positive test was analyzed in a conditional logit model.

RESULTS: All eight dimensions of occupational exposure included in the JEM increased the odds of a positive test for the entire study period and three pandemic waves [OR ranging from 1.09, (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.17) to 1.77 (95% CI 1.61-1.96)]. Adjusting for a previous positive test and other covariates strongly reduced the odds to be infected, but most dimensions remained at elevated risk. Fully adjusted models showed that contaminated work spaces and face covering were mostly relevant in the first two pandemic waves, whereas income insecurity showed higher odds in the third wave. Several occupations have a higher predicted value for a positive COVID-19 test, with variation over time. Discussion Occupational exposures are associated with a higher risk of a positive test, but variations over time exist in occupations with the highest risks. These findings provide insights for interventions among workers for future pandemic waves of COVID-19 or other respiratory epidemics.

PMID:36913703 | DOI:10.5271/sjweh.4086

Retina. 2023 Mar 9. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000003780. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine baseline patient characteristics that predict need for glaucoma surgery or blindness in eyes with neovascular glaucoma (NVG) despite intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy.

METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients with NVG who had not previously received glaucoma surgery and were treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF injections at the time of diagnosis, from 9/8/11 to 5/8/20 at a large, retina subspeciality practice.

RESULTS: Of 301 newly presenting NVG eyes, 31% required glaucoma surgery and 20% progressed to NLP vision despite treatment. Patients with IOP >35 mmHg (p<0.001), 2 or more topical glaucoma medications (p=0.003), worse than 20/100 vision (p=0.024), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) (p=0.001), eye pain or discomfort (p=0.010), and new patient status (p=0.015) at the time of NVG diagnosis were at a higher risk of glaucoma surgery or blindness regardless of anti-VEGF therapy. The effect of PRP was not statistically significant in a subgroup analysis of patients without media opacity (p=0.199).

CONCLUSIONS: Several baseline characteristics at the time of presentation to a retina specialist with NVG appear to portend a higher risk of uncontrolled glaucoma despite use of anti-VEGF therapy. Prompt referral of these patients to a glaucoma specialist should be strongly considered.

PMID:36913629 | DOI:10.1097/IAE.0000000000003780

Ann Plast Surg. 2023 Mar 6. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000003457. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a chronic condition that can negatively affect the quality of life of breast cancer survivors. Immediate lymphatic reconstruction (ILR) at the time of axillary lymph node dissection is emerging as a technique for the prevention of BCRL. This study compared the incidence of BRCL in patients who received ILR and those who were not amenable to ILR.

METHODS: Patients were identified through a prospectively maintained database between 2016 and 2021. Some patients were deemed nonamenable to ILR due to a lack of visualized lymphatics or anatomic variability (eg, spatial relationships or size discrepancies). Descriptive statistics, independent t test, and Pearson χ2 test were used. Multivariable logistic regression models were created to assess the association between lymphedema and ILR. A loose age-matched subsample was created for subanalysis.

RESULTS: Two hundred eighty-one patients were included in this study (252 patients who underwent ILR and 29 patients who did not). The patients had a mean age of 53 ± 12 years and body mass index of 28.6 ± 6.8 kg/m2. The incidence of developing lymphedema in patients with ILR was 4.8% compared with 24.1% in patients who underwent attempted ILR without lymphatic reconstruction (P = 0.001). Patients who did not undergo ILR had significantly higher odds of developing lymphedema compared with those who had ILR (odds ratio, 10.7 [3.2-36.3], P < 0.001; matched OR, 14.2 [2.6-77.9], P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that ILR was associated with lower rates of BCRL. Further studies are needed to determine which factors place patients at highest risk of developing BCRL.

PMID:36913564 | DOI:10.1097/SAP.0000000000003457

Ann Plast Surg. 2023 Mar 6. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000003445. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite the commonly recognized benefits and drawbacks of each surgical technique for reduction mammoplasty, data on the influence of each surgical approach on patient quality of life and satisfaction remains limited. Our study aims to evaluate the association between surgical factors and BREAST-Q scores for reduction mammoplasty patients.

METHODS: A literature review through August 6, 2021, was conducted using the PubMed database to select publications that used the BREAST-Q questionnaire to evaluate outcomes after reduction mammoplasty. Studies examining breast reconstruction, breast augmentation, oncoplastic reduction, or breast cancer patients were excluded. The BREAST-Q data were stratified by incision pattern and pedicle type.

RESULTS: We identified 14 articles that met selection criteria. Among 1816 patients, the mean age ranged from 15.8 to 55 years, mean body mass index ranged from 22.5 to 32.4 kg/m2, and bilateral mean resected weight ranged from 323 to 1845.96 g. Overall complication rate was 19.9%. On average, satisfaction with breasts improved by 52.1 ± 0.9 points (P < 0.0001), psychosocial well-being improved by 43.0 ± 1.0 points (P < 0.0001), sexual well-being improved by 38.2 ± 1.2 points (P < 0.0001), and physical well-being improved by 27.9 ± 0.8 points (P < 0.0001). No significant correlations were observed when mean difference was modeled against complication rates or prevalence of superomedial pedicle use, inferior pedicle use, Wise pattern incision, or vertical pattern incision. Complication rates were not correlated with preoperative, postoperative, or mean change in BREAST-Q scores. A negative correlation was noted between the prevalence of superomedial pedicle use and postoperative physical well-being (Spearman rank correlation coefficient [SRCC], -0.66742; P < 0.05). The prevalence of Wise pattern incision was negatively correlated with postoperative sexual well-being (SRCC, -0.66233; P < 0.05) and physical well-being (SRCC, -0.69521; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Although either preoperative or postoperative BREAST-Q scores may be individually influenced by pedicle or incision type, there was no statistically significant effect of surgical approach or complication rates on the average change of these scores, and overall satisfaction and well-being scores improved. This review suggests that any of the main surgical approaches to reduction mammoplasty provide equally substantial improvements in patient-reported satisfaction and quality of life, but more robust comparative studies would strengthen this area of research.

PMID:36913563 | DOI:10.1097/SAP.0000000000003445

J Nat Prod. 2023 Mar 13. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c00603. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Despite their relatively poorly investigated phytochemistry, species of the genus Chuquiraga are widely commercialized. The present study reports the use of a high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics approach coupled with exploratory and supervised multivariate statistical analyses for species classification and chemical marker identification of four species of Chuquiraga (C. jussieui, C. weberbaueri, C. spinosa, and Chuquiraga sp.) from Ecuador and Peru. Based on these analyses, a high percentage of correct classifications (87% to 100%) allowed the prediction of the taxonomic identity of Chuquiraga species. Through the metabolite selection process, several key constituents with the potential to be chemical markers were identified. Samples of C. jussieui displayed alkyl glycosides and triterpenoid glycosides as discriminating metabolites, while Chuquiraga sp. displayed high concentrations of p-hydroxyacetophenone, p-hydroxyacetophenone 4-O-glucoside, p-hydroxyacetophenone 4-O-(6-O-apiosyl)-glucoside, and quinic acid ester derivatives as the main metabolites. Caffeic acid was characteristic for C. weberbaueri samples, whereas C. spinosa displayed higher concentrations of the following new phenylpropanoid ester derivatives: 2-O-caffeoyl-4-hydroxypentanedioic acid (24), 2-O–p-coumaroyl-4-hydroxypentanedioic acid (34), 2-O-feruloyl-4-hydroxypentanedioic acid (46), 2,4-O-dicaffeoylpentanedioic acid (71), and 2-O-caffeoyl-4-O-feruloylpentanedioic acid (77).

PMID:36913505 | DOI:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c00603