Tag: statistics

J Sex Med. 2022 Apr 1;19(4):620-628. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.01.005.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pleasure-seeking reasons are the main drivers of pornography use (PU), but the regulation of unpleasant states, namely distraction from or suppression of negative emotions and stress relief, are other potential predictors of this behavior.

AIM: Our main objective is to develop an explanatory model of problematic PU, assessing difficulties in emotion regulation, loneliness, perceived stress, as well as age and gender as predictors.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted that included a total of 340 participants (M = 28.50 years, SD = 10.32). Self-report inventories were administered that measured problematic PU (PPCS), difficulties in emotion regulation (DERS-SF), loneliness (UCLALS-3), and perceived stress (PSS-10).

RESULTS: The findings were indicative of recreational PU, with only a small number of participants (4.6%) reporting a possible problematic PU. There were statistically significant gender differences (F(1,337) = 33.306, P ≤ .001), namely that men were more likely to report problematic PU (M = 36.03, SD = 21.30) than women (M = 25.32, SD = 9.24). Problematic PU was significantly and positively correlated either with difficulties in emotion regulation, loneliness, perceived stress and age. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that difficulties in emotion regulation (β = 0.259, P ≤ .001), loneliness (β = 0.209, P = .001), and gender (β = -0.377, P ≤ .001) define the best subset of predictors of problematic PU. Age and perceived stress were not selected as predictors in this subset.

CLINICAL TRANSLATION: The promotion of better emotion regulation abilities and strategies for adaptive coping with loneliness must be taken into consideration, namely in cases of problematic PU or compulsive sexual behavior disorder.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: Being a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample and the fact that these variables explain only a part of the explained variance of the problematic PU are the main limitations. Despite the limitations, the principal contribution of this study is the understanding that gender, difficulties in emotion regulation, and loneliness remain as main predictors of problematic PU, even when combined in the explanatory model.

CONCLUSION: The current study provides a better understanding of the predictors of problematic PU related with the reduction or avoidance of unpleasant states. Emotion regulation, loneliness, and perceived stress, studied simultaneously, provide a better understanding of the complex relationships between these factors and problematic PU. Difficulties in emotion regulation and loneliness are predictors of higher problematic PU, as well as the expected gender effect.

PMID:37057530 | DOI:10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.01.005

Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2023 Apr 14. doi: 10.1111/cid.13205. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Customized computer-aided-design/computer-aided-manufacturing (CAD/CAM) titanium meshes have been adopted for alveolar bone augmentation. But the inaccuracies between planned and created bone volume/contour are quite common, and the surgical placement of the customized mesh was considered as the first critical factor. However, the evaluation of surgical placement accuracy of customized mesh is currently lacking.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the surgical placement of customized meshes.

METHODS: A total of 30 cases, 20 without the screws-position-guided template and 10 with the screws-position-guided template, were included in this study. The cone beam CT (CBCT) data sets of pre- and postoperative were converted into 3D models and digitally aligned. Then the actual placement of customized mesh and retainer titanium screws was compared to the virtual one to assess the surgical placement accuracy of customized mesh. At least 6 months after surgery, a new CBCT was taken and converted into 3D models. Planned bone volume, created bone volume, vertical bone augmentation, healing complications rate, pseudo-periosteum rate, exposure rate, and infection rate were all evaluated.

RESULTS: The 3D digital reconstruction/registration analysis showed that the average difference between actual placement and planned one of customized mesh in positive and negative directions was 2.69 ± 0.70 mm and -1.41 ± 0.90 mm, respectively, without the screws-position-guided template. And the mean difference values between the actual and planned placement of the screws on the X and Y axes were 0.74 ± 0.85 mm and 0.89 ± 0.84 mm. In contrast, with the screws-position-guided template, the results were 2.38 ± 0.69 mm and -1.30 ± 1.13 mm. Accordingly, the mean difference values of screws were 0.76 ± 0.84 mm and 0.94 ± 0.72 mm. There was no statistical difference between the two groups, and the noninferiority of the control group compared to the test group was also confirmed by the comparative analysis.

CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that there is a certain deviation between the planned surgical placement and actual one of customized mesh, and using screws-position-guided template is of limited help for its accurate placement. Further research is needed to achieve precise surgical placement of the customized mesh to achieve precise alveolar bone augmentation.

PMID:37057478 | DOI:10.1111/cid.13205

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2023 Apr 14. doi: 10.1039/d2cp05082j. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The site-specific hydrogen-atom elimination mechanism previously reported for photoexcited ethyl radicals (CH₃CH₂) [D. V. Chicharro et al., Chem. Sci., 2019, 10, 6494] is interrogated in the photodissociation of the ethyl isotopologues CD₃CD₂, CH₃CD₂ and CD₃CH₂ through the velocity map imaging (VMI) detection of the produced hydrogen- and deuterium-atoms. The radicals, generated in situ from photolysis of a precursor using the same laser pulse employed in their excitation to Rydberg states, decompose along the C_α-H/D and C_β-H/D reaction coordinates through coexisting statistical and site-specific mechanisms. The experiments are carried out at two excitation wavelengths, 201 and 193 nm. The comparison between both sets of results provides accurate information regarding the primary role in the site-specific mechanism of the radical internal reservoir. Importantly, at 193 nm excitation, higher energy dissociation channels (not observed at 201 nm) producing low-recoil H/D-atoms become accessible. High-level ab initio calculations of potential energy curves and the corresponding non-adiabatic interactions allow us to rationalize the experimental results in terms of competitive non-adiabatic decomposition paths. Finally, the adiabatic behavior of the conical intersections in the face of several vibrational modes – the so-called vibrational promoting modes – is discussed.

PMID:37057377 | DOI:10.1039/d2cp05082j

J Periodontol. 2023 Apr 14. doi: 10.1002/JPER.22-0721. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the systemic (intestine and adipose tissue) and local (periodontal tissues) impact of probiotic therapy in rats with metabolic syndrome (MS) associated or not with periodontitis (PE).

METHODS: Forty-eight rats received a high-fat diet for induction of MS for 16 weeks. They were subdivided into groups with (+) and without (-) PE, receiving (*) or not (**) probiotic (PROB): MS-, MSP-*, MSPE+**, and MSPEP+*. PROB administration (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019) started on the eighth week of the study and PE was induced on the 14th week by placing ligature on the animals’ lower first molars. Euthanasia occurred in the 16th week. Biomolecular, immunoenzymatic assays, and histomorphometric analyses were performed. The data obtained were statistically analyzed (ANOVA, Tukey, p<0.05).

RESULTS: The MSPEP group exhibited reduced alveolar bone loss when compared with the MSPE group, as well as lower levels of hepatic steatosis and proteinuria (p<0.05). In the intestinal environment, the MSPE group exhibited significantly lower villus height and crypt depth, as well as a greater increase in Bacillota when compared with the MSPEP group (p<0.05). The MSPEP group showed lower adipokine gene expression (FABP4, NAMPT and LEPR) in adipose tissue than the MSPE group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The probiotic B. lactis HN019 reduced the severity of experimental periodontitis and modulated the expression of lipogenic genes and intestinal morphological and microbiological parameters in rats with MS. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:37057371 | DOI:10.1002/JPER.22-0721

Eur J Paediatr Dent. 2023 Mar 1:1. doi: 10.23804/ejpd.2023.1846. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The presence of the parent could influence the behaviour of the child during the dental visit. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of the Parental Presence- Absence Technique (PPAT) on the behaviour of anxious children receiving dental restoration under local anaesthesia.

METHODS: A cohort prospective observational study of a statistically calculated sample size with 80% power, recruited 84 anxious children ages 6-9-year-old who scored ≥26 on the Abeer Children Dental Anxiety Scale (ACDAS) over two visits. Forty-two children were allocated to either the Parental Presence (PP) or the Parental Absence (PA) group to have one composite restoration under local anaesthesia.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: A two-sample t-test was used to compare differences in the mean of ACDAS between the PP and the PA groups, and between boys and girls. The P-value of ≤0.05 was set for a statistically significant result.

CONCLUSION: The use of the PPAT in children aged 6-9- year appears to be an effective method to improve children’s behaviour when having dental restorations under local anaesthesia.

PMID:37057363 | DOI:10.23804/ejpd.2023.1846

J Prim Care Community Health. 2023 Jan-Dec;14:21501319231164545. doi: 10.1177/21501319231164545.

ABSTRACT

The objective of the CONTINUE (conversations in routine OB care) pilot study was to gather preliminary data on the benefits of integrating a well-designed pregnancy support tool (“CONTINUE Tool”) in low-income prenatal care. A total of 184 tools were distributed by 21 OB providers during the study implementation period. Follow-up data were collected from 71 (38.5%) prenatal patients across three community-based midwestern OB clinics serving a diverse prenatal patient population. Early-gestation prenatal patients received the strategically designed CONTINUE Tool during routine prenatal care and later completed a semi-structured interview or electronic survey to report pre-determined individual benefit items experienced due to tool usage. Factor analysis used individual benefit items to identify factors representing common underlying benefits (“factor benefits”). Logistic regression analyses were performed to describe the relative odds of participants with low income (public insurance) experiencing individual and factor benefits of tool use compared to participants of higher income (private insurance). Chi square tests (or Fisher’s exact tests) were performed to generate P values reflecting statistically significant differences by income group. More low-income prenatal participants reported experiencing individual benefits as compared to higher-income participants. Among factor benefits, low-income participants were statistically more likely to report experiencing a time-related logistics benefit (OR = 4.00; 95% CI 1.02-15.73; P = .045). Low-income participants reported experiencing an overall logistics factor benefit (OR = 4.29; 95% CI 0.47-38.75), including a cost-related logistics benefit (OR = 3.08; CI 0.59-16.00), as well as an understanding benefit (OR = 1.90; 95% CI 0.72-5.04) and a self-efficacy benefit (OR = 1.30; 95% CI 0.44-3.87). While this study is limited by sample size due to being a pilot study, the findings suggest there may be tangible benefits to introducing the CONTINUE Tool among low-income prenatal patients. Given the staggering inequity in OB care and subsequent health outcomes, any preliminary findings on ways to help combat this are necessary and should lay the groundwork for subsequent randomized trials. Our preliminary findings show that supplementing routine OB care with the CONTINUE Tool can confer benefits to both providers and patients, but particularly for low-income prenatal patients who tend to have more structural barriers to adequate care in the first place.

PMID:37057337 | DOI:10.1177/21501319231164545

J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2023 Apr 13;19(1):12. doi: 10.1186/s13002-023-00582-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In the Himalayas, traditional knowledge and biodiversity are strongly linked due to the symbiotic interaction between plant and cultural diversity, as well as the support provided by cultural memories, ecological awareness, and social norms. Our study was focused on documenting the vanishing knowledge in the Kashmir Himalaya with the following main objectives: 1) to document the ethnomedical and cultural knowledge of the local flora, 2) to evaluate the cross-cultural use of the flora in the region, and, finally, 3) to identify the key indicator species utilized by each ethnic group using multivariate statistical analysis.

METHODS: We used semi-structured questionnaires to conduct interviews with people of different ethnicity, gender, age, and occupational categories. The intercultural relationships of species utilization among ethnic groups were examined using a Venn diagram. The overall trends between the indicator values and the plant species used by diverse ethnic groups were illustrated using the linear regression model.

RESULTS: We recorded 46 species belonging to 25 different families used by the local people of the Kashmir Valley belonging to four ethnic groups (Gujjar, Bakarwal, Pahari, and Kashmiri). The dominant families recorded were Asteraceae and Ranunculaceae followed by Caprifoliaceae. Rhizomes were the most utilized plant part, followed by leaves. A total of 33 ailments were treated with plants, and gastrointestinal disorders were treated with most species followed by musculoskeletal diseases and dermatological problems. Across cultural relationships, the Gujjar and Pahari showed greater similarity (17%). This may be due to the fact that both ethnic groups share a common geographical landscape and are exogamous to each other. We identified key indicator species used by different ethnic groups with significant (p ≤ 0.05) values. For instance, in the Gujjar ethnic group, Aconitum heterophyllum and Phytolacca acinosa had significant indicator value, which was due to the fact that these plants were easily accessible and also had a wide range of uses. In contrast, the Bakarwal ethnic group showed different indicator species, with Rheum spiciforme and Rhododendron campanulatum being highly significant (p ≤ 0.05), because this ethnic group spends the majority of their time in high-altitude pastures, using a particularly wide variety of plant species for medicine, food, and fuelwood. While indicator values and plant usage were positively correlated for the Gujjar, Kashmiri, and Pahari ethnic groups, they were negatively correlated for the Bakarwal. The positive correlation indicates cultural preferences for certain plant use and underlines the cultural significance of each species. The current study reported new uses for the following species: raw roots of Jurinea dolomiaea used for tooth cleaning, seeds of Verbascum thapsus applied for respiratory diseases, and flowers of Saussurea simpsoniana given to anyone as a good luck wish.

CONCLUSION: The current study highlights historical ethnic group stratifications and cultural standing while comparing reported taxa across cultures. Each ethnic group made extensive ethnomedical use of plants, and knowledge, originally transmitted verbally, is now available in writing for reference. This could pave the way for providing incentives to local communities to showcase their talents, celebrate them, and gain from potential development initiatives.

PMID:37055855 | DOI:10.1186/s13002-023-00582-8

BMC Chem. 2023 Apr 13;17(1):36. doi: 10.1186/s13065-023-00948-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Guava (Psidium guajava Linn.) has been traditionally used in the treatment of a wide range of diseases due to its rich content of secondary metabolites.

AIM: This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of altitude and solvent systems on guava leaves crude extract’s phenolics and flavonoid content, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and toxicity nature.

METHODS: Guava leaves were collected from three different geographical locations in Nepal while solvents with an increasing polarity index were used for extraction. The yield percentage of extracts was calculated. Total Phenolic Content, Total Flavonoid Content, and antioxidant activity were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, Aluminium chloride colorimetric method, and DPPH (2,2′-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay respectively. The quantification of fisetin and quercetin was performed using the HPLC with method validation. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was tested against bacteria and fungus isolated from spoiled fruits and vegetables and identified through 16s and 18s rRNA sequencing. Finally, Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay (BSLA) was used for testing the toxicity of the extracts.

RESULTS: The phenolic and total flavonoid content was found to be higher in ethanol extract (331.84 mg GAE/g dry extract) and methanol extract (95.53 mg QE/g dry extract) from Kuleshwor respectively. Water extract of guava leaves from Kuleshwor (WGK) did not show significantly different antioxidant activity when compared to methanol and ethanol extracts. Fisetin and quercetin were higher in WGK (1.176 mg/100 g) and (10.967 mg/100 g) dry extract weight respectively. Antibacterial activity against food spoilage bacteria was dose-dependent and found to be highest for all the extracts from different solvents and altitudes at higher concentrations (80 mg/ml). Similarly, methanol and ethanol guava extracts from all locations showed antifungal activity against Geotrichum candidum RIBB-SCM43 and Geotrichum candidum RIBB-SCM44. WGK was found to be non-toxic.

CONCLUSION: Our study concludes that the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of WGK was found to be similar statistically to that of methanol and ethanol extracts of Bishnupur Katti and Mahajidiya. These results suggest the possibility of using water as a sustainable solvent to extract natural antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds which can further be used as natural preservatives to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.

PMID:37055840 | DOI:10.1186/s13065-023-00948-9

BMC Public Health. 2023 Apr 13;23(1):690. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-15646-3.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Board games can be used as a playful educational practice in the teaching and learning process, as they constitute an educational technology that can be a source of health knowledge and an aid in decision-making. The objective of this research was to assess the effect of a board game on imprisoned women’s knowledge about STIs.

METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2022 with 64 imprisoned women who were students at a school located in a prison unit from the city of Recife, state of Pernambuco, Brazil. A 32-item instrument was used to assess knowledge about sexually transmitted infections before, immediately after the intervention and at 15 days. The intervention consisted in applying the Previna board game in a classroom. All the analyses were performed in the Stata software, version 16.0, with a 5% significance level.

RESULTS: The knowledge mean in the pre-test was 23.62 (± 3.23) points, whereas it rose to 27.93 (± 2,28) in the immediate post-test, dropping to 27.34 (± 2.37) (p < 0.001) in post-test 2, which was performed 15 days after the intervention. There was a statistically significant difference in the means obtained between the pre-test and the immediate post-test (p < 0.001), with a difference of 4.241 points, as well as between the pre-test and post-test 2 (p < 0.001), a difference of 3.846 spots.

CONCLUSIONS: The Previna board game significantly increased its players’ knowledge about STIs, and such increase in knowledge remained significant during the follow-up period.

PMID:37055825 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-023-15646-3

BMC Med Educ. 2023 Apr 13;23(1):241. doi: 10.1186/s12909-023-04156-w.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Since learning with high educational quality requires an advanced intervention. This study seeks to answer how many puzzles game-based training can improve knowledge and cognitive function of surgical technology students in CABG surgery and its sequence, as well as the tools and equipment used in each stage of surgery and the sequence of their preparation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out as a quasi-experimental single-group pre-test-post-test, during which, after designing a puzzle game including various stages of surgery (from the preparation of the patient for surgical sutures and the necessary equipment to perform each stage), 18 people from third-year surgical technology students who met the inclusion criteria were entered in the study by convenience sampling method and based on the sample size determined using a similar study and they participated in the test of knowledge and cognitive function, that the validity and reliability were measured, before the intervention and 14 days after the intervention (using a puzzle game). Data were analyzed using descriptive and Wilcoxon statistical tests.

RESULTS: After the withdrawal of 2 people, 15 person (93.80 per cent) of the students were female, the average age of students was 21.87 ± 0.71 years, and 50% (8 people) of them were 22 years old. Also, the average score of the end-of-semester exam of the heart surgery technology course was 15.19 ± 2.30 (the lowest score was 11.25, and the highest score was 18.63), and the score of 43.80% (7 people) of them were in the range of 15.01-17.70, and their average of grade point average was 17.31 ± 1.10 (the lowest grade point average is 15 and the highest grade point average is 19.36) and grade point average 75% (11 people) of students were 16-18. The average scores of knowledge(5.75 ± 1.65 vs. 2.68 ± 0.79) and cognitive performance(6.31 ± 2.57 vs. 2.00 ± 1.09) of students in the post-intervention phase were significantly higher than the pre-intervention phase (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed that the use of puzzle games in CABG surgery training led to a significant improvement in the knowledge and cognitive performance of surgical technology students regarding the stages of CABG surgery and its sequence, as well as the tools and equipment used in each stage of surgery and the sequence of their preparation.

PMID:37055824 | DOI:10.1186/s12909-023-04156-w