Tag: statistics

Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2023 Feb 24:1-17. doi: 10.1044/2022_AJSLP-22-00138. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study characterized communicative participation and related aspects of functional communication for Jamaican Creole (JC)-English-speaking preschoolers with and without functionally defined speech sound disorders (fSSDs). This study included parent reports and direct assessment measures from an existing corpus of baseline data collected prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHOD: The communicative participation of typically developing (TD; n = 226) bilingual JC-English-speaking preschoolers and those with fSSDs (n = 39) was documented using the Focus on the Outcomes of Communication Under Six (FOCUS). Functional speech intelligibility was recorded using the Intelligibility in Context Scale (ICS) in English and JC (ICS-JC). Objective measures of speech production were collected through direct child assessment in both languages and then transcribed and calculated for percent of consonants (PCC), vowels (PVC), and phonemes correct (PPC). Within-group relationships were explored using association testing, and differences between groups were explored through multivariate analyses.

RESULTS: FOCUS scores and ICS and ICS-JC scores were found to be minimally to moderately related for Jamaican preschoolers in the TD group (r = .28-.34, p < .002) and strongly related in the fSSD group (r = .56-.60, p < .002). No relations were observed between the FOCUS scores and PCC/PVC/PPC in either language. There was a statistically significant difference between all FOCUS scores for Jamaican preschoolers in the TD and fSSD groups (p ≤ .002).

CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide additional evidence for using the FOCUS beyond documenting change in communicative participation to support clinical decision-making in planning and developing speech-language interventions. This study also documents an important characterization of JC-English-speaking children with and without fSSDs, offering data on children’s abilities that can be used in future comparisons of communicative participation and speech functioning observed during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

PMID:36827540 | DOI:10.1044/2022_AJSLP-22-00138

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2023 Apr 1;35(4):371-375. doi: 10.1097/MEG.0000000000002527. Epub 2023 Feb 13.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Vedolizumab is a mAb used for the treatment of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. There is evidence that administration of vedolizumab has been associated with either new onset or reactivation of extra-intestinal manifestations, among which arthralgia is the most prominent. We aimed to study the incidence, characteristics and predictors for the occurrence of arthralgias in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who receive vedolizumab.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was implemented in patients with IBD. The occurrence of new-onset and recurrent arthralgias were recorded. Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards models were used to identify factors associated with the endpoints of interest.

RESULTS: A total of 115 vedolizumab-treated IBD patients (male = 50.4%; ulcerative colitis = 70.4%; median follow-up = 12.7 months) participated. New-onset arthralgia occurred in 20.9%, and recurrent in 46.7% (45 patients at risk). Among patients with ulcerative colitis, multivariate Cox’s proportional-hazards models showed, that new onset arthralgia was significantly associated with extensive colitis (hazard ratio = 2.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-8.12). Of 15 patients with concomitant treatment of azathioprine, no one manifested new-onset arthralgia (X2P = 0.03; Fisher’s exact test P = 0.038). No predictors were identified for recurrent arthralgia.

CONCLUSION: Arthralgias is a common manifestation of vedolizumab treatment. Patients with extensive ulcerative colitis demonstrate a higher risk for new-onset arthralgia, whereas, concomitant treatment with azathioprine appears to be protective. These associations may be mediated by re-directed lymphocyte trafficking and may support concomitant immunomodulator administration in specific patient subpopulations who commence treatment with vedolizumab.

PMID:36827531 | DOI:10.1097/MEG.0000000000002527

J Psychoactive Drugs. 2023 Feb 24:1-11. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2023.2177908. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to define the typical groups of users of psychedelics and alike psychoactive substances in Czechia regarding various variables such as demographics, their patterns of use, or motivation for use. Data from 890 Czech respondents were collected through an online questionnaire as a part of The National Psychedelic Research Project. Subjects reported experience with the use of 29 selected substances by answering 133 questions of the questionnaire. Cluster analysis based on answers on last year use was performed, and descriptive statistics was used for 18 questions from the questionnaire. Six groups of users were identified with distinguished users and demographic characteristics, namely, The most experienced; Pure smokers; Highly educated mild users; Past-time users with families; Responsible (party) students and Deep meaning natural substance users. Groups differ mainly in the type of substances used, frequency of use last year, and demographics. Our findings highlight several patterns typical for psychedelics and alike psychoactive substances use in Czechia in each of the groups and the need for targeted drug prevention services, the raise of public awareness regarding this topic, and a possible reevaluation of the legal status of some substances. Results can be useful for health-care providers, social workers, and policy-makers.

PMID:36827494 | DOI:10.1080/02791072.2023.2177908

JMIR Form Res. 2022 Oct 19. doi: 10.2196/40518. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether heavy alcohol use and associated hangover symptoms changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to a lack of available accurate and non-retrospective self-reported data, it is difficult to directly assess hangover symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether alcohol induced hangover-related internet searches (e.g. ‘how to cure a hangover?’) increased, decreased or remained the same in England before vs. during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021) and during periods of national lockdown. Secondary aims were to examine if hangover-related internet searches differed in England to a country that did not impose similar COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

METHODS: Using historical data from Google Trends for England, we compared relative search volume (RSV) of hangover-related searches in the years before (2016-2019) vs. during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021), as well as in periods of national lockdown vs. the same periods in 2016-2019. We also compared RSV of hangover-related searches during the same time frames in a European country that did not introduce national COVID-19 lockdowns at the beginning of the pandemic (Sweden). Hangover-related search terms were identified through consultation with a panel of alcohol researchers and a sample from the general public. Statistical analyses were pre-registered prior to data collection.

RESULTS: There was no overall significant difference in RSV of hangover-related terms in England during 2016-2019 vs. 2020-2021 (P = .104, robust d = 0.02 [95% CI: 0.00 – 0.03]). However, during national lockdowns searches for hangover-related terms were lower, particularly during the first national lockdown in England (P < .001, d = .19 [95% CI: 0.16 – 0.24, relative 44% decrease]. In a comparison country that did not introduce a national lockdown in the early stages of the pandemic (Sweden) there was no significant decrease in hangover-related during the same time period. However, across both England and Sweden, during later periods of COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 RSV of hangover-related terms was lower than in the same periods during 2016-2019. Exploratory analyses revealed that national monthly variation in alcohol sales both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were positively correlated with frequency of hangover-related searches, suggesting changes in hangover-related searches may act as a proxy for changes in alcohol consumption.

CONCLUSIONS: Hangover-related internet searches did not differ pre vs. during the COVID-19 pandemic in England but did reduce during periods of national lockdown. Further research is required to confirm how changes in hangover-related search volume relate to heavy episodic alcohol use.

CLINICALTRIAL: The study protocol and analysis strategy was pre-registered on the Open Science Framework (DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/2Y86E).

PMID:36827489 | DOI:10.2196/40518

Plast Reconstr Surg. 2023 Feb 27:e010318. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000010318. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Massive weight loss (MWL) may have suboptimal effects on tissues used for autologous reconstruction. With the rise of obesity and bariatric surgery, more MWL patients will be presenting for breast reconstruction. We hypothesize that autologous breast reconstruction in patients with a history of MWL will have more complications and require more revisions compared to patients without a history of MWL.

METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on patients who underwent autologous breast reconstruction by five microsurgeons at an academic institution from 2009 to 2020. Patients with a history of bariatric surgery or >50-pound weight loss were identified and compared to non MWL patients. Analysis compared demographics, operative details, complications, revision rates, and BREAST-Q scores.

RESULTS: Of 916 patients who underwent 1465 flaps, 39 MWL patients (4.3%) underwent 68 flaps (4.6%) and 877 non MWL patients underwent 1397 flaps. MWL patients were more likely to require blood transfusions postoperatively (p=.005). MWL patients experienced more surgical site infections (p=.02), wound healing complications of flap (p=.007) and donor sites (p=.03), and late partial flap losses (p=.03). More revisional surgeries for flap (p=.009) and donor sites (p=.01) were required. BREAST-Q scores were not statistically different for satisfaction with breasts or surgeon but were lower in MWL patients for psychosocial (p=.01) and sexual well-being (p=.04).

CONCLUSION: Reconstructive surgeons should expect increased postoperative complications when performing autologous breast reconstruction in MWL patients. These patients should be counseled on the possibility of more postoperative complications and need for revisional surgeries.

PMID:36827470 | DOI:10.1097/PRS.0000000000010318

J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2023 Feb 24. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2022.0388. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Background: National guidelines recommend Papanicolaou (Pap) testing and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for cervical cancer prevention; however, certain subgroups may be at risk for underutilization. Prior studies have identified motherhood as a predictor of health outcomes, but this research has not been extended to cervical cancer prevention. Informed by the Health Belief Model, we explored the relationship between motherhood, health beliefs, and Pap testing and HPV vaccination. Methods: This study used an observational, cross-sectional design. Participants assigned female at birth (N = 417) completed an online survey assessing motherhood, health beliefs (perceived risk, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy), and prior Pap testing and HPV vaccination. Bootstrapped mediation analyses determined whether motherhood was associated with prior Pap testing and HPV vaccination and whether health beliefs mediated these relationships. Results: Of mothers (25%), 75% were up-to-date with Pap testing and 36% had previously received ≥1 dose of the HPV vaccine. There was no direct effect of motherhood on Pap testing (p = 0.873) or HPV vaccination (p = 0.921) and no significant indirect effects via health beliefs (ps ≥ 0.096). However, perceived benefits and self-efficacy were significantly related to both Pap testing (ps ≤ 0.003) and HPV vaccination (ps ≤ 0.010). Mothers reported lower self-efficacy for HPV vaccination than nonmothers (p = 0.035). Discussion: Consistent with nationwide statistics, most eligible participants were up-to-date with Pap testing and HPV vaccination. Although motherhood was not significantly associated with either behavior, mothers reported lower self-efficacy for HPV vaccination. Perceived benefits and self-efficacy may be important targets for future interventions aiming to increase cervical cancer prevention and screening behaviors.

PMID:36827467 | DOI:10.1089/jwh.2022.0388

J Imaging. 2023 Feb 17;9(2):47. doi: 10.3390/jimaging9020047.

ABSTRACT

A novel method is proposed to estimate surface-spectral reflectance from camera responses using a local optimal reflectance dataset. We adopt a multispectral imaging system that involves an RGB camera capturing multiple images under multiple light sources. A spectral reflectance database is utilized to locally determine the candidates to optimally estimate the spectral reflectance. The proposed estimation method comprises two stages: (1) selecting the local optimal reflectance dataset and (2) determining the best estimate using only the local optimal dataset. In (1), the camera responses are predicted for the respective reflectances in the database, and then the prediction errors are calculated to select the local optimal dataset. In (2), multiple methods are used; in particular, the Wiener and linear minimum mean square error estimators are used to calculate all statistics, based only on the local optimal dataset, and linear and quadratic programming methods are used to solve optimization problems with constraints. Experimental results using different mobile phone cameras show that the estimation accuracy has improved drastically. A much smaller local optimal dataset among spectral reflectance databases is enough to obtain the optimal estimates. The method has potential applications including fields of color science, image science and technology, computer vision, and graphics.

PMID:36826966 | DOI:10.3390/jimaging9020047

J Intell. 2023 Feb 14;11(2):35. doi: 10.3390/jintelligence11020035.

ABSTRACT

What are the current trends in intelligence research? This parallel bibliometric analysis covers the two premier journals in the field: Intelligence and the Journal of Intelligence (JOI) between 2013 and 2022. Using Scopus data, this paper extends prior bibliometric articles reporting the evolution of the journal Intelligence from 1977 up to 2018. It includes JOI from its inception, along with Intelligence to the present. Although the journal Intelligence’s growth has declined over time, it remains a stronghold for traditional influential research (average publications per year = 71.2, average citations per article = 17.07, average citations per year = 2.68). JOI shows a steady growth pattern in the number of publications and citations (average publications per year = 33.2, average citations per article = 6.48, total average citations per year = 1.48) since its inception in 2013. Common areas of study across both journals include cognitive ability, fluid intelligence, psychometrics-statistics, g-factor, and working memory. Intelligence includes core themes like the Flynn effect, individual differences, and geographic IQ variability. JOI addresses themes such as creativity, personality, and emotional intelligence. We discuss research trends, co-citation networks, thematic maps, and their implications for the future of the two journals and the evolution and future of the scientific study of intelligence.

PMID:36826933 | DOI:10.3390/jintelligence11020035

J Funct Biomater. 2023 Feb 14;14(2):107. doi: 10.3390/jfb14020107.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine the possibility of identifying a dental implant through the measurement of the apical width and the interspiral distance in a periapical radiograph after being subjected to high temperatures for certain lengths of time. In total, 11 fresh human anatomical models were selected, in which 137 implants were placed. Previous periapical radiographs were performed using parallelizers in each implant. Subsequently, the anatomical models were introduced into a crematory oven at different temperatures and for various durations: 500 °C/15 min, 500 °C/30 min, 700 °C/15 min, 800 °C/15 min, 800 °C/45 min, 500 °C/15 min, 700 °C/15 min, and finally, 1000 °C/120 min. After this, X-rays were taken via a parallel technique, and the apical width and interspiral distance were measured. The implants were disinserted, and the coronal width was used to calculate magnification or possible distortion. All data were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U test. There were no statistically significant differences for the apical width parameter, except when the temperature was raised to 700 °C/15 min and to 800 °C/45 min. For the interspiral distance parameter, there were no statistically significant differences, except when the implants were subjected to 800 °C/15 min and 1000 °C/120 min. It was determined that there were changes in some groups based on the increase in temperature and exposure time. Neither of the two parameters were completely useful for the identification because some of the groups studied in both variables presented differences, which makes them difficult to identify correctly.

PMID:36826906 | DOI:10.3390/jfb14020107

J Funct Biomater. 2023 Feb 13;14(2):103. doi: 10.3390/jfb14020103.

ABSTRACT

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is an umbrella term used to describe various conditions that affect temporomandibular joints, masticatory muscles, and associated structures. Although the most conservative and least invasive treatment is preferable, more invasive therapies should be employed to refractory patients. Tissue engineering has been presented as a promising therapy. Our study aimed to investigate trends and point out future research directions on TMD and stem cells. A comprehensive search was carried out in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoS-CC) in October 2022. The bibliometric parameters were analyzed through descriptive statistics and graphical mapping. Thus, 125 papers, published between 1992 and 2022 in 65 journals, were selected. The period with the highest number of publications and citations was between 2012 and 2022. China has produced the most publications on the subject. The most frequently used keywords were “cartilage”, “temporomandibular joint”, “mesenchymal stem cells”, and “osteoarthritis”. Moreover, the primary type of study was in vivo. It was noticed that using stem cells to improve temporomandibular joint repair and regeneration is a significant subject of investigation. Nonetheless, a greater understanding of the biological interaction and the benefits of using these cells in patients with TMD is required.

PMID:36826902 | DOI:10.3390/jfb14020103