Tag: statistics

Vet Comp Oncol. 2023 May 24. doi: 10.1111/vco.12913. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Multi-agent chemotherapy successfully induces remission in most naïve, high-grade canine lymphoma patients; however, disease recurrence is common. MOPP (mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone) is an effective rescue protocol used to re-induce remission, but is associated with gastrointestinal toxicity and can be a less desirable option for patients that previously failed vincristine-containing protocols. Therefore, alternative members of the vinca alkaloid family, such as vinblastine, could be potentially advantageous as substitutes for vincristine to reduce gastrointestinal toxicity and chemoresistance. The objective of this study was to report the clinical outcomes and toxicity of 36 dogs with relapsed or refractory multicentric lymphoma treated with a modified MOPP protocol whereby vincristine was replaced with vinblastine (MVPP). The overall response rate to MVPP was 25% with a median progression free survival of 15 days and a median overall survival of 45 days. MVPP at the prescribed doses resulted in modest and transient clinical benefit, but was well tolerated with no treatment delays or hospitalizations secondary to side effects. Given the minimal toxicity, dose intensification could be considered to improve clinical responses.

PMID:37222086 | DOI:10.1111/vco.12913

Pediatrics. 2023 May 24:e2023061384. doi: 10.1542/peds.2023-061384. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This article describes a 2-phase process implemented by the American Board of Pediatrics in 2021 to investigate and remove potential bias on its General Pediatrics Certifying Examination at the item (question) level based on gender or race and ethnicity. Phase 1 used a statistical technique known as differential item functioning (DIF) analysis to identify items in which 1 subgroup of the population outperformed another subgroup after controlling for overall knowledge level. Phase 2 involved a review of items flagged for statistical DIF by the American Board of Pediatrics’ Bias and Sensitivity Review (BSR) panel, a diverse group of 12 voluntary subject matter experts tasked with identifying language or other characteristics of those items that may have contributed to the observed performance differences. Results indicated that no items on the 2021 examination were flagged for DIF by gender and 2.8% of the items were flagged for DIF by race and ethnicity. Of those items flagged for race and ethnicity, 14.3% (0.4% of total items administered) were judged by the BSR panel to contain biased language that may have undermined what the item was intending to measure and were therefore recommended to be removed from operational scoring. In addition to removing potentially biased items from the current pool of items, we hope that repeating the DIF/BSR process after each examination cycle will increase our understanding of how language nuances and other characteristics impact item performance so that we can improve our guidelines for developing future items.

PMID:37222080 | DOI:10.1542/peds.2023-061384

Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2023 May 24:207640231174365. doi: 10.1177/00207640231174365. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Latvia has the second highest suicide rate in the European Union – with a total population age-standardized suicide rate of 16.1 per 100,000 inhabitants.

AIMS: We aimed to assess the prevalence of different types of self-reported suicidal behaviours in Latvia and determine the associated sociodemographic and health-related factors.

METHODS: This study was based on secondary data obtained from the Health Behaviour Among Latvian Adult Population survey. A representative sample of the general population was used, aged 15 to 64 years in 2010, 2012, 2014; and 15 to 74 years in 2016 and 2018 (n = 16,084). Respondents were asked to report the occurrence of life weariness, death wishes, suicidal ideation, suicidal plans and suicide attempts during the previous year. We assessed socio-demographics and health-related factors associated with suicidality. We performed univariate analysis and constructed stepwise multivariate logistic regression models.

RESULTS: In 2010 to 2018, 15.6% of responders reported some type of suicidal behaviour (95% CI [15.1, 16.2]). Sociodemographic factors – including non-cohabitation status and Latvian nationality – were associated with mild (life-weariness and death wishes) and serious (suicidal ideation, plans to commit suicide, suicide attempts) types of behaviour. Older age was associated with mild suicidal behaviours, whereas lower educational levels were associated with serious suicidal behaviours. Diagnosed depression, self-reported depression, self-reported anxiety, stress, low mood, alcohol intake habits with heavy drinking episodes (less than monthly, monthly and weekly), perceived health as average or below average, disuse of primary health services were associated with mild and serious types of suicidal behaviour. Current smoking status and absenteeism were associated with mild suicidal behaviour types. Self-reported insomnia, having at least two somatic diagnoses, occasional smoking status, absenteeism with 11 or more days in the last year, receiving disability pension were associated with serious suicidal behaviour types. Musculoskeletal diseases exhibited preventive effects.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that certain groups of individuals might exhibit greater vulnerability to suicidality.

PMID:37222074 | DOI:10.1177/00207640231174365

Int Immunopharmacol. 2023 May 21;120:110314. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110314. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D3 (VitD3) on inflammatory mechanisms, hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) in the hippocampus, and cognitive impairment of the mouse model of vascular dementia (VaD).

METHODS: In this study, 32 male mice were randomly assigned to the control, VaD, VitD3 (300 IU/Kg/day), and VitD3 (500 IU/Kg/day) groups. VaD and VitD3 groups were gavaged daily for 4 weeks with a gastric needle. For biochemical assessments, blood samples and the hippocampus were isolated. IL-1β and TNF-α were analyzed by ELISA, and p-tau and other inflammatory molecules were measured by western blot.

RESULTS: VitD3 supplements significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the level of inflammatory factors in the hippocampus and prevented apoptosis. However, regarding p-tau in hippocampal tissue, this decrease was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The results of behavioral assessments showed that VitD3 significantly improved the spatial memory of treated mice.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the neuroprotective effects of VitD3 are mainly associated with their anti-inflammatory effects.

PMID:37220695 | DOI:10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110314

Comput Methods Programs Biomed. 2023 May 16;238:107604. doi: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2023.107604. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ultrasound based blood velocity estimation is a continuously developing frontier, where the vast number of possible acquisition setups and velocity estimators makes it challenging to assess which combination is better suited for a given imaging application. FLUST, the Flow-Line based Ultrasound Simulation Tool, may be used to address this challenge, providing a common platform for evaluation of velocity estimation schemes on in silico data. However, the FLUST approach had some limitations in its original form, including reduced robustness for phase sensitive setups and the need for manual selection of integrity parameters. In addition, implementation of the technique and therefore also documentation of signal integrity was left to potential users of the approach.

METHODS: In this work, several improvements to the FLUST technique are proposed and investigated, and a robust, open source simulation framework developed. The software supports several transducer types and acquisition setups, in addition to a range of different flow phantoms. The main goal of this work is to offer a robust, computationally cheap and user-friendly framework to simulate ultrasound data from stationary blood velocity fields and thereby facilitate design and evaluation of estimation schemes, including acquisition design, velocity estimation and other post-processing steps.

RESULTS: The technical improvements proposed in this work resulted in reduced interpolation errors, reduced variability in signal power, and also automatic selection of spatial and temporal discretization parameters. Results are presented illustrating the challenges and the effectiveness of the solutions. The integrity of the improved simulation framework is validated in an extensive study, with results indicating that speckle statistics, spatial and temporal correlation and frequency content all correspond well with theoretical predictions. Finally, an illustrative example shows how FLUST may be used throughout the design and optimization process of a velocity estimator.

CONCLUSIONS: The FLUST framework is available as a part of the UltraSound ToolBox (USTB), and the results in this paper demonstrate that it can be used as an efficient and reliable tool for the development and validation of ultrasound-based velocity estimation schemes.

PMID:37220679 | DOI:10.1016/j.cmpb.2023.107604

Midwifery. 2023 May 9;123:103715. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2023.103715. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the relationship between masculinity, perceived social support and depression symptomology in the postpartum period in new and experienced fathers.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional questionnaire study.

PARTICIPANTS: A total of 118 first- and second-time fathers (N = 48) of infants aged under 12-months, currently residing in the United Kingdom.

MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS: Questionnaires consisted of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Data were analysed through inferential statistics.

KEY CONCLUSIONS: Masculine norms of self-reliance and primacy of work were positively related to depression symptomology in both father groups. Perceived social support was negatively related to depression symptomology. Further analyses revealed significant effects regarding partner health status and depression symptomology. No significant differences were found between presentation of first- and second-time fathers.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Main findings support partners as a part of the family unit. Findings have implications for midwives in that an increased understanding of these factors in early fatherhood could improve family outcomes.

PMID:37220678 | DOI:10.1016/j.midw.2023.103715

Plant Physiol Biochem. 2023 May 16;200:107767. doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.107767. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Chromium (Cr), a highly toxic redox-active metal cation in soil, seriously threatens global agriculture by affecting nutrient uptake and disturbing various physio-biochemical processes in plants, thereby reducing yields. Here, we examined the effects of different concentrations of Cr alone and in combination with hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) application on the growth and physio-biochemical performance of two mungbeans (Vigna radiata L.) varieties, viz. Pusa Vishal (PV; Cr tolerant) and Pusa Ratna (PR; Cr sensitive), growing in a pot in hydroponics. Plants were grown in the pot experiment to examine their growth, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels, electrolyte balance, and plasma membrane (PM) H⁺-ATPase activity. Furthermore, root anatomy and cell death were analysed 15 days after sowing both varieties in hydroponic systems. The Cr-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species caused cell death and affected the root anatomy and growth of both varieties. However, the extent of alteration in anatomical features was less in PV than in PR. Exogenous application of H₂S promoted plant growth, thereby improving plant antioxidant activities and reducing cell death by suppressing Cr accumulation and translocation. Seedlings of both cultivars treated with H₂S exhibited enhanced photosynthesis, ion uptake, glutathione, and proline levels and reduced oxidative stress. Interestingly, H₂S restricted the translocation of Cr to aerial parts of plants by improving the nutrient profile and viability of root cells, thereby relieving plants from oxidative bursts by activating the antioxidant machinery through triggering the ascorbate-glutathione cycle. Overall, H₂S application improved the nutrient profile and ionic homeostasis of Cr-stressed mungbean plants. These results highlight the importance of H₂S application in protecting crops against Cr toxicity. Our findings can be utilised to develop management strategies to improve heavy metal tolerance among crops.

PMID:37220675 | DOI:10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.107767

Macromol Rapid Commun. 2023 May 23:e2300256. doi: 10.1002/marc.202300256. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This work reports on the synthesis of statistical copolymers of bio-based PA 6.19 and PA 6.6 together with the production of melt-spun monofilaments for the production of sustainable textile fibers. The plant oil-based 1.19-nonadecanedioic acid was synthesized from bio-derived oleic acid via isomerizing methoxycarbonylation. The homopolymer PA 6.19 with a carbon-based bio-content of 72% showed a good elongation at break of 166%, but lower tensile strength than commercial PA 6 (43 MPa versus 82 MPa). Addition of adipic acid to form statistical PA 6.6/6.19 copolymers improved toughness while maintaining the high elongation at break. Two PA 6.6/6.19 copolymers with a carbon-based bio-content of 26% and 33% were successfully synthesized and exhibited comparable toughness (94±6 MPa and 92±2 MPa) to the commercial PA 6 (92±15 MPa). The bio-based copolymers also exhibit a much lower water uptake than PA 6 and PA 6.6, resulting in a higher dimensional stability. Melt spinning of the oleic acid-based polyamides was successfully carried out to produce monofilaments with sufficient properties for further processing in a knitting process, demonstrating the capabilities of the bio-based PA 6.6/6.19 copolymers for use in the textile industry. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:37220654 | DOI:10.1002/marc.202300256

J Craniofac Surg. 2023 May 22. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000009351. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Traumatic injury or tumor resection can lead to eyelid defects, nasal defects, and cheek defects. The temporal flap pedicled with orbicularis oculi muscle (OOM) can be used to repair these defects. This cadaver-based anatomic study aimed to evaluate the blood supply of this flap and investigate its clinical implications.

METHODS: Twenty hemifaces from 10 cadavers were used in this study. The number of arteries supplying OOM of the flap, the diameter of the artery entering OOM, and the maximum width of OOM were recorded. All data were presented as mean±SD values and analyzed using Student t-test. A P value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Of these 10 specimens, 7 were males and 3 were females. The average age was 67.7 years (range, 53-78 y). The number of arteries supplying OOM was 8.5±1.4 in the male and 7.8±1.2 in the female. The diameter of the zygomatico-orbital artery was detected as 0.53±0.06 mm in the male and 0.40±0.11 mm in the female. The maximum width of OOM was detected as 2.5±0.1 cm in the male and 2.2±0.1 cm in the female. Males had significantly larger average values than females in the diameter of zygomatico-orbital artery and maximum width of OOM (P=0.012, P<0.001, respectively). However, the number of arteries supplying OOM did not differ significantly between sex (P=0.322).

CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the blood supply of the temporal flap pedicled with OOM is abundant and reliable. The findings provide surgeons with valuable anatomic knowledge for repairing facial defects with this flap.

PMID:37220649 | DOI:10.1097/SCS.0000000000009351

J Craniofac Surg. 2023 May 22. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000009438. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The most common typical symptoms of keloids can be pain and itchiness. Intralesional corticosteroid administration is generally the first-line conservative treatment. Minimizing pain during intralesional corticosteroid injections into keloids should be aimed, as the treatment is often painful. There has yet to be a report on which local anesthetic technique is superior in keloid treatment between topical anesthetic versus lidocaine mixture injection.

METHODS: This was a single-center prospective study. The study included 100 patients with painful multiple/multifocal keloids aged 18 to 85 years and was performed between May 2021 and December 2022. Among multiple keloid lesions in a single patient, we assigned the keloids pretreated with topical cream application versus local injection. Then, subjects received 40 mg of intralesional corticosteroid injections into the keloids with a 26G needle to treat keloids. Patients rated the pain intensity of each lesion pretreated with two different anesthetic techniques on an 11-point numeric rating scale. A separate direct question of “Which technique would you recommend if you had to be injected again?” was given.

RESULTS: One-hundred patients with painful multiple/multifocal keloids were included in the study. Data on pain intensity numeric rating scale (NRS) revealed that injection techniques relieved the pain statistically significantly more than topical creams. (P<0.001) 63% of the participants (n=63) preferred the injection technique, while 25% preferred topical anesthetics. In total, 12% of patients responded that there was no difference between the two techniques.

CONCLUSION: When comparing with topical lidocaine/prilocaine (EMLA) cream, a 1:1 mixture of 1% lidocaine and epinephrine significantly alleviated pain during and after the corticosteroid injection.

PMID:37220648 | DOI:10.1097/SCS.0000000000009438