Tag: statistics

Recenti Prog Med. 2023 Mar;114(3):163-169. doi: 10.1701/3981.39641.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Bias in dissemination and reporting of clinical research findings has an impact on the pooled summary utilised to produce clinical-therapeutic guidelines and recommendations. This analysis aims to evaluate the dissemination and reporting biases of interventional and observational studies conducted in the setting of the Local health authority of Verona (Aulss). The possible correlation between both biases and profit versus no-profit sponsors was also evaluated.

METHODS: Verona’s Aulss studies completed in the period 01.01.2014-31.01.2021 were extracted from the Clinical study register of the Veneto Region and any form of results’ dissemination was identified and compared with the original protocol. Identified studies were stratified by profit or no-profit sponsor and results compared using the Chi-Square test.

RESULTS: 67 studies (29 profit; 38 non-profit) were included in this analysis. 58.2% of the studies (n=39/67) reports at least one type of findings’ dissemination, for 22.4% data-analysis or publication is in progress, while 19.4% has not been published. Regarding the evaluation on reporting bias, 36 of the 39 published studies were considered (n=19 profit; n=17 non-profit): 64% (23/36) showed inconsistencies between the results reported in the manuscript and the protocol. The number of non-compliant profit studies (n=15/19; 79%) was statistically higher than the compliant ones [n=8/17; 47%; (p=0.049; χ2=3.845)].

DISCUSSION: This study highlights that findings’ dissemination occurs for the majority of the studies evaluated and that the odds of selective reporting are higher for industry funded studies than for publicly funded studies, affecting the quality of the research.

PMID:36815420 | DOI:10.1701/3981.39641

Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2023 Feb 23. doi: 10.1111/cid.13195. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Optimal cell adhesion of the gingival fibroblasts to dental implants is important for maintaining good implant integration. The aim of this study was to discover, if the nanoporous TiO₂ -coating on titanium alloy substrates is able to increase the cell adhesion of the human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). The study consisted of three differently produced titanium groups: hydrothermally produced TiO₂ -coating (HT), novel TiO₂ -coating made in sol (SOL), and noncoated control group. Primary HGF cells were initiated from gingival biopsies from patients having a third molar extraction. HGF were cultivated on titanium discs for 2 and 24 h to determine the initial attachment with confocal microscope. The cell spreading and adhesion protein signals were measured. In addition, expression of adhesion proteins vinculin, paxillin, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) were measured after 3 days of cultivation by using Western Blotting. Higher protein levels of paxillin, vinculin, and FAK were induced on both coated discs compared to noncoated discs. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05) concerning expression of paxillin. The cell spreading was significantly larger on SOL discs after 2 and 24 h when comparing to noncoated controls. The confocal microscope analyses revealed significantly higher adhesion protein signals on both HT- and SOL-coated titanium compared to control group. This study showed, that both methods to produce TiO₂ -coatings are able to increase HGF adhesion protein expression and cell spreading on titanium surface. Accordingly, the coatings can potentially improve the gingival attachment to titanium implant surfaces.

PMID:36815407 | DOI:10.1111/cid.13195

Haematologica. 2023 Feb 23. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2022.282126. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Not available.

PMID:36815369 | DOI:10.3324/haematol.2022.282126

CNS Neurosci Ther. 2023 Feb 23. doi: 10.1111/cns.14125. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate changes in brain-glucose metabolism in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis, and compare results with MRI and electroencephalography (EEG) findings at different disease stages.

METHODS: The clinical data of 18 patients (median age, 35 years; 11 men) were retrospectively collected. Patients were divided into groups based on the time of symptom onset to examination, (≤1 month, >1 but ≤3 months, >3 months). Two-sample t-test results were compared with age and sex-paired healthy controls using statistical parametric mapping and verified using a NeuroQ software normal database with a discriminating z-score of 2.

RESULTS: Abnormal patterns on FDG-PET differed over time (T = 3.21-8.74, Z = 2.68-4.23, p < 0.005). Regional analysis showed hypometabolic left middle or medial frontal cortex in 4/5, 5/7, and 5/6 patients, respectively. Time-subgroup analysis revealed hypermetabolic supertemporal cortex in 4/5, 5/7, and 2/6, patients, respectively. MRI and EEG abnormalities in any region and stage occurred in 10/18 and 10/16 patients, respectively. MRI and EEG time-subgroup analysis showed abnormalities in 5/9, 4/5, and 1/4, and 1/3, 6/7, and 3/6 patients, respectively. Abnormal temporal lobes were detected most frequently in MRI analyses and occurred in 3/10 patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Decreased left middle/medial frontal metabolism could be common to all stages. Metabolism in other regions, MRI, and EEG results were associated with the progression of anti-NMDAR encephalitis. The sensitivity rate of FDG-PET was superior to that of MRI and EEG.

PMID:36815303 | DOI:10.1111/cns.14125

Acta Paediatr. 2023 Feb 23. doi: 10.1111/apa.16723. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To describe pulmonary important outcomes (PIO) reported by parents of children born extremely preterm.

METHODS: Over one-year, all parents of children aged 18 months-7-years born <29 weeks’ GA were asked regarding their perspectives. The proportion of parents who described PIO and the themes they invoked were examined. Results were analyzed using mixed methods.

RESULTS: Among parental responses (n=285, 98% participation rate), 44% spoke about PIO, invoking 24 themes pertaining to NICU hospitalization and/or long-term respiratory health. Some themes had an impact primarily on the child (eg: exercise limitation), while the majority had an impact on the whole family (eg: hospital readmissions). None mentioned oxygen at 36 weeks nor bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The proportion of responses invoking PIO were statistically similar between parents of children with and without BPD, born before or after 25-weeks, or with birthweight < or ≥750g. PIO were more likely to be mentioned in males and among those readmitted for respiratory problems.

CONCLUSION: Parents describe many PIO, most related to the functional impact of lung disease on their child (and family), rather then the diagnosis of BPD itself. Most of these PIO are not primary outcomes in large neonatal trials, nor collected in neonatal databases.

PMID:36815277 | DOI:10.1111/apa.16723

Epilepsia. 2023 Feb 23. doi: 10.1111/epi.17558. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Evaluating patients with drug-resistant epilepsy often requires inducing seizures by tapering anti-seizure medications (ASMs) in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU). The relationship between ASM taper strategy, seizure timing and severity remains unclear. In this study, we developed and validated a pharmacokinetic model of total ASM load and tested its association with seizure occurrence and severity in the EMU.

METHODS: We studied 80 patients who underwent intracranial EEG recording for epilepsy surgery planning. We developed a first-order pharmacokinetic model of the ASMs administered in the EMU to generate a continuous metric of overall ASM load. We then related modeled ASM load to seizure likelihood and severity. We determined the association between the rate of ASM load reduction, the length of hospital stay and the probability of having a severe seizure. Finally, we used modeled ASM load to predict oncoming seizures.

RESULTS: Seizures occurred in the bottom 50^th -percentile of sampled ASM loads across the cohort (p < 0.0001, Wilcoxon sign-rank test), and seizures requiring rescue therapy occurred at lower ASM loads than seizures that did not require rescue therapy (logistic regression mixed effects model, odds ratio = 0.27, p = 0.01). Greater ASM decrease early in the EMU was not associated with an increased likelihood of having a severe seizure, nor with a shorter length of stay.

SIGNIFICANCE: A pharmacokinetic model can accurately estimate ASM levels for patients in the EMU. Lower modeled ASM levels are associated with increased seizure likelihood and seizure severity. We show that ASM load, rather than ASM taper speed, is associated with severe seizures. ASM modeling has the potential to help optimize taper strategy to minimize severe seizures while maximizing diagnostic yield.

PMID:36815252 | DOI:10.1111/epi.17558

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2023 Feb 23:1-7. doi: 10.1017/ice.2023.19. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in acute-care settings affects patients, healthcare workers, and the healthcare system. We conducted an analysis of risk factors associated with outbreak severity to inform prevention strategies.

METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis of COVID-19 outbreaks was conducted at Fraser Health acute-care sites between March 2020 and March 2021. Outbreak severity measures included COVID-19 attack rate, outbreak duration, and 30-day case mortality. Generalized linear models with generalized estimating equations were used for all outcome measures. A P value of 0.05 indicated statistical significance. Analyses were performed using SAS version 3.8 software, R version 4.1.0 software, and Stata version 16.0 software.

RESULTS: Between March 2020 and March 2021, 54 COVID-19 outbreaks were declared in Fraser Health acute-care sites. Overall, a 10% increase in the hand hygiene rate during the outbreak resulted in an 18% decrease in the attack rate (P < .01), 1 fewer death (P = .03), and shorter outbreaks (P < .01). A 10-year increase in unit age was associated with 2.2 additional days of outbreak (P < 0.01) and increases in the attack rate (P < .05) and the number of deaths (P < .01).

DISCUSSION: We observed an inverse relationship between increased hand hygiene compliance during outbreaks and all 3 severity measures. Increased unit age was also associated with increases in each of the severity measures.

CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of hand hygiene practices during an outbreak and the difficulties faced by older facilities, many of which have infrastructural challenges. The latter reinforces the need to incorporate infection control standards into healthcare planning and construction.

PMID:36815248 | DOI:10.1017/ice.2023.19

J Psychosoc Oncol. 2023;41(2):235-241. doi: 10.1080/07347332.2022.2072792. Epub 2022 Jun 6.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to explore whether patient-centered communication (PCC) would partially mediate the relationship between social support and mental health status among adult survivors of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Methods: Secondary analysis of self-administered questionnaires mailed to 682 adults with NHL who were assumed living and had completed the baseline 2005 study (83% response rate). Adult NHL survivors (n = 566) and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Sobel test. Results: PCC partially mediated the relationship between social support and three measures of mental health outcomes (SF-36 Mental Component Summary [SF36-MCS], Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version [PCL-C], Impact of Cancer – Negative Impact Summary [IOCv2 NIS]). Results of the conservative Sobel test were significant (p < .01) in three mediation models. Conclusions: Future research should focus on testing interventions that target PCC and identifying additional mediators and moderators between social support and mental health outcomes among cancer survivors.

PMID:36815246 | DOI:10.1080/07347332.2022.2072792

Zygote. 2023 Feb 23:1-6. doi: 10.1017/S0967199423000035. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the physiological and morphological parameters of pregnant does for early prediction of prenatal litter size. In total, 33 does were screened using ultrasonography and further categorized into three groups based on does bearing twins (n = 12), a single fetus (n = 12), or non-pregnant does (n = 9). The rectal temperature °F (RT) and respiration rate (RR) as physiological parameters, while abdominal girth in cm (AG) and udder circumference in cm (UC) as morphological parameters were recorded at different gestation times, i.e. 118, 125, 132 and 140 days. In addition to this, age (years) and weight at service (kg) were also used. The statistical analyses included analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The results indicated that groups had significant (P < 0.05) differences among morphological parameters at each gestation time, with higher AG and UC in does bearing twins followed by a single fetus and non-pregnant does. However, both physiological parameters were non-significantly (P > 0.05) associated with litter size groups. It was also revealed that the studied parameters showed increasing trends over gestation time in single and twin fetus categories, but they were on par among non-pregnant does. The results of the LDA revealed that estimated function based on age, weight at service, RR, RT, AG and UC had greater (ranging from 75.00 to 91.70%) accuracy, sensitivity and specificity at different gestation times. It was concluded that using an estimated function, future pregnant does may be identified in advance for single or twin litter size, with greater accuracy.

PMID:36815227 | DOI:10.1017/S0967199423000035

J Environ Public Health. 2023 Feb 13;2023:9738094. doi: 10.1155/2023/9738094. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

The aim of the work is to analyze the socio-economic and healthcare aspects that arise in the contemporary COVID-19 situation from Bangladesh perspective. We elaborately discuss the successive COVID-19 occurrences in Bangladesh with consequential information. The components associated with the COVID-19 commencement and treatment policy with corresponding features and their consequences are patently delineated. The effect of troublesome issues related to the treatment is detailed with supporting real-time data. We elucidate the applications of modern technologies advancement in epidemiological aspects and their existent compatibility in Bangladesh. We statistically analyze the real-time data through figurative and tabular approaches. Some relevant measures of central tendency and dispersion are utilized to explore the data structure and its observable specifications. For a clear manifestation, Z– scores of the COVID-19 components are analyzed through the Box-Whisker plot. We have discovered that the gathered data exhibit features that are unsatisfactory for the normal distribution, are highly positively skewed, and are predominated by the earliest occurrences. Infections and deaths were initially lower than the global average, but they drastically rose in the first quarter of 2021 and persisted for the remainder of the year. Substantial preventive results were produced by the region-wisetime-worthy moves. In the fourth quarter of 2021, the infections and deaths noticeably decreased, and the number of recoveries was highly significant. In the middle of 2022, a lethal rise in infections was observed in Bangladesh and that was quickly stabilized, and the pandemic ingredients were under control. According to our assessment, some concluding remarks are made at the end of this work.

PMID:36815185 | PMC:PMC9940984 | DOI:10.1155/2023/9738094