Tag: statistics

J Anat. 2022 Aug 7. doi: 10.1111/joa.13733. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The cranial casques of modern cassowaries (Casuarius) have long intrigued researchers; however, in-depth studies regarding their morphological variation are scarce. Through visual inspection, it has been recognized that casque variability exists between conspecifics. Understanding casque variation has both evolutionary and ecological importance. Although hypothesized to be targeted by selection, intraspecific casque variation has not been quantified previously. Through a large sample of C. casuarius (n = 103), we compared casque shape (lateral and rostral views) between sexes and between individuals from non-overlapping geographical regions using two-dimensional (2D) geometric morphometrics. We found no statistically significant differences between the casque shape of females and males and few substantial shape differences between individuals from different geographic areas. Much of the intraspecific variation within C. casuarius is due to casque asymmetries (77.5% rightward deviating, 20.7% leftward deviating, and 1.8% non-deviating from the midline; n = 111), which explain the high variability of southern cassowary casque shape, particularly from the rostral aspect. Finally, we discuss how our non-significant findings implicate social selection theory, and we identify the benefits of quantifying such variation for further elucidating casque function(s) and the social biology of cassowaries.

PMID:35933695 | DOI:10.1111/joa.13733

Biol Futur. 2022 Aug 7. doi: 10.1007/s42977-022-00130-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Airway smooth muscles (ASMs) play an essential role during breathing by contracting and relaxing as needed. Its dysfunction is related to some diseases such as asthma. The contractile mechanism of ASMs is complex. Therefore, research is necessary for this domain to identify issues and chemicals that can affect their contractions and impose health threats. This study aimed to investigate the effects of fluoxetine on the smooth muscles of the ASM using an isolated organ bath system. Fifteen male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: acetylcholine (ACh) group, fluoxetine group, and ACh + fluoxetine group. Following decapitation, 1-cm-long smooth muscle strips were prepared and placed in the isolated organ bath system Krebs’ solution at 37 °C (pH = 7.4), constantly bubbled with oxygen/carbon dioxide mixture (95%:5%), and isometric contractions were recorded. Contraction of the smooth muscle was achieved by 10-µM Ach, and contractile/relaxation effects of cumulative concentrations of fluoxetine (10-9-10-1 M) were investigated. There was a numerical decrease in the contraction compared to ACh with no statistical significance in the ACh-fluoxetine group. There was a significant difference between the fluoxetine and the ACh groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, fluoxetine had no contractile effect on ASM in isolated organ bath systems. Future studies are needed to evaluate the effects of oral usage of fluoxetine on the bronchial muscle in different experimental models to explain the adverse/beneficial effects of fluoxetine in the subjects, especially with respiratory conditions.

PMID:35933694 | DOI:10.1007/s42977-022-00130-7

Perm J. 2022 Jun 29;26(2):69-76. doi: 10.7812/TPP/21.191. Epub 2022 Jun 20.

ABSTRACT

Introduction The purpose of this retrospective review was to identify risk factors associated with removal or revision following radial head arthroplasty. Methods Patients undergoing primary radial head arthroplasty between 2009 and 2015 with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were identified. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were used to analyze the characteristics of patients requiring implant removal or revision and multivariable analysis was performed to calculate hazard ratios. Results There were 312 patients included in the final cohort with a median follow-up of 3.8 years. Thirty-five patients (11.2%) underwent prosthesis removal or revision. There was an increased percentage of implants removed or revised in patients under age 40, with surgery performed for chronic indications compared to acute trauma, and with the use of press-fit stems compared to polished. Discussion It appears younger patient age, chronic surgical indications, and certain aspects of prosthesis design may influence rates of removal or revision.

PMID:35933675 | DOI:10.7812/TPP/21.191

Acta Diabetol. 2022 Aug 7. doi: 10.1007/s00592-022-01939-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: (1) To describe the population of patients with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) using the rapid-acting insulin analogue glulisine versus lispro and aspart during continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII); (2) to describe insulin relative effectiveness based on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and dose; (3) to determine rates of hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

METHODS: The analysis used March 2021 data from the Diabetes-Patienten-Verlaufsdokumentation registry, which contains data of 618,903 patients with diabetes. Patients were propensity-matched by age, sex, and diabetes duration.

RESULTS: Overall, 42,736 patients of any age were eligible for analysis based on insulin pump usage with either glulisine (N = 707) or lispro/aspart (N = 42,029) between 2004 and 2020. Patients receiving glulisine were older (median 20.0 vs. 16.2 years), equally often male (47.2% vs. 47.8%) and had a longer diabetes duration (median 9.4 vs. 7.4 years). After propensity score matching, 707 pairs remained (total N = 1414). Patient characteristics between groups were similar. Achieved HbA1c values were also comparable: 8.04%, 64 mmol/mol versus 7.96%, 63 mmol/mol for glulisine and lispro/aspart [LS mean difference 0.08 (95%CI – 0.08, 0.25)]. FBG was 9.37 mmol/L (168.9 mg/dL) and 9.58 mmol/L (172.6 mg/dL) in the glulisine and lispro/aspart groups [LS mean diff. – 0.21; (95%CI – 1.13, 0.72)]. Total daily insulin doses and prandial to total insulin ratios were also similar. Glulisine group patients had higher rates of lipodystrophy (0.85% vs. 0.71%) (LS mean diff. 0.18 [95% CI – 1.01, 1.38]) and non-severe DKA (3.11% vs. 0.57%; p = 0.002). Fewer patients in the glulisine group had severe hypoglycemic events (7.66 vs. 9.09; p = 0.333) and severe ketoacidosis events (0.57% vs. 1.56%; p = 0.082) but more had hypoglycemic coma events (p = 0.773), although the differences were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS: Insulin glulisine had comparable glucose control to lispro/aspart. The use of glulisine was less frequent in the present analysis compared to the previous trials.

PMID:35933650 | DOI:10.1007/s00592-022-01939-3

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2022 Aug 7. doi: 10.1007/s00402-022-04566-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A reliable predictive tool to predict unplanned readmissions has the potential to lower readmission rates through targeted pre-operative counseling and intervention with respect to modifiable risk factors. This study aimed to develop and internally validate machine learning models for the prediction of 90-day unplanned readmissions following total knee arthroplasty.

METHODS: A total of 10,021 consecutive patients underwent total knee arthroplasty. Patient charts were manually reviewed to identify patient demographics and surgical variables that may be associated with 90-day unplanned hospital readmissions. Four machine learning algorithms (artificial neural networks, support vector machine, k-nearest neighbor, and elastic-net penalized logistic regression) were developed to predict 90-day unplanned readmissions following total knee arthroplasty and these models were evaluated using ROC AUC statistics as well as calibration and decision curve analysis.

RESULTS: Within the study cohort, 644 patients (6.4%) were readmitted within 90 days. The factors most significantly associated with 90-day unplanned hospital readmissions included drug abuse, surgical operative time, and American Society of Anaesthesiologist Physical Status (ASA) score. The machine learning models all achieved excellent performance across discrimination (AUC > 0.82), calibration, and decision curve analysis.

CONCLUSION: This study developed four machine learning models for the prediction of 90-day unplanned hospital readmissions in patients following total knee arthroplasty. The strongest predictors for unplanned hospital readmissions were drug abuse, surgical operative time, and ASA score. The study findings show excellent model performance across all four models, highlighting the potential of these models for the identification of high-risk patients prior to surgery for whom coordinated care efforts may decrease the risk of subsequent hospital readmission.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case-control retrospective analysis.

PMID:35933638 | DOI:10.1007/s00402-022-04566-3

J Gambl Stud. 2022 Aug 7. doi: 10.1007/s10899-022-10148-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Loot boxes are quasi-gambling virtual products in video games that provide randomised rewards of varying value. Previous studies in Western contexts have identified a positive correlation between loot box purchasing and problem gambling severity. A preregistered survey of People’s Republic of China (PRC) video game players (N = 879) failed to replicate this correlation. We observed statistically significant but weak positive correlations between loot box expenditure and past-year gambling participation, and between loot box expenditure and impulsiveness. This study cannot prove that loot boxes are not disproportionately purchased by people with problem gambling symptomatology in the PRC or that PRC players are not potentially at risk of loot box-related harms. Instead, the evidence suggests that the relationship between loot boxes and gambling might be weaker in the PRC than in Western countries. We identified multiple unique factors about the PRC that might be affecting this relationship. For example, the lotteries are the only legally permitted form of gambling. More gamified electronic gambling products are unavailable. The limited availability of gambling meant that a low level of gambling participation (n = 87) was observed, which is a limitation of this study. Additionally, the PRC is presently the only country to legally require loot box probability disclosures as a consumer protection measure. Most loot box purchasers (84.6%) reported seeing loot box probability disclosures, but only 19.3% of this group reported consequently spending less money. Most loot box purchasers (86.9%) thought that pity-timers, which increase the winning probabilities of obtaining rarer rewards, are appropriate for implementation. Future loot box research should give greater consideration to differing cultural contexts and novel consumer protection measures.

PMID:35933619 | DOI:10.1007/s10899-022-10148-0

Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2022 Jun 7;43(2):119-128. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the processing of clicks and tone pips in the auditory brainstem of tree shrews and analyze the long-term evolution of postlesion plasticity in the auditory system and its ability to self-repair.

METHODS: The auditory brainstem response (ABR) was measured in the normal control group (n=10) and the electrolytic damage group (n=10) before and 0 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 25 d after electrolytic damage. Recordings were performed under closed-field conditions using clicks and tone pips, followed by statistical analysis of the ABR threshold, amplitude and latency.

RESULTS: The results were as follows: (1) After electrolytic damage to the tree shrew medial geniculate body (MGB), the latency and amplitude of ABR waveforms from the left ear changed from 0 h to 25 d. All parameters were lower at 25 d than they were preoperatively. The amplitude of ABR wave VI (using click sound stimulation) decreased or disappeared in both ears. (2) The ABR threshold was significantly different in both ears at 72 h postoperatively compared with preoperatively (0 h) (P < 0.05) but recovered by 25 d.

CONCLUSION: Based on these results, we conclude the following: (1) The origin of wave VI in tree shrews may be associated with the MGB. After electrolytic damage to the MGB, the changes in the ABR waveforms at different frequencies indicated that the MGB nucleus had a certain characteristic frequency. (2) Unilateral injury to the MGB can lead to similar levels of hearing impairment in both ears.

PMID:35933618

J Clin Nurs. 2022 Aug 7. doi: 10.1111/jocn.16483. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To assess (1) the experience, knowledge and preferences of end-of-life care among frail nursing home residents and (2) the preferences of residents’ family caregivers.

BACKGROUND: Globally, nursing homes are becoming an important place where many older people will receive their end-of-life care. Thus, assessing the end-of-life care preferences among nursing home residents is crucial.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey.

METHODS: Residents aged ≥65 years, with frail or pre-frail status (n = 286) in 34 nursing homes were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the outcomes and regression analyses were used to evaluate factors related to the outcomes. Kappa statistics were used to examine the agreement between the preferences among 21 residents and their family caregivers. The manuscript was guided by the STROBE checklist.

RESULTS: 5.9% and 10.5% of the participants had heard of advance care planning and advance directive respectively. After explanations of the terms by the research team, 42.3% of the participants preferred advance care planning, whereas 22.0% preferred advance directive. The top reason for not preferring advance care planning/advance directive is perceiving them as ‘not necessary’. Nursing homes were the most preferred place to receive end-of-life care (41.6%). Whereas hospitals were the most preferred place for death (36.0%). The agreement among resident and family caregiver dyads ranged from none to minimal in most outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed the lack of awareness around advance care planning and advance directive among frail nursing home residents. Future research should focus on developing effective educational interventions to enhance the residents’ awareness of these topics.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: To increase awareness among nursing home residents, more educational programs should be implemented. Frail older residents might not see the relevance of advance care planning; interventions need to include both current and future care to increase its relevance.

PMID:35933614 | DOI:10.1111/jocn.16483

J Periodontol. 2022 Aug 6. doi: 10.1002/JPER.21-0226. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: to determine the prevalence of periodontitis and if poor glycemic control is associated with increasing prevalence of the disease.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes. A questionnaire related to oral health care history and oral health behaviors was administered to each participant and they then underwent a full mouth oral evaluation. In addition, clinical and metabolic parameters were extracted from the clinical chart.

RESULTS: 121 children and adolescents (8 – 17 years, 11months) participated. Overall, 45.5% presented some degree of periodontitis, with 10 (8.3%) mild, 36 (29.8%) moderate and 9 (7.4%) severe. The periodontitis group (PD-group) had higher mean gingival and plaque indexes, periodontal probing depth and clinical attachment loss than the group without periodontitis (NoPD-group) (p<0.05). A statistically significant relationship between the prevalence of periodontitis and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was verified in the bivariate (OR = 1.31, [CI 95% 1.13-1.53], p = 0.001) and multivariate (OR = 1.29, [CI 95% 1.03-1.61], p = 0.03) analysis. For the adjustment variables, associations were verified for duration of diabetes, age, BMIz, lack of running water, insulin use and acanthosis nigricans.

CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes presented high rates of periodontitis comparable to that seen in previous studies with youth with diabetes. Uncontrolled HbA1c influences prevalence of periodontal disease. The lack of matched control group and radiographs are limitations of the study. Comprehensive periodontal examination is essential for children and adolescents with type 2 diabetes to prevent, identify and treat periodontitis early. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35933589 | DOI:10.1002/JPER.21-0226

Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 2022 Aug 6:e9374. doi: 10.1002/rcm.9374. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

RATIONALE: The exact etiology and pathogenesis of CPT are not clear. Quantitative proteomics analysis plays a vital role in disease pathology research. TMT-based proteomics technique were employed to identify and analyze the differentially expressed proteins in the tibia periosteum tissues of CPT.

METHODS: The samples were divided into three groups: CPT with NF1 group, CPT without NF1 group (non-NF1-CPT), and control group (patients with open tibial fracture). A fold change ≥ 1.5 or ≤ 0.66, and P-value <0.05 were used as the thresholds to screen differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Subsequently, bioinformatics resources such as online tools DAVID and String were subjected to generate GO annotation, KEGG pathways enrichment and PPI network for these DEPs.

RESULTS: According to statistics, a total of 347 proteins differentially expressed in NF1-CPT groups, 212 of which were up-regulated and 135 were down-regulated. There were more DEPs in nonNF1-CPT groups, we identified 467 DEPs, including 281 up-regulated and 186 down-regulated. Among of them, NF1-CPT groups and nonNF1-CPT groups shared 231 DEPs, the remaining 230 DEPs showed the same expression trend in the two disease groups, 117 were up-regulated and 113 were down-regulated. In particular, 116 proteins were altered only in NF1-CPT groups (94 were up-regulated and 22 were down-regulated), while 236 proteins were altered only in nonNF1-CPT groups (164 were up-regulated and 72 were down-regulated). Finally, compared with nonNF1-CPT, 47 proteins changed 1.5-fold and p-Value<0.05 in NF1-CPT groups.

CONCLUSIONS: To sum up, we found that common differential proteins in periosteum of NF1-CPT and nonNF1-CPT are mainly involved in cell matrix assembly, cell adhesion, AKT-PI3K signal pathway activation and vascular agglutination, which indicate that these are the pathological characteristics of CPT. The osteogenic ability is weak, the osteoclastic ability is strong, the vascular lumen is narrow, the invasive growth and the proliferation of fibroblasts are enhanced in CPT patients.

PMID:35933588 | DOI:10.1002/rcm.9374