Tag: statistics

Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2022 Sep 1. doi: 10.1002/ccd.30384. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The original J-CTO score predicts the difficulty of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions, but the grade of calcification has not been fully evaluated. We examined 137 patients (141 CTO lesions) who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) pre-PCI between October 2016 and October 2021. They were randomly divided into derivation (n = 94) and validation (n = 47) groups. The degree and distribution of calcification in the occluded segment were assessed using CTA. The calcified index was defined as calcium volume divided by the length of the occluded segment. We created the J-Calc-CTO score consisting of calcification parameters associated with 30-min wire crossing in the derivation group. The validity of the J-Calc-CTO score was compared with that of the original J-CTO score using c-statistics. The procedural success rate was 96%, and 30-min wire crossing during the procedure was achieved in 29%. Dense calcification (calcified-index >12) (odds ratio [OR]: 4.63; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24-22.2; p = 0.04) and calcification in the center of the lumen (OR: 7.25; 95% CI: 1.48-32.1; p = 0.02) were independently associated with 30-min wire crossing as variables evaluated using CTA. The J-Calc-CTO score was created by adding 1 point to the two parameters in place of “calcification” in the original J-CTO score. The J-Calc-CTO score showed a higher predictive value of 30-min wire crossing than the J-CTO score in the derivation (c-statistics; 0.836 vs. 0.670; p > 0.01) and validation groups (c-statistics; 0.879 vs. 0.767, p > 0.01). The degree and distribution of calcification evaluated using CTA refined the predictive value of the original J-CTO score for 30-min wire crossing.

PMID:36047294 | DOI:10.1002/ccd.30384

Med Phys. 2022 Sep 1. doi: 10.1002/mp.15919. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Routinely delineating of important skeletal growth centers is imperative to mitigate radiation-induced growth abnormalities for pediatric cancer patients treated with radiotherapy. However, it is hindered by several practical problems including difficult identification, time consumption and inter-practitioner variability.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to construct and evaluate a novel Triplet-Attention U-Net (TAU-Net) based auto-segmentation model for important skeletal growth centers in childhood cancer radiotherapy, concentrating on the accuracy and time efficiency.

METHODS: A total of 107 childhood cancer patients fulfilled the eligibility criteria were enrolled in the training cohort (N = 80) and test cohort (N = 27). The craniofacial growth plates, shoulder growth centers and pelvic ossification centers, with a total of 19 structures in the three groups, were manually delineated by two experienced radiation oncologists on axial, coronal, and sagittal CT images. Modified from U-Net, the proposed TAU-Net has one main branch and two bypass branches, receiving semantic information of three adjacent slices to predict the target structure. With supervised deep learning, the skeletal growth centers contouring of each group was generated by three different auto-segmentation models: U-Net, V-Net and the proposed TAU-Net. Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) and Hausdorff distance 95% (HD95) were used to evaluate the accuracy of three auto-segmentation models. The time spent on performing manual tasks and manually correcting auto-contouring generated by TAU-Net was recorded. The paired t-test was used to compare the statistical differences in delineation quality and time efficiency.

RESULTS: Among the 3 groups, including craniofacial growth plates, shoulder growth centers and pelvic ossification centers groups, TAU-Net had demonstrated highly acceptable performance (the average DSC = 0.77, 0.87, and 0.83 for each group; the average HD95 = 2.28 mm, 2.07 mm, and 2.86 mm for each group). In the overall evaluation of 19 ROIs in the test cohort, TAU-Net had an overwhelming advantage over U-Net (63.2% ROIs in DSC and 31.6% ROIs in HD95, P = 0.001∼0.042) and V-Net (94.7% ROIs in DSC and 36.8% ROIs in HD95, P = 0.001∼0.040). With an average time of 52.2 min for manual delineation, the average time saved to adjust TAU-Net-generated contours was 37.6 min (P<0.001), a 72% reduction.

CONCLUSIONS: Deep learning-based models have presented enormous potential for the auto-segmentation of important growth centers in pediatric skeleton, where the proposed TAU-Net outperformed than U-Net and V-Net in geometrical precision for the majority status. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:36047281 | DOI:10.1002/mp.15919

Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 2022 Jul;51(4):632-637. doi: 10.19813/j.cnki.weishengyanjiu.2022.04.022.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulation mechanism of N-acetylcysteine(NAC) on cadmium-induced apoptosis of mouse testicular interstitial cells based on protein kinase B pathway(AKT pathway).

METHODS: Mouse testicular mesenchymal cells(TM3) were divided into fourgroups according to different treatment, control group, cadmium group(Cd, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 μmol/L), NAC group(NAC, 500 μmol/L) and NAC+Cd group(500 μmol/L NAC+20 μmol/L Cd). Cells of NAC+Cd group were pretreated with NAC for 30 min, and then combined with cadmium for 24 h. Cell viability was determined by CCK8. Hoechst staining was used to determine cell morphology. Cell apoptosis rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. Malondialdehyde(MDA) and glutathione(GSH) were measured simultaneously. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of AKT protein, B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax).

RESULTS: Cadmium inhibited the proliferation of TM3 cells in a dose-effect relationship. Cell morphology observation showed that with the increase of cadmium concentration, the cells shrank, became round and even fell off, and appeared dense nuclear staining. The MDA level in Cd group was(1.56±0.11) μmol/mg prot, which was significantly higher than that in control group(P&lt;0.01). Compared to the control group, the level of GSH was significantly decreased to(1.28±0.25) μmol/mg prot(P&lt;0.01). NAC pretreatment could reduce the MDA content and increase the GSH level, and the difference was statistically significant compared with the Cd group(P&lt;0.01). Western blot result showed that NAC pretreatment significantly increased levels of phosphorylated AKT and Bcl-2, the levels were 0.65±0.05 and 0.45±0.03, respectively(P&lt;0.01). The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was 1.54±0.15, which was significantly lower than that of the Cd group(P&lt;0.01).

CONCLUSION: NAC can inhibit cadmium-mediated TM3 cell damage and apoptosis, which may be related to the improvement of oxidative stress state, activation of TM3 AKT pathway and reduction of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio.

PMID:36047270 | DOI:10.19813/j.cnki.weishengyanjiu.2022.04.022

Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 2022 Jul;51(4):596-603. doi: 10.19813/j.cnki.weishengyanjiu.2022.04.017.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the fat and fatty acid composition of Fujian characteristic snacks, and to evaluate their nutritional value.

METHODS: The fat and fatty acid composition of Fujian characteristic snacks were analyzed by the national standards, and analyzed by statistics such as correlation analysis, nonparametric test and cluster analysis. The nutritional value of fatty acid was evaluated by unsaturated index(UI), atherogenic index(AI), thrombosis index(TI).

RESULTS: The contents of crude fat and total fatty acid were 0.11-26.35 g/100 g and 0.08-17.85 g/100 g. The correlation coefficient r=0.915(P&lt;0.01), crude fat and total fatty acid in poultry and livestock meats were higher than those in seafood(P&lt;0.05). The main saturated fatty acids(SFA) were palmitic acid(21.80%-34.00%)and stearic acid(7.72%-21.45%), and the main unsaturated fatty acids(UFA)were oleic acid(5.38%-41.17%) and linoleic acid(2.99%-23.54%). The content of eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA) in fish noodle(0.71%) and docosahexaenoic acid(DHA) in fried fish roll, fish slide, fish noodles(0.41%, 2.12%, 1.59%)were far higher than other snacks. Polyunsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids(PUFA/SFA)ratios were 0.10-0.69, there were 8 kinds of snacks with PUFA/SFA ratio value&gt;0.4. The n-3 PUFA/n-6 PUFA ratios were 0.01-0.75, n-6 PUFA/n-3 PUFA ratios were 1.33-74.31. The n-6 PUFA/n-3 PUFA ratios of fish slide(1.33) and fish noodle(2.13) conform to the ideal ratio stipulated by the British Health Organization, and the ratio of flat food(6.36) conform to the recommended ratio of Food and Agriculture Organization. The SFA∶monounsaturated fatty acids(MUFA)∶PUFA ratios were 0.8∶1.0∶0.5-2.4∶1.0∶0.2, the ratios of pork zongzi, meat yan silk, spicy meat, pressed salted duck and fried oyster(1.2∶1.1∶0.5, 0.8∶1.0∶0.6, 1.0∶1.0∶0.7, 0.8∶1.0∶0.5 and 1.1∶1.1∶0.5) were close to 1∶1∶1. The UI of 15 snacks was 48.37-90.67. The AI was 0.40-1.44, and the TI was 0.97-2.32. When the distance scale was 9, snacks were divided into three categories, namely fish noodle, fish slide and others. Fish noodle was high EPA and DHA type, and fish slide was high DHA type.

CONCLUSION: The fat and total fatty acid contents of the 15 snacks were wide, which were closely related to the raw materials and cooking style. Nutrition and health value of fish slide, fish noodles food, meat yan silk and spicy meat were high.

PMID:36047265 | DOI:10.19813/j.cnki.weishengyanjiu.2022.04.017

Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 2022 Jul;51(4):561-573. doi: 10.19813/j.cnki.weishengyanjiu.2022.04.011.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the relationship between dietary nutrients and body mass index of children and adolescents aged 7-17 in China.

METHODS: The data comes from the “China Health and Nutrition Survey”, and 5562 children and adolescents aged 7-17 who participated in at least one round(2000, 2006, 2011 and 2015) of the survey and had complete dietary and physical measurement survey data were selected as the research objects. A three-level(community-individual-observation level) linear random intercept mixed effect model of body mass index was constructed to analyze the influence of dietary nutrient intake of children and adolescents of different genders in urban and rural areas on their body mass index(BMI).24 hours for 3 consecutive days and family weight accounting were used to evaluate the dietary nutrient intake.

RESULTS: BMI of urban children and adolescents is higher than that of rural children and adolescents. The BMI of children and adolescents aged 12-17 is higher than that of children and adolescents aged 7-11. BMI of boys was higher than that of girls, but the difference was statistically significant only in 2011 and 2015. After controlling for confounding factors such as individual level(survey year, age, physical activity and family per capita income) and community level(community urbanization index), the three-level model showed that the BMI of rural boys increased with the increase of cholesterol intake(P&lt;0.01). BMI of urban girls increased with the increase of vitamin B_1 intake(P&lt;0.05) and iron intake(P&lt;0.01). BMI of rural girls increased with the increase of vitamin E intake(P&lt;0.001) and sodium intake(P&lt;0.05).

CONCLUSION: There are some differences in dietary nutrients that affect the BMI level of 7-17 years old children and adolescents between urban and rural areas.

PMID:36047259 | DOI:10.19813/j.cnki.weishengyanjiu.2022.04.011

Yakugaku Zasshi. 2022;142(9):945-950. doi: 10.1248/yakushi.22-00089-3.

ABSTRACT

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s “Study Group on the Training and Qualification Improvement of Pharmacists” met 10 times from July 2000 to June 2021, and its “Summary” was published on June 30, 2021. The purpose of this study group was to examine the future of pharmacists in Japan, based on the results of a survey on the supply and demand of pharmacists, in the face of the declining birth rate, aging population, and regional differences in population. The study group also assessed changes in the roles and duties of pharmacists, such as the promotion of family pharmacists and pharmacies, the promotion of team medicine in medical institutions, and the response of pharmacists to the regional comprehensive care system. The purpose of this symposium was to discuss how to train and improve the quality of pharmacists in the future, while taking into account the results of the survey on the estimated supply and demand of pharmacists. In this symposium, we would like to introduce what was actively discussed in the study group and what was compiled based on the discussion.

PMID:36047221 | DOI:10.1248/yakushi.22-00089-3

Yakugaku Zasshi. 2022;142(9):1021-1029. doi: 10.1248/yakushi.21-00231.

ABSTRACT

Prognostic factors for patients with relapse and unresectable biliary tract cancer, treated with Tegafur Gimeracil Oteracil Potassium (S-1) after failure of gemcitabine (GEM), are unclear. We searched for prognostic factors in patients with relapse and unresectable biliary tract cancer treated with S-1 after failure of GEM, and investigated the relationship between prognostic factors, and the therapeutic effect of S-1. We retrospectively analyzed data of 33 patients with relapse and unresectable biliary tract cancer treated with S-1 after failure of GEM treatment. Statistically significant prognostic factors were extracted using Cox’s proportional hazard model. Data was also collected on prognostic factors prior to the first dose of S-1, final prescription of S-1, and end of treatment. Changes in prognostic factors before the first dose of S-1, at final prescription of S-1, and at the end of treatment were evaluated using the Friedman test. Multivariate analysis identified neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) [hazard ratio (HR)=4.599, p=0.004] and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) (HR=4.985, p=0.004) as independent poor prognostic factors for overall survival. Regarding the relationship between the therapeutic effect and prognostic factors, a significant change was observed in the change in PNI value from first administration of S-1 to the end of treatment (p=0.002). NLR and PNI are suggested to be prognostic factors in patients with relapse and unresectable biliary tract cancer, treated with S-1 after failure of GEM. Changes in PNI from the start of administration of S-1 may be related to therapeutic efficacy.

PMID:36047214 | DOI:10.1248/yakushi.21-00231

Environ Technol. 2022 Aug 31:1-16. doi: 10.1080/09593330.2022.2103742. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Tropical soils are often deeply weathered and vulnerable to degradation having low pH and unfavorable Al/Fe levels, which can constrain crop production. This study aims to examine nitrogen-enriched novel biochar co-composts prepared from rice straw, maize stover, and gram residue in various mixing ratios of the biochar and their feedstock materials for the amelioration of acidic tropical soil. Three pristine biochar and six co-composts were prepared, characterized, and evaluated for improving the chemical and biological quality of the soil against a conventional lime treatment. The pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), calcium carbonate equivalence (CCE) and nitrogen content of co-composts varied between 7.78-8.86, 25.3-30.5 cmol (p⁺) kg^-1, 25.5-30.5%, and 0.81-1.05%, respectively. The co-compost prepared from gram residue biochar mixed with maize stover at a 1:7 dry-weight ratio showed the highest rise in soil pH and CEC, giving an identical performance with the lime treatment and significantly better effect (p < .05) than the unamended control. Agglomerates of calcite and dolomite in biochar co-composts, and surface functional groups contributed to pH neutralization and increased CEC of the amended soil. The co-composts also significantly (p < .05) increased the dehydrogenase (1.87 µg TPF g^-1 soil h^-1), β-glucosidase (90 µg PNP g^-1 soil h^-1), and leucine amino peptidase (3.22 µmol MUC g^-1 soil h^-1) enzyme activities in the soil, thereby improving the soil’s biological quality. The results of this study are encouraging for small-scale farmers in tropical developing countries to sustainably reutilize crop residues via biochar-based co-composting technology.

PMID:36045480 | DOI:10.1080/09593330.2022.2103742

Folia Med (Plovdiv). 2022 Aug 31;64(4):649-654. doi: 10.3897/folmed.64.e67800.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Many authors in their research have suggested an association between vitamin D and asthma, but the results from these publications are sometimes confusing.

AIM: Our aim was to assess the relationship between serum vitamin D and lung function in patients previously diagnosed with asthma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study started in September 2019 and was completed in May 2020. All patients were diagnosed at the University Clinical Center-Prishtina, Kosovo. Spirometry was performed on children of ages 6-16 years old with a spirometer according to the recommendations of the American Thoracic Society.

RESULTS: Of the 57 children who visited the University Clinical Center of Kosovo-Department of Pediatrics, 29 were diagnosed with asthma. The Spearman coefficient correlation showed statistical significance between vitamin D and body weight, and vitamin D and FEF75% at level 0.05. Other parameters did not show statistical significance with vitamin D, but such statistical significance was found in other parameters between asthma and healthy groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested that serum vitamin D level was insignificant for FVC%, FEV1%, Tiffeneau Index values, and PEF. Statistical significance was observed between vitamin D and body weight; vitamin D and FEF75% (p=0.05).

PMID:36045472 | DOI:10.3897/folmed.64.e67800

Folia Med (Plovdiv). 2022 Aug 31;64(4):588-595. doi: 10.3897/folmed.64.e63528.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The present clinical study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of 5 types of mouthwash based on different active substances.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 180 patients divided into 6 groups of 30 patients, each group rinsing with one of the following types of mouthwash based on: essential oils, combination of essential oils and 0.12% chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide (0.8%), prebiotic, 0.2% chlorhexidine, and placebo. All participants underwent professional mechanical plaque removal after which they were instructed to rinse with 15 ml mouthwash 2 times a day for 21 days. During the study period, patients were monitored at days 0, 14, and 21, examining oral hygiene index, gingival index, bleeding index, and presence of side effects.

RESULTS: Gingival index, bleeding index, and oral hygiene index were reduced statistically significantly in all treatment groups. Adjunctive use of mouthwashes demonstrated better clinical effectiveness compared to mechanical plaque control (and placebo mouthwash). The gingival index and the plaque index were reduced most significantly in the group using mouthwash with hydrogen peroxide. The bleeding index decrease was most significant in the group using 0.2% chlorhexidine.

CONCLUSIONS: All tested mouthwashes demonstrated significant clinical effectiveness in different degrees in gingivitis treatment. New formulas with prebiotic and combination of essential oils and chlorhexidine indicate promising effectiveness.

PMID:36045468 | DOI:10.3897/folmed.64.e63528