Tag: statistics

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Mar 25. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-16880-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The study differs substantially from earlier studies, by probing the environmental consequences of foreign aid and selected key economic indicators with a special focus on Sino-Africa. The study focused on China and its top foreign aid recipients in Africa in the last decade. This paper utilizes the Dynamic Augmented Mean Group Estimator (AMG), a robust and recent econometric approach to provide better statistical inferences; crucial for policy formulation and future reforms on foreign aid, trade, energy, pollutions, and economic growth of economies. The findings of the study revealed the China’s Foreign aid oriented towards infrastructure has varying impacts on the economic growth and the environment of most recipient African Countries. The findings revealed the incidence of foreign aid ameliorating pollution of the countries: Nigeria and Morocco under strong domestic institutions. The study is of key relevance for policymakers and stakeholders as it explicates the key pillars, policies, and guidelines needed for foreign aid, trade, economic growth, and related internal reforms for mitigating resulting environmental pollution across a wider international context.

PMID:35338460 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-021-16880-1

Clin Oral Investig. 2022 Mar 26. doi: 10.1007/s00784-022-04456-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the evidence on the relationship between dental and cervical vertebrae maturation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Searches were performed (up to December 2021) in seven databases, as well as in gray literature. Studies that included growing subjects, which evaluated the correlation between the stages of tooth formation and the maturation of cervical vertebrae, were eligible. The methodological quality of the selected reports was assessed using the JBI checklist for cross-sectional studies. Random-effects meta-analyses were implemented to calculate the pooled correlation coefficients between the maturation stages of cervical vertebrae and each tooth type. The GRADE approach was followed to assess the certainty of evidence.

RESULTS: Seventy-seven studies were selected. Most of them had limitations related to sampling and reliability of the methods to evaluate maturation. The syntheses evidenced positive correlations between the maturation of cervical vertebrae and the formation/calcification stages of the following lower teeth: canine (n = 7318; r = 0.692; 95% CI: 0.656-0.724), first premolar (n = 6194; r = 0.689; 95% CI: 0.649-0.725), second premolar (n = 6194; r = 0.695; 95% CI: 0.659-0.729), and second molar (n = 7905; r = 0.698; 95% CI: 0.652-0.739). All estimates were affected by the risk of bias and the presence of unexplained statistical heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS: The evidence points to an apparent positive correlation between dental and cervical vertebrae maturation. These results need to be carefully evaluated as the body of evidence is of very low quality.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dental maturation might be a potential indicator of skeletal craniofacial growth status. A routine dental x-ray could be sufficient, reducing radiation exposure by requesting additional radiographs.

PMID:35338422 | DOI:10.1007/s00784-022-04456-3

Brain Imaging Behav. 2022 Mar 25. doi: 10.1007/s11682-022-00653-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have reported changes in white matter microstructures in patients with insomnia. However, few neuroimaging studies have focused specifically on white matter tracts in insomnia patients after having received treatment. In this prospective study, diffusion-tensor imaging was used in two samples of heart-kidney imbalance insomnia patients who were treated with placebo or Jiao-Tai-Wan, a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used to treat heart-kidney imbalance insomnia, to assess the changes in white matter tracts. Tract-based spatial statistical analyses were first applied to compare the changes in mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy of white matter between 75 heart-kidney imbalance insomnia patients and 41 healthy control participants. In subsequent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, comparisons of mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy were also performed in 24 heart-kidney imbalance insomnia patients (8 males; 16 females; 42.5 ± 10.4 years) with Jiao-Tai-Wan and 26 heart-kidney imbalance insomnia patients (11 males; 15 females; 39.7 ± 9.4 years) with a placebo, with age and sex as covariates. Fractional anisotropy values in left corticospinal tract were increased in heart-kidney imbalance insomnia patients. Heart-kidney imbalance insomnia patients showed lower mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy values of several white matter tracts than healthy control participants, such as the bilateral anterior limb of internal capsule, bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus and bilateral posterior corona radiata. After being treated with Jiao-Tai-Wan, heart-kidney imbalance insomnia patients showed a trend towards reduced fractional anisotropy values in the left corticospinal tract. Jiao-Tai-Wan may improve the sleep quality by reversing the structural changes of the left corticospinal tract caused by heart-kidney imbalance insomnia.

PMID:35338430 | DOI:10.1007/s11682-022-00653-6

Clin Oral Investig. 2022 Mar 25. doi: 10.1007/s00784-022-04454-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to survey current strategies against enamel demineralization during multibracket therapy (MBT) and guide a prevention concept based on existing scientific evidence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The survey comprised questions on the prevention and management of white spot lesions (WSL). The questionnaire was sent via email to orthodontists working in practices and universities throughout Germany. The analysis involved descriptive statistics using the chi-square test (p < 0.05).

RESULTS: A prevention protocol was used before MBT by 80.6% of the participants. Less than a quarter of the participants regularly applied topical fluoride (gel or varnish) during MBT. According to the respondents’ assessment, the prevalence of WSL during MBT is 11.6%, mainly observed in 12- to 15-year-old male patients. Orthodontists graduating after 2000 tended to recommend and apply fluoride-containing materials more often than their senior colleagues (p = 0.039). Participants from private practices applied fluoride varnish or gel more frequently than those from university clinics (p = 0.013). Fluoridation was the most common (70.7%) treatment for WSL after MBT, followed by resin infiltration (21.2%). The majority (80.9%) of the participants favor a guideline for preventing WSL.

CONCLUSIONS: WSL prevention during MBT is challenging. Males in puberty are predominantly affected. Younger orthodontists are more concerned about the prevention of WSL during MBT.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The non-negligible prevalence of individuals with WSL emphasizes the need for dental education and health care reform. This would help to implement standardized procedures and establish innovative applications.

PMID:35338421 | DOI:10.1007/s00784-022-04454-5

Surg Endosc. 2022 Mar 25. doi: 10.1007/s00464-022-09191-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) and laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) are known therapeutic options for medically refractory gastroparesis (MRG) although there are limited data comparing their outcomes. We aim to compare clinical outcomes between patients undergoing GES vs upfront LG for the treatment of MRG while examining factors associated with GES failure and conversion to LG.

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 181 consecutive patients who underwent GES or LG for MRG at our institution from January 2003 to December 2017. Data collection consisted of chart review and follow-up telephone survey. Statistical analysis utilized Chi-squared, ANOVA, and multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS: Overall, 130 (72%) patients underwent GES and 51 (28%) LG as primary intervention. GES patients were more likely to have diabetic gastroparesis (GES 67% vs LG 39%, p < 0.001), while primary LG patients were more likely to have post-surgical gastroparesis (GES 5% vs LG 43%, p < 0.001). Postoperatively, primary LG patients had higher rates of major in-hospital morbidity events (GES 5% vs LG 18%, p = 0.017) and longer hospital stays (GES 3 vs LG 9 days, p < 0.001). However, over a mean 35-month follow-up period, there were no differences in the rates of major morbidity, readmissions, or mortality. Multivariable regression analysis revealed patients undergoing GES as a primary intervention were less likely to report improvement in symptoms on follow-up compared to primary LG patients OR 0.160 (95% CI 0.048-0.532). Additionally, patients who converted to LG from GES were more likely to have post-surgical gastroparesis as the primary etiology.

CONCLUSION: GES as a first-line surgical treatment of MRG was associated with worse outcomes compared to LG. Post-surgical etiology was associated with an increased likelihood of GES failure, and in such patients, upfront gastrectomy may be a superior alternative to GES. Further studies are needed to determine patient selection for operative treatment of MRG.

PMID:35338403 | DOI:10.1007/s00464-022-09191-0

J Assist Reprod Genet. 2022 Mar 25. doi: 10.1007/s10815-022-02461-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate whether preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) improves the clinical outcome in patients with advanced maternal age (AMA), recurrent miscarriages (RM), and recurrent implantation failure (RIF).

METHODS: Retrospective cohort study from a single IVF center and a single genetics laboratory. One hundred seventy-six patients undergoing PGT-A were assigned to three groups: an AMA group, an RM group, and a RIF group. Two hundred seventy-nine patients that did not undergo PGT-A were used as controls and subgrouped similarly to the PGT-A cohort. For the PGT-A groups, trophectoderm biopsy was performed and array comparative genomic hybridization was used for PGT-A. Clinical outcomes were compared with the control groups.

RESULTS: In the RM group, we observed a significant decrease of early pregnancy loss rates in the PGT-A group (18.1% vs 75%) and a significant increase in live birth rate per transfer (50% vs 12.5%) and live birth rate per patient (36% vs 12.5%). In the RIF group, a statistically significant increase in the implantation rate per transfer (69.5% vs 33.3%) as well as the live birth rate per embryo transfer (47.8% vs 19%) was observed. In the AMA group, a statistically significant reduction in biochemical pregnancy loss was observed (3.7% vs 31.5%); however, live birth rates per embryo transfer and per patient were not significantly higher than the control group.

CONCLUSION: Our results agree with recently published studies, which suggest caution in the universal application of PGT-A in women with infertility. Instead, a more personalized approach by choosing the right candidates for PGT-A intervention should be followed.

PMID:35338417 | DOI:10.1007/s10815-022-02461-9

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2022 Mar 25. doi: 10.1007/s00405-022-07350-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This single-group, retrospective, pre-test-post-test study was performed to examine clinical outcomes in treating obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) with tonsillectomy alone and had the longest follow-up periods to date.

METHODS: We analysed 151 tonsillectomies in our district between the years 2004 and 2018 that had either sleep apnoea or snoring listed as a diagnosis. Twenty-one patients met our criteria and were included. Patient records were analysed for home sleep apnoea test and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores.

RESULTS: We defined success as a > 50% reduction of the Apnoea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) and a total AHI of < 20 post-surgery. The averages before surgery were an AHI of 22.3 and an ESS of 7.22. The success rate was 47.6% after tonsillectomy as the sole treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea in our adult population. Eleven patients were non-responders. The average ESS score reduction was 0.69 and did not reach statistical significance. With follow-up times ranging from 1.8 to 171 months, this study had the longest follow-up period compared to other existing studies. No patient with a follow-up longer than one year was a responder.

CONCLUSION: Our results support that tonsillectomy is an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea in adults with tonsillar hypertrophy. With less severe OSA than those reported on previously, our patients also had less severe daytime sleepiness before surgery, and daytime sleepiness score reductions did not reach statistical significance. In the future, long-term results should be further analysed.

PMID:35338397 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-022-07350-6

Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2022 Mar 25. doi: 10.1007/s00266-022-02859-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cosmetic and social aspects of breast anomalies in Poland syndrome are not negligible. Early diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic timing may have a positive impact on quality of life.

METHODS: Females affected by Poland syndrome, who had breast reconstruction between 2014 and 2018, were asked to complete the Body Uneasiness Test and the postoperative Breast-Q. Correlation between scores was evaluated. Correlation between scores was statistically evaluated.

RESULTS: Thirty patients who had completed breast reconstruction at 20.9 ± 6.5 yo fulfilled the questionnaires at the average age of 26.5 ± 8.1 yo. BUT scores were similar to healthy population considering different age groups, with the exception of Compulsive Self-Monitoring subscale for 16-17-year age group. A correlation between Depersonalization and “Thighs” and “Legs” was present. On average, satisfaction with breast resulted 79.1%, satisfaction with surgical outcome was 94.9%, psychosocial well-being was 78.5%, sexual well-being was 75.3%, and relative physical well-being in chest and upper body was 36.9%. Global Uneasiness, Avoidance, Weight Phobia, Body Image Concern and Depersonalization were significantly correlated with lower psychosocial well-being. Avoidance was significantly correlated with lower sexual well-being.

CONCLUSIONS: Breast reconstruction in Poland syndrome can help to improve quality of life. However, general body uneasiness can affect satisfaction with the final result.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors http://www.springer.com/00266 .

PMID:35338392 | DOI:10.1007/s00266-022-02859-x

Microb Ecol. 2022 Mar 26. doi: 10.1007/s00248-022-01999-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Sediment bacteria play an irreplaceable role in promoting the function and biogeochemical cycle of the freshwater ecosystem; however, little is known about their biogeographical patterns and community assembly mechanisms in large river suffering from cascade development. Here, we investigated the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of bacterial communities employing next-generation sequencing analysis and multivariate statistical analyses from the Lancang River cascade reservoirs during summer and winter. We found that sediment bacterial composition has a significant seasonal turnover due to the modification of cascade reservoirs operation mode, and the spatial consistency of biogeographical models (including distance-decay relationship and covariation of community composition with geographical distance) also has subtle changes. The linear regression between the dissimilarity of bacterial communities in sediments, geographical and environmental distance showed that the synergistic effects of geographical and environmental factors explained the influence on bacterial communities. Furthermore, the environmental difference explained little variations (19.40%) in community structure, implying the homogeneity of environmental conditions across the cascade reservoirs of Lancang River. From the quantification of the ecological process, the homogeneous selection was recognized as the dominating factor of bacterial community assembly. The co-occurrence topological network analyses showed that the key genera were more important than the most connected genera. In general, the assembly of bacterial communities in sediment of cascade reservoirs was mediated by both deterministic and stochastic processes and is always dominated by homogeneous selection with the seasonal switching, but the effects of dispersal limitation and ecological drift cannot be ignored.

PMID:35338380 | DOI:10.1007/s00248-022-01999-6

Support Care Cancer. 2022 Mar 25. doi: 10.1007/s00520-022-06996-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dyspnea is common in patients with advanced cancer. Diagnostic procedures in patients with dyspnea are mandatory but often time-consuming and hamper rapid treatment of the underlying refractory symptoms. Opioids are the first-line drugs for the treatment of refractory dyspnea in palliative care patients with advanced lung cancer.

METHODS: To evaluate the knowledge levels of medical doctors with different educational levels on the diagnosis of and treatment options for dyspnea in patients with advanced lung cancer in a palliative care setting, a case report and survey were distributed to physicians at the University Hospital Krems, describing acute dyspnea in a 64-year-old stage IV lung cancer patient. A total of 18 diagnostic and 22 therapeutic options were included in the survey. The physicians were asked to suggest and rank in order of preference their diagnosis and treatment options. Statistical analyses of the data were performed, including comparison of the responses of the senior doctors and the physicians in training.

RESULTS: A total of 106 surveys were completed. The respondents were 82 senior physicians and 24 physicians in training (response rates of 86% and 80%, respectively). Regarding diagnostic investigations, inspection and reading the patient’s chart were the most important diagnostic tools chosen by the respondents. The choices of performing blood gas analysis (p = 0.01) and measurement of oxygen saturation (p = 0.048) revealed a significant difference between the groups, both investigations performed more frequently by the physicians in training. As for non-pharmacological treatment options, providing psychological support was one of the most relevant options selected. A significant difference was seen in choosing the option of improving a patient’s position in relation to level of training (65.9% senior physicians vs. 30.4% physicians in training, p = 0.04). Regarding pharmacological treatment options, oxygen application was the most chosen approach. The second most frequent drug chosen was a ß-2 agonist. Only 9.8% of the senior physicians and 8.7% of the physicians in training suggested oral opioids as a treatment option, whereas intravenous opioids were suggested by 43.9% of the senior physicians and 21.7% of the physicians in training (p = 0.089). For subcutaneous application of opioids, the percentage of usage was significantly higher for the physicians in training than for the senior physicians (78.3% vs. 48.8%, p = 0.017, respectively).

CONCLUSION: The gold standard treatment for treating refractory dyspnea in patients with advanced lung cancer is opioids. Nevertheless, this pharmacological treatment option was not ranked as the most important. Discussing hypothetical cases of patients with advanced lung cancer and refractory dyspnea with experienced doctors as well as doctors at the beginning of their training may help improve symptom control for these patients.

PMID:35338391 | DOI:10.1007/s00520-022-06996-6