Tag: statistics

Head Neck. 2022 Mar 25. doi: 10.1002/hed.27041. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This systematic review is the first to provide evidence regarding demographic, clinical, and imaging characteristics, as well as information related to survival, of patients with oral and maxillofacial metastases of occult primary tumors. Case reports, case series, and cross-sectional studies were included. Ten databases were searched. The risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tools. Overall, 353 articles (413 patients) were included. Statistically significant associations between survival and multiplicity of metastatic foci, and between each of the main primary sites and some features of the oral lesions were observed. Some clinical and imaging characteristics can help dentists in raising diagnostic suspicions and also in relating to plausible primary sites. Early diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial metastases can positively affect the survival rate when they are the only focus of dissemination, conferring an important role on the dentist.

PMID:35332969 | DOI:10.1002/hed.27041

J Am Geriatr Soc. 2022 Mar 25. doi: 10.1111/jgs.17751. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Transition-related patient safety errors are high among patients discharged from hospitals to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), and interventions are needed to improve communication between hospitals and SNF providers. Our objective was to describe the implementation of a pilot telehealth videoconference program modeled after Extension for Community Health Outcomes-Care Transitions and examine patient safety errors and readmissions.

METHODS: A multidisciplinary telehealth videoconference program was implemented at two academic hospitals for patients discharged to participating SNFs. Process measures, patient safety errors, and hospital readmissions were evaluated retrospectively for patients discussed at weekly conferences between July 2019-January 2020. Results were mapped to the constructs of the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) model. Descriptive statistics were reported for the conference process measures, patient and index hospitalization characteristics, and patient safety errors. The primary clinical outcome was all-cause 30-day readmissions. An intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis was conducted using logistic regression models fit to compare the probability of 30-day hospital readmission in patients discharged to participating SNFs across 7 months prior to after telehealth project implementation.

RESULTS: There were 263 patients (67% of eligible patients) discussed during 26 telehealth videoconferences. Mean discussion time per patient was 7.7 min and median prep time per patient was 24.2 min for the hospital pharmacist and 10.3 min for the hospital clinician. A total of 327 patient safety errors were uncovered, mostly related to communication (54%) and medications (43%). Differences in slopes (program period vs. pre-implementation) of the probability of readmission across the two time periods were not statistically significant (OR 0.95, [95% CI 0.75, 1.19]).

CONCLUSIONS: A pilot care innovations telehealth videoconference between hospital-based and SNF provider teams was successfully implemented within a large health system and enhanced care transitions by optimizing error-prone transitions. Future work is needed to understand process flow within nursing homes and its impact on clinical outcomes.

PMID:35332931 | DOI:10.1111/jgs.17751

Rev Neurol. 2022 Apr 1;74(7):209-218. doi: 10.33588/rn.7407.2021411.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: There is evidence of predemential stages in Vascular Dementia (VD). Alzheimer Disease (AD) and VD share common risk factors and mechanisms. Vascular comorbility may present in 30-60% of patients with AD (mixed dementia). This work seeks to evaluate the impact of the severity of structural vascular damage according to the Fazekas classification (F) on functional cognitive performance in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of patients with MCI aged 65 years or older who had brain MRI was carried out. A neurocognitive battery and the EFE (Extended Functional Study) scale were administered to assess complex functionality. The patients were divided according to Fazekas classification: 0-1, 2 and 3. Bivariate analysis and multivariate analysis were performed.

RESULTS: 346 patients were included, age: 77.9 (SD 6.1). 66.2% presented F01, 22.8% F2 and 11% F3. Age and MMSE value were statistically significant. Multivariate analysis showed an independent association between vascular damage and complex functional alteration measured by EFE.

CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the progression of structural damage to a predominance of white matter would affect global cognitive performance and tasks related to executive function. The most significant finding was the correlation of the degree of vascular damage with the deficit of complex functionality measured with clinical tools that include technological resources. The clinical value of identifying individuals with prodromal DV is highlighted as it could optimize prevention measures.

PMID:35332924 | DOI:10.33588/rn.7407.2021411

Cereb Cortex. 2022 Mar 24:bhac117. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhac117. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A critical way for humans to acquire information is through language, yet whether and how language experience drives specific neural semantic representations is still poorly understood. We considered statistical properties captured by 3 different computational principles of language (simple co-occurrence, network-(graph)-topological relations, and neural-network-vector-embedding relations) and tested the extent to which they can explain the neural patterns of semantic representations, measured by 2 functional magnetic resonance imaging experiments that shared common semantic processes. Distinct graph-topological word relations, and not simple co-occurrence or neural-network-vector-embedding relations, had unique explanatory power for the neural patterns in the anterior temporal lobe (capturing graph-common-neighbors), inferior frontal gyrus, and posterior middle/inferior temporal gyrus (capturing graph-shortest-path). These results were relatively specific to language: they were not explained by sensory-motor similarities and the same computational relations of visual objects (based on visual image database) showed effects in the visual cortex in the picture naming experiment. That is, different topological properties within language and the same topological computations (common-neighbors) for language and visual inputs are captured by different brain regions. These findings reveal the specific neural semantic representations along graph-topological properties of language, highlighting the information type-specific and statistical property-specific manner of semantic representations in the human brain.

PMID:35332914 | DOI:10.1093/cercor/bhac117

Arch Esp Urol. 2022 Mar;75(2):95-102.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to review and illustrate the attributes that analyze the performance of a predictive model, suchas discrimination, calibration and clinical utility.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: To illustrate a biomarkervalidation process, we analyzed 216 patientsrecruited in the Miguel Servet University Hospital Zaragoza, Spain. The outcome of the study was clinicallysignificant prostate cancer (Gleason ≥ 7). A newbiomarker was built using logistic regression modelfrom age, prostate-specific antigen, prostate volumeand digital rectal exam variables. To analyze the discriminationability, the receiver operating characteristiccurve, its area under the curve (AUC), and Youdenindex were estimated. In addition, the calibration wasanalyzed through calibration curve, intercept and slope;and the clinical utility was studied by means of decisionand clinical utility curves.

RESULTS: The discrimination ability was good:AUC 0.790 (0.127-0.853 95% C.I.), Youden index cutoffpoint 0.431 (specificity 0.811, sensitivity 0.697).The Intercept was 0 and Slope 1 showing a perfect calibration.Decision curve showed good net benefit in athreshold probability range 25%-80%. Clinical utilitycurve showed that for a 18% cutoff point, a minimum4.5% of CsPCa patients are wrongly classified belowthe cutoff point, saving 18.5% biopsies.

CONCLUSIONS: A complete validation process isnecessary to analyze the performance of a biomarkerin oncology, based on their discrimination ability, theconcordance between predicted and actual occurrenceof the outcome, and its applicability in clinical practice.

PMID:35332878

Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2022 Mar 25:1-7. doi: 10.1017/dmp.2022.42. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to describe a feasible, multidisciplinary pediatric mass casualty event (MCE) simulation format that was less than 2 h within emergency department space and equipment constraints.

METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of an MCE in situ simulation program from June-October 2019. Participants rotated through 3 modules: (1) triage, (2) caring for a critical patient in an MCE setting, and (3) being in a disaster leadership role. Triage accuracy, knowledge, self-evaluation of preparedness, and MCE skills by means of pre- and post-test surveys were measured. Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test scores and McNemar’s matched pair chi-squared test were performed to evaluate for statistically significant differences.

RESULTS: Forty-six physicians (MD), 1 physician’s assistant (PA), and 22 nurses participated over 4 simulation d. Among the MD/PA group, there was a statistically significant 7% knowledge increase (95% confidence interval [CI], 3%-11%). Nurses did not show a statistically significant knowledge difference (0.04, 95% CI, 0.04%, 14%). There was a statistically significant increase in triage and resource use preparedness (P < 0.01) for all participants.

CONCLUSION: This efficient, feasible model for a multidisciplinary ED disaster drill provides a multi-modular exposure while improving both MD and PA knowledge and all staff preparedness for MCE.

PMID:35332862 | DOI:10.1017/dmp.2022.42

Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2022 Mar 25:10892532221080382. doi: 10.1177/10892532221080382. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate whether mortality following cardiac surgery was associated with the pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi): pulmonary artery pulse pressure divided by central venous pressure (CVP), and a novel index: mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) minus CVP.

METHODS: This retrospective analysis investigated all cardiac surgery patients in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons registry at a single academic medical center from January 2017 through March 2020 (n = 1510). The primary and secondary outcomes were mortality at 1 year and serum creatinine increase during index surgical admission, respectively. CVP, mPAP, PAPi, mPAP-CVP gradient, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and cardiac index (CI) were sampled continually from invasive hemodynamic monitors post-operatively. Associations with mortality were tested with univariate and multivariate analyses. The relationship with serum creatinine was investigated with Pearson’s correlation at alpha = .05.

RESULTS: One-year mortality was observed in 44/1200 patients (3.7%). On univariate analysis, mortality was associated with minimums for mPAP, MAP, and CI and maximums for CVP, mPAP, PAPi, mPAP-CVP gradient, and CI (all P < .10). Model selection revealed that the only independently predictive parameters were minimum MAP (AOR = .880 [.819-.944]), maximum mPAP-CVP gradient (AOR = 1.082 [1.031-1.133]), and maximum CI (AOR = 1.421 [.928-2.068]), with model c-statistic = .770. A maximum mPAP-CVP gradient >20.5 predicted mortality with 54.5% sensitivity and 79.30% specificity, maintaining significance on survival analysis (P < .001). Peak increase in serum creatinine from baseline demonstrated a weak association with all parameters (max |r| = .33).

CONCLUSIONS: Mortality was not predicted by the post-operative PAPi; rather, it was independently predicted by the mPAP-CVP gradient, MAP, and CI.

PMID:35332827 | DOI:10.1177/10892532221080382

Biofouling. 2022 Mar 25:1-10. doi: 10.1080/08927014.2022.2056032. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study sought to evaluate the physical and antimicrobial properties of a thermopolymerizable acrylic resin (PMMA) modified with metallic methacrylate monomers -zirconia (ZM), tin (TM), and di-n-butyl (DNTMB) methacrylates. Color stability was evaluated before and after immersion of samples in a staining solution by a digital spectrophotometer. The mechanical brushing test was evaluated by the roughness test. The flexural strength test used a mechanical testing machine. Human keratinocytes were used to assess cell viability and the biofilm formation assay was carried out for 5 days, in a microcosms model after one year of specimen storage. For statistical analysis, the method chosen was based on adherence to the normal distribution model and equality of variances (p < 0.05). The addition of DNTMB to PMMA promoted great antimicrobial action, acceptable cytocompatibility, without hampering the physical-mechanical properties of the commercial material. Therefore, the modified PMMA proved to be a promisor alternative to conventional resins.This study sought to evaluate the physical and antimicrobial properties of a thermopolymerizable acrylic resin (PMMA) modified with metallic methacrylate monomers -zirconia (ZM), tin (TM), and di-n-butyldimethacrylate-tin (DNTMB) methacrylates. Color stability was evaluated before and after immersion of samples in a staining solution using a digital spectrophotometer. The mechanical brushing test was evaluated by the roughness test. The flexural strength test used a mechanical testing machine. Human keratinocytes were used to assess cell viability and the biofilm formation assay was carried out for 5 days in a microcosm model after one year of specimen storage. For statistical analysis, the method chosen was based on adherence to the normal distribution model and equality of variances (p < 0.05). The addition of DNTMB to PMMA promoted great antimicrobial action, acceptable cytocompatibility, without hampering the physical-mechanical properties of the commercial material. Therefore, the modified PMMA proved to be a promising alternative to conventional denture base resins for dental use.

PMID:35332825 | DOI:10.1080/08927014.2022.2056032

Cephalalgia. 2022 Mar 25:3331024221089567. doi: 10.1177/03331024221089567. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in the occurrence, severity, and symptoms of headache episodes in patients with chronic migraine following eptinezumab treatment.

METHODS: PROMISE-2 was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial that randomized adults with chronic migraine to eptinezumab 100 mg, 300 mg, or placebo IV every 12 weeks for up to 24 weeks (2 infusions). Headache episodes (migraine and non-migraine) and their characteristics were reported in daily electronic diaries during the 28-day baseline and throughout the 24-week treatment period.

RESULTS: A total of 1072 patients were included in this post hoc analysis. Mean monthly headache days decreased by 8.9 (100 mg) and 9.7 (300 mg) compared to a 7.3 decrease in placebo over the first 4-week interval post initial dose and reductions were maintained throughout the 24-week treatment period. Mean monthly headache episodes also decreased by 8.4 (100 mg) and 9.0 (300 mg) compared to a decrease of 7.1 with placebo. The proportion of headache episodes that were migraine attacks decreased by 11.2% (100 mg), 12.4% (300 mg), and 3.9% (placebo), and among remaining headaches decreases in severe pain, nausea, phonophobia, photophobia, and physical activity limitations were numerically greater than placebo.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with chronic migraine treated with eptinezumab decreased the monthly severity and frequency of headache days and episodes more than placebo. Beyond decreased headache frequency, patients treated with eptinezumab reported a reduction in the percent of remaining headache episodes that were migraine attacks, as well as a decrease in burdensome symptoms of headache episodes, indicating additional decreased headache severity after eptinezumab treatment.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02974153; registered November 23, 2016.

PMID:35332807 | DOI:10.1177/03331024221089567

Toxicol Ind Health. 2022 Mar 25:7482337221086133. doi: 10.1177/07482337221086133. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Benzyl benzoate (BB), one of the benzyl derivates, is a component of brown aromatic resin in cinnamon oil and cough syrups and it is widely used in various fields in the perfume, pharmaceutical, and food industries. It is absorbed and hydrolyzed to benzoic acid and benzyl alcohol. Two different doses of BB (25 mg kg-1 body weight and 100 mg kg-1 body weight) were orally administered to 5-week old male rats for 90 days. Histopathological, morphological, hematological, and biochemical assays were performed in toxicological evaluations. Initial/final body weights, relative organ weights, and food and water consumptions of rats did not change significantly. There were statistically significant differences in terms of monocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte %, and serum AST levels in control and BB treatment groups. Several histopathological findings were observed in liver, kidney, thymus, prostate, and epididymis tissues of the rats in the treatment groups. Immunohistochemical examinations were also performed in the tissues for fibronectin (FN), type IV collagen, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2). Alterations in immunolocalization of these markers were observed between the control and the treatment groups. No changes were detected in the sperm count, daily sperm production, and sperm morphology.

PMID:35332820 | DOI:10.1177/07482337221086133