Tag: statistics

Mar Pollut Bull. 2022 Apr 9;178:113644. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113644. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Mercury (Hg) in seawater is subject to interconversions via (photo)chemical and (micro)biological processes that determine the extent of dissolved gaseous mercury (DGM) (re)emission and the production of monomethylmercury. We investigated Hg speciation in the South Atlantic Ocean on a GEOTRACES cruise along a 40°S section between December 2011 and January 2012 (354 samples collected at 24 stations from surface to 5250 m maximum depth). Using statistical analysis, concentrations of methylated mercury (MeHg, geometric mean 35.4 fmol L^-1) were related to seawater temperature, salinity, and fluorescence. DGM concentrations (geometric mean 0.17 pmol L^-1) were related to water column depth, concentrations of macronutrients and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). The first-ever observed linear correlation between DGM and DIC obtained from high-resolution data indicates possible DGM production by organic matter remineralization via biological or dark abiotic reactions. DGM concentrations projected from literature DIC data using the newly discovered DGM-DIC relationship agreed with published DGM observations.

PMID:35413504 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113644

Mar Pollut Bull. 2022 Apr 9;178:113595. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113595. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The present study attempts to decipher the seasonal variations in hydro-geochemistry of groundwater in the Terekhol River Basin, western coastal region, Maharashtra, India. A total of 65 groundwater samples of post-monsoon (POMS) and pre-monsoon (PRMS) seasons were collected and analyzed for major ion composition using standard analytical procedures of APHA. Piper and Gibbs plots is used to elucidate the controlling factors which altering the groundwater composition. Scatter plots of ions indicate that major ions from lithologies exposed in the study area and anthropogenic activities are altering the groundwater chemistry. Statistical analysis includes correlation, factor analysis and cluster analysis used to interpret the hydrochemical data. As compared to the WHO drinking standards, all the groundwater samples are fit for drinking. Irrigation water suitability was ascertained based on SAR, %Na and KR indices. Overall, the groundwater chemistry in study area is reflects changes in natural processes rather than anthropogenic inputs.

PMID:35413501 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113595

Addict Behav. 2022 Apr 6;131:107331. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107331. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

There is limited information on the trend in the frequency of cigar use from the literature. This study aimed to examine the trends of cigar use frequency among U.S. adults. Data were obtained from 1998/99 to 2018/19 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey (n = 21,940). We generated estimates of the cigar use frequency among current cigar users for each survey year for the full sample, as well as by sociodemographic characteristics. Linear regression models were used to test the statistical significance of the linear trend. Additional analyses were conducted among someday users only. Over the study period, the cigar use frequency among current users was stable at approximately 10 days in the past 30 days. In 1998/1999, male current cigar users and someday cigar users reported using cigars for 9.6 and 5.2 days in the past 30 days, respectively, which decreased to 9.2 and 4.7 days in 2018/2019. In contrast, a significant increasing trend was found among female current cigar users and someday cigar users from 8.4 and 4.7 days to 13.6 and 6.2 days from 1998/1999 to 2018/2019. Likewise, we found that the cigar use frequency increased among current cigar and cigarette users over the study period. Overall, cigar use frequency is relatively stable. Over time, cigar use frequency decreased significantly among males, while it increased among females. Our findings further highlight that targeted efforts are needed to reduce the disproportionate use of cigars.

PMID:35413488 | DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107331

Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2022 Apr 9:S1063-4584(22)00715-4. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2022.04.001. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate firstly the efficacy of three different dosages of one home-based, knee-extensor resistance exercise on knee-extensor strength in patients eligible for knee replacement, and secondly, the influence of exercise on symptoms, physical function and decision on surgery.

METHOD: One-hundred and forty patients eligible for knee replacement were randomized to three groups: 2, 4 or 6 home-based knee-extensor resistance exercise-sessions per week (group 2, 4 and 6 respectively) for 12 weeks.

PRIMARY OUTCOME: isometric knee-extensor strength.

SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Oxford Knee Score, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, average knee pain last week (0-10 numeric rating scale), 6-minute walk test, stair climbing test, exercise adherence and “need for surgery”.

RESULTS: Primary analysis: Intention-to-treat analysis of 140 patients did not find statistically significant differences between the groups from baseline to after 12 weeks of exercise in isometric knee-extensor strength: Group 2 vs. 4 (0.003 Nm/kg (0.2%) [95% CI -0.15 to 0.15], P=0.965) and group 4 vs. 6 (-0.04 Nm/kg (-2.7%) [95% CI -0.15 to 0.12], P=0.628). Secondary analysis: Intention-to-treat analyses showed statistically significant differences between the two and six sessions/week groups in favor of the two sessions/week group for Oxford Knee Score: 4.8 OKS points (15.2%) [1.3 to 8.3], P=0.008) and avg. knee pain last week (NRS 0-10): -1.3 NRS points (-19.5%) [-2.3 to -0.2], P=0.018. After the 12-week exercise intervention, data were available for 117 patients (N=39/group): 38 (32.5%) patients wanted surgery and 79 (67.5%) postponed surgery. This was independent of exercise dosage.

CONCLUSION: In patients eligible for knee-replacement we found no between-group differences in isometric knee extensor strength after 2, 4 and 6 knee-extensor resistance exercise sessions per week. We saw no indication of an exercise dose-response relationship for isometric knee-extensor strength and only clinically irrelevant within group changes. For some secondary outcome (e.g. KOOS subscales) we found clinically relevant within group changes, which could help explain why only one in three patients decided to have surgery after the simple home-based exercise intervention.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02931058. Preprint: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.04.07.21254965.

PMID:35413476 | DOI:10.1016/j.joca.2022.04.001

Addict Behav. 2022 Mar 25;131:107313. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107313. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on drinking and nicotine use through June of 2021 in a community-based sample of young adults.

METHOD: Data were from 348 individuals (49% female) enrolled in a long-term longitudinal study with an accelerated longitudinal design: the National Consortium on Alcohol and Neurodevelopment in Adolescence (NCANDA) Study. Individuals completed pre-pandemic assessments biannually from 2016 to early 2020, then completed up to three web-based, during-pandemic surveys in June 2020, December 2020, and June 2021. Assessments when individuals were 18.8-22.4 years old (N = 1,458) were used to compare drinking and nicotine use pre-pandemic vs. at each of the three during-pandemic timepoints, adjusting for the age-related increases expected over time.

RESULTS: Compared to pre-pandemic, participants were less likely to report past-month drinking in June or December 2020, but there was an increase in drinking days among drinkers in June 2020. By June 2021, both the prevalence of past-month drinking and number of drinking days among drinks were similar to pre-pandemic levels. On average, there were no statistically significant differences between pre-pandemic and during-pandemic time points for binge drinking, typical drinking quantity, or nicotine use. Young adults who reported an adverse financial impact of the pandemic showed increased nicotine use while their peers showed stable or decreased nicotine use.

CONCLUSION: Initial effects of the pandemic on alcohol use faded by June 2021, and on average there was little effect of the pandemic on nicotine use.

PMID:35413486 | DOI:10.1016/j.addbeh.2022.107313

J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022 Apr 9:S2213-2198(22)00342-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.03.030. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: An optimal strategy for choosing safe alternative low osmolar contrast media (LOCM) has not yet been established in patients with a history of LOCM-induced anaphylaxis.

OBJECTIVES: To validate the practical pathway in patients with anaphylaxis to LOCMs and to compare two different doses of challenge testing with skin test-negative LOCM.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed in patients with LOCM-induced anaphylaxis. Patients were challenged with intravenous LOCMs showing negativity in the skin test according to two different protocols: low-dose and high-dose (maximum dose 10 and 30 mL, respectively). Challenge-negative LOCMs were selected for use during computed tomography (CT) scans, and patients received intravenous pretreatment with 4 mg chlorpheniramine and 40 mg methylprednisolone.

RESULTS: Of the 110 challenge tests, there were four (3.6%) positive challenges. Among 106 enhanced CT scans performed using challenge-negative LOCMs, breakthrough reactions (BTRs) occurred in eight (7.6%). BTR rates were not statistically different between the two protocols (8.9% and 6.0% in the low-dose and high-dose challenge, respectively). Compared to the low-dose protocol, the number needed to test of the high-dose challenge test decreased 2.5-fold. Moreover, none of the patients in the high-dose challenge group incurred severe reactions during CT scans with challenge-negative LOCM, while 80% of reactions were severe in the low-dose challenge group.

CONCLUSION: We validated a pathway consisting of a battery of skin testing to LOCMs and challenge with skin test-negative LOCM in patients with LOCM-induced anaphylaxis.

PMID:35413472 | DOI:10.1016/j.jaip.2022.03.030

J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2022 Apr 9:S2468-7855(22)00094-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jormas.2022.04.005. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess bone density and thickness changed following dental implant placement in the maxillary and mandibular jaws. Also, observe the form of bone loss around the implant and the relationship between preoperative bone density and bone thickness with bone loss around dental implants.

METHODS: 65 patients, including 102 dental implants, were assessed in this study. CBCT was utilized to determine the bone condition (bone thickness and density at three levels (sub-crestal bone at 3 mm (CB3), 6 mm (CB6), and 9 mm (CB9)) before implant placement, and 2 to 3 years after placement, also determine the bone loss pattern.

RESULTS: The difference in bone thickness was 0.32 ± 0.50 mm at CB3, 0.18 ± 0.40 mm at CB6, and 0.14 ± 0.07 mm at CB9. The change buccal bone density at CB3, CB6, and CB9 were 344.5 ± 278.9, 260.5 ± 276, and 138.9 ± 313.9 HU, respectively, and the change in lingual bone density was 252.7 ± 247, 179.9 ± 244.1, and 281 ± 4063 HU, respectively. Only the CB3 level showed a significant decrease in bone thickness (p < 0.001), and a change in bone density was observed at the three levels (p < 0.001). The means of vertical and horizontal bone loss were 0.19 ± 0.23 mm and 0.18 ± 0.22 mm, respectively. Splinted or adjacent dental implants have more horizontal bone loss, with statistically significant (p < 0.001). Age, gender, and implant position were not statistically related to the outcome variables. There was a negative correlation between the preoperative status of the bone condition and pattern bone loss, as indicated by Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

CONCLUSION: CBCT detected a significant bone thickness decrease was found only at the crestal third. A significant bone density increase was found at three levels around dental implants. Implant areas with higher bone thickness and density had less bone loss.

PMID:35413461 | DOI:10.1016/j.jormas.2022.04.005

J Hosp Infect. 2022 Apr 9:S0195-6701(22)00102-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2022.03.014. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patients are at risk of nosocomial COVID-19 infection. The role of accompanying persons/visitors as potential infection donors is not yet well-known, but the risk will be influenced by prevention measures recommended by infection control practitioners.

AIM: The aim of the study is to collect information about COVID-19 infection control strategies for patients and accompanying persons from infection control practitioners in German hospitals.

METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire was developed, ethically-approved, pre-tested and formatted as an online tool. We invited infection control practitioners in 987 randomly-selected German hospitals in March and April 2021 to participate. For statistical analysis, the hospitals were categorised as small (0-499 beds) or large (≥500 beds).

FINDINGS: 100 surveys were completed (response rate: 10%). More large (71%) than small hospitals (49%) let patients decide freely whether to wear medical or FFP2 masks. Most hospitals reported spatial separation for COVID-19 patients and non-COVID-19 cases (38%) or additionally for suspected COVID-19 cases (53%). A separation of healthcare teams for these areas existed in 54% of the hospitals. Accompaniment bans were more prevalent in large (52%) than in small hospitals (29%), but large hospitals granted more exemptions.

CONCLUSION: The possibility to separate areas and teams seemed to depend on the hospital’s structural conditions, therefore impairing the implementation of recommendations. Accompaniment regulations differ between hospital sizes and may depend on patient numbers, case type/severity and patient’s requirements. In the dynamic pandemic, it can be difficult to stay up to date with findings and recommendations about infection control.

PMID:35413422 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhin.2022.03.014

J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2022 Apr 9:S2468-7855(22)00092-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jormas.2022.04.003. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to measure and compare prolonged viral shedding (PVS) identified from external splints (ES) and intranasal packings (IP) for isolated nasal fracture (INF) repair in immediately cured asymptomatic vs. mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients (AS-COVID vs. MS-COVID).

METHODS: We designed a retrospective cohort study and enrolled a sample of post-AS-COVID and post-MS-COVID patients, whose INF were treated at a German level 1 trauma centre. The primary predictor variable was COVID severity presurgery (AS-COVD vs. MS-COVID). The main outcome variable was PVS detected in ES/IP. Other study variables were separated into demographic, clinical, and operative. Descriptive, bi- and multivariate statistics were computed, and statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS: The study sample comprised 15 INF patients (53.3% females; 46.7% post-AS-COVID) with a mean age of 42.2 ± 22.7 years (range, 18-85). 13.3% ES and 53.3% IP were contaminated with SARS-CoV-2. However, only IP-contamination between the two cohorts reached statistical significance (P = 0.01; odds ratio, 0.02; 95% confidence interval, 0 to 0.47; Pearson’s r = 0.73; post hoc power = 87.4%). Multiple linear regression models refuted the associations between PVS and the other parameters (i.e. age, gender, time to treatment, length of hospital stay, lengths of ES/IP placement).

CONCLUSIONS: Despite a relative low sample size, our findings suggest PVS via endonasal materials removed from cured COVID-19 patients, especially those healed from MS-COVID. This PVS may trigger re-infection and surgical site infections and/or transmission to other humans, and thereby, require further investigations.

PMID:35413460 | DOI:10.1016/j.jormas.2022.04.003

J Dent. 2022 Apr 9:104123. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104123. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Face scans are currently used in dentistry to obtain a virtual patient. Find stable and repeatable references for their matching is a fundamental step. Aim of this study is to evaluate matching reliability of multiple face scans using frontal adhesives references. Null hypothesis was that no significant discrepancy could be detected between the references position analyzed both with surface analysis and linear analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine patients were enrolled for this study and nine soft tissue adhesives landmarks (APLI Paper S.A.U, 4 mm Ø) placed, equally distributed, on the forehead and glabella. Patients were digitally scanned with a portable scanner (iPad Pro 3rd Gen. Apple Store, Cupertino, CA, USA) using the software Bellus3D (Inc. Campbell, CA, USA) in maximum intercuspation, with a full smile and with a scan reference device. After the scan procedure, a high-definition polygon file format (.ply) was exported, and linear measurements were collected with MeshLab (MeshLab; MeshLab). In order to further evaluate reference accuracy, a surface analysis was performed using a CAD software (GOM inspect, GOM). 3D deviations were calculated as root mean square. Statistical analysis was performed used two repeated-measures ANOVAs.

RESULTS: Results showed non-significant differences both for linear measurements (p=.22) and surface analysis (p=.58). Frontal references showed to be clinical reliable landmarks to be used during face scans alignment even with different facial expressions.

CONCLUSION: The proposed technique seems to be suitable for the clinical use when superimposition of several face scans is required.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study showed the clinical reliability of face scans matching method using adhesives references that have low costs and are easy to use, allowing for a rapid registration of patient anatomy.

PMID:35413410 | DOI:10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104123