Tag: statistics

J Cyst Fibros. 2022 Feb 18:S1569-1993(22)00039-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2022.02.007. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Variation in respiratory response to cystic fibrosis (CF) small molecule therapies is due in part to the contribution of CF lung disease modifier genes. Cultured human bronchial epithelia (HBE) is the gold standard respiratory model for assessing CF therapeutic efficacy but it is hard to access. Cultured human nasal epithelia (HNE) is proposed as a more accessible surrogate model but it is unknown whether the expression profile of the modifier genes are comparable between HNE and HBE which we assess here.

METHODS: RNA-sequencing was conducted on paired cultured and fresh HNE and HBE (n = 71 samples) collected from 21 individuals with CF. Genome-wide gene expression was first compared between cultured and fresh cells and then between cultured HNE and HBE based on an equivalence testing procedure we implemented. The co-expression relationships of CFTR and CF lung disease modifier genes were compared between cultured HNE and HBE to determine equivalent interactions.

RESULTS: The culturing process had little impact on the expression level of CF lung disease modifier genes. Over 90% of expressed genes showed significant equivalent expression level across cultured HNE and HBE (expression fold-change<2, FDR<0.1), including CFTR and CF lung disease modifier genes. The difference in co-expression relationships among these genes was not significant (p-value=0.99), suggesting their functional interactions are likely to be consistent in the two models.

CONCLUSIONS: Cultured HNE recapitulates the expression profile of CF lung disease modifier genes in cultured HBE, suggesting the biological processes involving these genes are likely to be consistent across the two models.

PMID:35190293 | DOI:10.1016/j.jcf.2022.02.007

Cytotherapy. 2022 Feb 18:S1465-3249(22)00020-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2022.01.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) therapy has been spotlighted as a promising regenerative tool with its abundant source of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and growth factors. The spectrum of the utility of BMAC therapy has been expanding day by day to harness the potential for varied therapeutic purposes. In the due course of its evolution, it is often essential to have a comprehensive summary of progress to have a greater understanding and refine our future directives. With technological developments such as data mining, graphic drawing and information analytics combined with computational statistics, visualization of scientific metrology has become a reality. With this newer perspective, we intend to use scientometric tools including text mining, cocitation analysis, keyword analysis and cluster network analysis to perform thematic trend mapping and hotspot analysis of the literature on BMAC therapy and evaluate its progress in the management of osteoarthritis.

PMID:35190268 | DOI:10.1016/j.jcyt.2022.01.002

J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2022 Jan 22:S1748-6815(22)00038-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2022.01.021. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate whether the implementation of extra perioperative safety measures and precautions through adopted standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure optimal anti-microbial conditions has led to less surgical site infections (SSI) after alloplastic breast reconstruction (BR).

METHODS: This retrospective study compared two Cohorts of patients treated before and after the implementation of new SOPs (2009-2014: Cohort 1 versus 2014-2019: Cohort 2). Multivariate logistic regression analyses, adjusting for patient confounders, were implemented to compare SSI incidence between both Cohorts.

RESULTS: Overall, SSI incidence was equal in both groups (10%, p = 0.545). The incidence of deep SSI was 9% for Cohort 1 and 5% for Cohort 2 (p = 0.074). Incidence of SSI-related explantation was 8% and 5%, respectively (p = 0.136). After adjusting for patient confounders, no statistically significant difference was seen between both Cohorts in overall SSI, deep SSI incidence, and explantation due to SSI (OR_adjusted: -0.31, p = 0.452, OR_adjusted: 0.16, p = 0.747 and OR_adjusted: 0.18, p = 0.712). Higher BMI, smoking, one-stage BR, and immediate BR were associated with the risk for SSI (p<0.001, p = 0.036, p<0.001, and p = 0.022, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Extra safety measures to assure optimal anti-microbial conditions did not contribute to lower SSI incidence or SSI-related explantation after alloplastic BR. Confounders such as BMI, smoking, immediate BR, and one-stage BR were correlated to an increased risk for overall SSI, deep SSI, and SSI-related explantation of TE/implants.

PMID:35190280 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2022.01.021

Rev Int Androl. 2022 Feb 18:S1698-031X(22)00016-4. doi: 10.1016/j.androl.2020.12.004. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Menopause refers to the permanent cessation of menstruation resulting from the loss of ovarian activity. Studies have shown that menopause has an impact on the life quality of women as well as their sexual function. In this study, we sought to characterise the differences in the sexual function of women with iatrogenic menopause and those with natural menopause.

METHODS: Data were collected from 300 women in this study. The Symptom Check List and the Female Sexual Function Index were the main data collection instruments. Forty-eight patients with a Symptom Check List score ≥0.5 were not included in the study. Therefore, we enrolled a cohort of 252 menopausal women at a tertiary care setting in Turkey. The independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation and logistic regression analysis were used in this study and p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: In our study, menopause women were divided into two equal groups based on the type of menopause (natural vs. iatrogenic). The iatrogenic group was further divided into 3 sub-groups; drug-induced 30 (12%), radiotherapy-induced 18 (7%) and surgical 78 (31%). No significant difference in sexual function between groups were observed with respect to mean scores for desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, pain and sexual function (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that sexuality-specific problems during menopause are multifactorial and not solely attributable to biological or psychological factors. Our findings call for comprehensive interventions to address the psychological and biological effects of menopause in order to improve the life quality of women.

PMID:35190266 | DOI:10.1016/j.androl.2020.12.004

Clin Breast Cancer. 2022 Jan 22:S1526-8209(22)00023-4. doi: 10.1016/j.clbc.2022.01.007. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The rate of refusal of chemotherapy ranges from 3% to 19%, but varies widely by patient profile and treatment setting. Using a large national registry, we explore factors significantly associated with the decision to decline chemotherapy in patients with early-stage, HR+/HER2- breast cancer (BC) despite high risk scoring on multigene sequencing analysis for OncotypeDX (ODX) or MammaPrint (MP), in which the survival benefit of chemotherapy is clear.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with HR+/HER2- BC and high risk scoring on ODX (score >26) or MP were selected from the National Cancer Database (2004-2017). Only those who refused to get chemotherapy despite their physician’s recommendations were included. Univariate frequency and proportion statistics were used to describe the patient cohort. Bivariate Chi-square analysis evaluated the association between refusal of recommended chemotherapy and sociodemographic characteristics. Significant variables (P < .05) were included in a multivariable logistic regression model.

RESULTS: N = 43,533 patients were included (88.7% ODX, 11.3% MP). A total of n = 4415 (10.1%) patients declined chemotherapy despite recommendation by the patient’s primary oncologist. Age >70 (OR: 3.46, 95% CI: 2.96-4.04, P < .001), black race (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.07-1.36, P = .01), non-private insurance, lobular carcinoma histology (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.09-1.35, P < .001), and tumor grade of I significantly predicted chemotherapy decline.

CONCLUSION: Identifying and addressing many of the factors that contribute to under-treatment in minorities is to be key to reducing cancer disparity and improving equity in cancer care and outcome.

PMID:35190262 | DOI:10.1016/j.clbc.2022.01.007

J Sci Med Sport. 2021 Dec 29:S1440-2440(21)00560-0. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2021.12.009. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to document the technical and transferrable skills required for sport scientists, and perceived employment opportunities both currently and in the future with a particular emphasis on comparisons between academic and applied sport scientists.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey methodology.

METHODS: 117 Australian sport science employees completed an online survey capturing demographic information, perceptions about the importance of technical skills, transferable skills, future employment opportunities as well as free-text information on future careers, challenges, and opportunities for the profession. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise information and comparisons made between academic and applied sport science participants.

RESULTS: Participants were predominantly male and 35 years or younger, with half reporting they held only one position within the industry. Most technical and transferrable skills were rated as important (>4.0 out of 5.0), with practitioner-focused skills rated somewhat more important by applied sport scientists compared to scientific-focused skills rated somewhat more important by academics, and applied sport scientists generally rating transferable skills as more important compared to academics (d > 0.5). Value and supply/demand were identified as challenges to the industry with discipline-specific roles and non-elite populations considered areas for future jobs.

CONCLUSIONS: Participants felt there would be more jobs in the future and that these would be in discipline-specific roles and/or non-elite populations. Both technical and interpersonal skills were considered important for sport scientists. The greatest challenges are how sport science is valued and the potential oversupply of sport science graduates.

PMID:35190264 | DOI:10.1016/j.jsams.2021.12.009

Cancer Radiother. 2022 Jan 24:S1278-3218(22)00002-6. doi: 10.1016/j.canrad.2021.08.024. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic continues to spread exponentially around the world. Cancer patients have a higher risk of commorbidity than the rest of the population. Radiotherapy departments are actively involved in the management of these patients, whether they have COVID or not, and it is recognized that the time taken to take charge and the continuity of treatment have a prognostic impact. The main objective was to assess the impact of the coronavirus on the treatment times of patients undergoing radiotherapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in the radiotherapy department of Gustave-Roussy institute (France) during the period from March 3, 2020 to January 12, 2021. Organizational changes, patient care times between the day of the scan and the last radiotherapy session as well as the time taken to take charge of patients between the first session and the last radiotherapy session has been studied.

RESULTS: A total of 1183 patients were included, among which 60 had COVID-19. Patients were divided into four categories. Treatment times of patients who did not have COVID-19 and those of patients who did were not statistically significantly different.

CONCLUSION: The organization of the radiotherapy department at the Gustave-Roussy institute is based on several points: carrying out preventive screening tests, protecting staff and patients and reorganizing the patient circuit. Thanks to the performance of diagnostic tests and the implementation of a specific workflow for patients with COVID, we ensure the continuity of patient treatment in complete safety without impacting treatment times.

PMID:35190250 | DOI:10.1016/j.canrad.2021.08.024

J Pediatr Nurs. 2022 Feb 18:S0882-5963(22)00036-7. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2022.02.004. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Perceptions and practices of parties in pediatric pain are critical in children’s access to adequate acute pain management. The personal factors of the child and parents have been shown to be central to pediatric pain management by the Symptom Management Theory.

AIM: To describe children and parents/guardians’ perceptions (knowledge, attitudes and beliefs) and practices regarding pediatric acute pain management and explain the influence of socio-cultural and environmental factors on those perceptions and practices.

METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional survey using modified versions of the American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire-Revised among parents/guardians and children.

RESULTS: A convenience sample of 275 parents/guardians and 42 children aged 8 to 13 years admitted between date November 2018 and February 2019 to two Botswana tertiary hospitals completed the surveys. Forty-seven percent (n = 129) of parents/guardians reported the child to be in moderate-severe pain, while 38% (n = 16) of children reported pain as moderate-severe at the time of the survey. The children mean scores for cm-APS-POQ-R were 113(33) while parents/guardian’s guardians for m-APS-POQ-R were 123(26). The subscales except for the parents/’guardians’ pain interference (p = .96) were statistically significant (p = .000), showing adequate knowledge, positive attitudes and high pain intensity for both parents/guardians and children.

CONCLUSION: Parent/guardians and children reported a high incidence of acute pain, were content with pain management services, and showed adequate knowledge of pediatric pain and its management. The incongruence between the intensity of pain, satisfaction on the adequacy of pain management and knowledge and attitudes demonstrated in this study need further inquiry.

PMID:35190237 | DOI:10.1016/j.pedn.2022.02.004

J Arthroplasty. 2022 Feb 18:S0883-5403(21)00898-6. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2021.11.033. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The ultrasound-guided adductor canal block (High-ACB) is an effective option for pain control in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), but its use can add substantial cost and preparatory time to a TKA procedure. An intraoperative adductor canal block (Low-ACB) performed by the operative surgeon has been described as an alternative. The hypothesis of this study is that the Low-ACB would achieve noninferior pain control and opioid utilization postoperatively when compared to the High-ACB.

METHODS: This is a retrospective study of a prospectively maintained database comparing the High-ACB vs the Low-ACB. The primary outcome measure was morphine milligram equivalents consumed. Secondary outcome measures included Visual Analog Scale pain scores, postoperative outcomes (Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, knee range of motion), length of stay, postoperative speed of mobilization, and complications related to the type of block.

RESULTS: There were 139 patients in the study. There was lower opioid use in the first 24 hours in the Low-ACB compared to the High-ACB group respectively (26.3 vs 30, P = .29) but this did not reach statistical significance. There was a statistically significant difference in Visual Analog Scale score on postoperative day 1 in the Low-ACB vs High-ACB groups respectively (4.6 vs 3.7, P = .02) but this did not reach the level of clinical significance. There was no statistical difference in the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, or postoperative range of motion. There were no block-related complications in either group.

CONCLUSION: The Low-ACB is a safe, effective, and cost-saving alternative to the traditional High-ACB for pain control in TKA.

PMID:35190244 | DOI:10.1016/j.arth.2021.11.033

Dent Mater. 2022 Feb 18:S0109-5641(22)00026-4. doi: 10.1016/j.dental.2022.02.003. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The fracture resistance of ultrathin computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) occlusal veneers with different preparation designs was investigated under cycling mechanical loading and via finite element analysis (FEA).

METHODS: Eighty molars were prepared with a circular enamel ring until complete exposure of the occlusal dentin occurred. Forty were prepared via additional circular chamfer preparation. The teeth were restored with 0.5 mm-thick occlusal veneers. Each group received a CAD/CAM fabricated occlusal veneer with a low modulus of elasticity (composite, CeraSmart) and a high modulus of elasticity material (ceramic, Celtra Duo). The restorations were adhesively luted and underwent 2000 thermocycling cycles. The samples were loaded at 50 N under 1,000,000 cycles in a chewing simulator and were checked for failure after various cycles. A visible crack was defined as failure, and the Kaplan-Meier survival rate was used for data analysis. One sample per group was digitized using microcomputed tomography, and FEA was performed using open-source software. The comparative stresses were analyzed for specimens with and without chamfer preparation.

RESULTS: The survival probabilities were 60% for occlusal ceramic veneers without preparation and 40% for veneers with chamfer preparation, with no statistically significant differences. Composite veneers achieved 95% survival probability regardless of the preparation method. The main principal stress in ceramic restoration was visualized via FEA. In composite veneers, stress was also visible in the luting composite and dentin.

SIGNIFICANCE: The preparation method had no influence on mechanical fatigue. Minimally invasive preparation can be recommended. The restoration material is crucial for survival.

PMID:35190213 | DOI:10.1016/j.dental.2022.02.003