Tag: statistics

Eur J Dent. 2022 Feb 21. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1742122. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the irrigant penetration using iohexol dye with four irrigation techniques.

METHODOLOGY: Single-rooted premolars were recently extracted and preserved in physiological saline solution. All the samples were standardized to 16 mm. Standard endodontic access was prepared using endoaccess bur (Dentsply Maillefer, Switzerland). The initial patency was established using #10 k file (Mani, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan) to the working length. The cleaning and shaping were performed using the file system ProFit S3 in the following sequence: P0 (orifice enlarger), PF1 (yellow), PF2 (red) #25, and PF3 (blue) #30. The samples were randomly allocated in concealed opaque envelopes into four groups. This was performed by a trained dentist. Fifteen samples were allocated to one group. The groups were divided as follows: Group A-conventional needle (CN), Group B-side-vented needle (SVN), Group C-manual dynamic agitation (MDA), and Group D-EndoActivator (EA). The radiopaque dye irrigant agitation/activation was performed by one operator to prevent operator bias. Following irrigation using the different techniques, digital radiographs were taken, and the measurement was taken from the apical foramen to the point where the dye had penetrated apically for each tooth and the data were entered into an Excel sheet for all the four groups.

RESULTS: Comparing the four groups, there was a statistically significant difference among the four groups (p < 0.05), thus, favoring the alternate hypothesis. EA had resulted in better penetration of the irrigant compared with the other three groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: It was evident that irrigant penetration was best achieved with the use of an EA followed by MDA, SVNs, and then the CN when the preparation was done till size 30 (PF3 #30) using ProFit S3 rotary file system.

PMID:35189642 | DOI:10.1055/s-0041-1742122

Brief Bioinform. 2022 Feb 21:bbac024. doi: 10.1093/bib/bbac024. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) play a significant role in nearly all cellular and biological activities. Data-driven machine learning models have demonstrated great power in PPIs. However, the design of efficient molecular featurization poses a great challenge for all learning models for PPIs. Here, we propose persistent spectral (PerSpect) based PPI representation and featurization, and PerSpect-based ensemble learning (PerSpect-EL) models for PPI binding affinity prediction, for the first time. In our model, a sequence of Hodge (or combinatorial) Laplacian (HL) matrices at various different scales are generated from a specially designed filtration process. PerSpect attributes, which are statistical and combinatorial properties of spectrum information from these HL matrices, are used as features for PPI characterization. Each PerSpect attribute is input into a 1D convolutional neural network (CNN), and these CNN networks are stacked together in our PerSpect-based ensemble learning models. We systematically test our model on the two most commonly used datasets, i.e. SKEMPI and AB-Bind. It has been found that our model can achieve state-of-the-art results and outperform all existing models to the best of our knowledge.

PMID:35189639 | DOI:10.1093/bib/bbac024

Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2022 Feb 13;59:103687. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103687. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system of potential autoimmune origin that is frequently associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive deficits, as well as with fatigue, stress and psychosocial burden. In the present controlled multi-centre trial we investigated whether two specific neuropsychological interventions (1. metacognitive training (MaTiMS); 2. computerized working memory training (BrainStim) in combination with MaTiMS) applied as add-on therapies to real life standard rehabilitation lead to increased benefit in self-perceived cognitive deficits (the primary outcome) in MS patients compared to standard rehab.

METHODS: 288 adult persons in three German rehab centers with a confirmed diagnosis of MS were sequentially allocated to one of the three intervention groups. 249 (87%) participants completed the post assessment and 187 (63%) the online survey after 12 months. Perceived cognitive deficits, mood, fatigue, coping, and activity were evaluated by self-reports and neuropsychological tests at baseline and 4 weeks postintervention. All self-reports were additionally administered digitally at three, six, and twelve months from baseline.

RESULTS: We could not show differential effects on the primary outcome between the intervention groups and the control group (p=.369, p=.934). Immediately after each intervention we could show beneficial time effects in all three groups on self-perceived cognitive deficits as well as on most of the other outcomes. The reported effects were however not sustained at 6 months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings could not show an additional effect of specific cognitive training on cognitive deficit perception in MS. However, findings indicate that MS rehabilitation may improve patient reported outcomes in the short term. They also underline the need for concepts to maintain rehabilitation gains when patients return back home.

PMID:35189580 | DOI:10.1016/j.msard.2022.103687

Patient Prefer Adherence. 2022 Feb 11;16:363-372. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S348933. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced dental clinics to shut down indefinitely, leaving thousands of orthodontic patients in unending fear and dismay. The study aimed to assess the attitude, perceptions and mental health status of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment in Saudi Arabia during the lockdown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among orthodontic patients of different clinics across Saudi Arabia and selected using two-stage clustered sampling. A validated Arabic questionnaire comprising four sections including demographic data, patients’ interactions, attitude and perception, and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale was sent via digital means. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied with the level of significance set to p<0.05.

RESULTS: A total of 512 orthodontic patients voluntarily participated in the study. Eighty-four percent of the patients contacted their orthodontist once or twice during this period, 22% percent did not receive any communication from their orthodontist, 18% were very worried about not being able to continue their treatment, 72% were concerned about the treatment duration increasing post lockdown, 18% suffered cuts or lacerations due to their appliance, and 32% had poking wires. Seventy-six percent of patients were willing to visit a clinic post lockdown only with proper preventive measures in place. A mild level of mental distress (22.76 ± 8.69) was reported using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Female orthodontic patients >25 years of age with >1 year of ongoing treatment were associated with higher levels of mental distress.

CONCLUSION: The current pandemic has impacted the mental health status of orthodontic patients in some form or another. Older females with longer treatment times were more affected by the lockdown. The lack of effective communication from the orthodontist led to some negative perceptions about their treatment.

PMID:35189625 | PMC:PMC8848244 | DOI:10.2147/PPA.S348933

Gait Posture. 2022 Feb 17;94:9-14. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.02.019. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Fractal analyses quantify self-similarities in stride-to-stride fluctuations over different time scales. Fractal exponents can be measured with adaptive fractal analysis (AFA) or detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), though measurements obtained with the algorithms have not been directly compared.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Are stride time fractal exponents measured with AFA and DFA algorithms equivalent?

METHODS: Data from 50 participants with Parkinson’s Disease (n = 15), age-similar healthy adults (n = 15) and healthy young adults (n = 20) were analyzed in this cross-sectional, observational study. Participants completed 6-min walks at self-selected speeds overground on a straight walkway and on a treadmill. Stride times were measured with inertial measurement units. Fractal exponents in stride time data were processed using AFA and DFA algorithms and compared with two one-sided tests of equivalence. Mixed ANOVAs were used to compare exponents between groups and conditions.

RESULTS: Fractal exponents computed with AFA and DFA were equivalent neither in the overground (0.796 & 0.830, respectively, p = .587) nor treadmill conditions (0.806 & 0.882, respectively, p = .122). Fractal exponents measured with DFA were higher than when measured with AFA. Standard errors were 22% lower when measured with AFA. Additionally, a group × condition interaction was statistically significant when fractal exponents were processed with the AFA algorithm (F(2,47) = 11.696, p < .001), whereas the group × condition interaction was not statistically significant when DFA exponents were compared (F(2, 47) = 2.144, p = .129).

SIGNIFICANCE: AFA and DFA do not produce equivalent estimates of the fractal exponent α in stride time dynamics. Estimates of the fractal exponent α obtained with AFA or DFA algorithms therefore should not be used interchangeably. Standard errors were lower when derived with AFA. Fractal exponents calculated with AFA may be more sensitive to conditions that influence stride time fractal dynamics than are measures calculated with DFA.

PMID:35189574 | DOI:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.02.019

J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2022 Feb 12;63:102642. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2022.102642. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the electrical activity of the suprahyoid muscle and the tongue pressure in a two-wing program of tongue strengthening in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

METHODS: A pre-post-detraining design study included sixty PD patients assigned to two groups randomly. The experimental group (EG) performed tongue isometric pressure exercises using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument with an increasing scheme of 5% load weekly and traditional tongue therapy for 8 weeks. The control group (CG) performed only traditional therapy. The electrical activity of suprahyoids was measured using surface electromyography (sEMG) during tongue-to-palate pressure. Four selected domains of the Swallowing Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) mostly related to tongue strength were considered.

RESULTS: The experimental group showed increased sEMG values of suprahyoid muscles reaching statistically significant difference at the fourth week of tongue training, while the control did it at the eighth week. Experimental group showed significant improvements in tongue strength (d = 2.128; p = 0.000). Only controls showed detraining effect. Statistically significant difference within groups were found in one and three dimensions of the SWAL-QOL in the CG and EG, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Analysis of electrical activity on suprahyoids muscles provided a better understanding of the changes underlying the outcomes of tongue strength gains obtained through a combined tongue strengthening exercises protocol in PD. Such protocol led not only to increased tongue strength but also to a better perceived swallowing function in PD subjects.

PMID:35189571 | DOI:10.1016/j.jelekin.2022.102642

Nucl Med Biol. 2022 Feb 4;108-109:16-23. doi: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2022.01.005. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Positron Emission Tomography is an important molecular imaging technique for detection and diagnoses of various disease states. This work aims to develop novel titanium-45 (t_½ = 3.08 h) PET tracers using Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) targeting vectors for imaging of prostate cancer as proof of concept for this relatively unexplored isotope.

PROCEDURES: Titanium-45 was produced on the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) TR24 cyclotron using proton bombardments on natural scandium foils and separated using procedures described previously [1]. After purification, Titanium-45 was used to radiolabel two PSMA-targeting molecules; DFO-DUPA and LDFC-DUPA. Radiochemical yields were determined via radio-high purity liquid chromatography (radioHPLC). The radiolabeled compounds were tested both in vitro and in vivo using PSMA+ cell lines (LNCaP and 22Rv1) and PSMA- cell lines (PC3).

RESULTS: Titanium-45 was produced and purified in yields suitable for research studies. Radiochemical yields of up to 98 ± 1% were achieved with DFO-DUPA and 92 ± 7% with LDFC-DUPA. PSMA specific targeting was observed in vitro in PSMA positive cells (LNCaP (0.6% ± 0.05%) and confirmed by blocking (0.15% ± 0.04%) (P < 0.0001)), compared to uptake in the PSMA negative cells (PC3 (0.07% ± 0.008%)) and confirmed by blocking (0.07% ± 0.01%) (P = 0.5253). In vivo studies demonstrated statistically significant uptake in LNCaP tumors (2.3% ± 0.3% ID/g) compared to PC3 tumor uptake (0.1% ± 0.07%).

CONCLUSIONS: This work shows that titanium-45 can be used to radiolabel PSMA targeting compounds with high radiochemical yields. These radiolabeled compounds remain intact in serum for at least two half-lives of titanium-45, showing that these compounds would be appropriate for implementation in the clinical setting. This study shows the feasibility of using titanium-45 as positron emitting radiometal for use in imaging PSMA+ prostate cancer, and illustrates that further research is in this area is warranted.

PMID:35189565 | DOI:10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2022.01.005

J Environ Manage. 2022 Feb 18;310:114750. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114750. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Large lakes provide various types of ecosystem services (ESs), of which stocks and variations induced by hydrological alterations are largely unquantified. The present study investigates the long-term changes of five key ESs (i.e., flood regulation, water supply, fish production, nutrient retention and biodiversity conservation) in a large river connected lake (Poyang Lake), with special attention to impacts of hydrological alteration induced by the Three Gorges Dam (TGD). Hydrological data series, hydrodynamic model, the nutrient balance, fishery statistics, and wetland winter waterbird survey data from 1980 to 2016 were employed. Results showed that Poyang Lake provide significant ESs, with long-term average flood regulation, water supply and nutrient retention services of 167.7 × 10⁸ m³, 31.53 × 10⁸ m³, and 15.12% of total phosphorus load, respectively. The fish production service ranged from 1.74 × 10⁴t to 7.19 × 10⁴t, with an average value of 3.12 × 10⁴t. All five key ESs exhibited a downward trend since the 2000s, especially for water supply, fish production and nutrient retention services (p < 0.05), which might be largely attributed to the hydrological condition changes induced by TGD operation. Nevertheless, more detailed monitoring data and biophysical models are required to further acknowledge the changes in biodiversity conservation and fish production services and their linkages with the TGD. The present study sheds light on long-term ES changes in large lakes and their possible linkages with human influences through hydropower projects.

PMID:35189555 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114750

Ultrasonics. 2022 Feb 5;123:106701. doi: 10.1016/j.ultras.2022.106701. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Ultrasound (US) imaging is used to assess cardiac disease by assessing the geometry and function of the heart utilizing its high spatial and temporal resolution. However, because of physical constraints, drawbacks of US include limited field-of-view, refraction, resolution and contrast anisotropy. These issues cannot be resolved when using a single probe. Here, an interleaved multi-perspective 2-D US imaging system was introduced, aiming at improved imaging of the left ventricle (LV) of the heart by acquiring US data from two separate phased array probes simultaneously at a high frame rate. In an ex-vivo experiment of a beating porcine heart, parasternal long-axis and apical views of the left ventricle were acquired using two phased array probes. Interleaved multi-probe US data were acquired at a frame rate of 170 frames per second (FPS) using diverging wave imaging under 11 angles. Image registration and fusion algorithms were developed to align and fuse the US images from two different probes. First- and second-order speckle statistics were computed to characterize the resulting probability distribution function and point spread function of the multi-probe image data. First-order speckle analysis showed less overlap of the histograms (reduction of 34.4%) and higher contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR, increase of 27.3%) between endocardium and myocardium in the fused images. Autocorrelation results showed an improved and more isotropic resolution for the multi-perspective images (single-perspective: 0.59 mm × 0.21 mm, multi-perspective: 0.35 mm × 0.18 mm). Moreover, mean gradient (MG) (increase of 74.4%) and entropy (increase of 23.1%) results indicated that image details of the myocardial tissue can be better observed after fusion. To conclude, interleaved multi-perspective high frame rate US imaging was developed and demonstrated in an ex-vivo experimental setup, revealing enlarged field-of-view, and improved image contrast and resolution of cardiac images.

PMID:35189524 | DOI:10.1016/j.ultras.2022.106701

J Clin Neurosci. 2022 Feb 18;98:189-193. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2022.02.019. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Spinal cord stimulation is a promising therapy for patients with treatment refractory pain syndromes, and a viable alternative to chronic opioid therapy. Racial disparities are well-documented in the field of pain medicine. This study seeks to determine whether racial disparities are present in spinal cord stimulator (SCS) surgery involving inpatient hospital stays in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of race on health care cost and utilization for patients receiving inpatient SCS surgery. We used total charges incurred by the patient to measure cost and length of stay (LOS) to measures hospital utilization for patients undergoing inpatient SCS surgery. We examined cost and utilization for inpatient surgeries involving SCS insertion, removal, and revision across different race demographics.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used ICD-10 procedure codes to query for all patients in the 2016-2018 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) who received SCS insertion, removal, and revision surgeries. Univariate analysis was performed in R-studio to assess the relationship between race, LOS, and total charge. Multivariate analysis was also performed in R-studio to adjust for possible confounders.

RESULTS: Hispanic race was associated with higher total charge for inpatient SCS surgery (β=+0.29, p = 3.92e-07). Hospital region was also associated with total charge. The South (β=+0.12, p = 3.7e-03) and the West (β=+0.28, p = 3.8e-09) were associated with higher total charge. The linear model also showed that patients with more comorbidities and complex cases paid higher total charges (β=+0.014, p = 6.2e-04). There was no statistically significant difference in LOS between race demographics.

CONCLUSION: After adjusting for age, gender, type of surgical approach (percutaneous vs. open), household income, insurance coverage, hospital region, and hospital location (urban vs. rural vs. teaching), and comorbidity scores, Hispanic patients had higher total charges for inpatient SCS surgery, but there was no disparity in total charge between white and black patients. White patients were older than minority patients at the time of inpatient SCS surgery.

PMID:35189543 | DOI:10.1016/j.jocn.2022.02.019