Tag: statistics

JDR Clin Trans Res. 2022 Jun 9:23800844221101800. doi: 10.1177/23800844221101800. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a complex oral disease that is prevalent in US children.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this 2-y prospective cohort study was to examine baseline and time-dependent risk factors for ECC onset in initially caries-free preschool children.

METHODS: A cohort of 189 initially caries-free children aged 1 to 3 y was recruited. At each 6-mo study visit, children were examined using the ICDAS index; salivary samples were collected to assess mutans streptococci (MS), lactobacilli, Candida species, salivary cortisol (prior and after a stressor), and salivary IgA. Diet and oral health behavior were assessed from parent report. Child and family stress exposure was assessed from measures of psychological symptoms, stressful life event exposure, family organization and violence exposure, and social support. Sociodemographic factors were also considered. A Kaplan-Meier estimator of survival function of time to ECC and a Cox proportional hazards model were used to identify predictors of ECC onset.

RESULTS: Onset of ECC was associated with high salivary MS levels at baseline (log-rank test, P < 0.0001). Cox proportional hazards regression showed that the risk of dental caries significantly increased with salivary MS in log scale over the 6-mo period (hazard ratio, 1.08; P = 0.01). Other risk factors in the model did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSION: Our results provide prospective evidence that an increase in salivary MS predicts ECC onset in young, initially caries-free children, confirming that a high salivary MS count likely plays a causal role in ECC onset, independent of covariates.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT: These results suggest that we must focus on reducing salivary MS counts in young children and preventing or delaying MS colonization in infants and young children determined to be at risk for ECC.

PMID:35678084 | DOI:10.1177/23800844221101800

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022 Jun 9;6:CD013609. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013609.pub2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Elbow supracondylar fractures are common, with treatment decisions based on fracture displacement. However, there remains controversy regarding the best treatments for this injury.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects (benefits and harms) of interventions for treating supracondylar elbow fractures in children.

SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Embase in March 2021. We also searched trial registers and reference lists. We applied no language or publication restrictions.

SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing different interventions for the treatment of supracondylar elbow fractures in children. We included studies investigating surgical interventions (different fixation techniques and different reduction techniques), surgical versus non-surgical treatment, traction types, methods of non-surgical intervention, and timing and location of treatment.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. We collected data and conducted GRADE assessment for five critical outcomes: functional outcomes, treatment failure (requiring re-intervention), nerve injury, major complications (pin site infection in most studies), and cosmetic deformity (cubitus varus). MAIN RESULTS: We included 52 trials with 3594 children who had supracondylar elbow fractures; most were Gartland 2 and 3 fractures. The mean ages of children ranged from 4.9 to 8.4 years and the majority of participants were boys. Most studies (33) were conducted in countries in South-East Asia. We identified 12 different comparisons of interventions: retrograde lateral wires versus retrograde crossed wires; lateral crossed (Dorgan) wires versus retrograde crossed wires; retrograde lateral wires versus lateral crossed (Dorgan) wires; retrograde crossed wires versus posterior intrafocal wires; retrograde lateral wires in a parallel versus divergent configuration; retrograde crossed wires using a mini-open technique or inserted percutaneously; buried versus non-buried wires; external versus internal fixation; open versus closed reduction; surgical fixation versus non-surgical immobilisation; skeletal versus skin traction; and collar and cuff versus backslab. We report here the findings of four comparisons that represent the most substantial body of evidence for the most clinically relevant comparisons. All studies in these four comparisons had unclear risks of bias in at least one domain. We downgraded the certainty of all outcomes for serious risks of bias, for imprecision when evidence was derived from a small sample size or had a wide confidence interval (CI) that included the possibility of benefits or harms for both treatments, and when we detected the possibility of publication bias. Retrograde lateral wires versus retrograde crossed wires (29 studies, 2068 children) There was low-certainty evidence of less nerve injury with retrograde lateral wires (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.90; 28 studies, 1653 children). In a post hoc subgroup analysis, we noted a greater difference in the number of children with nerve injuries when lateral wires were compared to crossed wires inserted with a percutaneous medial wire technique (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.81, favours lateral wires; 10 studies, 552 children), but little difference when an open technique was used (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.40, favours lateral wires; 11 studies, 656 children). Although we noted a statistically significant difference between these subgroups from the interaction test (P = 0.05), we could not rule out the possibility that other factors could account for this difference. We found little or no difference between the interventions in major complications, which were described as pin site infections in all studies (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.79; 19 studies, 1126 children; low-certainty evidence). For functional status (1 study, 35 children), treatment failure requiring re-intervention (1 study, 60 children), and cosmetic deformity (2 studies, 95 children), there was very low-certainty evidence showing no evidence of a difference between interventions. Open reduction versus closed reduction (4 studies, 295 children) Type of reduction method may make little or no difference to nerve injuries (RR 0.30, 95% CI 0.09 to 1.01, favours open reduction; 3 studies, 163 children). However, there may be fewer major complications (pin site infections) when closed reduction is used (RR 4.15, 95% CI 1.07 to 16.20; 4 studies, 253 children). The certainty of the evidence for these outcomes is low. No studies reported functional outcome, treatment failure requiring re-intervention, or cosmetic deformity. The four studies in this comparison used direct visualisation during surgery. One additional study used a joystick technique for reduction, and we did not combine data from this study in analyses. Surgical fixation using wires versus non-surgical immobilisation using a cast (3 studies, 140 children) There was very low-certainty evidence showing little or no difference between interventions for treatment failure requiring re-intervention (1 study, 60 children), nerve injury (3 studies, 140 children), major complications (3 studies, 126 children), and cosmetic deformity (2 studies, 80 children). No studies reported functional outcome. Backslab versus sling (1 study, 50 children) No nerve injuries or major complications were experienced by children in either group; this evidence is of very low certainty. Functional outcome, treatment failure, and cosmetic deformity were not reported. AUTHORS’ CONCLUSIONS: We found insufficient evidence for many treatments of supracondylar fractures. Fixation of displaced supracondylar fractures with retrograde lateral wires compared with crossed wires provided the most substantial body of evidence in this review, and our findings indicate that there may be a lower risk of nerve injury with retrograde lateral wires. In future trials of treatments, we would encourage the adoption of a core outcome set, which includes patient-reported measures. Evaluation of the effectiveness of traction compared with surgical fixation would provide a valuable addition to this clinical field.

PMID:35678077 | DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD013609.pub2

Int J Rheum Dis. 2022 Jun 9. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.14361. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) plus exercise therapy (ET) vs low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) plus ET in knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

METHODS: A single blinded randomized controlled trial in an outpatient setting. There were 60 participants with grades II and III KOA based on the radiological findings in Kellgren and Lawrence grading scale. Participants were allocated randomly into three groups, study group I (HILT+ET), study group II (LIPUS+ET), and control (ET) group. Participants in the three groups received active range of motion (ROM) exercises, muscle strengthening, and flexibility exercises. Treatment was administered 5 times/wk for two successive weeks. Primary outcomes involved visual analog scale (VAS), secondary outcomes involved knee ROM, proprioceptive accuracy and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index scale. All outcomes were measured pre- and post-treatment.

RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 55.4 ± 6.34, 55.2 ± 4.77 and 57 ± 6.39 years in HILT+ET, LIPUS+ET and control group respectively. There were statistically significant time-by-group effects (mixed-design multivariate analysis of variance) on all measured outcomes for all groups (P < .0001). However, HILT+ET yielded better improvement than the other groups (P < .0001). Between-group comparison revealed a significant difference in all measured outcomes between study group 1 vs study group 2, and between each study group vs the control group (P = .0001).

CONCLUSION: The effect of HILT combined with exercises achieved better results in pain, knee ROM, proprioceptive accuracy and functional disability than LIPUS combined with exercises and both are better than exercises only.

PMID:35678062 | DOI:10.1111/1756-185X.14361

Plant Pathol J. 2022 Jun;38(3):239-247. doi: 10.5423/PPJ.OA.01.2022.0008. Epub 2022 Jun 1.

ABSTRACT

Bacterial wilt caused by the pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum is a devastating disease of potato crops. Harmonizing immunity to pathogens and crop yield is a balance between productive, economic, and environmental interests. In this work, the agronomic performance of two events of potato cultivar INIA Iporá expressing the Arabidopsis thaliana EFR gene (Iporá EFR 3 and Iporá EFR 12) previously selected for their high resistance to bacterial wilt was evaluated under pathogen-free conditions. During two cultivation cycles, the evaluated phenotypic characteristics were emergence, beginning of flowering, vigor, growth, leaf morphology, yield, number and size of tubers, analyzed under biosecurity standards. The phenotypic characteristics evaluated did not show differences, except in the morphology of the leaf with a more globose appearance and a shortening of the rachis in the transformation events with respect to untransformed Iporá. The Iporá EFR 3 genotype showed a ~40% yield decrease in reference to untransformed Iporá in the two trials, while Iporá EFR 12 did not differ statistically from untransformed Iporá. Iporá EFR 12 shows performance stability in the absence of the pathogen, compared to the untransformed control, positioning it as an interesting candidate for regions where the presence of the pathogen is endemic and bacterial wilt has a high economic impact.

PMID:35678057 | DOI:10.5423/PPJ.OA.01.2022.0008

Plant Pathol J. 2022 Jun;38(3):175-181. doi: 10.5423/PPJ.RW.03.2022.0043. Epub 2022 Jun 1.

ABSTRACT

Statistical analysis of data is an integral part of research projects in all scientific disciplines including the plant pathology. Appropriate design, application and interpretation of statistical analysis are also, therefore, at the center of publishing and properly evaluating studies in plant pathology. A survey of research works published in the Plant Pathology Journal, however, cast doubt on high standard of statistical analysis required for scientific rigor and reproducibility in the journal. Here I first describe, based on the survey of published works, what mistakes are commonly made and what components are often lacking during statistical analysis and interpretation of its results. Next, I provide possible remedies and suggestions to help guide researchers in preparing manuscript and reviewers in evaluating manuscripts submitted to the Plant Pathology Journal. This is not aiming at delineating technical and practical details of particular statistical methods or approaches.

PMID:35678050 | DOI:10.5423/PPJ.RW.03.2022.0043

J Clin Psychol. 2022 Jun 8. doi: 10.1002/jclp.23402. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the link between empathy, perceived social support, and depressive and grieving symptoms in suicide survivors.

METHODS: Scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD), Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), and the Social Support section of the Interpersonal Questionnaire were collected from 265 survivors. Relations were tested via multivariate regression models.

RESULTS: Lower Perspective Taking (PT) was related with higher levels of BDI score, and higher Personal Distress (PD) was associated with higher BDI, ICG, and PGD scores. Higher levels of Social Support were related with higher BDI and ICG (but not PGD) scores.

CONCLUSION: Empathic PD and PT, and perceived social support are differently associated with depression and grief-related symptoms. Empathy-focused psychotherapies and empowerment of social support may reduce symptoms in suicide survivors.

PMID:35678034 | DOI:10.1002/jclp.23402

Brain Behav. 2022 Jun 8:e2637. doi: 10.1002/brb3.2637. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Schizophrenia’s heritability and familial transmission have been known for several decades. The male-specific Y chromosome plays an important role in schizophrenia. Short tandem repeats (STRs)have been recognized as risk genes in the development of schizophrenia. Here, we investigated the association between male schizophrenia and Y-chromosomal STRs loci.

METHODS: We recruited 355 patients with schizophrenia and 473 healthy males for physical examination and amplified them with a PowerPlex 21 System fluorescence-labeled composite amplification System. Then, the resultant products were separated by electrophoresis and further detected. Finally, differences in allele and genotype frequency distributions of STR loci were observed.

RESULTS: Our results showed that all 20 STR loci were in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg’s law (p > .05). There were statistically significant differences in alleles of D13S317 and D5S818 loci and genotype frequency distribution between the two groups (alleles: p = .039, p = .022, respectively; genotype: p = .0004, p = .011, respectively). However, there was no difference in the other autosomal 18 STR loci between the two groups (p > .05). Univariate analysis showed that the frequency distribution differences of allele 11 and genotype 10-11 at the D13S317 locus between the two groups were significant (compared to the controls, p = 0.005, odds ratio (OR) = 1.37, 95%b confidence interval (CI) = 1.10-1.71, compared to the controls, p = .0000002, OR = 3.92, 95% CI = 2.27-6.77, respectively). The frequency distribution differences of allele 7 and genotype 7-10 at D5S818 between the two groups were significant (compared to the controls, p = .0006, OR = 3.42, 95% CI = 1.63-7.16, compared to the controls, p = .0011, OR = 8.24, 95% CI = 1.83-37.05, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Polymorphisms of the D13S317 and D5S818 loci may be predisposing factors for schizophrenia.

PMID:35678015 | DOI:10.1002/brb3.2637

J Prev Med Public Health. 2022 May;55(3):253-262. doi: 10.3961/jpmph.21.635. Epub 2022 Apr 22.

ABSTRACT

We aimed to review the current data composition of the Korean Tuberculosis and Post-Tuberculosis Cohort, which was constructed by linking the Korean Tuberculosis Surveillance System (KNTSS; established and operated by the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency since 2000) and the National Health Information Database (NHID; established by the National Health Insurance Service in 2012). The following data were linked: KNTSS data pertaining to patients diagnosed with tuberculosis between 2011 and 2018, NHID data of patients with a history of tuberculosis and related diseases between 2006 and 2018, and data (obtained from the Statistics Korea database) on causes of death. Data from 300 117 tuberculosis patients (177 206 men and 122 911 women) were linked. The rate of treatment success for new cases was highest in 2015 (86.7%), with a gradual decrease thereafter. The treatment success rate for previously treated cases showed an increasing trend until 2014 (79.0%) and decreased thereafter. In total, 53 906 deaths were confirmed among tuberculosis patients included in the cohort. The Korean Tuberculosis and Post-Tuberculosis Cohort can be used to analyze different measurement variables in an integrated manner depending on the data source. Therefore, these cohort data can be used in future epidemiological studies and research on policy-effect analysis, treatment outcome analysis, and health-related behaviors such as treatment discontinuation.

PMID:35677999 | DOI:10.3961/jpmph.21.635

Zygote. 2022 Jun 9:1-8. doi: 10.1017/S0967199422000119. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The aim of our study was to evaluate the correlation between sperm quality and ploidy status of the derived blastocysts. We performed a retrospective analysis on a restricted pool of patients enrolling only those who had no female factors. Male patients with genetic factors affecting spermatogenesis were also excluded. We chose a maternal age ≤38 years to decrease the female factor, therefore the male factor was the main component of sterility. We divided the patients in four groups based on semen quality and comparing fertilization, pregnancy and euploidy rates above all. In total, 201 intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles were enrolled in the study. Cycles were divided into four groups, according to semen source: normal semen, oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT), cryptospermia or non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). An extremely statistically lower fertilization rate was found in NOA patients. Unexpectedly, no differences were detected in blastocyst formation, euploidy, aneuploidy and mosaicism rates among the four groups. Interestingly, we also found a higher abortion rate comparing NOA to normal semen with an odds ratio of 4.67. In our study no statistically significant differences among the analyzed groups were found, showing little or no effect at all using spermatozoa from different semen sources or quality. This may be linked to the oocyte competence of fixing sperm DNA damage and it could be hypothesized that only sperm with a good rate of DNA integrity are able to fertilize the oocyte, explaining why poor quality semen is reflected in a low fertilization rate without effect on ploidy.

PMID:35677962 | DOI:10.1017/S0967199422000119

Arthroplast Today. 2022 Jun 4;16:130-139. doi: 10.1016/j.artd.2022.04.006. eCollection 2022 Aug.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to describe outcomes of patients who had undergone medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLr) to treat patellofemoral instability (PFI) following total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of consecutive patients treated for PFI after TKA. Patients were included if they had radiographic documentation of patella dislocation or subluxation and component position was adequate. MPFLr was performed using a quadriceps tendon autograft. The graft was fixed with either an interference or additional suspensory fixation. A tibial tubercle osteotomy was performed in select indications. Patients were assessed with Kujala and International Knee Score (IKS) at a minimum 12-month follow-up and radiographically with plain radiographs.

RESULTS: A total of 22 patients (23 procedures) were included. The mean follow-up period was 38 months (range 12-72). Average preoperative femoral component rotation on computed tomography was 0.10° external rotation (range 3° internal rotation to 3° external rotation). All patients had improved clinical and radiographic outcomes postoperatively. At the last follow-up, the mean IKS knee score was 77.6 ± 13.1, mean IKS function score was 75.2 ± 23.3, and mean Kujala score was 60.2/100 ± 10.9. There was 1 mechanical failure, which occurred following MPFLr with interference fixation. There were 6 complications (28.1%) postoperatively. Patients receiving double fixation of the MPFLr graft had higher clinical and radiographic scores; however, this difference was not statistically significant. MPFLr had a patella-lowering effect, 0.97 preoperatively to 0.74 postoperatively (P = .069).

CONCLUSION: MPFLr in appropriately selected patients is a satisfactory option to treat PFI following TKA.

PMID:35677944 | PMC:PMC9168055 | DOI:10.1016/j.artd.2022.04.006