Tag: statistics

Clin Breast Cancer. 2022 Aug 3:S1526-8209(22)00171-9. doi: 10.1016/j.clbc.2022.07.009. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This research aimed to study the effects of motor exercises on improving shoulder functioning, functional ability, quality of life, depression, and anxiety in patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized clinical trial in which 70 eligible patients referred to the oncology ward participated in two intervention and control groups. The intervention group (N=35) had been doing motor exercises for five weeks. Before the surgery, two days, and five weeks after surgery, shoulder Range Of Motion (ROM) was measured with a goniometer, and the functional capacity level was measured by the 6-Minute-Walk-Test. Quality of life, depression, and anxiety were measured using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23; and HADS questionnaires, respectively, at baseline and five weeks after surgery. Descriptive statistics, the T-test, and the Chi-Square t-hotelling model were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS: The results showed that motor exercises had a significant statistical increase in the distance of 6MWT (P<.001) and ROM (P≤.001) compared to the control group. Moreover, there were significant differences in dimensions of patients’ quality of life, depression, and anxiety in the intervention group, compared to the control group (P<.05).

CONCLUSION: Motor exercises had positive effects on improving physical functioning, shoulder ROM, and decreasing patients’ anxiety and depression symptoms, consequently enhancing the quality of life.

PMID:35989239 | DOI:10.1016/j.clbc.2022.07.009

Am J Reprod Immunol. 2022 Aug 21. doi: 10.1111/aji.13606. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PROBLEM: Pregnancy represents a state of systemic immune activation that is primarily driven by alterations in circulating innate immune cells. Recent studies have suggested that cellular adaptive immune components, T cells and B cells, also undergo changes throughout gestation. However, the phenotypes and functions of such adaptive immune cells are poorly understood. Herein, we utilized high-dimensional flow cytometry and functional assays to characterize T-cell and B-cell responses in pregnant and non-pregnant women.

METHODS: PBMCs from pregnant (n = 20) and non-pregnant (n = 25) women were used for phenotyping of T-cell and B-cell subsets. T-cell proliferation and B-cell activation were assessed by flow cytometry after stimulation, and lymphocyte cytotoxicity was evaluated using a cell-based assay. Statistical comparisons were performed using linear mixed effects models.

RESULTS: Pregnancy was associated with modestly enhanced basal activation of peripheral CD4⁺ T cells. Both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells from pregnant women showed increased activation-induced proliferation; yet, a reduced proportion of these cells expressed activation markers compared to non-pregnant women. There were no differences in peripheral lymphocyte cytotoxicity between study groups. A greater proportion of B cells from pregnant women displayed memory-like and activated phenotypes, and such cells exhibited higher activation following stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS: Maternal circulating T cells and B cells display distinct responses during pregnancy. The former may reflect the unique capacity of T cells to respond to potential threats without undergoing aberrant activation, thereby preventing systemic inflammatory responses that can lead to adverse perinatal consequences. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35989229 | DOI:10.1111/aji.13606

Endocrinol Diabetes Nutr (Engl Ed). 2022 Aug 18:S2530-0180(22)00130-5. doi: 10.1016/j.endien.2022.07.007. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEPNET) can suffer from malnutrition. This is the first descriptive study of morfo-functional evaluation in GEPNET.

OBJETIVES: To describe a morfo-functional evaluation, and to compare with reference population available, and to correlate different nutritional parameters. Moreover, to compare nutritional evaluation in our study with another same location non-neuroendocrine tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study, 50 patients with GEPNET, medium age 61 years. It was collected clinico-pathological characteristics and nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric, laboratory test, bioelectrical impedance analysis, phase angle, hand grip strength, and rectus femoris ultrasound for the assessment of muscle mass. We used SPSS statistics to describe and to analyze correlations of different variables.

RESULTS: Most frequent location of tumor was pancreas and small bowel, tumor grade 1 and advance stage. In morfo-functional evaluation highlighted: a low fat mass percentage (23,5 vs 34,4%), low muscle mass percentage (36,5 vs 41,2%) and low body mass cell percentage (40,4 vs 48,8%) compared with reference population available by sex and age. Standarized phase angle by sex and age result as positive (+0,851). There was no difference in hand grip strength compared with reference population. After a review of differents studies available, phase angle and hand grip strength of non neuroendocrine tumors in same location, could suggest a minor affection of nutritional state in our GEPNET sample. A positive correlation was observed between non classic methods of nutritional evaluation such as bioelectrical impedance analysis, hand grip strength and rectus femoris ultrasound.

CONCLUSION: Patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEPNET) show a moderate affection of nutritional status in comparison to general population. Morphofunctional assessment provide us a precise knowledge about nutritional status.

PMID:35989228 | DOI:10.1016/j.endien.2022.07.007

Angew Chem Int Ed Engl. 2022 Aug 21. doi: 10.1002/anie.202209085. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Visible light-mediated direct decarboxylation of carboxylic acids with an acridine photocatalyst is a convenient and powerful method to generate carbon-centered radicals in polymer chains. Advantageously, this process proceeds under mild conditions, without preactivation of the acid groups. We utilize decarboxylation in the presence of a hydrogen atom donor to form statistical acrylate-ethylene and acrylate-propylene copolymers, which are challenging to obtain by direct polymerization. We additionally show that decarboxylation of methacrylic acid units within polymethacrylates can trigger degradation of the polymer backbones. Moreover, a dual catalytic approach, which combines the function of an acridine photocatalyst with that of a cobaloxime catalyst, is leveraged to furnish unique copolymers with pendent alkenes. Our work indicates that direct decarboxylation is a versatile technique for the synthesis of functional materials with tailored compositions and properties.

PMID:35989222 | DOI:10.1002/anie.202209085

Surgeon. 2022 Aug 18:S1479-666X(22)00102-0. doi: 10.1016/j.surge.2022.07.001. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to describe injuries related to electric scooter at a Major-Trauma-Centre in the UK, We reviewed data from January 2020-December 2020.

METHODS: All patient-records mentioning electric-scooter at a major-MTC. Records were reviewed, and data were stratified according to two groups: electric scooter riders and other road users. A predefined survey was completed in all cases where ‘e-scooter or electric scooter’ was present. This contained variables such as patient demographics, mechanism of injury (including head and body protection), acuity, intoxication, treatment facility and clinical utilisation. Among incidents involving electric scooters, summary statistics on continuous and categorical variables of interest were reported. Healthcare modelling utilising time driven activity-based costing and Patient-Level-Activity-Costing used to conduct a post hoc analysis of health provider costs.

RESULTS: 202 e-scooter injuries were identified. Riders were more likely to be young males aged 18-35, a minority of reported cases being associated with the influence of alcohol or drugs (7.4%). They fall independently involving no other party (87%); sustaining both minor and major injuries; with a significant proportion requiring urgent and emergent surgery 23.7% (n = 40) with 60.1% (n = 121) requiring further secondary care follow-up; whilst 16% require immediate admission with a mean LOS of 5.9 days, including 8-ITU admissions. The overall mortality rate was 0.5% (n = 1), and cost per patient was £1482.46/patient, reducing to £927.25/patient if immediate surgery (<12 h s) was not required.

CONCLUSION: Due to an emphasis on social distancing, changes in UK law, e-scooters injuries have increased. Most injuries are reported in riders, and are minor, however the mean health episode cost was over £1000.00/patient due to the minority of serious injuries. Research on interventions to prevent e-scooter injuries including protective clothing like helmet wearing is needed to address this growing area of concern, and unnecessary costly healthcare utilisation.

PMID:35989215 | DOI:10.1016/j.surge.2022.07.001

Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2021 Nov 11:S0266-4356(21)00386-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2021.10.016. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:35989208 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjoms.2021.10.016

J Geriatr Oncol. 2022 Aug 18:S1879-4068(22)00198-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jgo.2022.08.007. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the associations among frailty, as determined via the comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), muscle measures (i.e., sarcopenia), and treatment-related toxicity in older adults with cancer in Israel.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study enrolled patients ≥65 years with newly-diagnosed stage IV lung, breast, or genitourinary cancer. Patients were enrolled and completed CGA before their first line of systemic therapy (chemotherapy, biologic therapy, immunologic therapy, or a combination thereof). CGA was used to classify patients as robust, pre-frail, or frail, and routine pre-treatment computed tomography (CT) images were used to quantify skeletal muscle index (SMI) and skeletal muscle density (SMD) at L3 cross-section. Two sarcopenia definitions were used: i. for women SMI <41 cm²/m² regardless of body mass index (BMI), and for men SMI <43 cm²/m² for those with BMI of <25 and < 53 cm²/m² for those with BMI ≥25; and ii. SMI <38 cm²/m² for women and < 41 cm²/m² for men, regardless of BMI. The associations between frailty and muscle measures with the occurrence of at least one adverse event (AE) grade ≥ 2 were examined using the chi-square test, and logistic regression to determine odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS: In total, 51 patients were included in the analysis. The median (interquartile range) age was 72 (68-76) years, 30 (59%) were male, and 26 (51%) had lung cancer. CGA data were available for 48 patients: fifteen (31%), thirteen (27%), and twenty (42%) were defined as robust, pre-frail, and frail, respectively. Overall, 33 (65%) were sarcopenic by the first aforementioned definition, and sixteen (31%) by the second. No statistically significant associations were identified between frailty and having at least one AE grade ≥ 2, or between frailty and sarcopenia. Statistically significant associations were found between having sarcopenia (the second definition) and having at least one AE grade ≥ 2 (P = 0.0217). The corresponding odds ratio (95% CI) was 4.2 (1.2-15.0), P = 0.026.

DISCUSSION: Our findings suggests that sarcopenia is significantly associated with treatment-related toxicity. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted.

PMID:35989184 | DOI:10.1016/j.jgo.2022.08.007

Foot Ankle Surg. 2022 Aug 10:S1268-7731(22)00161-8. doi: 10.1016/j.fas.2022.08.003. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Ankle range of motion abnormalities have been often linked with alteration in knee kinematics leading to the development of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Literature exploring the relationship between ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DF ROM) and knee kinematics during functional tasks is scanty. This study aims to assess the relation between ankle DF ROM and frontal plane projection angle (FPPA), one of the knee kinematic variables, in individuals with and without PFPS during a step-down test.

METHODS: This is a case-control study in which seventy PFPS patients and other 70 asymptomatic control subjects had their ankle DF ROM measured using an inclinometer with the knee flexed and extended. Their FPPA angles were measured using Kinovea software while doing the step-down test.

RESULTS: When the two groups were compared, ankle DF ROM measured with the knee flexed was higher in the control group (33.15 ± 4.96) than in the PFPS group (30.20 ± 6.93) (p = 0.03). In both the PFPS group and the control group, the correlation between FPPA and ankle DF ROM with the knee flexed was statistically insignificant (p = 0.075 and 0.323 respectively).

CONCLUSION: Decreased ankle DF ROM can be one of the contributing factors to the development of PFPS in the context of greater dynamic knee valgus.

PMID:35989174 | DOI:10.1016/j.fas.2022.08.003

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2022 Apr 30;68(4):178-187. doi: 10.14715/cmb/2022.68.4.21.

ABSTRACT

One of the most common causes of mortality and disability across the world is sepsis, a condition marked by an abnormal immunological reaction in the body. The prognosis of patients with sepsis is much improved when they are diagnosed early and provided with proper therapy. Soluble triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells (STREM-1), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), neuronal serum enolase (NSE), and so on are possible biomarkers for the diagnosis of sepsis based on the pathophysiology. Blood purification treatment to control the cytokine storm induced by sepsis was regarded to be promising. Recently, the treatment of sepsis is likely to shift toward a multimodal approach. Hence in this paper, we investigated the effect of a continuous blood purification technique (hemofiltration without heparin followed by hemoadsorption) on STREM-1, NSE, and IL-10 levels in patients suffering from sepsis. A sample of hundred patients suffering from sepsis was randomly allocated to one of the two groups (study and control groups). The control group got standard sepsis care, whereas the research group got continuous blood purification treatment. To compare the differences between the two groups, we used t-statistical analysis. Blood STREM-1, IL-10, and NSE concentrations of the study group were significantly lesser than that of the control group after therapy. As a result, continuous blood purification can significantly minimize the dysregulated immune response in patients with sepsis, promote immune function and improve the survival rate.

PMID:35988289 | DOI:10.14715/cmb/2022.68.4.21

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2022 Apr 30;68(4):36-45. doi: 10.14715/cmb/2022.68.4.5.

ABSTRACT

After perinatal asphyxia, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in term infants produces long-term neurologic sequelae or death. Obtaining a reliable, evidence-based prognosis is critical. Therapeutic hypothermia is a suggested treatment for newborn babies with moderate-to-severe HIE at or near term. However, this treatment is unsuccessful in a significant proportion of newborns. This sparked a worldwide hunt for neuroprotectants that may enhance the effects of mild hypothermia. We look at erythropoietin (EPO) as a possible possibility. This research aimed to see how EPO paired with moderate hypothermia affects oxidative stress and neuroprotection in newborns with HIE. Children with HIE diagnosed and treated at the hospital were first recruited as research participants and split into two groups using a random number system. The control group got mild hypothermia therapy as part of their standard treatment, whereas the EPO group received EPO therapy in addition to mild hypothermia therapy. Statistical analysis techniques such as the Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-squared test, and t-test were used to examine the effects. The data show that the efficacies of combination therapy of mild hypothermia and EPO for infant HIE seem to be promising right now.

PMID:35988285 | DOI:10.14715/cmb/2022.68.4.5