Tag: statistics

Hypertension. 2022 May 3:101161HYPERTENSIONAHA12219185. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.122.19185. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the association of hypertension with incident infective endocarditis (IE) by investigating the incidence of IE according to blood pressure levels using the National Health Insurance Service database.

METHODS: The data of 4 080 331 individuals linked to the health screening database in 2009 were retrieved (males, 55.08%; mean age, 47.12±14.13 years). From 2009 to 2018, the risk factors for the first episode of IE were investigated. Hypertension was categorized into normotension, prehypertension, hypertension, and hypertension with medication. The Cox proportional hazard model assessed the effect of blood pressure level during the health screening exam on incident IE.

RESULTS: During the 9-year follow-up, 812 (0.02%) participants were diagnosed with IE. The incidence rates of IE in the normotension, prehypertension, hypertension, and hypertension with medication groups were 0.9, 1.4, 2.6, and 6.0 per 100 000 person-years, respectively. Those with prehypertension, hypertension, and hypertension with medication were correlated with an increased risk of IE in a dose-response manner compared with the normotension group (hazard ratio, 1.33 [95% CI, 1.06-1.68]; hazard ratio, 1.98 [1.48-2.66]; hazard ratio, 2.56 [2.02-3.24], respectively, all P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: In a large national cohort study with an average follow-up of 9 years, increased blood pressure was identified as a risk factor for incident IE in a dose-dependent manner. Hypertension increases the public health care burden by acting as a risk factor for rare infective heart diseases.

PMID:35502658 | DOI:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.122.19185

Int Endod J. 2022 May 3. doi: 10.1111/iej.13760. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and Parkin E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (Parkin) are critical for immune and inflammatory regulation in health and disease. PINK1 and Parkin have been confirmed to be involved in the progression of apical periodontitis by affecting mitophagy-related osteoblast apoptosis; however, the expression of PINK1 and Parkin in macrophages, one of the most important cells in apical periodontitis, remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the expression of PINK1 and Parkin in human apical periodontitis lesions, as well as their possible localization in macrophages.

METHODOLOGY: Thirty-seven human periapical tissues, including periapical granulomas (PGs, n=12), radicular cysts (RCs, n=11), and healthy gingival tissues (n=14) were examined. The inflammatory infiltrates of lesions were evaluated by haemotoxylin staining, and the expression of PINK1 and Parkin was detected by immunohistochemistry. Double immunofluorescence was used to explore the colocalization of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and TOMM20, as well as the localization of PINK1 and Parkin, in macrophages of human apical periodontitis lesions. The ultrastructural morphology of mitochondria in human apical periodontitis lesions was visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Student-Newman-Keul’s test and Mann-Whitney test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry demonstrated a significantly higher expression of PINK1 and Parkin proteins in human apical periodontitis lesions than in healthy gingival tissues (P < 0.0001), but no significant difference was demonstrated between PGs and RCs (P > 0.05). The higher expression of LC3 and the presence of more LC3-TOMM20 double-positive cells were also observed in human apical periodontitis. Double-labeling analysis of PINK1, Parkin, and LC3 with CD68 indicated that macrophage mitophagy might be present in the progression of human apical periodontitis. Finally, the results of TEM morphological analysis revealed the appearance of double-membraned mitophagosomes and vacuolated mitochondria in macrophage-like cells of apical periodontitis lesions.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that PINK1 and Parkin proteins were highly expressed in clinical apical periodontitis lesions.

PMID:35502680 | DOI:10.1111/iej.13760

ALTEX. 2022 Apr 14. doi: 10.14573/altex.2111301. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Pharmaceutical products intended for parenteral use must be free from pyrogenic (fever-inducing) contamination. Pyrogens comprise endotoxin from Gram-negative bacteria and non-endotoxin pyrogens (NEP) from Gram-positive bacteria, viruses and fungi. The longstanding compendial test for pyrogens is the rabbit pyrogen test (RPT) but in 2010 the monocyte activation test (MAT) for pyrogenic and pro-inflammatory contaminants was introduced into the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) as a ‘non-animal’ replacement for the RPT. The present study describes the first product-specific GMP validation of Ph. Eur. MAT, Quantitative test, Method A, for the testing of three therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The MAT uses cryo-preserved PBMC with interleukin-6 (IL-6) as the readout. Much of the data presented here for one of the antibodies was included in a successful product licence application to the EMA.

PMID:35502618 | DOI:10.14573/altex.2111301

Pediatrics. 2022 May 3:e2021054201. doi: 10.1542/peds.2021-054201. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Development of cardiovascular disease in adults has been directly linked to an adverse metabolic phenotype. While there is evidence that development of these risk factors in childhood persists into adulthood and the development of cardiovascular disease, less is known about whether these risk factors are associated with target organ damage during adolescence.

METHODS: We collected data from 379 adolescents (mean age 15.5, 60% male) with blood pressure between the 75th and 95th percentile to determine if there is a metabolic phenotype that predicts cardiovascular changes (left ventricular mass, systolic and diastolic function, pulse wave velocity, and renal function). We determined the number of risk factors for cardiovascular disease (hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and insulin resistance) present in each participant. Generalized linear models were constructed to determine if the number of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) were associated with measures of target organ damage.

RESULTS: The number of CVRFs present were associated with statistically significant differences in increased left ventricular mass index, increased pulse wave velocity, decreased peak longitudinal strain, urine albumin to creatine ratio and echocardiographic parameters of diastolic dysfunction. Generalized linear models showed that dyslipidemia and insulin resistance were independently associated with markers of diastolic dysfunction (P ≤ .05) while increased blood pressure was associated with all makers of target organ damage (P ≤ .03).

CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest the of the number of CVRFs present is independently associated with early changes in markers of target organ damage during adolescence.

PMID:35502610 | DOI:10.1542/peds.2021-054201

J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng. 2022 May 3:1-10. doi: 10.1080/10934529.2022.2069977. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to assess annual, seasonal and spatial trends in copper sediment concentrations in an agricultural California stream (Cache Slough) based on sampling 12 sites over two seasons (spring and fall) in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The relationship between copper sediment concentrations and precipitation was also evaluated. The results from this study showed that copper sediment concentrations from Cache Slough ranging from 19 to 63 ug/g dw were similar to concentrations reported in European agricultural streams. Copper sediment concentrations were not reported to increase over time in this agricultural waterbody where copper was used as a fungicide. However, spatial differences in copper sediment concentrations were reported among sites with the highest concentrations in the middle waterbody section. Seasonal analysis showed no significant difference in copper sediment concentrations for both spring and fall for 2012 and 2013 but 2014 spring concentrations were statistically higher than fall concentrations when precipitation was lower than the two previous years. There were no statistically significant relationships between copper sediment concentrations and precipitation for the three-year period based on an analysis by year and season.

PMID:35502608 | DOI:10.1080/10934529.2022.2069977

Dermatol Ther. 2022 May 3:e15549. doi: 10.1111/dth.15549. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The use of antioxidants in atopic dermatitis (AD) is controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of antioxidants therapy in AD. Randomised clinical trials were identified from Medline, Embase and Cochrane library. Changes from baseline in severity and itch score were extracted from individual studies and pooled using random-effects. Eighteen trials including 763 AD patients were eligible. Overall, antioxidants were associated with statistically significant reductions in diseases severity (p < 0.0001), but not with itch score (p = 0.59). No serious adverse events were recorded. Subgroup analyses revealed that antioxidants were associated with a significant reduction in severity score regardless of disease severity at baseline and treatment duration (p < 0.05). However, antioxidants had additional benefit only in children (p = 0.02) but not in adults (p = 0.30). Oral supplementation with vitamin D, combined vitamins D and E, combined vitamins A, D and E and topical vitamin B₁₂ was associated with significantly lower severity score (p < 0.05). There was significant heterogeneity between studies (I² = 50%; p = 0.003). The effect estimates did not change statistically after excluding sources of study heterogeneity. This meta-analysis suggests that antioxidants may be a safe and effective treatment for AD patients, especially when supplemented with oral vitamin D and topical vitamin B₁₂ , as well as in pediatric patients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35502578 | DOI:10.1111/dth.15549

Gut Liver. 2022 May 3. doi: 10.5009/gnl210009. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Contradictory findings on the association between cholecystectomy and cancer have been reported. We aimed to investigate the risk of all types of cancers or site-specific cancers in patients who underwent cholecystectomy using a nationwide dataset.

METHODS: Subjects who underwent cholecystectomy from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2014, who were older than 20 years and who underwent an initial baseline health check-up within 2 years were enrolled. Those who were diagnosed with any type of cancer before the enrollment or within 1 year after enrollment were excluded. Ultimately, patients (n=123,295) who underwent cholecystectomy and age/sex matched population (n=123,295) were identified from the database of the Korean National Health Insurance Service. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for cancer were estimated, and Cox regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS: The incidence of cancer in the cholecystectomy group was 9.56 per 1,000 personyears and that in the control group was 7.95 per 1,000 person-years. Patients who underwent cholecystectomy showed an increased risk of total cancer (adjusted HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.24; p<0.001), particularly leukemia and malignancies of the colon, liver, pancreas, biliary tract, thyroid, pharynx, and oral cavity. In the subgroup analysis according to sex, the risk of developing cancers in the pancreas, biliary tract, thyroid, lungs and stomach was higher in men than in women.

CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should pay more attention to the possibility of the occurrence of secondary cancers among patients who undergo cholecystectomy.

PMID:35502586 | DOI:10.5009/gnl210009

Curr Med Res Opin. 2022 May 3:1-14. doi: 10.1080/03007995.2022.2070379. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Rivaroxaban is commonly prescribed to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE). Although lower than standard dosages (under-dosing) may be administered in the real-world setting, data on subsequent clinical outcomes in Japanese patients are lacking.

METHODS: The prospective, multicenter, observational J’xactly study enrolled patients with acute symptomatic/asymptomatic deep vein thromboses (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), or both, who were prescribed rivaroxaban. This subanalysis investigated patient characteristics and outcomes associated with rivaroxaban under-dosing.

RESULTS: Among 1,016 evaluable patients, 667 (65.6%) received an initial standard dosage of rivaroxaban (30 mg/day) and 349 (34.4%) received an initial under-dosage (20 mg/day, n = 22; 15 mg/day, n = 282; and 10 mg/day, n = 45). Those receiving an under-dose had significantly lower body weight and slower pulse rate compared with the standard-dose group regardless of DVT or PE status. Under-dosing was common for distal DVTs, but less frequent for massive/submassive PEs. There were no differences between under-dose and standard-dose groups in the incidences of recurring symptomatic VTEs (DVT: 1.77% vs. 3.35% per patient-year, p = 0.138; PE: 0.84% vs. 2.84% per patient-year, p = 0.208) or major bleeding (DVT: 3.55% vs. 3.41% per patient-year, p = 0.960; PE: not observed vs. 2.83% per patient-year, p = 0.132).

CONCLUSIONS: In the real-world setting, rivaroxaban under-dosing for patients with VTE occurred in those with lower body weight, slower pulse rate, distal DVT, or non-massive PEs. There were no statistically significant differences in the clinical outcomes for patients received under-dose of rivaroxaban at the discretion of the physicians in the clinical practice compared with those received standard dose of rivaroxaban.

PMID:35502571 | DOI:10.1080/03007995.2022.2070379

Public Health Nurs. 2022 May 3. doi: 10.1111/phn.13086. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Immigrants comprise over 40% of the low-wage workforce. They are more likely to be employed in service industries, paid less, and experience more illness and injuries than their native counterparts.

DESIGN/OBJECTIVE: The aim of this cross-sectional pilot study was to explore the relationship between immigrant workers’ stressors and health.

SAMPLE: Twenty-five female Mexican immigrant hotel workers.

MEASUREMENTS: Surveys and blood samples were analyzed and compared to national data. Descriptive statistics and linear regression were used for analysis.

RESULTS: Longer length of stay, older age at migration, and higher Demands of Immigration (DI) were significantly associated with more chronic conditions. Higher DI were significantly associated with more depressive symptoms. This is comparable to national data (n = 468) which shows a significant relationship between length of stay, Allostatic Load (AL), and chronic conditions (β = 0.14, p = .043; β = 0.13, p = .025).

CONCLUSIONS: Immigrant-specific factors affect individuals’ health. More studies are needed to further explore the relationship between DI and health among foreign-born workers.

PMID:35502562 | DOI:10.1111/phn.13086

J Sex Marital Ther. 2022 May 3:1-9. doi: 10.1080/0092623X.2022.2067090. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between different sex positions and female sexual dysfunction. This comparative and descriptive study was conducted at a hospital in a province in Eastern Turkey between March 2019 – June 2019. The data were collected using the “Personal Data Form” and “Female Sexual Function Index/FSFI” via the closed envelope technique to protect the participants’ privacy. The study was conducted with 184 women. Number, mean, percentage distribution, and ANOVA tests were used to evaluate the data. The total mean score of the FSFI was determined to be 18.03 ± 4.17. When examining the mean scores of the sexual function index in terms of sex position, a statistically significant difference was found between both the FSFI total score and its subscales and all positions (p = 0.00). It was observed that based on the scores of the FSFI, the women had a form of sexual dysfunction and had higher mean scores in Desire, Arousal, Lubrication, Orgasm, and Satisfaction in the overall scale of female-on-top positions, and their mean scores for pain subscale were lower.

PMID:35502555 | DOI:10.1080/0092623X.2022.2067090