Tag: statistics

Oral Dis. 2021 Nov 19. doi: 10.1111/odi.14081. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate psychological (anxiety, depression, and stress) and salivary (flow and concentration of α-amylase) profile associated with oral lichen planus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control preliminary study with oral lichen planus patients and age-gender matched controls was conducted. The participants underwent psychological tests (Beck depression and anxiety inventories and perceived stress scale) and saliva collection to determine the unstimulated salivary flow and α-amylase levels at three moments along the day. The data were analyzed statistically using Mann-Whitney, McNemar χ2 and Friedman tests, and the Spearman correlation coefficient. The significance level adopted was 5%.

RESULTS: A total of 46 case-control pairs were recruited. There was a significant correlation between anxiety, depression, stress, and oral lichen planus, as well as the stress and decline of salivary α-amylase levels. Higher concentrations of this biomarker were found in the case group thirty minutes post-awakening.

CONCLUSION: The applied psychological tests indicated that factors such as anxiety, depression and stress were associated to oral lichen planus. Salivary analyses demonstrated a higher concentration of α-amylase thirty minutes post-awakening on individuals with the disease and its decline correlated with stress, suggesting the role of α-amylase as a promising biomarker for future studies.

PMID:34797946 | DOI:10.1111/odi.14081

Ecology. 2021 Nov 19:e03588. doi: 10.1002/ecy.3588. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Growth in individual size or biomass is a key demographic component in population models, with wide-ranging applications from quantifying species performance across abiotic or biotic conditions to assessing landscape-level dynamics under global change. In forest ecology, the responses of tree growth to biotic interactions are widely held to be crucial for understanding forest diversity, function, and structure. To date, most studies on plant-plant interactions only examine the additive competitive or facilitative interactions between species pairs; however, there is increasing evidence of non-additive, higher-order interactions (HOIs) impacting species demographic rates. When HOIs are present, the dynamics of a multi-species community cannot be fully understood or accurately predicted solely from pairwise outcomes because of how additional species `interfere’ with the direct, pairwise interactions. Such HOIs should be particularly prevalent where species show nonlinear functional responses to resource availability and resource-acquisition traits themselves are density dependent. With this in mind, we used data from a tropical secondary forest-a system that fulfills both of these conditions-to build a ontogenetic diameter-growth model for individuals across ten woody-plant species. We allowed both direct and indirect interactions within communities to influence the species-specific growth parameters in a generalized Lotka-Volterra model. Specifically, indirect interactions entered the model as higher-order quadratic terms, i.e. non-additive effects of conspecific and heterospecific neighbour size on the focal individual’s growth. For the whole community and for four out of ten focal species, the model that included HOIs had more statistical support than the model that included only direct interactions, despite the former containing a far greater number of parameters. HOIs had comparable effect sizes to direct interactions, and tended to further reduce the diameter growth rates of most species beyond what direct interactions had already reduced. In a simulation of successional stand dynamics, the inclusion of HOIs lead to rank swaps in species’ diameter hierarchies, even when community-level size distributions remained qualitatively similar. Our study highlights the implications, and discusses possible mechanisms, of non-additive density dependence in highly diverse and light-competitive tropical forests.

PMID:34797924 | DOI:10.1002/ecy.3588

BJOG. 2021 Nov 19. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.17021. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of estimated fetal weight (EFW) charts at the third-trimester ultrasound for detecting small and large for gestational age (SGA/LGA) newborns with adverse outcomes DESIGN: Nationally representative observational study.

SETTING: French maternity units in 2016.

POPULATION: 9940 singleton live births with an ultrasound between 30 and 35 weeks of gestation.

METHODS: We compared three prescriptive charts (INTERGROWTH-21^st , World Health Organization (WHO), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)), four descriptive charts (Hadlock, Fetal Medicine Foundation, two French charts) and a French customised growth model (Epopé).

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: SGA and LGA (birthweights <10^th and >90^th percentiles) associated with adverse outcomes (low Apgar score, delivery-room resuscitation, neonatal unit admission).

RESULTS: 2.1% and 1.1% of infants had SGA and LGA and adverse outcomes, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for detecting these infants with an EFW <10^th and >90^th percentile varied from 29%-65% and 84%-96% for descriptive charts versus 27%-60% and 83%-96% for prescriptive charts. WHO and French charts were closest to the EFW distribution, yielding a balance between sensitivity and specificity for SGA and LGA births. INTERGROWTH-21^st and Epopé had low sensitivity for SGA with high sensitivity for LGA. Areas under the receiving operator characteristics curve ranged from 0.62 to 0.74, showing low to moderate predictive ability, whereas diagnostic odds ratios varied from 7 to 16.

CONCLUSION: Marked differences in the performance of descriptive as well as prescriptive EFW charts highlight the importance of evaluating them for their ability to detect high-risk fetuses.

PMID:34797926 | DOI:10.1111/1471-0528.17021

PLoS One. 2021 Nov 19;16(11):e0260298. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260298. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Some studies revealed that despite having sufficient sun exposure and dietary supply, the level of serum 25(OH)D in Bangladeshi adults is lower than its normal range. Genetic pattern of an individual is also an essential factor that regulates the level of serum 25(OH)D. However, the genetic variations of CYP2R1 (rs10741657) and their association with low serum 25(OH)D level in Bangladeshi adults are yet to be explored.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the frequency of variants of rs10741657 of CYP2R1 gene and its association with low serum 25(OH)D level among Bangladeshi adults.

METHOD: This pilot study was conducted among thirty individuals with low serum 25(OH)D level as the study population and ten subjects with sufficient serum 25(OH)D level as controls based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Genetic analysis of rs10741657 of CYP2R1 including primer designing, DNA extraction, PCR of target region with purification and Sanger sequencing of the PCR products were done accordingly. For statistical analysis, One-way ANOVA followed by LSD test, Freeman-Halton extension of Fisher’s exact test, Chi-square test (χ2) test and unpaired student t-test were performed.

RESULTS: In this study, genetic variants of CYP2R1 (rs10741657) among the study population were genotype GG (63.30%), GA (30%) and AA (6.7%). Minor allele frequency of the study population was 0.217. The association between GG and GA genotypes of CYP2R1 (rs10741657) with low serum 25(OH)D level among the study population was found and it was statistically significant. Statistically significant differences were also observed between the genotypes and alleles of the study population and controls.

CONCLUSIONS: The presence of ‘GG’ and ‘GA’ genotypes of rs1041657 in CYP2R1 gene is associated with low serum 25(OH)D level among Bangladeshi adults in this pilot study.

PMID:34797893 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0260298

J Wildl Dis. 2021 Nov 19. doi: 10.7589/JWD-D-21-00057. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Hemotropic mycoplasmas cause hemolytic anemia in a variety of wild and domestic mammals. Despite growing evidence about their widespread presence and genetic diversity in wildlife, their presence has never been investigated in Chilean artiodactyls. We aimed to describe the presence and diversity of hemoplasmas in pudus (Pudu puda), a small cervid native to Chile. Hemoplasma infection was assessed in blood samples from 43 wild and 33 captive pudus from central and southern Chile by direct sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. We detected hemoplasmas in 13%, with no statistical differences between wild (19%) and captive animals (6%). A sequence closely related to Mycoplasma ovis was present both in wild (14%) and captive (6%) pudus. Two previously undescribed sequences, classified in a clade including hemoplasmas from carnivores, were found in one wild pudu each. This study presents the first evidence of the presence of M. ovis-like organisms in Chile and of the susceptibility of pudus to infection with hemoplasmas. Further research is needed to understand the pathologic consequences of this pathogen for pudus, its effects at the population level, and their potential impact on the health small ruminants and other wildlife species in Chile.

PMID:34797910 | DOI:10.7589/JWD-D-21-00057

PLoS One. 2021 Nov 19;16(11):e0260249. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260249. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 mainly presents as a respiratory disease with flu-like symptoms, however, recent findings suggest that non-respiratory symptoms can occur early in the infection and cluster together in different groups in different regions. We collected surveillance data among COVID-19 suspected cases tested in mainland Portugal during the first wave of the pandemic, March-April 2020. A multivariable logistic-regression analysis was performed to ascertain the effects of age, sex, prior medical condition and symptoms on the likelihood of testing positive and hospitalisation. Of 25,926 COVID-19 suspected cases included in this study, 5,298 (20%) tested positive. Symptoms were grouped into ten clusters, of which two main ones: one with cough and fever and another with the remainder. There was a higher odds of a positive test with increasing age, myalgia and headache. The odds of being hospitalised increased with age, presence of fever, dyspnoea, or having a prior medical condition although these results varied by region. Presence of cough and other respiratory symptoms did not predict COVID-19 compared to non-COVID respiratory disease patients in any region. Dyspnoea was a strong determinant of hospitalisation, as well as fever and the presence of a prior medical condition, whereas these results varied by region.

PMID:34797879 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0260249

PLoS One. 2021 Nov 19;16(11):e0260322. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260322. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The measures implemented by governments worldwide to control and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 have impacted the populations and directly influenced individuals’ quality of life and consumption habits.

OBJECTIVE: This work investigates the Portuguese population’s changes in alcohol, stimulants drinks, illegal substances, and pharmaceutical consumptions habits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: An online questionnaire comprising seven groups of questions-with one group referring to alcohol, stimulant drinks, illegal substances, and pharmaceuticals consumption habits-was made available to the general adult population of mainland Portugal from the 26th January through the 31st of March 2021. After applying the inclusion criteria, 1666 questionnaires were selected and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS: Our results show that 48.9% of the participants have alcohol drinking habits and increased their alcohol consumption by 16% after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Furthermore, 8.7% of the respondents felt the need to increase their consumption of stimulant drinks, especially coffee, the most consumed stimulant drink (77.9%). We also observed that of the 3.1% of respondents who are usual consumers of illegal substances, 26.9% increased their consumption of these substances during the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerning pharmaceuticals, 23.2% of the respondents expressed their need to take a therapeutic drug after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The profile of common consumers of alcohol, stimulant drinks, illegal substances, and pharmaceuticals in the COVID-19 pandemic context is contrasting and varies according to gender, age, and employment status.

CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in the consumption of alcohol, stimulant drinks, illegal substances, and pharmaceuticals prescribed to treat anxiety, depression, and sleep changes in the Portuguese population. These new consumption patterns have probably aggravated domestic violence, mental diseases, and impairment of family quality of life in the Portuguese population.

PMID:34797874 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0260322

PLoS One. 2021 Nov 19;16(11):e0260022. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260022. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the major public health burden, mainly distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Among the Sub-Saharan African countries, Ethiopia is the second most affected country with VL. An Alteration of liver function is a typical manifestation of the disease.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of conducting this study was to assess liver function tests and associated risk factors among VL patients at Leishmaniasis Research and Treatment Center of University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North West Ethiopia.

METHOD: Hospital based comparative cross-sectional study design was conducted. A total of 102 study participants were involved in this study. Newly diagnosed VL patients who were attended at Leishmaniasis Research and Treatment Center of University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from 21st February 2020 to 30th September 2020 were included under case group category. On the other hand, age-sex matched apparently healthy study subjects were categorized as control group. Written consent was obtained willingness of patients to participate after ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of School of Medicine, University of Gondar. After overnight fasting, 5ml venous blood was drawn from both VL patients and controls to evaluate liver function tests, including AST, ALT, total bilirubin, albumin, and total protein. Thus, senior health professionals (laboratory technologist) investigate the results using Cobas Integra 400 Plus clinical chemistry analyzer. Data was entered into Epi-data version 4.6 and exported to STATA 14 for analysis of liver function tests and associated risk factors.

RESULT: The result of this study showed that significant mean difference was exhibited in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin, serum albumin, and total protein level among VL patients and controls. It showed that there was a statistically significant elevation in the level of AST, ALT, and total bilirubin among cases as compared to control. The serum AST level was significantly (p<0.001) elevated among cases as compared to controls. Serum ALT was significantly (p<0.001) elevated among cases compared to controls. Additionally, the total serum bilirubin level was significantly increased (P<0.001) among cases as compared to controls. There was a statistically significant (P<0.001) reduction of serum albumin level among VL patients as compared to controls. Similarly, serum total protein was significantly (P<0.001) reduced in VL patients than control groups.

CONCLUSION: There were significantly higher mean levels of serum AST, ALT, and total bilirubin among VL patients as compared to controls. On the other hand, VL patients showed significantly lowered level of albumin and total protein as compared to controls.

PMID:34797863 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0260022

PLoS One. 2021 Nov 19;16(11):e0260243. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260243. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation and aberrant differentiation with great negative impact on patients’ quality of life (QoL). This study aimed at assessing factors influencing management practice, and QoL and its associated factors among ambulatory psoriatic patients visiting All Africa Leprosy, Tuberculosis and Rehabilitation Training (ALERT) Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted in 207 patients with psoriasis attending the dermatology clinic of ALERT Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and patients’ chart review. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was used to measure patients’ QoL. Patients’ characteristics were summarized using descriptive statistics and predictors of QoL were identified by binary logistic regression.

RESULTS: Among 207 study participants, 122 (58.9%) were females. The mean age of the study population was 37.92 (SD = 14.86) years (ranging from 16 to 68 years). The mean age at which diagnosis of psoriasis made was 32 (SD = 13.7) years ranging from 10 to 62 years. The duration of the disease in 112 (54.1%) patients were more than or equal to 5 years. Majority of study participants 145 (70.0%) had plaque psoriasis followed by sebopsoriasis, 24 (11.6%). The majority of plaque psoriasis (80%) cases were managed by topical corticosteroids with or without salicylic acid or coal tar and only 21 (14.5%) treated by methotrexate alone. The mean DLQI was 6.25 corresponding to a moderate effect. Symptoms and feelings were the most affected domains of QoL. Factors associated with poor QoL were female [AOR = 0.17 (95%CI: 0.06, 0.48)], low, above average and high family income ([AOR = 0.12 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.56)], [AOR = 0.06 (95% CI:0.01, 0.32)], and [AOR = 0.03 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.22)]), respectively, and primary education level [AOR = 0.14 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.64)] while being on systemic therapy [AOR = 4.26 (CI: 1.18, 15.35)] was predictor of better QoL. Poor QoL was predominant in females [AOR = 0.17 (95%CI: 0.06, 0.48)], low income [AOR = 0.12 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.56] patients, and patients with primary education level [AOR = 0.14 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.64)]. Patients on systemic therapy [AOR = 4.26 (CI: 1.18, 15.35)] had good QoL.

CONCLUSION: Our study identified that topical corticosteroids were the mainstay of psoriasis treatment in the dermatology clinic of ALERT Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Moderate effect QoL was achieved by study participants based on DLQL score.

PMID:34797854 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0260243

PLoS One. 2021 Nov 19;16(11):e0260194. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260194. eCollection 2021.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Anatomical structure classification is necessary task in medical field, but the inevitable variability of interpretation among experts makes reliable classification difficult. This study aims to introduce cluster analysis, unsupervised machine learning method, for classification of three-dimensional (3D) mandibular canal (MC) courses, and to visualize standard MC courses derived from cluster analysis in the Korean population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 429 cone-beam computed tomography images were used. Four sites in the mandible were selected for the measurement of the MC course and four parameters, two vertical and two horizontal parameters were measured per site. Cluster analysis was carried out as follows: parameter measurement, parameter normalization, cluster tendency evaluation, optimal number of clusters determination, and k-means cluster analysis. The 3D MC courses were classified into three types with statistically significant mean differences by cluster analysis.

RESULTS: Cluster 1 showed a smooth line running towards the lingual side in the axial view and a steep slope in the sagittal view. Cluster 2 ran in an almost straight line closest to the lingual and inferior border of mandible. Cluster 3 showed the pathway with a bent buccally in the axial view and an increasing slope in the sagittal view in the posterior area. Cluster 2 showed the highest distribution (42.1%), and males were more widely distributed (57.1%) than the females (42.9%). Cluster 3 comprised similar ratio of male and female cases and accounted for 31.9% of the total distribution. Cluster 1 had the least distribution (26.0%) Distributions of the right and left sides did not show a statistically significant difference.

CONCLUSION: The MC courses were automatically classified as three types through cluster analysis. Cluster analysis enables the unbiased classification of the anatomical structures by reducing observer variability and can present representative standard information for each classified group.

PMID:34797856 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0260194