Tag: statistics

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 10;17(2):e0263717. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263717. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the sex-related differences on the risks of perioperative and late outcomes for adult acute aortic dissection (AAD) patients following surgical management.

METHODS AND RESULTS: By using Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, totally 1,410 female and 3,432 male patients were identified to first-ever receive type A AAD open surgery or type B AAD stenting treatment from 2004 to 2013. We assessed the sex-related difference on outcomes, including in-hospital mortality, all-cause mortality, aortic death, redo aortic surgery, ischemic stroke, and depression during the follow-up period. The analysis was done separately for type A and type B surgeries.

RESULTS: On average, female patients diagnosed with AAD were older than males. There was no significant sex difference of in-hospital mortality or all-cause mortality for both type A open and type B stent surgeries. The risk of redo aortic surgery was significantly greater in males than females (7.8% vs. 4%; unadjusted subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] 0.51, 95% CI 0.38-0.69) for type A open surgery, but not for type B stent surgery. Noticeably, the risk of newly-diagnosed depression was significantly greater in females than males (8% vs. 5.1%; unadjusted SHR 1.6, 95% CI 1.24-2.06) for type A open surgery, but not for type B stent surgery.

CONCLUSIONS: No significant sex-related difference was found for the in-hospital mortality or accumulative all-cause mortality. However, there were more redo aortic surgeries for males and more postoperative depression for females in type A AAD population.

PMID:35143568 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0263717

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 10;17(2):e0263367. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263367. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

This work presents a tool for forecasting the spread of the new coronavirus in Mexico City, which is based on a mathematical model with a metapopulation structure that uses Bayesian statistics and is inspired by a data-driven approach. The daily mobility of people in Mexico City is mathematically represented by an origin-destination matrix using the open mobility data from Google and the Transportation Mexican Survey. This matrix is incorporated in a compartmental model. We calibrate the model against borough-level incidence data collected between 27 February 2020 and 27 October 2020, while using Bayesian inference to estimate critical epidemiological characteristics associated with the coronavirus spread. Given that working with metapopulation models leads to rather high computational time consumption, and parameter estimation of these models may lead to high memory RAM consumption, we do a clustering analysis that is based on mobility trends to work on these clusters of borough separately instead of taken all of the boroughs together at once. This clustering analysis can be implemented in smaller or larger scales in different parts of the world. In addition, this clustering analysis is divided into the phases that the government of Mexico City has set up to restrict individual movement in the city. We also calculate the reproductive number in Mexico City using the next generation operator method and the inferred model parameters obtaining that this threshold is in the interval (1.2713, 1.3054). Our analysis of mobility trends can be helpful when making public health decisions.

PMID:35143548 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0263367

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 10;17(2):e0263174. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263174. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

The factor structure of neuropsychological functioning among a large sample (N = 831) of American youth (ages 12-21 at baseline) was investigated in order to identify an optimal model. Candidate models were selected based on their potential to provide service to the study of adolescent development and the effects of heavy episodic alcohol consumption. Data on neuropsychological functioning were obtained from the NCANDA study. This is a longitudinal community study of the effects of alcohol exposure on neurodevelopment. Three conceptually motivated and one empirically motivated factor analysis model of neuropsychological domains were compared based on penalized-likelihood selection criteria and model fit statistics. Two conceptually-motivated models were found to have adequate fit and pattern invariance to function as a measurement model for the Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery (Penn CNB) anchored neuropsychological battery in NCANDA. Corroboration of previous factor analysis models was obtained, in addition to the identification of an alternative factor model that has higher discriminant capacity for neuropsychological domains hypothesized to be most sensitive to alcohol exposure in human adolescents. The findings support the use of a factor model developed originally for the Penn CNB and a model developed specifically for the NCANDA project. The NCANDA 8-Factor Model has conceptual and empirical advantages that were identified in the current and prior studies. These advantages are particularly valuable when applied in alcohol research settings.

PMID:35143554 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0263174

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 10;17(2):e0263402. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263402. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

Biologics targeting PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 immune checkpoint proteins have been used in a variety of tumor types including small and non-small cell lung cancers, melanoma, and renal cell carcinoma. Their anti-tumor activity is achieved through amplifying components of the patient’s own immune system to target immune response evading cancer cells. However, this unique mechanism of action causes a range of immune related adverse events, irAEs, that affect multiple physiological systems in the body. These irAEs, depending on severity, often cause suspension or discontinuation of therapy and, in rare cases, may lead to fatal outcomes. In this study we focused on pembrolizumab, a PD-1 inhibitor currently approved for multiple types of cancer. We analyzed over ten thousand adverse event reports from Keynote clinical trials of pembrolizumab for various cancer indications with or without co-occurring infections, and observed a statistically significant 80% increase in the risk of developing an irAE in subjects with infections.

PMID:35143542 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0263402

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 10;17(2):e0263524. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263524. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

Beyrichitine ammonoids of NV Nevada reveal a high taxonomic diversity of Anisian (Middle Triassic). This diversity is, however, in contrast to their relatively low morphologic disparity. Depending on the exact definition, morphologic disparity of a data set is a direct consequence of the sum of all ontogenetic changes. In the past, however, the interplay of both morphological processes has only rarely been addressed. Using geometric morphometric methods, this study aims at a quantification of allometric processes and the morphologic disparity of beyrichitine ammonoids. The multivariate statistical analysis revealed that morphologic disparity, intraspecific variation respectively, within and between the studied species seems to be the result of deviations in the ontogenetic allometric growth pattern (i.e. heterochrony). During deposition of the studied stratigraphic sequence, a general progressive pedomorphism (juvenilization) was observed. The intraspecific variability pattern coincides with the total morphologic disparity of the analyzed species, which suggests that intraspecific variability facilitated morphologic disparity. The comparison of ontogenetic allometric patterns and changes in intraspecific variation and morphologic disparity are likely to refine our understanding of the intrinsic factors influencing the speciation of this group.

PMID:35143539 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0263524

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 10;17(2):e0263150. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263150. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

In this proof-of-concept work, we evaluate the performance of multiple machine-learning methods as surrogate models for use in the analysis of agent-based models (ABMs). Analysing agent-based modelling outputs can be challenging, as the relationships between input parameters can be non-linear or even chaotic even in relatively simple models, and each model run can require significant CPU time. Surrogate modelling, in which a statistical model of the ABM is constructed to facilitate detailed model analyses, has been proposed as an alternative to computationally costly Monte Carlo methods. Here we compare multiple machine-learning methods for ABM surrogate modelling in order to determine the approaches best suited as a surrogate for modelling the complex behaviour of ABMs. Our results suggest that, in most scenarios, artificial neural networks (ANNs) and gradient-boosted trees outperform Gaussian process surrogates, currently the most commonly used method for the surrogate modelling of complex computational models. ANNs produced the most accurate model replications in scenarios with high numbers of model runs, although training times were longer than the other methods. We propose that agent-based modelling would benefit from using machine-learning methods for surrogate modelling, as this can facilitate more robust sensitivity analyses for the models while also reducing CPU time consumption when calibrating and analysing the simulation.

PMID:35143521 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0263150

J Cardiovasc Surg (Torino). 2022 Feb 10. doi: 10.23736/S0021-9509.22.12063-X. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Aortic graft infection represents one of the most challenging and life-threatening complication of surgical and endovascular treatment of aortic pathologies. The aim of this study is to report the results of a single center with “in situ” revascularization for the treatment of aortic graft infections using the neo-aorto-iliac system (NAIS) and to review the literature about this surgical technique.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our aortic graft infection case series and “in situ” revascularization using the neo-aorto-iliac system. The study was conducted from January 2009 to June 2020. The primary outcomes analyzed were early mortality (<30 days), late mortality (> 30 days), reinfection rate. Secondary outcomes were the primary patency rate, the secondary patency rate, and the lower limb salvage rate. A literature review of the last twenty years was performed on international medical databases Pubmed (MEDLINE), Scopus and Web of Science.

RESULTS: During study period, 12 patients, all male (median age of 69 years (range 52-87 years)), underwent to infected graft explantation and revascularization by NAIS using femoral-popliteal veins. Six cases were complicated by aorto-enteric fistulas, five were duodenal and one were colon. Patients spent the immediate post-operative period in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a median time of 4 days (range 0-9 days). The median length of hospital stay was 27.5 days (range 1-66 days). The mean follow-up was 21.5 months (range 0-120). The 30-days mortality rate was 25% (3 patients) due to postoperative complications. No patient dropped out of the follow-up protocol. The primary patency rate was 92% while the secondary patency rate was 100%. No patient underwent lower limb amputation. Persistence of infection occurred in 1 case (8.3%). Overall Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were 75% for 30 days, 50% for 1 year, 48% for 5 years. Literature analysis identified 19 case series.

CONCLUSIONS: The literature regarding NAIS has low statistical evidence due to retrospective design of the studies. Our results are in agreement with retrospective studies in the literature. When the surgical team is confident with NAIS, this technique should be considered the preferred method, considering an acceptable and comparable mortality rate with other techniques and a better rate of patency, resistance to graft degeneration, recurrent infections and amputation rate.

PMID:35142460 | DOI:10.23736/S0021-9509.22.12063-X

Minerva Endocrinol (Torino). 2022 Feb 10. doi: 10.23736/S2724-6507.20.03346-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiac autonomic functions of individuals with asymptomatic diabetic retinopathy (DR) and no obvious heart disease by heart rate turbulence (HRT) and heart rate variability (HRV) analysis.

METHODS: A total of 72 patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus: 20 non-retinopathic (NRDM), 26 non-proliferative retinopathic patients (NPDR) and 26 proliferative retinopathic patients (PDR) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study.

RESULTS: The HRV parameters of Standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN) (119.8±11.7, 101.1±20.2, 100.6±17.04), Standard deviation of the average NN intervals (SDANN) (108.3±10.8, 91.2±17.5, 93.6±18.4), SDNN Index (49.5±5.1, 40.1±13.4, 38.6±12.7), Root mean square of successive RR interval differences (RMSSD) (28.3±5.1, 22.3±7.5, 26±9.2) and Triangular index (34.4±4.3, 29.7±8.8, 27.3±6.7) were significantly lower in the NPDR and PDR groups than in the NRDM group (for all p<0.05). Also, there was a statistically significant higher Turbulence Onset (-1.80±0.7, -1.1±0.9, -0.43±0.81) and lower Turbulence Slope (8.05±2.59, 5.82±3.39, 4.53±2.07) in HRT parameters in patients in the NPDR and PDR groups than in the NRDM group (respectively, NRDM, NPDM, PDM, for all p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: We found that HRV and HRT parameters had a significant deterioration in retinopathic individuals compared to the group without retinopathy. We think that HRV and HRT analysis can have an important role in the evaluation of these patients.

PMID:35142481 | DOI:10.23736/S2724-6507.20.03346-5

Alzheimers Dement. 2022 Feb 10. doi: 10.1002/alz.12573. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele confers higher risk of neurodegeneration and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but differs by race/ethnicity. We examined this association in American Indians.

METHODS: The Strong Heart Study is a population-based cohort of American Indians who were 64 to 95 years of age in 2010 to 2013. APOE ε4 status, brain imaging, and neuropsychological testing was collected in N = 811 individuals. Summary statistics, graphics, and generalized linear regressions-adjusted for sociodemographics, clinical features, and intracranial volume with bootstrap variance estimator-compared APOE ε4 carriers with non-carriers.

RESULTS: APOE ε4 carriers comprised 22% of the population (0.7% homozygotes). Participants were mean 73 years, 67% female, and 54% had some college education. The majority were obese (>50%), hypertensive (>80%), and diabetic (>50%). Neither imaging findings nor multidomain cognitive testing showed any substantive differences between APOE ε4 carriers and non-carriers.

CONCLUSION: We found no evidence of neurodegenerative risk from APOE ε4 in American Indians. Additional studies are needed to examine potential protective features.

PMID:35142437 | DOI:10.1002/alz.12573

Wound Repair Regen. 2022 Feb 10. doi: 10.1111/wrr.12995. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Healing time is protracted and ulcer recurrence is common in patients with venous leg ulcers. Although compression is the mainstay treatment, many patients do not heal timely. Physical activity may be a clinically effective adjunct treatment to compression to improve healing outcomes. This scoping review provides a broad overview of the effect of physical activity as an adjunct treatment to compression on wound healing and recurrence. We followed the six-step framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley. We searched electronic databases and trial registration websites for relevant studies and ongoing trials. Two authors independently screened and selected articles. Findings were presented in a descriptive statistical narrative summary. We consulted and presented our findings to the wound consumer group to ensure the relevance of our study. Physical activity interventions in 12 out of the 16 eligible studies consisted of only one component, eight studies were resistance exercises, three studies reported ankle and/or foot range of motion exercises, and one study reported aerobic/walking exercises. The remaining four studies involved multicomponent exercise interventions. Resistance exercise combined with ankle and/or foot range of motion exercise minimised ulcer size on day 12 (intervention group: 4.55 ± 1.14 cm² vs. control group: 7.43 ± 0.56 cm² ) and improved calf muscle pump performance on day 8 (ejection fraction: 40%-65%; residual volume fraction: 56%-40%). We identified one study that reported ulcer recurrence rate with no clinical difference in the intervention group versus the control group (i.e., 12% in intervention vs. 5% in control). Our review identified that resistance exercise was the most common type of physical activity intervention trialled in the published literature. Resistance exercise combined with ankle and/or foot range of motion exercise appears to be effective adjunct treatments; however, the overall evidence is still relatively weak as most programmes had a short intervention period which limited clinical outcomes.

PMID:35142412 | DOI:10.1111/wrr.12995