Tag: statistics

Nurse Educ Today. 2022 Jan 26;110:105278. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2022.105278. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Caring for patients with wounds requires diverse competences from nursing professionals. However, wound care education in undergraduate nursing education is often fragmented and lacks consistent learning goals and content.

OBJECTIVES: To create learning goals and content for wound care education in Bachelor’s level nursing education in Finland and to assess the consensus relating to these learning goals and content among wound care experts.

DESIGN: A consensus-building approach using the Delphi technique.

SETTINGS: A Delphi panel of wound care experts built on an online platform.

PARTICIPANTS: The participants of the Delphi panel were registered nurses, authorised wound care nurses, nurse educators and physicians.

METHODS: Learning goals and content for wound care education which had been formulated on the basis of previous focus-group interviews were presented to the Delphi panel. The data were collected in 2021 with two online Delphi rounds: 51 panellists participated in the first round and 36 in the second round. The data were analysed using statistical and qualitative analysis.

RESULTS: Learning goals and content were divided into four competence areas: 1) Anatomy and physiology, 2) Care of chronic and acute wounds, 3) Wound management and care of a patient with a wound, 4) Values and attitudes. These competence areas comprised 26 learning goals and 29 pieces of content. The consensus between the panellists was high, at >90% in all competence areas.

CONCLUSIONS: The basis of registered nurses’ wound care competence is built during their undergraduate nursing studies. The results of this study can be used to standardise wound care education by implementing consistent learning goals and content in Bachelor’s level nursing education.

PMID:35114440 | DOI:10.1016/j.nedt.2022.105278

Ophthalmol Retina. 2022 Jan 31:S2468-6530(22)00038-0. doi: 10.1016/j.oret.2022.01.016. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Retinal detachment (RD) is associated with poor visual outcome in patients with acute retinal necrosis (ARN). This research was undertaken to assess risk factors for RD in ARN.

DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study SUBJECTS: Patients diagnosed with ARN at a tertiary referral center from 2010-2020.

METHODS: Chart review was performed for all clinical and surgical encounters. Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis of demographic and clinical variables associated with RD was performed. Survival analysis with Kaplan-Meier estimates were performed to compare time to RD in HSV- and VZV-associated ARN.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic information, clinical information including visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), intraocular inflammation level, extent of retinitis, incidence and timing of retinal detachment, date of diagnosis, and treatments performed including intravitreal injections of antiviral medications.

RESULTS: Fifty-four eyes of 47 patients who were diagnosed with ARN were included with equal proportions of eyes (27, 50%) with VZV-ARN and HSV-ARN. Subjects with VZV-ARN were on average older, more likely to be male, and more likely to be immunosuppressed compared with subjects with HSV-ARN. Clinical characteristics were similar between eyes with VZV- and HSV-ARN, including initial visual acuity (VA), initial IOP, anterior segment inflammation, clock hours and posterior extent of retinitis. In univariate analysis of clinical and demographic variables associated with development of RD, initial VA (p = 0.0083) and greater clock hours of retinitis (p = 0.009) were significantly associated with RD. These two variables remained significant in multivariate logistic regression; worse VA at presentation had an odds ratio of 2.34 (95% CI: 1.01 – 5.44) (p = 0.042) and greater clock hours of retinitis had an odds ratio of 1.23 (95% CI: 1.02 – 1.47) (p = 0.025). Kaplan Meier survival analysis demonstrated no statistical difference in RD-free survival between HSV- and VZV-ARN.

CONCLUSION: Patients with VZV-ARN were more likely to be older, male, and immunosuppressed compared to HSV-ARN although no clear difference was observed in RD by viral etiology. Poor initial VA and clock-hours of retinitis were significantly associated with RD development and may be relevant for patient counseling and prognosis.

PMID:35114414 | DOI:10.1016/j.oret.2022.01.016

J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2022 Jan 31:S2468-7855(22)00030-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jormas.2022.01.014. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: As a plethora of graft materials have become available in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery to replace bony defects, there is an increased demand to understand different patients’ preferences towards various graft materials and other contributing variables that led to their decision.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of religious beliefs on the selection of different grafts used in oral and maxillofacial surgery and to deliver a better, more specific, and individualized treatment plan considering various religious backgrounds.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A self-administered anonymous questionnaire with a cross-sectional design was completed by 563 of 577 participants. It was a sociodemographic questionnaire concerning the acceptance and rejection of all types of bone grafts, including intraoral autografts, extraoral autografts, allografts, porcine xenografts, bovine xenografts, and alloplasts. The data included predisposing factors such as gender, age, and religion, as well as enabling factors such as education level and employment status.

RESULTS: The porcine xenograft (63.1%) had the highest percentage of rejection, followed by bovine xenograft (41%), allografts (13.5%), alloplasts (10.5%), extraoral autografts (6.2%), and intraoral autografts (5.7%). Xenografts were rejected due to conflicts with the participants’ religious beliefs. Sociodemographic characteristics such as gender, age, education level, and employment status had no statistical influence.

CONCLUSION: Xenograft selection was found to have a statistically significant relationship with religious beliefs, unlike other types of bone grafts.

PMID:35114425 | DOI:10.1016/j.jormas.2022.01.014

Methods. 2022 Jan 31:S1046-2023(22)00014-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2022.01.008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Elucidating the mechanisms of Compound-Protein Interactions (CPIs) plays an essential role in drug discovery and development. Many computational efforts have been done to accelerate the field development. However, current predictive performance is still not satisfactory, and existing methods consider only protein and compound features, ignoring their interactive information. In this study, we propose a multi-view deep learning method named MDL-CPI for CPI prediction. To sufficiently extract discriminative information, we introduce a hybrid architecture that leverages BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) and CNN (Convolutional Neural Network) to extract protein features from a sequential perspective, uses the GNN (Graph Neural Networks) to extract compound features from a structural perspective, and generates a unified feature space using AE2 network to learn the interactive information between BERT-CNN and Graph embeddings. Comparative results on benchmark datasets show that our proposed method exhibits better performance compared to existing CPI prediction methods, demonstrating strong predictive ability of our model. Importantly, we demonstrate that the learned interactive information between compounds and proteins is critical to improving predictive performance. To facilitate the use of our method, we release our source code and dataset at: https://github.com/Longwt123/MDL-CPI.

PMID:35114401 | DOI:10.1016/j.ymeth.2022.01.008

J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2022 Jan 31:S1051-0443(22)00029-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2022.01.010. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study sought to define the gender-related differences in attitudes, perceptions, and aspirations among trainees interested in interventional radiology (IR) and analyze their experiences in research and mentorship.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted among members of the Society of Interventional Radiology Resident, Fellow and Student section and Medical Student Section in the summer of 2020. The anonymous, internally validated 27-item survey assessed demographics, research attitudes and experiences, mentorship, and career aspirations. Descriptive statistics were calculated using Fischer’s exact analyses and student’s t-tests. The Institutional Review Board approved the protocols for this study.

RESULTS: Of the 105 respondents who indicated their gender, 30% were women and 70% were men. Although both genders reported similar levels of research experience, female trainees were less likely to feel valued and encouraged by their institution to engage in research (2.79 vs. 3.16 out of 4, p=0.02) and were less likely to indicate that their program requires them to participate in research (2.47 vs. 3.06, p=0.01). Female residents and fellows reported more difficulty in finding a mentor (2.88 vs. 3.28, p=0.04) and received less mentorship relating to IR education (29% vs. 64%, p=0.002).

CONCLUSION: This work provides perspective on the obstacles faced by female trainees in pursuing research and finding effective mentorship in the field of interventional radiology. This data may guide future interventions to boost interest and engagement in IR research and residency programs in a way that promotes gender diversity and equity in the field.

PMID:35114399 | DOI:10.1016/j.jvir.2022.01.010

New Phytol. 2022 Feb 3. doi: 10.1111/nph.18014. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Stable isotope abundances convey valuable information about plant physiological processes and underlying environmental controls. Central gaps in our mechanistic understanding of hydrogen isotope abundances impede their widespread application within the plant and biogeosciences. To address these gaps, we analysed intramolecular deuterium abundances in glucose of Pinus nigra extracted from an annually resolved tree-ring series (1961 to 1995). We found fractionation signals (i.e., temporal variability in deuterium abundance) at glucose H¹ and H² introduced by closely related metabolic processes. Regression analysis indicates that these signals (and thus metabolism) respond to drought and atmospheric CO₂ concentration beyond a response change point. They explain ≈60% of the whole-molecule deuterium variability. Altered metabolism is associated with below-average yet not exceptionally low growth. We propose the signals are introduced at the leaf-level by changes in sucrose-to-starch carbon partitioning and anaplerotic carbon flux into the Calvin-Benson cycle. In conclusion, metabolism can be the main driver of hydrogen isotope variation in plant glucose.

PMID:35114006 | DOI:10.1111/nph.18014

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 3;17(2):e0263522. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263522. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Candida-related infections are nowadays a serious Public Health Problem emerging multidrug-resistant strains. Candida biofilm also leads bloodstream infections to invasive systemic infections.

OBJECTIVE: The present meta-analysis aimed to analyze Candida biofilm rate, type, and antifungal resistance among hospitalized patients between 1995 and 2020.

DATA SOURCES: Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases were searched for English papers using the following medical subject heading terms (MESH): “invasive candidiasis”; “bloodstream infections”; “biofilm formation”; “biofilm-related infections”; “mortality”; and “prevalence”.

STUDY SELECTION: The major inclusion criteria included reporting the rate of biofilm formation and the prevalence of biofilm-related to Candida species, including observational studies (more exactly, cohort, retrospective, and case-control studies). Furthermore, data regarding the mortality rate, the geographical location of the study set, and the use of anti-fungal agents in clinical isolates were also extracted from the studies.

DATA EXTRACTION: Independent extraction of articles by 2 authors using predefined data fields, including study quality indicators.

DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 31 studies from publicly available databases met our inclusion criteria. The biofilm formation in the data set varied greatly from 16 to 100% in blood samples. Most of the studies belonged to Europe (17/31) and Asia (9/31). Forest plot showed a pooled rate of biofilm formation of 80.0% (CI: 67-90), with high heterogeneity (Q = 2567.45, I2 = 98.83, τ2 = 0.150) in random effects model (p < 0.001). The funnel plot and Egger’s linear regression test failed to find publication bias (p = 0.896). The mortality rate in Candida-related bloodstream infections was 37.9% of which 70.0% were from biofilm-associated infections. Furthermore, Candida isolates were also characterized in low, intermediate, or high biofilm formers through their level of biofilm mass (crystal violet staining or XTT assays) after a 24h growth. When comparing between countries, statistical differences were obtained (p = 0.0074), showing the lower and higher biofilm prevalence values in Italy and Spain, respectively. The prevalence of low, intermediate, and high biofilms were 36.2, 18.9, and 35.0% (p < 0.0001), respectively. C. tropicalis was the prevalent species in high biofilm formation (67.5%) showing statistically significant differences when compared to other Candida species, except for C. krusei and C. glabrata. Finally, the rates of antifungal resistance to fluconazole, voriconazole, and caspofungin related to biofilm were 70.5, 67.9 and 72.8% (p < 0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Early detection of biofilms and a better characterization of Candida spp. bloodstream infections should be considered, which eventually will help preserve public health resources and ultimately diminish mortality among patients.

PMID:35113972 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0263522

Cureus. 2021 Dec 27;13(12):e20745. doi: 10.7759/cureus.20745. eCollection 2021 Dec.

ABSTRACT

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the Coronavirus DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Blood investigations play a vital role in providing information regarding the inflammatory process. Previous studies have shown that complete blood count parameters have clinical importance in predicting disease outcomes. However, there is a scarcity of literature published from our region in India. Aims The present study was conducted to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and hematological characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 confirmed cases. Material and methods All real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases admitted in our institute over three months, from July to September 2020, were included in the study population. The blood samples of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases were analyzed for complete blood counts and coagulation profile on admission and at the time of discharge (most recent in case of mortality). Results A total of 252 RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases were included in the study. The most common age group affected was 46 to 60 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 2.45:1. The most common clinical symptom was dyspnea, and the commonest comorbidity was hypertension. The statistical analysis showed a significant association of age, absolute neutrophil count (ANC) D-dimer, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelets-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) with intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death. Gender, dyspnea, and absolute eosinophil count (AEC) showed significant association with ICU patients only, while liver disease and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) had a significant association with death. Conclusion There are many notable clinical and hematological manifestations of COVID-19. Age, gender, dyspnea, comorbid liver disease, ANC, ALC AEC, NLR, PLR, and D- dimer may help clinicians predict the disease progression and reduce mortality risk.

PMID:35113977 | PMC:PMC8791078 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.20745

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 3;17(2):e0263471. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263471. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We retrospectively data-mined the case records of Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed COVID-19 patients hospitalized to a tertiary care centre to derive mortality predictors and formulate a risk score, for prioritizing admission.

METHODS AND FINDINGS: Data on clinical manifestations, comorbidities, vital signs, and basic lab investigations collected as part of routine medical management at admission to a COVID-19 tertiary care centre in Chengalpattu, South India between May and November 2020 were retrospectively analysed to ascertain predictors of mortality in the univariate analysis using their relative difference in distribution among ‘survivors’ and ‘non-survivors’. The regression coefficients of those factors remaining significant in the multivariable logistic regression were utilised for risk score formulation and validated in 1000 bootstrap datasets. Among 746 COVID-19 patients hospitalised [487 “survivors” and 259 “non-survivors” (deaths)], there was a slight male predilection [62.5%, (466/746)], with a higher mortality rate observed among 40-70 years age group [59.1%, (441/746)] and highest among diabetic patients with elevated urea levels [65.4% (68/104)]. The adjusted odds ratios of factors [OR (95% CI)] significant in the multivariable logistic regression were SaO2<95%; 2.96 (1.71-5.18), Urea ≥50 mg/dl: 4.51 (2.59-7.97), Neutrophil-lymphocytic ratio (NLR) >3; 3.01 (1.61-5.83), Age ≥50 years;2.52 (1.45-4.43), Pulse Rate ≥100/min: 2.02 (1.19-3.47) and coexisting Diabetes Mellitus; 1.73 (1.02-2.95) with hypertension and gender not retaining their significance. The individual risk scores for SaO2<95-11, Urea ≥50 mg/dl-15, NLR >3-11, Age ≥50 years-9, Pulse Rate ≥100/min-7 and coexisting diabetes mellitus-6, acronymed collectively as ‘OUR-ARDs score’ showed that the sum of scores ≥ 25 predicted mortality with a sensitivity-90%, specificity-64% and AUC of 0.85.

CONCLUSIONS: The ‘OUR ARDs’ risk score, derived from easily assessable factors predicting mortality, offered a tangible solution for prioritizing admission to COVID-19 tertiary care centre, that enhanced patient care but without unduly straining the health system.

PMID:35113971 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0263471

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 3;17(2):e0263528. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263528. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate predictors for success in corneal crosslinking (CXL) for keratoconus in a large cohort and extended follow-up.

DESIGN: A retrospective study based on a prospectively built database.

METHODS: Participants underwent CXL for keratoconus from 2007 to 2018. Statistical analysis was performed for patients with at least 1-year follow-up. We analyzed effects of CXL type (Epithelium-on or Epithelium-off and Accelerated (9mW/cm2@10min) or Standard (3mW/cm2@30min)) and pre-operative factors including age, gender, baseline LogMAR visual acuity (LogMARpre), maximal corneal power (Kmaxpre), pachymetry, refractive and topographic cylinders, spherical equivalent (SEpre), mean corneal power (MeanK) and follow-up time on outcome measures. The outcome measures were the final change of Kmax (Delta Kmax) and the final change in LogMAR visual acuity (Delta LogMAR). A more negative Delta Kmax or Delta LogMAR represents a favorable effect of crosslinking.

RESULTS: 517 eyes had Kmax results, and 385 eyes had LogMAR results with more than one year follow-up. These eyes were included in the study. The mean follow-up time was 2.29 years. Mean Kmax decreased from 54.07±5.99 diopters to 52.84±5.66 diopters (p<0.001), and Mean LogMAR decreased from 0.28±0.20 to 0.25±0.21 (p<0.001). Non-accelerated epithelium-off CXL resulted in greater flattening of Kmax when compared with other protocols. Visual acuity improvement was similar when comparing different CXL protocols. Multivariate analysis showed four factors associated with negative Delta Kmax: high Kmaxpre, high SEpre, high MeanKpre, and non-accelerated procedure. Multivariate analysis showed three factors associated with negative Delta LogMAR: high LogMARpre, high SEpre, and Low MeanKpre. After excluding corneas with Kmaxpre >65 D or Pachymetry<400 microns, multivariate analysis showed that high Kmaxpre, high SEpre, and non-accelerated CXL were associated with negative Delta Kmax while high LogMARpre and high SEpre were associated with negative Delta LogMAR.

CONCLUSION: CXL for keratoconus is a highly effective treatment, as evident by its effects on the outcome measures: Delta Kmax and Delta LogMAR. CXL was more successful in eyes with high Kmaxpre, high SEpre, and high LogMARpre, which express disease severity. The non-accelerated epithelium-off protocol was associated with greater flattening of corneal curvature but did not show a better effect on visual acuity as compared to the other CXL protocols.

PMID:35113959 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0263528