Tag: statistics

J Sport Rehabil. 2021 Jul 24:1-6. doi: 10.1123/jsr.2020-0549. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Knowledge on how to utilize a kinetic chain approach in foot and ankle rehabilitation is important.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of hip-focused neuromuscular exercise on foot pronation and single-leg neuromuscular control.

DESIGN: Cross-over study.

SETTING: University laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS: This cross-over study included 44 asymptomatic volunteers with foot pronation.

INTERVENTIONS: All participants performed (1) a hip-focused neuromuscular exercise and (2) a sham exercise in randomized order.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Foot pronation was assessed by the navicular drop test, and lower-extremity neuromuscular control was assessed by the Modified Star Excursion Balance Test and frontal plane projection angle during single-leg squat before and after the experiments.

RESULTS: Navicular drop test scores were significantly lower after the hip-focused neuromuscular exercise than after the sham exercise (mean difference [95% CI] = 2.84 [-1.08 to 6.77], P = .003). Modified Star Excursion Balance Test scores in the anterior (P = .008), posteromedial (P = .04), and posterolateral (P < .001) directions were significantly increased after hip-focused neuromuscular exercise. No statistically significant condition × time interaction was found for the frontal plane projection angle (P > .05). However, a main effect of time (P = .003) indicated that less dynamic knee valgus occurred during single-leg squat after both experiments.

CONCLUSIONS: Hip-focused neuromuscular exercise produced immediate alterations in foot pronation and dynamic balance. Thus, the hip-focused neuromuscular exercise may be used to control foot posture in foot rehabilitation integrated with a kinetic chain approach and could be an effective prevention and treatment strategy.

PMID:34303314 | DOI:10.1123/jsr.2020-0549

Eur J Dent. 2021 Jul 24. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1731591. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of reuterin produced by a novel probiotic strain of Lactobacillus reuteri against periodontal biofilms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: L. reuteri LC382415 (an indigenous Indonesian strain) was cultured in Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) agar in anaerobic conditions for 24 hours. To isolate reuterin, L. reuteri was suspended in 300-mM glycerol in MRS broth and incubated under anaerobic conditions for 3 hours, and the supernatant fraction was filtered. The presence of reuterin was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and its concentration was determined. The effect of reuterin on Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 and T. denticola ATCC 35405 biofilms was evaluated using biofilm assays. Biofilms were formed by incubating bacteria in 96-well microplates for 48 hours. A dose-dependent experiment was performed with reuterin concentrations of 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 μg/mL on biofilms. The inhibitory effect was measured at 1, 3, 6, and 24 hours. The biofilm masses were measured at 490 nm. Statistical analysis was using one-way ANOVA.

RESULTS: The SDS-PAGE assay confirmed the presence of reuterin (52 kDa) in the culture supernatant of the L. reuteri strain. Reuterin in a concentration as low as 12.5 μg/mL significantly inhibited single- and mixed-species biofilms (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate the promising effect of reuterin isolated from L. reuteri LC382415 against periodontal bacteria. Further studies are warranted to explore the mechanism of this active component.

PMID:34303315 | DOI:10.1055/s-0041-1731591

Soc Sci Med. 2021 Jul 12;284:114226. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114226. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Social determinants of health, including neighborhood factors, play a key role in the health of diverse older adults. However, few longitudinal studies have examined the role of neighborhood racial/ethnic segregation on cognitive decline in diverse samples. We examined older non-Hispanic White (NHW), Black, and Latino participants evaluated at an Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Neighborhood racial/ethnic segregation was measured using the Getis-Ord G_i* statistic, a spatial measure of clustering that was created for Latino and Black clustering separately. Cognitive outcomes included episodic memory, semantic memory, and executive function. We used mixed effects multivariable regression models to evaluate associations between segregation and cognitive function and decline. We had 452 individuals: 46% NHW, 26% Black, and 21% Latino in 309 census tracts with an average of 5.2 years of follow-up data (range 0.6-15.0). In analyses that adjusted for a variety of covariates (including neighborhood SES), individuals in neighborhoods with a higher clustering of Latino residents (higher Gi* statistic) had slower declines over time on semantic memory and those in neighborhoods with a higher clustering of Black residents had slower declines over time on episodic memory. In race/ethnicity-stratified adjusted analyses: for Black participants, the association between clustering and cognition was present for episodic memory and executive function, showing lower baseline scores in highly clustered Black and Latino neighborhoods, respectively. There was no association with cognitive change. Among Latino participants, highly clustered Latino neighborhoods were associated with lower baseline scores in semantic memory, but slower declines in episodic memory; Latinos living in neighborhoods with a greater clustering of Black residents also had slower declines in episodic memory. Among NHWs, residing in neighborhoods with a higher clustering of Latino residents was associated with slower declines over time on semantic memory. Segregated neighborhoods may be differentially associated with cognitive outcomes depending on individual race/ethnicity.

PMID:34303293 | DOI:10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114226

Comp Biochem Physiol Part D Genomics Proteomics. 2021 Jul 16;40:100884. doi: 10.1016/j.cbd.2021.100884. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Associations between behaviors and the development of different life history tactics have been documented in several species of salmon, trout, and charr. While it is well known that such behaviors are heritable the genes and molecular pathways connected to these behaviors remain unknown. We used an RNA-seq approach to identify genes and molecular pathways differentially regulated in brain tissue between “shy” and “bold” brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). A small number of genes were differentially expressed between the behavioral types at several months after hatching and two years of age. Pathway analysis revealed that EIF2 signaling differed consistently between shy and bold individuals suggesting large-scale differences in protein synthesis between behavioral types in the brain. Additionally, the RNA-seq data were used to find polymorphisms within the brook trout genome and a GWAS approach was used to test for statistical associations between genetic variants and behavior type. One allele located in a transcription factor (TSHZ3) contained a protein-coding non-synonymous SNP suggesting that functional variation within TSHZ3 is connected to the development of different behaviors. These results suggest that the molecular basis of behavioral development is complex and due to the differential expression of many genes involved in a wide-range of different molecular pathways.

PMID:34303261 | DOI:10.1016/j.cbd.2021.100884

Res Dev Disabil. 2021 Jul 21;116:104041. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2021.104041. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social interaction, restricted and repetitive behaviour, interests or activities. Difficulties in a broad spectrum of cognitive skills is often present, including attentional processes and nonverbal intelligence, which might be related to academic difficulties.

AIMS: In this study, the association between attentional skills and nonverbal intelligence to school performance of children with ASD was assessed.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES: 32 children/adolescents between 8-14 years old, who attended a treatment unit linked to the public health system of São Paulo-Brazil participated in the study. The following instruments were utilized: Cancellation Attention Test; Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices; and School Performance Test.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: After correlation analysis, statistically significant associations were found between attention and nonverbal intelligence with school performance. Regression analysis showed that attention drives school performance irrespective of nonverbal intelligence.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Results evidence the link between attention and school performance in ASD, suggesting that attentional mechanisms may be a promising route to follow in the design of interventions for school improvement of children and adolescents with ASD.

PMID:34303277 | DOI:10.1016/j.ridd.2021.104041

Am J Otolaryngol. 2021 Jun 27;42(6):103151. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2021.103151. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) in the treatment of tinnitus.

MATERIALS AND METHOD: Computer retrieval of PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI), Wanfang data, etc., were conducted. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the literature’s quality was evaluated, and useful data was extracted. All statistical analyses were performed by RevMan5.3 software.

RESULTS: 13 eligible RCTs with a total of 1345 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis results showed that the 1-month response rate, 3-month response rate, 6-month response rate, and overall response rate of TRT with drugs for tinnitus were higher than that of drugs only (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that the THI scale after the treatment period of TRT with medications for tinnitus was lower than that of drugs only (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of limited studies low-quality evidence with a high risk of bias showed that the TRT was an effective treatment for tinnitus, which could improve the response rate of tinnitus and reduce the THI scale. However, more multicenter RCTs with a large sample number and high quality should verify the conclusion mentioned above.

PMID:34303210 | DOI:10.1016/j.amjoto.2021.103151

Sci Total Environ. 2021 Jul 17;797:149070. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149070. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The effectiveness of drinking water treatment is critical to achieve an optimal and safe drinking water. Disinfection is one of the most important steps to eliminate the health concern caused by the microbial population in this type of water. However, no study has evaluated the changes in its microbiome, specially the eukaryotic microbiome, and the fates of opportunistic pathogens generated by UV disinfection with medium-pressure mercury lamps in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). In this work, the eukaryotic community composition of a DWTP with UV disinfection was evaluated before and after a UV disinfection treatment by means of Illumina 18S rRNA amplicon-based sequencing. Among the physicochemical parameters analysed, flow and nitrate appeared to be related with the changes in the eukaryotic microbiome shape. Public health concern eukaryotic organisms such as Blastocystis, Entamoeba, Acanthamoeba, Hartmannella, Naegleria, Microsporidium or Caenorhabditis were identified. Additionally, the relation between the occurrence of some human bacterial pathogens and the presence of some eukaryotic organisms has been studied. The presence of some human bacterial pathogens such as Arcobacter, Mycobacterium, Pseudomonas and Parachlamydia were statistically correlated with the presence of some eukaryotic carriers showing the public health risk due to the bacterial pathogens they could shelter.

PMID:34303230 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149070

Sci Total Environ. 2021 Jul 9;797:148937. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148937. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In this study, the abundance and the distribution of small microplastics (<100 μm, SMPs) and of other components of micro-litter (i.e., additives, plasticizers, natural and non-plastic synthetic fibers, APFs) were investigated in sediments and seawater of three different sites of a transitional environment; different anthropogenic impacts and environmental features characterize these three sites. The pretreatment method developed (oleo-extraction and purification procedures) allowed the collection of particles (SMPs and APFs) in a wide range of densities, e.g., from low-density plastics to high-density plastics, avoiding further degradation/denaturation of polymers. An analytical method for quantification and simultaneous identification of SMPs and APFs via Micro-FTIR was developed. Higher abundances of SMPs were observed in sediments compared to the abundance observed in seawater. SMPs were not the major component of the micro-litter. With natural fibers and non-plastic fibers, additives and plasticizers were quantified and identified in sediments and seawater. These latter are employed to obtain specific characteristics of polymers; hence their presence can be a good proxy of these polymers’ presence in the environment. Sources and pathways may influence the abundance and distribution of SMPs and APFs. Differences in abundance and distribution of these pollutants in sediments and seawater of the three sites investigated were statistically significant.

PMID:34303248 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148937

J Environ Manage. 2021 Jul 21;297:113308. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113308. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Shifting baseline syndrome (SBS) describes changing perceptions of biological conditions due to a loss of historical knowledge. Perceptions of ‘normal’ environmental conditions are continually updated, leading to underestimation of the true magnitude of long-term ecological change and potential setting of unambitious management targets. There has been speculation as to the presence and impacts of SBS within conservation management since Daniel Pauly’s seminal paper in 1995, which outlined the potential effects of SBS on target-setting in fisheries management. Previous case studies have suggested that SBS may not occur in management, despite empirical evidence of SBS in other systems. In this study, 44 professionals and volunteers involved in bird species management, monitoring and target-setting across England were interviewed. Interviews asked for personal perceptions of current, maximum and target abundance, long-term trends, and perceived conservation priority for six bird species. Using paired tests, this study found no significant effect of experience on perceptions of current, maximum or target abundance of all species, despite differences in national abundance and trends, and differences in participant experience. Further power analysis indicated that even if SBS was statistically detectible with a larger sample, the practical implications of the syndrome would be minimal due to small effect sizes. Finally, the effect of experience on individual perceptions of species conservation priority varied between species, with generational amnesia in the form of ‘lifting baselines’ suggested for only one of the six species. This study suggests that shifting baseline syndrome may not be as significant a threat in conservation management as first thought.

PMID:34303198 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113308

Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2021 Jul 17;89:151-154. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2021.07.018. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Accumulation of polyglutamine (polyQ) ataxin-3 (ATXN3) contributes to the pathobiology of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3). Recently, we showed that polyQ ATXN3 is elevated in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of SCA3 patients, and has the potential to serve as a biological marker for this disease [1]. Based on these findings, we investigated whether polyQ ATXN3 can also be detected in urine samples from SCA3 patients.

METHODS: We analyzed urine samples from 30 SCA3 subjects (including one pre-symptomatic subject), 35 subjects with other forms of ataxia, and 37 healthy controls. To quantify polyQ ATXN3 protein levels, we used our previously developed immunoassay.

RESULTS: PolyQ ATXN3 can be detected in the urine of SCA3 patients, but not in urine samples from healthy controls or other forms of ataxia. There was a significant statistical association between polyQ ATXN3 levels in urine samples and those in plasma. Further, the levels of polyQ ATXN3 urine associated with an earlier age of SCA3 disease onset.

CONCLUSION: As clinical trials for SCA3 advance, urine polyQ ATXN3 protein has potential to be a useful, non-invasive and inexpensive biomarker for SCA3.

PMID:34303201 | DOI:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2021.07.018