Tag: statistics

J Indian Prosthodont Soc. 2021 Jan-Mar;21(1):66-73. doi: 10.4103/jips.jips_303_20.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate anxiety in patients undergoing complete denture treatment.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The most overlooked factor during complete denture treatment is the patient’s anxiety regarding the treatment. The awareness amongst dentists regarding such anxiety and its effects on the complete denture treatment is important to form a proper communication channel through which measures to ease this anxiety can be formulated and implemented.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A valid pre-structured questionnaire of 10 questions was presented to the patients desirous of receiving complete dentures after obtaining an informed consent. The questionnaire for the survey was filled and collected from 500 patients receiving complete denture treatment.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: Reasons inducing anxiety included: materials used – 359 (71.8%), sight of instruments – 71 (14.2%), dental chair – 66 (13.2%), airotor – 4 (0.8%), denture breakage – 225 (45.0%), ill-fitting prostheses – 153 (30.6%), repeated removal and insertion of dentures 104 (20.8%), swallowing the denture 19 (3.8%). Factors aggravating anxiety included: gagging while impression making – 298 (59.6%), mouth fullness – 122 (24.4%), swallowing the impression material – 61 (12.2%), breathlessness – 20 (4%). 422 (84.4%) patients indicated comfort with the procedure being explained beforehand, 429 (85.8%) patients indicating more so in a language understood by them.

CONCLUSION: There is a greater need that the patient’s expectations be understood and their doubts, concerns and fears be lessened by proper communication. Proper understanding of patient’s mental attitude will help us improve the approach of dentists towards complete denture treatment in a more patient friendly way.

PMID:33835070 | DOI:10.4103/jips.jips_303_20

J Indian Prosthodont Soc. 2021 Jan-Mar;21(1):28-44. doi: 10.4103/jips.jips_400_20.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The purpose of systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy of short implant versus conventional long implant with sinus graft in patients rehabilitated for posterior atrophic maxilla.

SETTING AND DESIGN: Systematic review and meta analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic searches were conducted in Pub Med, Embase, and Medline with supplemented by manual search up to December 2019. The randomized controlled trial (RCTs) comparing short implant (<8.5 mm) and long implant (>8.5 mm) with sinus graft were included. (Prospero CRD42020186972).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Random-effect model, fixed-effect model, A funnel plot and the Egger’s test.

RESULTS: Twenty-two Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were assessed with 667 patients and 1595 implants (short implant:767, Long implant:835). No significant difference of implant survival rate was recorded for short and long implant (at patient level: RR: 1.01, 95% CI = 0.52-2.0, P = 0.87, I² = 0%, at implant level RR = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.6-2.0, P = 0.7, I² = 0%). Similarly marginal bone resorption was reported no difference for short and long implant (MD = 0.16. 95% CI: -0.23 = -0.08, P = 0.00, I2 = 74.83%). Biological complications were marginally higher for long implant (RR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.23-0.8, P = 0.13, I² = 29.11%). and prosthetic complications were marginally higher for short implants (RR=1.56, 95% CI=0.85-3.15, P = 0.43, I² = 0%).

CONCLUSION: There was no significance difference in implant survival rate and marginal bone resorption recorded for both the short implant and long implant with sinus graft, in the patients rehabilitated with posterior atrophic maxilla. Hence, short implant is a suitable alternative to long implant with sinus graft, for the rehabilitation posterior atrophic maxilla.

PMID:33835066 | DOI:10.4103/jips.jips_400_20

Sci Rep. 2021 Apr 8;11(1):7769. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-87064-7.

ABSTRACT

Automated machine learning approaches to skin lesion diagnosis from images are approaching dermatologist-level performance. However, current machine learning approaches that suggest management decisions rely on predicting the underlying skin condition to infer a management decision without considering the variability of management decisions that may exist within a single condition. We present the first work to explore image-based prediction of clinical management decisions directly without explicitly predicting the diagnosis. In particular, we use clinical and dermoscopic images of skin lesions along with patient metadata from the Interactive Atlas of Dermoscopy dataset (1011 cases; 20 disease labels; 3 management decisions) and demonstrate that predicting management labels directly is more accurate than predicting the diagnosis and then inferring the management decision ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] improvement in overall accuracy and AUROC respectively), statistically significant at [Formula: see text]. Directly predicting management decisions also considerably reduces the over-excision rate as compared to management decisions inferred from diagnosis predictions (24.56% fewer cases wrongly predicted to be excised). Furthermore, we show that training a model to also simultaneously predict the seven-point criteria and the diagnosis of skin lesions yields an even higher accuracy (improvements of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in overall accuracy and AUROC respectively) of management predictions. Finally, we demonstrate our model’s generalizability by evaluating on the publicly available MClass-D dataset and show that our model agrees with the clinical management recommendations of 157 dermatologists as much as they agree amongst each other.

PMID:33833293 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-87064-7

Nat Commun. 2021 Apr 8;12(1):2106. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-22241-w.

ABSTRACT

Data availability and temporal resolution make it challenging to unravel the anatomy (duration and temporal phasing) of the Last Glacial abrupt climate changes. Here, we address these limitations by investigating the anatomy of abrupt changes using sub-decadal-scale records from Greenland ice cores. We highlight the absence of a systematic pattern in the anatomy of abrupt changes as recorded in different ice parameters. This diversity in the sequence of changes seen in ice-core data is also observed in climate parameters derived from numerical simulations which exhibit self-sustained abrupt variability arising from internal atmosphere-ice-ocean interactions. Our analysis of two ice cores shows that the diversity of abrupt warming transitions represents variability inherent to the climate system and not archive-specific noise. Our results hint that during these abrupt events, it may not be possible to infer statistically-robust leads and lags between the different components of the climate system because of their tight coupling.

PMID:33833238 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-021-22241-w

Sci Rep. 2021 Apr 8;11(1):7806. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-86937-1.

ABSTRACT

In this study, statistical analysis and spatial distribution were performed to compare raw data and centred log-ratio (clr) transformed data of three copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) potentially toxic elements (PTEs) concentration for 550 surface soil samples in Khuzestan plain. The results of both approaches showed that classical univariate analysis and compositional data analysis are essential to find the real structure of data and clarify its different aspects. Results also indicated that spatial distributions of raw data and clr-transformed data were completely different in three studied metals. Raw data necessarily shows the effects of anthropogenic activities and needs an additional evaluation of human health risk assessment for these three studied elements. Data obtained from clr-coefficient maps also demonstrated the role of geological processes in the distribution pattern of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). To improve the understanding of the implications for PTE pollution and consequences for human health, a RGB colour composite map was produce to identify the potential origin of PTEs from areas with higher than typical baseline concentrations.

PMID:33833253 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-86937-1

Sci Rep. 2021 Apr 8;11(1):7783. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-87087-0.

ABSTRACT

Self-assembling processes are ubiquitous phenomena that drive the organization and the hierarchical formation of complex molecular systems. The investigation of assembling dynamics, emerging from the interactions among biomolecules like amino-acids and polypeptides, is fundamental to determine how a mixture of simple objects can yield a complex structure at the nano-scale level. In this paper we present HyperBeta, a novel open-source software that exploits an innovative algorithm based on hyper-graphs to efficiently identify and graphically represent the dynamics of [Formula: see text]-sheets formation. Differently from the existing tools, HyperBeta directly manipulates data generated by means of coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation tools (GROMACS), performed using the MARTINI force field. Coarse-grained molecular structures are visualized using HyperBeta ‘s proprietary real-time high-quality 3D engine, which provides a plethora of analysis tools and statistical information, controlled by means of an intuitive event-based graphical user interface. The high-quality renderer relies on a variety of visual cues to improve the readability and interpretability of distance and depth relationships between peptides. We show that HyperBeta is able to track the [Formula: see text]-sheets formation in coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, and provides a completely new and efficient mean for the investigation of the kinetics of these nano-structures. HyperBeta will therefore facilitate biotechnological and medical research where these structural elements play a crucial role, such as the development of novel high-performance biomaterials in tissue engineering, or a better comprehension of the molecular mechanisms at the basis of complex pathologies like Alzheimer’s disease.

PMID:33833280 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-87087-0

Ann Plast Surg. 2021 Mar 18. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000002859. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic. As a response, the United States shut down public gatherings and businesses in an effort to quarantine. This included the stopping of elective operations, which greatly affected plastic surgeons and their practices during the initial shutdown.

OBJECTIVES: We aim to study the early impact of COVID-19 on the financial implications and practice patterns of plastic surgeons in the state of California during the initial shutdown of elective surgery and provide guidelines for effective management during future crises.

METHODS: A 20-question survey was sent using Qualtrics XM software to 851 surgeon members of the California Society of Plastic Surgeons. The survey was open from May 13, 2020, to May 29, 2020. Standard statistical analysis was completed to compare private practice and nonprivate practice plastic surgeons.

RESULTS: We had a total of 140 respondents to our survey for a 16.5% response rate. The majority (77.1%) of the respondents were in a private practice setting. Private practice plastic surgeons reported a higher financial impact with a 79% reduction in financial income compared with nonprivate practice plastic surgeons at a 37% reduction (P < 0.0001). Additionally, private practice plastic surgeons demonstrated a higher reduction in case volume and were more likely to lay off or furlough staff, close their practice, and apply for loans (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Our survey study showed that private practice plastic surgeons in the state of California faced the most financial hardship during the early shutdown of the COVID-19 pandemic. It serves as a valuable snapshot in our economic history and depicts the heavy financial impact of the stopping of elective surgery. Since the reopening of practices, new guidelines have been implemented to maintain safe elective surgery while the pandemic continues. Further follow-up studies on both the state and national level need to be completed to see the continued financial effects on private and nonprivate plastic surgery practices since the reopening and resumption of elective surgery.

PMID:33833188 | DOI:10.1097/SAP.0000000000002859

Transl Psychiatry. 2021 Apr 8;11(1):210. doi: 10.1038/s41398-021-01325-7.

ABSTRACT

Observational studies have suggested bidirectional associations between psychiatric disorders and COVID-19 phenotypes, but results of such studies are inconsistent. Mendelian Randomization (MR) may overcome the limitations of observational studies, e.g., unmeasured confounding and uncertainties about cause and effect. We aimed to elucidate associations between neuropsychiatric disorders and COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. To that end, we applied a two-sample, bidirectional, univariable, and multivariable MR design to genetic data from genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of neuropsychiatric disorders and COVID-19 phenotypes (released in January 2021). In single-variable Generalized Summary MR analysis, the most significant and only Bonferroni-corrected significant result was found for genetic liability to BIP-SCZ (a combined GWAS of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia as cases vs. controls) increasing risk of COVID-19 (OR = 1.17, 95% CI, 1.06-1.28). However, we found a significant, positive genetic correlation between BIP-SCZ and COVID-19 of 0.295 and could not confirm causal or horizontally pleiotropic effects using another method. No genetic liabilities to COVID-19 phenotypes increased the risk of (neuro)psychiatric disorders. In multivariable MR using both neuropsychiatric and a range of other phenotypes, only genetic instruments of BMI remained causally associated with COVID-19. All sensitivity analyses confirmed the results. In conclusion, while genetic liability to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia combined slightly increased COVID-19 susceptibility in one univariable analysis, other MR and multivariable analyses could only confirm genetic underpinnings of BMI to be causally implicated in COVID-19 susceptibility. Thus, using MR we found no consistent proof of genetic liabilities to (neuro)psychiatric disorders contributing to COVID-19 liability or vice versa, which is in line with at least two observational studies. Previously reported positive associations between psychiatric disorders and COVID-19 by others may have resulted from statistical models incompletely capturing BMI as a continuous covariate.

PMID:33833219 | DOI:10.1038/s41398-021-01325-7

Ann Plast Surg. 2021 Mar 24. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000002760. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Breast reconstruction in the prepectoral plane has recently fallen into favor. Minimizing the number of revisionary procedures after reconstruction is an important factor in improving patient care, but long-term studies on the effects of prepectoral reconstruction are limited. In this study, we compare the revision rates after delayed-immediate, autologous reconstruction between prepectoral and subpectoral reconstructions.

METHODS: Postoperative charts for all patients undergoing subpectoral or prepectoral delayed-immediate autologous breast reconstruction were retrospectively reviewed at our single tertiary-care institution between 2009 and 2018. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and oncologic history were recorded. Charts after second stage reconstruction were reviewed for up to eighteen months to determine if revisions were necessary. Data collected included the total number of surgeries performed, the average number of procedures performed during each surgery, and the type of revision that was performed. Statistical tests included the chi squared test, unpaired t-test, and logistic regressions.

RESULTS: Data from 89 patients with 125 breast reconstructions were collected. There was a 41.6% of these that were prepectoral reconstructions (P), and 58.4% were subpectoral reconstructions (S). For both groups, nipple sparing, followed by skin sparing mastectomies were most common. Mastectomy rates were not statistically different. Fewer breasts in the prepectoral cohort required any revisions (P, 21.2% vs S, 47.9%; P = 0.002). The subpectoral cohort had higher rates of soft tissue rearrangement (P, 7.7% vs S, 21.9%, P = 0.032), fat grafting (P, 9.6% vs S, 27.4%; P = 0.014), and nipple reconstruction (P: 5.8% vs 20.5%, P = 0.020). Mean follow-up time was not significantly different between patient groups (P, 290.5 days vs S, 375.0 days, P = 0.142). Subpectoral expander placement was found to be the only variable independently predictive of requiring 1 or more revision (P = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS: Breast reconstruction performed in the prepectoral plane is associated with lower overall rates of revisionary surgery. Rates of soft tissue rearrangement, fat grafting, and nipple reconstruction after autologous reconstruction trended higher in subpectoral reconstructions.

PMID:33833169 | DOI:10.1097/SAP.0000000000002760

Ann Plast Surg. 2021 Mar 18. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000002800. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Intraoperative laser angiography via indocyanine green (ICG) has become a valuable tool in objectively assessing tissue perfusion in reconstructive procedures. Studies have demonstrated the utility of ICG angiography (ICGA) for decreasing both mastectomy skin flap necrosis and wound healing complications in abdominal wall reconstruction. This tool has not been studied in lower extremity oncologic reconstruction. The objective of this study was to compare postoperative complications in lower extremity oncologic reconstruction managed with or without laser-assisted ICGA.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of patients undergoing complex lower extremity oncologic reconstruction at a single institution between 2000 and 2018. Patient information regarding demographics, comorbidities, operative procedures, and postoperative complications was analyzed.

RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were identified in our study. As some patients underwent multiple reconstructive surgeries, a total of 76 reconstructive procedures were analyzed. Patients with plastic surgery reconstruction using ICGA (n = 36) were compared with those without, non-ICGA (n = 40). No significant differences in age, sex, smoking status, chemotherapy, or radiation history were identified between cohorts. The total number of postoperative complications did not statistically differ between cohorts. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of required reoperation because of a postoperative complication between the ICGA and non-ICGA groups (0.44 vs 0.4).

CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of postoperative wound complications after complex lower extremity oncologic reconstruction remains high. The findings of our study suggest that clinical judgment of flap and soft tissue viability, as compared with ICGA, may lead to comparable operative outcomes and be more cost-effective. Long-term follow-up and prospective studies are needed to further investigate this trend.

PMID:33833180 | DOI:10.1097/SAP.0000000000002800