Tag: statistics

Stem Cells Transl Med. 2021 Jul 27. doi: 10.1002/sctm.21-0027. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Muscular dystrophies are genetically determined progressive diseases with no cause-related treatment and limited supportive treatment. Although stem cells cannot resolve the underlying genetic conditions, their wide-ranging therapeutic properties may ameliorate the consequences of the involved mutations (oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, necrosis). In this study, we administered advanced therapy medicinal product containing umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) to 22 patients with muscular dystrophies. Patients received one to five intravenous and/or intrathecal injections per treatment course in up to two courses every 2 months. Four standard doses of 10, 20, 30, or 40 × 10⁶ UC-MSCs per injection were used; the approximate dose per kilogram was 1 × 10⁶ UC-MSCs. Muscle strength was measured with a set of CQ Dynamometer computerized force meters (CQ Elektronik System, Czernica, Poland). Statistical analysis of muscle strength in the whole group showed significant improvement in the right upper limb (+4.0 N); left hip straightening (+4.5 N) and adduction (+0.5 N); right hip straightening (+1.0 N), bending (+7.5 N), and adduction (+2.5 N); right knee straightening (+8.5 N); left shoulder revocation (+13.0 N), straightening (+5.5 N), and bending (+6.5 N); right shoulder adduction (+3.0 N), revocation (+10.5 N), and bending (+5 N); and right elbow straightening (+9.5 N); all these differences were statistically significant. In six patients (27.3%) these changes led to improvement in gait analysis or movement scale result. Only one patient experienced transient headache and lower back pain after the last administration. In conclusion, UC-MSC therapy may be considered as a therapeutic option for these patients.

PMID:34313400 | DOI:10.1002/sctm.21-0027

Microsc Res Tech. 2021 Jul 27. doi: 10.1002/jemt.23880. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Hydroxyapatite (HA) co-doped with La³⁺ and F^– ions were synthesized by the precipitation method and sintered at 1,100°C for 1 hr. Samples were characterized by the standard experimental methods including the density, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to investigate their microstructure, phase formation, and bonding characteristics in detail. Moreover, the materials produced were identified using the microhardness tests. It was observed that in the most of materials, the hydroxyapatite was found to be the main phase with a minor amount of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). Furthermore, the presence of fluoride and small amount of β-TCP was verified with all the characteristic FTIR bands of hydroxyapatite for the majority of samples studied. The result in SEM evaluation is that the produced HA powders have less deformed, uniformly distributed, and regularly shaped particles. Here, the material density has changed towards a less dense state with the increasing rate of La doping, but statistically significant difference was not obtained (p, .1942 > .05) with increase of the F doping. A significant difference was obtained the microhardness values between La³⁺ and F^– ions co-doped HA materials and pure HA (p [.0053] < .05). Accordingly, this study confirmed that since the La³⁺ and F^– ions can potentially increase the efficacy of HA. According to the spectral, mechanical, and microstructure analysis result, this material can be as a good candidate product for use as an occluding material for dental application.

PMID:34313373 | DOI:10.1002/jemt.23880

Neuromodulation. 2021 Jul 27. doi: 10.1111/ner.13500. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of bilateral caudal zona incerta (cZi) deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson’s disease (PD) one year after surgery and to create anatomical improvement maps based on patient-specific simulation of the electric field.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report the one-year results of bilateral cZi-DBS in 15 patients with PD. Patients were evaluated on/off medication and stimulation using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Main outcomes were changes in motor symptoms (UPDRS-III) and quality of life according to Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39). Secondary outcomes included efficacy profile according to sub-items of UPDRS-III, and simulation of the electric field distribution around the DBS lead using the finite element method. Simulations from all patients were transformed to one common magnetic resonance imaging template space for creation of improvement maps and anatomical evaluation.

RESULTS: Median UPDRS-III score off medication improved from 40 at baseline to 21 on stimulation at one-year follow-up (48%, p < 0.0005). PDQ-39 summary index did not change but the subdomains activities of daily living (ADL) and stigma improved (25%, p < 0.03 and 75%, p < 0.01), whereas communication worsened (p < 0.03). For UPDRS-III sub-items, stimulation alone reduced median tremor score by 9 points, akinesia by 3, and rigidity by 2 points at one-year follow-up in comparison to baseline (90%, 25%, and 29% respectively, p < 0.01). Visual analysis of the anatomical improvement maps based on simulated electrical fields showed no evident relation with the degree of symptom improvement and neither did statistical analysis show any significant correlation.

CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral cZi-DBS alleviates motor symptoms, especially tremor, and improves ADL and stigma in PD patients one year after surgery. Improvement maps may be a useful tool for visualizing the spread of the electric field. However, there was no clear-cut relation between anatomical location of the electric field and the degree of symptom relief.

PMID:34313376 | DOI:10.1111/ner.13500

Pediatr Transplant. 2021 Jul 27:e14098. doi: 10.1111/petr.14098. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Anti-human T-lymphocyte immunoglobulin is commonly used as prophylaxis for graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from unrelated donors. The studies according to optimum dose of ATLG especially in pediatric patients are limited.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Outcomes of 99 pediatric patients diagnosed with nonmalignant diseases, who received ATLG as GVHD prophylaxis for matched unrelated donor HSCT at a dose of 10 mg/kg (group 1), 20 mg/kg (group 2), and 30 mg/kg (group 3), were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS: The incidences of acute and chronic GVHD were statistically not different between three groups (p = .20 and p = .13), but we did not observe chronic GVHD in group 3 patients. Cox regression analysis showed that ATLG dose of 10 mg/kg (p = .007) and severe acute GVHD (p = .001) were significant prognostic factors for inferior overall survival. Although ATLG dose of 10 mg/kg is effective in pediatric patients on acute and chronic GVHD prevention, TRM and overall survival were superior in ATLG doses ≥20 mg/kg (p = .04 and p = .037) with no difference between 20 and 30 mg/kg.

CONCLUSION: Although ATLG dose of 10 mg/kg is effective in pediatric patients on acute and chronic GVHD prevention and safe from the point of infection, TRM and OS were superior in ATLG doses ≥20 mg/kg with no difference between 20 and 30 mg/kg. These observations should be supported with other multicenter prospective studies including larger patient population.

PMID:34313359 | DOI:10.1111/petr.14098

Int J Nurs Pract. 2021 Jul 27:e12992. doi: 10.1111/ijn.12992. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a lifestyle training package that consisted of a 60- to 90-min session of group training, educational booklet and text messages on physical activity and nutritional status in obese and overweight pregnant women.

METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 140 obese or overweight women (gestational age: 16-20 weeks) covered by health centres in Tehran, Iran, were equally randomized into two parallel groups using block randomization and stratified by the body mass index. Participants completed the Food Frequency Questionnaire and International Physical Activity Questionnaire at baseline and fourth and eighth weeks after intervention. Participants were 38 obese and 102 overweight women who were later followed-up.

RESULTS: After the intervention, the mean weekly intake of the vegetable and fruit subgroups was significantly higher; and intake of fats and oils and the confections subgroups were significantly lower in the intervention compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Although physical activity was higher in the intervention group, 8 weeks after the intervention, this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The training package appears to offer a suitable strategy for adjusting the intake of the recommended food subgroups in obese and overweight pregnant women.

PMID:34313366 | DOI:10.1111/ijn.12992

Clin Genet. 2021 Jul 27. doi: 10.1111/cge.14038. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

First-degree relatives (FDRs) of familial pancreatic cancer (FPC) patients have increased risk of developing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Investigating and understanding the genetic basis for PDAC susceptibility in FPC predisposed families may contribute towards future risk-assessment and management of high-risk individuals. Using a Danish cohort of 27 FPC families, we performed whole-genome sequencing of 61 FDRs of FPC patients focusing on rare genetic variants that may contribute to familial aggregation of PDAC. Statistical analysis was performed using the gnomAD database as external controls. Through analysis of heterozygous premature truncating variants (PTV), we identified cancer-related genes and cancer-driver genes harboring multiple germline mutations. Association analysis detected 20 significant genes with false discovery rate, q<0.05 including: PALD1, LRP1B, COL4A2, CYLC2, ZFYVE9, BRD3, AHDC1, etc. Functional annotation showed that the significant genes were enriched by gene clusters encoding for extracellular matrix and associated proteins. PTV genes were over-represented by functions related to transport of small molecules, innate immune system, ion channel transport, and stimuli-sensing channels. In conclusion, FDRs of FPC patients carry rare germline variants related to cancer pathogenesis that may contribute to increased susceptibility to PDAC. The identified variants may potentially be useful for risk prediction of high-risk individuals in predisposed families.

PMID:34313325 | DOI:10.1111/cge.14038

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2021 Jul 27. doi: 10.1111/nyas.14673. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We analyze the polar sea ice distribution and the global sea level pressure (SLP) and baroclinicity distributions over the “satellite” period of 1979-2020. In the Arctic, there are statistically significant sea ice extent (SIE) decreases in all calendar months, and the annual mean has lost 2.22 million km² over the four decades. The Antarctic SIE, in marked contrast, increased up to 2014, then commenced a remarkable retreat (the annual mean ice extent decreased by 2.03 million km² in the 3 years to 2017), and subsequently increased to near its long-term average value in 2020. The shifts in seasonal-mean SLP patterns are consistent with a warming planet. At the synoptic scale, we diagnose the changes in the baroclinicity, the mechanism by which cyclones, fronts, and other weather systems are generated. Through a novel presentation, we give an overview of the relative roles of changes in the vertical shear and static stability in influencing the global trends in baroclinicity. In both the Arctic and Antarctic regions, baroclinicity is shown to have increased in each season (with the sole exception of the Arctic in summer). This increase, coupled with midlatitude decreases in baroclinicity, results in poleward shifts of the storm tracks.

PMID:34313329 | DOI:10.1111/nyas.14673

J Clin Lab Anal. 2021 Jul 27:e23925. doi: 10.1002/jcla.23925. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship of Apolipoprotein E (APOE) and solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B1 (SLCO1B1) gene polymorphisms with coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODS: 1,129 CAD patients and 1,014 non-CAD controls were included in the study, and relevant information and medical records were collected. The single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analyzed, including rs429358, rs7412 in APOE gene and rs2306283, rs4149056 in SLCO1B1 gene.

RESULTS: The CAD patients’ average age was 66.3 ± 10.7 years, while 65.5 ± 12.0 years in controls. The frequencies of APOE allele ɛ3, ɛ4, and ɛ2 were 83.01%, 10.08%, and 6.91% respectively. There were statistically significant differences in genotype ɛ3/ɛ4 (χ² = 8.077, p = 0.005) in CAD patients compared with the controls. The SLCO1B1 genotype *1b/*1b and haplotype *1b showed the highest frequency in the study sample. Moreover, ε4 carriers had significantly lower HDL-C, Apo-A1 levels than ε3 carriers among CAD patients, while ε2 carriers showed lower LDL-C, Apo-B level, and higher Apo-A1/Apo-B level than ε3 and ε4 carriers. In controls, ε2 carriers showed lower LDL-C and Apo-B level, higher Apo-A1, and Apo-A1/Apo-B level than ε4 carriers. Logistic regression analysis showed that high LDL-C and Apo-B level, low HDL-C level, smoking, and the ε4 allele were risks for the presence of CAD.

CONCLUSIONS: APOE ε4 allele may be associated with susceptibility to CAD in southern Chinese Hakka population. It indicated that the APOE SNPs rs429358 and rs7412 are associated with CAD, but not SNPs rs2306283 and rs4149056 of SLCO1B1 gene.

PMID:34313350 | DOI:10.1002/jcla.23925

Int Health. 2021 Jul 27:ihab042. doi: 10.1093/inthealth/ihab042. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Radiographers have used social media networks for education, research, professional development and other purposes. However, in Saudi Arabia, there are no studies on the use of social media by radiographers. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the use of social media for the improvement of radiation safety knowledge among Saudi Arabian radiographers.

METHODS: A questionnaire was designed to collect the data from Saudi Arabian radiographers. The questionnaire was created using Google Forms and was sent to 530 radiographers using WhatsApp. In total, 159 participants completed and returned the questionnaire through WhatsApp. The response rate was 30%. Basic descriptive statistics were employed to analyse the data.

RESULTS: Most of the participants (79.9%) thought that social media could be used as a tool for the improvement of radiation safety knowledge. Also, almost half of participants (49.7%) employed social media when they needed to obtain information about radiation protection. Similarly, a majority of respondents (69.2%) used social media when they required information related to radiation safety. In addition, 81.7% of participants observed on video the existing information on radiation safety. Also, 71.7% of them were disposed to expand the use of social media to obtain information for radiation protection in their professional activities.

CONCLUSION: The results indicate that social media can help to improve radiation safety knowledge among Saudi Arabian radiographers. Consequently, participants were willing to increase the use of these tools in their professional work.

PMID:34313321 | DOI:10.1093/inthealth/ihab042

Diagn Interv Radiol. 2021 Jul;27(4):580-586. doi: 10.5152/dir.2021.20438.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We aimed to retrospectively correlate 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) metabolic activity with lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and epidural steroid injection sites in patients with symptomatic degenerative disease of the lumbar spine.

METHODS: A database search was conducted for patients receiving epidural injections <12 months after a positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Maximum standard uptake values (SUVmax) were measured at the facet joints, neural foramina, and spinal canal. Severity of facet arthrosis, disc degeneration, neuroforaminal, and canal stenosis was determined on MRI using previously described grading scales. Spearman rank coefficient assessed association between PET/CT FDG uptake and severity of MRI findings. The SUVmax was also compared with injection sites.

RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were included, comprising MRI (n=19) and injection (n=22 patients; 18 interlaminar, 8 transforaminal) groups. Injections were performed an average of 2.6 months after PET/CT. The greatest SUVmax occurred at the L5-S1 spinal canal (mean SUVmax = 2.25). A statistically significant, positive correlation between uptake and grade of spinal canal stenosis was seen only at L4-L5 (r=0.60, p = 0.007). No other significant association was found with spinal canal or neuroforaminal stenosis, or grade of facet joint or disc degeneration. All patients reported symptomatic improvement after injections with mean pain score improvement of 4.4 on a 10-point scale (SD, 2.9). There was moderate agreement between sites of epidural injection and highest SUVmax (κ= 0.591, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: 18F-FDG metabolic activity on PET/CT corresponds with MRI findings about the lumbar spinal column, but there is no significant correlation between severity of MRI findings and radiotracer uptake. Given the moderate agreement between metabolic activity and levels of symptomatic spinal stenosis, further studies are warranted to fully evaluate the diagnostic potential of FDG PET/CT as a surrogate for guiding epidural injections.

PMID:34313246 | DOI:10.5152/dir.2021.20438