Pharmaceutical information as an aspect of shaping patient behavior when choosing a pharmacy organization and self-medication

This paper proposes, develops and presents a method that may be used to adjust and correct sample estimates of the usual spearman rank correlation coefficient for the possible presence of tied observation in the sampled populations. Without these adjustments the sums of squares of ranks in the denominator of the usual expression for the estimation of spearman rank correlation coefficients are often over estimated if there are ties in the populations and no effort is made to correct and adjust for them especially if these ties are not few, resulting in inefficient, unreliable and often misleading estimates. The proposed method is shows to be easily modified and applied to estimate ties adjusted spearman partial rank correlation coefficient between any two populations holding observations from a third population at constant levels with all the populations adjusted for the possible presence of tied observations. The usual statistical tests for significance are also easily modified using the ties adjusted rank correlation coefficients in place of the unadjusted and usual rank correlation coefficients. The proposed method is illustrated with some sample data and shows to produce more efficient estimates than the usual ties unadjusted uncorrected spearman rank correlation coefficients.

The purpose of this study was to compare Tanita tetrapolar foot‐to‐foot bioelectrical impedance analysis (Model TBF‐310, Tanita Corporation of America, Arlington Heights, IL; Tanita‐BIA) and fan beam dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (Hologic Discovery A v12.6, Waltham, MA; DXA). Seventy Hispanic diabetic participants (23 male, 47 female; mean age: 53.03 ± 10.32 yrs; mean weight: 81.45 ± 17.65 kg; and mean body mass index: 31.40 ± 6.80 kg/m^2) participated in a three‐month diabetes education follow‐up study. Fat mass (FM), percent fat mass (%FM), and fat free mass (FFM) were compared using both relative and absolute measures of agreement. Relative measures included Pearson's and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients while absolute agreement was assessed using Bland‐Altman analyses and concordance correlation with 95% confidence intervals calculated using a bootstrap resampling of the data. Pearson's (FM: 0.96, %FM: 0.91, and FFM: 0.82), and Spearman's rank (FM: 0.94, %FM: 0.91, and FFM: 0.92) correlation coefficients showed high measures of association. Bland‐Altman and concordance analyses also demonstrated good agreement [FM: 0.93 (95% CI: 0.89, 0.96)], [%FM: 0.86 (95% CI: 0.79, 0.90)], and [FFM: 0.93 (95% CI: 0.89, 0.96)]. Tanita‐BIA may provide valid measures of FM, %FM and FFM in Hispanic diabetics, and could be a convenient and practical approach for assessment in community‐based research. This study was supported in part by grants 03‐00335 from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and 5P20MD001632 from the National Institutes of Health.

This study aims to compare the diagnostic reliability of ICDAS-II visual criteria, light-induced fluorescence (using the VistaCam iX, Dürr Dental, Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany), and laser-induced fluorescence (using the DIAGNOdent Pen, KaVo, Biberach, Germany) on occlusal caries. Permanent and temporary molars were selected according to the inclusion criteria. Out of 160 teeth that met the inclusion criteria, 139 were chosen and examined by two previously trained and calibrated examiners. The kappa value was 0.95 for both VistaCam iX and DIAGNOdent Pen. Results from visual examination and the readings of the two fluorescence devices were computed, lesions being divided into non-cavitated, enamel lesions, and lesions extended to dentin. All statistical analyses were performed using R (version 4.2.2). Spearman's rank correlation was computed to assess the relationship between the scores of diagnostics reliabilities of the three methods mentioned above. There was a positive, statistically significant Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.25, between VistaCam iX and ICDAS II, and a positive, not statistically significant Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.11, between DiagnoDent Pen and ICDAS II. Considering the temporary teeth, there was a positive, statistically significant Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.52, between VistaCam iX and DiagnoDent Pen; a positive, statistically significant Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.35, between VistaCam iX and ICDAS II; and the lowest, not statistically significant Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.16, between DiagnoDent Pen and ICDAS II. Conclusions: In conclusion, ICDAS II and light-induced fluorescence are better diagnostic methods than the laser-induced fluorescence devices for detecting occlusal caries. Clinical Significance: This study may support clinicians in selecting the most efficient tool for diagnosing carious lesion in the earliest stages possible. Furthermore, such technologies raise the availability for more preventive approaches, as opposed to invasive procedures.

Yttrium-90 ((90)Y)-microspheres administered via the hepatic artery has been used for the treatment of unresectable primary or metastatic cancer in the liver. Prior to (90)Y therapy, however, the (90)Y administered activity and the percent shunting to lungs must be determined, most commonly by gamma camera imaging of technetium-99m ((99m)Tc)-macroaggregated albumin (MAA). The purpose of the current study was to identify and evaluate an objective measure of the correlation of (90)Y and MAA activity distributions and thus assess the reliability of MAA imaging for evaluation of (90)Y administered activity and tumor and liver radiation doses. The MAA study consisted of two acquisitions. After administration of 185 MBq of MAA, a partial-body or so-called breakthrough scan was performed in order to determine the percent shunting to lungs. Immediately after a breakthrough scan, a combined single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/transmission computed tomography (CT) scanner was used to image MAA distribution in order to derived the prescribed (90)Y administered activity based on tumor and liver dosimetry. (90)Y SPECT/CT was performed 2-4 weeks later and activities used were in the range of 777-2,442 MBq. In order to compare (90)Y and MAA SPECT images, first the respective CT image sets were registered using a transform based on normalized mutual information. The transform thus derived was used to align the 90Y and MAA SPECT image sets, and the Spearman's (rho) rank correlation as well as image distance (L2-norm) between the registered SPECT images were then calculated. The Spearman's rank correlation values ranged from 0.451 to 0.818 and the L2 distances from 0.626 to 2.889. Based on visual inspection, the registration of the (90)Y and MAA SPECT images appeared reasonably accurate. The regression coefficient (r) between visual scoring and the Spearman's rank correlation was 0.65 and between visual scoring and L2 distance 0.61. The Spearman's rank correlation thus appears to be more reliable than the image distance for assessing the correlation of the (90)Y and MAA images.

Neuroradiology diagnostic errors at a tertiary academic centre: effect of participation in tumour boards and physician experience

Variability in the correlation between nicotine and PM2.5 as airborne markers of second-hand smoke exposure

The objective of this study was to collect preliminary data on the predictive value of pretherapy 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy with sorafenib. As part of a clinical trial to assess the safety and feasibility of using neoadjuvant sorafenib in patients with RCC, 26 patients [19 with clear cell RCC (ccRCC), seven with non-clear cell RCC (non-ccRCC)] underwent 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with concurrent computed tomography (CT) before commencing sorafenib therapy and 17 (13 ccRCC, four non-ccRCC) of them also at the end of sorafenib therapy. The maximal standard uptake value at baseline (SUV base) and its change from baseline after therapy (SUV diff and SUV rel) were recorded and correlated with therapy response, measured as percentage size change on CT, using Spearman's rank and Pearson's correlation coefficients. SUV base and size change on CT showed a strong inverse correlation (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient=-0.72, P=0.0003; Pearson's correlation coefficient=-0.64, P=0.002) in ccRCC. There was no statistically significant correlation in non-ccRCC (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient=0.67, P=0.098; Pearson's correlation coefficient=0.46, P=0.32). In neither group was there a statistically significant correlation between change in SUV and size after commencement of treatment. All findings were limited by the small number of samples included in this analysis. Primary ccRCC tumors with lower SUV base are more likely to respond to neoadjuvant sorafenib, whereas this trend was not observed for non-ccRCC tumors.

Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Versus Doppler Echocardiography for the Evaluation of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in Patients With Cardiac Amyloidosis

Drug therapy is one of the main components of medical care for the population, and the provision of drugs is an important indicator of its availability and quality. The purpose of our work was to analyze satisfaction with the quality of the provision of services for preferential drug provision. The works of domestic and foreign scientists in the field of preferential drug provision, as well as regulatory and organizational documentation on pharmaceutical activities were taken as an information base. The survey method served as the main research method. The objects of the study were the visitors of the pharmacy organizations of the Oryol region, who receive drugs under the program of preferential drug provision. The study found that 49.0% of respondents had difficulties in making an appointment with a doctor; cases of refusal to issue a prescription were indicated by 29.0% of the respondents; 45.0% of the respondents had to spend a long time on obtaining a preferential prescription for a drug by the decision of a medical commission. The majority of respondents (54.0%) do not receive medicines on preferential terms on time (postponed for more than 10 days). Almost half of the surveyed respondents (48.0%) are not satisfied with the treatment with prescription drugs prescribed under the program of preferential drug provision, due to the lack of drugs prescribed by a doctor in the pharmacy organization at the time of contact and their preference for drugs from other manufacturers. Most of the respondents (61.0%) consider the range of preferential drugs to be insufficient for the treatment of their underlying disease. Some respondents (20.0%) are not satisfied with the service in a pharmacy organization; 19.0% are dissatisfied with the quality and completeness of information about medicines received from a doctor and a pharmacy worker. The results obtained were communicated to the management of medical and pharmaceutical organizations serving privileged categories of citizens in the Oryol region. The authors of the study developed a Standard Operating Procedure “Procedure for Selling Medicines to Beneficial Categories of Citizens”, which helps to optimize the quality of service in pharmacies for the population receiving medicines under the preferential drug provision program.

Objective To study the correlation between clinical rating scale and the duration of multiple system atrophy.Methods One hundred and twenty-two MSA cases fulfilling Gilman diagnostic criteria were recruited.Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale(UMSARS)was applied to assess the degree of the patients' disability.For analyzing the correlation between the UMSARS scores and the duration of the disease,the Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated.Results Among 122 MSA cases,male:female ratio was 1.7:1;disease duration lasted(2.8±1.6)years:possible MSA accounted for 50 cases(41%),probable MSA 72 cases(59%);MSA-P 35 cases(29%);MSA-C 73 cases(60%).MSA-P+C 5 cases(4%),MSA-A 9 cases(7%).The scores of UMSARS,UMSARS-Ⅰ and UMSARS-Ⅱ were found positively correlating with the disease duration.The Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were 0.368,0.266 and 0.392 respectively,all P<0.01;the adjusted Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were 0.360,0.257 and 0.385 respectively.all P<0.01.Conclusions MSA has complex clinical manifestations.which should include MSA-P+C subtype.UMSARS is a reliable scale to mirror the progression of MSA.which is useful to study the clinical features and disease duration of MSA. Key words: Multiple system atrophy; Severity of illness index

Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1 Is Essential for Photoreceptor Cell Protection in Retinal Detachment

To determine whether curve magnitude of scoliosis at presentation correlates with BMI. Retrospective chart review of 180 patients presenting with scoliosis was performed. Curve pattern and magnitude, Risser status, occurrence of surgery, zip code, height and weight, race, and insurance status were recorded. Relationships were examined by Spearman rank and Pearson correlations, and logistic regression analysis was used to determine odds ratios. For both thoracic and lumbar curve patterns, there was a correlation between BMI and curve magnitude. Spearman rank correlation was 0.19 for thoracic (P = .03) and 0.24 for lumbar curves (P = .02). Overweight or obese patients were not more likely, however, to present with curves at higher risk of progression or more likely to have surgical intervention. With respect to potential confounding socioeconomic variables, thoracic curve magnitude was negatively correlated with median family income (Spearman rank correlation -0.17, P = .04). Curve magnitude was not correlated with race, distance, or insurance payer. Patients with high BMI and scoliosis are more likely to present with larger curves, but not more likely to require surgery. This is concerning because of the national trend of increasing childhood obesity and because scoliosis treatment may be more complicated in larger curves. Socioeconomic factors may also be barriers to access.

Sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test identifies more spermatozoa with DNA damage than the TUNEL assay in men with unexplained infertility

Multidelay Pseudocontinuous Arterial Spin Labelling and Conventional Single-delay Pseudocontinuous Arterial Spin Labelling In Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Correlation with Dynamic Contrast-enhanced Magnetic ResonanceImaging.

Amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with florbetapir 18F (18F-AV-45) allows in vivo assessment of cerebral amyloid load and can be used in the evaluation of progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias associated with b-amyloid. However, cortical amyloid deposition can occur in healthy cases, as well as in patients with AD and quantification of cortical amyloid burden can improve the 18F-AV-45 PET imaging evaluations. The quantification is mostly performed by cortical-to-cerebellum standardized uptake value ratio (SUVr). The aim of our study was to compare two methods for SUVr calculations in amyloid florbetapir 18F PET brain imaging. In amyloid florbetapir 18F PET brain imaging study, we imaged 42 cases with the mean age of 72.6 ± 9.9 (mean ± standard deviation). They were imaged on different PET/computed tomography systems with 369.0 ± 34.2 kBq of 18F florbetapir. Data were reconstructed using the vendor's reconstruction software. Corresponding magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were retrieved, and matched PET and MRI data were transferred to a common platform. Two methods were used for the calculation of the ratio of cortical-to-cerebellar signal (SUVr). One method was based on the MIM Software Inc., Version 6.4 software and only uses PET data. The second approach used the PMOD Neuro tool (version 3.5). This approach utilizes PET and corresponding MRI data (preferably T1-weighted) for better brain segmentation. For all the 42 cases, the average SUVr values for MIM and PMOD applications were 1.24 ± 0.26 and 1.22 ± 0.25, respectively, with a mean difference of 0.02 ± 0.15. The repeatability coefficient was 0.15 (12.3% of the mean). The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was very high, r = 0.96. For amyloid-negative cases, the average SUVr values were lower than all group SUVr average values, 0.96 ± 0.07 and 1.00 ± 0.09, for MIM and PMOD applications, respectively. A mean difference was 0.04 ± 0.12, the repeatability coefficient was 0.12 (12.9% of the mean) and the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was modest, r = 0.55. For amyloid-positive patients, the average SUVr values were higher than the same all group values, 1.34 ± 0.16 and 1.35 ± 0.20, respectively, with a mean difference of 0.01 ± 0.16. The repeatability coefficient was 0.16 (11.9% of the mean). The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was high, r = 0.93. Our results indicated that the SUVr values derived using MIM and PMOD Neuro are effectively interchangeable and well correlated. However, PET template-based quantification (MIM approach) is clinically friendlier and easier to use. MRI template-based quantification (PMOD Neuro) better delineates different regions of the brain, can be used with any tracer, and therefore is more suitable for research.