Statistical Analysis Software Research Articles

Assessing antimicrobial use patterns in Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM) health facilities: A cross-sectional study protocol.

The threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Malawi is high with reported mortality of 19,300 annually, the 23rd highest age-standardised mortality. One of the drivers of AMR is misuse of antibiotics, a phenomenon that has not been adequately researched in Malawi. This study aims to investigate antimicrobial use using health facility, prescribing and patient indicators in Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM) health facilities. This will be a multiple cross-sectional study, which will collect data from facilities (22), prescriptions (660), and patients (303). Data will be collected using KoboToolbox v2021, and exported into Microsoft Excel version 2016 for cleaning and coding. Variables will be categorised according to the antimicrobial use indicators. The study will use STATA Version 14 statistical software for data analysis. Subsequently, facilities will be entered into ArcGIS Version 10.7.1 to map hotspots of irrational antimicrobial use. The study will run from October 2024 to June 2025. This study will provide detailed information on frequently used antimicrobials, the cost of antimicrobials relative to medicine budget, the intensity of exposure to antimicrobials, the availability of antimicrobials, patients' understanding of antimicrobials use, and availability of important documents for antimicrobial use. Secondarily, the study will unravel the prevalence of irrational antimicrobial use, the main factors contributing to it, and location where irrational use is most prevalent. These findings will inform the national antimicrobial stewardship action plan, aiming to safeguard the available antimicrobials.

Социальные факторы формирования лидеров общественного мнения в медиапространстве средствами креативных индустрий

Social media influencers and opinion leaders are an important social phenomenon. As social networks become more important in all spheres of life, the communicative distance between the media producer and the media consumer keeps shrinking, marking a focus shift to content consumption. Creative industries are an important factor in developing social media influencers. This research features the social factors that contribute to the formation and sustainability of social media influencers through creative industries. The authors conducted a content analysis of documentary sources published as textual or visual content on various media platforms, i.e., social networks, video hosting, or blogs, to identify the key topics, images, and representations broadcast by opinion leaders. A secondary analysis of sociological research data and online analytical reviews made it possible to study the influence of opinion leaders on public attitudes and consumer behavior, including by means of creative industries. The data obtained were processed using the SPSS statistical package and data analysis software. The formation of social media influencers proved to be a complex process, where social determinants are even more important than economic, political, or other aspects. The research revealed nine groups of factors in shaping the social media influencers that target young population: technology; popularity; publicity; media coverage; the role of social capital and its monetization; media trends and representations formed by million-follower bloggers; influence on social behavior; personal qualities; risk factors. Social media influencers act through creativity, creative industries, expressive and visual means of musical and plastic arts, etc. They are strategically important stakeholders in business and other social spheres as they shape the current behavioral patterns of young people.

Breed differentiation in northern Ethiopian cattle: The application of univariate and multivariate analyses of phenotypic traits.

The aim of this study was to characterize and differentiate the Adwa, Arado, Medenes, and Begait cattle breeds in northern Ethiopia via univariate and multivariate analyses of phenotypic traits. Sixteen qualitative characteristics and nine morphometric traits were recorded for a total of 946 (604 females and 342 males) purposively selected adult cattle. The frequency, general linear model (GLM), and canonical discriminant (CANDISC) analysis procedures of the Statistical Analysis Software (SAS 9.0) were used to analyze the data. Qualitatively, Medenes and Begait, cattle breeds from lowland agroecology and livestock-based production systems, possess a convex facial profile, relatively larger dewlap, naval flap, and perpetual sheath, as well as more uniform and lighter body colors than the Adwa and Arado cattle breeds, which are from the midland agroecology and mixed crop-livestock production systems. Morphometrically, clear differences were observed among all of the studied cattle breeds, where the Begait, Medenes, Arado, and Adwa cattle breeds were ordered in descending order according to their overall body size. Moreover, multivariate analysis revealed significant differences among the breeds where each breed was placed under a separate group. However, such phenotypic distinctions among the four cattle breeds do not necessarily indicate genetic dissimilarities. Therefore, further inclusive genetic characterization studies involving the use of representative samples from the Adwa and Medenes cattle breeds are recommended to quantify the degree of genetic relationships among these breeds. Moreover, owing to the unknown breed-level population size, urgent conservation programs as well as genetic improvement strategies are needed to ensure sustainable utilization.

Порівняльна оцінка особливостей процесів формування психофізіологічної адаптації та розвитку психофізіологічних функцій організму учнів у динаміці 20-річного періоду

Objective. The aim of the scientific work is to carry out a comparative assessment of the peculiarities of the processes of the formation of psychophysiological adaptation and the development of the psychophysiological functions of the pupils in the dynamics of a 20-year period. Materials and methods. During the researches, the assessment of the functional features of higher nervous activity of pupils was based on the determination of the latent periods of simple and differentiated visual-motor reactions, indicators of the mobility and balance of nervous processes. The functional features of the visual sensory system and the somatosensory analyzer were studied on the basis of the assessment of the values of the critical frequency of the fusion of light flashes and coordination of movements. Statistical analysis of data was carried out using the statistical analysis package "Statistica 6.1" (license number AXX910A374605FA). Results. It was established that the best of the adaptively significant positions and, therefore, the smallest in accordance with the degree of expression of the value of the latent period of a simple visual-motor reaction in both boys and girls were registered among the representatives of the “pupils 2000” group. The data characteristic of the representatives of the “pupils 2020” group testified to a fairly insignificant (p>0.05), but present, worsening of the degree of expression of the psychophysiological functions that were subject to study. The best from the point of view of adaptation and, therefore, the smallest values of the latent period of the differentiated visual-motor reaction, in contrast to the previous case, both among young men and among girls are registered among the representatives of the “pupils 2020” group. The results typical for the representatives of the “pupils 2020” group showed a small (р>0.05), but pronounced. improvement in the degree of expression of psychophysiological functions in boys and a statistically significant improvement (р<0.01) in their values in girls. When carrying out a hygienic assessment of the indicators of the mobility of nervous processes, in any case, it should be noted that the best from the point of view of adaptation and, therefore, the lowest values of the number of disruptions of differentiation reactions (р>0.05) were registered among the representatives of the group “pupils 2020” In the course of determining the peculiarities of the characteristics of the balance of nervous processes, it is necessary to emphasize that the best from the point of view of adaptation and, therefore, the smallest values of errors during the study of the reaction to a moving object in young men are registered among the representatives of the group “pupils 2000” (p>0.05), in girls – among the representatives of the “pupils 2020” group (p>0.05). The best from an adaptation-significant point of view and, therefore, the highest values of the critical frequency of the fusion of light flashes in boys and girls were registered among the representatives of the “pupils 2020” group. Thus, the results characteristic of the representatives of the “pupils 2020” group showed a slight (р>0.05), but present deterioration in the degree of expression of the specified psychophysiological function in young men and a statistically significant deterioration (р<0.001) of it sizes in girls. Conclusions. In the course of the conducted research, a comparative assessment of the features of the processes of the formation of psychophysiological adaptation and the development of the psychophysiological functions of the pupils in the dynamics of the 20-year period was carried out. Keywords. Pupils, organism, psychophysiological functions, psychophysiological adaptation, hygienic assessment.

The Effects of Dexamethasone on Human Lens Epithelial Cells and the Analysis of Related Pathways with Transcriptome Sequencing.

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of dexamethasone on human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) and the potential mechanisms. HLECs (HLE-B3) were cultured in vitro to assess the effects of dexamethasone on cell size at different concentrations. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect specific protein expression in HLE-B3 cells. The cell size was observed using phase-contrast microscopy, and the length and area were quantitatively measured with ImageJ software for statistical analysis. Flow cytometry was used to verify these outcomes. The means of three groups were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, whereas the means of two groups were statistically analyzed with the parametric Student's t-test. Additionally, high-throughput transcriptome sequencing was performed to compare messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels between different concentrations of dexamethasone treatment groups and the control group, to identify potential signaling pathways. Subsequently, we performed quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), immunofluorescence staining, and molecular docking experiments on the key differentially expressed genes. Dexamethasone affected the size of HLE-B3 cells. Both 0.25 and 0.5 μmol/L dexamethasone increased cell length and area, exhibiting no significant difference between the two treatment groups. Flow cytometry showed that dexamethasone increased cell size and granularity, with 0.25 μmol/L dexamethasone leading to larger cell areas and higher intracellular granularity. High-throughput transcriptome sequencing revealed significant upregulation of lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPAR1) and the pathways related to the glucocorticoid (GC) receptor. Certain concentrations of dexamethasone impact the morphology and biological functions of HLECs. As a subtype of G protein-coupled receptors, LPAR1 on the cell membrane may interact with dexamethasone, affecting cell size and inhibiting autophagy via the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. These discoveries offer crucial biological insights into how dexamethasone influences the morphology and function of HLECs and the pathogenesis of GC-induced cataracts, offering potential molecular targets for future therapeutic strategies.

Prevalence of cardiometabolic outcomes in women who underwent salpingo-oophorectomy to prevent hereditary breast and ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis.

Risk reduction salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) is usually performed in women with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation carriers, resulting in surgical menopause, which is more associated with a high risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease than in premenopausal and natural menopausal women. This study assessed the prevalence of cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes in women who underwent salpingo-oophorectomy as a preventive measure against HBOC. This meta-analysis assessed prevalence rates for four metabolic/cardiovascular conditions: myocardial infarction, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models were applied to all analyses, with 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed with I². We used OpenMeta Analyst software for statistical analysis. A total of five retrospective studies and one observational study involving 1,320 patients were included. The average body mass index (BMI) was 25.97kg/m2 and the average waist circumference was 87.94cm. The analysis across a mean 4.94-year follow-up revealed prevalence rates for acute myocardial infarction of 1.5% (95% CI 0.3-2.7; P = 0.077; I²=56.25%), hypertension of 28% (95% CI 6.9-49.1; P < 0.001; I2 = 98.42%), hypercholesterolemia of 27.2% (95% CI 6.8-47.6; P < 0.001; I²=98.67%), and type 2 diabetes mellitus of 3.3% (95% CI 1.1-5.5; P < 0.001; I²=82.44%). Our findings suggest that there is no marked increase in cardiovascular risk among women with HBOC undergoing RRSO.

Building trauma informed schools in non-western contexts: Teachers’ perceived competence in identification and trauma-informed practices in schools

ABSTRACT The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration trauma model was used as conceptual framework in guiding the development of the Teacher Trauma Identification and Management Scale completed by 284 teachers in inclusive schools in Egypt. In addition, the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Analysis of Moment Structures (SPSS AMOS) and Andrew Haye’s moderation model were used to estimate the relationship between perceived knowledge of trauma identification and practices among teachers. The result supported the hypothesized relationship between trauma identification and trauma-informed practice. The study concludes with recommendations for developing a homegrown trauma policy to guide schools and teachers.

Impact of human resource practice on work engagement and turnover intention in information technology companies

Orientation: The information technology (IT) sector, a global economic driver, faces high employee turnover because of low work engagement. This study examines the relationship between human resource management (HRM) practices and their impact on work engagement and turnover intention (TI) in IT companies.Research purpose: The primary purpose of this research article is to investigate how HRM practices influence employee work engagement and TI in the IT sector.Motivation for the study: This study is motivated by the need to address this critical issue by exploring the role of HRM practices in shaping employee engagement and TI.Research approach/design and method: The research data came from 10 IT organisations in Pune IT parks. Non-probability convenience sampling was used to collect data. Data were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and Moment Structure Analysis to evaluate the hypotheses.Main findings: The study found that HRM practices such as effective communication (EC), training satisfaction (TS), performance appraisal satisfaction (PAS), pay satisfaction (PS) and opportunities for development (OFD) positively influence work engagement among IT employees. Addressing these HRM practices can enhance employee retention and engagement in the IT sector.Practical/managerial implications: Implementing these strategies can lead to a more committed and productive workforce, improving overall organisational performance and retention.Contribution/value-add: This research offers actionable recommendations for IT companies to improve employee retention and engagement, filling a gap in existing literature by focussing exclusively on the unique challenges and dynamics of the IT industry.

CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS AND FEATURES OF THE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD IN PATIENTS AFTER OSTEOSYNTHESIS OF THE MANDIBLE USING CELL TECHNOLOGIES

Due to a signifi cant increase in the frequency and complexity of maxillofacial injuries, one of the priorities in the development of modern surgical dentistry is the search for new eff ective methods of treating facial bone fractures. In recent decades, the attention of clinicians has been focused on biological treatment methods aimed at restoring bone defects using cell technologies and biological transplants.The aim of the study was to determine the eff ect of using osteoplastic materials based on multipotent adipose- derived mesenchymal stromal cells in dental patients in the surgical treatment of mandibular fractures.Materials and methods. The clinical material included 56 patients, 13 of whom underwent mandibular osteosynthesis with hydroxyapatite bone graft substitute (subgroup 1I), 25 of whom underwent surgery with a combination of multipotent adipose tissue mesenchymal stromal cells, hydroxyapatite bone graft substitute and platelet-rich plasma (subgroup 1B), and 18 of whom underwent spontaneous healing of the fracture line (subgroup 1C). Patients were clinically evaluated on a daily basis. Clinical parameters were assessed on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 28 after surgery. The postoperative pain syndrome was assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), considering the subjective signs of pain in the operated patients.The statistical processing of the study results was performed using the statistical analysis software for biomedical research ‘Microsoft Excel 21’ and ‘Statistica’ (licence number STA862D175437Q). In the statistical processing of the results, we used the variational analysis of series – calculation of the arithmetic mean and its standard error (Mim) – and assessed the signifi cance of diff erences in the results obtained in the comparison groups using the Student’s t-test method. p&lt;0.05 was considered a signifi cant diff erence. [17]. The study was conducted in accordance with the basic provisions of the «Rules of Ethical Principles for Scientifi c Medical Research Involving Human Subjects» approved by the Declaration of Helsinki (1964-2013), ICH GCP (1996), EEC Directive 609 (24.11.1986), Orders of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine ¹ 690 of 23.09.2009, ¹ 944 of 14.12.2009, ¹ 616 of 03.08.2012. The Commission on Biomedical Ethics of the Bukovinian State Medical University found no violations of ethical and moral standards in the conduct of the research (ProtocolNo. 6, 16.03.2023). Patients signed informed consent to participate in this study and all measures were taken to ensure their anonymity.The results. The comparative analysis of the clinical eff ectiveness of the use of various osteoplastic materials in the performance of osteosynthesis surgery of the lower law confi rmed the advantages of the use of bone tissue substitute based on hydroxyapatite and its combination with multipotent adipose tissue mesenchymal stromal cells before spontaneous augmentation. It is confi rmed by the data of subjective and objective symptoms of patients during the postoperative period.Conclusions. Our data show that osteoplastic material based on multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells of adipose tissue, bone substitute based on hydroxyapatite and platelet-rich blood plasma is a promising biological material. Its application improves the regenerative and reparative properties of bone tissue, facilitates the postoperative period and shortens the duration of hospitalization, promotes the development of innovative ways of reconstructive osteogenesis in modern maxillofacial surgery.

Based -evidence, an intervention study to improve sleep quality in awake adult ICU patients: a prospective, single-blind, clustered controlled trial

BackgroundEvidence-based guidelines advocate promoting sleep in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, yet many patients experience poor sleep quality. We sought to develop a collaborative evidence-based intervention with healthcare providers and assess whether evidence-based sleep interventions could improve sleep quality in awake adult ICU patients.MethodsWe conducted a prospective, nonrandomized cluster control trial in two intensive care units (ICUs) at a tertiary general teaching hospital in China. Patients aged 18 years or older who stayed in the ICU for one night or more and were conscious were eligible for enrollment. We only blinded the patients, not the outcome assessors. On the basis of evidence-based practice and clinical reality, we developed intervention measures for the intervention group, which mainly included four aspects: reducing environmental noise in the ICU, adjusting nursing actions, modifying nighttime lighting, and other measures. The assessment tools used were wearable actigraphy sleep monitoring devices and the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ). The primary outcomes were patient sleep quality, including total sleep time, deep sleep time, light sleep time, rapid eye movement (REM) time, number of awakenings, overall sleep score, and patients' self-assessment of their sleep quality that night. The data collected were analyzed via SPSS and Mplus statistical software for between-group analysis, pre-post comparison, profile analysis, and calculation of the intervention effect size.ResultsFrom September 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024, 713 patients underwent eligibility assessment, and ultimately 246 patients were included in the analysis, with 125 in the intervention group and 121 in the control group. Comparative analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in sleep quality between the two groups when the duration in the ICU = 1 night (P > 0.05), with a small intervention effect size. However, the intervention group had higher sleep quality scores (sleep monitoring wristband: 57.74 ± 22.55 > 57.72 ± 19.39; RCSQ questionnaire: 60.58 ± 22.14 > 57.61 ± 24.4) and total sleep time (440.42 ± 262.11 > 420.31 ± 236.89), a lower awakening frequency (3.98 ± 2.69 < 6.09 ± 4.66) and a lower awakening frequency (3.976 ± 2.693 < 6.09 ± 4.664) than did the control group. The sleep quality of patients who stayed in the ICU for > 1 night significantly improved in all the parameters except rapid eye movement time (min) according to the pre-post-test analyses (P < 0.05), with a medium to large intervention effect size and favorable intervention effects.ConclusionEvidence-based interventions significantly improve sleep quality in ICU patients hospitalized for more than one day. However, our results do not support the improvement of sleep quality in patients admitted to the ICU for one day.Clinical trial registration: ChiCTR2300075763, Registered 14 September 2023—Retrospectively registered, https://www.chictr.org.cn/bin/userProject

Medication Errors in Psychiatric Hospitals: A Nationwide Real-World Evidence Study in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Medication errors are among the most prevalent medical errors and result in significant morbidity and mortality. They pose a major threat to patient safety in psychiatric hospitals. However, the lack of a comprehensive investigation into the root causes of these errors restricts the development of effective corrective measures. Objective: This study aimed to characterize the types of errors, determine the stages of the medication use process, and identify factors associated with errors occurring among government psychiatric hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2019 to June 2020. All medication error reports submitted to the Ministry of Health General Administration of Pharmaceutical Care database from 18 government psychiatric hospitals in Saudi Arabia were assessed. The database is de-identified and contains information on all medication errors, including patient demographics, medication information, error information, causes of errors, and reporter information. Medication use was categorized as ordering/prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, administration, and monitoring. The present findings represent a descriptive analysis of the data using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) version 9.4. Result: A total of 23,355 medication error reports were reported to the database during the study period. Among Saudi Arabian cities, Riyadh (n = 8972, 38.4%) had the highest medication error reporting rate, followed by Taif (n = 3705, 15.9%) and Jeddah (n = 2621, 11.2%). Most reported errors were frequently made by physicians (n = 20,284, 86.9%) and were primarily detected by pharmacists (n = 20,974, 89.8%). Approximately half of them (n = 13,150, 56.3%) were classified as "Category B" that occurred, but they did not reach patients. Most medication errors were reported in adults (n = 22,589, 96.7%) and male patients (n = 16,393, 70.2%). Most error reports were detected at the prescription stage (n = 16,481; 70.6%) during the medication-use process. Work overload of the staff (n = 2911, 12.8%) and drug labeling, packaging, and nomenclature (n = 2826, 12.1%) were the most common contributing factors associated with the reported errors. Olanzapine (n = 1650, 7.1%), omeprazole (n = 1350, 5.8%), and quetiapine (n = 1273, 5.5%) were the most common medications associated with medication errors. Conclusions: Preventable medication errors are typical in psychiatric hospitals and may result in severe consequences. Increased efforts are needed to control and minimize prescribing errors and improve reporting in Saudi Arabia.

Assessing the Spatial Distribution, Condition, and Intensity of Soil Acidity for Informed Management Decisions in the Semen Aari District of Ari Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia

Soil acidity poses a significant challenge to agricultural productivity in Ethiopia's highlands, particularly affecting the Semen Ari district in the Ari zone. The common practice of applying agricultural lime to mitigate soil acidity is hampered by a lack of detailed information on the extent, severity, and spatial distribution of acidic soils. This study aims to determine how soil acidity varies spatially by identifying and mapping the specific geographic patterns of soil acidity levels in the Semen Ari district. Seventy-one composite soil samples from the 0–20 cm layer were geo-referenced and analyzed. Using statistical analysis and ArcGIS software for spatial interpolation through ordinary kriging, soil pH ranged from 3.29 to 5.68, classifying 99% of the soils as strongly acidic. The root mean squared error (RMSE) of the interpolation was 0.30. Soil pH showed a significant negative correlation with exchangeable acidity but a non-significant negative correlation with organic carbon and total nitrogen. The results highlight the need for targeted soil management strategies, such as appropriate lime application rates and the cultivation of acid-tolerant crops, to enhance crop yields. Further research is recommended to include comprehensive soil property datasets to better understand the factors influencing soil pH variability, thus supporting more precise management of acidic soils in the region. The generated high-resolution soil acidity map serves as a valuable tool for agricultural planning and decision-making.

Handling missing data in longitudinal clinical trials: three examples from the pediatric psychology literature.

Researchers by default tend to choose complex models when analyzing nonindependent response variable data, this may be particularly applicable in the analysis of longitudinal trial data, possibly due to the ability of such models to easily address missing data by default. Both maximum-likelihood (ML) estimation and multiple imputation (MI) are well-known to be acceptable methods for handling missing data, but much of the recently published quantitative literature has addressed questions regarding the research designs and circumstances under which one should be chosen over the other. The purpose of this article is threefold. First, to clearly define the assumptions underlying three common longitudinal trial data analysis models for continuous dependent variable data: repeated measures analysis of covariance (RM-ANCOVA), generalized estimating equation (GEE), and a longitudinal linear mixed model (LLMM). Second, to clarify when ML or MI should be chosen, and to introduce researchers to an easy-to-use, empirically well-validated, and freely available missing data multiple imputation program: BLIMP. Third, to show how missing longitudinal trial data can be handled in the three data analysis models using three popular statistical analysis software packages (SPSS, Stata, and R) while keeping the published quantitative research in mind.

Influence of technology on the performance of community development non-governmental organisations-governmental NGOs in Kenya

The aim of this study was to find out the influence of technology on the performance of community development non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Nairobi County, Kenya. The research was anchored by two theories: strategic fit theory and Ansoff strategic success theory. The research employed a descriptive research design focusing on a target population of the senior management team, social workers and caseworkers comprising 300 employees of SHOFCO located in Kibera Nairobi County, Kenya. The study selected a sample using a stratified random sampling technique, using a sample size of 90 individuals. The study used a structured questionnaire containing open-ended questions to collect data. Questionnaires were administered individually and collected after respondents had fully filled them. The results were analysed thereafter using a statistical package for social sciences (SPSS), regression analysis and presentation using figures and tables for ease of interpretation and understanding. The findings showed that technology had a positive and significant relationship with the performance of community development NGOs in Kenya. This study concluded that technology was the last predictor of the strategic performance of community development non-governmental organisations in Kenya.

Risk factors for falls in older people with pre-frailty: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundFrailty is considered highly prevalent among the elderly, and falls are a severe adverse event that occurs at a significantly higher rate in frail elderly patients, leading to serious consequences. The pre-frailty stage represents a reversible transitional state between health and frailty, and targeted interventions for pre-frail older adults can effectively reduce the incidence of falls in this population. Existing studies have not definitely identified the risk factors for falls in pre-frail older adults. This paper explores the relevant risk factors for falls in pre-frail older adults. MethodsPubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI, Wan fang, and VIP databases were searched for studies published from inception to 2023, without language restrictions. Observational studies were included in this systematic review that analyzed risk factors for accidental falls in pre-frail older adults. The NOS scale was used to evaluate the quality of cohort studies and case-control studies, while the AHRQ scale was used to evaluate the quality of the cross-sectional study. We utilized odds ratios (OR) and their corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CI) to describe the statistical indicators. OR and 95 % CI values were directly extracted and organized in Excel. In cases where OR and CI values were not directly available, we extracted β and p values, calculated Exp using functions, and subsequently derived OR and 95 % CI using formulas. Finally, data pertaining to each risk factor were incorporated into RevMan 5.4 software for statistical analysis and effect size synthesis. We performed tests for heterogeneity and evaluated publication bias. ResultsA total of 14,370 studies were initially identified, and 26 studies were included in the systematic review. Among these studies, 14 were of high quality, while the remaining 12 were of moderate quality. A total of 16 risk factors were identified as potential risk factors for falls in pre-frail older adults. Significant risk factors were peripheral neuropathy(OR = 3.18, 95 %CI:3.02–3.35), decreased gait speed(OR = 1.90, 95 %CI:1.60–2.27), decreased ability to perform activities of daily living(OR = 1.57, 95 % CI:1.42–1.75), grip strength decreases(OR = 1.53, 95 % CI:1.17–2.00), gender (female)(OR = 1.51, 95 % CI:1.39–1.64), pain(OR = 1.47, 95 %CI:1.41–1.54), history of falls(OR = 1.20, 95 %CI:1.13–1.28) and age(OR = 1.10, 95 %CI:1.07–1.14). ConclusionsThe occurrence of falls in pre-frail older adults is associated with multiple risk factors. These risk factors can provide clinical nursing staff with specific focal points for monitoring this population and devising targeted fall prevention measures, with the aim of reducing the incidence of falls in pre-frail older adults. RegistrationThe systematic review was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Review (CRD42023450670).

Toluene Inhalant Addiction and Cardiac Functions in Young Adults: A Comparison of Electrocardiographic and Echocardiographic Parameters.

Volatile substance (thinner) addiction can cause serious cardiac events, such as malignant ventricular arrhythmias, acute coronary syndromes, sudden death syndrome, and dilated cardiomyopathy, as reported in many case studies. We aimed to find echocardiographic and electrocardiographic parameters that could foresee these adverse outcomes in clinical settings. We enrolled 32 healthy young adult patients with at least 1 year of thinner addiction and no cardiac symptoms. We also recruited a control group of 30 healthy individuals without any medical problems. Both groups received standard echocardiography and ECG tests. We analyzed the following echocardiographic parameters: LVEDd (left ventricular end-diastolic diameter), LVESd (left ventricular end-systolic diameter), mitral valve EF slope, E/A ratio, and aortic and pulmonary valve VTI (velocity time integral). We also measured the corrected (QTc), uncorrected QT intervals, and widest P-wave values in the ECG. We used the SPSS 13 software for statistical analysis. The echocardiographic findings did not differ significantly between the groups. However, the ECG results showed that the thinner addicts had higher values of corrected (QTc), uncorrected QT intervals, and widest P-wave values than the control group, according to Mann-Whitney U and Student's T test. Corrected QT (QTc) and P-wave duration are increased in individuals with a thinner addiction. These findings may suggest a higher risk of sudden cardiac death, atrial, and ventricular dysrhythmias in the future.

Rate And Grade of Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula After Modified Blumgart Pancreaticojejunostomy in Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Introduction: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), commonly known as the Whipple procedure, is the standard surgical approach for treating pancreatic and periampullary cancers. Despite advancements in surgical techniques, postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains one of the most significant complications following PD, contributing to increased morbidity. This study aims to evaluate the development and severity of POPF in patients undergoing PD with the Modified Blumgart Pancreaticojejunostomy. Methods: This Cross-sectional Observational study was carried out among the indoor patients of surgery units in Dhaka Medical College &amp; Hospital, Dhaka, from January 2023 to December 2023. All patients who experienced Pancreatoduodenectomy in the Surgery department of Dhaka Medical College &amp; Hospital during the study period were considered as the study population. A total of 30 patients were selected as study subjects by purposive sampling technique. Consent from patients and relevant authorities was taken. Univariate and multivariate analysis of the data was carried out using a statistical analysis software program. Descriptive analysis of continuous variables was carried out and showed as the means ± SD. Result: This study involved 30 patients, with the majority (36.6%) aged between 40-50 years and male predominance (63.3%). Most patients (50%) were diagnosed preoperatively with periampullary carcinoma, followed by pancreatic carcinoma (40%). Postoperative pancreatic fistula occurred in 13.3% of patients, with the majority (75%) being Grade B fistulas, and 25% classified as Grade A. No Grade C fistulas were observed. Conclusion: Placing sutures between the pancreatic tissue and the jejunum carries a risk of pancreatic juice leakage due to needle holes or injury to the pancreatic tissue, particularly in patients with a soft pancreas. Therefore, this study suggests that an anastomosis technique utilizing fewer sutures may be more advantageous. The original Blumgart anastomosis employed four to six trans pancreatic/jejunal seromuscular sutures, whereas our approach utilized only one to three. Additionally, the modified Blumgart technique ensured complete coverage of the pancreatic stump with jejunal serosa through the modified lateral suture that penetrates the seromuscular layer of the jejunum

Planning Accuracy and Stem Offset Assessment in Digital Two-Dimensional Versus Three-Dimensional Planning in Cementless Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background/Objectives: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) planning is crucial for restoring hip function and minimizing complications. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess and compare the accuracy of 2D versus 3D preoperative planning in THA. Methods: The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (ROSs) published in English comparing the accuracy of 2D and 3D preoperative planning for total hip arthroplasty. We excluded review articles, registers, studies not written in English, studies that did not report the cup sizing accuracy or stem sizing accuracy or give a description of the preoperative planning method used, and non-comparative studies. In June 2024, following the PRISMA 2020 statement, a systematic review and a meta-analysis of the literature were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. The statistical analysis software Review Manager (RevMan) version 5.4 was used to perform the meta-analysis to compare the accuracy of 2D and 3D planning, and to assess the risk of bias, the ROBINS-I tool was used. Results: The analysis included 777 patients from six studies. The analysis showed that 3D planning offers superior precision compared to 2D planning, both for the cup (96.92% vs. 87.14%) and the stem (94.72% vs. 86.28%). The forest plots assessed a better trend for 3D planning in terms of exact size prediction and accuracy within ±1 size. Conclusions: The three-dimensional method was more precise and accurate than two-dimensional planning, both for the stem and the cup. It offered a detailed three-dimensional view of the patient's anatomy. The main limitation was the challenge in finding homogeneous data regarding biomechanical parameters, surgical approaches, and different planning systems for both three-dimensional and two-dimensional methods.

Interrelationship Between Emergence and Yield Parameters in Mung Bean: Implication for Selection

Abstract Rapid and uniform seed germination and seedling emergence have been associated with grain yield under diverse environmental conditions. Twenty-one (21) mung bean accessions were evaluated at Ile-Ife and Kishi out-stations of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR &amp; T), Nigeria, to identify the emergence parameter(s) that could be selected for improvement of mung bean for yield. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replications. Data were collected on emergence and yield parameters and analysed using the Statistical Analysis Software (SAS). Mean, heritability, and correlation coefficient were estimated. Path coefficient analysis was used to partition correlations into direct and indirect effects using seed yield as the dependent variable. Heritability estimate was moderate to high for most of the traits. Accessions 3, 6, 14 and 15 with high pod and seed yield had also high values of coefficient of velocity of emergence (CVE) and emergence percentage (E%). All emergence parameters except emergence energy had significant correlation with yield traits. CVE and Emergence Index (EI) had strong positive correlation with number of seeds.pod-1 and pod yield. When only the emergence parameters were considered, CVE had highest direct effect (0.74) on seed yield followed by E% (-0.73) and EI (0.70). Total indirect effects of EI and CVE accounted for only 6.06% and 11.9% of the total correlation, respectively. It therefore suggests that EI and CVE are emergence parameters that could be selected for at early stage in improvement of mung bean for yield.

The impact of root end filling material type and the application of bone graft on healing of periapical tissues after endodontic microsurgery (a clinical randomized controlled trial)

To evaluate the effect of combining different bioactive root-end filling materials with composite bone graft (xenogeneic mixed with autogenous bone fragments) on the healing process of periapical tissues after endodontic micro-surgery procedure. In this triple-blinded clinical trial, 56 patients were divided into 2 main groups (28 each) according to the root-end filling material and 2 subgroups according to the presence or absence of the composite bone graft material. Group I: MTA root-end filling (n = 28) in which there are Sub-group A: without bone graft (n = 14) and Sub-group B: with composite bone graft (n = 14). Group II: TotalFill root-end filling (n = 28) in which there are Sub-group A: without bone graft (n = 14) and Sub-group B: with composite bone graft (n = 14). Healthy patients whose ages range from 20 to 50 years with small-to-medium size radiolucency in CBCT related to single-rooted maxillary teeth were included in this study. Patients were assigned a number starting from 1 to 56 and were randomly allocated to four test groups (2 main groups and 2 sub-groups) following simple randomization procedure guidelines described by IBM SPSS V23 (IBM USA) statistical analysis software. This trial was triple-blind where the patient, the outcome assessors, and the main operator were blinded to the applied intervention. Every patient was evaluated clinically and by CBCT at two main observation periods: presurgical and 12-month post-operative. They were also examined and evaluated clinically and radiographically through periapical x-rays after one week, three, and six months. Statistical analysis was performed with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows Version 23.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. Of the 56 patients enrolled in the study, 49 patients were available for the final analysis. All groups showed no statistically significant differences with regard to healing or success rates at the 12-month follow-up mark. No adverse effects were encountered. Results showed that high success rates were achieved using MTA and TotalFill in the healing of periapical lesions after endodontic surgery. The addition of bone graft in small-to-medium size lesions did not affect the success rate of endodontic surgeries.