-
Entropy (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024A methodology to study statistical properties of anomalous transport in fusion plasma is investigated. Three time traces generated by the full-f gyrokinetic code GKNET...
A methodology to study statistical properties of anomalous transport in fusion plasma is investigated. Three time traces generated by the full-f gyrokinetic code GKNET are analyzed for this purpose. The time traces consist of heat flux as a function of the radial position, which is studied in a novel manner using statistical methods. The simulation data exhibit transport processes with both medium and long correlation length along the radius. A typical example of a phenomenon with long correlation length is avalanches. In order to investigate the evolution of the turbulent state, two basic configurations are studied, one flux-driven and one gradient-driven with decaying turbulence. The information length concept in tandem with Boltzmann-Gibbs and Tsallis entropy is used in the investigation. It is found that the dynamical states in both flux-driven and gradient-driven cases are surprisingly similar, but the Tsallis entropy reveals differences between them. This indicates that the types of probability distribution function are nevertheless quite different since the higher moments are significantly different.
PubMed: 38920503
DOI: 10.3390/e26060494 -
The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery 2024This study aimed to examine the incidence of distal radius fractures in patients aged 55 and above who had also experienced hip fractures. Osteoporosis-associated...
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to examine the incidence of distal radius fractures in patients aged 55 and above who had also experienced hip fractures. Osteoporosis-associated fractures, particularly hip fractures, are common and serious in older individuals with reduced bone density. Previous research has suggested a relationship between hip fractures and distal radius fractures.
METHODS
The study included patients over 55 years old who had presented with hip fractures at Akhtar Hospital in the past five years. Patients with a history of hip fractures more than five years before experiencing the distal radius fracture were excluded. Personal information was extracted from medical records, and the collected data were analyzed in SPSS software using statistical methods, such as t-tests and paired t-tests.
RESULTS
This study involved 1,745 patients with hip fractures and 183 individuals without fractures. The average age of the patients was 75.8±10.4 years old, with the majority being female (59.6%). Among the hip fractures, 59.6%, 34.5%, and 5.9% were intertrochanteric fractures, neck of femur fractures, and subtrochanteric fractures, respectively. Overall, 15.8% of individuals with hip fractures also had distal radius fractures. The average age and gender distribution of the patients were similar in both groups, with no significant difference. However, the prevalence of distal radius fractures was significantly higher in the hip fracture group, compared to the control group.
CONCLUSION
It was found that individuals over the age of 55 with distal radius fractures, especially females, are more susceptible to hip fractures. Distal radius fractures have a significant impact on the occurrence of hip fractures in patients. Therefore, older individuals with osteoporosis should be cautious and avoid high-risk activities that could lead to falls and fractures.
PubMed: 38919743
DOI: 10.22038/ABJS.2023.75188.3477 -
Cureus May 2024Background and objective Morphea, or localized scleroderma (LS), is an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by inflammation and sclerosis. Its potential causes include...
Background and objective Morphea, or localized scleroderma (LS), is an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by inflammation and sclerosis. Its potential causes include infections, genetic predisposition, and trauma. The disease involves cycles of inflammation and fibrosis, leading to skin hardening and scarring, which can cause deformities if untreated. Research exploring the link between morphea and rheumatoid factor (RF), a marker associated with other autoimmune conditions, is ongoing. This study aimed to examine the less-explored role of RF, a marker typically linked to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in the severity of morphea. It focused on assessing the levels of RF among morphea patients and its correlation with disease severity, intending to provide deeper insights into the condition and its management. Methods This study involved a simple randomized cross-sectional analysis to evaluate the role of the RF in measuring morphea severity among patients at the Dermatology and Venereology Department of Al-Sader Teaching Hospital from October 2022 to December 2023. We included participants with clinically and laboratory-confirmed morphea while excluding those with other autoimmune dermatological diseases, recent systemic steroid or immunosuppressive therapy, and pregnant women. The assessment of disease severity was done by utilizing the Localized Scleroderma Cutaneous Assessment Tool (LoSCAT). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics version 27 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), with a significance threshold of p<0.05. Results Elevated RF levels were significantly associated with increased morphea severity, with severe cases showing higher RF levels (mean: 30.34 U/mL) compared to moderate (25.83 U/mL) and mild cases (21.56 U/mL) (p = 0.028). However, no significant correlation was found between RF levels and demographic factors such as age, gender, or occupation. Patients with high RF levels had a longer disease duration (mean: 57.15 years) compared to those with normal levels (25.83 years, p = 0.020). Significant differences were observed in lesion distribution on the back (p = 0.002). Logistic regression indicated that severe morphea patients were more likely to have elevated RF levels [odds ratio (OR): 1.158, p = 0.014]. Conclusions This study enriches our understanding of RF's role in morphea, revealing no significant correlation with demographic factors but suggesting its potential role in disease chronicity and severity.
PubMed: 38919251
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61105 -
Cureus May 2024Beta-thalassemia is one of the most common inherited hematological diseases caused by more than 350 mutations in the β-globin gene (HBB). Beta-thalassemia carrier or...
Beta-thalassemia is one of the most common inherited hematological diseases caused by more than 350 mutations in the β-globin gene (HBB). Beta-thalassemia carrier or trait is associated with defects in one allele of the HBB gene. The majority of beta-thalassemia trait cases remain concealed in society and remain unnoticed as they are mostly asymptomatic or present with mild symptoms of anemia. There is a 25% chance of having children with beta-thalassemia major and a 50% chance of having carrier babies when two people with beta-thalassemia trait are married. Hence, it is important to identify the individuals with beta-thalassemia trait and provide counseling to understand the risks of pregnancy and its outcome. Aim To study the identification of beta-thalassemia trait cases along with their clinical findings and hematological correlation. Materials and methods Study Design This was a retrospective study conducted at Saveetha Medical College and Hospital for a period of four years from January 2020 to December 2023. Inclusion Criteria Age group more than 18 years, antenatal mother, cases of anemia who were refractory to iron treatment, and screening of family members in the positive cases of beta-thalassemia trait. Exclusion Criteria History of blood transfusion within three months was excluded. A total number of 837 cases were screened to rule out the presence of beta-thalassemia trait/hemoglobin (Hb) variants. A 2 mL of intravenous blood samples were collected in an ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) vacutainer tube and processed in a Sysmex XN 1000 (Hyogo, Japan: Sysmex Corporation) automated hematology analyzer. The hematological parameters were analyzed. Statistical Analysis The study included both descriptive and analytical characteristics. Mean and standard deviation (SD) were calculated for all the hematological parameters. Beta-thalassemia trait was diagnosed with an HbA2 level of more than 4.0% through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Results Among the 837 samples studied for HPLC screening, 74 (8.8%) cases were found to have beta-thalassemia trait. The age group included was from 18 years to 56 years. Of 74 cases studied, 32(43%) were females and 42(57%) were males. Among the 74 cases studied, the Mentzer index <13 was seen in 58 (78%) cases and the Mentzer index >13 was seen in 16 cases (22%). Thirty-four cases (46%) of beta-thalassemia traits presented to the hospital with a history of fever for evaluation and antenatal screening accounted for 19 cases (26%). The mean red blood cell (RBC) count was 5.5 million/cu.mm; mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was 63.8 fL; mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) was 19.6 pg; red cell distribution width coefficient of variation (RDW-CV) was 17.8%. Among the 74 cases studied, 37(46%) cases had an Hb of more than 11 g/dL, 22 cases had mild anemia, 12 cases had moderate anemia, and three cases had severe anemia. Conclusion This study concluded that regular monitoring of the Mentzer index along with HPLC analysis is an effective approach in identifying beta-thalassemia trait cases and further providing genetic counseling among the couples that will help in reducing high-risk pregnancy and the birth of a child with thalassemia major.
PubMed: 38919232
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61093 -
Acta Dermatovenerologica Alpina,... Jun 2024This study explores the immunogenetic associations of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and the calcium release-activated calcium modulator 1 (ORAI1) and stromal...
INTRODUCTION
This study explores the immunogenetic associations of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and the calcium release-activated calcium modulator 1 (ORAI1) and stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) genes in HIV-1‒positive patients with HIV-related skin disorders.
METHODS
This study assessed the distribution of variants of HLA class II alleles and expression levels of ORAI1 and STIM1 genes in the blood between HIV-1‒positive patients with HIV-related skin disorders and the control group with no HIV within the Latvian population.
RESULTS
The research group comprised 115 HIV-1‒positive patients with HIV-related skin disorders, and the control group included 80 healthy individuals. Risk alleles (HLA- DQB1*02:01-0301 and HLA-DQA1*01:01-0501) and protective alleles (HLA-DRB1*07-13, DRB1*01-13, DRB1*04-11, and HLA-DQA1*05:01-0501) showed statistical significance in the groups. In 38 out of 115 patients, higher expression levels of ORAI1 and STIM1 genes were detected in the blood at the beginning of treatment. A significantly higher level of the microribonucleic acid (mRNA) ORAI1 gene was also found in the control group.
CONCLUSIONS
The results demonstrate that HLA class II alleles are associated with a trend toward risk/protection concerning HIV-related skin disorders in HIV-1‒positive patients. It was also shown that a low level of ORAI1 mRNA and the risk allele HLA-DQB1*0201-0301 were simultaneously present in the research group.
Topics: Humans; ORAI1 Protein; Male; Latvia; Female; Stromal Interaction Molecule 1; Adult; HIV Infections; Middle Aged; Polymorphism, Genetic; Skin Diseases; Case-Control Studies; Neoplasm Proteins; Genetic Predisposition to Disease
PubMed: 38918943
DOI: No ID Found -
ENeuro Jun 2024Typical statistical practices in the biological sciences have been increasingly called into question due to difficulties in the replication of an increasing number of...
Typical statistical practices in the biological sciences have been increasingly called into question due to difficulties in the replication of an increasing number of studies, many of which are confounded by the relative difficulty of null significance hypothesis testing designs and interpretation of p-values. Bayesian inference, representing a fundamentally different approach to hypothesis testing, is receiving renewed interest as a potential alternative or complement to traditional null significance hypothesis testing due to its ease of interpretation and explicit declarations of prior assumptions. Bayesian models are more mathematically complex than equivalent frequentist approaches, which have historically limited applications to simplified analysis cases. However, the advent of probability distribution sampling tools with exponential increases in computational power now allows for quick and robust inference under any distribution of data. Here we present a practical tutorial on the use of Bayesian inference in the context of neuroscientific studies in both rat electrophysiological and computational modeling data. We first start with an intuitive discussion of Bayes' rule and inference followed by the formulation of Bayesian-based regression and ANOVA models using data from a variety of neuroscientific studies. We show how Bayesian inference leads to easily interpretable analysis of data while providing an open-source toolbox to facilitate the use of Bayesian tools. Bayesian inference has received renewed interest as an alternative to null-significance hypothesis testing for its interpretability, ability to incorporate prior knowledge into current inference, and robust model comparison paradigms. Despite this renewed interest, discussions of Bayesian inference are often obfuscated by undue mathematical complexity and misunderstandings underlying the Bayesian inference process. In this article, we aim to empower neuroscientists to adopt Bayesian statistical inference by providing a practical methodological walkthrough using single and multi-unit recordings from the rodent auditory circuit accompanied by a well-documented and user-friendly toolkit containing regression and ANOVA statistical models commonly encountered in neuroscience.
PubMed: 38918054
DOI: 10.1523/ENEURO.0484-23.2024 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2024This paper highlights the critical role of pH or proton activity measurements in environmental studies and emphasises the importance of applying proper statistical...
This paper highlights the critical role of pH or proton activity measurements in environmental studies and emphasises the importance of applying proper statistical approaches when handling pH data. This allows for more informed decisions to effectively manage environmental data such as from mining influenced water. Both the pH and {H} of the same system display different distributions, with pH mostly displaying a normal or bimodal distribution and {H} showing a lognormal distribution. It is therefore a challenge of whether to use pH or {H} to compute the mean or measures of central tendency for further environmental statistical analyses. In this study, different statistical techniques were applied to understand the distribution of pH and {H} from four different mine sites, Metsämonttu in Finland, Felsendome Rabenstein in Germany, Eastrand and Westrand mine water treatment plants in South Africa. Based on the statistical results, the geometric mean can be used to calculate the average of pH if the distribution is unimodal. For a multimodal pH data distribution, peak identifying methods can be applied to extract the mean for each data population and use them for further statistical analyses.
PubMed: 38917894
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174099 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Jun 2024The human cerebral cortex, pivotal for advanced cognitive functions, is composed of six distinct layers and dozens of functionally specialized areas. The layers and...
The human cerebral cortex, pivotal for advanced cognitive functions, is composed of six distinct layers and dozens of functionally specialized areas. The layers and areas are distinguished both molecularly, by diverse neuronal and glial cell subtypes, and structurally, through intricate spatial organization. While single-cell transcriptomics studies have advanced molecular characterization of human cortical development, a critical gap exists due to the loss of spatial context during cell dissociation. Here, we utilized multiplexed error-robust fluorescence in situ hybridization (MERFISH), augmented with deep-learning-based cell segmentation, to examine the molecular, cellular, and cytoarchitectural development of human fetal cortex with spatially resolved single-cell resolution. Our extensive spatial atlas, encompassing 16 million single cells, spans eight cortical areas across four time points in the second and third trimesters. We uncovered an early establishment of the six-layer structure, identifiable in the laminar distribution of excitatory neuronal subtypes by mid-gestation, long before the emergence of cytoarchitectural layers. Notably, while anterior-posterior gradients of neuronal subtypes were generally observed in most cortical areas, a striking exception was the sharp molecular border between primary (V1) and secondary visual cortices (V2) at gestational week 20. Here we discovered an abrupt binary shift in neuronal subtype specification at the earliest stages, challenging the notion that continuous morphogen gradients dictate mid-gestation cortical arealization. Moreover, integrating single-nuclei RNA-sequencing and in situ whole transcriptomics revealed an early upregulation of synaptogenesis in V1-specific Layer 4 neurons, suggesting a role of synaptogenesis in this discrete border formation. Collectively, our findings underscore the crucial role of spatial relationships in determining the molecular specification of cortical layers and areas. This work not only provides a valuable resource for the field, but also establishes a spatially resolved single-cell analysis paradigm that paves the way for a comprehensive developmental atlas of the human brain.
PubMed: 38915567
DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.05.597673 -
Infection and Drug Resistance 2024To preliminarily assess the prevalence and control effect of tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in Anhui province, and analyze the trends in the changing...
OBJECTIVE
To preliminarily assess the prevalence and control effect of tuberculosis and drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in Anhui province, and analyze the trends in the changing drug resistance spectrum of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) isolated in Anhui province from 2016 to 2022.
METHODS
From 2016 to 2022, a total of 2336 culture-positive tuberculosis strains were collected from four drug resistance monitoring sites. Patient demographic information was collected and drug susceptibility testing was conducted.
RESULTS
Among the 2336 Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains, 1788 (76.54%) were from male patients and 548 (23.46%) were from female patients. The majority were of Han ethnicity, from rural areas, and employed in agriculture, with 12.54% (285/2273) having diabetes. A total of 1893 (81.04%) strains were sensitive to all six anti-TB drugs tested, and 443 (18.96%) strains were resistant to at least one or more anti-TB drugs. The drug resistance rate for patients undergoing initial treatment was 16.80% (348/2071), and 35.85% (95/265) for those receiving retreatment. Among the six anti-TB drugs, the resistance rates from highest to lowest were: INH (10.55%, 236/2336), SM (8.18%, 183/2336), OFX (6.53%, 146/2336), RFP (5.95%, 133/2336), EMB (2.37%, 53/2336), KM (1.97%, 44/2336). Significant differences were observed in MDR strains across different ages, types, with or without diabetes, and geographical sources (χ2=14.895,76.534,6.032,5.109, all P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The tuberculosis prevention and control measures have controlled the drug resistance rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to a certain extent. However, there are still statistical differences in drug resistance rates among TB patients with different categories, age groups, regions, and diabetic diseases. Early detection and prompt treatment of patients with drug-resistant TB remain critical to controlling the spread of this disease.
PubMed: 38915321
DOI: 10.2147/IDR.S460080 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) impact people globally, cause occupational illness and reduce productivity. Exercise therapy is the gold standard treatment for MSDs and...
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) impact people globally, cause occupational illness and reduce productivity. Exercise therapy is the gold standard treatment for MSDs and can be provided by physiotherapists and/or also via mobile apps. Apart from the obvious differences between physiotherapists and mobile apps regarding communication, empathy and physical touch, mobile apps potentially offer less personalized exercises. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) may overcome this issue by processing different pain parameters, comorbidities and patient-specific lifestyle factors and thereby enabling individually adapted exercise therapy. The aim of this study is to investigate the risks of AI-recommended strength, mobility and release exercises for people with MSDs, using physiotherapist risk assessment and retrospective consideration of patient feedback on risk and non-risk exercises. 80 patients with various MSDs received exercise recommendations from the AI-system. Physiotherapists rated exercises as risk or non-risk, based on patient information, e.g. pain intensity (NRS), pain quality, pain location, work type. The analysis of physiotherapists' agreement was based on the frequencies of mentioned risk, the percentage distribution and the Fleiss- or Cohens-Kappa. After completion of the exercises, the patients provided feedback for each exercise on an 11-point Likert scale., e.g. the feedback question for release exercises was "How did the stretch feel to you?" with the answer options ranging from "painful (0 points)" to "not noticeable (10 points)". The statistical analysis was carried out separately for the three types of exercises. For this, an independent t-test was performed. 20 physiotherapists assessed 80 patient examples, receiving a total of 944 exercises. In a three-way agreement of the physiotherapists, 0.08% of the exercises were judged as having a potential risk of increasing patients' pain. The evaluation showed 90.5% agreement, that exercises had no risk. Exercises that were considered by physiotherapists to be potentially risky for patients also received lower feedback ratings from patients. For the 'release' exercise type, risk exercises received lower feedback, indicating that the patient felt more pain (risk: 4.65 (1.88), non-risk: 5.56 (1.88)). The study shows that AI can recommend almost risk-free exercises for patients with MSDs, which is an effective way to create individualized exercise plans without putting patients at risk for higher pain intensity or discomfort. In addition, the study shows significant agreement between physiotherapists in the risk assessment of AI-recommended exercises and highlights the importance of considering individual patient perspectives for treatment planning. The extent to which other aspects of face-to-face physiotherapy, such as communication and education, provide additional benefits beyond the individualization of exercises compared to AI and app-based exercises should be further investigated.Trial registration: 30.12.2021 via OSF Registries, https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/YCNJQ .
Topics: Humans; Artificial Intelligence; Female; Male; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Adult; Middle Aged; Exercise Therapy; Risk Assessment; Retrospective Studies; Physical Therapists; Exercise; Aged; Mobile Applications
PubMed: 38914582
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65016-1