Bayesian threshold analysis of litter size in sheep

Background: Litter size at birth (LSB) is one of the most important economic traits in sheep and could be used in genetic improvement schemes for meat production. LSB is inherently a categorical trait and should be analysed with threshold models. Objective: Bayesian threshold models were used to analyze sheep LSB to estimate genetic parameters. Methods: Data was based on 7,901 LSB records from 14,968 dams and 682 sires collected from 1986 to 2012 at Makouie Sheep Breeding Station in Iran. Means of posterior distributions (MPDs) of LSB's genetic parameters were estimated, and the best-fitted models were selected using the deviance information criterion. Results: In the repeated measurement analysis, the estimated direct and maternal heritabilities, and permanent environmental effect (±SE), according to the best-fitted model (model 5), were 0.01 (0.010), 0.02 (0.014), and 0.01 (0.011), respectively. In the univariate analysis, the best estimates of direct and maternal heritabilities were 0.12 (0.064) and 0.08 (0.045), respectively. An increasing trend for direct and maternal heritabilities was observed in parity 2 (0.15 (0.082) and 0.25 (0.083), respectively). In the bivariate analysis, the best estimates of direct and maternal heritabilities for LSB were 0.03 (0.027) and 0.22 (0.041), respectively. The direct and maternal genetic correlations among parities were 0.25 (0.054) and 0.12 (0.021), respectively. Conclusions: The results showed a considerable influence of environmental factors on LSB in each parity of sheep; also, statistically different genetic parameters (p<0.05) were obtained from one parity to another, indicating the different and large influences of genetic and environmental factors for each parity.

Antecedentes: El tamaño de la camada al nacer (LSB) es inherentemente un rasgo categórico y debe analizarse con modelos de umbral. El LSB es uno de los rasgos de producción de carne más importantes en las ovejas y podría usarse en esquemas de mejora genética para la producción de carne. Objetivo: Se utilizaron modelos de umbral bayesiano para analizar el tamaño de la camada de ovejas al nacer (LSB) y estimar parámetros genéticos. Métodos: Los datos se basaron en 7.901 registros de LSB de 14.968 ovejas y 682 carneros recolectados de 1986 a 2012 en la estación de cría de ovejas Makouie en Irán. Se estimaron las medias de distribuciones posteriores (MPD) de los parámetros genéticos de LSB y se seleccionaron los modelos mejor ajustados utilizando el criterio de información de desviación. Resultados: En los análisis de medición repetida, la heredabilidad materna y directa estimada y el efecto ambiental permanente (±SE), según el modelo mejor ajustado (modelo 5), fueron 0,01 (0,010), 0,02 (0,014) y 0,01 (0,011), respectivamente. En el análisis univariado, las mejores estimaciones de heredabilidad directa y materna fueron 0,12 (0,064) y 0,08 (0,045), respectivamente. Se observó una tendencia creciente de heredabilidades directas y maternas en la paridad 2 (0,15 (0,082) y 0,25 (0,083), respectivamente). En el análisis bivariado, las mejores estimaciones de heredabilidad directa y materna para LSB fueron 0,03 (0,027) y 0,22 (0,041), respectivamente. Las correlaciones genéticas directas y maternas entre partos fueron 0,25 (0,054) y 0,12 (0,021), respectivamente. Conclusiones: Los resultados mostraron una influencia considerable de los factores ambientales sobre el LSB en cada parto de las ovejas; además, se obtuvieron parámetros genéticos estadísticamente diferentes (p<0.05) de un parto a otro, indicando las diferentes y grandes influencias de factores genéticos y ambientales para cada parto en ovejas. Los resultados de este estudio se pueden precisar aún más utilizando datos de SNP de todo el genoma sobre diferentes partes para manejar una amplia gama de problemas relacionados con la interacción del entorno genético del rasgo LSB.

Antecedentes: O tamanho da ninhada ao nascer (LSB) é inerentemente uma característica categórica e deve ser analisada com modelos de limiar. LSB é uma das características mais importantes de produção de carne em ovinos e pode ser usado em esquemas de melhoramento genético para a produção de carne. Objetivo: Modelos de limiar bayesiano foram usados para analisar o tamanho da ninhada de ovelhas ao nascer (LSB) para estimar parâmetros genéticos. Métodos: Os dados foram baseados em 7.901 registros LSB de 14.968 ovelhas e 682 carneiros coletados de 1986 a 2012 na Estação de Criação de Ovinos Makouie no Irã. Médias de distribuições posteriores (MPDs) dos parâmetros genéticos de LSB foram estimadas e os modelos mais bem ajustados foram selecionados usando o critério de informação de desvio. Resultados: Nas análises de medidas repetidas, as herdabilidades diretas e maternas estimadas e o efeito do ambiente permanente (±SE), de acordo com o modelo mais bem ajustado (modelo 5), foram 0,01 (0,010), 0,02 (0,014) e 0,01 (0,011), respectivamente. Na análise univariada, as melhores estimativas das herdabilidades direta e materna foram 0,12 (0,064) e 0,08 (0,045), respectivamente. Uma tendência crescente para as herdabilidades direta e materna foi observada na paridade 2 (0,15 (0,082) e 0,25 (0,083), respectivamente). Na análise bivariada, as melhores estimativas de herdabilidades direta e materna para LSB foram 0,03 (0,027) e 0,22 (0,041), respectivamente. As correlações genéticas diretas e maternas entre os partos foram 0,25 (0,054) e 0,12 (0,021), respectivamente. Conclusões: Os resultados mostraram uma influência considerável dos fatores ambientais na LSB em cada paridade de ovelhas; também, parâmetros genéticos estatisticamente diferentes (p<0,05) foram obtidos de uma paridade para outra, indicando as diferentes e grandes influências de fatores genéticos e ambientais para cada paridade em ovinos. Os resultados deste estudo podem ser ainda mais definidos usando dados SNPs de todo o genoma em diferentes partes para lidar com uma ampla gama de problemas relacionados à interação do ambiente genético do traço LSB.

Evaluation of the Process Control Capability of Lorazepam Tablets by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the process control capability of lorazepam tablets produced in China. METHODS: Near-infrared spectroscopy combined with cluster analysis(CLA) and principal component analysis(PCA) were used to characterize the different processes and process control space of lorazepam tablets produced in China. Universal quantitative model was built to obtain the content predictions of individual units(tablets), on base of which process mean value,intra-batch and inter-batch differences and distribution status were calculated by univariate statistics analysis methods. RESULTS: Three different manufacturing processes of lorazepam tablets were characterized by both CLA and PCA. The process control spaces reconstructed by the second and third principal components indicated that the process of manufacturer B had smaller variation than that of manufacturer A. The universal quantitative model had a principal component number of 5, r2 square value of 93.89% and bias of -0.008 56. The statistic distribution of API contents showed that 9 batches out of the total 27 batches had relative lager intra-batch differences and manufacturer B had better inter-batch differences than manufacturer A. CONCLUSION: The method this study established can reveal the control levels of different processes of lorazepam tablets, which provide an efficient quality consistency evaluation means for generic drug consistency assessment.

Relationship between levels of plasma coagulation factors and acute myocardial infarction in low age period / 重庆医学

Objective To explore the relationship between the levels of plasma coagulation factors (F) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in low age period (0.05).The multivariate analysis indicated that the FⅡ level≥ 14.27 μg/L and FⅦ level ≥22.99 μg/L were the independent risk factors for low age AMI.The value of FⅡ for diagnosing low age AMI was lower,and the optimal cut off value of Fg for diagnosing low age AMI was 22.99 μg/L,its area under ROC curve was 0.709 with a moderate diagnostic value,and the sensitivity (91.88%) and negative predictive value (86.02%) were higher,the false negative rate (13.98%) was lower,and the accuracy (70.94%) was moderate.Conclusion The FⅡ level ≥14.27 μg/L and Fg level ≥22.99 μg/L are the independent risk factors for low age AMI,and detecting the Fg level could have hint significance in diagnosing low age AMI.

Clinicopathological characteristics, treatment and outcomes in uterine carcinosarcoma and grade 3 endometrial cancer patients: a comparative study / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: Uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS) shared the same staging system with endometrial carcinoma in the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2009. The aim of the present study was to compare the clinicopathological and prognostic characteristics between UCS and grade 3 endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (G3EC). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 60 UCS and 115 G3EC patients with initial treatment at the Department of Gynecology in the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center between February 2006 and August 2013. Chi-square analysis was used to compare differences between variables. Prognostic factors were determined using univariate/multivariate analysis, and the survival rates were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The Cox regression model was used to assess the independent prognostic factor. RESULTS: UCS had significantly worse overall survival (OS) compared with G3EC. Carcinosarcoma subtype was an independent factor (hazard ratio [HR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0 to 5.8; p=0.039), stratified based on stage. Compared with G3EC, UCS patients had a greater incidence of ascites fluid (55.0% vs. 15.7%, p<0.001) and adnexal involvement (20.0% vs. 8.7%, p=0.048) and larger median tumor volume (4.6 cm vs. 4.0 cm, p=0.046). Subgroup analysis of the prognostic factors revealed that UCS patients exhibited worse OS than G3EC patients in such specific subgroups as patients at younger ages, with postmenopausal status, without ascites fluid, with early stage diseases, without vagina invasion, without lymph node metastases and receiving adjuvant chemo/radiotherapy. Adjuvant radiotherapy with chemotherapy was predictive of better survival in UCS patients compared with chemotherapy or radiotherapy alone (5-year OS, 71.0% vs. 35.8%, p=0.028). Multivariate Cox regression revealed that tumor mesenchymal component (HR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.4 to 15.8; p=0.014) was an independent prognostic factor for UCS, whereas advanced stages (HR, 5.9; 95% CI, 1.0 to 33.9; p=0.046) and ascites fluid (HR, 5.1; 95% CI, 1.1 to 22.7; p=0.032) were independently correlated with poor prognosis for G3EC patients. CONCLUSION: The distinctions in both clinicopathological and prognostic characteristics between UCS and G3EC suggest that this subtype should be treated separately from high-risk epithelial endometrial carcinoma.

Comparison on chemical constituents in raw and honey baked Farfarae Flos by NMR-based metabolomic appoach / 中草药

Objective: To explore the scientific basis for Farfarae Flos baked with honey. Methods: NMR-based metabolomic approach combined with PAC, OPLS-DA, and univariate analysis was used to investigate the differences between the raw Farfarae Flos (RFF) and Farfarae Flos baked with honey (HFF). Results: Forty metabolites were identified in the NMR spectra, and the multivariate statistical results showed that RFF and HFF could be clearly separated. The levels of 1-O-ethyl-β-D-glucoside, β-glucose, sucrose, and α-glucose were higher and those of valine, aspartate, and threonine were lower in HFF compared with RFF. In light of secondary metabolites, RFF contained more chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid whereas HFF contained more tussilagone and rutin. Conclusion: The results reveal the chemical differences between RFF and HFF in a holistic way, and lay the foundation for the scientific explanation of Farfarae Flos processing.

A case-control study on infection following skin and soft tissue expander implantation / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To analyze the risk factors of postoperative infection in patients with skin and soft tissue ex-pander (SSTE)implantation,and provide scientific evidence for making intervention strategies.Methods Question-naires were made,relevant data were obtained through medical record reviewing and telephone inquiry,and case-control method was used to conduct statistical analysis.Results A total of 532 patients were with SSTE implanta-tion,22 (4.14%)of whom had infection,and 14 infected patients were included in this research.Univariate logistic regression analysis indicated that there were significant difference in the number of the embedded expanders (OR=1 .58,95%CI :1 .20-2.32),the implantation site(OR =1 .75,95%CI :1 .30 -2.32),living circumstances of pa-tients(OR=1 .87,95%CI :1 .84 -2.65 ),and whether expanders were regularly disinfected(OR =2.66,95%CI :1 .76-4.32)(all P <0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that living circumstances of patients(OR=1 .55,95%CI :1 .15-2.25)and whether expanders were regularly disinfected (OR=3.66,95%CI :2.86-3.22) were two main factors entering the regression equation(both P <0.01 ).Conclusion Living circumstances of pa-tients and whether expanders are regularly disinfected are main risk factors of postoperative infection in patients with SSTE embedding.Knowledge education on preventing infection among patients and main caregivers should be strengthened,post-discharge continuous nursing system should be established.

Preparation and characterization of micronized trans-cinnamic acid by anti-solvent crystallization method / 中草药

Objective: Using ethanol as solvent, deionized water as anti-solvent, and HPMC as the surfactant, to prepare trans-cinnamic acid (TCA) micro powder by single factor analysis. The effects of five experimental parameters on the mean particle size (MPS) and morphology of TCA nanosuspension were investigated. Methods: Transmission electron microscope (TEM), laser granulometric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dissolution were used to analyze the characteristic of micronized TCA nanosuspension. Results: The micronized TCA with an MPS of 130 nm was obtained under the optimum conditions. The dissolution rate of TCA nanosuspension was 1.67 times of raw drug. Conclusion: Using anti-solvent recrystallization to prepare micronized TCA can improve the solubility and dispersion of TCA nanosuspension in water, and they provide the basis for further formulation development.

Association between dietary behavior and tic symptoms of children with Tourette syndrome / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To explore the association of dietary behavior of children with Tourette syndrome (TS) and tic symptoms.Methods 207 TS children and their 264 corresponding controls,who visited our hospital during the period of November 2008 to October 2010,were investigated with children' s dietary behavior questionnaire,under the guidance of professional staff,and the TS tic symptom severity was also evaluated according to The Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS).Kruskal-Wallis H rank-sum test was applied for univariate analysis and multinominal logistic regression for further multivariate analysis,with values of odds ratio (OR) and population attributable risk (PAR) obtained to demonstrate the relation strength between dietary behavior and tic symptom severity.Results Results of univariate analysis showed that western fast meal,barbecues,cream food,cold food,and spicy food were related to TS tic symptom severity (P＜0.05).Results of multivariate analysis demonstrated that western fast meal,fruits and vegetables,cream food and spicy food were risk factors for mild TS compared with control group,with OR and 95％ CI of 3.282 (1.922,5.064),2.239 (1.298,3.861),2.341 (1.355,4.046),2.118 (1.327,3.380) and their corresponding PAR of 0.306,0.464,0.169,0.250 respectively.As to moderate and severe TS,the risk factors included western fast meal,fruits and vegetables,and spicy food,with their respective OR and 95％ CI of 2.581 (1.322,5.038),2.364 (1.166,4.795),1.822 (1.014,2.272) and PAR of 0.234,0.487,0.197.Conclusion Dietary behavior,especially western fast meal,fruits and vegetables,cream food and spicy food,are considered to be associated with TS tic symptom severity.Therefore it' s obligatory to rectify undesirable dietary behaviors for TS children.

Analysis of clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of 59 Chinese male patients with breast cancer / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective To investigate general and clinicopathological characteristics of male breast cancer and analyze the factors affecting the outcomes of the patients.Methods Fifty-nine male breast cancer patients treated at Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2002 to December 2011 were included into the study.The clinicopathologic features and 5-year survival rate were retrospectively analyzed.The clinicopathologieal characteristics were investigated by univariate analysis to evaluate the impact of these factors on patient survival.Results The median age at diagnosis was 64 years old in these patients.The positive rate of ER/PR was 74.6 ％ (44/59).The patients were followed up for 9-123 months.The 5-year survival rate was 61％.Patients in stages Ⅰ and Ⅱ had better overall survival than those in stages Ⅲ and Ⅳ.Conclusion The male breast cancer patient has special clinical characteristics.TNM stage is a significant predictor of the overall survival.

Retrospective analysis of 207 patients with pathological nipple discharge / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective:Pathological nipple discharge (PND) is commonly associated with benign breast disorders. However, PND lesions can also be malignant and can be the initial or unique presenting symptom of breast cancer. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the clinical factors and the character of PND lesions. Methods:The clinical data of 207 patients with PND as their primary complaint were retrospectively analyzed. Results:Univariate analysis showed that the risk factors for breast cancer usually increase in patients with PND accompanied by a breast lump or breast calcification or those aged over 50 (P0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that patients aged over 50 with PND accompanied by a breast lump or breast calcification have a higher risk of suffering from breast cancer. Conclusion:The ages of patients with PND accompanied by a breast lump or breast calcification may significantly affect the diagnosis of benign and malignant PND lesions.

Factors facilitating the successful post-pyloric placement of spiral naso-jejunum tube in critically ill patients / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To analyze the potential factors facilitating post-pyloric placement of spiral naso-jejunum tube in critically ill patients.Methods A retrospective study was carried out in patients requiring enteral nutrition (EN) from Apr 2005 through Dec 2011 in Intensive Care Unit (ICU).Severity of illness was assessed with APACHE Ⅱ score (acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ).A selfpropelled spiral naso-jejunum tube was placed and observed for 24 hours.The forward movement and place of the tube tip was checked by bedside X-ray.The APACHE Ⅱ score,therapeutic measures,agents administered within 24 hours after tube insertion were recorded.The patients were divided into the success group and the failure group identified by bedside X-ray whether the tube tip entered into jejunum or not.Univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to find out the potential factors impacting on the success or failure in post-pyloric placement of naso-jejunum tube.Results A total of 508 patients composed of 337 male and 171 female,and aged (62.0 ± 19.2) years with APACHE Ⅱ score of (21.9 ± 7.3) were enrolled for study.The placement was successful in 205 (40.4％) of 508 patients.Univariate analysis showed that APACHE Ⅱ score ≥ 20,sedatives and analgesics,catecholamines,prokinetics,artificial airway and mechanical ventilation were potential factors facilitating the post-pyloric placement of naso-jejunum tube.Multivariate logistic regression identified that APACHE Ⅱ score ≥ 20,sedatives and analgesics and prokinetics were independent factors facilitating the post-pyloric placement of naso-jejunum tube.Conclusions The success rate of self-propelled spiral nasojejunal tubes insertion was relatively low.The prokinetics contributed higher success rate of naso-jejunum tube placement than factors of APACHE Ⅱ score ≥ 20,sedative and analgesic,catecholamine drugs,artificial airway and mechanical ventilation.There were no effects of age and gender on the placement of naso-jejunum tube.

Statistics in Clinical Research of Oriental Medicine / 日本東洋医学雑誌

Oriental medicine encompasses various areas including Kampo medicine, and alternative treatments such as acupuncture and massage. Special knowledge of statistics is not necessary to understand in oriental medicine, for which it is sufficient to master general statistics. This review describes statistic fundamentals and important issues for submitting an original article. It describes statistical thinking, data collection, study design, special considerations related to oriental medicine, fundamental statistical methods, multivariate analysis, and statistical software. In particular, it deals with the concept of sample variation, observational and experimental studies, rationale for randomization, sample size determination, t-tests, chi-square tests, paired tests, nonparametric methods, P-values, correlation coefficients, multiple regression, and logistic regression.

Statistics in Clinical Research of Oriental Medicine / 日本東洋医学雑誌

Oriental medicine encompasses various areas including Kampo medicine, and alternative treatments such as acupuncture and massage. Special knowledge of statistics is not necessary to understand in oriental medicine, for which it is sufficient to master general statistics. This review describes statistic fundamentals and important issues for submitting an original article. It describes statistical thinking, data collection, study design, special considerations related to oriental medicine, fundamental statistical methods, multivariate analysis, and statistical software. In particular, it deals with the concept of sample variation, observational and experimental studies, rationale for randomization, sample size determination, t-tests, chi-square tests, paired tests, nonparametric methods, P-values, correlation coefficients, multiple regression, and logistic regression.

Clinical Predictive Factors for Acute Gangrenous Cholecystitis

PURPOSE: The postoperative morbidity and mortality for acute gangrenous cholecystitis (AGC) are higher than for acute nongangrenous cholecystitis (ANGC). However, preoperative predictive factors for the outcome of gangrenous cholecystitis have not been identified. The goal of this study was to determine the preoperative clinical predictive factors for the outcome of surgical treatment for acute gangrenous cholecystitis. METHODS: From January 2005 to December 2006, the medical records of 173 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Among 173 patients with acute cholecystits, 57 (32.9%) had pathologically confirmed gangrenous cholecystits. Six variables were found to be associated with gangrenous cholecystits by univariate analysis: an age > or = 55 years, the presence of associated diseases, hypertension, fever (> or =37 degrees), an increased white blood cell count (> or = 15,450/mm3) and glucose. Four variables were identified that were associated with gangrenous cholecystits by multivariate analysis: an age > or = 55 years, the presence of associated diseases, hypertension, and an increased white blood cell count (> or =15450/mm3). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that patients with an age > or = 55 years, the presence of associated diseases, hypertension, and an increased white blood cell count (> or =15450/mm3) have an increased risk of gangrenous cholecystitis and require immediate surgery.