The correlation of climate factors on dengue transmission in urban area: Bangkok and Singapore cases

10.7287/peerj.preprints.2322v1 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Sittisede Polwiang

Keyword(s):

Incidence Rate ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Time Lag ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Lag Time ◽

Climate Factors ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Correlation Tests

The objective of this study is to find the correlation between climate factors and dengue incidence rate in Bangkok and Singapore during 2009-2015. Spearman's rank correlation tests with time-lag are performed to investigate the overall correlation between dengue incidence rates and climate factors , minimum, mean, and maximum temperatures, DTR, and rainfall. A Linear and Poisson regression analysis was performed. Spearman's rank correlation tests show that in Bangkok monthly rainfall (r=0.451, p<0.001), the number of rainy days (r=0.411, p<0.001) are positive correlation with 2 month lag time. DTR (r=-0.335, p<0.001) is negative correlation with 2 month lag time. Maximum (r=0.256, p<0.001), mean (r=0.304, p<0.001) and minimum (r=0.323, p<0.001) temperature are positive correlation with 4 month lag time. In Singapore, only minimum temperature (r=-0.299, p<0.001) with 1 month lag time is negative correlation and DTR (r=-0.289, p<0.001) with zero month lag time is positive correlation. The rest has no statically significance (p>0.05). This study concluded, climate factors play moderate role in dengue incidence in Bangkok. There is no statistical significance between rainfall and dengue incidence rate and temperature play a marginal role in Singapore.

Download Full-text

Sweating rate at different body regions in cattle and its correlation with some quantitative components of sweat gland volume for a given area of skin

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/ar9690395 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 395 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

YS Pan ◽

SM Donegan ◽

RH Hayman

Keyword(s):

Population Density ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Sweat Gland ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Sweat Glands ◽

Body Region ◽

Sweating Rate ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Gland Volume ◽

Body Regions

Sweating rates at five body regions on four Jersey and four Sahiwal x Jersey crossbred heifers were measured in a hot room under three treatments differing in temperature and duration. The correlations between sweating rate and some quantitative components of sweat gland volume for a given area of skin were examined. Differences in sweating rate between body regions, interactions between breed and body region in sweating rate, and differences in sweating rate for the various treatments were all shown to be statistically significant. There was no significant interaction between body regions and treatment in sweating rate.Between body regions within an animal, there was a positive correlation between sweat gland population density and sweating rate and a negative correlation between mean sweat gland volume and sweating rate. This negative correlation was associated with the fact that regions with high sweat gland population density also tended to have smaller sweat glands and vice versa. Indications of a positive correlation between the total sweat gland volume per unit area and sweating rate were also found, though none of these approached statistical significance.

Download Full-text

Association of Serum Bilirubin with the Severity and Outcomes of Intracerebral Hemorrhages

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10091346 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1346

Author(s):

Kai Fu ◽

Cynthia S. Garvan ◽

Shelley C. Heaton ◽

Nandakumar Nagaraja ◽

Sylvain Doré

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Serum Bilirubin ◽

Troponin T ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Study Data ◽

Direct Bilirubin ◽

University Hospital ◽

Stroke Severity ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the second most common subtype of stroke, and it is often associated with a high mortality rate and significant morbidity among survivors. Recent studies have shown that bilirubin, a product of heme metabolism, can exhibit cytoprotective, antioxidant and, anti-inflammatory properties. However, little is known about the role of bilirubin in combating several pathophysiological pathways caused by intracerebral bleeding in patients with ICH. In this study, data were collected retrospectively on 276 patients with ICH who were admitted to a university hospital between 5 January 2014 and 31 December 2017. We assessed the relationship between levels of total, direct, and indirect serum bilirubin and assessments of initial stroke severity and clinical outcomes by using Spearman’s rank correlation and Kruskal-Wallis H tests. A secondary examination of the carrier protein albumin was also undertaken. Our study found that higher levels of direct bilirubin were correlated with worse admission Glasgow Coma Scales (GCS) (rs = −0.17, p = 0.011), worse admission ICH Scores (rs = 0.19, p = 0.008), and worse discharge modified Rankin Scales (mRS) (rs = 0.15, p = 0.045). Direct bilirubin was still significantly correlated with discharge mRS after adjusting for temperature at admission (rs = 0.16, p = 0.047), oxygen saturation at admission (rs = 0.15, p = 0.048), white blood cell count (rs = 0.18, p = 0.023), or Troponin T (rs = 0.25, p = 0.001) using partial Spearman’s correlation. No statistical significance was found between levels of total or indirect bilirubin and assessments of stroke severity and outcomes. In contrast, higher levels of albumin were correlated with better admission GCS (rs = 0.13, p = 0.027), discharge GCS (rs = 0.15, p = 0.013), and discharge mRS (rs = −0.16, p = 0.023). We found that levels of total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and albumin were all significantly related to discharge outcomes classified by discharge destinations (p = 0.036, p = 0.014, p = 0.016, respectively; Kruskal-Wallis H tests). In conclusion, higher direct bilirubin levels were associated with greater stroke severity at presentation and worse outcomes at discharge among patients with ICH. Higher levels of albumin were associated with lower stroke severity and better clinical outcomes. Future prospective studies on the free bioactive bilirubin are needed to better understand the intricate relationships between bilirubin and ICH.

Download Full-text

Association of Serum Prolactin Level with Preeclampsia

Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Research ◽

10.31579/2768-0487/051 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (5) ◽

pp. 01-04

Author(s):

Mesbah Uddin Ahmed ◽

Saifun Nahar ◽

Sheuly Ferdousi ◽

Mohammad Monzurul Alam Bhuiyan ◽

Amit Kumar Pramanik

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Prolactin Level ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Serum Prolactin ◽

Serum Prolactin Level ◽

College Hospital ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation Coefficient ◽

The Difference

Introduction:Preeclampsia is a potentially fatal disorderof pregnant women; it remains an important cause of maternal mortality throughout the world. More than 50,000 maternal deaths occur worldwideeach year. Various researchers of different countries suggested an association of increase level of serumprolactin in preeclamptic patient. Estimation of serum prolactin level in pregnancy may be helpful in diagnosis of preeclampsia. Objective: Theobjective of the study is to observe the association of serum prolactin level with severity of preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectionalstudy was conducted from March 2020 to February 2021 in the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Fetomaternal Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, BSMMU and Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka. Fifty diagnosed patients of preeclampsia who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusioncriteria were selected as study population. At the same time 50 normal pregnant women were taken in another group. In both groups gestational age was calculated from last Menstrual date and confirmed by early ultrasound which wasdone at <14 weeks. Then serum prolactin level was calculated. Results: The mean serum prolactin level was 226.56±81.23 µg/L in mild and 394.53±78.75 µg/L in severe preeclampsia. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.001) between two groups.In ROC analysis cut off value of serum prolactin level was 118 μg/L.The area under curve (AUC) of serum prolactin was 0.923 (95% CI; 0.869-0.978). Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient test showed significant positive correlation (r=0.719,p=0.001) between serum prolactin level with severity of preeclampsia. This finding of the study revealed that serum prolactin level was increased with preeclampsia and was positive correlation with severity. Conclusion: Because of significantsensitivity and specificity, serum prolactin level maybe used as an important tool to diagnose preeclampsia and its severity.

Download Full-text

Milk-free diet followed by breastfeeding women

Roczniki Państwowego Zakładu Higieny ◽

10.32394/rpzh.2020.0118 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 181-189

Keyword(s):

Fast Food ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Food Products ◽

Elimination Diet ◽

P Value ◽

Computer Assisted ◽

Significance Level ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Low Calcium Diet

Background. Breastfeeding is the most common way of feeding infants. Human milk contains nutrients which are necessary to provide proper growth of a child. Nowadays there aren't any recommendations to follow elimination diet in order to decrease the risk of allergy or baby colic. Only the occurrence of health problems such as lactose intolerance or cow's milk protein allergy in breastfeeding mother or infant should be a reason for eliminating dairy products from diet. It seems to be important to explore the reasons and the frequency of following milk-free diet by breastfeeding women. Objectives. The main purpose of the study was to find the reasons for following milk-free diet by breastfeeding women and making an assessment of their nutrition knowledge and food habits. Material and methods. Thirty-three breastfeeding women following milk-free diet took part in the project. The women were interviewed by the Computer Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) method with an original questionnaire. The results were developed with Spearman's rank correlation, Chi2 test and the gamma coefficient. The statistical significance level for the p-value was <0.05. Results. The main reason for following milk-free diet by the breastfeeding women was the occurrence of hypersensitivity reactions of the children's gastrointestinal system after consuming milk by mother (72% responses). After excluding milk from diet only 42% respondents declared consuming new food products or dietary supplements in order to refill the potential deficiency of nutrients. The majority of respondents also eliminated from diet highly processed food products, fast-food and the carbonated drinks. The most often declared source of information about lactation was Internet (85%). Only 12% respondents asked a nutritionist in order to get the information about breastfeeding. Conclusions. It's necessary to promote a specific nutritional advice about following milk-free diet in breastfeeding women group in order to decrease the health risk connected with low calcium diet.

Download Full-text

Clinical and immunological features of opisthorchiasis

Kazan medical journal ◽

10.17816/kmj2021-626 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 102 (5) ◽

pp. 626-635

Author(s):

A U Sabitov ◽

D A Soldatov ◽

Yu B Khamanova

Keyword(s):

Immune System ◽

Immune Complexes ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Statistical Processing ◽

Circulating Immune Complexes ◽

Control Group ◽

Cytotoxic Lymphocytes ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Diagnostic Center

Aim. To assess the clinical and immunological features in patients with chronic opisthorchiasis, depending on the duration of the infection. Methods. The first group consisted of 19 patients with the duration of the infection up to 1 year, the second group consisted of 21 patients with the duration of the infection between 1 and 5 years, the third group was formed of 23 patients with the duration of the disease more than 5 years, the control group 20 healthy individuals. Immunological research was carried out at the Clinical Diagnostic Center. Statistical processing was performed using Microsoft Excel 2010 and Statistica 6.0 software. The statistical significance of differences was determined by using the MannWhitney test (U-test) at the level of significance of p 0.05. The correlations were assessed by calculating Spearman's rank correlation coefficients.Results Clinical features of chronic opisthorchiasis were revealed in the disease duration groups of up to 1 year, from 1 year to 5 years, more than 5 years: the subclinical course was most common in the group of up to 1 year; cholangiohepatitis prevailed in the group of between 1 to 5 years, allergic skin syndrome, cholangiocholecystitis and pancreatitis dominated in the group of more than 5 years. The immune response in chronic opisthorchiasis was characterized by: up to 1 year lymphocytosis, increased levels of immunoglobulins M (IgM) and circulating immune complexes (CIC), a decrease in the number of T-lymphocytes (CD3+), as well as an increase in bactericidal activity of leukocytes (BAL); between 1 and 5 years monocytosis, increased levels of immunoglobulins M, immunoglobulins G and circulating immune complexes, a decrease in T-cytotoxic lymphocytes (CD8+) and nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT test), as well as an increase in NK cells and phagocytic activity of monocytes, more than 5 years eosinophilia. Conclusion. Common features of rearrangement of the immune system in opisthorchiasis: inflammatory changes in the hemogram, activation of humoral immunity with parallel suppression of the cellular component of the immune system, and increased phagocytosis.

Download Full-text

Pulp hyperemia: analysis of treatment based on the results of a survey of dentists

Medical alphabet ◽

10.33667/2078-5631-2021-38-62-66 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (38) ◽

pp. 62-66

Author(s):

M. A. Postnikov ◽

K. P. Gaylis ◽

M. I. Sadykov ◽

S. Y. Chigarina ◽

Y. A. Shukhorova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Comparative Analysis ◽

Professional Training ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Correlation Method ◽

Quality Criteria ◽

Late Complications ◽

Early Complications ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Rank Correlation Method

The purpose of the study: to analyze the methods of treatment of deep caries by dentists of the Samara region.Materials and methods. In 2021, 220 specialists of the Samara region were surveyed on the treatment of deep dental caries on the bases of budgetary and extra-budgetary organizations. The questionnaires contained 20 questions that provided information about the level of professional training of specialists, the degree of their awareness of quality criteria and standards, the use of modern technologies and the implementation of each stage of deep caries treatment. The statistical significance of the obtained results (p) was calculated using the Student’s criterion (t) and its interpretation based on the standard table of critical values of the Student’s coefficient. Spearman’s rank correlation method was used to determine the strength and direction of the correlation.Results. The majority of dentists – 89.9% use a medical pad in the treatment of deep caries, of which 38.7% of respondents use this pad only when accidentally opening the tooth cavity. Based on the answers to the questionnaire, 77.0% of respondents prefer calcium-containing self-hardening medical pads and only 4.6% use MTA-based pads. A comparative analysis of doctors with rare early complications and doctors with frequent early complications showed that doctors of the second group apply a medical pad when opening the tooth cavity 25% more often than doctors of the first group when performing necrectomy in full volume in both groups. A comparative analysis of doctors with rare late complications and frequent late complications did not reveal a statistical significance between the imposition of a medical pad and the opening of the tooth cavity during a complete necrectomy in doctors of the first and second groups. Complications after the treatment of deep caries may be due to an incorrect interpretation of reversible and irreversible changes in the pulp, and in this regard – incorrectly chosen treatment tactics.Conclusion. The success of the treatment of deep carisea largely depends on the correct determination of reversible and irreversible changes in the pulp of the tooth.

Download Full-text

Correlation between plasma clot properties, thrombin generation and whole blood fibrinolytic assays in patients presenting with STEMI

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.1551 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

Y Gue ◽

N Mutch ◽

R Kanji ◽

M Farag ◽

D.A Gorog

Keyword(s):

Negative Correlation ◽

Whole Blood ◽

Thrombin Generation ◽

Thrombus Formation ◽

Lag Time ◽

Plasma Clot ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Coronary Syndrome ◽

Lysis Time ◽

Endogenous Fibrinolysis

Abstract Background Impaired endogenous fibrinolysis is a novel risk factor for recurrent adverse cardiovascular events in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. This is independent of conventional cardiovascular risk factors and unaffected by dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). The mechanism underlying impaired endogenous fibrinolysis in ACS patients is currently unclear. Aim To identify the relationship between whole blood fibrinolysis, plasma fibrinolysis and thrombin generation in samples from STEMI patients. Methods In a large, prospective, observational study of 500 patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), blood samples were taken on arrival, after DAPT loading, and before administration of heparin or PPCI. Non-anticoagulated venous whole blood was analysed using the point-of-care Global Thrombosis Test, which assesses the time taken for occlusive thrombus formation under high shear (occlusion time, OT) and time required for spontaneous restart of flow as a measure of endogenous fibrinolysis (lysis time, LT). Patients were divided into 4 groups based on quartiles (Q) of whole blood LT (Q1: LT<1500s, Q2:1501–3000s, Q3:3001–4500s, Q4:>4500s). Plasma samples (20 per quartile) were examined in a thrombin generation assay using 1pM tissue factor to initiate and using a turbidity assay to determine the plasma clot lysis time (CLT). Results Clinical characteristics of patients were similar in the four groups. The whole blood LT in the 4 groups were Q1: 1194 (1125–1329) s, Q2: 1859 (1634–2157) s, Q3: 3638 (3252–3962) s, Q4: 6000 (5523–6000) s. As LT increased, there was a trend towards longer plasma CLT (50% CLT Q2: 88.5 [73.5–102] vs. Q4: 100 [85–128.5] min, p=0.088). As a continuous variable, there was no significant relationship between whole blood LT and plasma CLT, or between endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) and either whole blood LT or plasma CLT. There was a significant negative correlation between OT and velocity index (r=−0.425, p=0.0138), ETP (r=−0.519, p=0.002), peak thrombin generation (r=−0.390, p=0.0247) and a positive correlation with lag-time (r=0.427, p=0.013). There was positive correlation between CLT and white cell count (WCC, r=0.388, p=0.026), C-reactive protein (CRP, r=0.477, p=0.005) and maximum absorbance (MA, r=0.530, p=0.002). MA correlated with WCC (r=0.436, p=0.011) and platelet count (r=0.357, p=0.042). There was a negative correlation between OT and WCC (r=−0.537, p=0.001) and CRP (r=−0.381, p=0.029). Conclusion In patients with STEMI, increased platelet reactivity (shorter OT) correlated with increased thrombin generation (higher ETP, peak thrombin generation, velocity index and reduced lag time), demonstrating the key role of thrombin in occlusive thrombus formation. Fibrinolysis in whole blood was poorly related to plasma CLT or thrombin generation, suggesting that cellular components such as platelets, erythrocytes and neutrophil extracellular traps may significantly influence endogenous fibrinolysis. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Download Full-text

Feng Shui principles and the Malaysian housing market: what matters in property selection and pricing?

Property Management ◽

10.1108/pm-01-2020-0001 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 38 (5) ◽

pp. 643-664

Author(s):

Jeffrey Boon Hui Yap ◽

Kah Chuan Lum

Keyword(s):

Housing Market ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Living Room ◽

Feng Shui ◽

Content Type ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Residential Properties ◽

Correlation Tests ◽

Klang Valley ◽

Main Entrance

PurposeThis study aims to investigate Feng Shui elements that can influence housing selection and property pricing in the Malaysian housing market.Design/methodology/approachA structured questionnaire encompassing 26 Feng Shui elements, which were shortlisted based on relevant previous studies, was distributed to prospective homebuyers in the Klang Valley region. The elements were inferred and ranked according to frequency, significance and importance scores. Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA tests were used to assess the ratings provided by the different respondent groups, while Spearman's rank correlation tests were utilised to measure the degree of agreement or disagreement among each pair of the ethnic group.FindingsThe results obtained indicate the following as the five most influential elements: orientation, main entrance, street location, house number and living room. Despite a multiethnic and multicultural society in Malaysia, Spearman's rank correlation tests showed that there are no differences in the prioritisation of Feng Shui elements between three distinct ethnic groups (Malay, Chinese and Indian). However, the distribution scores are statistically different between the groups. Comparing income level with Feng Shui inclinations, the three most frequently considered elements across the three income groups consistently include orientation, main entrance and street location.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study are expected to provide guidance to property stakeholders (developers, real estate agencies, architects, local authorities) in their future development projects. For homebuyers, this study serves as a property Feng Shui checklist for home selection and investment.Originality/valueThis study explored the association of Feng Shui principles to housing selection and property pricing based on cultural and income factors. These findings provide useful insights for designing and positioning of residential properties in both primary and secondary housing markets in Malaysia and beyond.

Download Full-text

Penetrometer tests on 109 pit latrines in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya

Water SA ◽

10.4314/wsa.v44i3.13 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 44 (3 July) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

D Seal ◽

RT Bown ◽

AH Parker

Keyword(s):

Correlation Coefficient ◽

Liquid Layer ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Depth Of Penetration ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation ◽

Spearman’S Rank Correlation Coefficient ◽

Pit Latrine ◽

Thick Crust

Pit latrine contents can have varying consistencies that make the pits challenging to empty. It has been assumed that solids sink to the bottom of the pit with a more liquid layer above this and a scum on the top. This implies that it would be possible to remove the uppermost layers with a pump. However, recent studies have found alternative sludge profiles, including a thick crust on the top. This paper presents penetrometer data from a large number (109) of pit latrines in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya. The penetrometer consists of a weight, dropped onto an anvil that drives a cone into the pit. The depth of penetration following each impact was measured. This was converted into plots of depth in the pits against penetration. Each pit was analysed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, and categorised into positive or negative correlation, significant or non-significant. Significant, negative correlation was assumed to correspond to pits where the solids had sunk to the bottom. 38% of pits were classified in this way, which suggested that while it is common that the number of impacts required to penetrate the sludge increases with depth in the pit, this is not always the case. Pit emptiers should be prepared to deal with pits with a variety of sludge profiles, including those with a solids layer at the top.

Download Full-text