Non-linear association of the metabolic score for insulin resistance with obstructive sleep apnea: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2015-2018.

Background: The relationship between the Metabolic Score for Insulin Resistance (METS-IR), a novel index integrating multiple metabolic parameters, and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) remains under explored.

Methods: Analyses were conducted on data from 2,348 participants included in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2015 to 2018. Logistic regression, stratified analyses, curve-fitting analyses, and threshold effects analyses were employed to evaluate the association between METS-IR and the risk of OSA.

Anxiety as a mediator between symptom distress and quality of life in peritoneal dialysis patients: insights from mediation analysis and nonlinear models.

Objectives: This study investigates anxiety's role as a mediator between symptom burden and quality of life in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis, emphasizing the potential for targeted interventions to enhance patient outcomes.

Methods: In a cross-sectional design, 320 peritoneal dialysis patients were recruited, with 305 providing valid responses (response rate: 95.31%).

Respiratory chronic health conditions and racial disparities associated with e-cigarette use: a cross-sectional analysis using behavioral risk factor surveillance data.

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), mainly caused by cigarette smoking, is one of the leading causes of death in the United States (US) and frequent asthma attacks are often exacerbated by cigarette use. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are often used to quit cigarette smoking. Prevalence of COPD, asthma, cigarette use, and e-cigarette use differs between racial/ethnic groups.

Correction: Smartphone-Based Survey and Message Compliance in Adults Initially Unready to Quit Smoking: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2196/56003.].

Establishment of a visualized mouse orthotopic xenograft model of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Mouse orthotopic xenograft tumor models are commonly employed in studies investigating the mechanisms underlying the development and progression of tumors and their preclinical treatment. However, the unavailability of mature and visualized orthotopic xenograft models of nasopharyngeal carcinoma limits the development of treatment strategies for this cancer. The aim of this study was to provide a simple and reliable method for building an orthotopic xenograft model of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Impact of Quitline Services on Tobacco Cessation: An Application of Modern Epidemiological Methods.

This study investigated the effectiveness of quitline service intensity (high vs. low) on past 30-day tobacco abstinence at 7-months follow-up, using observational data from the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline (OTH) between April 2020 and December 2021. To assess the impact of loss to follow-up and non-random treatment assignment, we fit the parameters of a marginal structural model to estimate inverse probability weights for censoring (IPCW) and treatment (IPTW) and combined (IPCTW).

Short term outcome of neonatal venous thromboembolism in anticoagulated versus observed patients.

Background: Advancements in the medical field and increased survival of premature infants have led to a rise of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in neonates. Neonatal hemostasis exists in a delicate balance with a propensity towards pro-coagulation. Current recommendations include careful observation, therapeutic anti-coagulation and in some cases thrombolysis.

Smartphone-Based Smoking Cessation Intervention (OKquit) for Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline Users: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Tobacco quitlines provide effective resources (eg, nicotine replacement therapy, smoking cessation counseling, and text and web-based support) for those who want to quit smoking in the United States. However, quitlines reach approximately only 1%-3% of people who smoke each year. Novel, smartphone-based, and low-burden interventions that offer 24/7 access to smoking cessation resources that are tailored to current readiness to quit may increase appeal, reach, and effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions.

Financial Incentives for Smoking Cessation Among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals (ie, those with low socioeconomic status [SES]) have difficulty quitting smoking and may benefit from incentive-based cessation interventions.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of incentivizing smoking abstinence on smoking cessation among adults with low SES.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This study used a 2-group randomized clinical trial design.

Smartphone-Based Survey and Message Compliance in Adults Initially Unready to Quit Smoking: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Efficacy of smartphone-based interventions depends on intervention content quality and level of exposure to that content. Smartphone-based survey completion rates tend to decline over time; however, few studies have identified variables that predict this decline over longer-term interventions (eg, 26 weeks).

Objective: This study aims to identify predictors of survey completion and message viewing over time within a 26-week smoking cessation trial.

Association Between COVID-19 and Planned and Postponed Cancer Screenings Among American Indian Adults Residing in California and Oklahoma, March-December 2020.

Objective: Little is known about how the COVID-19 pandemic affected cancer screenings among American Indian people residing in California and Oklahoma, 2 states with the largest American Indian populations. We assessed rates and factors associated with cancer screenings among American Indian adults during the pandemic.

Methods: From October 2020 through January 2021, we surveyed 767 American Indian adults residing in California and Oklahoma.

Surging Liver Transplantation for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis from 2000-2022: A National Database Study.

Objectives: Our aim was to provide an up-to-date, large-scale overview of the trends and clinicodemographics for NASH LTs performed in the United States compared with all other LT indications between 2000 and 2022. We also examined the demographic factors that will predict future demand for NASH LT.

Methods: Our analysis of NASH LT from the Organ Procurement & Transplantation Network database spanning 2000-2022 consisted primarily of descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing with corrections for multiple testing when necessary.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement following endoscopic third ventriculostomy failure in the treatment of pediatric hydrocephalus.

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) failure on subsequent risk of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify pediatric patients receiving ETV followed by a VPS at Oklahoma Children's Hospital between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021. A control group of patients receiving a VPS alone was also gathered.

A semiparametric multiply robust multiple imputation method for causal inference.

Evaluating the impact of non-randomized treatment on various health outcomes is difficult in observational studies because of the presence of covariates that may affect both the treatment or exposure received and the outcome of interest. In the present study, we develop a semiparametric multiply robust multiple imputation method for estimating average treatment effects in such studies. Our method combines information from multiple propensity score models and outcome regression models, and is multiply robust in that it produces consistent estimators for the average causal effects if at least one of the models is correctly specified.

Potential predictive value of IVIM MR for xerostomia in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background And Purpose: Xerostomia, caused by radiation-induced parotid damage, is the most commonly reported radiotherapy (RT) complication for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MR in monitoring radiation-induced parotid gland damage and predicting the risk of xerostomia.

Methods: Fifty-four NPC patients were enrolled and underwent at least three IVIM MR scans: before (pre-RT), after 5 fractions of (5th-RT), halfway through (mid-RT), and after RT (post-RT).

Next-Generation Sequencing Data-Based Association Testing of a Group of Genetic Markers for Complex Responses Using a Generalized Linear Model Framework.

Association testing has been widely used to study the relationship between genetic variants and phenotypes. Most association testing methods are genotype-based, i.e.

Rurality, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, and Early Cardiovascular Disease among Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Survivors.

Background And Aims: Cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) later in life potentiate risk for late cardiovascular disease (CVD) from cardiotoxic treatment among survivors. This study evaluated the association of baseline CVRFs and CVD in the early survivorship period.

Methods: This analysis included patients ages 0-29 at initial diagnosis and reported in the institutional cancer registry between 2010 and 2017 (n = 1228).

Through the Looking Glass: Comparing Resident and Attending Views on Competency and Autonomy.

Background: Surgical residencies act as an apprenticeship to train new surgeons, ideally with increasing trainee autonomy and competency. Objective methods of measuring these two qualities are needed.

Methods: The objective of this pilot study is to use the Surgical Autonomy Program to compare resident and attending perception of competency, via Zones of Proximal Development (ZPDs), and autonomy, via Teach, Advise, Guide, Solo (TAGS) scale for a common pediatric neurosurgical procedure.

Evidence That Anemia Accelerates AS Progression Via Shear-Induced TGF-β1 Activation: Heyde's Syndrome Comes Full Circle.

The severity of aortic stenosis (AS) is associated with acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) and gastrointestinal bleeding, leading to anemia (Heyde's syndrome). We investigated how anemia is linked with AS and AVWS using the LA100 mouse model and patients with AS. Induction of anemia in LA100 mice increased transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 activation, AVWS, and AS progression.

Susceptibility to e-cigarette use and associated factors in high school youth, Oklahoma Youth Tobacco Survey, 2021-2022.

Introduction: Susceptibility predicts subsequent uptake of e-cigarettes (EC) by youth. This study identified factors associated with EC susceptibility among high school students who have never used a tobacco/nicotine product.

Methods: The Oklahoma Youth Tobacco Survey was administered to a random sample of 36 Oklahoma High Schools during the 2021-2022 school year ( = 1,220 participating students).