sample size

Quantile regression, known as a robust alternative to linear regression, has been widely used in statistical modeling and inference. In this paper, we propose a penalized weighted convolution-type smoothed method for variable selection and robust parameter estimation of the quantile regression with high dimensional longitudinal data. The proposed method utilizes a twice-differentiable and smoothed loss function instead of the check function in quantile regression without penalty, and can select the important covariates consistently using the efficient gradient-based iterative algorithms when the dimension of covariates is larger than the sample size...

We consider estimation of the semiparametric additive hazards model with an unspecified baseline hazard function where the effect of a continuous covariate has a specific shape but otherwise unspecified. Such estimation is particularly useful for a unimodal hazard function, where the hazard is monotone increasing and monotone decreasing with an unknown mode. A popular approach of the proportional hazards model is limited in such setting due to the complicated structure of the partial likelihood. Our model defines a quadratic loss function, and its simple structure allows a global Hessian matrix that does not involve parameters...

BACKGROUND: Reconstructed epidermis models, obtained from 3D keratinocytes culture, have gained significant prominence as prototypes for safety and efficacy testing in skin research. To effectively evaluate these models, it is essential to perform molecular and functional characterization. The skin's barrier function is one of the essential aspects of the epidermis that needs to be assessed. A noninvasive method is thus required for the evaluation of the skin barrier in these models. With this perspective, the aim of this feasibility study is to apply the speckle technique for the assessment of the skin barrier in the Reconstructed Human Epidermis (RHE)...

Simple, sensitive, and accurate molecular diagnostics are critical for preventing rapid spread of infection and initiating early treatment of diseases. However, current molecular detection methods typically rely on extensive nucleic acid sample preparation and expensive instrumentation. Here, a simple, fully integrated, lab-in-a-magnetofluidic tube (LIAMT) platform is presented for "sample-to-result" molecular detection of virus. By leveraging magnetofluidic transport of micro/nano magnetic beads, the LIAMT device integrates viral lysis, nucleic acid extraction, isothermal amplification, and CRISPR detection within a single engineered microcentrifuge tube...

The synthetic application of prenucleation-stage samples of colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) is in its infancy. It is shown that when two prenucleation-stage samples of binary CdSe and CdS are mixed, ternary CdSeS magic-size clusters (MSCs) grow at room temperature in dispersion. As the amount of the CdS sample increases, the optical absorption of the CdSeS MSCs blueshifts from ≈380 to ≈360 nm. It is proposed that the cluster in the CdSe sample reacts with the CdS monomer from the CdS sample...

Modifiers are essential additives in electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometric analysis to enhance the production of ionic species in the gas phase for the detection of small-to-medium-sized molecules in biological and aqueous samples. Therefore, an appropriate modifier, in conjunction with the right ionization polarity, is crucial for sensitive ESI mass spectrometric analysis. However, the charge carried by basic and acidic functional groups in solution is neither quantitatively nor qualitatively reflected in the MS spectrum...

CONTEXT: Accurate working length (WL) determination is essential for successful root canal therapy. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the difference between two different techniques in locating minor constriction using fifth-generation electronic apex locator. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A detailed protocol explaining the procedures of the study was submitted to the institutional ethics committee. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty extracted human permanent canine teeth were selected...

BACKGROUND:  The National Dental Commission Bill of 2023 introduced the National Exit Test (NExT) as a common final examination for all dental graduates in India, granting them the license to practice. This study evaluated dental undergraduates' awareness and perceptions of the newly proposed NExT. METHODS:  A self-administered questionnaire in English comprising 23 close-ended questions was used to assess the awareness and perception of the students. A pilot study was conducted to determine the sample size, and 510 students were selected using a simple random sampling technique...

Body fluids can potentially indicate the presence of non-small cancer cells. Studying these fluids is an emerging field that could be crucial for cancer detection and monitoring treatment effectiveness. Meanwhile, the examination of fluids on a microscopic level is part of the field of microfluidics. This study focuses on the development of a total analysis system that consists of various interconnected structures that are designed to mix, classify, concentrate, and isolate particles in fluids that mimic the behavior of cancer and normal cells...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Soil-transmitted helminths are one of the most prevalent causes of both intellectual and physical disability in the world. Albendazole (ALB) is a drug recommended for mass treatment of the high burden of soil-transmitted helminths in schoolchildren, particularly in developing countries. However, some researchers have reported that the efficacy of albedazole against soil-transmitted helminths is inconsistent. Monitoring the programs is crucial to evaluating the effectiveness of 400 mg of ALB against soil-transmitted helminths, as well as any changes in its therapeutic efficacy...

Bacteriophages (phages), viruses that infect bacteria, are found in abundance not only in the environment but also in the human body. The use of phages for the diagnosis of melioidosis, a tropical infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei , is emerging as a promising novel approach, but our understanding of conditions under which Burkholderia prophages can be induced remains limited. Here, we first demonstrated the isolation of Burkholderia phages from the hemocultures of melioidosis patients. The B...

OBJECTIVES: Family caregivers (FCGs) play a crucial role in the home care of terminally ill patients. Therefore, evaluating their comprehension of patients' symptoms and doctors' advice becomes crucial. Moreover, this might negatively impact their quality of life (QOL). Thus, the purpose of the study was to examine FCGs' perception and understanding of cancer pain in relation to patients' pain assessments, as well as the effect this has on their own QOL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The family pain questionnaire (FPQ) and patient pain questionnaire (PPQ) were used for both patient as well as their FCGs...

OBJECTIVES: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a common disorder among cancer patients receiving various chemotherapeutic protocols. The present study aimed to explore the feasibility of ajwain ( Trachyspermum ammi [L.] Sprague) cream in treating peripheral neuropathy symptoms triggered by taxane chemotherapeutic agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a pilot, double-blind, and randomised clinical trial on patients with peripheral neuropathy attributable to chemotherapy with taxane drugs during 2021-2022 in Tehran...

In many African countries, land access and tenure insecurity pose significant challenges to agriculture, in particular for the youth. As the farming population ages, young people are expected to take over, but they don't often show much interest in farming, which could harm the future of agriculture in Africa, where the population is the youngest. Land reforms and titling programs are suggested as amongst strategies to make agriculture more attractive to investors and promote youth involvement. As a result, majority African countries undertook reforms such as land titling, ownership mapping and market facilitation as policy prescriptions for promoting youth involvement in agriculture...

Objective: This study constitutes a pioneering systematic review and meta analysis delving into the clinical efficacy and safety of the combined therapy involving Wuhu Decoction and azithromycin for treating Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in pediatric patients. Methods: This study conducted a comprehensive computerized search, covering 6 Chinese databases and 6 English databases, to collect randomized controlled trials related to the combined use of Wuhu Decoction and azithromycin for treating Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in pediatric patients...

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effect of prophylactic use of carbapenems for acute pancreatitis on clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was conducted according to the preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines by using the keywords "Pancrea * AND carbapenem OR imipenem OR ertapenem OR meropenem OR doripenem." Primer outcomes were mortality, surgical intervention, and pancreatic and non-pancreatic infection...

INTRODUCTION: Insufficient knowledge and beliefs hinder the early diagnosis and provision of adequate treatment and care for PD patients, causing socio-economic burdens. Raising public awareness and understanding the knowledge gap is crucial for effective educational programs and early detection. This study aims to assess the perception of Parkinson's disease (PD) among visitors of a public campaign conducted to raise PD awareness and knowledge to facilitate early detection and management...

Graphs in research articles can increase the comprehension of statistical data but may mislead readers if poorly designed. We propose a new plot type, the sea stack plot, which combines vertical histograms and summary statistics to represent large univariate datasets accurately, usefully, and efficiently. We compare five commonly used plot types (dot and whisker plots, boxplots, density plots, univariate scatter plots, and dot plots) to assess their relative strengths and weaknesses when representing distributions of data commonly observed in biological studies...

The study sets out to show the positive impact of sulfur vacancy engineering on the structural, morphological, optical, electrical, and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of Sb2 S3 films synthesized using the spin coating technique. The produced films were exposed to γ-irradiation with different doses from 0 to 20 kGy. We have demonstrated the formation of sulfur vacancies and loss of oxygen content in the irradiated samples. XRD measurements revealed that all films exhibit a polycrystalline structure, and the crystallite size increases with the rising radiation dose, reaching the highest value of 87...

We recruited four aquaporin-4 seropositive optic neuritis patients (five eyes) who received glucocorticoid treatment and underwent optical coherence tomography examination. Baseline medians of the macular ganglion cell layer plus inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) thickness and volume for the eye of interest were 79.67 µm (73.664 ± 18.497 µm) and 0.58 mm3 (0.534 ± 0.134 mm3 ), respectively. At 2 months, the medians of the mGCIPL thickness and volume were 60.00 µm (51...