Category: Statistics

PLoS One. 2024 Apr 25;19(4):e0302131. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302131. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the impact of oil market uncertainty on the volatility of Chinese sector indexes. We utilize commonly used realized volatility of WTI and Brent oil price along with the CBOE crude oil volatility index (OVX) to embody the oil market uncertainty. Based on the sample span from Mar 16, 2011 to Dec 31, 2019, this study utilizes vector autoregression (VAR) model to derive the impacts of the three different uncertainty indicators on Chinese stock volatilities. The empirical results show, for all sectors, the impact of OVX on sectors volatilities are more economically and statistically significant than that of realized volatility of both WTI and Brent oil prices, especially after the Chinese refined oil pricing reform of March 27, 2013. That implies OVX is more informative than traditional WTI and Brent oil prices with respect to volatility spillover from oil market to Chinese stock market. This study could provide some important implications for the participants in Chinese stock market.

PMID:38662759 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0302131

PLoS One. 2024 Apr 25;19(4):e0302172. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302172. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

Clinical illness (CI) scoring using visual observation is the most widely applied method of detecting respiratory disease in cattle but has limited effectiveness in practice. In contrast, body-mounted sensor technology effectively facilitates disease detection. To evaluate whether a combination of movement behavior and CI scoring is effective for disease detection, cattle were vaccinated to induce a temporary inflammatory immune response. Cattle were evaluated before and after vaccination to identify the CI variables that are most indicative of sick cattle. Respiratory rate (H2 = 43.08, P < 0.0001), nasal discharge (H2 = 8.35, P = 0.015), and ocular discharge (H2 = 16.38, P = 0.0003) increased after vaccination, and rumen fill decreased (H2 = 20.10, P < 0.0001). Locomotor activity was measured via leg-mounted sensors for the four days preceding and seven days following vaccination. A statistical model that included temperature, steps, lying time, respiratory rate, rumen fill, head position, and excess saliva was developed to distinguish between scores from before and after vaccination with a sensitivity of 0.898 and specificity of 0.915. Several clinical illness signs were difficult to measure in practice. Binoculars were required for scoring respiratory rate and eye-related metrics, and cattle had to be fitted with colored collars for individual identification. Scoring each animal took up to three minutes in a small research pen; therefore, technologies that can automate both behavior monitoring and identification of clinical illness signs are key to improving capacity for BRD detection and treatment.

PMID:38662753 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0302172

PLoS One. 2024 Apr 25;19(4):e0300900. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300900. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

Many questions in evolutionary biology require the specification of a phylogeny for downstream phylogenetic analyses. However, with the increasingly widespread availability of genomic data, phylogenetic studies are often confronted with conflicting signal in the form of genomic heterogeneity and incongruence between gene trees and the species tree. This raises the question of determining what data and phylogeny should be used in downstream analyses, and to what extent the choice of phylogeny (e.g., gene trees versus species trees) impacts the analyses and their outcomes. In this paper, we study this question in the realm of phylogenetic diversity indices, which provide ways to prioritize species for conservation based on their relative evolutionary isolation on a phylogeny, and are thus one example of downstream phylogenetic analyses. We use the Fair Proportion (FP) index, also known as the evolutionary distinctiveness score, and explore the variability in species rankings based on gene trees as compared to the species tree for several empirical data sets. Our results indicate that prioritization rankings among species vary greatly depending on the underlying phylogeny, suggesting that the choice of phylogeny is a major influence in assessing phylogenetic diversity in a conservation setting. While we use phylogenetic diversity conservation as an example, we suspect that other types of downstream phylogenetic analyses such as ancestral state reconstruction are similarly affected by genomic heterogeneity and incongruence. Our aim is thus to raise awareness of this issue and inspire new research on which evolutionary information (species trees, gene trees, or a combination of both) should form the basis for analyses in these settings.

PMID:38662751 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0300900

JMIR Form Res. 2024 Apr 25;8:e52189. doi: 10.2196/52189.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) is a widely used instrument for measuring eHealth literacy (eHL). However, little is known so far about whether the instrument is valid for the assessment of eHL in persons who are affected by the post-COVID-19 condition. This is particularly important as people with the post-COVID-19 condition are frequently affected by false information from the internet.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the German Revised eHealth Literacy Scale (GR-eHEALS) in individuals with the post-COVID-19 condition.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2022. The self-assessment survey consisted of the GR-eHEALS, health status- and internet use-related variables, sociodemographic data, and (post)-COVID-19-related medical data. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), correlational analyses, and tests of measurement invariance were deployed.

RESULTS: In total, 330 participants were included in the statistical analyses. CFA revealed that the 2-factor model reached an excellent model fit (comparative fit index=1.00, Tucker-Lewis index=0.99, root mean square error of approximation=0.036, standardized root mean square residual=0.038). Convergent validity was confirmed by significant positive correlations between eHL and knowledge of internet-based health promotion programs, experience in using these programs, and the duration of private internet use. In addition, a significantly negative relationship of eHL with internet anxiety supported convergent validity. Further, significant relationships of eHL with mental health status and internal health locus of control confirmed the criterion validity of the instrument. However, relationships of eHL with physical health status and quality of life could not be confirmed. The 2-factor model was fully measurement invariant regarding gender. Regarding age and educational level, partial measurement invariance was confirmed. The subscales as well as the overall GR-eHEALS reached good-to-excellent reliability (Cronbach α≥.86).

CONCLUSIONS: The GR-eHEALS is a reliable and largely valid instrument for assessing eHL in individuals with the post-COVID-19 condition. Measurement invariance regarding gender was fully confirmed and allows the interpretation of group differences. Regarding age and educational level, group differences should be interpreted with caution. Given the high likelihood that individuals with the post-COVID-19 condition will be confronted with misinformation on the Internet, eHL is a core competency that is highly relevant in this context, in both research and clinical practice. Therefore, future research should also explore alternative instruments to capture eHL to overcome shortcomings in the validity of the GR-eHEALS.

PMID:38662429 | DOI:10.2196/52189

Diabetes Technol Ther. 2024 Apr 25. doi: 10.1089/dia.2023.0595. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Computer simulators of human metabolism are powerful tools to design and validate new diabetes treatments. However, these platforms are often limited in the diversity of behaviors and glycemic conditions they can reproduce. Replay methodologies leverage field-collected data to create ad-hoc simulation environments representative of real-life conditions. After formal validations of our method in prior publications, we demonstrate its capacity to reproduce a recent clinical trial.

METHODS: Using the replay methodology, an ensemble of replay simulators was generated using data from a randomized crossover clinical trial comparing hybrid closed loop (HCL) and fully closed loop (FCL) control modalities in automated insulin delivery (AID), creating 64 subject/modality pairs. Each virtual subject was exposed to the alternate AID modality to compare the simulated vs observed glycemic outcomes. Equivalence tests were performed for time in, below, and above range (TIR, TBR, TAR) and glucose indexes (LBGI, HBGI) considering equivalence margins corresponding to clinical significance.

RESULTS: TIR, TAR, LBGI, and HBGI showed statistical and clinical equivalence between the original and the simulated data, TBR failed the equivalence test. For example, in HCL mode, simulated TIR was 84.89% vs. an observed 84.31% (p=0.0170, CI [-3.96,2.79]), and for FCL mode, TIR was 76.58% versus 77.41% (p=0.0222, CI [-2.54,4.20]).

CONCLUSION: Clinical trial data confirms the prior in-silico validation of the UVA replay method in predicting the glycemic impact of modified insulin treatments. This in-vivo demonstration justifies the application of the replay method to the personalization and adaptation of treatment strategies in people with T1D.

PMID:38662426 | DOI:10.1089/dia.2023.0595

J Anal Toxicol. 2024 Apr 24:bkae033. doi: 10.1093/jat/bkae033. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Total Blood Carbon Monoxide (TBCO) showed promising results in improving accuracy of CO determinations in blood and presenting better stability to different storage conditions. Therefore, it was proposed as alternative biomarker to carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) for CO poisoning diagnosis. However, given that current interpretation reference values exist for COHb only, it is difficult to implement TBCO analysis in routine. Therefore, we aimed at determining TBCO reference values for postmortem CO poisoning cases. A previously validated method for TBCO analysis via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was applied to cardiac, peripheral, cranial and spleen blood samples collected from 92 autopsies. Autopsy cases included 21 non-CO related and 71 CO-related cases with varying postmortem intervals (PMI). Statistical analyses were performed using statistical software R Studio. When comparing lower to higher PMI for non-CO related cases, no significant differences were found, which suggests that CO formation or degradation at low PMIs does not occur. Spleen blood showed potential as alternative matrix for CO determinations in cases with sample availability issues, but needs to be evaluated for CO positive cases. Results for cardiac blood in CO-related autopsies showed a positive correlation between COHb and TBCO values (R = 0.78). This value is lower than what is found in the literature, suggesting that even though COHb and TBCO are correlated, a potential underestimation of the true CO exposure might occur if only COHb values are taken into consideration. Samples were divided into CO exposure groups based on COHb concentrations and with the data obtained, classification into following TBCO concentration groups are proposed: no significant CO exposure case <6 µmol/mL, medium CO exposure case 6-20 µmol/mL, high CO exposure case >20µmol/mL. Even if a higher number of samples in each group would enable to increase the confidence, these results are very promising and highlight the importance of TBCO measurement.

PMID:38662395 | DOI:10.1093/jat/bkae033

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2024 Apr 1;65(4):39. doi: 10.1167/iovs.65.4.39.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Little is known regarding differences in childhood growth between somatic and heritable retinoblastoma (Rb) populations. We aimed to compare childhood growth parameters between somatic and heritable Rb cohorts at birth and at time of diagnosis with Rb.

METHODS: A multinational, longitudinal cohort study was conducted with patients from 11 centers in 10 countries who presented with treatment naïve Rb from January to December 2019. Variables of interest included age, sex, and size characteristics at birth and at time of presentation, as well as germline mutation status. After Bonferroni correction, results were statistically significant if the P value was less than 0.005.

RESULTS: We enrolled 696 patients, with 253 analyzed after exclusion criteria applied. Between somatic (n = 39) and heritable (n = 214) Rb cohorts, with males and females analyzed separately, there was no significant difference in birth weight percentile, weight percentile at time of diagnosis, length percentile at time of diagnosis, weight-for-length percentile at time of diagnosis, or change of weight percentile from birth to time of diagnosis. Patients with heritable Rb had a smaller mean weight percentile at birth and smaller mean weight and length percentiles at time of diagnosis with Rb, although this difference was not statistically significant. All cohorts experienced a slight negative change of weight percentile from birth to time of diagnosis. No cohort mean percentiles met criteria for failure to thrive, defined as less than the 5th percentile.

CONCLUSIONS: Children with Rb seem to have normal birth and childhood growth patterns. There is no definitive evidence that somatic or heritable Rb has a biological or environmental impact on childhood growth parameters.

PMID:38662390 | DOI:10.1167/iovs.65.4.39

JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Apr 1;7(4):e247581. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.7581.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:38662376 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.7581

JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Apr 1;7(4):e248487. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.8487.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:38662374 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.8487

JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Apr 1;7(4):e247604. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.7604.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Antipsychotics, such as quetiapine, are frequently prescribed to people with dementia to address behavioral symptoms but can also cause harm in this population.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether warning letters to high prescribers of quetiapine can successfully reduce its use among patients with dementia and to investigate the impacts on patients’ health outcomes.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This is a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial of overprescribing letters that began in April 2015 and included the highest-volume primary care physician (PCP) prescribers of quetiapine in original Medicare. Outcomes of patients with dementia were analyzed in repeated 90-day cross-sections through December 2018. Analyses were conducted from September 2021 to February 2024.

INTERVENTIONS: PCPs were randomized to a placebo letter or 3 overprescribing warning letters stating that their prescribing of quetiapine was high and under review by Medicare.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome of this analysis was patients’ total quetiapine use in days per 90-day period (the original trial primary outcome was total quetiapine prescribing by study PCPs). Prespecified secondary outcomes included measures of cognitive function and behavioral symptoms from nursing home assessments, indicators of depression from screening questionnaires in assessments and diagnoses in claims, metabolic diagnoses derived from assessments and claims, indicators of use of the hospital and other health care services, and death. Outcomes were analyzed separately for patients living in nursing homes and in the community.

RESULTS: Of the 5055 study PCPs, 2528 were randomized to the placebo letter, and 2527 were randomized to the 3 warning letters. A total of 84 881 patients with dementia living in nursing homes and 261 288 community-dwelling patients with dementia were attributed to these PCPs. There were 92 874 baseline patients (mean [SD] age, 81.5 [10.5] years; 64 242 female [69.2%]). The intervention reduced quetiapine use among both nursing home patients (adjusted difference, -0.7 days; 95% CI, -1.3 to -0.1 days; P = .02) and community-dwelling patients (adjusted difference, -1.5 days; 95% CI, -1.8 to -1.1 days; P < .001). There were no detected adverse effects on cognitive function (cognitive function scale adjusted difference, 0.01; 95% CI, -0.01 to 0.03; P = .19), behavioral symptoms (agitated or reactive behavior adjusted difference, -0.2%; 95% CI -1.2% to 0.8% percentage points; P = .72), depression, metabolic diagnoses, or more severe outcomes, including hospitalization and death.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study found that overprescribing warning letters to PCPs safely reduced quetiapine prescribing to their patients with dementia. This intervention and others like it may be useful for future efforts to promote guideline-concordant care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05172687.

PMID:38662373 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.7604