Category: Statistics

Artif Life. 2022 Aug 19:1-22. doi: 10.1162/artl_a_00381. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Crowd simulations are used extensively to study the dynamics of human collectives. Such studies are underpinned by specific movement models, which encode rules and assumptions about how people navigate a space and handle interactions with others. These models often give rise to macroscopic simulated crowd behaviours that are statistically valid, but which lack the noisy microscopic behaviours that are the signature of believable real crowds. In this article, we use an existing Turing test for crowds to identify realistic features of real crowds that are generally omitted from simulation models. Our previous study using this test established that untrained individuals have difficulty in classifying movies of crowds as real or simulated, and that such people often have an idealised view of how crowds move. In this follow-up study (with new participants) we perform a second trial, which now includes a training phase (showing participants movies of real crowds). We find that classification performance significantly improves after training, confirming the existence of features that allow participants to identify real crowds. High-performing individuals are able to identify the features of real crowds that should be incorporated into future simulations if they are to be considered realistic.

PMID:35984431 | DOI:10.1162/artl_a_00381

Diabetes Care. 2022 Aug 19:dc220275. doi: 10.2337/dc22-0275. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To measure the acceptability and diagnostic accuracy of commonly used depression screening measures to determine ideal cutoff scores that sensitively identify depressive disorders in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: One hundred adolescents (12-17 years old) completed a reference standard, semistructured diagnostic interview and both long and short versions of five commonly used depression screening measures in the United States. To assess feasibility and acceptability, we used screener completion time and participant ratings, respectively. We used descriptive statistics, area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses, and paired-sample area differences under the ROC curve to assess each measure’s diagnostic validity against our reference standard and to determine ideal cutoff scores for this sample.

RESULTS: Adolescents had a mean age of 15.0 ± 1.7 years, time since T1D diagnosis of 6.0 ± 4.1 years, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 8.9 ± 1.8%. Sixty percent of adolescents were male, 15% endorsed a current depressive disorder, and 15% endorsed lifetime suicidality. Measures demonstrated low sensitivity (0.33-0.67) to detect current depressive disorders using preexisting cutoff scores. However, adjusted cutoff scores increased sensitivity and reduced false negatives. All depression screening measures demonstrated “good” to “excellent” predictive validity, and the Children’s Depression Inventory-2 Short version demonstrated significantly greater diagnostic accuracy than the Patient Health Questionnare-2 item version for adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS: Clinics should consider using screening measures with the greatest diagnostic accuracy as identified in this study and adjusting measure cutoff scores to increase sensitivity and reduce false negatives.

PMID:35984419 | DOI:10.2337/dc22-0275

Aust Occup Ther J. 2022 Aug 19. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12837. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Learning from individuals with lived experience is considered an important element of developing recovery-oriented practice capabilities in mental health contexts. Additionally, service user involvement in the education of occupational therapy students is a requirement in accreditation standards. Despite this, many barriers to meaningful inclusion of Lived Experience Educators have previously been identified.

METHOD: This study evaluated the outcomes achieved by students who were involved in a unit of study that incorporated four recovery-oriented practice workshops that were co-designed and co-delivered by Lived Experience Educators and an occupational therapy academic. Change over time was measured using the Recovery Knowledge Inventory (RKI) and the Capabilities for Recovery Oriented Practice Questionnaire (CROP-Q). Change over time was evaluated using paired t-tests. Students also provided qualitative feedback at the conclusion of the workshops. These comments were analysed using interpretive content analysis.

RESULTS: Students’ scores on the RKI and CROP-Q both demonstrated statistically significant improvements from the beginning of the semester to the end of semester (RKI: 53.6-57.7, t = 6.3, P < 0.001; CROP-Q: 75.6-77.0, t = 2.4, P = 0.019). The most common categories included in the qualitative comments were: “Learning from real experiences”; “Learning about how to be a better clinician”; “See the strength and resilience of the educators, reduce stigma”; “Learning about the negative aspects of the mental health system”; and “More effective than other types of learning”.

CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated that students who engaged with the co-designed and co-delivered workshops improved their recovery knowledge and recovery-oriented capabilities over the course of the semester. Qualitative feedback also suggests that students’ attitudes and skills for future practice were also influenced in positive ways by engaging with Lived Experience Educators.

PMID:35983836 | DOI:10.1111/1440-1630.12837

Arch Esp Urol. 2022 Jun;75(5):459-466. doi: 10.37554/en-20210424-3467-19.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The progress of prostate cancer entails complex contemporaneous tumor developmental events in diverse stages that they are still yet to be clarified. miRNAs might accompany to balance between regulatory and cytotoxic T cells in tumors. Here, we investigated miRNAs and Regulatory T cell (Treg) marker FOXP3 expressions within prostate cancer spectrum.

METHODS: Thirty-eight prostate cancer patients enrolled within two groups to the study as having Gleason Score ≤ 7 (Group-1) and ≥ 8 (Group-2) that compared to 19 benign prostate hyperplasia controls. Twelve miRNAs expressions were analyzed by real time PCR from paraffin-embedded prostate tissue samples. Correlations between serum PSA levels, immunohistochemical staining of CD3, CD4, FOXP3 and miRNA expressions were analyzed.

RESULTS: In our study, hsa-let7c-3p significantly 1,52 (p=0.018) and 1,84 (p=0.0095) fold down- regulated whereas, miR-141-3p was significantly 2,36 (p=0.0006) and 2,24 (p=0.001) fold upregulated in the prostate cancer patients compared to benign prostate hyperplasia in group 1 and 2, respectively. Only CD4 (p=0.004) and PSA (p<0.001) have statistically significant differences among groups when compared to benign prostate hyperplasia. miR-143-p, miR-221-3p, hsa-let7c-3p and miR-17-3p expressions were significantly correlated with regulatory T cell marker FOXP3 expression.

CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, we reported significantly altered expression levels of miRNAs (miR-let7c, miR221, miR-146a, miR-141, miR-143, miR17) and correlations between Treg marker FOXP3 in the aggressive prostate cancer patients suggesting that prostate cancer progression might be under the regulation of crosstalk between Tregs and miRNAs.

PMID:35983819 | DOI:10.37554/en-20210424-3467-19

Arch Esp Urol. 2022 Jun;75(5):453-458. doi: 10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20227505.66.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the trifecta results in patients with T1a and T1b renal tumors treated with retroperitoneoscopic partial nephrectomy (RPN).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective observational study was conducted on 106 patients with cT1 renal tumor submitted to RPN. Trifecta was reported as no ≥ 2 Clavien-Dindo complications, warm ischemia time (WIT) ≤ 25 minutes, ≤ 15% postoperative ΔGFR, and nonpositive margins.

RESULTS: The mean age was 58 years (SD ± 12). The median (Q1; Q3) tumor size was 3.5 (2.2; 4.5) cm. Of the treated patients, 33% had a ventral tumor. R.E.N.A.L nephrometry score was low complexity in 54% of cases and high complexity in 4%. WIT median (Q1; Q3) was 20 (14; 23) minutes. Estimated blood loss median (Q1; Q3) was 50 (0; 100) ml. There were no conversions to open surgery. ΔGFR was >15% in 17.5% of patients. There were no postoperative complications in 84% of cases. Nonpositive margins were observed. Sixty-eight percent were pT1a and 32% were pT1b. Seventy-two percent of patients presented trifecta. A statistically significant difference was found between trifecta and tumor size (3 cm vs. 4.4 cm; p<0.001), complexity (low complexity 90% vs. intermediate complexity 56%; p<0.0001), and pT (T1a 81% vs. T1b 53%; p<0.003).

CONCLUSION: RPN is a safe and effective treatment modality for T1a and T1b renal tumors. Trifecta rate was 72%. Tumor size, tumor complexity, and pT were found to be an associated factor for trifecta.

PMID:35983818 | DOI:10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20227505.66

Arch Esp Urol. 2022 Jun;75(5):447-452. doi: 10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20227505.65.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: To evlauate role of peritoneal re-approximation methods in the prevention of symphtomatic lymphocele formation in patients underwent transperitoneal robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (tRALP) and extendeded pelvic lympadenoctomy (ePLND).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2016 and April 2020, 120 consecutive patients who were administered anterior t-RALP and ePLND were analyzed retrospectively. In group 1 (n = 40), peritoneal approximation was not performed after t-RALP and ePLND application, peritoneal half re-approximation was performed in group 2 (n=40), and peritoneal full re-approximation was performed in group 3 (n=40). Operative parameters and symptomatic lymphocele rates were compared between the groups.

RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of mean age, body mass index and prostatespecific antigen levels, Gleason score on biopsy, D’amico risk groups, the mean number of lymph nodes removed, Clavien-Dindo complication grade and mean duration of the surgery. Patients with symptomatic lymphocele in Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 were found to be 2 (5%), 3 (7.5%) and 5 (12.5%), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of symptomatic lymphocele formation.

CONCLUSION: Half or full closure of the peritoneum does not affect the symptomatic lymphocele formation in patients who underwent tRALP and ePLND.

PMID:35983817 | DOI:10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20227505.65

Arch Esp Urol. 2022 Jun;75(5):435-440. doi: 10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20227505.63.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Meatal advancement with glanduloplasty (MAGPI) has been in the recent years one of the most frequently surgical techniques used for the correction of distal hypospadias. Multiple modifications have been described to improve the results ofthis technique. In 2004 we presented the initial results of the New Modern MAGPI or DUAGPI (distal urethral advancement and glanduloplasty) as a surgical alternative to the original MAGPI.

OBJETIVE: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the applicability, safety and the cosmetic results obtained with this technique, as well as the long-term complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective and descriptive study of patients with distal hypospadias, corrected using the DUAPI technique, between 2002 and 2018.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Initially, an artificial erection was performed, the absence of curvature in all patients is proven. A skin denudation was performed up to the base of the penis in those children with a bend greater than 30. Second, the distal urethral disconnection was performed at the posterior and lateral urethral level. A glandular triangular section is made to accommodate the distal urethra and to allow a conical appearance with a final glandular. Finally, the fixation of the distal urethral to the glandular tip and the anterior glandular closure is performed. We performed an annual follow-up of all patients. The analysis of all the variables collected during surgery and follow-up was done with SPSS 22 statistical package.

RESULTS: 90 patients meet inclusion criteria and were included in the study (32 glandular and 58 coronal). The mean surgical time was 47 minutes (Range: 37-71 minutes). The mean follow-up was 9.4 years (2.1-15 years). 2 patients had meatal stenosis after surgery, 4 mild glandular retraction, and 2 urethrocutaneous fistula. Six of the 8 patients with a complication were successfully reoperated. 92% of the patients and their families were satisfied with the cosmetic result obtained after surgery (83 patients).

CONCLUSION: DUAGPI technique is simple, reproducible and optimal for most distal hypospadias. It is a safe technique, with a low complication rate. The final aesthetic result is satisfactory in most cases, with a conical glans and a natural cosmetic appearance.

PMID:35983815 | DOI:10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20227505.63

Arch Esp Urol. 2022 Jun;75(5):430-434. doi: 10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20227505.62.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer (PCa) can progress to the lethal phenotype of metastatic castration resistance (mCRPC), either from initially localized disease or de novo metastatic cancer. New drugs improving overall survival are now the cornerstone of treatment. Nevertheless, there are no defined sequences or established timing to initiate or discontinue treatments; besides, not all patients end in CRPC or reach this stage at the same time.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate characteristics of patients who progress to mCRPC and establish an association with time to mCRPC diagnosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive and observational study of 35 mCRPC patients, performed from 2013 to 2017. Variables analyzed were age, Gleason score and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) at diagnosis, initial stage, response time to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), PSA nadir on ADT and time until mCRPC progression. Statistical analysis comparing variables with time to mCRPC diagnosis was performed.

RESULTS: Average age at diagnosis was 68.9 years; PSA values were classified into 3 categories: <20 ng/ml, 20-50 and >50. Gleason score was 7 in 50%, and 8-9 in the rest. Tumor was initially localized in 46% of the patients and metastatic in the rest. PSA nadir on ADT was <1 ng/ml in 67%. Average time to androgen deprivation: 5.5 years, time to mCRPC diagnosis: 6.9 years. Significant associations between time to mCRPC and time of androgen deprivation, PSA nadir during ADT and stage at diagnosis were found.

CONCLUSION: Response time to ADT <1 year, PSA nadir value >5 ng/ml during treatment and metastatic stage at diagnosis were associated with earlier progression to mCRPC.

PMID:35983814 | DOI:10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20227505.62

Arch Esp Urol. 2022 Jun;75(5):416-422. doi: 10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20227505.60.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second most common reason for cancer-related mortality in men. The purpose of cancer screening is to detect the disease at an early stage to help effective treatment. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of MRI and PI-RADS in the diagnosis of prostate cancer and examine the relation between screening parameters with prostate cancer.

METHODS: The PACS system was analyzed and MRI images between September 2016 and April 2018 were listed. The state of patients regarding having pathology results were obtained. PSA values were listed. The prostate volume and the prostate density was calculated. PI-RADS assessment was used for each prostate lesion.

RESULTS: Data of 138 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 63±8.9. The mean prostate gland volume was 63.8±39.3ml, the mean PSA value was 12.51±25.22 and the mean PSA density was calculated as 0.319±0.945. A statistically significant difference was found between age and prostate volume and cancer. The age of the cancer cases was higher than those who did not have cancer (p<0.05). A negative correlation was found between prostate volume and cancer status. The prostate volume of non-cancer cases was higher compared to cancer cases (p=0.0001). 55 patients had no malignancy. It was observed that 56.4% of cancer patients had significant cancer. The frequency of using PI-RADS scores was 4% for P1, 36% for P2, 14% for P3, 28% for P4, and 18% for P5. Clinically significant cancer was present in 57.9% of patients with PI-RADS score4 and 69.6% of patients with PI-RADS score5. It was found that diagnostic values were significantly high for prostate cancer screening in patients with PI-RADS scores4 and 5 (Sensitivity 76.4%, Specificity 73.5%, Negative predictive value 82.4%, Positive predictive value 65.6%).

CONCLUSION: PI-RADS and MRI can be useful for the diagnosis of the clinically significant prostate cancer in patients at risk for prostate cancer. It is a non-invasive, repeatable method for prostate cancer screening and diagnosis. In prostate screening PSA reliability may be questioned. Additional methods are needed for the diagnosis. For this reason MRI and PI-RADSv2 is an effective predictor of prostate cancer in patients with high PSA levels.

PMID:35983812 | DOI:10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20227505.60

Arch Esp Urol. 2022 Jun;75(5):405-409. doi: 10.37554/en-j.arch.esp.urol-20210522-3503-23.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The presence of intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (IDC-P) in radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens correlates with adverse prognostic factors such as worse biochemical recurrence-free survival, higher grade and stage disease. This study aimed to investigate the effect of IDC-P in radical prostatectomy specimens on short-term oncological outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent RP at our clinic for prostate cancer between May 2016 and November 2019 were included in the study. They were divided into two groups based on the presence of IDC-P in RP specimens. Their clinical, pathological, and oncologic data were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS: A total of 98 patients underwent RP with a mean age of 65.5 years (50-83) and a mean follow-up time of 31.2 months (6-52). Seventy and 28 patients were evaluated in the group without IDC-P and group with IDC-P, respectively. Surgical margin positivity (p=0.307) and lymph node metastasis (p=0.017) rates were higher in the group with IDC-P. Although there were no statistical differences between the groups, at follow-up biochemical recurrence rate (p=0.052) was higher, and mean time to biochemical recurrence rates were lower (p=0.057) in the group with IDC-P. The group with IDC-P was associated with a 3-fold increase in prostate cancer-specific mortality to the group without IDC-P (p=0.037).

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with IDC-P at RP specimens have more advanced disease, shorter biochemical recurrence-free, and cancerspecific survival than those without IDC-P. Defining the presence of IDC-P in RP specimens is critical in choosing the appropriate treatment strategy and predicting the prognosis.

PMID:35983810 | DOI:10.37554/en-j.arch.esp.urol-20210522-3503-23