Category: Statistics

Neuroimage Clin. 2021 May 3;31:102690. doi: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102690. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In recent years, there has been increasing evidence of cerebellar involvement in emotion processing. Difficulties in the recognition of emotion from voices (i.e., emotional prosody) have been observed following cerebellar stroke. However, the interplay between sensory and higher-order cognitive dysfunction in these deficits, as well as possible hemispheric specialization for emotional prosody processing, has yet to be elucidated. We investigated the emotional prosody recognition performances of patients with right versus left cerebellar lesions, as well as of matched controls, entering the acoustic features of the stimuli in our statistical model. We also explored the cerebellar lesion-behavior relationship, using voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping. Results revealed impairment of vocal emotion recognition in both patient subgroups, particularly for neutral or negative prosody, with a higher number of misattributions in patients with right-hemispheric stroke. Voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping showed that some emotional misattributions correlated with lesions in the right Lobules VIIb and VIII and right Crus I and II. Furthermore, a significant proportion of the variance in this misattribution was explained by acoustic features such as pitch, loudness, and spectral aspects. These results point to bilateral posterior cerebellar involvement in both the sensory and cognitive processing of emotions.

PMID:34000647 | DOI:10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102690

Cancer Epidemiol. 2021 May 14;73:101934. doi: 10.1016/j.canep.2021.101934. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of Lynch syndrome-associated endometrial cancer patients is significant for early warning of their relatives. The purpose of this study was to provide diagnostic indicators of Lynch syndrome-associated endometrial cancer by screening the differential clinical and genetic characteristics.

METHODS: Clinical information and hysterectomy specimens were collected from 377 eligible patients with endometrial cancer. The MLH1 methylation level was detected by an EZ DNA Methylation-Gold Kit. According to the above experimental results, the patients were then divided into sporadic endometrial cancer and suspected Lynch syndrome-associated endometrial cancer groups. A total of 62 samples were randomly selected for whole-exome sequencing. IBM SPSS Statistics 21 was used to compare the clinical data between the sporadic and suspected Lynch syndrome-associated endometrial cancer groups, and the relationship between the specific high-frequency-mutation genes and the clinical data.

RESULTS: According to the results of MMR immunohistochemistry and MLH1 methylation, the sporadic endometrial cancer group included 361 patients and the suspected Lynch syndrome-associated endometrial cancer group included 16 patients in this study. In the clinical analysis, the average age of the suspected Lynch syndrome-associated endometrial cancer patients was 45.50 ± 11.50 years, which was significantly younger than the 51.17 ± 10.03 years of the sporadic endometrial cancer patients (P = 0.028). The average BMI of the suspected Lynch syndrome-associated endometrial cancer patients was 23.43 kg/m² (CI: 20, 30), which was lower than the 26.50 kg/m² of the sporadic endometrial cancer patients (P = 0.028). Combined with the WES data, MASP2, NADK and RNF223 were identified as three specific mutation sites related to age, FIGO stage and histology.

CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the suspected endometrial cancer patients, the Lynch syndrome-associated endometrial cancer patients were younger and less obese. Mutations in MASP2, NADK and RNF223 might be regarded as genetic endometrial cancer features related to clinical characteristics.

PMID:34000661 | DOI:10.1016/j.canep.2021.101934

Cognition. 2021 May 14;214:104764. doi: 10.1016/j.cognition.2021.104764. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study investigated how the experience of different reward distributions would shape the utility functions that can be inferred from economic choice. Despite the generally accepted notion that utility functions are not insensitive to external references, the exact way in which such changes take place remains largely unknown. Here we benefitted from the capacity to engage in thorough and prolonged empirical tests of economic choice by one of our evolutionary cousins, the rhesus macaque. We analyzed data from thousands of binary choices and found that the animals’ preferences changed depending on the statistics of rewards experienced in the past (up to weeks) and that these changes could reflect monkeys’ adapting their expectations of reward. The utility functions we elicited from their choices stretched and shifted over several months of sequential changes in the mean and range of rewards that the macaques experienced. However, this adaptation was usually incomplete, suggesting that – even after months – past experiences held weight when monkeys’ assigned value to future rewards. Rather than having stable and fixed preferences assumed by normative economic models, our results demonstrate that rhesus macaques flexibly shape their preferences around the past and present statistics of their environment. That is, rather than relying on a singular reference-point, reference-dependent preferences are likely to capture a monkey’s range of expectations.

PMID:34000666 | DOI:10.1016/j.cognition.2021.104764

Accid Anal Prev. 2021 May 14;157:106188. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2021.106188. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Research on the deterrent effects of driving-under-the-influence (DUI) laws has been limited in China, which has criminalized drunk driving since May 2011 yet the effectiveness of this legislation remains unclear. Primary studies are needed to confirm whether government reports of reductions in DUI rates since then can indeed match changes in driver perceptions of DUI risk, and if so, be attributed to what specific components of the DUI legal environments. Based on the classical theory of deterrence and recent advances in differential deterrence, this study adopted a conjoint experiment from a previous US study that simulated the decision-making process of potential drinking drivers, and evaluated how DUI sanctions and enforcement practices contributed differentially to the three components of deterrence (i.e., certainty, swiftness, and severity of punishment). Key individual characteristics and nonlegal factors, as suggested by differential deterrence research to moderate the impact of DUI laws, were also considered.

METHODS: A Web-based conjoint experiment was conducted on a sample of 109 college students from two major universities in Shenzhen, China. Participants were randomly assigned to blocks of hypothetical scenarios composed of different levels of DUI enforcement and penalties, and asked to choose from a pair of scenarios each time, in which they were more likely to drink and drive. They also answered questions adapted from previous studies that measured key individual factors in relation to differential deterrence, such as informal sanction threat, moral inhibition, and personal and vicarious experiences with punishment. Such individual differences were accounted for in both a conventional two-level mixed logit aggregate model and a Hierarchical Bayes model.

RESULTS: Consistent with prior findings in Western countries, DUI enforcement intensity, was found to be the strongest deterrent to potential drinking drivers in China. License suspension, as an administrative punishment that can be swiftly implemented, was also effective in deterring the Chinese drivers, who however were much more likely to fear the revocation of their licenses rather than a 6-month suspension only. Meanwhile, they were notably deterred by the possibility of being in jail for 1-3 days, let alone for 1-2 months. Altogether, enforcement, license suspension and jail penalties accounted for more than 75 percent of attribute impact on drivers’ decision to drink and drive, whereas fine penalty and license points had almost no effect. On the other hand, nonlegal factors such as informal sanction threat and vicarious experiences were found to have significantly moderated the deterrent effects of DUI laws.

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study quantified the unique effects of perceived certainty, swiftness, and severity of DUI punishment in the Chinese context, and supported the usefulness of conjoint experiments for examining risk perceptions and DUI decisions in different legal environments. It also provided new empirical evidence on differential deterrence and pointed out the need of determining for which subsets of individuals and under what conditions can legal sanctions successfully deter potential offenders. Such research will help researchers and policy makers better understand the role of deterrence, for more effective policy development related to DUI as well as other important traffic safety issues.

PMID:34000676 | DOI:10.1016/j.aap.2021.106188

J Biomech. 2021 May 2;123:110493. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110493. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Inter-limb differences in Achilles tendon mechanical, material and morphological properties have previously been described in non-athletes and attributed to the preferential use of a given limb. Achilles tendon overuse tendon injury generally initiate unilaterally and alters triceps surae activation and Achilles tendon properties. The investigation of inter-limb differences in muscle activation and tendon properties may provide directions for injury prevention in habitual runners. In this study triceps surae and Achilles tendon properties were investigated bilaterally in habitual runners during unilateral maximal isometric contractions. Morphological, mechanical and material Achilles tendon properties were assessed using isokinetic dynamometry, motion capture and ultrasonography while triceps surae activation strategies were assessed using electromyography. Lower limb preference was assessed for inter-limb comparisons using the Waterloo questionnaire. Zero and one-dimensional statistical analysis and Cohen’s d were employed to investigate possible inter-limb differences. Inter-limb associations in Achilles tendon properties and intra-limb associations between triceps surae activations were assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients. No differences were observed between the preferred and non-preferred limb in terms of triceps surae muscle activation amplitude and Achilles tendon properties. However, intra-limb association among triceps surae activation ratios were not identical between limbs. Runners and triathletes present similar Achilles tendons properties between limbs, and thus initial observations of unilateral changes in the Achilles tendon properties might be used as a strategy to prevent the onset of overuse tendon injury. The non-similar associations within activation ratios between limbs should be further explored since triceps surae activation strategies may alter loading of the Achilles tendon.

PMID:34000645 | DOI:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110493

J Surg Res. 2021 May 14;266:160-167. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2021.03.051. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing at a rapid rate. Prior studies have demonstrated financial burden and decreased quality of life in patients with thyroid cancer. Here, we characterize patient-reported financial burden in patients with thyroid cancer over a 28y period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer from 1990-2018 completed a phone survey assessing financial burden and its related psychological financial hardship. Descriptive statistics were performed to characterize these outcomes and correlation with sociodemographic data was assessed.

RESULTS: Respondents (N = 147) were 73% female, 75% white, and had a median follow up of 7 y. The majority had a full-time job (59%) and private insurance (81%) at the time of diagnosis. Overall, 16% of respondents reported financial burden and 50% reported psychological financial hardship. Those reporting financial burden were disproportionately impacted by psychological financial hardship (87% versus 43%, P < 0.001). One in four (25%) respondents reported not being adequately informed about costs.

CONCLUSIONS: Financial burdens are important outcomes of thyroid cancer which occur even among patients with protective financial factors, suggesting an even greater impact on the general population of patients with thyroid cancer. Further research is needed to explore the intersection of financial burden, cost, and quality of life.

PMID:34000639 | DOI:10.1016/j.jss.2021.03.051

EBioMedicine. 2021 May 14;67:103371. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103371. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Prognostic implications of blood cholesterol may differ at different stages of life. This cohort study compares the value of total cholesterol (TC) readings earlier versus later in life for the prediction of coronary atherosclerosis, cardiovascular events, and cardiovascular death.

METHODS: In a cardiovascular observation study (CVOS) we performed coronary angiography and prospectively recorded cardiovascular events in 1090 patients over up to 19 years. These patients had participated in a health survey (HS) 15 years prior to the CVOS baseline. TC was measured twice, first at the earlier HS and then later at CVOS recruiting.

FINDINGS: Patients in the highest versus the lowest TC-category of the HS had an OR of 4.30 [2.41-7.65] for significant CAD at angiography, a HR of 1.74 [1.10-2.76] for cardiovascular events, and a HR of 7.55 [1.05-54.49] for cardiovascular death after multivariate adjustment. In contrast, TC as measured at the baseline of the CVOS was neither significantly associated with significant CAD (OR= 0.75 [0.49-1.13]) nor with cardiovascular events or death during follow-up (HR= 0.86 [0.62-1.18] and 0.79 [0.41-1.53], respectively). Moreover, the ESC/EAS-SCORE was found to be more powerful in predicting cardiovascular mortality when using earlier instead of later TC, with a continuous net reclassification improvement of 0.301 (p<0.001).

INTERPRETATION: Early measurement not only enables early intervention in keeping with the concept of lifelong exposure to atherogenic lipoproteins. These data also suggest that cardiovascular risk prediction is more accurate if using earlier in life TC readings.

FUNDING: The present study did not receive any particular funding.

PMID:34000625 | DOI:10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103371

Food Chem. 2021 Apr 29;360:129978. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.129978. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Qualitative and quantitative composition of non-structural carbohydrates comprising glucose, fructose, sucrose and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) is one of the key determinants of market suitability, storability and technological processability of onions. To develop a cost-effective and rapid tool for carbohydrate profiling, applicability of attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy of onion juice was investigated with special regard to FOS patterns. As reference, detailed carbohydrate profiles of onion juices were generated by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detection (HPLC-ELSD). Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) of ATR-FTIR spectra was successfully applied for classifying onions into fresh market, storage and dehydrator type according to HPLC-ELSD profiles. A bootstrapping method for automatized test-set validation by projection to latent structures (PLS) algorithms using HPLC and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy data was developed. Model statistics showed promising perspectives for reliable quantification of individual saccharides and sum parameters. The presented methodology allows estimating the nutritional and pre-biotic value directly during cultivation and processing.

PMID:34000635 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.129978

Eur J Radiol. 2021 Apr 30;140:109747. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2021.109747. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The primary aim was to develop and validate a novel mammography positioning measure, specifically incorporating parameters which might relate to mammography pain. We then explored relationships between the new adverse positioning score and (1) pain; (2) patient and technique factors.

METHODS: A 15-item instrument incorporating positioning features with potential to relate to mammography pain was developed. Participants’ mammograms (n = 310) were reviewed for presence of these features. Validity was investigated using the Rasch model. Scores produced by the resultant measure were investigated for associations with patients’ pain scores and relevant patient and technique factors, using Pearson correlation, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression.

RESULTS: Statistical indices within the Rasch measurement framework provided good evidence that the measure reflected a coherent construct of adverse positioning. Thus, the scores produced with the measurement instrument were valid for use in further statistical analysis. There is, however, scope for improvement of the measure’s discriminatory properties. Adverse positioning scores were higher for greater breast volumes (r = 0.12, p=.0391) and body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.13, p=.0349), and varied by mammographer (F(11,298) 2.38, p = .0078). The relationships with BMI and mammographer persisted in regression modelling. No relationship was found between adverse positioning and pain.

CONCLUSIONS: Evidence from Rasch analysis suggests that this novel measure is valid for quantifying a coherent “adverse positioning” construct in mammography. Adverse positioning scores varied by mammographer and were related to higher patient BMI but not to mammography pain. The measure warrants expansion, further refinement, and testing in larger studies.

PMID:34000597 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejrad.2021.109747

Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2021 Apr 8;23(2):19m02493. doi: 10.4088/PCC.19m02493.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To define sex differences in cardiometabolic indice changes over 12 months in patients on antipsychotics and to describe treatment complexity, interventions, and patient satisfaction of pharmacist comprehensive medication management (CMM) services.

METHODS: Secondary analyses of time effect-associated sex differences in cardiometabolic indices within and between study groups were done at baseline and 12 months. Each group consisted of 60 subjects who received full pharmacist CMM services (PCS) and 60 subjects who received either modified or no CMM services (NCS). Pharmacist CMM services are a team-based practice of providing direct patient care.

RESULTS: Significant sex differences in mean change score were observed from baseline to 12 months in the combined PCS and NCS subjects. Compared to men, women had greater body weight (P = .003) and waist measurement (P = .02) reductions and increased serum level of high-density lipoproteins (P < .001). In contrast, men had greater systolic (P < .001) and diastolic (P = .005) blood pressure levels, more hypertension diagnoses (P = .01), and less dyslipidemia diagnoses (P = .001) compared to women at 12 months. Significant sex differences were observed in combined PCS and NCS groups for glycated hemoglobin (HgbA_1c) (women: -0.33%, P = .02) and low-density lipoprotein (men: -21.63 mg/dL, P = .04) at 12 months. In PCS women, a significant (P = .02) reduction in mean HgbA_1c percentages (-0.46%) compared to PCS men (0.28%) was observed at 12 months. A higher percentage (62%, n = 28/45) of PCS women compared to PCS men (38%, n = 17/45) at 12 months continued to receive CMM services. Satisfaction survey results positively favored CMM services; however, the response rate was only 25% (n = 18/72).

CONCLUSIONS: Women on antipsychotics appear more likely to keep follow-up visits, return satisfaction surveys, reduce abdominal weight, and improve both HgbA_1c percentages and high-density lipid levels compared to men over 12 months. Women were satisfied overall with CMM services. Recognition of sex differences can promote a more personalized patient-centered care approach among patients prescribed antipsychotics.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02029989.

PMID:34000112 | DOI:10.4088/PCC.19m02493