Category: Statistics

Biometrics. 2021 Aug 14. doi: 10.1111/biom.13544. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In cancer research, supervised heterogeneity analysis has important implications. Such analysis has been traditionally based on clinical/demographic/molecular variables. Recently, histopathological imaging features, which are generated as a byproduct of biopsy, have been shown as effective for modeling cancer outcomes, and a handful of supervised heterogeneity analysis has been conducted based on such features. There are two types of histopathological imaging features, which are extracted based on specific biological knowledge and using automated imaging processing software, respectively. Using both types of histopathological imaging features, our goal is to conduct the first supervised cancer heterogeneity analysis that satisfies a hierarchical structure. That is, the first type of imaging features defines a rough structure, and the second type defines a nested and more refined structure. A penalization approach is developed, which has been motivated by but differs significantly from penalized fusion and sparse group penalization. It has satisfactory statistical and numerical properties. In the analysis of lung adenocarcinoma data, it identifies a heterogeneity structure significantly different from the alternatives and has satisfactory prediction and stability performance. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:34390584 | DOI:10.1111/biom.13544

Psychiatriki. 2021 Aug 10. doi: 10.22365/jpsych.2021.037. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Anxiety disorders affect approximately one in six people, causing significant problems in their quality of life and that of their families with a significant percentage of mentally ill people not showing compliance with treatment or not receiving appropriate treatment. Research data therefore reveal the need to develop new and effective interventions that will improve the compliance and therapeutic management of the mentally ill. Because of the recent technological advancement, the field of electronic mental health applications (MHapps) offers unique opportunities which can contribute to self-management of mental health problems and patient compliance, as well as to development of preventive and therapeutic interventions. Mental health applications (MHapps) offer a unique opportunity for expanding availability and quality of treatment of mental health disorders, however few applications have been carefully assessed so far making their effectiveness questionable. The present study investigated the effect of MHapp FiD (Feel-Identity) on anxiety- an innovative electronic prototype application-in a sample of adults over a two-week period. Participants made daily use of the application, based on self-monitoring and self-recording in accordance with the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy protocol, with feedback interventions being fully automated. In order to investigate anxiety levels, the STAI questionnaire (State < Trait Anxiety Inventory) was administered over three different time periods: before the use of MHapp FiD, following the first week after its use, and following the second week after its use. The results between the 3 groups of application usage, showed a statistically significant decrease of the average TRAIT anxiety levels between the 1st and the 3rd administration, i.e., after two weeks of application usage, equal to -3.020 units (Mean Difference = -3.020, p-value = 0.006 <0.01), and a statistically significant drop of the average total anxiety levels, between the administration of the 2nd and the 3rd administration, i.e., over the second week of application usage, equal to -5.388 units (Mean Difference = -5.388, p-value = 0.029 <0.05). Τhere was no statistically significant difference as to the average STATE anxiety levels. The results showed a correlation between the daily use of the FiD application and the reduction of anxiety, providing a promising perspective for dissemination of the application in clinical populations with the addition of more functions and interventions.

PMID:34390564 | DOI:10.22365/jpsych.2021.037

Bioinformatics. 2021 Aug 13:btab590. doi: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btab590. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

SUMMARY: The Unipept Visualizations library is a JavaScript package to generate interactive visualizations of both hierarchical and non-hierarchical quantitative data. It provides four different visualisations: a sunburst, a treemap, a treeview and a heatmap. Every visualization is fully configurable, supports TypeScript, and uses the excellent D3.js library.

AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: The Unipept Visualizations library is available for download on NPM: https://npmjs.com/unipept-visualizations. All source code is freely available from GitHub under the MIT license: https://github.com/unipept/unipept-visualizations.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: https://github.com/unipept/unipept-visualizations/wiki.

PMID:34390575 | DOI:10.1093/bioinformatics/btab590

Psychiatriki. 2021 Aug 5. doi: 10.22365/jpsych.2021.027. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

People with mental illness are known to have poorer physical health outcomes. Among them, patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders are disproportionately burdened. A number of recent studies have highlighted that patients with schizophrenia are particularly at risk from COVID-19. The aim of this systematic review is to clarify whether patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders are at greater risk for poor COVID-19 outcomes. We conducted a systematic review of the literature following the PRISMA guidelines, using PubMed, PsycINFO (via Ovid) and Scopus as databases, to identify all studies which investigated infection and/or mortality rate from SARS-CoV-2 in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Following a formal screening process, seven studies met our inclusion criteria. The results of these seven studies were reported using odds ratios or adjusted odds ratios. The collective results indicated a moderate, but statistically significant effect for higher infection rates, and a strong statistically significant effect for higher mortality rates in patients with schizophrenia. Our findings indicate that people with schizophrenia have a high risk of being infected by the new coronavirus and have a significantly higher mortality rate than the general population. There are contradictory findings concerning other outcomes, including the frequency of intensive care unit admissions for this group. Collectively, these results indicate that people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders may be more vulnerable to being infected and more likely to die due to COVID-19, and yet their access to Intensive Care Units does not seem to be higher. We conclude that patients with schizophrenia constitute a vulnerable group for COVID-19 related infection and mortality, consequently there is a necessity for this vulnerable group of people to have better access to healthcare, including priority in nationwide COVID-19 vaccination programs and expedited intensive care treatment. Our conclusion adds to the ongoing debate arguing for equitable access to healthcare for people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

PMID:34390554 | DOI:10.22365/jpsych.2021.027

Psychiatriki. 2021 Aug 5. doi: 10.22365/jpsych.2021.030. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This systematic review aimed to investigate the inconsistency of research data concerning the contribution of systematic psychosocial interventions to infertility treatments. More specifically, the objective of this review was to investigate the cause of the contradictions in the results of contemporary research with respect to the role of systematic psychosocial interventions in the success of fertility treatments. The suspected cause of these contradictions is the heterogeneity of the relevant clinical studies with respect to their methodology. Thus, the specific aim of the current review was to evaluate the degree of heterogeneity of certain parameters in the design of the relevant clinical studies during the last decade, including sample heterogeneity, assisted reproductive technology methods, types of psychosocial interventions and methods of recording and analyzing psychometric data. This investigation may be considered imperative considering that despite the great number of relevant clinical studies and their meta-analyses, there are still no conclusive results concerning the potential of improving fertility through psychosocial support. Search for relevant studies was performed employing the PubMed and Google Scholar databases based on specific criteria. According to these criteria the selected publications have been meta-analyses of clinical studies on humans, evaluating the effect of psychosocial interventions on the success of assisted reproductive treatments during the last decade. The studies may have included all the different infertility etiologies, as well as all types of assisted reproductive treatments. The extensive search based on the specific inclusion/exclusion criteria resulted in reporting results from 6 studies in total. The clinical studies included have reported on various types of interventions for psychosocial support such as individual, couples’ or group therapies performed either in facilities offering mental health services or in the form of home-based self-treatment. Moreover, these studies investigated various techniques of stress management ranging from counseling to specialized methods such as biofeedback and diaphragmatic breathing or alternative techniques such as yoga and meditation. Our results suggest that clinical studies designed specifically to evaluate the effect of systematic interventions on the efficacy of fertility treatments are limited. Moreover, their degree of heterogeneity is highly significant with respect to included participants, treatment protocols, psychosocial support techniques as well as methods for the documentation and statistical analysis of psychometric data. Consequently, the conduction of well-design clinical studies based on strict criteria aiming to investigate specific infertility causes, similar fertility treatment protocols or particular types of psychosocial interventions is necessary in order to reach definitive conclusions.

PMID:34390557 | DOI:10.22365/jpsych.2021.030

Psychiatriki. 2021 Aug 5. doi: 10.22365/jpsych.2021.031. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In Greece, the provision of mental health shows inefficiencies in remote and inaccessible areas due to the lack of appropriate structures and access to healthcare. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the Mobile Mental Health Units (MMHUs) in Cyclades with and without MMHUs’ operation based on Real-World Evidence (RWE). The study population consisted of 724 people who visited the MMHUs of the western and northeastern Cyclades in 2015. The data derived from the patients’ medical records of EPAPSY classified by International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10) and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale. The analysis revealed that 60.9% of the participants were women and the average age was 50.1. 50.4% of the people who visited MMHUs without referral from primary health care professionals and 18.8% with referral. The calculation of effectiveness was based on DALYs (Disability-Adjusted Life Years) and was performed according to the World Health Organization methodology. In the specific population, there are no recorded deaths caused by mental disorders and thus DALYs are equal to Years Lost due to Disability (YLDs) with MMHUs’ operation. 18% of the population was diagnosed with mood disorders (F30-F39) and morbidity burden 9.49 (YLDs), while 17.5% of the patients were diagnosed with neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders (F40-F48) and corresponding morbidity burden 4.53 (YLDs). Our results revealed that the effectiveness of MMHUs corresponds to 17.98 Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) averted in 2015. The mood disorders and the neurotic, stress-related disorders have shown a high morbidity burden. Advanced age, non-permanent employment, existence of psychopathology in the family and referral on patients’ own will were found to significantly affect the mental health status of the participants. The implementation and expansion of flexible and alternative community-based interventions, such as MMHUs, constitute a best practice both for obtaining higher clinical outcomes and for facing regional inefficiencies related to population’s access to healthcare.

PMID:34390558 | DOI:10.22365/jpsych.2021.031

Int J Prison Health. 2021 Aug 16;ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print). doi: 10.1108/IJPH-12-2020-0103.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the intensity of perceived stress and measure the subjective control of anxiety, anger and depression in a group of women and men staying in Polish penitentiary institutions.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The research was carried out in two penitentiary institutions located in the Lesser Poland Voivodeship at the turn of 2019/2020. The study group consisted of 152 prisoners. In the cross-sectional study, two standardised research tools – the Perceived Stress Scale and the Emotional Control Scale – were used.

FINDINGS: Over half of the prisoners (57.24%) presented a high level of stress. The intensity of the perceived stress did not depend on the gender and age of the convicted persons. The general indicator of emotional control among the respondents averaged 51.82 points (standard deviation = 14.52) and ranged from 22 to 83 points, which means that people detained in penitentiary institutions suppressed their negative emotions at an average level. The prisoners had the best control over fear (M = 18.68), less over anger (M = 16.86) and the least over depression (M = 16.27). Statistical analysis showed a correlation between the level of emotional control and the intensity of perceived stress.

RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The small sample size of the group participating in the study and narrowing of the research area means that results can not be generalised across all isolated prison population.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results obtained from the study can be used by a multidisciplinary team to develop therapeutic programmes for convicted persons, the aim of which is to evaluate strategies for coping with stress and controlling emotions.

SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Popularising reliable information related to the issue of experiencing stress and varied emotions in those staying in penitentiary institutions may lead to the elimination of harmful stereotypes functioning in society, as well as reduce the phenomenon of marginalisation of prisoners, and thus contribute to the success of the social rehabilitation process.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Research on the level of stress intensity in prisoners is important because the rates of mental health disorders among prisoners consistently exceed the rates of such disorders in the general population.

PMID:34390549 | DOI:10.1108/IJPH-12-2020-0103

Psychiatriki. 2021 Aug 5. doi: 10.22365/jpsych.2021.026. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Τhe severity and variation of depressive symptoms (DS), among psychotic individuals under involuntary hospitalization is unclear. We investigated the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of psychotic adults with DS involuntarily hospitalized for compulsory treatment in Cyprus. We also evaluated the psychometric properties (internal consistency, known-group and discriminant validity) of the HDRS-17 and HAM-A for the assessment of depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively. A descriptive correlational study with cross-sectional comparisons was applied. Data on demographics, cognitive functioning (MoCA scale), depressive (HDRS-17 scale), anxiety (HAM-A scale) and psychotic (PANSS scale) symptoms were collected (December 2016 -February 2018). Following informed consent, the sample included 406 patients. Among them, 21 males and 23 females reported DS (HDRS-17 total score ≥8). The latter were mainly Greek-Cypriots (61.4%), 45-65 years old (38.6%), single (77.3%), unemployed (72.7%), mainly admitted due to aggressiveness towards others (47.7%), most frequently diagnosed with a bipolar disorder (59.1%). The mean score (M) in the HDRS-17 was 30.72 (scale range: 8-50; Standard Deviation [SD]: 10.42). The highest mean score (M) per item was in the variables “Suicide behavior”‘(M:3.09; SD:1.09) and “Depressive mood” (M=2.95; SD=1.07). The DS group (HDRS-17 score≥8) reported higher PANSS positive symptoms subscale score (t-test, p=0.003) and HAM-A total score (t-test, p=0.05) compared to the non-DS group (HDRS-17 score<8). In multivariable logistic regression analysis only female sex [OR (95%CI) = 3.28 (1.33.-8.04), p=0.01)] and a mood disorder diagnosis [OR95% CI: 15.22(4.13.-56.14), p<0.0001)] retained a statistically significant association with DS. Cronbach’ s alpha was 0.827 for the HDRS, and 0.763 for the HAM-A. The present findings partially support the known-group validity of the HDRS-17 and the ΗΑΜ-Α, and the discriminant validity of the HDRS-17 in psychotic patients under involuntary hospitalization. Additionally, the most frequent diagnosis in the DS group was a bipolar disorder, and the most frequent admission cause was aggressiveness towards others; it is possible that the majority of the DS group participants were patients with a bipolar disorder in episodes with mixed features, presenting simultaneously depressive symptoms and aggressiveness. Further studies on relapse prevention regarding this clinical group are proposed, as well as studies on specificity and sensitivity of the HDRS-17 and HAM-A.

PMID:34390553 | DOI:10.22365/jpsych.2021.026

Microsc Res Tech. 2021 Aug 14. doi: 10.1002/jemt.23905. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A study of image analysis of Ti_1-x Al_x N films deposited on corning glass substrates by a direct current (DC)/radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering system was performed. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) data were studied to understand how the impact of the concentration of Al content influences the 3D surface morphology as well as the surface texture parameters. The results showed that the superficial morphology was modified by the increase of Al content in the Ti_1-x Al_x N films, as well as the surface microtexture. It has also been observed that the Ti_1-x Al_x N film surface with the highest aluminum (Al) doping concentration presented a similar surface morphology to pristine titanium nitride (TiN) thin films. The Abbott-Firestone curves for all films exhibited an S-like shape suggesting topographic uniformity and Gaussian distribution of heights. An increase in surface uniformity is observed with Al concentration. The characterization of the surface morphology of Ti_1-x Al_x N films by the evaluation of surface statistical parameters suggests that the surface topography can be adjusted by suitable doping of aluminum and offers a deeper understanding of the applicability of these films.

PMID:34390538 | DOI:10.1002/jemt.23905

Vet Med Sci. 2021 Aug 14. doi: 10.1002/vms3.600. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Abortion, causes by several infectious and non-infectious factors is one of the most critical health problems of cattle in Ethiopia. Thus, this study aimed to assess knowledge and perception of the community about potential causes of abortion and case-control study of brucellosis as a cause of abortion in cattle of study districts.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2016 and October 2017 in selected districts of the Jimma zone using a questionnaire survey. Based on the questionnaire survey, we also carried out a case-control study (141 cases and 282 controls) to confirm whether the most frequently mentioned disease (brucellosis) is associated with abortion. The blood samples were collected from both cases and controls cattle groups and then serum was separated. The presence of antibody against Brucella organism in serum was first tested by Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and all RBPT positive samples were confirmed using the Complement Fixation Test (CFT).

RESULTS: From a total of 180 randomly selected respondents, the majority (59.4%) of them attributed abortion to infectious diseases. Based on the questionnaire survey, brucellosis, leptospirosis and listeriosis were identified as the major infectious causes of abortion in the areas. Physical injuries, shortage of feed and toxic substances were observed as less important non-infection causes of abortion in the study areas. This study also identified improper disposal of aborted materials and birth products, use of communal bulls, sharing communal grazing areas and water sources which favour disease transmission. Exposure to Brucella organism was higher among cases (6.4%) than controls (2.8%) with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.042).

CONCLUSION: Brucellosis is the most important infectious cause of cattle abortion in this study. Thus, important to conduct appropriate control methods and increasing public awareness of the zoonotic transmission of brucellosis are suggested. This finding also recommended the need for further study to isolate and characterise brucellosis as a cause of abortion in cattle.

PMID:34390542 | DOI:10.1002/vms3.600