Nevin Manimala

Psychol Methods. 2021 Jun 28. doi: 10.1037/met0000377. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

issing values that are missing not at random (MNAR) can result from a variety of missingness processes. However, two fundamental subtypes of MNAR values can be obtained from the definition of the MNAR mechanism itself. The distinction between them deserves consideration because they have characteristic differences in how they distort relationships in the data. This has implications for the validity of statistical results and generalizability of methodological findings that are based on data (empirical or generated) with MNAR values. However, these MNAR subtypes have largely gone unnoticed by the literature. As few studies have considered both subtypes, their relevance to methodological and substantive research has been overlooked. This article systematically introduces the two MNAR subtypes and gives them descriptive names. A case study demonstrates they are mechanically distinct from each other and from other missing-data mechanisms. Applied examples are given to help researchers conceptually identify MNAR subtypes in real data. Methods are provided to generate missing values from both subtypes in simulation studies. Simulation studies for regression and growth curve modeling contexts show MNAR subtypes consistently differ in the severity of their impact on statistical inference. This behavior is examined in light of how relationships in the data become characteristically distorted. The contents of this article are intended to provide a foundation and tools for organized consideration of MNAR subtypes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

PMID:34180695 | DOI:10.1037/met0000377

Psychol Assess. 2021 Jun 28. doi: 10.1037/pas0001043. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The Depressive Symptom Index-Suicidality Subscale (DSI-SS) is a four-item self-report measure of suicidal ideation severity widely used across research and clinical contexts. However, the psychometric properties of the English-language version of the DSI-SS have not been extensively examined within a psychiatric sample, and important properties of this scale (e.g., sensitivity to change) have yet to be examined. Within a sample of 448 adult psychiatric patients enrolled in a partial hospital program (PHP), we examined several measurement properties of the DSI-SS, including its factor structure, internal consistency, validity, and sensitivity to change, as well as the presence of differential item functioning (DIF). Confirmatory factor analysis that specified a one-factor model indicated that the DSI-SS had good model fit. DSI-SS scores demonstrated good internal consistency, ω = .90 [95% CI = .89-.91], convergent validity (rs = .52-.74), discriminant validity (rs = .12-.27), and sensitivity to change. None of the four DSI-SS items evinced statistically significant DIF across age, gender, sexual orientation, or PHP referral source (i.e., outpatient step-up vs. inpatient step-down). These findings suggest that the DSI-SS is a psychometrically sound self-report measure that can be used in real-world clinical settings and research contexts to reliably and validly assess suicidal ideation severity. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

PMID:34180693 | DOI:10.1037/pas0001043

Psychol Trauma. 2021 Jun 28. doi: 10.1037/tra0001075. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objective: Adverse childhood experiences are linked with poorer physical, social, and psychological well-being, especially for individuals who live in poverty. As adverse childhood experiences accumulate, risk for poor outcomes increases. Therefore, it is imperative that preschools and elementary schools are equipped to prevent and intervene upon traumatic stress. Trauma Smart is an organizational change intervention designed to build trauma-informed knowledge, attitudes, skills, and resources within schools serving young children. Method: The current study evaluates the effectiveness of Trauma Smart staff training in 42 preschools and elementary schools with 2,418 staff using a 1-year, longitudinal, prepost design. Trauma Smart implementation occurred during scale-up, under real world conditions. Satisfaction, posttraining knowledge about trauma-informed approaches, and pre-to-posttraining changes in attitudes favorable to trauma-informed care were evaluated. Results: As hypothesized, staff were highly satisfied with the training (mean ratings indicate 92% satisfied), demonstrated knowledge of core concepts related to trauma-informed care (mean quiz scores were scored 90% correct), and developed more favorable attitudes toward trauma-informed care following training, with medium-large effect sizes. Conclusions: Trauma Smart staff training is feasible, acceptable, and has the potential to improve the knowledge and attitudes relevant to trauma-informed approaches within preschool and elementary school staff, including those who serve children who live in poverty. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

PMID:34180686 | DOI:10.1037/tra0001075

Minerva Med. 2021 Jun 28. doi: 10.23736/S0026-4806.21.07516-9. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:34180641 | DOI:10.23736/S0026-4806.21.07516-9

Microbiologyopen. 2021 Jun;10(3):e1199. doi: 10.1002/mbo3.1199.

ABSTRACT

Vitamin B₁₂ (VB₁₂ ) is an indispensable cofactor of metabolic enzymes and has been widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In this study, the effects of medium composition on VB₁₂ production by Propionibacterium freudenreichii were evaluated and optimized based on statistical experiments. The results showed that glucose, yeast extract, KH₂ PO₄ , and glycine have significant effects on VB₁₂ production. The final titer of VB₁₂ reached 8.32 ± 0.02 mg/L, representing a 120% increase over the non-optimized culture medium. We employed a metabolomics approach to analyze the differences of metabolite concentrations in P. freudenreichii cells cultivated in the original medium and optimized fermentation medium. Using multivariate data analysis, we identified a range of correlated metabolites, illustrating how metabolomics can be used to explain VB₁₂ production changes by corresponding differences in the overall cellular metabolism. The concentrations of many metabolic intermediates of glycolysis, the Wood-Werkman cycle, the TCA cycle, and amino acid metabolism were increased, which contributed to the synthesis of propionic acid and VB₁₂ due to an improved supply of energy and precursors.

PMID:34180597 | DOI:10.1002/mbo3.1199

ANZ J Surg. 2021 Jun 28. doi: 10.1111/ans.17045. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In our study, since the operative histopathological distinction of new malignant pulmonary lesions as either a primary lung cancer or a pulmonary metastasis is difficult, we aimed to identify the clinical variables which might allow distinction between a new lung cancer and a pulmonary metastasis, and the appropriate surgical management.

METHODS: We divided 55 cases into two groups: patients with new lung cancer (NLC, n = 32) and patients with pulmonary metastases (PM, n = 23). Based on the primary organ, the previous malignancy was classified into four categories: head and neck, colorectal, genitourinary, and breast cancer. The parameters included in the study were age, sex, smoking history, a family history of cancer, disease-free interval, primary organ, treatments for previous malignancies, size, and SUV max of the lung lesion on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scan and high-resolution computed tomography findings of the lung lesion.

RESULTS: A predisposition for larger lesions was found in the NLC group. In addition, in the NLC group, disease-free interval was noted to be longer, patients were significantly older and SUV-max values of solitary pulmonary lesions were significantly higher than in the PM group. Pulmonary lesions in patients with prior head and neck cancers were more likely to develop NLC. No significant difference in statistical analysis was observed between the groups in terms of sex, smoking, a family history of cancer, a history of adjuvant therapy, radiological pulmonary lesions signs, and localization.

CONCLUSION: PL monitoring on CT surveillance is essential, particularly in patients with previous head and neck cancers, who appear to have a higher risk for NLC. If pathological MLN accompanies PL in a patient with previous extrapulmonary malignancy, cervical mediastinoscopy may help acquire a possible PL diagnosis besides mediastinal staging. Intraoperative frozen section may have difficulty in distinguishing between PM and NLC when the lesion is of the same histological type as the previous malignancy. When precise distinction cannot be achieved by frozen section, we speculate that DFI, age, and radiological findings of the PL may help thoracic surgeons take initiative peroperatively while designating the subsequent surgical intervention. Lastly, pulmonary segmentectomy is also better be considered along with lobectomy in NLC cases.

PMID:34180584 | DOI:10.1111/ans.17045

Acta Ophthalmol. 2021 Jun 28. doi: 10.1111/aos.14927. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To estimate prevalence and incidence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in a UK region by severity between 2012 and 2016 and risk factors for progression to proliferative DR (PDR).

METHODS: Electronic medical records from people with diabetes (PWD) ≥18 years seen at the Gloucestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (GDESP) and the hospital eye clinic were analysed (HEC). Prevalence and incidence of DR per 100 PWD (%) by calendar year, grade and diabetes type were estimated using log-linear regression. Progression to PDR and associated risk factors were estimated using parametric survival analyses.

RESULTS: Across the study period, 35 873 PWD had at least one DR assessment. They were aged 66 (56-75) years (median (interquartile range)), 57% male, 5 (1-10) years since diabetes diagnosis, 93% Type 2 diabetes. Prevalence of DR decreased from 38.9% (95% CI: 38.1%, 39.8%) in 2012 to 36.6% (95% CI: 35.9%, 37.3%) in 2016 (p < 0.001). Incidence of any DR decreased from 10.9% (95% CI: 10.4%, 11.5%) in 2013 to 8.5% (95% CI: 8.1%, 9.0%) in 2016 (p < 0.001). Prevalence of PDR decreased from 3.5% (95% CI: 3.3%, 3.8%) in 2012 to 3.1% (95% CI 2.9%, 3.3%) in 2016 (p = 0.008). Incidence of PDR did not change over time. HbA_1c and bilateral moderate-severe NPDR were statistically significant risk factors associated with progression to PDR.

CONCLUSIONS: Incidence and prevalence of DR decreased between 2012 and 2016 in this well-characterized population of the UK.

PMID:34180581 | DOI:10.1111/aos.14927

Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2021 Jun 28. doi: 10.1111/ajco.13621. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: The Cancer Health Literacy – 30 (CHLT-30) and Cancer Health Literacy – 6 (CHLT-6) are widely used instruments to measure cancer health literacy and to identify individuals with limited cancer health literacy, respectively. This study evaluated the psychometric performance of both instruments in Chinese cancer patient population.

METHODS: The back-translation method was used in cross-cultural adaptation. Chinese versions, labeled as CHLT-30-Chinese and CHLT-6-Chinese, were administered to a diverse cross-sectional sample of 602 cancer patients. Of these, 30 patients retook the instruments over a 2-week interval to estimate test-retest reliability. Classical and modern psychometric methods were used to estimate the item and test properties.

RESULTS: Model fit statistics confirmed the original measurement structures of CHLT-30-Chinese (one-factor model) and CHLT-6-Chinese (latent class model with limited and adequate cancer health literacy classes) providing construct validity evidence. The CHLT-30-Chinese showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.83; McDonald’s Ω = 0.93) and 2-week test-retest reliability (r = 0.78). The CHLT-6-Chinese separated limited and adequate cancer health literacy classes well (entropy = 0.77) with the estimated prevalence rates of 19% and 81%, respectively. The CHLT-6-Chinese was highly precise in assigning cancer patients into two categories: limited and adequate cancer health literacy classes with probability of 0.95 and 0.90, respectively. Invariant measurement properties of both instruments were supported between male and female patients as well as patients with and without high school diploma.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the psychometric properties of the CHLT-30-Chinese for measuring cancer health literacy as a continuous trait and CHLT-6-Chinese for identifying patients with limited cancer health literacy with high precision. The two tools are recommended for use in both daily practice and clinical trials.

PMID:34180576 | DOI:10.1111/ajco.13621

J Anim Breed Genet. 2021 Jun 28. doi: 10.1111/jbg.12637. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Genomic information allows for a more accurate calculation of relationships among animals than the pedigree information, leading to an increase in accuracy of breeding values. Here, we used pedigree-based and single-step genomic approaches to estimate variance components and breeding values for β-hydroxybutyrate milk content (BHB). Additionally, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to depict its genetic architecture. BHB concentrations within the first 90 days of lactation, estimated from milk medium infrared spectra, were available for 30,461 cows (70,984 records). Genotypes at 42,152 loci were available for 9,123 animals. Low heritabilities were found for BHB using pedigree-based (0.09 ± 0.01) and genomic (0.10 ± 0.01) approaches. Genetic correlation between BHB and milk traits ranged from -0.27 ± 0.06 (BHB and protein percentage) to 0.13 ± 0.07 (BHB and fat-to-protein ratio) using pedigree and from -0.26 ± 0.05 (BHB and protein percentage) to 0.13 ± 0.06 (BHB and fat-to-protein ratio) using genomics. Breeding values were validated for 344 genotyped cows using linear regression method. The genomic EBV (GEBV) had greater accuracy (0.51 vs. 0.45) and regression coefficient (0.98 vs. 0.95) compared to EBV. The correlation between two subsequent evaluations, without and with phenotypes for validation cows, was 0.85 for GEBV and 0.82 for EBV. Predictive ability (correlation between (G)EBV and adjusted phenotypes) was greater when genomic information was used (0.38) than in the pedigree-based approach (0.31). Validation statistics in the pairwise two-trait models (milk yield, fat and protein percentage, urea, fat/protein ratio, lactose and logarithmic transformation of somatic cells count) were very similar to the ones highlighted for the single-trait model. The GWAS allowed discovering four significant markers located on BTA20 (57.5-58.2 Mb), where the ANKH gene is mapped. This gene has been associated with lactose, alpha-lactalbumin and BHB. Results of this study confirmed the usefulness of genomic information to provide more accurate variance components and breeding values, and important insights about the genomic determination of BHB milk content.

PMID:34180560 | DOI:10.1111/jbg.12637

J Forensic Sci. 2021 Jun 28. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.14761. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Due to their medicolegal repercussions, forensic anthropology conclusions must be reliable, consistent, and minimally compromised by bias. Yet, a synthetic analysis of the reliability and biasability of the discipline’s methods has not yet been conducted. To do so, this study utilized Dror’s (2016) hierarchy of expert performance (HEP), an eight-level model aimed at examining intra- and inter-expert reliability and biasability (the potential for cognitive bias) within the literature of forensic science disciplines. A systematic review of the forensic anthropology literature was conducted (1972-present), including papers published in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Forensic Anthropology, Forensic Science International, and the Journal of Forensic Sciences and Anthropology Section abstracts published in the Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the AAFS which matched keywords such as “forensic anthropology,” “bias,” “reliability,” “cognition,” “cognitive,” or “error.” The resulting forensic anthropology HEP showcases areas that have ample research and areas where more research can be conducted. Specifically, statistically significant increases in reliability (p < 0.001) and biasability (p < 0.001) publications were found since 2009 (publication of the NAS report). Extensive research examined the reliability of forensic anthropological observations and conclusions (n = 744 publications). However, minimal research investigated the biasability of forensic anthropological observations and conclusions (n = 20 publications). Notably, while several studies demonstrated the biasing effect of extraneous information on anthropological morphological assessments, there was no research into these effects on anthropological metric assessments. The findings revealed by the forensic anthropology HEP can help to guide future research, ultimately informing the development and refinement of best-practice standards for the discipline.

PMID:34180547 | DOI:10.1111/1556-4029.14761