How to improve image quality of DWI of the prostate—enema or catheter preparation?

Abstract Objectives To compare the impact of laxative enema preparation versus air/gas suction through a small catheter on image quality of prostate DWI. Methods In this single-center study, 200 consecutive patients (100 in each arm) with either enema or catheter preparation were retrospectively included. Two blinded readers independently assessed aspects of image quality on 5-point Likert scales. Scores were compared between groups and the influence of confounding factors evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. Prostate diameters were compared on DWI and T2-weighted imaging using intraclass correlation coefficients. Results Image quality was significantly higher in the enema group regarding the severity of susceptibility-related artifacts (reader 1: 0.34 ± 0.77 vs. 1.73 ± 1.34, reader 2: 0.38 ± 0.86 vs. 1.76 ± 1.39), the differentiability of the anatomy (reader 1: 3.36 ± 1.05 vs. 2.08 ± 1.31, reader 2: 3.37 ± 1.05 vs. 2.09 ± 1.35), and the overall image quality (reader 1: 3.66 ± 0.77 vs. 2.26 ± 1.33, Reader 2: 3.59 ± 0.87 vs. 2.23 ± 1.38) with almost perfect inter-observer agreement (κ = 0.92–0.95). In the enema group, rectal distention was significantly lower and strongly correlated with the severity of artifacts (reader 1: ρ = 0.79, reader 2: ρ = 0.73). Furthermore, there were significantly fewer substantial image distortions, with odds ratios of 0.051 and 0.084 for the two readers which coincided with a higher agreement of the prostate diameters in the phase-encoding direction (0.96 vs. 0.89). Conclusions Enema preparation is superior to catheter preparation and yields substantial improvements in image quality. Key Points • Enema preparation is superior to decompression of the rectum using air/gas suction through a small catheter. • Enema preparation markedly improves the image quality of prostate DWI regarding the severity of susceptibility-related artifacts, the differentiability of the anatomy, and the overall image quality and considerably reduces substantial artifacts that may impair a reliable diagnosis.

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Pengujian Reliabilitas Instrumen Terhadap Variabel Kontinu Untuk Pengukuran Konsentrasi Klorofil- A Perairan

BULETIN OSEANOGRAFI MARINA ◽

10.14710/buloma.v9i1.23924 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dwi Haryo Ismunarti ◽

Muhammad Zainuri ◽

Denny Nugroho Sugianto ◽

Suradi Widjaya Saputra

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing ◽

Chlorophyll A ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Test Statistic ◽

Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ◽

Central Java ◽

Instrument Measurement ◽

Measuring Tool

Instrumen penelitian adalah alat ukur yang digunakan secara sistematis untuk mengumpulkan data penelitian. Hasil penelitian yang baik diperoleh jika instrumen yang digunakan valid dan reliabel. Reliabilitas instrumen menunjukkan ketepatan atau sejauh mana hasil pengukuran instrumen dapat direplikasi. Reliabilitas menjadi salah satu parameter penting dalam menentukan kualitas suatu instrumen. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memilih statistik uji yang paling tepat terhadap pengujian reliabilitas terhadap instrumen untuk konsentrasi klorofil-a perairan. Data konsentrasi klorofil-a perairan diperoleh dari dua instrumen yaitu : metode spektrofotometri dari 14 stasiun pengamatan di Teluk Semarang Jawa Tengah dan penginderaan jauh. Statistik uji yang paling tepat digunakan adalah Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC). Nilai ICC adalah rasio antara varians objek terhadap varians total. Hasil penelitian diperoleh nilai ICC = 0,83 artinya 83 % keragaman data disebabkan keragaman objek dalam hal ini stasiun penelitian. Tidak terdapat bias pengukuran konsentrasi klorofil-a dari kedua instrumen, karena reliabilitas kedua instrumen mendekati sempurna. A research instrument is a measuring tool used systematically to collect the data. A good result of the research is obtained if the instrument is reliable. The reliability of the instrument showed accuracy on instrument measurement could be replicated. Reliability is one of the important parameters in determining the quality of the device. This study is aimed at selecting the most appropriate test of statistics in the reliability of the instrument for chlorophyll-a water concentrations. The data of chlorophyll-a waters concentration is gained from two instruments called spectrophotometric method from 14 observation stations in Semarang Bay, Central Java, and remote sensing. The best test statistic is the Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC). The value on ICC is the ratio between the variance of the object at total variance. The results showed that ICC = 0.83, meaning that 83% of a variety of data is due to the diversity of objects in these research stations. There is no bias in measuring the chlorofil-a concentration using the two instruments because the reliability of the two devices is closely perfect.

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Deaminase associated single nucleotide variants in blood and saliva-derived exomes from healthy subjects

10.1101/807073 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Nathan E. Hall ◽

Jared Mamrot ◽

Christopher M.A. Frampton ◽

Prue Read ◽

Edward J. Steele ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Exome Sequencing ◽

Whole Exome Sequencing ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Healthy Individuals ◽

Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ◽

Whole Exome ◽

The Impact ◽

Group 1

AbstractBackgroundDeaminases play an important role in shaping inherited and somatic variants. Disease related SNVs are associated with deaminase mutagenesis and genome instability. Here, we investigate the reproducibility and variance of whole exome SNV calls in blood and saliva of healthy subjects and analyze variants associated with AID, ADAR, APOBEC3G and APOBEC3B deaminase sequence motifs.MethodsSamples from twenty-four healthy Caucasian volunteers, allocated into two groups, underwent whole exome sequencing. Group 1 (n=12) analysis involved one blood and four saliva replicates. A single saliva sample was sequenced for Group 2 subjects (n=12). Overall, a total of 72 whole exome datasets were analyzed. Biological (Group 1 & 2) and technical (Group 1) variance of SNV calls and deaminase metrics were calculated and analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficients. Candidate somatic SNVs were identified and evaluated.ResultsWe report high blood-saliva concordance in germline SNVs from whole exome sequencing. Concordant SNVs, found in all subject replicates, accounted for 97% of SNVs located within the protein coding sequence of genes. Discordant SNVs have a 30% overlap with variants that fail gnomAD quality filters and are less likely to be found in dbSNP. SNV calls and deaminase-associated metrics were found to be reproducible and robust (intraclass correlation coefficients >0.95). No somatic SNVs were conclusively identified when comparing blood and saliva samples.ConclusionsSaliva and blood both provide high quality sources of DNA for whole exome sequencing, with no difference in ability to resolve SNVs and deaminase-associated metrics. We did not identify somatic SNVs when comparing blood and saliva of healthy individuals, and we conclude that more specialized investigative methods are required to comprehensively assess the impact of deaminase activity on genome stability in healthy individuals.

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Clinical correlates and implications of the reliability of the frailty index in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/glab161 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Quoc Dinh Nguyen ◽

Erica M Moodie ◽

Mark R Keezer ◽

Christina Wolfson

Keyword(s):

Odds Ratio ◽

Frailty Index ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Deficit Accumulation ◽

Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ◽

Reliability Estimates ◽

Predicted Probability ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Deficit-accumulation frailty indices (FIs) are widely used to characterize frailty. FIs vary in number and composition of items; the impact of this variation on reliability and clinical applicability is unknown. Methods We simulated 12,000 studies using a set of 70 candidate deficits in 12,080 community-dwelling participants 65 years and older. For each study, we varied the number (5, 10, 15, 25, 35, 45) and composition (random selection) of items defining the FI and calculated descriptive and predictive estimates: frailty score, prevalence, frailty cut-off, mortality odds ratio, predicted probability of mortality for FI=0.28 (prevalence threshold), and FI cut-off predicting 10% mortality over the follow-up. We summarized the estimates’ medians and spreads (0.025-0.975 quantiles) by number of items and calculated intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Results Medians of frailty scores were 0.11-0.12 with decreasing spreads from 0.04-0.24 to 0.10-0.14 for 5-item and 45-item FIs. The median cut-offs identifying 15% as frail was 0.19-0.20 and stable; the spreads decreased with more items. However, medians and spreads for the prevalence of frailty (medians: 11% to 3%), mortality odds ratio (medians:1.24 to 2.19), predicted probability of mortality (medians: 8% to 17%), and FI cut-off predicting 10% mortality (medians: 0.38 to 0.20) varied markedly. ICC increased from 0.19 (5-item FIs) to 0.84 (45-item FIs). Conclusions Variability in the number and composition of items of individual FIs strongly influences their reliability. Estimates using FIs may not be sufficiently stable for generalizing results or direct application. We propose avenues to improve the development, reporting, and interpretation of FIs.

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Agreement Between Proxy-Rated and Self-Reported Quality of Life for Persons With Dementia

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.840 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 262-262

Author(s):

Mariko Sakka ◽

Ayumi Igarashi ◽

Chie Fukui ◽

Maiko Noguchi-Watanabe ◽

Asa Inagaki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

The Self ◽

Self Report ◽

Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ◽

Proxy Rating ◽

Self Reports ◽

Two Measures

Abstract While quality of life (QOL) is an important endpoint of homecare for persons with dementia (PWD), PWDs often have difficulty in articulating their QOL by themselves. Instead proxy-rating is often used. However, evidence is still scarce regarding to what extent proxy-ratings reflect actual QOL of PWDs. We examined the association between self-report QOL by PWDs and proxy-rated QOL. We conducted a questionnaire survey to PWDs who were 75 years and older, their family, and homecare nurse in charge of the PWD. Two measures were used: 1) a newly developed, 4-item self-report for QOL of PWDs, and 2) a standardized, 6-item proxy-rating dementia QOL scale. In the self-report, the PWD were asked about their daily mood or satisfaction in life in brief, easy-to-understand sentences. The self-reports and proxy-ratings were compared using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Data from 382 PWDs, 248 family caregivers and 124 nurses were used. The mean age of PWD was 85.9 years and 60.5% were female. The proxy-rating by nurses were more strongly associated with self-reports, compared to the association between family proxy rating and self-reports (r = 0.351, p < .001; r = 0.236, p < .001, respectively). Proxy ratings by spouses and biological children were significantly associated with self-report (r = 0.257, p =.004; r =. 204, p = .006, respectively), while rating by children-in-law were not (r = 0.217, p = .160). Proxy-ratings may not be an appropriate substitute for self-report. Homecare nurses may evaluate the QOL of PWD better than their family caregiver.

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Validation of online Asthma Control Questionnaire and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire

ERJ Open Research ◽

10.1183/23120541.00289-2019 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 00289-2019

Author(s):

Rishi J. Khusial ◽

Persijn J. Honkoop ◽

Victor van der Meer ◽

Jiska B. Snoeck-Stroband ◽

Jacob K. Sont

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Asthma Control ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Random Order ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Asthma Control Questionnaire ◽

Quality Of Life Questionnaire ◽

Intraclass Correlation Coefficients

ObjectiveSeveral newly developed eHealth applications use online questionnaires to monitor asthma control. The Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) are two such commonly used questionnaires. These questionnaires are validated for use on paper. This study aims to validate them by assessing the agreement between online and paper versions of the ACQ and AQLQ.MethodsPatients (aged 18 years and older) from the Self-Management in Asthma Supported by Hospitals, ICT, Nurses and General Practitioners (SMASHING)-trial and Davos@home study were included in this study. Patients completed both the paper and online Dutch versions of the ACQ and AQLQ in a random order within a 2-week interval. Agreement between the different versions was assessed with paired t-tests, intraclass correlation coefficients and Bland–Altman plots.ResultsIn total 44 patients were eligible for analysis. The mean difference between the paper and online versions of the ACQ was 0.04 (p=0.40) and for the AQLQ it was 0.08 (p=0.06). The intraclass correlation coefficient scores were 0.94 for the ACQ and 0.95 for the AQLQ.ConclusionThe online versions of the ACQ and AQLQ show high levels of agreement with the paper versions and can therefore be safely used in eHealth applications to respectively monitor asthma control and quality of life.

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A novel faculty development tool for writing a letter of recommendation

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0244016 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (12) ◽

pp. e0244016

Author(s):

Kris Saudek ◽

Robert Treat ◽

Amanda Rogers ◽

Danita Hahn ◽

Sara Lauck ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Faculty Development ◽

Residency Program ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Bonferroni Correction ◽

Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ◽

Development Tool ◽

Pediatric Residency ◽

Linear Regression Modeling

Objective Based on a national survey of program directors we developed a letter of recommendation (LOR) scoring rubric (SR) to assess LORs submitted to a pediatric residency program. The objective was to use the SR to analyze: the consistency of LOR ratings across raters and LOR components that contributed to impression of the LOR and candidate. Methods We graded 30 LORs submitted to a pediatric residency program that were evenly distributed based on final rank by our program. The SR contained 3 sections (letter features, phrases, and applicant abilities) and 2 questions about the quality of the LOR (LORQ) and impression of the candidate (IC) after reading the LOR on a 5-point Likert scale. Inter-rater reliability was calculated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC(2,1)). Pearson (r) correlations and stepwise multivariate linear regression modeling predicted LORQ and IC. Mean scores of phrases, features, and applicant abilities were analyzed with ANOVA and Bonferroni correction. Results Phrases (ICC(2,1) = 0.82, p<0.001)) and features (ICC(2,1) = 0.60, p<0.001)) were rated consistently, while applicant abilities were not (ICC(2,1) = 0.28, p<0.001)). For features, LORQ (R2 = 0.75, p<0.001) and IC (R2 = 0.58, p<0.001) were best predicated by: writing about candidates’ abilities, strength of recommendation, and depth of interaction with the applicant. For abilities, LORQ (R2 = 0.47, p<0.001) and IC (R2 = 0.51, p<0.001) were best predicted by: clinical reasoning, leadership, and communication skills (0.2). There were significant differences for phrases and features (p<0.05). Conclusions The SR was consistent across raters and correlates with impression of LORQ and IC. This rubric has potential as a faculty development tool for writing LORS.

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Assessment of a generalizable methodology to assess learning from manikin-based simulation technology*

Journal of Chiropractic Education ◽

10.7899/jce-13-31 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 16-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Dominic A. Giuliano ◽

Marion McGregor

Keyword(s):

Learning Outcomes ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Wisdom Of Crowds ◽

Diverse Range ◽

Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Assessment Procedures ◽

The Impact

Objective This study combined a learning outcomes-based checklist and salient characteristics derived from wisdom-of-crowds theory to test whether differing groups of judges (diversity maximized versus expertise maximized) would be able to appropriately assess videotaped, manikin-based simulation scenarios. Methods Two groups of 3 judges scored 9 videos of interns managing a simulated cardiac event. The first group had a diverse range of knowledge of simulation procedures, while the second group was more homogeneous in their knowledge and had greater simulation expertise. All judges viewed 3 types of videos (predebriefing, postdebriefing, and 6 month follow-up) in a blinded fashion and provided their scores independently. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to assess the reliability of judges as related to group membership. Scores from each group of judges were averaged to determine the impact of group on scores. Results Results revealed strong ICCs for both groups of judges (diverse, 0.89; expert, 0.97), with the diverse group of judges having a much wider 95% confidence interval for the ICC. Analysis of variance of the average checklist scores indicated no significant difference between the 2 groups of judges for any of the types of videotapes assessed (F = 0.72, p = .4094). There was, however, a statistically significant difference between the types of videos (F = 14.39, p = .0004), with higher scores at the postdebrief and 6-month follow-up time periods. Conclusions Results obtained in this study provide optimism for assessment procedures in simulation using learning outcomes-based checklists and a small panel of judges.

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Validity of Domain-Specific Sedentary Time Using Accelerometer and Questionnaire with activPAL Criterion

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182312774 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (23) ◽

pp. 12774

Author(s):

Rina So ◽

Tomoaki Matsuo

Keyword(s):

Sedentary Time ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Research Field ◽

Working Time ◽

Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ◽

Domain Specific ◽

Metabolic Equivalents ◽

Study Participants

Accelerometers based on the cut-point method are generally the most used in sedentary time (ST) research. However, mixed cut-points are an issue, so an accelerometer based on metabolic equivalents (METs) could be used as an alternative. This study aimed to validate a METs-based accelerometer (HJA-750C, OMRON) and a questionnaire that estimates domain-specific sedentary time measures using activPAL as a criterion value. We also examined whether measurement validity differed according to gender and occupation. We used data from 242 workers in the validation study. Participants wore activPAL on the thigh and OMRON on the waist for seven consecutive days with daily recording logs. The Workers Living Activity-time Questionnaire (WLAQ) was administered once. The domain-specific ST assessed quantities of ST during commuting, working time, non-working time on a workday, and non-workday. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Spearman’s rho coefficients were then used to conduct analyses. The OMRON accelerometer showed acceptable values (r = 0.67–0.86 and ICC of 0.63–0.87) in the overall domain-specific ST. Additionally, each measurement result suggested that working time is the most accurate domain to measure ST (ICC of 0.87 for OMRON and 0.68 for WLAQ). Moreover, there were no differences in the overall validity of the results according to gender and occupation. The METs-based accelerometer has acceptable validity for ST measurements to be used among workers. Additionally, working time may be the preferred domain for the accurate assessment of ST in both objective and subjective measurements. These results can advance the quality of the sedentary research field.

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Lesion measurement on a combined “all-in-one” window for chest CT: effect on intra- and interobserver variability

Cancer Imaging ◽

10.1186/s40644-019-0262-0 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Annemiek Snoeckx ◽

Jeroen Cant ◽

Caro Franck ◽

Elisa Luyckx ◽

Ken Carpentier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Interobserver Agreement ◽

Interobserver Variability ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Lesion Size ◽

Processing Technique ◽

Observer Agreement ◽

Image Processing Technique ◽

Measurement Variability ◽

Intraclass Correlation Coefficients

Abstract Purpose A newly developed image processing technique fuses conventional windows into a single ‘All-In-One’ (AIO) window. This study aims to evaluate variability of CT measurement of lesions in thoracic oncology patients on this novel AIO-window. Methods Six radiologists with different levels of expertise measured 368 lesions of various size, origin and sharpness. All lesions were measured twice on the AIO-window and twice on the conventional window settings. Intraclass correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess intra- and interobserver variability. Results Overall intra-observer agreement for lesion diameters on the AIO-window and conventional window settings was 0.986 (95% Confidence interval (CI): 0.983–0.989) and 0.991 (95% CI 0.989–0.993) respectively. For interobserver agreement this was 0.982 (95% CI 0.979–0.985) (AIO) and 0.979 (95% CI 0.957–0.982) (conventional). For both the AIO and conventional windows, intra- and interobserver agreement were dependent on size, sharpness and reader experience. Measurement variability decreased with increasing lesion size. Regarding sharpness, inter- and intra-observer agreement ranged from 0.986–0.989 (AIO) and 0.985–0.992 (conventional) for well-defined lesions and from 0.978–0.983 (AIO) and 0.974–0.991 (conventional) for ill-defined lesions. Conclusions Lesion diameters were consistently smaller on the AIO-window compared to conventional window settings. Overall intra- and interobserver variability rates were similar for the AIO-window and conventional window settings. We conclude that the AIO-window offers a reliable and reproducible alternative for measurement of thoracic lesions.

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Factors Affecting Cyclists’ Chances of Success in Match-Sprint Tournaments

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2018-0346 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 472-477 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kathryn E. Phillips ◽

Will G. Hopkins

Keyword(s):

Elite Athlete ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Time Trial ◽

Strongly Correlated ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Female Head ◽

Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ◽

The Difference ◽

Athlete Performance

Purpose: To further the understanding of elite athlete performance in complex race environments by examining the changes in cyclists’ performance between solo time trials and head-to-head racing in match-sprint tournaments. Methods: Analyses were derived from official results of cyclists in 61 elite international sprint tournaments (2000–2016), incorporating the results of 2060 male and 1969 female head-to-head match races. Linear mixed modeling of log-transformed qualification and finish ranks was used to determine estimates of performance predictability as intraclass correlation coefficients. Correlations between qualifying performance and final tournament rank were also calculated. Chances of winning head-to-head races were estimated adjusting for the difference in the cyclists’ qualifying times. All effects were evaluated using magnitude-based inference. Results: Minor differences in predictability between qualification time trial and final tournament rank were suggestive of more competitiveness among men in the overall tournament. Performance in the qualification time trial was strongly correlated with, but not fully indicative of, performance in the overall tournament. Correspondingly, being the faster qualifier had a large positive effect on the chances of winning a head-to-head race, but small substantial differences between riders remained after adjustment for time-trial differentials. Conclusions: The present study provides further insight into how real-world competition data can be used to investigate elite athlete performance in sports where athletes must directly interact with their opponents. For elite match-sprint cyclists, qualifying time-trial performance largely determines success in the overall tournament, but there is evidence of a consistent match-race ability that modifies the chances of winning head-to-head races.

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