scholarly journals Predicting prognosis for adults with depression using individual symptom data: a comparison of modelling approaches.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Eusty Jonathan Buckman ◽  
Zachary Daniel Cohen ◽  
Ciarán O'Driscoll ◽  
Eiko I Fried ◽  
Rob Saunders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Model Performance ◽  
Null Model ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Training Data ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Factor Analysis Model ◽  
Treatment Data ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Sum Scores

AimsTo develop, validate, and compare the performance of nine models predicting post-treatment outcomes for depressed adults based on pre-treatment data. MethodsIndividual patient data from all six eligible RCTs were used to develop (k=3, n=1722) and test (k=3, n=1136) nine models. Predictors included depressive and anxiety symptoms, social support, life events and alcohol use. Weighted sum-scores were developed using coefficient weights derived from network centrality statistics (Models 1-3) and factor loadings from a confirmatory factor analysis (Model 4). Unweighted sum-score models were tested using Elastic Net Regularized (ENR) and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression (Models 5-6). Individual items were then included in ENR and OLS (Models 7-8). All models were compared to one another and to a null model using the mean post-baseline BDI-II score in the training data (Model 9). Primary outcome: BDI-II scores at 3-4 months. ResultsModels 1-7 all outperformed the null model. Individual-item models (particularly Model 8) explained less variance. Model performance was very similar across models 1-6, meaning that differential weights applied to the baseline sum-scores had little impact. ConclusionsAny of the modelling techniques (1-7) could be used to inform prognostic predictions for depressed adults with differences in the proportions of patients reaching remission based on the predicted severity of depressive symptoms post-treatment. However, the majority of variance in prognosis remained unexplained. It may be necessary to include a broader range of biopsychosocial variables to better adjudicate between competing models, and to derive models with greater clinical utility for treatment-seeking adults with depression.

Developing a Scale to Measure Interprofessional Collaboration in HIV Prevention and Care: Implications for Research on Patient Access and Retention in the HIV Continuum of Care

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-50
Author(s):  
Rogério M. Pinto ◽  
C. Jean Choi ◽  
Melanie M. Wall
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Interprofessional Collaboration ◽  
Training Data ◽  
Patient Access ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factor Analysis Model ◽  
Collective Ownership

To adapt and validate a scale for measuring interprofessional collaboration in HIV prevention and care (IPC-HIV), primary survey data were collected (2012–2017) from 577 HIV service providers in 60 organizations in New York, New Jersey, and Michigan. Cross-sectional training data were used to develop the IPC-HIV scale. The model was validated by fitting the five-factor confirmatory factor-analysis model to a 30-item set. The scale measures five domains with reliable alpha coefficients: Interdependence, Professional Activities, Flexibility, Collective Ownership, and Reflection on Process. Correlations between subscales were significant (p < .05). The strongest correlation was between Reflection on Process and Collective Ownership subscale scores. Mean scores ranged lfrom 4.070 to 4.880, with the highest score for Flexibility across all locations. IPC-HIV is valid and reliable among HIV-prevention and care workers, and is recommended for examining the effect of IPC on patient access to HIV testing and primary care.

scholarly journals Comparison of nasal douching with isotonic saline versus Ringer lactate in chronic rhinosinusitis: a randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 1064
Author(s):  
K. Paventhan ◽  
Pradeep Krishna R. ◽  
Ramya Shree C.
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Rhinosinusitis ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Isotonic Saline ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Ringer Lactate ◽  
Treatment Data ◽  
Group A ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Group B ◽  
Lactate Solution

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Nasal douching is a best effective and simple treatment procedure for chronic rhinosinusitis. This study compares the efficacy of nasal douching with isotonic saline solution versus ringer lactate solution in patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This randomized control trial was conducted among the patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who were attending the outpatient department of Otorhinolaryngology in Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chennai, during the study period from June 2019 to December 2019. After randomization group A and B includes thirty cases of chronic rhinosinusitis each and they received nasal douching with saline and Ringer lactate two times a day for a period of three weeks and assessed using sino-nasal outcome test (SNOT) 20 during pre-treatment and post treatment. Data was entered in Microsoft excel and data analysis was done using SPSS version 17.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> On assessing the overall SNOT 20 mean score, in both group A and group B, there was statistically significant improvement post treatment score when compare to pre-treatment scores. But the differences in improvement between the two groups were not found to be significant.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Though isotonic saline and ringer lactate solution showed significant improvement after treatment both these are same with respect to efficacy in the treatment of douching for chronic rhinosinusitis with no difference in outcome.</p><p class="abstract"> </p>

scholarly journals Indirect effects of conifer release alternatives on songbird populations in northwestern Ontario

1997 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Woodcock ◽  
John P. Ryder ◽  
R. A. Lautenschlager ◽  
F. Wayne Bell
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Dendroica Pensylvanica ◽  
Treatment Data ◽  
Major Treatment ◽  
Pre Treatment

The effects of conifer-release alternatives on songbird densities (determined by territory mapping, mist netting, and banding) in four young (four to seven year old) spruce plantations were examined. Twenty to 38 (block dependent) species bred on each treatment block. Post-treatment data revealed no major treatment-related changes in breeding bird species composition. The mean density of all birds decreased from 6.9 pairs ha−1 pre-treatment, to 6.3 pairs ha−1 in the first post-treatment growing season (P > 0.05). Mean densities of the 11 most common species increased by 0.35 ha−1 on the control plots during the first post-treatment growing season, but decreased on treated plots by 1.1 ha−1 (brush saw), 1.6 ha−1 (Silvana Selective), 0.14 ha−1 (Release®) and 0.72 ha−1 (Vision®). Following the conifer-release treatments, Chestnut-sided Warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica) had lower (P < 0.05) mean densities on the brush saw- and Silvana Selective-treated plots than on the control plots and fewer (P < 0.05) female birds were captured in the first post-treatment year. Key words: brush saw, Chestnut-sided Warbler, conifer-release, Fallingsnow Ecosystem Project, glyphosate, mist netting, Silvana Selective, songbirds, territory mapping, triclopyr

Design and monitoring of woody structures and their benefits to juvenile steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using a net rate of energy intake model

2017 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 727-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Eric Wall ◽  
Nicolaas Bouwes ◽  
Joseph M. Wheaton ◽  
Stephen N. Bennett ◽  
W. Carl Saunders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Intake ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Stream Fishes ◽  
Habitat Rehabilitation ◽  
Short Time Span ◽  
Treatment Data ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Treatment Comparisons ◽  
Short Time

Despite substantial effort and resources being invested in habitat rehabilitation for stream fishes, mechanistic approaches to designing and evaluating how habitat actions influence the fish populations they are intended to benefit remain rare. We used a net rate of energy intake (NREI) model to examine expected and observed changes in energetic habitat quality and capacity from woody debris additions in a 40 m long study reach being treated as part of a restoration experiment in Asotin Creek, Washington. We simulated depths, velocities, and NREI values for pre-treatment, expected, and post-treatment habitat conditions, and we compared pre-treatment versus expected and pre-treatment versus post-treatment simulation results. The pre-treatment versus expected topography simulations suggested treatment would increase energetically favorable area, mean NREI, and capacity in the study reach. Pre-treatment versus post-treatment comparisons yielded similar predictions, though to smaller magnitudes, likely due to the short time span and single high-flow event between pre- and post-treatment data collection. We feel the NREI modelling approach is an important tool for improving the efficacy of habitat rehabilitation actions for stream fishes.

scholarly journals Control of Silverleaf Whitefly on Poinsettia Under Greenhouse Conditions, Summer 1997

1998 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 350-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Redak ◽  
J. A. Bethke ◽  
H. S. Costa
Keyword(s):  
Analysis Of Variance ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Silverleaf Whitefly ◽  
Rooted Cuttings ◽  
Treatment Data ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Treatment Application

Abstract Poinsettias, ob tained as rooted cuttings, were potted in 15-cm pots and allowed 8-wk growth (15-20 cm tall) before use. The plants were fertilized once with Osmocote (14-14-14) and irrigated every d for three minby overhead misters. On day (0), ten whiteflies were caged on the 5th (counting from top leaf of about 1 cm2 down), and a 2.5-cm-diam circle was drawn on the leaf around the cage perimeter. Twenty-four h later the adult whiteflies were removed. After egg eclosion (10 Jul), a pre-treatment count of the no. of nymphs was taken, and it was followed by treatment application. Post-treatment counts of live nymphs were taken weekly for two wks. Treatments were applied using a backpack sprayer at approximately 25 psi. A RCB design was used with five replicates per treatment. Data were transformed log10 + 1 prior to analysis to satisfy the assumptions of the analysis of variance, and LSD (P = 0.05) was used to separate the means.

Cytoprotective Effect of Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction and α-Tocopherol Vitamin E Isoforms Against Glutamate-Induced Cell Death in Neuronal Cells

2014 ◽  
Vol 84 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 0140-0151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thilaga Rati Selvaraju ◽  
Huzwah Khaza’ai ◽  
Sharmili Vidyadaran ◽  
Mohd Sokhini Abd Mutalib ◽  
Vasudevan Ramachandran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Cell Viability ◽  
Neuronal Cells ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Mitochondrial Activity ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Tocotrienol Rich Fraction ◽  
Major Mediator

Glutamate is the major mediator of excitatory signals in the mammalian central nervous system. Extreme amounts of glutamate in the extracellular spaces can lead to numerous neurodegenerative diseases. We aimed to clarify the potential of the following vitamin E isomers, tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) and α-tocopherol (α-TCP), as potent neuroprotective agents against glutamate-induced injury in neuronal SK-N-SH cells. Cells were treated before and after glutamate injury (pre- and post-treatment, respectively) with 100 - 300 ng/ml TRF/α-TCP. Exposure to 120 mM glutamate significantly reduced cell viability to 76 % and 79 % in the pre- and post-treatment studies, respectively; however, pre- and post-treatment with TRF/α-TCP attenuated the cytotoxic effect of glutamate. Compared to the positive control (glutamate-injured cells not treated with TRF/α-TCP), pre-treatment with 100, 200, and 300 ng/ml TRF significantly improved cell viability following glutamate injury to 95.2 %, 95.0 %, and 95.6 %, respectively (p < 0.05).The isomers not only conferred neuroprotection by enhancing mitochondrial activity and depleting free radical production, but also increased cell viability and recovery upon glutamate insult. Our results suggest that vitamin E has potent antioxidant potential for protecting against glutamate injury and recovering glutamate-injured neuronal cells. Our findings also indicate that both TRF and α-TCP could play key roles as anti-apoptotic agents with neuroprotective properties.

Is That Measure Really One-Dimensional?

Methodology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 188-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther T. Beierl ◽  
Markus Bühner ◽  
Moritz Heene
Keyword(s):  
Model Fit ◽  
Nuisance Parameters ◽  
Factorial Validity ◽  
Fit Indices ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Factor Analysis Model ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analysis Model ◽  
Cutoff Values ◽  
Confirmatory Factor

Abstract. Factorial validity is often assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. Model fit is commonly evaluated using the cutoff values for the fit indices proposed by Hu and Bentler (1999) . There is a body of research showing that those cutoff values cannot be generalized. Model fit does not only depend on the severity of misspecification, but also on nuisance parameters, which are independent of the misspecification. Using a simulation study, we demonstrate their influence on measures of model fit. We specified a severe misspecification, omitting a second factor, which signifies factorial invalidity. Measures of model fit showed only small misfit because nuisance parameters, magnitude of factor loadings and a balanced/imbalanced number of indicators per factor, also influenced the degree of misfit. Drawing from our results, we discuss challenges in the assessment of factorial validity.

CONTRACEPTION BY AN INJECTABLE LONG-ACTING OESTROGEN-PROGESTOGEN AGENT. III

1972 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-76
Author(s):  
Rolf Plesner
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Period ◽  
Treatment Cycle ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Mixed Phase ◽  
Discontinuation Of Treatment ◽  
Phase Type ◽  
Secretory Type ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Long Acting ◽  
Fertile Women

ABSTRACT Twenty-two fertile women were treated cyclically in from 4–30 cycles (mean 15.5) with a total of 341 injections of Deladroxate®, an injectable, long-acting oestrogen-progestogen. The injections were administered on the 8th (7th–9th) day of each cycle. Before treatment, the last pre-treatment cycle was controlled by means of daily recordings of the basal body temperature (BBT), urinary excretion of pregnanediol and total pituitary gonadotrophins at certain intervals, and by endometrial biopsies obtained late in the cycle. The effects of Deladroxate® on ovulation, on pituitary gonadotrophic function, and on the endometrium were controlled by the above mentioned parameters during cycles 1, 3, and 6, and all assessments were repeated after discontinuation of treatment. During treatment, there was a statistically significant fall in gonadotrophin excretion values (as compared with the pre-treatment values), and the fall was found to be gradually progressive during treatment. After discontinuation of treatment, there seemed to be a tendency towards an increase in the excretion values. Suppression of ovulation as determined by means of the pregnanediol excretion during treatment, was effective in nearly all of the treatment cycles checked. The fall in pregnanediol excretion was also gradually progressive during treatment, while there was a slight increase in excretion values in the post-treatment period. During treatment, 79 BBT curves were recorded. Nearly 50 % were monophasic, indicating anovulatory cycles, 17 curves were biphasic, but with the rise in temperature occurring at non-characteristic times in the cycles, 18 curves were classified as thermogenic because of a rise in temperature occurring within 24 hours after the injection, and 5 curves were not assessable. During the first month after discontinuation of treatment, 8 out of 10 recorded curves were monophasic. Out of 53 endometrial biopsies obtained around the 23rd day of the cycle, 31 were of the mixed phase type, but showing a predominance of proliferative patterns, 15 were of the secretory type, and 7 were purely proliferative. Out of 15 biopsies obtained in the post-treatment period, only two were of the mixed phase type, 12 were proliferative and one was purely secretory.

The Colorado Cognitive Assessment (CoCA): Development of an Advanced Neuropsychological Screening Tool

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashita S. Gurnani ◽  
Shayne S.-H. Lin ◽  
Brandon E Gavett
Keyword(s):  
Construct Validity ◽  
Psychometric Properties ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Internal Consistency Reliability ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Cognitive Screening ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Factor Analysis Model

Objective: The Colorado Cognitive Assessment (CoCA) was designed to improve upon existing screening tests in a number of ways, including enhanced psychometric properties and minimization of bias across diverse groups. This paper describes the initial validation study of the CoCA, which seeks to describe the test; demonstrate its construct validity; measurement invariance to age, education, sex, and mood symptoms; and compare it to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Method: Participants included 151 older adults (MAge = 71.21, SD = 8.05) who were administered the CoCA, MoCA, Judgment test from the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB), 15-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and 10-item version of the Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS-10). Results: A single factor confirmatory factor analysis model of the CoCA fit the data well, CFI = 0.955; RMSEA = 0.033. The CoCA’s internal consistency reliability was .84, compared to .74 for the MoCA. The CoCA had stronger disattenuated correlations with the MoCA (r = .79) and NAB Judgment (r = .47) and weaker correlations with the GDS-15 (r = -.36) and GAS-10 (r = -.15), supporting its construct validity. Finally, when analyzed using multiple indicators, multiple causes (MIMIC) modeling, the CoCA showed no evidence of measurement non-invariance, unlike the MoCA. Conclusions: These results provide initial evidence to suggest that the CoCA is a valid cognitive screening tool that offers numerous advantages over the MoCA, including superior psychometric properties and measurement non-invariance. Additional validation and normative studies are warranted.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document